The church in sub-Saharan Africa is on the run, with millions of Christians forced to flee their homes because of violence and conflict.

Church on the Run is fundraising activity created by Open Doors that invites churches and groups to get sponsored to run, walk, swim, cycle or move anyway they can to raise vital funds for persecuted Christians in Africa – people like Pastor Barnabas in Nigeria.

“I was on the farm with my brother, Everen, and his wife, Friday,” recalls Pastor Barnabas (pictured). “We heard shooting. We saw people running in different directions. We didn’t know what was happening.”

The community was being attacked by Fulani militants, a group of Islamic extremists who are responsible for many of the violent attacks in northern Nigeria. Pastor Barnabas and his family tried to run, but Everen and Friday didn’t manage to escape.

Today, Pastor Barnabas and his family live in a makeshift and overcrowded displacement camp, where they hunger, sickness and insecurity – just like millions of other Christians in sub-Saharan Africa.

“We have been starving, but any time it becomes critical, you assist us,” says Barnabas of the support provided by Open Doors through its Arise Africa campaign. “If not for the help of your ministry, I don’t think it would be easy for us to live. But with the aid of this ministry, they cared for us.”

But this is an ongoing and urgent need, not just where Pastor Barnabas is in Nigeria, but across sub-Saharan Africa, which is why churches and other groups are getting on the move for them, choosing an activity and distance that suits them to raise crucial funds, prayers and awareness.

Every £30 could help a persecuted Christian in Africa with emergency food and shelter for two months - as well as support for the long-term.

Every £350 raised could help two persecuted Christians in Africa with emergency food and shelter for a year - as well as support for the long-term.

Every £1,750 raised could help 10 persecuted Christians in Africa with emergency food and shelter for a year - as well as support for the long-term.

Find out more about the work of Open Doors and Arise Africa campaign at opendoorsuk.org/ariseafrica