The community was being attacked by Fulani militants, a group of Islamic extremists who are responsible for many of the violent attacks in north central and central Nigeria. Pastor Barnabas and his family tried to run, but Everen and Friday didn’t manage to escape. They tragically lost their lives. Pastor Barnabas was left a with a badly broken hand when a militant attacked him as he tried to escape.

The attack was five years ago, and ever since, Pastor Barnabas and his family have been living in a displacement camp, where the conditions are appalling and believers face dangers every day. The needs are huge and Open Doors – an international charity that supports Christians who are persecuted for their faith – is helping meet many of them. This includes food, trauma care, skills training and medical care.

“We have been starving, but any time it becomes critical, you assist us,” says Barnabas, who pastors thousands of people at the camp. “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.

Every £35 could help sustain a displaced believer with food, clothing, hygiene products and medical care

“If there is any way you can contribute yourself, contribute in a way to help us Christians in the IDP camp, please do it and God will bless you,” adds Pastor Barnabas, “and join together with us to pray that God Himself should be our defender and sustain us and keep us.”

You can find out more about Pastor Barnabas' story here:

And find out more about the work of Open Doors at opendoorsuk.org.