Nigeria Family Perseveres after Parents Murdered by Fulani Muslims

8/13/2024   (ICC)

Six years ago, the Fulani extremists murdered the parents of Josiah Micah Wayit and his five younger siblings without their beloved parents. Their father, a pastor with the Evangelical Church Winning All, and their mother, a devout Christian known for preaching peace to both Fulani herdsmen and traditional idol worshippers in their village, were brutally murdered after they had attended the burial of a fellow Christian who had also fallen victim to the violence. “The Fulani herdsmen targeted my parents because they were Christians and preached the gospel of Christ,” said Josiah. During the past four years in Kaduna state, 23 pastors have been killed, and more than 200 churches have been forced to close due to the relentless attacks. Despite the ongoing struggles of being without their parents, Josiah and his siblings have remained steadfast in their faith. They have relocated to Plateau state, where they are slowly rebuilding their lives. Amid the pain and loss, Josiah’s immediate younger brother, 26-year-old Mathias Wayit, is following in his father’s footsteps, studying at a seminary to become a pastor. Mathias says, “I am ready to preach the gospel of Christ and, if necessary, to die as a Christian, just like my parents.”

Please pray…

• Praise God for the faith of Josiah, Mathias and their siblings in the midst of persecution and great loss.

• Pray for the Lord to bless Josiah as he takes on the responsibility of providing for his younger siblings.

• Pray that they will all remain strong in Christ, and for Mathias to become a pastor like his father.