(UPDATED) Beheaded Brethren leader taken captive in Nigeria said he was at peace with death because Jesus “is still alive.”
Update (Jan. 21): Boko Haram has beheaded a Brethren church leader in Nigeria, according to the same investigative journalist who shared the pastor’s hostage video which encouraged many with its testimony [see below].
“To break some news items can traumatize. I'm battling with one of such. Reverend Andimi, abducted by #BokoHaram was executed yesterday,” tweeted Ahmad Salkida. “Rev. Andimi was a church leader, a father to his children and the community he served. My condolences go to his family.”
“Reverend Lawan Andimi was beheaded yesterday afternoon, the video of the appalling executions with that of a soldier was obtained at 2:42pm,” the journalist tweeted. “I made sure that the family, the authorities and the church were duly informed before the news was put out to the public this morning.”
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) condemned the “brutal murder.”
“As Christians, knowing there is life after death, we nevertheless value the gift of this life,” stated chief executive Mervyn Thomas, “and we join in mourning an uncommonly courageous man, who despite knowing death was a very real prospect, maintained a calm and deep faith that will continue to inspire for generations.”
Meanwhile, CSW reported that a recently released hostage confirmed that Leah Sharibu, the teenager whose perseverance has become an inspiration to Nigerian Christians, is still alive.
Nigeria is the second-most violent country for persecuted Christians (Pakistan is No. 1), according to the 2020 World Watch List released last week by Open Doors.
The list ranks Nigeria at No. 12 among the top 50 countries where it’s hardest to be a Christian. According to Open …