You gave this Nigerian pastor hope!

“If I hadn’t come for trauma healing, bad thoughts would have occupied my head,”

        Source:                      www.opendoorsus.org
Date:                           October 8, 2026

Please watch this powerful video!
Over the past month, we’ve been sharing stories of faithful believers in sub-Saharan Africa. You’ve met Pastor Michèe from Burkina Faso and Asabe* from Nigeria. 
Today, I want to introduce you to Pastor Josiah* from northern Nigeria.
In one night, Pastor Josiah lost his wife, and he and the rest of his family were taken captive during an extremist attack on his village.
The days ahead would be filled with brutality and grief. But praise God, Josiah’s story doesn’t end there.
I’m excited to share with you how the Lord brought him and his daughter out of captivity and continues to work in his life today. 

Watch Pastor Josiah’s story

Our local partners connected with Josiah after he returned home. Through your prayers and support, he and his daughter have been able to access care at a trauma center in Nigeria supported by Open Doors.

The counseling support he has received has brought healing and hope.
“If I hadn’t come for trauma healing, bad thoughts would have occupied my head,” Josiah shares, “but after my times at the trauma center, I feel a lot better, and my heart is now at rest.”
As you already know, Pastor Josiah is one of thousands of believers in sub-Saharan Africa who have endured violent suffering for their faith. Targeted violence is shaking the foundations of whole communities.
“They attack us because of our religion,” he says, sharing an overarching call for the worldwide Church: "Christians abroad should rise and talk about what is happening to Christians here.”
I hope you’ll take a few minutes to watch your brother’s story and then stand with him by signing the Arise Africa petition. We have until November 2 to reach 1 million signatures which we plan to present to the African Union, European Union and United Nations.
If you’ve already added your voice, thank you. Please consider asking others to sign it too. Thank you for standing with your brothers and sisters in sub-Saharan Africa.
In Christ,

Ryan Brown
CEO, Open Doors US

*Name changed for security reasons
For more information about Open Doors US, visit www.opendoorsus.org

Since Brother Andrew started Open Doors in 1955, the ministry has mobilized prayer, support and advocacy for Christians living in places where faith in Jesus can be costly. Now working in more than 70 countries around the world, Open Doors is committed to standing with persecuted Christians through Bible distribution, training and socio-economic aid. If you have any questions about donations, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call 1-800-896-5285.
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