Children are by far the most receptive to the Gospel. In Nigeria, over 40% of the population is 14 years old or younger (compared to just 18% in the United States). With most parents here being open to their children hearing the Gospel, we have a unique and wide-open door to reach the next generation for Christ. In October, the Lord blessed me with the opportunity to preach the Gospel in 5 different schools. We passed out decision cards afterwards so the bus captains of the church could follow up with them. The Soul-Winning, Leadership, & Missions Conference went well. Pastor Maskey, Missionary Daniel Lang, and Evangelist Denton Bell all preached powerful messages. Members of the church also filled out new Faith Promise commitment cards, with some making decisions to participate for the first time.
With Nigeria making the news in America, we have had some of our supporters reach out to us and ask about our safety. While there are many threats that we have to be watchful of, the likelihood of being martyrs is not high due to us being in the South, with most of the conflict being in the North of the country. Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be called a Christian. Open Doors has over 4,000 researchers and volunteers across over 60 countries, and their research indicates that in 2023, Nigeria accounted for 89% of all people killed in the world for professing faith in Christ. What’s even sadder to me is the fact that a good deal of these individuals killed were likely Christian in name only, rejecting Jesus and trusting in their good works for eternal life. Mixed in with those, however, are legitimate children of God who suffer persecution and threats of death. I have personally visited Bro. Mark Holmes’ City of Refuge in Abuja, where those in the North who profess Christ can flee and have safety from the threats they face. I preached to them, spoke with them, and heard some of their stories—they’re heartbreaking. Please continue to pray for Nigeria and especially for the threat Christians are facing.
Lastly, Sandra and I have been blessed by God with another child. Nigeria accounts for 29% of all maternal deaths worldwide (mothers who die while giving birth), and we have been strongly advised not to have the baby delivered here. We will be returning to the U.S in February for the baby to be born and to get the baby’s needed paperwork to return to the country. This process will take a few months, so if you would like us to report in, let me know. When we return to Nigeria, we plan on starting the process of establishing our own independent work. Please pray for us.
Working hard to bring fruit to your account,
Jeremy, Sandra, Carina, Barrett, Henry, Alex, and Joanna Barker
-
- Preaching at NKPOLU Senior Secondary School
-
- God blessed me with 12 visitors for Friends Sunday.
-
- Rain didn’t stop Esther and Favour from getting saved.
-
- Rain often leads to flooding outside of our home.
-
- Carina, Barrett, & Henry singing on Children’s Sunday
-
- Samuel, Favour, and Hycent after receiving Christ
-
- Preaching at Girls’ Model Secondary School
-
- Sandra speaking to a group of ladies at the conference
-
- With Missionary Daniel Lang and Evangelist Denton Bell
-
- Preaching at NKPOLU Junior Secondary School
-
- Preaching at CSS Mboshimini Ube Junior Secondary School
-
- Sandra had 12 visitors, and I had 10 on Children’s Sunday.
