Attack On Church In Kenya Leaves Seven Dead
April 16, 2014 By
A Bible lays among the bloodshed after a deadly attack at Joy In Jesus Church in Mombasa, Kenya.
“Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.”– Matthew 24:9.
The increasing tide of Christian persecution continued in Kenya as gunmen entered a Sunday church service and opened fire on worshipers, killing seven and wounding several more. The attack is yet another sign of the growing attacks on Christians in nations all over the world.
“A Planned Attack Aimed At Creating Fear..”
Survivors of the church shooting assess the damage.
According to reports:
Gunmen entered a Sunday morning worship service in Kenya’s coastal Mombasa County yesterday and sprayed the congregation with bullets, killing at least seven Christians and leaving several others in critical condition.
Two heavily-armed men wounded more than a dozen of the 200-member Joy in Jesus Church in the Likoni area of Mombasa, where a mosque said to have ties with the Somali Islamic extremist group Al Shabaab has caused tensions.
Among the dead was assistant pastor Phillip Musasa, sources told Morning Star News.
“The pastor had a head injury and succumbed to the injury while being rushed to the hospital,” said a pastor who visited victims today at Coast General Hospital, also known as Makandara Hospital. “I saw 10 of the survivors in the hospital, and they are in a critical state.” (source).
Once the attackers left, they then went to carry out another mass shooting at Redeemed Gospel Church but were met by armed guards at the entrance and left. Though no one has claimed responsibility for the attack, Likoni policie chief Robert Mueithi told reporters that due to the high-powered weaponry and large amounts of ammunition found at the church he suspected it was the work of terrorists. “This has all the indicators of a terrorist attack because the attackers did not steal anything and appeared to be focused on killing,” Mureithi said.
Church leaders believe the attack was retaliation for a February police raid at the Masjid Musa Mosque, also located in Likoni, where a number of Muslims were arrested. Kenya has become a hotbed of terorrist activity in response to its military intervention in Somalia. Al-Shabaab, the Al-Queda linked terror group that has wreaked havoc in Africa, claimed responsibility for the Westgate Mall attack in September 2013 that left 67 dead and scores injured. So it is clear that the presence of Islamic terrorism is very real in this area.
Prophesied End Time Persecution
A shooting victim is treated for gunshot wounds.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. – Matthew 5:10-11.
Jesus Christ prophesied that his believers would face persecution, especially as the time of His Coming approached. And in many nations all over the world, anti-Christian sentiment is on the rise. Pray for the many thousands of Christian brothers and sisters who are literally risking their lives by proclaiming and displaying their faith in The Lord Jesus Christ. The believers in Kenya are continuing to attend church and proclaim their faith even in this hostile environment. Bishop Wilfred Lai, senior pastor of the Redeemed Gospel Church and chairman of the County Church Forum, said area Christians will not be deterred. “We as the body of Christ in the coastal region of Kenya will stand firm in spite of the cruel act of terrorism,” he said.
Pray that Bishop Lai and the other Christians in the region maintain their faith and find their comfort in The Lord during this time of persecution. And that those who hate the Christian faith will repent, believe the Gospel and turn back to God who they vainly rage against.
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. – 1 Peter 4:12-14.