The Arise Africa Campaign is a response to the call of persecuted Christians in Sub-Saharan Africa who feel “alone and unheard” in the face of unprecedented violent persecution.

In a declaration, written and signed in Lomé, Togo, in September last year, nearly 100 church leaders, students, journalists, lawyers, and members of civil society from across the continent, called for a prayerful and active response to the increase in violence experienced by the Church in Sub-Saharan Africa.

This declaration forms the bedrock of the Arise Africa campaign.

It was signed at the end of a three-day conference in which delegates fervently prayed together for the difficult situation many African Christians are facing. They also learned about freedom of religion or belief and how they can stand united against the violence, in defending this freedom and alleviating persecution.

Participants came from Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Togo, Chad, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Malawi, Mali, Uganda. Among the attendees was an Open Doors local field partner from Burkina Faso. He said, “The problem of terrorism is now across the country and is threatening the whole Church.” We cannot publish his name for security reasons.

The partner came with a team of journalists, lawyers, students and church leaders from Burkina Faso where churches not only face the risk of violent attacks, but are also overwhelmed by the needs of the millions of internally displaced people whom they try to help.

“It’s about bringing the Church together to continue the fight, to make the [Arise Africa] campaign a reality in Burkina Faso, and I am looking forward to that,” he said. “We will discuss a strategy and I’ve seen that the team members are excited. They feel more equipped, especially the law professionals and journalists, so I believe the fight will be different.”