As violence continues to devastate Christian communities across Nigeria, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is taking a decisive stand—uniting churches, amplifying the voices of the persecuted, and equipping pastors and Christian leaders serving in some of the country’s remote areas.
In a recent address in Jos Nigeria, to Christians nationwide, Archbishop Daniel C. Okoh, President of CAN, spoke with urgency and moral clarity about the ongoing crisis facing believers. He described the sustained attacks on Christian communities as “a grave injustice that has gone on for far too long,” stressing that many victims have received no compensation, no justice, and no meaningful protection.
“What we are witnessing is the systematic destruction of Christian lives and livelihoods,” Archbishop Okoh said. “The Church must not be silent. We must raise our voices, stand in prayer, and act in unity against this evil.”
A Crisis Demanding Action
Nigeria is home to Africa’s largest Christian population, yet Christian communities—particularly in the Middle Belt and northern regions—continue to face brutal attacks, displacement, and loss of life. Churches have been burned, pastors targeted, families uprooted, and entire communities left traumatized.
CAN, which represents one hundred million Christians across Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, Pentecostal, and African Indigenous Churches – one of the largest national Christian associations in the world, is calling this moment what it is: a humanitarian and moral emergency.
“This is not only an attack on Christians in Nigeria,” Archbishop Okoh emphasized. “It is an assault on human dignity, religious freedom, and justice itself.”
Standing Together as the Body of Christ
As part of its response, CAN is urging its member churches, affiliates, and the global Christian community to stand with those affected—in voice, in prayer, and in practical action. Central to this effort is the CAN Bible Project, which aims to provide pastors—especially those in rural areas and those serving under persecution —with the Africa Study Bible.
The Africa Study Bible, published by Oasis International Publishing, is designed to provide biblical encouragement, theological depth, and contextual insight for leaders ministering under extreme pressure.
“Our pastors and leaders are standing on the frontlines of faith,” said Archbishop Okoh. “They must not stand alone. Equipping them spiritually is an act of resistance and hope.”
A Call to the Global Church
CAN is calling on Christians—particularly in the United States and across the global Church—to:
• Speak out against the ongoing killings and displacement of Christians in Nigeria
• Pray consistently for affected communities and church leaders
• Advocate for justice, accountability, and protection for vulnerable populations
• Support efforts to equip persecuted pastors through resources like the Africa Study Bible
“The Body of Christ is one,” Archbishop Okoh affirmed. “When one part suffers, all suffer. And when we stand together, injustice does not have the final word.”
Join Us in Matching the Sacrifice of Nigerian Believers
As outlined in CAN’s official appeal, this initiative calls on the global church to match the sacrifice and resilience of Nigerian believers through tangible support. The CAN Bible Project focuses on resourcing persecuted pastors and Christian leaders with the Africa Study Bible—a vital tool for teaching, encouragement, and perseverance in hostile environments.
Project costs include the printing, secure transportation, and direct distribution of the Africa Study Bible to pastors and leaders serving in high-risk and crisis zones, as well as coordination and on-the-ground logistics to ensure the Bibles reach those most in need. These leaders often minister without pay, under constant threat, and with little or no external support—yet they continue to shepherd their communities faithfully.
This call is deeply personal for Archbishop Daniel C. Okoh, who was invited in 2011 to serve on the Founding Committee of the Africa Study Bible. His involvement from the project’s inception reflects a long-standing commitment to ensuring that African pastors have access to Scripture resources that speak directly to their cultural, spiritual, and lived realities. Today, as President of CAN, he is once again calling on the global Body of Christ to stand in unity—equipping those who remain steadfast in the face of persecution.
“Our brothers and sisters have paid a great price for their faith,” Archbishop Okoh has said. “The least we can do is stand with them—strengthening their hands, lifting their voices, and ensuring they are not forgotten.”
CAN invites churches, ministries, and individual believers to act decisively—to pray, to speak out, and to give—so that the Church in Nigeria may continue to shine as a witness of hope, courage, and unwavering faith amid ongoing injustice.
The Christian Association of Nigeria is the umbrella body for Christians in Nigeria, representing millions of believers across five major Christian blocs. CAN exists to promote unity, defend religious freedom, and serve as the collective voice of Christians in Nigeria.
SOURCE Christian Association of Nigeria
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