Uganda: Evangelist severely beaten by Islamic extremists after leading Muslims to Christ
by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Islamic extremists in Uganda severely beat up a pastor and members of his congregation and demolished his church last month after discovering he led Muslims to Christ earlier this year, Morning Star News (MSN) reports.
Christianity is legal in Uganda, but Islamic extremists have carried out an increasing number of attacks on evangelists – as well as on former Muslims who convert to Christianity.
Pastor Agaba Ezera, who leads the Voluntary Salvation Outreach Church of Christ in the Buganda Region northwest of Kampala, was holding an evening service on November 8 when Muslim extremists arrived and stormed the building, MSN reports.
In a statement to MSN, Pastor Ezera said he and church members had shared the gospel with local Muslims in their homes between August 14-17 and that 23 people had put their faith in Christ as a result.
“This angered Muslims, and they came and attacked the church on Nov. 8 at about 8 p.m., while we were in the evening fellowship,” Pastor Ezera told MSN from his hospital bed.
“From out of nowhere, people came shouting and chanting Islamic words as if they were going to attend Eid prayers. They started beating us and pushing the church building down, as well as pulling off the iron sheets.”
“I was beaten badly with blunt objects, but glory be to the Lord Jesus because I survived though they thought that they had killed me,” Pastor Ezera said.
“This incident happened because of our evangelistic activities in the Muslim community of Katantala and Kapapali villages.”