Day of the Christian MartyrSample

Pastor Jean-Paul Sankagui, Tanzania

In 1993, Pastor Jean-Paul Sankagui planted a church in a Muslim neighborhood outside Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic. He maintained good relations with the community for years, but the civil war between Seleka rebels, government forces, and anti-balaka militias changed everything.

Most of the pastor’s church members fled the area as hostility grew toward Christians. Even the pastor’s wife, Mary, urged him to leave the area and work someplace safer. But Pastor Jean-Paul remained obedient to what he believed God had called him to do.

On Feb. 7, 2017, Islamists shot Pastor Jean-Paul to death outside his church before looting and burning his house and the church. Mary said they killed her husband because the community no longer wanted Christians in the area. She and Pastor Sankagui had been married 48 years and had 11 children and 17 grandchildren. After losing not only her husband but also her home and possessions, Mary had no choice but to leave the area.

Five other pastors in the region also were killed in the first five weeks of 2017. Pastor Jean-Paul knew the risks, counted the cost, and willingly stayed to shepherd his small congregation and serve as a witness for Christ in the neighborhood.

Scripture

“‘ ... And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30–31

Prayer/Response

Father, thank You for Pastor Jean-Paul’s example of loving the people of his community with the love of Christ. Help me to love those I know and proclaim the love of Christ without fear. May I never hesitate to live boldly for Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.