Pastor becomes ‘change maker’ for Arise Africa after learning of persecution in own country

A pastor is urging churches in Cameroon to wake up to the persecution facing Christians in Cameroon and sub-Saharan Africa.

A pastor in Cameroon has sparked into flame a desire among the churches in his country to support persecuted Christians through the Arise Africa campaign.

It all started when Rev. Samuel attended the Arise Africa Symposium in 2024. During the event, he not only learned about what is happening to the church in some parts of Africa, including his own country, he also was encouraged to be a ‘change maker’.

100 sign petition

Returning home, he started to speak about persecuted Christians in his church, the Union des Églises Évangéliques du Cameroun (UEEC), one of the largest Protestant denominations in Cameroon. Consequently, they designated the first Sunday of July as National Day for the Persecuted Church, when all UEEC congregations engage in prayer and financial support, particularly young people and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

This year, on the second annual day, they were joined by church leaders and representatives from at least 12 other denominations belonging to the Council of Protestant Churches of Cameroon (CEPCA), who happened to be in the vicinity for a separate event. When the Arise Africa campaign was presented, more than 100 people signed the printed petition whilst others used the QR code.

Afterwards, the CEPCA representatives expressed a strong desire to explore partnership opportunities with the campaign, with the aim of working together to support persecuted Christians and strengthen the church in areas affected by violence and insecurity. The first meeting is due to take place in August.

Additionally, during a recent engagement tour, Open Doors local partners in Cameroon introduced the Arise Africa campaign to new audiences.

These developments highlight how Arise Africa is gaining momentum in Cameroon, with a growing commitment by church leaders to advocate for and support persecuted Christians in their country and beyond – and much of it started with one pastor who, after participating in the Arise Africa Symposium, decided he wanted to be a ‘change maker’.

But the progress also shows how much work needs to be done to get the world talking about what’s happening in sub-Saharan Africa, with many believers even unaware of what’s happening to their brothers and sisters so close to home.

Could you be a ‘change maker’?

This is why the Arise Africa campaign is so vital and you, too, can be a change maker by galvanising others to add their voice to the petition, perhaps by inviting your friends or social media followers to sign it, or by speaking at your church and others in your local area.

Together, you can help us reach one million signatures to take to the UK government, and other national governments and international organisations, and ensure our persecuted family are given the protection, justice and restoration they are desperate for. Thank you!