They broke in at night to finish the job they’d begun weeks earlier. A group of Muslim radicals poured gasoline over everything inside the Kabylie church — chairs, Bibles, equipment — and then set it ablaze.
The church’s pastor, Karim, could see the glow of the flames from his rooftop. Five years earlier, he’d started the church in his home with just three people. It had grown to more than 400 members. The congregation had worshiped in the new building for two months.
Attacks like this are a frightening reality for many Kabylie Christians. The Kabyles — more than 10 million of them — are one of North Africa’s indigenous people groups. Most practice folk Islam, a mixture of Islam and traditional pagan beliefs.
Sam and Rachel Houston have spent more than 20 years working among them. These Southern Baptist representatives understand the harsh sacrifices many Kabyles make when they choose to follow Jesus.
Common punishments range from verbal and physical abuse to ostracism by one’s family. The latter is particularly hard on Kabylie women, many of whom depend on male family members for basic needs. Houston said an unbelieving husband or father may choose to lock a Kabylie Christian woman in her room until she reaffirms her faith in Islam, or withhold food, money or access to friends or schooling. Martyrdom is also a possibility.
But persecution doesn’t come only from Islamic zealots. In one North African country, it is illegal to do anything that could “shake the faith” of a Muslim. Penalties include a $1,200 fine and a three-year prison sentence. Ironically, the law has actually increased interest in the gospel.
“Anytime the government tells you something is bad, everybody wants to go find out about it,” Houston said. “It’s given the Christians a far higher level of visibility than they ever had before. … Every week there are people knocking on the doors of the churches … saying, ‘What is this about Jesus?’”
Despite such obstacles, Christian growth among the Kabyles is strong. From almost no believers or churches 50 years ago, today more than 21,000 Kabylie Christians and 120 Kabylie churches exist. Houston credits the growth to the movement of the Holy Spirit and decades of faithful prayer. He adds that Southern Baptists have played a small but important role, including translation and widespread distribution of the Kabylie New Testament, partnership with Kabylie radio ministries and training for Kabylie pastors.
Despite the loss of his church building and threats against his life, Karim said he’s not afraid. He quotes Scripture about believers expecting persecution on Christ’s behalf and said no harm can come to him unless God allows it.
“He asks us to follow, and to be persecuted, and to preach the gospel, so I will,” Karim said. “Jesus was persecuted; we will be persecuted also. We are disciples just the same.”
Expecting confrontations with the Muslims radicals to continue, he plans to make the most of it.
“We have decided to love them and preach the gospel to them,” he said.
EDITOR’S NOTE — Names have been changed to protect the individuals. (BP)
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