Relatives of a recent convert to Christianity dragged a pastor to jail and vowed he will remain there until the woman returns to her family, sources said.
Joseph Shawish, pastor of Glory Baptist Church in Ajoang Thok refugee camp in South Sudan, was dragged to the camp’s police station Jan. 20 by the Muslim brother of convert Amona Ibrahim Kaki, sources told Morning Star News. The family accused Shawish of kidnapping.
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As of Jan. 30, Shawish was still in custody with no charges against him, a source said. The family considers Shawish responsible for Kaki’s faith in Jesus.
After coming from Sudan to the refugee camp, Kaki, age 18, secretly read the Bible for two years. On Dec. 25, 2025, she revealed to the church that she had put her faith in Jesus.
On Jan. 8, her family expelled her from their home, after which a church leader gave her safe lodging, the source told Morning Star.
Life and death
Her family has demanded her return, saying the pastor will be jailed until she goes home.
Church leaders are refusing to surrender her because they and Kaki believe she will be killed if she goes back to her family.
Sudan is No. 4 on Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List of the 50 places most difficult to be a Christian.
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