Violence is also striking other parts of the country. In Benue, Taraba, Nassarawa and Plateau States, for example, violent clashes have broken out between herdsmen and farmers. World Renew is responding.

The name, Boko Haram, comes from the Hausa language and means “Western education is forbidden.” It is believed that Boko Haram has been in existence in Nigeria since 2001, but only became very popular in 2009. The exact purpose and intent of this terrorist group is questionable; one day it is attacking Christians, another day it is attacking Muslims, on other occasions it is attacking government institutions, public buildings such as the United Nations building in Abuja, or schools. Over the past decade, Boko Haram has wreaked havoc on many innocent people in Nigeria as well as parts of Niger and Mali.

Peace and reconciliation training has also become a regular part of World Renew’s ministry, which helps to deal with situations like the conflicts in central Nigeria.

“In some ways Boko Haram is like the Lord's Resistance Army problem in Uganda which started in 1991 and is still active,” said World Renew’s West Africa Team Leader*.  “There has been a whole set of factors that converged to lead to this type of uprising: charismatic leaders, access to funding sources, the proliferation of small arms in the region, political power struggles, unhealthy cultural practices, corruption, population growth in a region with high rates of poverty and unemployment, and several other causes including demonic forces.”

World Renew has worked in the West Africa region since 1969. While the Boko Haram uprising has limited the amount of ministry that can occur in some affected regions, it has not halted the overall work.

In fact, in several instances World Renew has been able to work through its local church partners to provide food, trauma counselling and other assistance to refugees fleeing from violence throughout the region.  Peace and reconciliation training has also become a regular part of World Renew’s ministry, which helps to deal with situations like the conflicts in central Nigeria.

In the wake of these newest crises, World Renew is gearing up once again.

“As followers of Jesus Christ living in this world – which some seek to control, but which others view with despair – we declare with joy and trust: our world belongs to God,” said one World Renew Nigeria staff member*.  “God holds this world in sovereign love. Violence, injustice, corruption, poverty, hunger, sickness, lack of shelter, disasters, and other life challenges have devastating impacts on families and communities. People who are obedient to God have a very significant and important role to play in these difficult circumstances.  We are wrestling with appropriate ways the church can respond.”

World Renew expects that its response will involve trauma healing as well as other assistance.  Your support is needed.

To support World Renew’s response in Nigeria, donate online

(choose "Nigeria Conflict" from the International Disaster Response category)

or mail your check made out to World Renew, marked "Nigeria Conflict 2014," to: 

World Renew US
1700 28th Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
Tel: 1-800-552-7972

World Renew Canada
3475 Mainway
P.O. Box 5070 STN LCD
Burlington, Ontario, L7R 3Y8
Tel: 1-800-730-3490

* Due to security risks in the region, all names have been withheld.