In Algeria Christians are constitutionally free to practise their faith, but not share it. Many churches have been closed and many leaders are convicted criminals with jail sentences hanging over their heads. Although relatively short, these two to five-year prison sentences cannot be completed if they are not started, so remain over them indefinitely, creating great uncertainty. This is a direct response to the phenomenal church growth in Algeria in one generation, with Christians increasing from the tens in the mid-1980s to tens of thousands by 2016.
A church leader thanked UK Christians for support during this time of increased persecution and requested continued prayer for a still very young church mainly comprised of new Muslim-background believers – that has been forced underground.
He said: ‘This help is perceived as a sign of love and of solidarity from the body of Christ in the UK. It causes us to want to continue and to persevere in the faith, it is proof that we’re not alone’.
He remains hopeful, saying ‘God asks us, simply, today, to be confident, to remain faithful as a Christian in Algeria. God has a good plan for our country, especially for his church here.’
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