Two men in eastern Uganda have been charged after the murder of an evangelist, Pastor Barnabas Musana.
According to another pastor from a nearby village, some of the militant Muslims in the area were upset because Pastor Barnabas had been holding evangelistic events and public debates about Christianity and Islam. In February 2020, he had been whisked away by church members after boldly stating that Jesus was the Son of God, and thus greater than Mohammad.
Source: Morning Star News
Pastor Barnabas was the pastor of churches in two villages. His ministry had become increasingly involved with the training of other evangelists who visited homes and led various villagers to faith in Christ, which further angered militants in both Namakoko B village and the village of Namwenda. To supplement his meagre income, the industrious pastor started a small fishing business, selling his catch through a local businesswoman.
On the morning of 12 September, when Pastor Barnabas went fishing at a nearby river, he was followed by two men. When he did not return, family and neighbours began searching for him. They found his slain body caught in plants along the riverbank. Two men, Faluku Gaju and Kowa Mugooda, who were known to harass and threaten Pastor Barnabas, have been arrested and charged with his killing.
The loss of this pastor’s life is especially difficult for his widowed wife and their three young children.
Let us pray.
- Remember Pastor Barnabas’ wife and their young children as they come to terms with their huge loss and the resulting changes they now must face.
- Pray they experience the comforting presence of Christ as He lovingly gathers them to Himself.
- Pray that those angered by the message of the Gospel will come to personally experience the love, peace and joy that can only be attained by acknowledging Jesus Christ.
Blessed Lord Jesus, we praise and thank you for the faith and life of our brother Pastor Barnabas Musana. We grieve his death and yet with hope we look forward to his greeting us in heaven with our Heavenly Father. We plead that you might remember Barnabas’ wife and their young children as they come to terms with their huge loss and the resulting changes they now must face. Give them the reality of the comforting presence of your Spirit as you lovingly gather them to yourself. Provide generously for their physical needs and help them to ripen in the fruit of your Spirit. We pray that those angered by the message of the Gospel will come to personally experience the love, peace and joy that can only be attained by acknowledging you as Lord and Saviour of the world. Have mercy Lord on Faluku Gaju and Kowa Mugooda who have been charged with Barnabas’ murder and may they turn to you in faith and deep repentance. Have mercy Lord and may you see your word triumph and progress as a result of this persecution and your good purposes.