4 Christians Executed in Burkina Faso for Wearing Cross Necklaces

Will Maule | ChristianHeadlines.com Contributor | Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Anti-Christian violence has continued to spread across the West African nation of Burkina Faso, with a further four believers shot dead in cold blood at the end of June. 

According to Christian Persecution charity Open Doors USA, on June 27, heavily armed militants were spotted entering the village of Bani with the aim of hunting down followers of Jesus. The small community was gripped with a paralyzing fear as the militants proceeded to order everyone to lie down.

Then, a search ensued. The terrorists had one clear mission: find those who claim Jesus as their Lord and savior. They searched tirelessly for anything that might identify the individuals as Christ-followers. Then, tragically, they succeeded—four men were found to be wearing crosses around their necks.

As soon as it became clear that these men were Christians, they were dragged away from the group and brutally executed. Their names were David Zoungrana, Philippe Zoungrana, Theophile Ouedraogo and Ernest Kassoaga.

“At this stage, we don’t know their ages or anything about the families David, Philippe, Theophile and Ernest left behind,” wrote Lindy Lowery at Open Doors USA. “Just that they followed Jesus—and their faith was part of them. They weren’t afraid to make a public statement of their belief in an area known internationally for its display of seven adobe mosques–six of which are built at the top of Bani’s main hill.”

Unsatisfied with their murderous acts, the men then went on to torch David Zoungrana’s shop. The group then headed through another town, Pougrenoma, where they warned residents, under pain of death, against reporting the incident to any government or military officials. The militants also ordered that any Christians in the community must convert to Islam or risk execution.

Some 27 Christians have been murdered in Burkina Faso since February 27. Heartbreakingly, the number of attacks against communities of faith has increased dramatically in recent years. In 2016, there were 12 reported jihadist attacks, in 2017 there were 33 and in 2018 this number rocketed up to an astonishing 158.

Psalm 25:19. Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.

Psalm 38:19. But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.

Psalm 41:7. All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.

Psalm 69:4. They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.

Psalm 69:14. Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.

Matthew 10:22. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Mark 13:13. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Luke 6:22. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.

Luke 21:17. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.

John 7:7. The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.

John 15:18. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

John 15:23. He that hateth me hateth my Father also.

Christian Persecution

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Christian Martyrdom

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