Nigeria’s Middle Belt is a fractured land, a dangerous divide between the Christian south and the Muslim north. Here, a quiet war rages, fueled by ancient grievances and escalating violence, where Christians are increasingly targeted – and often killed – for their faith.
Gabriel, a security agent tasked with protecting pastors and missionaries, spoke with grim certainty: “The Fulani are obsessed with their cows. They love their cows more than human beings.” The Fulani, primarily nomadic herders, are at the heart of much of the bloodshed and kidnappings plaguing the region.
The spark often ignites with cattle. Fulani herders drive their herds onto Christian farms, leaving trails of destruction in their wake. When farmers protest, the response is brutal – villages razed, lives shattered, and unimaginable atrocities committed against unarmed communities.
Despite being a minority group, the Fulani are remarkably organized, capable of mobilizing large numbers of armed fighters with chilling efficiency. Communication flows through a network of motorcycle messengers, delivering instructions for coordinated attacks, bypassing modern technology.
In the face of such relentless aggression, Christians are largely defenseless, forbidden from owning weapons or forming militias. Yet, a different kind of battle is being waged – a struggle to reach hearts and minds, to offer a message of peace and forgiveness even to their persecutors.
But choosing to follow Christ comes at a devastating price for Fulani converts. They are cast out by their families, stripped of their livelihood, and branded as outcasts. For some, it’s a death sentence, a target painted on their backs.
Just outside Jos, a city on the front lines, lies a sanctuary: Harvest Training Center. Within its walls, Muslim converts to Christianity find refuge, discipleship, and a path toward a new life, overseen by City Ministries of EMS/ECWA.
Here, they receive not only spiritual nourishment but also practical skills, preparing them to return to their communities and become agents of change. They are provided with food, shelter, and, most importantly, safety from the ever-present threat of retribution.
Garba Zambu, a dedicated teacher, guides students through the teachings of the Apostles, equipping them to share their faith and challenge the cycle of violence. He prepares them for a difficult journey, one that demands courage and unwavering conviction.
“Principally, we focus on the Fulani,” Zambu explained, noting that many graduates have already become pastors, spreading a message of hope and reconciliation. Mohammad, a former Muslim now teaching at the center, stands as a powerful testament to the transformative power of faith.
City Ministries extends a hand of service to the Fulani community, offering free veterinary care and helping to dig wells for their cattle. These acts of kindness are not merely charitable; they are seeds of connection, fostering understanding and building bridges where division once reigned.
Recognizing that converts can never return to their former lives, the center provides vocational training – sewing, hair cutting, shoe making, and computer skills. But progress is hampered by a critical lack of resources, particularly electricity to power the computers.
“We are living on solar here,” Zambu lamented, “and we cannot be able to turn on the computers.” Despite the challenges, hope remains, a steadfast belief that God will provide.
The vision extends beyond the current facilities. Joel Haruna, who coordinates outreach, dreams of expanding the program, but limitations in classrooms and dormitories hold them back. “We are putting everything that we do into the hands of God,” he said, praying for the support needed to reach more lives.
Graduates emerge transformed, becoming “new people” who actively work to de-escalate violence and share their faith with their communities. They are missionaries to their own people, leading others away from extremism and banditry.
Each graduate receives a toolkit to establish a small business, a crucial step toward self-sufficiency. Having been rejected by their families, they find a new purpose, often becoming the primary providers for those who once shunned them.
Approximately sixty students have already completed the program, establishing thriving businesses and impacting their communities. They are not just surviving; they are flourishing, demonstrating the profound impact of this ministry.
The students were encouraged with a reading from Mark 10:29, a promise of abundant reward for those who sacrifice for the gospel. Haruna emphasized that despite terrible experiences and family rejection, they have found a new family within the center’s walls.
