Faith That Can Not Be Burned

Faith That Can Not Be Burned

By: Vashti Graham

Artist Description:

This artwork was created to bring awareness to the churches across Africa that have been burned because of their faith. It was also made to stand in solidarity with believers who continue to worship, even when worship costs them everything. There are so many lives and stories affected by violence that often go unseen. In several countries, particularly Nigeria and Mozambique, churches are being systematically targeted and destroyed due to faith based persecution by radical Islamist groups. Hundreds of churches have been reduced to ashes. Countless Christians have been assaulted. Many violent acts against followers of Jesus go unreported and uninvestigated. This piece is a reminder of what it means to make God our everything, so that when all else is stripped away, nothing of eternal value is lost. Faith that cannot be burned, silenced, or destroyed which remains the greatest refuge of all. We grieve with those who have lost sacred spaces, homes, and loved ones, and we honor their courage to keep believing.

Scripture References:

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."

Romans 8:18 "The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us."

Matthew 5:10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Hebrews 10:34 "You joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one."

Psalm 73:26 "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Philippians 1:21 "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."

Additional Facts You May Find Interesting

In some parts of Africa, Christians return to the ashes of burned churches the very next day to pray (standing where the altar once was).

In Nigeria, armed groups have attacked churches during worship services, sometimes kidnapping or killing people while they were praying. In Kaduna State, northern Nigeria, gunmen attacked three churches mid service. This included Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), a Cherubim and Seraphim church, and a Catholic church... abducting over 150 worshippers during a service. Only a few returned safely in the days following.

In northern Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, militant groups linked to ISIS Mozambique burned down at least 18 church buildings in a single three week period, forcing communities to flee rather than assemble openly.

In Napala village in Cabo Delgado, extremists burned two churches and over 1,300 homes, displacing more than 2,000 Christians and killing many people.

Some believers keep worshipping even after their church is destroyed, because their faith matters more to them than the building.

When worship costs them safety, they still come. When worship costs us comfort, we sometimes hesitate. Some believers risk their lives just to worship, while we struggle to get out of bed to attend a service.