Iris Global Ministries, under the leadership of evangelists and missionaries Rolland and Heidi Baker, has not suffered the recent wrath of Muslim extremists in Mozambique but is taking in refugees from Christian villages in that country and keeping on its guard, a spokesperson for Iris says.
As Charisma News reported Monday, many Christian villages in Africa, including several in Mozambique, have been attacked by the Islamic State in recent weeks, sometimes leaving decapitated bodies in their wake. Many of the attacks have been centered around the Mozambique city of Cabo Delgado. The Bakers’ ministry is headquartered in Pemba, which is approximately 92 miles from where much of the violence took place.
“Everyone—Heidi, Rolland and members of their team—is safe, but they are definitely dealing with a heightened security system,” says Joy, a spokesperson for Iris Global in California. “The good news is that everyone is safe, but they are monitoring things very closely.
The Bakers have been away from Pemba for a brief period of time but were expected to return to the village on Tuesday. They have spent the last four years on the front lines as missionaries in Mozambique, and Joy says the last couple of them have been “very intense.”
Reports say that thousands have fled from the area around Cabo Delgado, where between May 23 and May 31 six villages were attacked by ISIS, leaving eight dead. Four Christians were among those who were murdered. ISIS released photographs of six decapitated bodies as well as images of the burned villages.
“The violence has been concentrated on Cabo Delgado, and our staff members have been impacted by the violence because they have extended families that live out in the villages,” Joy said. “That’s why it’s heartbreaking. They have family, friends, and there are pastors in Iris churches that have had to flee the violence. The pastors want to go back out there, but they’re not sure it’s safe right now.”
“We’ve been providing food and shelter for the people who have fled,” Joy said. “We’re all praying for God’s protection on everyone there from this violence. It’s making a lot of people nervous.” {eoa}
Shawn A. Akers is the online editor at Charisma Media.
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