Ten Adventists Among 147 Killed by Terrorists in Kenya Last Week
From ANN, April 8, 2015: When a terrorist group shot large numbers of students and others on the campus of Garissa University in Kenya last Thursday (April 2), at least 10 of the 147 killed were Adventists. The al-Shabab extremist group targeted Christian students, according to reports in the international news media.
Among the dead was Eric Nyumbuto, the leader of the local Adventist congregation on campus. Stanley Rotich, a member of the Garissa Adventist Church, reported he was in a nearby building when he heard the gunshots, which prompted him to call Nyumbuto. The conversation abruptly ended when the phone was disconnected. He later learned of his friends’ death.
Over the course of the attack, 500 students managed to escape, and several were left severely injured. One of the first policemen to respond to the attack was Philmon Okal, the Sabbath School superintendent for the local Adventist Church in Garissa. “Words can’t describe how horrific this event was to experience. But this attack reminds me that the second coming of Jesus is very near,” Okal said. “We must continue to look for that day when violence, death and destruction will be no more.”
Several people have already been arrested in connection with the attack and the Kenyan government has promised to bring swift justice to all those involved. This is the deadliest attack in Kenya in almost two decades. The al-Shabab is the same group that committed the attack on the Westgate Mall in Nairobi in 2013.
Adventists around the world are mourning the deaths of the students killed last week. Members from the Garissa congregation told ANN, “We are heartbroken by this senseless loss and solicit your prayers for all of the victims of this terrible tragedy.”
Garissa University opened in 2011 and is the first and only public university in a northern region of Kenya which is a poverty-stricken desert. The education that it provides is often a turning point in the lives of the young adults who attend, reported The Washington Post.
There were 824,185 members of the Adventist denomination in Kenya at the end of last year. When children too young to be baptized and non-members who attend church regularly are included, it is estimated that there are nearly 2 million Adventist adherents in the nation out of total population of 47 million. There are nearly 9,000 Adventist congregations.
The Adventist News Network (ANN) is the official news service of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination.
My heart and prayers go out to the families of the victims as well as those directly involved. I believe The Lord allowes these things to happen to these marters for His glorification in ways that will be soon reveiled at His coming. MARANATHA !!!
The reason they were killed is because the population is disarmed and people are totally helpless. These terrorists are basically “shooting fish in a barrel.” I agree that God let this happen like other terrible events to illustrate the consequences of sin and to show Satan’s way of governing the universe.
You can pray all you want for these people, but it doesn’t change the fact that Africa has strict gun control laws that leave everyone vulnerable to attacks in the future. The Africans need to change their own laws to start allowing the masses to protect themselves.
Interesting comment. Do you live in a country, other than Africa, now trying disarm their citizens– and for what reasons?
Gun ownership is false security. Lift higher the theme of the cross and seek to convert the heart of one terrorist at a time. Guns are a great symbol of hatred and death in anyone’s hands saints or sinners.
Let us begin to live the faith of the first Christian churches, caring for all the neglected of this earth, their plight used to justify the guns, war, global terrorism and such.
A 2nd amendment is what Africa needs.
I’ve often wondered about the text in Matthew where Jesus says “and they will kill you”. I feel guilty living in a country where we are so comfortable, have everything we need/want, and brag about living the abundant life that Jesus came to give us. I want to have the love for others that Stephen had for his church family just before they threw the first rock. “Lord, Don’t hold this charge against them”. Will any of us be able to stand when this happens in our country. Maybe it’s time to start selling our toys and put the money in God’s work. Something we’ll be able to take with us. God Bless, comfort and save the family’s of these “saints” that died that day. g.c.a.
So true…
It is horrific as well as scaring as we continue to bury 0ur loved ones.The problem also lies with us as many of Kenyans do not train in disasters.emergencies and any other type in preparedness.Many do not understand of this programs. I am wondering if ADRA KENYA MAY COME UP AND HELP IN SOME KIND IN TRAINING.
Simon k mureu.
Certified chaplain—Disasters and emergencies
I am from the U.S. We have some legislators pushing to take steps toward disarming Americans every year. Fortunately, there are enough common sense people to push back on their proposed policies. These legislators think that society will somehow be safer without guns. Africa and Europe is proof that disarming the masses just makes you vulnerable to armed terrorists.
People kill people, not guns. Guns can be used for good or evil. Should we get rid of cars because they can kill people so easily? How about knives? They kill all kinds of people as well. It’s like saying that spoons make people obese. People have a choice on what they eat. Should we ban all spoons? My point is this logic is used all the time to justify taking away freedom, guns, etc.