Forced Islamization in the 7th century set the church back, but in this time God is doing something new in Libya and North Africa.
- Simon of Cyrene, who helped Jesus carry the cross, was from what is now Libya. (Mark 15:21)
- On the day of Pentecost there were North Africans present who heard the gospel. (Acts 2)
- In the growing church in Antioch, Turkey, the Word of God was taught by men from Cyrene (Acts 13).
- The North African church was among the first Christian churches to send missionaries.
- Several church fathers had their origins in North Africa, such as:
- Tertullian, born in Carthage, in what is now Tunisia. He was one of the earliest writers of Christian literature in Latin and coined the term 'Trinity'.
- Born in Alexandria, present-day Egypt, Origen was the first theologian to develop systematic Christian theology.
- Cyprian was the bishop of Carthage and most likely had an Amazigh (Berber) background.
- Augustine of Hippo, now Algeria, was probably Amazigh (Berber) and is one of the most influential Christian theologians.
Read also: Christian persecution permeates Libyan society - deep into families and friendships
- Several church meetings took place in North Africa and helped the early church combat heresy and choose which books to include in the Bible.
- Just as the North African church today can experience harassment and persecution from authorities and Islamist groups, the early church was under pressure and persecution during the Roman period.
- After the brutal rise of Islam in the 7th century, churches were almost wiped out.
- The number of known Christian converts in Libya is estimated at 70, Tunisia at 2000 and Morocco at 500. In particular, the convert church has grown among the Amazigh (Berbers, ed.) in Algeria, where the number is estimated at 15,000.
How is Danish European Mission helping the church in Libya?
- Danish European Mission's donors support that convert Christians can be trained in the Christian faith, and that convert Christians under pressure can receive pastoral care and counseling in their specific situation.
- Danish European Mission supports the translation of the Bible into a minority language.
- The Danish European Mission has tried through diplomatic channels to contribute to Dia Balao's release from prison (read pages 4-5, ed.), but has not yet succeeded.
