Below is the testimony of Sunday Nache Achi from the July 2007 issue of the Voice of the Martyrs magazine.
While studying architecture, Sunday Nache Achi served as president of the campus ministry of the Evangelical Church of West Africa. Despite the tension between Muslim and Christian students on the university grounds, Sunday continued his ministry and Bible studies.
It was during one of his campus meetings on December 9, 2004, that men forced their way into Sunday’s dormitory. His roommate, Idakwo Ako Paul, was the only one there at the time. He stood face-to-face with three Muslim students dressed in traditional Muslim “jihad” clothing demanding to know where Sunday was.
When Sunday returned to his dorm, Paul warned him of the threats. But Sunday refused to run. He knew the risk and was determined to continue his ministry.
Later that night, the three Muslim students returned. They dragged Sunday from the room at gunpoint. Paul screamed for them to let him go, but to no avail.
The next morning Sunday’s body was found next to the mosque. His neck was broken from strangulation and bruises covered his body. His friends wept at the death of their friend and leader. One of the students remarked on Sunday’s faithfulness and declared:
“Evangelism is something we must be prepared to die for. I see in the Bible examples of many who had to lay down their lives for the sake of the gospel. Why not me?”
As I read this testimony, I thought about how Christians in America are afraid to share their faith or to go out on outreach visitation. Why? Because we are afraid of being ridiculed? Worse yet, we are afraid of losing friends. We might even be passed over for a promotion because of our stand for Christ. In rare situations we could even lose our jobs for this.
When Sunday knew that his life was in danger because of his evangelistic activity, he did not run. He took a stand for his savior, looked danger straight in the face, and paid the ultimate price for his faith in Christ. Will you take a stand for Christ in your life? What will it cost you? Will you take that stand anyway or will you cave in because you cannot bear the consequence? I thank God for testimonies and examples like that of Sunday Nache Achi.
I think about this a lot! I considered myself first a spoiled American. And now a spoiled missionary serving in Kyiv. Spoiled in the sense that I honestly don’t fear for my life, as so many do who are on the field, simply for being willing to proclaim Christ.
I need to pray even more often for these persecuted brothers and sisters. Their examples of total trust in their Savior even in the harshest of situations…humbles me, convicts me, and then pushes me forward.
There is much more to this story as God has provided healing to us parents and relations of Sunday Nache Achi. The interesting thing is we can say “all thing work together for good…” because the death of Nache has given us a new vision. I can not relate the excruciating pains and stress I had between the time I received the news that my nephew has been killed and and when I actually went and got his corpes. The peace we now have can only be associated with that which comes from the Lord.
The vision God has given us (Sunday’s family) as a result of this tragic incident is huge.
Just pray with us.