Kidnapped Missionary Released by Gunmen

Morning Star News 12 March 2015

Phyllis Sortor
FMCUSA via Morning Star News

Phyllis Sortor, a 71-year-old missionary who was abducted by gunmen on February 23rd, was thankfully released from her captors on March 6th. The Christian woman was kidnapped from Hope Academy in Emi-Oworo village which is located within the central state of Kogi. Her main focus of ministry there was leadership development and the facilitation of a sponsorship program. She was also involved in establishing schools and instituting grazing projects to help alleviate the long-term conflicts between farmers and Fulani herdsmen.

Phyllis and her husband Jim previously ministered in Rwanda for nearly six years before moving to Nigeria in 2005. After Jim passed away in 2008, Phyllis remained in the African country where she continued to offer her gifts and talents to the Lord.

A church leader shared that "Phyllis was aware there were risks associated with her ministry, but also knew there are very few places in the world without risks and dangers." In fact, Phyllis herself had recently proclaimed: "Heaven is for real! There is no guarantee in life; no safe place -- other than that place we find ourselves when our full faith and trust is in God!"

Praise God that Phyllis has been released! May He grant her full healing as she now recovers from this arduous ordeal. Pray, too, that she will be given wisdom while endeavouring to discern His plans for her life going forward. Also ask that He richly bless the ministry efforts of this dear sister in Christ and her colleagues in Kogi State, using them to reach many with the Good News of Jesus.

Current Ministry Projects
VOMC works with in-country partners to encourage and strengthen persecuted Christians through a variety of methods. Christians are equipped with audio bibles to distribute to their persecutors. Christian widows receive skills training and trauma counselling as a way to provide an income for their families and heal from the trauma they’ve faced in losing their husbands. Children who have lost parents and relatives due to attacks are provided with a safe place to grow and be nurtured. Medical fees are paid for Christians who have suffered injuries due to attacks by Boko Haram and Fulani. Discipleship and vocational training are given to Muslim Background Believers to help them start their new lives spiritually and practically. The Glenn Penner Scholarship Award is used to help equip persecuted Christians completing their Masters and have a heart to share the Gospel with the lost in their community.

Project Funds: Women’s Ministry, Bibles, Medical Fund, Families of Martyrs, Equipping the Saints, Relief & Development
Country Information
Population
230,842,743 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Hausa (30), Yoruba (15.5), Igbo (15.2), Fulani (6), Tiv (2.4), Kanuri/Beriberi (2.4), Ibibio (1.8), Izaw/Izon (1.8), Other (24.7)

Religion (%)
Islam (53.5), Christianity (45.9), Other (0.6)

Leader
President Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu (2023)

Government type
Federal presidential republic

Legal system
Mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law (in 12 northern states), and traditional law

Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Nigeria
May God minister great comfort and healing to all who have been injured or bereaved as a result of the militants' brutal attacks. In addition, pray for the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls, that they will be assured of the Lord's abiding presence as they await release from captivity. Continue to uphold President Tinubu and other members of the Nigerian government as they make further attempts to rescue the remaining girls and provide protection for vulnerable citizens. As they persevere in their endeavours to overcome terrorism, may they be granted wisdom, courage, strength and help from on high.

Nigeria News

Over 7,000 Christians Killed Thus Far in 2025

Persecuted believers in Nigeria are familiar with grief.
Photo: Evangelical Church Winning All

Reports of violence against Christians in Nigeria continue to multiply, with attacks from multiple sources surging in both frequency and intensity. According to a report released on August 10th, more than 7,000 Nigerian Christians had been killed within the first 220 days of 2025 – an average of 32 deaths per day. Additionally, at least 7,800 followers of Jesus were abducted for their faith, more than 19,000 churches have been destroyed, and over 1,100 Christian communities are now dealing with displacement in the aftermath of these attacks.

Read more...
Expanding Dangers for Christians

Video screenshot showing some of the
destruction following the Benue massacre.
Photo: Stefanos Foundation

In recent weeks, the Voice of the Martyrs Canada produced a special two-part video series on Nigeria, highlighting the dangers facing Christians in the northern region of the country while focussing on the urgent need for prayer. If you have not yet taken the time to view these two brief but powerful videos, please do so at our country report.

The persecution of believers in Nigeria continues to escalate, fuelled by intensifying attacks from more than six different militant groups vying for control of the nation. As a result, hundreds of Christians have been killed, injured or kidnapped in recent months. In mid-June alone, more than 200 villagers lost their lives in the state of Benue and thousands of others were displaced. While economic and cultural factors contribute to the unrest, religion remains a major catalyst of the ongoing violence. For instance, during the recent raid in Benue, eyewitnesses reported that the attackers shouted, "Allahu Akbar," as they targeted predominantly Christian communities, leaving devastation in their wake.

Read more...
SPECIAL MEDIA PRESENTATION

Join us in praying for our Nigerian family.

VOMC's production team has filmed on location in Nigeria a special two-part "Persecution & Prayer Alert" video series. We now invite you to view the second part of this informative series. (To watch the previous week's video presentation, and/or to explore published written reports addressing persecution in Nigeria, visit our country report.)

Read more...
SPECIAL MEDIA PRESENTATION

View this inspiring call to prayer.

The Voice of the Martyrs Canada production team has filmed on location in Nigeria a special two-part "Persecution & Prayer Alert" video series. We invite you to view this presentation, and then join us in prayer for our persecuted Nigerian brothers and sisters in Christ who are – with God's empowerment and the prayers of His people – resiliently overcoming intense persecution in this beleaguered nation.

Read more...