Rev. Emmanuel Bileya, a pastor with the Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria (CRCN) and his pregnant wife have been attacked and killed on a farm in Taraba State.
The attack is linked to a tribal conflict plaguing the state.
The couple left behind eight children.
“Pastor Emmanuel and his wife, Juliana, had a passion for God and the work of evangelism,” said Mike Van Der Dyke, team leader for Resonate Global Mission in Nigeria following their death.
“Bileya felt the call of God to leave his teaching job and go into ministry full-time. He was posted to Makurdi, the capital city of Benue State, and he planted a CRCN church there that is a strong congregation today. He continued working as a church planter under the CRCN Missions Department in various parts of Nigeria,” said Van Der Dyke.
He added: “We thank God for their lives and pray for God’s peace for the children and family during this difficult time,”