Jennifer Jackson
Staff Writer
Rev. Susan Boyer, senior pastor of the La Verne Church of the Brethren, lectured about the connection the La Verne Church of the Brethren has with the group of Nigerian girls who were kidnapped in April by Boko Haram, a militant Islamist group.
Boyer opened this year’s Hot Spots lecture series with her lecture “Bring Back Our Girls: Brethren, Boko Haram and Nigeria,” in the President’s Dining Room on Sept. 25.
More than 200 girls were kidnapped by Boko Haram in Chibok, Borno and have not been rescued since.
“We have history and a connection with La Verne Church of the Brethren that has a direct connection with Church of the Brethren in Nigeria,” Gitty Amini, associate professor of political science and Hot Spots Coordinator said.
Boyer was born in Nigeria and moved to the United States with her American-born parents, who did missionary work for the Church. In the mid-1940s, the Church of the Brethren built and began the school where the girls were abducted.
“We should be concerned because it affects us,” said Amini. The Church of the Brethren in Nigeria is known as Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria, or EYN, which translates in English as “Church of the Children With the Same Mother.”
Ninety five percent of the girls abducted are members of EYN.
Since 2009, Boko Haram, officially known as Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad, has killed more than 5,000 civilians
“Their main goal is to establish an Islamic state in Nigeria,” Amini said.
When the abductions occurred, EYN asked for the United States to spend a week last August to pray and fast.
Donations from the U.S. Church of the Brethren are being used to help the Nigerian people move to establish themselves elsewhere.
“Bringing awareness to campus would be beneficial,” Boyer said.
“Students can donate to the EYN Compassion Fund through the Church of the Brethren denomination,” Wagoner said.
Boyer said the people in Nigeria must continue to put pressure on the United Nations and their own government to seek action against Boko Haram.
The Nigerian government declared a state of emergency in May 2013, but since then has failed to do any further efforts to help and take care of its people.
“I think it takes long term efforts to establish peace,” Zandra Wagoner, university chaplain and assistant professor of philosophy and religion, said.
“I would be more than willing to collaborate with students and fellow faculty members to organize fundraisers and raise awareness,” Wagoner said.
The Hot Spots lecture series is hosted by the International Studies Institute, spearheaded by Amini.
Jennifer Jackson can be reached at jennifer.jackson2@laverne.edu.
