Four Christians singled out for wearing crosses were executed in their village in the African nation of Burkina Faso.
The murders bring the death toll of Christians killed in attacks since February to 27, reported Faith Wire.
In several attacks, including the latest, the armed terrorists challenged Christians to convert or die.
“Unidentified armed men” entered the village June 27, according to Open Doors USA field workers, and “told everyone to lie down,”
The attackers then “proceeded to look for Christians by asking for first names or looking for anyone wearing Christian insignia,” the field workers said.
Open Doors identified the slain men as David Zoungrana, his younger brother Philippe, Theophile Ouedraogo and Ernest Kassoaga.
Open Doors said the men were not afraid to make a public statement of their belief in an area known internationally for its display of seven adobe mosques.
Faith Wire reported the terrorists torched a shop belonging to Zoungrana. They moved on to another village, Pougrenoma, where they warned residents against calling in any government officials or military forces.
The terrorists vowed to return, telling the Christians to convert or risk execution.
A 72-year-old priest was murdered on the border at Nohao in February. He and two other priests walked into a jihadist attack as they traveled from Togo, Faith Wire said.
Also in February, a 54-year-old pastor, Jean Sawadogo, was murdered on the road between Tasmakatt and Gorom-Gorom.
On April 23, a pastor was murdered near the main town of Arbinda in the Sahel.
Six people were murdered April 28 at a church in the small town of Silgadji near Djibo in northern Burkina Faso.
Suspected Islamic militants arrived on seven motorcycles around midday, towards the end of the service, and killed 80-year-old pastor Pierre Ouedraogo, his son, brother-in-law, a primary school teacher and two others.
They were told to convert, and when they refused, they were executed one by one.
On May 12, six people were killed, including a priest, by gunmen who stormed a church in Dablo in northern Burkina Faso during worship.
They burned down the church, shops, health center and other community buildings.
Four Christians were executed May 13 in Singa in the municipality of Zimtenga in the central north.
On May 26, four worshipers were murdered during a church worship service in Toulfe.
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