Former Flames Football kicker makes lasting impact for persecuted Christians in Africa

In his years since kicking game-winning field goals for Flames Football, Liberty University alumnus Alex Barbir (’21) has devoted his time to a mightier task: providing support for persecuted Christians in Nigeria.

Barbir was a well-known staple with Liberty Football during his one season on the roster. Fans may remember the game at Virginia Tech on Nov. 7, 2020, when he nailed a 51-yard field goal in the final second to lead the Flames to a 38-35 upset victory.

Barbir, who transferred from Penn State and earned a business degree at Liberty, started the nonprofit organization Building Zion in 2023 with the goal of sharing the Gospel with unreached people groups and aiding persecuted individuals through various construction initiatives. Through partnering with local organizations in Nigeria, Building Zion has built multiple schools, shelters, wells, churches, and more. The organization recently completed work rebuilding a village where over 300 people were killed by terrorists, and it is now working to rebuild even more villages across Nigeria.

Barbir said religious violence remains a prevalent problem in the country. According to Open Doors, an international charity dedicated to bringing awareness to persecution against Christians, more Christians are killed for their faith in Nigeria each year than the rest of the world combined; over 3,000 Christians were massacred in 2025. In October, President Donald Trump designated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” and since then has made the issue a priority of his administration. In February, Barbir was invited to the National Prayer Breakfast, where Trump was a keynote speaker.

Barbir said he hopes his efforts in Nigeria will provide the people there with a springboard from which they can eventually become self-sustainable. He argued that American Christians must step up to help because the Nigerian government is doing very little to address the issue.

“I can’t sit on the sidelines when I see my own brothers and sisters, and even other people of other faiths, who are literally being slaughtered on a daily basis,” he said. “As Christians, we’re called to go into the fire. We’re called to stand up for the oppressed, to maintain the rights of the afflicted, to deliver the weak and the needy from the wicked and from the evil. It’s literally our duty and responsibility to go be with those people and help them.”

Despite the dangers plaguing Nigerian Christians, Barbir said many American churches aren’t doing enough to support them in their time of need. He urges believers to raise awareness through conversations with their friends and family as well as actively contribute to relief efforts through either serving in-person alongside Building Zion or giving financially.

In addition to aiding current Christians, Building Zion works to advance the Great Commission through sharing the Good News with unreached people groups. Through building structures in different villages, Barbir and his team open the door for future Gospel conversations.

“We’re not just going and telling people about Jesus, we’re not just building churches, we’re actually meeting some of the biggest needs that people have because that’s how we truly show people that we love them and we care for them and that the love of God is in us,” he said. “We’re there to actually show them, ‘We love you. We care for you. We’re not here for our own benefit or just to tell you something, but we’re actually doing things to physically help you guys and to show that love, not just by profession but by action.”’

As Barbir continues his ministry work in Nigeria, he finds comfort in Romans 1:16 and 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, which emphasize the incredible power of the Gospel and highlight God’s work in sustaining his faithful laborers.

“Even though we encounter challenge after challenge and trial and suffering and tribulations, and all these different things, I cling to hope that there is a greater reason and a greater purpose,” he said. “I know that through these things I am being perfected, I’m growing deeper in my relationship with God, and ultimately I’m being prepared to meet Him face-to-face one day.”

Barbir said some of the friends he made at Liberty are partnering with him in the ministry; one is serving on his board of directors and another who serves as a missionary in Japan continues to be a source of encouragement for him.

Since graduating, Barbir is now pursuing master’s degrees in theology and apologetics through Liberty University Online Programs. He said his Liberty education has helped prepare him to defend his faith, as 1 Peter 3:15 commands.

“My graduate classes at Liberty have helped me grow in theology, in understanding, in doctrine, and really just grow deeper not only within my own faith but also in being able to convey my faith to others,” he said. “Apologetics is extremely relevant and needed in these types of places because they are primarily Islamic. … I use it all the time, especially when witnessing to Muslims. That alone has been extremely influential in my own life, and obviously that pours into the ministry as well.”

Watch an interview with Barbir and CBN News.