Congregants of the Church of Christ in the Thiba Al Hamyida area of Khartoum stood by helplessly as Sudanese government officials destroyed their church building.

A church member told CNN that the government came in during Sunday mass and said they would be destroying the building.  About 70 security personnel, some armed with guns and tear gas, used a bulldozer to destroy the building.

“They wanted to beat us or throw tear gas on us,” the church member said.

Reverend Kwa Shamal told the Morning Star News that government officials made it clear they were to not ask questions about why they were destroying the church. The government also gave no compensation to the church for the destruction of their building.

The pastor said the church’s congregation will meet in a tent this Sunday.