If you've read the blog frequently then you will remember this story.  Three Indonesian women have been jailed and persecuted for simply teaching children the bible during "Happy Week".  The verdict is expected tomorrow.  Please, please pray for a just verdict and their release.

Verdict Expected in Indonesian Court Case

The Voice of the Martyrs has learned that the court hearings in the case of three women accused of attempting to convert Muslim children in Indonesia have concluded and a verdict is expected on September 1.  The trial has been marked with loud outbursts from Muslims observing the trial, as well as demonstrations outside the courthouse.  Threats have been made by some if a
guilty verdict is not handed down.

Pray that the judges will reach a fair judgment, despite the threats made by the crowds.  Pray that the women and their families will be safe from violence.

For more information on this case, follow the links at http://www.persecution.net/country/indonesia.htm.

Voice of the Martyrs Canada is reporting today in their Prayer Newsletter that Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang was released yesterday from prison!  Read the story now.

Pastor Quang Released from Vietnamese Prison

The Voice of the Martyrs has received news that Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang was released from prison on the afternoon of August 30.  It is unknown if his release is related to a recently announced amnesty in conjunction with celebrations of Vietnam's independence.  More details about the
circumstances and conditions of his release will be made public as they become available.

Approximately 100 Christian leaders remain imprisoned in Vietnam.  Glenn Penner, spokesman for VOMC, expressed his continued concerns, "While we welcome Pastor Quang's release from prison, we expect the Vietnamese government to grant him full liberty to pick up his responsibilities with
the Mennonite Church of Vietnam without conditions or restrictions.  We also urge the Vietnamese government to release evangelist Pham Ngoc Thach and other Christians who are still unjustly imprisoned."

Praise God for this unexpected release and for His goodness, faithfulness and mercy.  Continue to pray for Pastor Quang, his wife and church members, as government pressure will undoubtedly continue.

For more information on the persecution facing Christians in Vietnam, as well as more information on Pastor Quang, go to http://www.persecution.net /country/vietnam.htm.

World Net Daily has posted a short article about some persecution that has happened today.  Read the article titled 'Hindu radicals' ransack Christian church :Indians enter Assembly of God building, desecrate Bible .

The other day I was thinking about the many prisoners who are currently in jail for their faith in Christ Jesus, and the thought came to me what does it take to get Christians really motivated to write people they do not know personally in prison.

As I thought about it, I thought to myself..."I wonder if it was St. Paul the Apostle or St. Peter in jail and writing letters and needing deliverance and encouragement, would I write to them?"  The answer was a resounding YES...in a heartbeat I would write because afterall it's Peter and Paul two of the greatest saints of all time!

Then I thought, how do we know that those who are currently in prison today are also not as great or even greater saints then our spiritual fathers.  Afterall, they are following in the steps of persecution and pain.

Please write a prisoner today. Visit www.prisoneralert.com Thank you.

Pray the largest prayers. You cannot think a prayer so large that God in answering it, will not wish you had made it larger. Pray not for crutches but wings.
--Phillips Brooks, 19th century pastor and author

If you're like me then last night when you were watching the news you broke down and cried just watching the devastation.  In fact, I was so overwhelmed by what I saw that it surprised my husband when I started to cry.

Then I started to think about this whole situation and it occurred to me that the Lord must be weeping big time over this catastrophy because I know He loves His creation and His children.

But then despite feeling helpless I realized that we are not helpless because we can pray and give the victims of this disaster.    And I'm very encouraged today as I read all over the blogosphere bloggers who are calling for prayer and setting up posts that help people to give.  In fact, some have even called to set aside this Thursday as a special day of prayer and blogging for relief.

If you are a blogger please email N.Z. Bear and get added to the list.

And please check out the following organizations and give as generously as you can.  We thank you in advance.

The American Red Cross - and don't forget you can also give blood that is much needed.

Samaritans Purse - Franklin Graham's ministry

Feed the Children

Life Outreach International

Thank you again for all your support and please tell a friend to help.

Today we are so excited to announce to you that we are launching the Voice of the Martyrs Blogosphere Program. This is the only program using the blogosphere that focuses on the persecuted church because we know that bloggers are some of the best voices for the persecuted church.

We also realize that if you are reading this blog that you either are a blogger yourself or you read blogs.  So we wanted to give you the opportunity to partner with us in ministry to the persecuted church.

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM
The purpose of the blogosphere program is to encourage you to disseminate information about Voice of the Martyrs on your own blog.

HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS
To participate in the program we require you to do two things:

1. Place an banner on your site signifying that you blog for VOM.

2. Agree to do a minimum of two posts per month about Christian persecution mentioning Voice of the Martyrs with a link to the main website, the Persecution Blog, and/or the newsletter.

BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION
The benefits of participation will be immeasurable because you will never know how your love for the persecuted will be rewarded by God. It is our hope your concern for persecuted believers around the world is enough to motivate to actively participate in this program. Just know that you are helping to advance the cause of the persecuted church and create awareness for our suffering brothers and sisters in Christ around the globe. Surely, there will be heavenly reward awaiting you for doing so, as well as the joy of knowing you are participating in a Kingdom enterprise.

There is one tangible benefit we can provide. We are building a blogroll of program participants and we will be happy to add your blog to it.

From time to time we may contact you with information we'd like you to share with your readers. Otherwise, please visit the Persecution Blog to find information to write about linking back to any individual post you reference. We encourage you to use trackbacks as well.

Use the form below to sign up now! You will receive an email message asking you to confirm your subscription. It will say "vomblogosphere." Oh, and be sure and tell a friend!

Your Name:
Blog URL:
Your E-mail Address:

Not only is Jesus coming soon, but we here at VOM persecution blog are working on an exciting new program that will enable all of you in the blogosphere to join us in educating others about the persecuted church.  So stay tuned because details will be coming soon!

If you're like me and continually follow the news of the persecuted church then you can't miss the mention of Eritrea all over the news.  A few stories today caught my eye and unfortunately I'm very saddened by all of it.  The headlines will speak for themselves, and so I will just post the links so you can read them.

Eritrea suspends US aid efforts

The Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Eritrea Becomes the Latest Target for Persecution of Church Leaders.

Eritrea's Orthodox Spiritual Father Patriarch Antonios Removed from his Post

The Faith Community in Eritrea: Its Need for Mobilization for Change

Heartbreaking news isn't it?  Well, you can learn more about how to help Eritrea by contacting Voice of the Martyrs and also by visiting a website called Release Eritrea!

And never forget to pray and also sign up for our news magazine that you can receive free from Voice of the Martyrs.

Every once in awhile I come upon a news article that is just too good to pass up.  This morning is one of those days and so I just had to share it with you.

Have you ever wondered about the people of influence who truly get the ball rolling when it comes to religious freedom?  I have, and apparently Sheryl Henderson Blunt did as well because she did an outstanding job in her article called The Daniel of Religious Rights which is posted today on the Christianity Today website.

The article is rather lengthy, but it is filled with some great information about Nina Shea.  And maybe you've never heard of Nina, so let me highlight a little bit about her.

Nina is the Director, Center for Religious Freedom.  She is a well respected advocate for the persecuted church, and Nina has written a wonderful book called In the Lion's Den: Persecuted Christians and What the Western Church Can Do About It . 

Christianity Today has also written another complimentary article called Subverting Dignity which exposes Nina's thoughts on why one of the greatest threats to human freedom is Shari'ah Law.

Please take some time to check out these resources and leave us some comments with your thoughts.  We always love to hear from you.

Christian News Today has a great article on their website that you must read.  The title of the article is China:  Defiantly Intensifying Persecution .  Please take a few minutes and click on over and read it.