USA/China (MNN) ― A visit to the U.S. by China's presumptive next president, Xi Jinping, has not been without its controversy.

Protestors have been gathered outside of the buildings where high-level meetings are being held. One bombshell released by religious freedom advocates this week: an official snub to a religious envoy.

Lindsay Vessey, the advocacy coordinator for Open Doors USA, explains. "Dr. Suzan Johnson-Cook, who is the ambassador for international religious freedom, was supposed to go to China earlier this month to meet with a number of people who have been persecuted for their faith. She was actually denied her visa by the Chinese government."

Meetings Johnson-Cook was to have been a part of were cancelled. Without meetings, China said there was no reason to need a visit. Interestingly, the snub was already known in Washington prior to Xi's arrival. Vessey says, "One of the things that was stated by these advocates who kind of broke the story is that the State Department, and the Obama Administration actually directed that they not talk about the denied visa in advance of Xi Jinping's visit."

In a time when China is concerned about its internal security, "They've increased their internal security budget even more than their national defense budget," says Vessey. "They believe often that people who are Christians, Falun Gang practitioners, or Muslims are a threat to State security."

Such scrutiny makes it all the more important for Johnson-Cook to speak out. The silence from Washington was deafening. Vessey says the lack of open support could undermine any further work Johnson-Cook tries to accomplish in other areas. "This is basically demonstrating to the Chinese government that religious freedom really isn't that important to this administration, that they're not willing to stick their neck out and speak publicly." 

Xi defended Beijing's human-rights record, but Vessey says sweeping China's treatment of religious minorities cannot be ignored. "That's concerning [us] because when a government isn't willing to treat their own people well, why should we trust them in other matters?"

Vessey notes the job will be more complicated now. "I think it's going to make things more difficult because in the past, we've had administrations that were more willing to be vocal in support of Christians and other faith groups that are persecuted. And when the Chinese government is aware that people are watching and that people are trying to hold them accountable, that really makes a difference."  

Disclosure drew criticism, but it had the intended effect. As the stir grew, the story seems to have changed a bit. Now, White House spokesman Jay Carney says that Chinese officials have told the White House they are working on dates for Johnson-Cook's visit.

The envoy post was created as part of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, which seeks to promote religious freedom as a U.S. foreign policy and to advocate on behalf of individuals viewed as persecuted in foreign countries due to their religion.

Cook is the first woman and the first African-American to hold the post.

Source: Mission Network News

Pakistan (MNN) ― Things are only getting worse for another Christian charged with blasphemy in Pakistan.

Dildar Yousaf, 28, was arrested and charged with blasphemy after defending his 8-year-old nephew from a group of Muslim boys last June, according to Voice of the Martyrs.

Dildar's nephew, Ehtasham, was taunted by a group of boys as he passed an Islamic school. As Ehtasham walked by the "madrassa," seven boys gathered around him and tried to force him to become a Muslim. When Ehtasham refused, the boys began to scream and beat him.

 Dildar, happened to pass by, pulled his nephew away from the boys, took him home, and went about his work for the day. That afternoon, the news spread that Dildar had disgraced the Muslim proclamation of faith.

Police picked up Dildar from his workplace and put him in protective custody. They also filed a blasphemy charge against him under Pakistani law 298A, which carries the lightest sentence for blasphemers.

Months later, Dildar remains in prison, awaiting a sentence. His wife and two children have now been forced to flee because of ongoing threats. Ehtasham and his family have also had to leave their village. VOM is supporting the family and providing legal assistance to Dildar.

Dildar's village has a history of persecution, VOM reports. Pray for Christians in the area to remain bold. Pray that despite ongoing trials, Dildar would remain safe and faithful to the Lord.

To learn about others willing to take a stand for Christ in places dangerous to do so, visit persecution.com.

Source: Mission Network News

As most you probably know, Syria is one of our Restricted Nations and right now everyone in Syria needs our prayers for peace.  The overwhelming population of Syria is Muslim and their constitution requires that their President be a Muslim.  Tom Doyle from E3 Partners gives an update in this report from Mission Network News. 

Syria (MNN) ― The United States has closed its embassy in Damascus, Syria after hundreds were killed in renewed civil conflict there. The announcement came two days after Russia and China vetoed a U.N. Security Council plan authored by the Arab League in an attempt to end 11 months of violence.

Yesterday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on a solution to the crisis, all the while Syrian forces resumed bombarding the protest hotbed of Homs. More than 300 people reportedly died in the violence, including women and children.

Tom Doyle with E3 Partners is in the Middle East this week. Doyle says, "We know believers there, and it's extremely difficult. Some are predicting that the Assad regime will fall; others are saying he will dig in and never go down. So it doesn't look like any end in sight."

This unrest may not only affect Syria. Doyle says Assad may have a scorched earth policy. "Israel thinks that means that if someone goes after Syria, Syria will go after Israel. We don't know. It's desperate times."

But why would Syria do that? "Syria needs a war with someone other than themselves. They'd love to get into it with Israel. It would take the spotlight off the war crimes and the crimes against its people that Bashar al-Assad has done."

Doyle says since the unrest, Christians have been left alone by the government. However, believers still have to deal with the day-to-day violence. The climate for change is perfect for people to turn to Christ. "We're hearing the nominal Christians, Muslims, Alawite, Druze, in Syria are much more open to hearing about Christ. In fact, in some cases, they are seeking out Christians."

It's not only happening in Syria, Doyle says. "The places where people are being set free is where Satan is trying to keep them in chains with radical Islam, to keep the people afraid, to keep people away from the Muslims who are very open to the Gospel right now."

The situation isn't looking good in Israel, either. Doyle says, "Hamas, which controls Gaza, and Fatah Party which is Mahmoud Abbas, they are coming together to form a unity government, which Benjamin Netanyahu has said publicly that ends the peace process because Hamas is not motivated by peace."

You can help E3 Partners support the work on pastoral training and support in the Middle East. Click here to get connected. 

 

CBN News also did some video coverage of the recent unrest in Syria.

China (MNN) — After months of pressure from the international community, the Chinese government released Pastor Shi Enhao early from his two-year sentence of hard prison labor.

According to Voice of the Martyrs, Canada’s source ChinaAid, there is still no explanation for Pastor Shi Enhao’s sudden release one year and six months early. The sentencing of Pastor Shi took place in July, 2011 when he was charged with “illegal meetings and illegal organizing of venues for religious meetings.”

Pastor Shi serves as Vice President of Chinese House Church Alliance, a group located along the eastern coastal province of Jiangsu. After his sentence in July, Chinese police confiscated church property including a church vehicle, choir robes, musical instruments, and 140,000 yuan (US$22,160).

Pastor Shi’s conviction and sentence isn’t the only example of persecution this Christian group has suffered. Four months after Pastor Shi’s arrest, various Chinese authorities including officials from the Three-Self Patriotic Church gathered the leaders of Chinese House Church Alliance.

At the gathering, officials told the church leaders that their organization was illegal. All members of Chinese House Church Alliance were ordered to begin attending the Three-Self Patriotic Church -- a church body established and controlled by the Chinese government -- or they would be arrested like their pastor.

ChinaAid publicly denounced the Chinese government, calling on them to “stop their persecution of Suqian Church and to uphold the rights of these citizens to religious freedom and to basic civil rights.” ChinaAid also listed Pastor Shi’s case as number 3 in their 2011 Top 10 Cases of Persecution of Churches and Christians.

The release of Pastor Shi was a tremendous relief, but the Chinese House Church Alliance is still being closely monitored by the Chinese government.

Please pray for strength among the believers as they seek freedom to worship the Lord. Praise God for Pastor Shi’s release and pray that those who are still suffering in prison for their faith may be granted justice.

Source: Mission Network News

Mexico (MNN) ― Violence in Mexico has claimed the lives of a U.S. missionary couple. Yesterday, John (76) and Wanda (67) Casias were remembered for their service to Christ in the Baptist church they founded.

Wanda was discovered in their home by their son on Tuesday evening, who noticed their car and some electronics were missing. His father was found dead in an outbuilding on the property. Both had electrical cords tied around their necks.

Violence has escalated in Mexico, forcing many missionaries to rethink their deployment. John Herrin served with The Mission Society in Monterrey until recently. "When we first moved to Monterrey over three years ago, it was one of the safest cities in Latin America, not just Mexico. And in a very brief time, the city just changed literally overnight. There's a sense of tension in the air, a sense of fear in the city."

Herrin says the increase in violence forced them to make some decisions about staying in Mexico. "When driver's training began to include how to respond to a shoot out and how to drop to the floor-board of the car, we realized we weren't sure our kids should be involved in this." This helped them make their decision to leave Monterrey.

Many American missionaries are leaving Mexico, Herrin says, and the church has had a great deal of uncertainty. "A lot of funding began to drop off, and the church began saying, 'What are we going to do?' Then, the violence began to hit, again the church said, 'What are we going to do?'"

Herrin says the Holy Spirit is empowering people. "The church there is stepping up. They are developing their own plan. They're going out, and they're reaching out. And they're doing things that they haven't done before because they haven't had to."

That may be the silver lining in all of this, says Herrin. "We're now [being reminded] that God is doing it. It's not me doing it. It's not those missionaries over there. This really is the continuation of God's church."

Herrin says he still goes back to Monterrey once a month for ministry. Pray for his safety as he travels in and out of Mexico. He says, "The easy thing [to do] is to give up and walk away. The thing that God calls us to is to be faithful. If God calls us to it, we need to be about it, and God will be with us. He'll carry us through it and over it."

In the meantime, pray for all missionaries working in Mexico. Pray especially for the Casias family, their church family in Mexico, and their supporters in Texas.

Source: Mission Network News

Nigeria (MNN) ― Police in Nigeria discovered ten more car bombs yesterday in Kano, already reeling from multiple bombings on Friday.

Todd Nettleton is a spokesman for Voice of the Martyrs USA. He says the level of sophistication is what's drawing their concern.  "This was a very serious attack. It also shows the growing ability of Boko Haram to coordinate attacks and to maximize the body count."

Boko Haram, a radical Islamist sect, claimed the bomb blasts that killed 256 people.  The attacks came shortly after Muslim prayers in that beleaguered nation's second largest city.  This time, instead of churches, it was police headquarters and other police stations, a secret police building and immigration offices that were targeted.  According to a video released by the group's leader, the attacks were a response to a refusal by the authorities to release the sect's members from custody.

The government deployed thousands of troops to quell the violence.  While they have over 300 people in custody,  Nettleton says it's not doing much to reassure the shell-shocked Nigerians.  "The government seems unable to stop these attacks, unable to take a really significant stand against Boko Haram and that's a concern not only to Christians in Nigeria, but really, to everybody in Nigeria."

Although the group has mainly confined their activities to northeastern Nigeria, many fear extremist elements within the sect may try to escalate the crisis throughout the country. "Not only government of Nigeria targets, but international targets, as well.  They have basically declared war on law and order in Nigeria and anybody who represents law and order, they are willing to attack as they continue these calls that Nigeria should be an Islamic nation, it should  follow Sharia law."

It could amount to starting a civil war and destabilizing the government at the same time.  President Goodluck Jonathon declared a 24-hour curfew to clear the streets. However, from there, it's clear that fear is spreading. 

If Christians are provoked further,  church leaders warn they will defend themselves. "Pray that the Christians will have wisdom to know how to respond, because we want to respond like Christ. We want to represent Him. At the same time, they don't want to be 'sitting ducks' for more of these attacks that are specifically targeting Christians."

Nearly 200 religious leaders gathered on Monday for a prayer vigil.  It was shortly after that police discovered the car bombs as well as nearly 300 homemade explosives.  

In Hausa, Boko Haram means 'Western education is sinful," and is modeled on the Taliban movement. Since Christianity is equated with the West, Nettleton says believers know they're in the crosshairs.  "What is this going to mean for Nigeria, what is this going to mean for religious freedom in the northern part of the country? Are Christians going to have the ability to witness, the ability to meet together, the ability to worship  in a place where they have been clearly told by Boko Haram 'you should leave, or else'."

Experts predict the violence will continue to spiral out of control.   Nearly every news report Nettleton watches concludes with a grim prediction of civil war.  "Pray for wisdom for the Christians in Northern Nigeria to know how to respond, to balance their own need for safety and protection, while also living out the biblical mandate to love our enemies and to forgive those who persecute us."

Source: Mission Network News

Nigeria (MNN/ODM) ― Hundreds of Nigerian Christians fled from Yobe State after incessant Boko Haram (a militant Islamist sect demanding the rule of strict Muslim law in Nigeria) attacks took refuge in Jos, the Plateau State capital. Fleeing is a bit like jumping "out of the frying pan into the fire."

Jos also experienced recent violence in which Chrisitans bore the brunt of the attakcs. Carl Moeller, President and CEO of Open Doors USA, says, "The larger population of Jos tends to provide a concept of more security because there is more security and more official response than in the villages."

Many of the refugees are afraid to go back home to Yobe State because of the threat to wipe them out. At the same time, the end of a nation-wide strike over fuel prices came as a relief to the Open Doors team in Nigeria. The five-day strike over the government's decision to cancel fuel subsidies spiraled into violent clashes between demonstrators and police, compounding the situation considerably. 

The Boko Haram's campaign began during the Christmas season and left Northern Nigeria reeling. There are concerns that the violence could tip into civil war. Moeller notes that "nobody wants to use that 'civil war' concept, but I don't know how you can conceive of what is taking place. It's a societal conflict. It's a deeply-held conviction on the part of Boko Haram to wipe Christianity out of the north. We have seen where they are not ashamed also to do attacks in the more southern regions."

However, since the week before Christmas, the attacks have been noticeably on the rise. "As Christian leaders in Nigeria have struggled, what is the Christian response to do? The government seems to be relatively unable to do more than speak words of safety to the Christian community. The actions of Boko Haram, as we've seen, have been more than just words. They've been deadly actions targeted against Christian churches and Christian communities."

The hardest question to answer is: Can believers say that as long as they strive for peace, defending themselves in the midst of this violence is legitimate? Moeller says the teams are praying. "We're continuing to support the church as it calls for calm and government intervention for the protection of Christians. But at the same time, we're recognizing that Christians will need to defend themselves against this violence."

The line between persecution and religicide is getting equally fuzzy. Moeller says Open Doors defines it as when one group of religious zealots and extremists want to wipe out an entire religion in that region. When examining the situation in Nigeria, he notes, "All of those circle around the identity of Boko Haram as an Islamic extremist group and the identity of the victims of their violence as Christians, so it may involve other ethnic issues, and it may involve other tribal issues, but it is, in fact, a religious conflict."

Open Doors workers have been swamped in efforts to confirm and address the most urgent needs of Christian believers who've been caught up in the situation. Boko Haram has vowed to "cleanse the North of Christianity," which has kept the affected areas in the grip of uncertainty. However, Moeller says, "The question is: Will we continue to do what we're doing there? And the answer is: Of course, because the church needs us, and they've asked to stay and to help equip and rebuild these congregations that have been impacted."

This atmosphere of fear and mistrust across the North complicates the work for Open Doors teams, who need much wisdom and discernment in their decision-making process. If staff teams are caught up in the violence themselves, this will complicate urgently-needed assistance even further.

At the end of 2011, some Open Doors training sessions were disrupted by Boko Haram activities. While a training seminar was going on in Maiduguri, 10 bomb explosions occurred in different locations of the city within three days.

Two of the participants in the seminar were gunned down by Boko Haram members after returning home. One of them was a pastor of the local Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN) congregation. Despite the great shock to all the participants and the ongoing danger, they persisted to complete the training. In one instance, it was confirmed that the movements of an Open Doors relief team were being monitored by members of Boko Haram. 

The local team has confirmed that more than 50 Christians have been killed in the violence since the beginning of January. In order to contain the violence, the government has set in place dusk-to-dawn curfews in Kaduna, Niger, Kano and Zamfara States, although reportedly these curfews are being relaxed.  

The Open Doors teams ask for concerted prayer as they work to meet the most urgent needs in the face of the remaining uncertainties in Nigeria.

Source: Mission Network News, Open Doors

Nigeria (MNN) — Boko Haram’s march toward chaos continues. The leader of the militant Islamic sect appeared in a video posted January 11 to justify his group’s attacks on Christians in the northern part of Nigeria.

In the video, he also declared war on Christians. Aside from Boko Haram’s determination to institute Sharia law across the rest of Nigeria, they’ve vowed to render Nigeria “ungovernable.” Since 1999, Muslim state leaders have imposed Shariah law in 12 northern states and parts of four others.

More than 85 people have died in bomb and gun attacks since Christmas Day on churches in Abuja, the capital, and in the north. 15 sections of the country remain under a state of emergency as assaults were launched on universities, police, secular courts, Christian churches and mosques. President Goodluck Jonathan also closed Nigeria’s borders with Chad and Niger Republic.  

The continuous stream of violence has stoked fears that the government can’t stop the escalating religious violence in Africa’s most populous country. At the same time, a move to end a fuel subsidy provoked several days of protests in Lagos.

According to the Voice of the Martyrs USA and the Voice of the Martyrs Canada, what this means is: the scale of persecution of Christians by Muslims is likely to spread from Nigeria’s northern states to the central plateau. Church leaders are warning that Christians will defend themselves by whatever means necessary.

Voice of the Martyrs teams are already responding to medical needs, meeting victims in hospitals, helping them get care, and paying medical bills.

Pray that the Lord will minister to the survivors of the attacks and help them overcome their present sufferings. Pray that those responsible will be brought to justice and that they will come to repentance and gain knowledge of Christ. Pray that God will frustrate the plans of the enemy so the current threat will come to nothing.

Source: Mission Network News

(MNN) ― The Boko Haram is stepping up the pace of making good on their threat against Christians in Nigeria.

Military authorities say two Christians were gunned down Monday night in the Northeast in separate attacks despite an increased security presence in the area.

That brings to 54 the number murdered by Boko Haram since an ultimatum to force Christians to the South expired on January 3. President and CEO of Open Doors USA, Carl Moeller says, "Boko Haram is fast becoming one of the world's most notorious terrorist groups. This extremist branch of Islam is really stepping up the violence against the Christians with the expressed intent to spread Sharia law throughout the entire country."

There's a secondary motive that is more insidious. Moeller explains, "One of the other goals of Boko Haram that has been stated as well, is much more threatening, and that's to destabilize the entire country. The recent attacks are pointing in the direction of making this much more threatening for the entire government."

President Goodluck Jonathan imposed a state of emergency just over a week ago in 15 parts of the country most vulnerable to attack. The violence is stirring up sectarian tensions that could erupt into a scene of carnage. "The Bishops of Nigeria have called on the Christians in the Northern States to defend themselves, whereas in the past, they've tried to rely on the government to be the protection for the Christians, but the government has proven that it's incapable of actually protecting its own citizens."

Open Doors reports an attack on January 5 left nine Christians dead and 19 wounded in Gombe state. Days before, Compass Direct confirmed another massacre in which at least 21 Christians were killed in Adamawa state.

Although the government is trying to respond, church leaders are infuriated at their vulnerability, which could play right into the extremist sect's hands. Moeller explains, "Christians will be defending their towns, their villages, their churches, and their families against this kind of violence that can only do one thing: to decrease the respect for the rule of law in Nigeria."

Moeller notes that "Nigeria is so important to the spread of Christianity throughout Africa. Please pray with me for the Christians in Nigeria and to give wisdom to President Goodluck Jonathan in dealing with the attacks and instability."

In an uncertain time, Open Doors comes alongside Christians who have been victimized and traumatized in these situations. Their teams provide physical, emotional and spiritual help. Moeller adds that another interesting effect is more interest in the Gospel. "When Christians are willing to be killed simply for following Jesus, that tends to inspire curiosity among those who are looking into it."

Nigeria is ranked No. 13 on the Open Doors World Watch List of 50 countries which are the worst persecutors of Christians. According to World Watch List, Nigeria had at least 300 martyrs in 2011, although the actual number could be doubled or tripled. That number is the most in any country although North Korea could have had more but information is hard to obtain due to the isolation of the communist state.

Source: Mission Network News

Nigeria (MNN) ― There's a reason the state of emergency exists in Nigeria. In the wake of an ultimatum from the Boko Haram, there were two bomb blasts in northeastern Nigerian cities, authorities said Thursday.

The state of emergency gives security forces control of the areas under the declaration, and closes some of the borders with Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.

Boko Haram is Hausa for "Western education is a sin".  The elusive group has ties to both the Taliban and al Qaeda.  Known for pushing a national Sharia law, they warned all Christians living in the North to leave or risk being killed.

Todd Nettleton, a spokesman for the Voice of the Martyrs USA says "It's an incredible threat to religious liberty, and it's a threat to Christians who live in that part of Nigeria."

Many feel like they're in a deathtrap.  He explains, "For the Christians there, it's obviously a state of fear. They have said 'how can we leave? This is our home.'" The Boko Haram has said 'you go to the South with the rest of the Christians. We want northern Nigeria to be all Muslim.'"

As the deadline to vacate expired, the attacks began, although there were no casualties.  President Goodluck Jonathan declared the state of emergency last weekend in 15 parts of the country hard hit by violence blamed on the Boko Haram. "I don't think it's a surprise because Boko Haram has made a target of Christians, they've made a target of churches, as well as targeting the government--targeting police stations, and military establishments and recently, a United Nations building."

Simply put, recent attacks were a warning shot across the bow.  "In previous situations in northern Nigeria, there's been a push toward Sharia law, but it was said 'this won't apply to the Christians. This is only for Muslims.'  Boko Haram is saying 'we only want Muslims in northern Nigeria, and sharia law will apply to everybody.'"

Human rights activists are doubtful that the state of emergency and troops would improve the situation.  Past history shows that military presence has done little to reduce violence.   Nettleton agrees. "There are Christians who don't trust the military to really be a protector for them and to insure the peace of northern Nigeria. There have been cases where the military has stood by while attacks went on.  There have been other cases where people in military uniforms were a part of the attack."  

Christian leaders have demanded a stronger response to the attacks from the government and the Muslim community. According to Open Doors, more than 300 Christians were martyred last year in Nigeria, though the actual number is believed to be double or triple that number.

Since 2009 the extreme Islamic group Boko Haram has destroyed more than 50 churches and killed 10 pastors in Nigeria.  "Pray for their protection. Obviously, it's a very difficult situation. They face danger literally on a daily basis. The fact now that this ultimatum has been delivered 'leave the area or else' , the danger is only going to go up."

In the meantime, Nettleton says, the good news is that the Gospel is still moving forward.  "One of the significant sources of that outreach is Muslims who have come to Christ. They understand the hopelessness of Islam. They can speak to directly to those needs and to those heartfelt things because they, themselves, were Muslims."

With all the violence though, he notes, "What does this mean for Gospel work? Obviously, it raises the stakes, it raises the danger level for Christians in that part of Nigeria, and it makes their work more difficult."

Sudan and Nigeria were the countries which jumped the most on the 2012 Open Doors' World Watch list; Sudan climbed 19 spots from No. 35 to 16 and Nigeria from 23 to 13.  

Check our Featured Links section for details on the Voice of the Martyrs' work.

Source: Mission Network News