Persecution Blog

The Heavenly Man

The Heavenly Man: A dramatic autobiography of one of China's dedicated, courageous, and intensely persecuted house church leaders. Have you read this book?

In the last three days I have heard about this book three times.  The first two times were as I was listening to Kay Arthur teach on her daily program, Precepts for Life.  Kay used this book to illustrate how God uses persecution to refine us and draw us closer to Him.

The story of Brother Yun has not only inspired multitudes of Christians, but also his story also won Book of the Year.  The last time I heard about Brother Yun was over at the China Aid website where there is video of him sharing a little bit of his testimony.  To see the video click here.

To read the 112 reviews of this book at Amazon.com click here.  Note also that this has received 5 stars with all of those reviews.

Another House Leader Released from Prison

CHINA – On July 26, 2007, Beijing house church leader, Hua Huiqi was released from prison after serving six months.

According to China Aid Association (CAA), Hua Huiqi and his 76-year-old mother, Shuang Shuying, were arrested in January after being attacked by seven police officers. “While they were walking near a 2008 Olympic hotel site in Beijing, they were kicked to the ground and later taken to the Olympic police station for questioning. Hua’s mother was later sentenced to two years in prison. She is being held in a medical center because her health has deteriorated,” CAA said.

Praise God for Hua Huiqi’s release. Please continue to pray for the release and healing of Shuang Shuying. Ask God to encourage Christians in China as they face escalating persecution ahead of the Olympics in 2008.

Michelle Malkin Covers Hostage Crisis and Asks "Where is the Outrage?"

Conservative blogger, Michelle Malkin, has been faithfully following the unfolding story with the Korean hostages that were taken a few days ago.  Michelle writes, "Second hostage reportedly killed…World yawns…Taliban will kill more…"

She is reporting that Shim Sung-min is the second hostage who was killed.  And reports are saying that the women hostages will be killed after all the men are killed...if negotiations fail.

Please keep this dire situation in your prayers.  We here at the VOM Persecution Blog know that thousands if not millions of you are praying for the persecuted church.  Please keep it up and if the Lord leads you to fast for them, I ask that you do that as well.

Breaking News: Taliban Claim They Have Killed Second Korean Hostage

Fox News and other news agencies are reporting that a second Korean hostage has been killed by the Taliban.  There is also video available with this news item, which you can watch here.

 

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan  —  A purported Taliban spokesman claimed the hardline militia killed a second Korean hostage Monday because Afghanistan failed to release insurgents from prisons. Government officials said they hadn't recovered the body and couldn't confirm the claim.

Meanwhile, the Al-Jazeera TV channel showed a video Monday of some seven South Korean female hostages. They did not speak as the shaky hand-held camera filmed them crouching with veiled heads in the dark, eyes closed or staring at the ground.

Blogathon: A Great Success

Last week we told you that Cindy over at Inspiration Korner would be blogging for the persecuted church over a 24 hour period.  What a blessing you are to us!

I am happy to let you know that with your help Cindy was able to raise $180.00 for the persecuted church.  Cindy says, "I thank God that I made it through the night because I did have some doubts for a while. He always gives strength and He pulled me through! Thank you to all of those who left comments along the way as well. You ROCK and it really helped keep me going."

Click here to visit Inspiration Korner .

Blogothon 2007 Tomorrow - Support VOM

Hello Everyone!

I hope you're all having a great day and I just wanted to remind you that our persecution blogger, Cindy, over at Inspiration Korner, will be blogging for 24 hours so she can raise money for The Voice of the Martyrs.

The blogothon is TOMORROW, so if you can help her out and support her, that would be awesome!

Click here to visit Cindy's blog Inspiration Korner.

Abraham Bentar

I found this testimony of persecuted Christian Abraham Bentar on God Tube. Listen to what he has to say.

Taliban Negotiating Over Korean Hostages?

Yesterday I reported that one of the 23 Korean hostages of the Taliban was found murdered.  Today news reports are saying that the Taliban is "negotiating" over the release of the other 22 captives.  I question how serious this "negotiation" is because according to the Guardian Unlimited website the demands are unclear.

A local police chief said the talks have been difficult because the Taliban's demands were unclear.

``One says, 'Let's exchange them for my relative,' the others say, 'Let's release the women,' and yet another wants a deal for money,'' said Khwaja Mohammad Sidiqi, police chief in Qarabagh. ``They have got problems among themselves.''

The article goes on to say that the church and the family of the slain Pastor are struggling and consoling one another.  Please pray for this situation - for peace for the hostages, clarity of thought and direction for the captors and for a quick resolution that will not result in the death of any more hostages.

 

The Crown of Life for Martyrs of Jesus

This morning as I thought about you who read this blog and also the many brothers and sisters we have worldwide who are suffering for their faith in Christ Jesus, I wanted to remind you of a passage of scripture that speaks to the church who is persecuted for Jesus.

In Revelation 2:8-11 we see the Lord's letter to the church in Smyrna, and I want you to read this and let it encourage your hearts.  Note that the Lord never rebuked this church, as He did others.  But He also told them that some would die for their faith in Him.  We know that happens today and we can rejoice when a family member goes home to be with Christ through martyrdom, because we know they will be rewarded with the crown of Life.

Rev 2:8 - 11 "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: 'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt by the second death.'

Korean Evangelical Churches Under Cyber-Attack

In another interesting twist to this story about the Korean hostages, english.chosun.com and The Christian Post are both reporting that their is anti-Christian sentiment being spewed on the Internet.

English.chosun.com is reporting,

While Korean netizens are analyzing the rights and wrongs of Evangelical churches sending missionaries to Afghanistan, most of them wish the 23 Korean hostages there a safe return. However, some are fanning the flames of anti-Christian sentiment by posting insults to the victims and their families on the web.

And the Christian Post relays,

Other more extreme and distasteful blogs have been used by some internet users to call for negotiators not to try and seek the hostages’ release, while others have even called for the Korean Christians to be killed.

Jesus said, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." - Matt 12:34