Persecution Blog

Muslim Militants Target Clergy in Philippines

Murderer who sought forgiveness to visit victim’s grave on Monday.

by Sarah Page

 

DUBLIN, January 30 (Compass Direct News) – In the midst of recent threats of violence against clergy in the Philippines, one repentant murderer next week will express his remorse by visiting the grave of the priest he killed.

 

Norberto Manero Jr. spent almost 23 years in prison for murdering Catholic Father Tulio Favali in 1985. Granted a pardon and released last Friday (January 25) – just 10 days after the latest murder by Muslim militants of a Catholic clergyman, Father Reynaldo Albores Roda – Manero plans to visit Fr. Favali’s grave in Kidapawan, southern Mindanao on Monday (February 4).

Read the full story at Compass Direct here.

 

VOM Joins The Faith Spot.com

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Dissin' Jesus

Emmy Award winning television sports director, author, and columnist, David Burchett, discusses Christian persecution in his latest column at Crosswalk.com

In his article Dissin' Jesus, Burchett writes, "The fact is that Christians are getting beaten up a bit in this culture. And a lot of Christians are getting defensive about it. I understand that. Nobody likes to be mocked, ridiculed, badgered and marginalized . Okay, most of us don’t like that. The tough thing for followers of Jesus is deciding the right response to all of these verbal drive-bys. I have a hard time calling them attacks. I read the Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter. The suffering Christians around the world can use the word attack and persecution honestly. So far in America we are only dealing with bad manners and insults."

Burchett goes on to write about a recent incident when Ms. Jacobsen, an employee of ESPN was accused of making a vulgar remark about Jesus.  In fact, you may have heard about this unfortunate incident because it was all over the news for a few days.  Burchett goes on to explain his feelings about the issue as opposed to serious Christian persecution taking place in the world.'

Pastor Murdered in Peshawar, Pakistan

Pastor murdered in Peshawar, Pakistan

Pakistan (MNN) -- Next, a Pakistani pastor has been murdered because of his involvement in evangelistic work. According to Voice of the Martyrs' Canada, 29-year old Sajid William was shot and killed by a masked gunman on his way home in Peshawar. Pastor William was the office manager for the Christian relief and development agency "Shelter Now." Pray for God's comfort for Pastor William's family. Ask God to embolden Pakistani Christians to follow his example of faithfulness.

Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/10841

Jordan Expels Foreign Christians

ISTANBUL, January 29 (Compass Direct News) – Jordan has increased pressure on foreign Christians living in the kingdom, expelling many long-time residents over the past 13 months in what local churches see as an attack on their legitimacy. Authorities deported or refused residence permits to at least 27 expatriate Christian families and individuals in 2007, a number of them working with local churches or studying at a Christian seminary, Compass has confirmed. In all but one case, officials refused to provide written explanations for the decisions. But many of those expelled told Compass that they had been questioned by intelligence officers regarding evangelism of Muslims. “They said that I am a threat to Jordanian security and I am making the society unstable,” said Hannu Lahtinen, a Finnish pastor deported last month. “They have a thousand ways to say you are preaching the gospel.”

For the full story, please visit here at Compass Direct.

Two Christians Attacked, Kidnapped and Later Released

On January 17, eight Bajrang extremists attacked a house church in Madhya Pradesh, kidnapping two believers.

According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts in India, “a group of Bajrang extremists attacked a house church in Pathigawan village. Eight men, led by AP Sakhi (Bajrang Area Secretary) came on motorbikes with Bajrang Dal flags at around 8 a.m. and surrounded the house church where worship was taking place. They beat the two kidnapped believers mercilessly before taking them away on their bikes.”

VOM contacts added the believers were later released. “The extremists attacked with swords, sticks, knives and other instruments. Two believers were critically injured in the attack and are undergoing treatment in the hospital,” VOM contacts said.

Pray for Christians facing difficult situations in India. Pray God protects them and gives them courage to stand in spite of the attacks. Pray for a speedy recovery for the two believers injured during this attack. Ask that God uses their powerful testimonies to draw nonbelievers into fellowship with Him.

Potential Friends, Potential Christians

“I admire Communists.” The words seemed strange from a pastor who spent fourteen years in Communist prisons, but Richard Wurmbrand was sincere when he said them.

“Many Communists were willing to die to defend their ‘Utopia.’ They were more committed to their cause than some I met in churches.”

In every enemy Pastor Wurmbrand saw a potential friend and a potential Christian. By loving his opponents, he not only saw many come to know Christ but also increased his opportunities to witness.

“When they called me a ‘dirty Jew’ and told everyone not to read my books, people immediately went out to see what this ‘dirty Jew’ had to say,” he chuckled. “I welcome anyone who has offense against me. Others are not always interested in what you have to say. You need to challenge them to the truth before you share your beliefs. To do this you must understand where they are coming from and be able to speak intelligently. But we must also remember to always speak in love.”

Pastor Wurmbrand’s words were not some high-minded ideal that he didn’t exemplify. He and his wife Sabina welcomed into their home a Nazi officer who worked at the very concentration camp where all of Sabina’s family had been exterminated. When the officer saw their forgiveness and love for him, he was won into the kingdom.

Note: These statements were made during one of Pastor Wurmbrand’s final interviews prior to his death in February, 2001.

Jesus taught us that others would recognize our faith by our love—especially when it comes to dealing with the opposition. How we treat our enemies is equally important as how we treat those in our own Christian family. In fact, our response to criticism often makes a greater statement for Christianity than any other example. When believers put this powerful principle of the Christian faith into practice, they distinguish themselves from the rest of the world. The natural response to opposition is to refute it or return the favor. Instead, believers strive to understand their enemies, not undermine them. Opposition, when put into this perspective, is welcomed as an opportunity to exercise faith and imitate Christ’s commands.

VOM Persecution Blog Joins MySpace

We really want to connect with you and many more readers so that we can spread the message of God's love through the persecuted church, which is why we have also started a Voice of the Martyrs page on MySpace.  Click here to visit Myspace and our page.

VOM Persecution Blog Joins Shoutlife

Not too long ago I opened an account on the Christian social networking group Shoutlife.  And today I am very happy to share with you that we would love it if you joined us on this new exciting networking adventure.

Click here to visit our Shoutlife page and join today!

Christians in Chiapas Mexico Resilient, Despite Persecution

When you examine countries where Christians are facing persecution because of their faith in Jesus Christ, many people would never think of Chiapas, Mexico. The Voice of the Martyrs’ recent newsletter gives us a glimpse of the challenges believers face in Chiapas state, and what is incredible is the determination of these precious brothers and sisters. Their testimonies and stories are inspiring because despite what they have been through, their faith in God is solid. To me, they are a great example of Christ’s redemptive love and what our dedication to faith should be, irrespective of what can be going on around us. I encourage you to get a copy of the newsletter and read stories that I can assure you will transform your faith.

Recently, I heard missionaries who work in Chiapas and other surrounding areas share about the wonderful work God has allowed them to do in Mexico. They reported that although in some areas evangelicals are expelled, beaten, sometimes killed and churches burnt down, Christians have remained faithful and people in those areas are getting saved. They added, “In the midst of fierce persecution, new churches are being raised up. You cannot stop the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Amen to that!

The missionaries passionate report, alluded to Hebrews 12:1 (NIV), “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” They said, “Men, women and children are willing to die for Christ. They run the race with passion, resilience and a willingness to die for Christ.” What a great testimony and challenge for us.