Persecution Blog

Christians Killed, Homes and Churches Burned

The following is from VOM Sources in India.

   

Four Christians were killed, many injured and numerous homes and churches destroyed or damaged in Orissa state in violent clashes that began on Christmas Eve.

According to The Voice of the Martyrs sources in India, “Hindu extremists used anti-conversion laws to terrorize Christians. More than 18 churches and prayer houses were ransacked and torched in several areas of Kandhamai district in Orissa. Rev. Basant Diggal reports that he was assaulted and his motorcycle damaged by a group of miscreants in (the) Minia area, where vandals went on a rampage causing damage to another church.”

VOM sources added Hindu extremists in Orissa have been threatening and terrorizing Christians who are marginalized and are in the minority. “In this state the church is endlessly accused of converting non-Christians, and Swami Sarawati, who was behind the violence, is a leader of the anti-conversion movement. Back in 1967, the state adopted the Freedom of Religion Act, which stated the process that has led to repressive anti-conversion laws,” they added.

Hindu extremists use anti-conversion laws to prevent Christians from worshipping freely. VOM sources said, “The attacks took place for the sole reason of terrorizing the Christian community and stopping our missionary work. But the church has always grown in persecution and this will happen again in Orissa. The church which grows in love and unity has as its basis a faith marked by suffering and persecution.”

Pray for Christians in India who are faced with immense difficulty at this time. Pray for the families of those killed and those whose homes and churches were damaged or destroyed. Ask God to give believers courage to remain faithful despite persecution.

                          

 

Jesus in Turkey

As most of you know if you read this blog regularly, Turkey is a nation where Christians are persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ.  Today Christianity Today has a very lengthy article called Jesus in Turkey that is worth the read.  Here is a brief snip from the article.

For the first time in 550 years, Christianity inside Turkey is growing in numbers and influence. But its recent growth comes at a high price: since February 2006, radicalized Muslims have killed five Christians—the kind of cold-blooded martyrdom not seen in decades.

VOM Magazine Receives Mention in Philly Paper

A reader for the Voice of the Martyr's monthly magazine recently wrote a very good article that is published at The Bulletin - Philidelphia's Family Newspaper.  In their lengthy article they cite VOM numerous times and I thought you may enjoy the article.  Please check it out, especially if you didn't get January's issue.

Pray for Believers in Turkey

Christian Today is highlighting a story today concerning the reopening of a case in Turkey where three Christians were murdered last year.  Glenn Penner, from The Voice of the Martyrs Canada says,

"If the killers are allowed to simply get away with lesser charges, or it's seen that these murders were somehow justified on the basis that these Christians were involved in missionary activity, then Turkish Christians are certainly going to feel that they're not equal members of society, and that their religious activities are going to continue to be under threat," Mr. Penner told the Mission Network News (MNN).

Please keep Turkish believers in your prayers, especially as persecution continues and Turkey continues to examine events of last year.

Click here to read the full story at the Christian Today website.

Turmoil Faces Pakistan in Wake of Assassination

Turmoil faces Pakistan in the wake of assassination

Pakistan (MNN) -- As we wrap up 2007, here's rundown on some of the stories that had significant impact on the body of Christ around the world. Our top story today comes from Pakistan. The country is in shock after Opposition Leader Benazir Bhutto was assassinated December 27. Open Doors supports the evangelical church in Pakistan. Paul Estabrooks of Open Doors says, "I think there's going to be some turmoil for quite some time over this. Of course in the past, Christians have often been the object of anger of the dominantly Muslim society there." Pakistan is not the only country affected. Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Mission India's Dave Stravers says Christians in India are bearing the brunt. "Christians are complaining that some of the national officials that do protect them from local Hindu extremists, their attention is diverted, and they're not willing to get involved in another aspect of religious violence because of this fear that Muslim/Hindu animosity might break out in the country."

Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/10742

Hunger & Fear Grip State After Burning 90 Churches

As the calendar flipped to the year 2008 a few days ago, so also the continuance of persecution against Christians worldwide.  Thank you for joining us as we begin another year remembering and loving our brothers and sisters who give it all for Jesus.

Hunger, fear grip state after burning of 90 churches, hundreds of houses.

NEW DELHI, January 2 (Compass Direct News) – Orissa state’s Kandhamal district remains tense 10 days after a series of anti-Christian attacks began, and thousands of Christians whose houses have been burned down are facing hunger and fear. Pastor Victor John, who came to Udaigiri village in the Mallikapur area of Kandhamal as a guest speaker in a Baptist church on December 24, the day the attacks led by the Hindu extremist Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council or VHP) began, told Compass that the atmosphere was still tense despite the deployment of troops. According to a memorandum submitted to the National Human Rights Commission on Monday (December 31), Christian leaders said that around nine people had been killed, close to 90 churches burned, about 600 houses torched or vandalized, and 5,000 people affected. VHP leader Swami Laxmananda Saraswati told media on December 25 that the reason for the violence was conversions by area Christians.

To read the full story click here to visit Compass Direct.

Joy That Sustains

“When I address the question, “What should I do if I don’t desire God?” I am addressing the question: “How can I obtain or recover a joy in Christ that is so deep and so strong that it will free me from bondage to Western comforts and security, and will impel me into sacrifices of mercy and missions, and will sustain me in the face of martyrdom?” Persecution is normal for Christians. “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12). “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).

…The fight for joy in Christ is not a fight to soften the cushion of Western comforts. It is a fight for strength to live a life of self-sacrificing love. It is a fight to join Jesus on the Calvary road and stay there with him, no matter what. How was he sustained on that road? Hebrew 12:2 answers, “For the joy that was set before him [he] endured the cross.” The key to endurance in the cause of self-sacrificing love is not heroic willpower, but deep, unshakable confidence that the joy we have tasted in fellowship with Christ will not disappoint us in death.”

—Excerpt from When I Don’t Desire God, by John Piper, pp. 20-21.