Persecution Blog

Nailed to a Stake, And Still Singing Praises

Carpus was nailed to the stake, and as the flames took hold of him, he joyfully prayed, “Praise be to thee, O Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, that thou didst deem me, a sinner, also worthy to die a martyr as you did!” Then he gave up his soul to heaven.

As Carpus prayed, Agathonica saw the glory of God roll out before him. The heavens opened up to reveal the wedding feast of the Lamb of God, with sumptuous tables spread out before her and Jesus himself standing at its head. Her heart leapt, and she recognized a call from heaven.

She sprang to her feet and shouted, “This meal has also been prepared for me. I must receive the meal of glory.”

A cry came from the stands, “Have pity on your child, your son!”

“He has God to take care of him,” Agathonica responded, “for God is the provider for all. As for me, I will go and be with him.”

She jumped into the amphitheater, threw off her outer robe, and jubilantly allowed herself to be nailed to the stake.

Those standing by burst into tears. They cried, “This sentence is cruel and unjust!”

In the flames, she cried out, “Lord, Lord, Lord, help me, for I flee unto Thee!” Then she gave up her soul and joined her Lord. It was the year A.D. 165.

Chain reaction. It’s that unexpected effect one life has on another—something inexplicable and unplanned. It began with Carpus, who showed the way of courage to Papylus, as both were tortured for their faith. Then an observer, inspired by the incredible results of their martyrdom, flung herself toward faith by willingly dying at the stake. Today, we see the chain reaction of faith in church revivals and on college campuses. We see it in villages, townships, and communities across several continents where one life spurs another, and yet another, onto greater commitment. How long has it been since you experienced a chain reaction of commitment in your church or community? Pray for revival to start with you—the most important link in the chain.

Persecution Podcast is on the Air!

The first episode of The Voice of the Martyrs podcast, Persecution Podcast, has just gone live. Listen to news and information on the persecuted church with hosts Todd Nettleton, Mark Sheppard and Mary Sue Leigh. Please check out the program and give us feedback on what you think and what you would like to hear in the future.

Mob Storms Indonesian Church and Calls for Ban

The following comes from our friends at VOM Canada.  Please remember to pray for Indonesian believers, as they suffer tremendously for their faith in Jesus.

On Sunday, August 17, a group of Muslims stormed a church service in Cipayung, East Jakarta, Indonesia, according to an August 19 report from Compass Direct.  About 20 church members, including Pastor Chris Ambessa, were gathered in celebration of Indonesia's Independence Day at the Pentecostal Church of Indonesia when an angry mob gathered outside the church building. Despite efforts to keep them outside, the mob forced its way into the church and overturned furniture. The church members were chased into the street and warned not to return for future services. The mob then erected large banners which called for a ban on churches and religious services. Although citizens are required to get permission before erecting banners, the authorities made no effort to intervene or remove them.

Pastor Ambessa, who has hosted a house church in his home for the past 12 years, recently built a second floor addition to accommodate the growing congregation. On July 3, the Cipayung civil engineering department ordered him to dismantle the second floor. On July 13, he was also ordered to cease all religious activity at his home for an indefinite period of time due to neighbourhood protests and the lack of a Religious Building Permit (IMB).

Pray for Pastor Ambessa and the other Christians in Indonesia. Pray that their church services can continue unhindered. Pray that believers in Indonesia will echo Peter's sentiment and remain determined to obey God regardless of what man says (Acts 5:29).

For more information on the persecution facing Indonesian Christians, go to www.persecution.net/indonesia.htm.

‘Christian Persecution Surged During Musharraf’s Rule’

This story was found on Crosswalk.coms Religion Page today and I thought the statistics were very interesting considering all the controversy under Musharraf.

Francis said that the Christians of Pakistan suffered enormous injustices, discrimination and persecution during Musharraf’s rule.

“Christians were not immune from persecution and raw treatment during the tenure of Presidents that preceded Musharraf, but the scale of Christian persecution was worst during Musharraf’s rule,” said Francis.

Francis put forward statistics of Christian persecution during Musharraf’s rule. He claimed that over 55 churches were attacked and maintained that 58 Christians were murdered while 275 were wounded. Pointing to the misuse of Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws, Francis said that 212 blasphemy cases were registered from October 12, 1999 to August 18, 2008.

He said that some 10 blasphemy-accused had been killed extra-judicially during Musharraf’s stint as President. Among the victims of blasphemy-related extra-judicial killings, he said four of them were Christians while the rest were Muslims.

Please remember to keep praying for those suffering in Pakistan.

Follow Up Story on Ministry Detained for Trying to Bring Bibles Into China

A few days ago I mentioned that a ministry team got held up in China because they were trying to bring bibles into China illegally.  Today there is a follow up story at the BillingsGazette.com website.  Here's a few snips...

By RUFFIN PREVOST
Gazette Wyoming Bureau

CODY - A Wyoming man said he never meant to break the law by bringing hundreds of Bibles into China, and that he is not sure what he will do next after customs officials confiscated the books at an airport.

...

Klein said he was later told by American embassy officials that he had broken the law and would not be able to bring the Bibles into the country.

"They eventually gave us one Bible each, and said we could pick up the others on our way back out of China," he said.

The Bibles were annotated editions used by pastors for study, Klein said, adding that similar Bibles sold on the black market in China for prices up to the equivalent of six months' salary. He said thousands of pastors in China were waiting for such Bibles.

According to Klein, there are 130 million Christians in China, and 75 million of them lack Bibles. His group distributes free Bibles and offers food and humanitarian aid to poor communities in 20 countries.

...

"We feel like what we endured was very minimal compared to what our Chinese brothers and sisters go through every day for the gospel," he said Klein said the trip was not necessarily timed to coincide with the Olympics taking place this week in Beijing, but that it did show what he said was religious persecution in China, despite government denials. Klein said Bibles cannot be taken home by Chinese worshippers, but must stay in state-sanctioned churches.

I like that Klein understands the right perspective on what Christian persecution is, and that he understands that what he experienced was really a horrible inconvenience.  He does understand however, that some Chinese Christians are going to jail for their faith.

Do You Have a Prayer Band Testimony?

I just got home from my vacation in Australia yesterday and when I was away I was totally hoping that I would receive my Olympic prayer band from The Voice of the Martyrs, but guess what - I haven't yet! :)

Well, that got me thinking about those of you who have already received your prayer bands.  Have you been wearing yours and praying for the Olympics and if so, have you had an opportunity to share with someone why you're wearing the band and what it means?  I'm just taking an informal survey here, totally out of curiosity.

So, if you have a testimony, please testify in the comments!   Thanks!

31 Days of Prayer for China

Our partners at Release International sent out a unique “prayer-a-day” for the month of August. This has something you can pray for China for every day in August. I encourage you print this out and use these prayers each day. You can start any day you like. It will only take a few minutes, and imagine how you can impact the world by bringing China before our all-powerful God.

Here are the prayers for Day 21 through Day 26.

 

Day 21
Chinese constitutional law grants citizens the right of religious freedom, yet many house church members do not know how to summon this right in defending themselves against allegations of ‘illegal’ religious activity. Christian lawyers are starting to educate Christians about their constitutional rights and have helped bring several successful lawsuits as a result. Ask God to protect these Christian lawyers and their families as they undertake this high-risk work.

Day 22
China has been fiercely criticized over its harsh repatriation policy for North Korean refugees found in its territories. North Koreans repatriated from China – about 4,000 a year – are reported to face brutal treatment as defectors, even execution. Pray that China will recognize the brutality of the Pyongyang regime and scrap its repatriation policy.

Day 23
Missionaries to China have done much to build her church and spread the gospel. The Beijing Olympics will bring more than 500,000 foreigners into China. Pray that among these visitors will be some who are called to work with the church in China and extend God’s kingdom in the nation.

Day 24
Against a backdrop of persecution and suffering, misunderstanding and lack of communication have sometimes conspired to cause rifts between different Chinese house church movements. Please pray for unity between these movements. Pray that church leaders will work together to spread the gospel.

Day 25
Pastor Zhang Zhongxin was sentenced to two years at a labor camp in Shandong province recently for belonging to an ‘evil cult’. He had a varied ministry, which ranged from training to preaching, over a wide geographical area. Pray that Pastor Zhang will be able to continue his ministry during his detention.

Day 26
College students who turn to Christ on campus face worldly pressures once they step out into the workplace – particularly during China’s economic downturn this year. There is an urgent need for church workers to disciple these new Christians and keep in touch with them as they leave campus. Pray that God will raise up good and faithful servants to minister to these young people.

Source: China Aid Association.

Check back later for the rest of the posts!

China Confiscates Bibles From American Christians

The following story was found on FoxNews.com

BEIJING —  A group of American Christians who had more than 300 Bibles confiscated by Chinese officials when they arrived in China is refusing to leave the airport until they get the books back, their leader said Monday.

   

Pat Klein said he and three others from his Vision Beyond Borders group spent Sunday night at the airport in the southwestern city of Kunming after customs officers took the Bibles from their checked luggage.

 

"I heard that there's freedom of religion in China, so why is there a problem for us to bring Bibles?" said Klein, whose Sheridan, Wyoming-based group distributes Bibles and Christian teaching materials around the world.

 

The Bibles were printed in Chinese, he told The Associated Press in a telephone interview.

 

The move comes as China hosts the Olympics in Beijing, where false media reports last year claimed Bibles would be banned from the games. The state-run China Daily reported last month that 10,000 bilingual copies of the Bible would be distributed in the Olympic Village, which houses athletes and media.  (Continue Reading)

Todd Nettleton to Appear on Janet Parshall's America Today!

UPDATED: Todd did not appear on Janet's show after all. Last night when I wrote this post it was listed at Janet's site and this morning (here in Australia) I see that Janet didn't have Todd on. Sorry for the inconvenience. Please watch the video below.

Janet Parshall also welcomes back Todd Nettleton of Voice of the Martyrs, who will share news of the persecuted Christians in China and how the world tried to reach them these last ten days. Share your thoughts with Janet and Todd by dialing 1-800-343-9282 during Janet's first hour 2PM Eastern Time, 11 AM Pacific time.

The following video is one Todd put together recently as he spoke about the Olympics and the persecuted church.  Leave us your comments!

Remembering Nadia's Trust in the Lord

Here is another great entry from the best selling book Extreme Devotion!

Fifteen-year-old Nadia Naira Masih is a committed Christian. Her normal practice when she lived at home was to pray and read her Bible early every morning. Although her parents haven’t seen her since February 2001, they assume that she continues this practice in the home of her captor.

    A Muslim named Maqsood Ahmed abducted Nadia. Maqsood’s mother, then a friend of Nadia’s family, helped lure Nadia out of her home, where she was forced into a car with Maqsood, two of his brothers, and a friend who were all armed with automatic weapons. She has not been seen since then.

    The abduction of young girls is rare in Pakistan, but it is common for Pakistani police to look the other way when crimes are committed against Christians, especially when offered a bribe. This is allegedly the situation in Nadia’s kidnapping, and local police have been slow to pursue the case.

    A certificate was delivered to Nadia’s home saying she had married Maqsood. The certificate explained, by virtue of her marriage, Nadia had officially converted from her Christian faith to Islam. Nadia is only a teenager, however. Facing anger and loss, Nadia’s parents still don’t say anything against Maqsood. Instead, they trust that God is powerful enough to do what is needed to bring Nadia back.

Trust is something someone can never fully understand until it is all someone has. Nadia’s parents know what it is to trust. They do not necessarily trust that Nadia will indeed one day return. Instead, they have full confidence that God is able to bring her back safely. The difference is enormous. If they were to trust in a particular outcome, their trust could be shaken if it did not come to pass. But they are choosing to place their trust in God’s unfailing power and ability to bring it to pass. If God in his wisdom decides not to permit her return, they will trust him all the more. Do you trust God only so far, depending on the outcome? Or do you trust him despite any outcome?