Persecution Blog

Boko Haram Spreads Fear Throughout Nigeria

Nigeria (MNN) ― A suicide car-bomb attack that killed 23 at the United Nations headquarters in Nigeria's capital last week has been claimed by a radical Muslim group with ties to the world's deadliest terrorists.

Todd Nettleton with Voice of the Martyrs explains, "Boko Haram actually translates into 'Western Education is a sin.' So this is a group who is very much opposed to what they would consider the westernization of Nigeria. They want the entire country to be under Sharia law. They want all the people of Nigeria to be Muslims."

What's more ominous, Nettleton says, is that "Boko Haram has a history of attacking Nigerian targets: police stations, government buildings, that kind of thing. This is their first reported attack on a Western target, but it shows, I think, what some of their ultimate efforts are going to be."

The sect wants to implement a strict version of Sharia law in the nation and has reported links to African terror groups al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and al-Shabab of Somalia. There were humanitarian aid groups housed in the building and other agencies present to help the region recover from natural disaster and war. However, Nettleton doesn't think that's how the hardliners viewed it. "The attack comes from that mindset that 'these are Westerners who are (in their words) invading our country. We've got to do whatever we can to get them out.'"

Nigerian police arrested 50 suspects in connection with the Abuja attack. However, the cycle of violence undermines the stability of the government headed by President Goodluck Jonathon, who is also a Christian. "The cycle typically in northern Nigeria is this: there are attacks, the government comes in, the army comes in, they try to put a lid on it, and they sort of stamp down the fire. It stays down for a little while, and then there's another attack, and the cycle begins again."

Although the President issued a statement against last Friday's attacks calling them "barbaric," there are concerns that the attacks will show a weak government and--should it continue--cause the people to look for someone who can bring the violence to heel.

What that means is: more attacks on vulnerable groups. One group that has already been struck hard multiple times this year is Christians. Asked if persecution will likely continue to worsen in this scenario, Nettleton responded, "There are radical groups who want to rid Nigeria of a Christian presence. They will attack Christian; they will attack churches. That will happen this year."

VOM has a strong presence in Nigeria, though. Aside from their normal aid, "We work with Nigerian Christians to get Bibles into the hands of people in Nigeria. Another program is our VOM medical program which provides medical care for people who are affected by acts of persecution."

People like church planters, Gospel workers, and church leaders have been increasingly targeted. When they are killed, they often leave behind families. VOM is part of stopping the cycle of violence here. "We are involved in a children's home that, in particular, focuses on the children of martyrs, the children of people who have been killed for their faith, providing them with a place to live, providing an education for them, and really, training up the next generation to lead the church in Nigeria."

The church continues to grow. Pray that Christians in Nigeria will demonstrate the love of Christ, in spite of the opposition they face. Pray, too, that Christians in Nigeria will take action to help their suffering brothers and sisters elsewhere in the country.

Source: Mission Network News

Online Persecution Studies - New Class to Start September 12th

A few months ago we introduced to you the brand new The Voice of the Martyrs' Online Persecution Studies Workshops and we are happy to share with you that the classes have been successful and are ongoing.

We have a new class starting on September 12th and would love for you to join in the fun.

It was the dream of Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, the
founder of VOM, to offer an educational program that
would teach “sufferology,” as he called it. The Voice of
the Martyrs is now making his dream a reality through a
series of online “Persecution Studies” workshops.

The program will put the true cost of discipleship into
perspective and will help Christians around the globe
become united in the cause of witnessing for Christ, no
matter the cost.

Moving beyond the level of mere information, the program seeks to raise participants’ level of understanding and comprehension of persecution’s
place within Christianity. It also seeks to raise the level of competency of those involved in ministry so they can present themselves as credible voices for the persecuted church and bring the highest honor to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The course is 12 weeks in length and requires  advance payment of $90.

To read the class brochure, click here to download the PDF.  Click here to go to the VOM site to register.

Iran: Prisoner Vahik Abrahamian Released!

We are very happy to share with you today that one of our prisoners that we've been highlighting on Prisoner Alert.com has now been released from prison!

According to the Farsi News Network website, Vahik Abrahamian was released on August 29th.  Note: The Voice of the Martyrs has not yet publicly confirmed this report.

Here is part of the report from the Farsi News Network:

As per Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN) report from Iran,  after enduring approximately one year of imprisonment, Vahik Abrahamian was released in the morning of Monday 29^th August and has now joined his family.

Pastor Vahik Abrahamian, an Armenian Christian, was arrested by security agents, together with his wife Sonia Keshish Avanessian, on Saturday 4^th September 2010, in his home in Hamedan.

Pastor Vahik & his wife, together with family friends, Arash and Arezou were all held for 44 days in solitary confinement in the ministry of information’s detention centre! In this period all were subjected to intensive interrogation and severe mental and psychological torture without any permission to contact family or friends.

They were then moved to the Hamedan prison’s general ward and after 8 months of ordeal they were proven not guilty in a court hearing and subsequently Sonia, Arash & Arezou were released on 30^th April 2010 but Pastor Vahik was held back until now.

During his one year imprisonment, FCNN obtained reports of his pour health and prison’s deplorable hygiene conditions which made family, friends and entire Christian community extremely concerned.  This anxiety was heightened upon release of the three other prisoners. The Christian community worldwide, particularly the Iranian Christian community has been faithfully holding Pastor Vahik in prayers.  The news of worldwide prayer was a cause of comfort and strength and encouragement for the immediate family in Iran and overseas.

Click here to read the full report.

VOM's Todd Nettleton Comments on 28 Dead in Iraq Bombing

Iraq (MNN) ― A suicide bomber has rattled confidence even amongst Sunni Muslims in Iraq.

On August 21, the attacker blew himself up inside Baghdad's largest Sunni mosque. Todd Nettleton with Voice of the Martyrs says, "Twenty-eight people lost their lives, so it's a significant attack, a significant bombing, and one more thing in a long line of items that make us worry about the stability of Iraq, particularly as U.S. troops pull out."

What makes this attack even more noteworthy is that a member of parliament was among the victims. Early into the investigation, explains Nettleton, "They are suspicious of al Qaeda, in spite of the fact that this was a Sunni Mosque and the predominant faith within al Qaeda is Sunni Islam. It seems odd that al Qaeda would orchestrate an attack on a Sunni mosque."

Even as authorities investigate the "how's" and the "why's," there is one minority group to whom the message is well-defined. Nettleton says it stands to reason that if a bomber can get inside a Sunni mosque to kill so many, a bomber could easily attack a church body. "The message is very clear for Christians who would gather together for worship: 'You're not immune to this kind of violence.' I think the other thing is just the overall stability of the country. That can be both a challenge and an opportunity because as there is so much upheaval, there are opportunities to be a witness for Christ."

Bombings of Christian religious institutions have been common throughout the process of democracy. Obviously targeted by the militant Islamic groups active in Iraq, thousands of believers have fled to neighboring countries. Today, Christians form around 1.6% of Iraq's population, according to Joshua Project.

Nettleton agrees that within the remnant church, "this can be a time for evangelism and a time for revival. But it obviously comes at a price, because the instability affects everyone inside the country." Isolation and discouragement can disrupt the work of sharing the hope of Christ.

VOM teams have not given up trying to reach those who've been forced underground. "We're involved in aid to Christians who are affected by persecution. One of the other significant points of our work in Iraq, as well as other nations, is simply getting Scriptures into the hands of the people there."

Keep praying for stability in the days ahead. If the aim is to stir up trouble, there's precedence behind the move. Five years ago, an attack on a Shiite shrine in Samarra triggered a period of civil warfare in which thousands died. In the chaos, the balance of power tipped somewhat. With a power vacuum forming in Iraq, everything is up for grabs. 

VOM Action Packs are one way to encourage believers. Click here for more.

Prisoner Alert: Write Pastor Nurliev, He Is In Prison Without a Bible

Last week we asked you to take the time to write Zhang Huamei, who has been in prison over 670 days,  and I am very happy to tell you that 7 more letters were written to Zhang!!!  Praise the Lord for your faithfulness to act!!  A big thank you to all of you who did write!  Thank you, thank you, thank YOU!  The week before we had 21 letters  written and this past week, even though we only had seven letters that were written in support of our brother, we appreciate it.  You will never know if one of those seven letters is the one who compells help for our brother.

Today I'd like to ask you to consider writing our brother Ilmurad Nurliev who has been in prison for 368 days.

Here's a small description of why Ilmurad is in prison.  As you read the description, please also offer up a prayer for Ilmurad and his family.

Pentecostal pastor Ilmurad Nurliev was arrested at his home in Mary in southeastern Turkmenistan on Aug. 27, 2010. He was charged with extracting money from three people. His wife, Maya, and his church members strongly deny the allegations. “All this is being done because of his faith,” said Maya. During his trial, several of the witnesses against the 45-year-old pastor were coerced into testifying.

Pastor Nurliev was sentenced to four years in prison, and his wife was forced to pay “compensation” immediately, or risk being kicked out of their home. Pastor Nurliev was also ordered to undergo “forcible medical treatment” to “wean him off his narcotic dependency,” another claim that his wife and church members reject.

In December 2010, Pastor Nurliev was transferred to Seyi Labor Camp, known for its use of psychotropic drugs on prisoners. A former prisoner in the camp described conditions “like something from the Middle Ages.”

The pastor is a diabetic, and his family is concerned about his health while he is in prison. He has no access to medical treatment.

Instead of working in the labor camp's brick kiln, the pastor is being permitted to work at his trade as a barber, serving both prisoners and camp staff. Prison authorities have denied Pastor Nurliev a Bible.  Click here to write now.

Iran: Pastor Faces Charges

Iranian pastor Abdolreza “Matthias” Haghnejad was released from prison on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2011, after a family member pledged their property for his bail. Haghnejad is charged with blasphemy against Islam, according to VOM contacts.

Haghnejad, a pastor from the city of Bandar Anzal, was arrested on Aug. 17, while making a pastoral visit in the city of Rasht. VEVAK, the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and National Security, held Haghnejad in prison in the Rasht area until his family paid the $30,000 bail, according to ASSIST News Service.

“[Blasphemy against Islam] is a serious charge against Haghnejad, so I ask that you continue to pray for him and his family,” VOM contacts said. “God made a way for his acquittal previously, and I believe he will do so again.”

Haghnejad and 10 other church members were detained earlier this year and charged for activities against the Iranian order and drinking alcohol but they were later acquitted on May 1. The charges referred to their involvement in a house church meeting and to taking communion wine.

Haghnejad’s most recent arrest occurred amidst reports of escalated government pressure on Christians. Please pray that God will provide Haghnejad and his family with strength and courage while they wait for the court hearing on the blasphemy charges.

Sources: VOM contacts, Present Truth Ministries, ASSIST News Service

Five Linfen Church Leaders Released After 2 Years in Labor Camp: Glorifying God in Trials & Tribulations

Here's a great praise report from our friends at China Aid. Praise the Lord!

China Aid Association

(Linfen, Shanxi – Aug. 27, 2011) Five leaders of the Linfen house church that was brutally destroyed two years ago by local officials and hired thugs who also severely beat church members have been released after serving two years in a labor camp, ChinaAid has learned. Five other leaders who were given longer sentences are still incarcerated.

The Linfen case was one of the largest cases of religious persecution in recent years. On Sept. 13, 2009, 400 local police, government officials and hired thugs descended upon the church, demolished its new building and clashed with hundreds of the 50,000 members of the Linfen church network who rushed to defend their church. Dozens were severely beaten, and more than 30 were hospitalized with critical injuries. (A short account and photographs can be seen here: http://www.helplinfen.com/2011/04/persecution-photos.html)

By November, 10 church leaders had been illegally detained. Five were sentenced to prison terms ranging up to seven years during a one-day show trial, and five others were sentenced to the labor camp terms.

The five who were released were four women: Gao Fuqin, Zhao Guoai, Yang Caizhen and Yang Hongzhen (from left to right in photo above), all of whom served their time at the Taiyuan Women’s Re-education-Through-Labor Camp. Also released was Li Shuangpin. (Double click on photo above to enlarge.)

Yang Caizhen was released on medical parole in February, after she nearly died due to a liver ailment. The others were released last month. Yang’s husband is still imprisoned, serving a 3-1/2 year sentence.

Police are still occupying the site where Linfen’s church’s Jindengtai (Golden Lampstand) church building once stood, and the church’s tens of thousands of believers have scattered like lost sheep, although they have continued to meet and worship in their homes.

The release of these five leaders has been a great encouragement and unifying event for these believers. Although each was physically and psychologically tormented during their two years in the labor camp, all five were strong and at peace spiritually and reported experiencing “glory in the midst of trials and tribulations.”

The five also said, “We sincerely urge all brothers and sisters around the world to pray for Linfen church, so that we may worship together in the Golden Lampstand church building at an early date. At the same time, we also ask brothers and sisters to remember in prayer the Linfen leaders who are still suffering in jail: Brothers Xiao Guang, Yang Xuan and Cui Jiaxing, and sisters Yang Rongli and Zhang Huamei. May the Lord move the police to release them early so that they can be reunited with their families. We who have been released express our most sincere gratitude to the brothers and sisters around the world who have been concerned about us and who have helped us. May God remember your prayers and what you did. God is with as all!”

ChinaAid founder and president Bob Fu said in response, “The Linfen church leaders and their families suffered cruel persecution for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the church. They paid the price with great honor for the sake of the Gospel. We express our great respect for them, and continue to lift up prayers for them and their families. These loyal and devoted brothers and sisters are not only the hope of the church, but also are the hope of Chinese society.”

Read more at China Aid.

Nigerian Army Said to Help in Slaughter of Christians

Plateau state governor fears alleged involvement of soldiers sets dangerous precedent.

JOS, Nigeria, August 28 (CDN) — Muslim extremists with the alleged help of Nigerian army personnel killed 24 Christians this month in central Nigeria’s Plateau state, area sources said.

The attacks started Aug. 11 in Ratsa Foron village, where assaults that day and on Aug. 15 left six Christians dead; also on Aug. 15 in Heipang village, Muslim extremists killed nine members of one Christian family along with another Christian, the sources said.

“They were in army uniform. I even know some of them; they came along with the Muslims to attack us,” said a tearful Nnaji John, who lost her family in the attack. “I can swear to God Almighty that the attack was carried out with the support of the soldiers; I saw them.”

Click here to read the full report at Compass Direct.

Do You Have This Conviction?

In this excerpt from the book Extreme Devotion the story is very poignant.  Read on and examine yourself.  Would you feel like a failure if you did this?  Or would you even care?  To get the book Extreme Devotion, click here.

“The teenager never came back.”

    The famous evangelist spoke from behind prison bars. A powerful preacher, known throughout Eastern Europe, he was telling how he could not find peace. This man had led thousands to Christ, so the other Christian prisoners could not understand his feeling of failure.
    

    “I had preached at an evangelistic meeting,” he explained. “I had poured out my heart, and, at the end, two hundred people had come forward to accept Christ. I was thrilled, but I was also exhausted. As I was leaving, one young man came to me. ‘Pastor, I need to talk to you,’ he said. I told him that I was too tired, and could he maybe come back in the morning. He never came back. The Communists arrested me later that evening. I was interrogated nonstop, day and night for five days. I answered all of their questions. I answered because I feared the tortures, the beatings I would receive if I did not answer. Out of fear of the Communists, I could speak for five days and nights without stopping.

    “Out of love toward God, however, I could not speak five minutes more to that teenaged boy looking for the way of life. How will I stand before God and account for bringing only two hundred to Christ that day when it could have been two hundred and one?”

We may choose to overlook opportunities that God puts before us to share Christ with others, thinking that we’ll get to it later or that we’ll have a better time. But we may never get another chance. When we choose to ignore a divinely given opportunity, we, like the evangelist, may find that the moment was fleeting—a once-in-a-lifetime gift. Tragically, it may be the only time a person asks to hear about God’s gift of eternal life through his Son, Jesus. In heaven, God may ask you why you did not share the gospel with someone when you had the opportunity to do so. How would you answer?

Persecution Quoteable

The harder the devil strikes, the more we will enjoy his defeat. Let him come!

A CHRISTIAN IN SUDAN