Persecution Blog

The Persecuted Christian Who Touched Our Hearts in 2011

Now that 2011 is winding down and almost over, I wanted to share a few thoughts about the Christians that we all read about and hear about every day, as we blog about this for you. I’ve had the privilege of blogging about Christian persecution for almost seven years and each year it is amazing to me how much Christians are persecuted worldwide. I know by now I shouldn’t be shocked, but there are still days that I look through the news and I am shocked…

I see the battle between good and evil being waged daily because of the name of Jesus Christ. Yet, as a student of scripture, it should not be a shock to anyone that Christians will be hated because Jesus said that His followers would be because He was hated and man loved the darkness more than the light.

In previous years I can recall blogging about women in prison for teaching a Sunday school class, or someone being beheaded simply by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. In fact I recall debating whether or not to post a picture of a woman who had been beheaded and the controversy it stirred when I chose to post it. Some people were offended by it, but some understood.

I’d have to say that I believe more Christians, and overall, people in general, are aware of the reality of Christian persecution now than ever before. In 2011 we all became involved in the lives of Asia Bibi and Pastor Youcef and offered thousands of prayers on their behalf, as well as signed petitions and sent letters via The Voice of the Martyrs Prisoner Alert program.

We also saw explosive growth on The Voice of the Martyrs’ Facebook page, which now has over 110,000 fans and we have grown in influence on our Twitter accounts @VOM_USA and @persecutionblog. I am thankful for this growth because with every status update on Facebook about a persecuted prisoner who needs our prayers and awareness brought to their situation, that person is being ministered to and remembered.

Just as with every tweet that is sent out and retweeted and talked about, the need of that persecuted believer is being honored, acted on and prayed for.

We no longer live in a day and age when Christians are persecuted in silent. When Christians are being tortured, abused, martyred and mistreated—the world knows. When there is a need that has to be met and a government that disrespects human life and demands a persons freedom—there is a voice that speaks loud and tells that government—we’re here and we’re listening and watching what you’re doing.

Christians are often freed because of the voice of the Church who stands and speaks for their brethren that are taken captive. We need to rejoice in this.

However, we need to continually remain vigilant and aware that apathy can set in and we can easily forget the suffering of those we do not see.

I’d like to personally thank every single one of you who have taken the time to pray for persecuted Christians, who have written a letter to a suffering saint, signed a petition, made a video, sent a tweet, posted on Facebook, donated to The Voice of the Martyrs, shared Tortured for Christ and been apart of any of our ongoing programs like Bibles Unbound and our Action Pack program. What you have done matters. It matters to the ministry to our suffering family in Christ, but even more, it honors the King whom we serve.

As we go into 2012 I’m sure we’ll see some more horrific things happening to Christians worldwide and we’ll be here to bring that news to you.

Thank you again for being a part of such a vital ministry to the Church. I pray the Lord’s blessing on you and those who suffer that Jesus might be lifted up in the whole earth, and that the world may know Him because of His love for us and our love for each other, in His name.

North Korea Begins New Day with Old Regime

North Korea (MNN) ― North Korea sent off their "Dear Leader" Kim Jong-Il in  a massive ceremonial farewell Tuesday. At the same time, North Korea moved to strengthen a new personality cult around Kim's son and successor, Kim Jong-Un.

It's usually the unknown that has people on edge, wondering what changes will be coming with a successor. However, there's good and bad news on that front. Todd Nettleton is a spokesman for The Voice of the Martyrs USA. "I spoke the night after the announcement of Kim Jong-Il's death with one of our VOM workers who works on the Korean peninsula, and his message was,  'Don't look for any significant changes, at least in the short-term.'"

It's widely thought that Kim Jong-Il had been ill for some time, so the likelihood that whoever was running the country in his absence will continue to do so under the  name of Kim Jong-Un. "There were people who were making the decisions and keeping things going on his behalf. It is believed that those same people will now be in charge behind the scenes for Kim Jong-Un, maintain his authority, maintain his power."

The country has been known for its disregard for human and religious rights. North Korea's policies and practices that persecute believers have kept it atop the Open Doors World Watch List for over four years. It is estimated that between 50,000 to 70,000 Christians suffer in prison camps because of their faith. People rarely get out of alive.

Despite that, the reclusive nation claims they have freedom of religion. Nettleton explains, "If you acknowledge Kim Jong-Il as a divine being, if you pray to Kim Il Sung--the founder of North Korea, and expect him to provide blessings and provisions in your life, then there is religious freedom for you."

In practice, there is no freedom to build churches or to worship in homes. An estimated 400,000 Christians practice their faith in underground networks. Possession of a Bible or Christian material is illegal and punishable by death.

Two years ago, authorities stepped up their surveillance of Christians, and house searches are said to be more rigorous than in the past.   

Why the overkill response to Christians? Nettleton says believers are viewed as "a danger to society." "Locking people in concentration camps--not just the people who are assumed to be guilty of this crime but their parents and their children as well"-- is not an unusual response. "Three generations to try to rid the country of this Christian philosophy that undermines not only the religion of Juche and the religion of the Kim's as divine beings, but it undermines the legitimacy of the government itself."  

VOM has been working with persecuted believers in North Korea for decades, including launching thousands of Scripture balloons across into the notoriously closed country. They've also found another way to get the hope of Christ across the borders: "sending Gospel broadcasts across the border into North Korea. A part of that Gospel broadcast is slowly reading the Scripture so that people can write it down as the person is reading."  

Pray for the protection of believers living under harsh conditions and those who have defected to China. Ask God to use their courageous testimonies to draw non-believers into fellowship with Him. "Pray for the rest of North Korea to see the falsehood of the Juche religion and the falsehood of the Kim family as divine beings. We can pray that God will provide truth to them."

Source: Mission Network News

VOM-USA Prayer Update for December 30, 2011

This is our very last prayer update for 2011 and we’d like to thank you for praying for these specific needs this weekend. Proverbs 15:29 says, “The LORD is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.” Thank you again for praying for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ.

Laos—Christians Arrested During Christmas Service
Source: Human Rights Watch for Laos

2 Corinthians 13:14

Seven Christian leaders remain in prison after authorities raided their Christmas gathering in Boukham village, Laos. Under orders from the village chief, authorities raided the home where the Christians were celebrating Christmas on Friday, Dec. 16. They arrested eight Christian leaders and took them to the village government house. Authorities accused the Christians of violating village law by holding a Christian service that offended the village's traditional spirit religion. A representative of the Savannakhet Lao Evangelical Church (LEC), which is recognized by the government, attempted unsuccessfully to obtain the Christians' release the day after their arrest. The LEC deputy chairman paid 1 million kip ($125, or about three months' pay) for the release of Kingnamosorn, one of the imprisoned believers. The remaining seven were asked to admit guilt. When they refused, authorities placed their feet in stocks. "Their situation will likely get worse unless we have God's intervention," wrote a VOM contact. In 2008, three Christians were imprisoned for three months in Boukham village and were threatened with life imprisonment if they did not recant their Christian faith. Pray that the seven prisoners will be released and will have sweet communion with God while in prison.

India—Pastor Released from Prison
Sources: Global Council of Indian Christians, VOM Canada

Deuteronomy 31:6

A pastor who was arrested and imprisoned in October on false charges of forced conversion in the Kashmir Valley has been released from jail on bail. A Muslim cleric, the Grand Mufti, had asked Reverend C. M. Khanna to help a student gain admission to a school run by the Church of North India. When Rev. Khanna was unable to help, it is believed that the Grand Mufti retaliated by having him summoned to appear before the Sharia court. He was charged with forced conversion based on video of a routine baptism ceremony in his church. Rev. Khanna voluntarily appeared before the Sharia court in the Kashmir Valley, even though he could not be legally bound to appear before a Muslim court in a secular country like India. Rev. Khanna’s arrest has caused great fear among believers, according to local sources. Please pray that Rev. Khanna’s courage and faith during his ordeal will be a testimony to others.

Turkey—Malatya Murderers Could Be Freed
Source: Middle East Concern

Isaiah 9:7

The five men accused of killing three Christians in Malatya, Turkey, could be freed if they are not convicted by April 2012. Under Turkish law, those accused of a crime must be set free if they are not convicted and sentenced within five years. The trial for the men accused of killing Necati Aydin, Ugur Yuksel and Tilmann Geske began in November 2007 and has been mired in complications ever since. The next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 17, 2012, and delays beyond April 2012 could lead to the release of the five men. Pray that friends and families of the Malatya victims will know the peace of Jesus and that justice will be done.

Nigerian Attacks Deplored as ‘Un-Islamic,’ But Polls Show Millions of Muslims Do Not Reject Suicide Bombings

Given the horrific murders of Christians this week in Nigeria, I found this article, posted at CNSNews.com concerning how Muslims see the use of suicide bombings versus other forms of terrorism, an interesting read. Apparently, while some in the Islamic world have condemned the horrific murders of Christians, many Muslims have not.

(CNSNews.com) — Condemning the deadly attacks on Nigerian Christians on Christmas Day, Islamic organizations around the world called the atrocities un-Islamic, yet opinion polls tracking views on terrorism suggest that significant numbers of Muslims disagree.

While scientific polling has found a decline in support for suicide bombings over the decade since 9/11 in most major Muslim countries, minorities of respondents — in some cases, large minorities — continue to regard them as justified “in defense of Islam.”

The percentages extrapolate to tens of millions of Muslims across Africa, the Middle East and Asia who hold that view.

…

As Islamic organizations in Nigeria and beyond reacted to the latest violence, some sought to distance Islam from the terrorist attacks.

Mujaid Nya, a spokesman for Jama’atu Nasril Islam — an umbrella body for Nigerian Muslims — said Islam did not teach anyone to take up arms against their neighbors. Nigeria’s Punch daily quoted him as saying Boko Haram should not be linked to Islam, which preaches peace.

Nigerian Islamic scholar Sheikh Muhammad Isa told the News Agency of Nigeria that the attackers were not adherents of any faith, while Alhaji Quasim Badrudeen of the Muslim Students Society in Lagos described the attacks as “unfortunate and un-Islamic.”

…

Despite the statements made by these groups, however, the Pew Global Attitudes Project poll continues to find support among Muslims for terrorism — specifically suicide bombings — and for al-Qaeda.

Although support for suicide bombings “in defense of Islam” has generally dropped over the decade since al-Qaeda attacked America, it remains considerable in some places in a 2011 Pew poll — 35 percent in Lebanon, 20 in Israel, 13 percent in Jordan, 10 percent in Indonesia and four percent in Pakistan.

Mallard Fillmoore Creator Remembers the Persecuted Church

It’s not every day that one may read a comic that remembers the persecuted Church. This year, Bruce Tinsley, creator of the comic Mallard Fillmooore, shared with his readers the following wonderful message. Thank you, Bruce!

VBS 2012: Teaching Kids About Persecution?

We are so thankful that The Christian Post has picked up the news that our new Kids of Courage VBS curriculum is available to teach children about the reality of Christian persecution.

A new Vacation Bible School curriculum is getting real with kids. Instead of lighthearted subject matter, The Voice of the Martyrs, a nonprofit that works with the persecuted church worldwide, recently developed a VBS curriculum that focuses on teaching children about persecution.

The Kids of Courage VBS program also helps children learn about forgiveness, courage and perseverance — all through stories of persecuted Christians in the countries of China, Egypt, India, Nigeria and North Korea.

Todd Nettleton, director of Media [Development] for VOM, told The Christian Post that the basic question the curriculum asks kids is: “How much is my faith in Christ worth to me?”

It explores the Christian faith of those in other countries like North Korea or China, where religious freedom is very limited. The materials give children the chance to grapple with the idea of their own faith, how much it means to them, and whether or not they would suffer to stay true to Jesus.

“I don’t think you are ever too young to start thinking about those types of questions,” Nettleton said.

The creators of the curriculum ensure parents and teachers that the materials tell real stories, but don’t talk about issues that are above the children’s age level.

Read more…

Muslims Suspected of Killing Toddler in Christian Dominated City

Christmas in Nigeria was a bloodbath in one town, as we reported on earlier this week. Sadly, today we are hearing the news that a toddler was murdered today in the Christian dominated village where the early Christian massacres recently took place.

The AFP is reporting,

The killing in the Christian-dominated village comes amid growing fears of civil unrest in the country following a deadly string of Christmas attacks claimed by Islamist group Boko Haram.

“Three people—a man, his wife and daughter—have been confirmed killed in that (Uwuk) village. They were attacked in the night while they were asleep,” Plateau state spokesman Ayuba Paro told AFP.

Paro quoted the villagers as saying that attackers who struck late Tuesday were suspected to be Fulani tribesmen, a mostly Muslim group which has been blamed for previous raids on the village.

…

A sister of the slain woman told AFP that the attack happened about 10:00 pm (2100 GMT).

“I was in the next village when they called me to tell me that my sister had been killed. She, her husband and their three-year-old daughter were shot and stabbed in their rooms,” she said.

A former councillor in the area, Peter Dachumgas, said “all the people they killed were sleeping in one house and only one person, the younger brother of the slain man escaped through the window.”

Jos lies in the middle-belt region between the predominantly Muslim north and the mainly Christian south of Africa’s most populous nation.

Please keep Christians in Nigeria in your prayers. Pray for peace and for those who are persecuting Christians to come to a saving knowledge and faith in the Jesus they are persecuting.

Full story here.

Going Home: Today Should Have Been Gao Zhisheng’s First Day Back Home

I saw this important post over on the China Aid blog a few days ago, but due to the holidays didn’t have a chance to share it with you until today. As you know, if you’ve read this blog for any length of time, we’ve asked for your prayers for Gao Zhisheng and invited you to sign our petition at http://www.freegao.com. Thank you to all of you who have supported Gao through your prayers and support this past year. As you read the letter that Gao’s wife has written, please pray for her strength as well as for all of Gao’s family.

Going Home

Today should have been Gao Zhisheng’s first day back home

By Geng He

I remember one evening in September 2006, two domestic security protection officers suddenly showed up at my house, asking me, “Where have you hidden Gege?” It was only then that I suddenly realized that it was already past the time when my daughter should have returned home from school. Shocked, I started to cry and said to them, “You are the ones who follow my daughter to school. If anything’s happened to her, I’ll end my life.” Having confirmed that I had no idea where my daughter was, they then said to me, “We know where Gege is. Do you want her home?” I replied, “Of course. Where is she?” They said, “She is at Fan Yafeng’s. We’ll go there now.”

My son Tianyu and I got into their car, and saw them restlessly playing with the cover of their cellphones, opening and closing the cover, opening and closing … . When we got to Anzhen Bridge, where we should have turned right, they said fretfully that they needed to make a phone call first, and then abruptly made a U-turn, going back to the small supermarket near my home (where there is a pay phone). They kept saying to me, “You are your daughter’s guardian. Are you comfortable about a girl being at someone else’s home so late? If Fan Yafeng does not send her back right away, you’ll have to report it to the police and say ‘Fan Yafeng has kidnapped my daughter,’ etc., etc.”

After dialing Fan Yafeng’s cell phone number, they handed the phone to me. When I put the phone to my ear, I heard the ringtone playing the saxophone recording “Going Home”, which instantly made me cry. What a familiar and sweet tune! This “Going Home” saxophone rendition was what used to play as I completed the day’s grocery shopping. In step with this “Going Home” song, the whole family would walk back together to our guesthouse to rest. Accompanied by this “Going Home” song, we would go out to eat together…. Oh, the difference with what I am facing now is like the difference between earth and sky!

Where is my husband Gao Zhisheng? When can he start on the road to come home? The situation then is still fresh in my mind. Now, it’s been more than five years … yet the road home for us is still so far.

Geng He
December 22, 2011

Please read the full post at China Aid and pray for all Christians in China today.

Muslim Extremists in Uganda Throw Acid on Bishop

They hate you because of Me, but the one who stands firm until the end will be saved.—Matthew 10:22

Compass Direct is reporting today on an incident that took place in Uganda on December 24th where a former Muslim and now a convert to Christianity, Bishop Umar Mulinde was attacked by extremist Muslims who threw acid on his face and back, which ended up burning thirty percent of his face.

Bishop Mulinde is now suffering loss of sight and may lose his eyesight in both eyes. Please pray for our brother as he now heals from these scars he has born for Jesus.

Read the full story at Compass Direct.

Kids of Courage Curriculum Loses the Fluff

USA (MNN) ― This isn’t your typical, everyday Sunday school lesson. No fluff or watering-down can be found in this latest Vacation Bible School curriculum.

The Voice of the Martyrs just came out with their Kids of Courage curriculum, a challenging series that presents the reality of persecution, forgiveness, and what being strong in your faith really means.

A VOM worker who helped prepare the curriculum says, “A lot of kids can learn about persecution without going into graphic detail. They can learn that we can trust God when we are having problems, and we can even praise Him.”

The curriculum comes with over 50 stories from countries like China, Egypt, India, Nigeria and North Korea where Christians are persecuted daily for their faith.

It also takes care of group leaders by providing crafts and skits for them to use. There’s enough material for leaders to choose which stories and activities are age-appropriate for the group they are teaching.

“Leaders and teachers have said they have wanted to teach children about persecution but they didn’t know how to do it in an age-appropriate way,” says VOM staff member. “They like it when the kids are able to study the same thing as the adults. We have stories that are current about kids their age that are happening right now. Everything in the curriculum is country related or persecution related.”

Some churches have already taken the curriculum and adapted it into a youth program or teaching series. The Kids of Courage curriculum is only $45 and can be purchased at www.kidsofcouragevbs.com.

Youth Pastor William Thompson states, “As a youth minister, I tend to stay away from lessons that are watered down. In today’s world, I think people need reality rather than fantasy. We enjoyed the curriculum so much, we are going to use it during our Wednesday night youth program so that even more kids learn about the persecuted church and how to be a kid of courage!

Source: Mission Network News