Persecution Blog

VOM-USA Prayer Update for February 24, 2012

Please take some time today to pray for this weeks prayer requests.  Please also share them with your friends, family and church leaders. 

Mali -- Safe Houses Foster Evangelism
Source: VOM Contacts

Jeremiah 10:6-7

Conversions to Christianity have increased dramatically in Mali in recent months, due in part to the evangelistic work of Muslim Background Believers (MBBs) who have been trained at VOM-supported safe houses. "Not only are the safe houses a hiding place [for new converts running from Muslim families], but they are also places where MBBs can strengthen their faith," a VOM worker said. "With their training ... they become real national leaders who embark courageously on the evangelization of their compatriots and support the building of a true local or indigenous church." These evangelists are the main distributors of Christian materials in the country. "That explains the explosion of conversions they are noting these days," the VOM worker said. "The Muslim communities note now a real drop of their members." Pray for the continued spread of the gospel in Mali and for the protection of these courageous believers.

Turkey -- Visa Restrictions Hinder Missionaries
Source: VOM Contacts

Phillippians 3:14-16

The Turkish government recently tightened its visa regulations, hindering the work of foreign missionaries in the country. The new visa policy, which became effective on Feb. 1, 2012, allows 180-day multiple-entry visas, but visitors may spend only 90 consecutive days in the country and must wait 90 days between visits. Christian workers will have to leave Turkey every three months and remain outside the country for three months before returning. "We will only be able to spend half our time in Turkey," wrote one worker. Since the beginning of February, the Turkish government has expelled a number of missionaries who had resident permits. Others who have left the country and tried to re-enter have been turned away at the border under the new visa regulations. Please pray that the Church in Turkey will continue to grow and develop mature leaders despite increasing government restrictions.

Burma -- Evicted Christians Get New Homes
Source: VOM Contacts

Ephesians 3:16-17

Forty families that were evicted from their villages because of their faith recently began construction on their new homes. After a local Buddhist monk drove the families, including about 300 people, out of their homes, VOM and a partner organization helped them buy land, pay taxes and begin construction on the first five houses. The Buddhist monk took offense when the believers refused to sponsor Buddhist activities. The situation remained tense for two months, until the monk eventually expelled them from their villages. Pray that these believers will remain rooted in Jesus Christ and that their new community will be a blessing.

Turkmenistan: Pastor Nurliev Released

Protestant pastor Ilmurad Nurliev was released from prison on Feb. 18 as part of the president’s “Flag Day” amnesty, in which about 230 prisoners were freed. Pastor Nurliev’s wife, Maya, and other family members greeted him as he arrived on a train from the Seydi labor camp with other pardoned prisoners.

“His release was so unexpected we forgot to get flowers,” she said. “It is such a joy I can't tell you. Our sincere thanks and blessings to you and all who worked for his release.” The pastor learned of his amnesty the previous evening, and his family discovered it when they saw a list of those to be released posted on the Internet.

The 46-year-old Nurliev, who has a daughter and two grandchildren, leads Light to the World Protestant Church in Mary, Turkmenistan. He was barred from leaving Turkmenistan in 2007, and his church has been denied state registration. Police raided his home in February 2009, confiscating 225 Christian cassettes and DVDs.

In August 2010, Pastor Nurliev was arrested, charged with swindling and sentenced to four years in labor camp. His congregation said the charges were fabricated in order to punish him for his religious activity.

Pastor Nurliev told Forum 18 that conditions in labor camp were “not too bad.” He said apart from the initial 10 days he spent in an isolation cell after his arrival in the camp, he did not spend further time in isolation and had not been beaten. The pastor, who is diabetic, also said prison officials gave him the medicines his wife brought.

However, he was not allowed to have a Bible during his 18-month imprisonment. “When I saw that the Muslim imams in Seydi were allowed to have copies of the Quran, I went to the head of the labor camp,” he said. “But he told me I couldn’t have a Bible. He gave no reason.”

The pastor was also denied the many letters, cards and photos sent to him from around the world. “I was able to see letters and cards from Canada, Britain and elsewhere that had come in for me,” he said. “But although I could have a quick look at some of them, they wouldn't give them to me.” He thanked those who had written to him. “They showed me I was not forgotten.”

Pastor Nurliev must report to the police every Saturday evening. He does not know if there are other conditions on his release, and he’s unsure if he will be allowed to travel out of the country.

“Church members have been coming to the house to celebrate my release with me,” Pastor Nurliev said. "I want to thank … everyone who supported me and helped [in] my release.”

Source: Forum 18 News Service

The Voice of the Martyrs' Facebook Page Explodes with Prayers for Pastor Youcef

Yesterday we shared with you that Pastor Youcef's life may be coming to an end if the Iranian goverment doesn't change their minds.  As a result, The Voice of the Martyrs' Facebook page has exploded with comments and prayers concerning the plight of our dear brother.  Here are just a few of the comments.  Please keep praying for Pastor Youcef and his family.

Henry S. says, "Prayers continue for Pastor Youcef and his family."

Kelly C., says, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." - Psalm 116:15
This is an outrage. Lord deliver this man from the enemy in Jesus' name! Amen. Has Obama expressed one public word of outrage over this?!"

Nathan P, wrote, "May His death bring glory to our King. Vindication is on the horizon. The Son of Man shall return in victory. Hope is in the everlasting."

Maritza V., said, "Heartbreaking but we must pray for our brother and his family! Glory to Jesus alone!"

Debbie J., wrote, "Praying for Pastor Youcef!"

Joshua W., proclaimed, "What a great representation of faith in Christ!"

And Nathaniel L., shared, "I pray that Youcef hears and feels the hearts of all who are praying for him, and that he shall know if he meets his end, he will surely be embraced by the Love of Jesus Christ surrounded by his infinite Glory! I also thank Youcef for making this sacrifice, and it is my hope that all of those Lost around him will surely know that Jesus Christ is our one and true saviour.....Hallelujah and AMEN!!!!!!"

Numerous others also expressed their concerns over the lack of outrage about this case coming from officials in high places, and others shared their thoughts about how this may be a greater opportunity to evangelize Muslims.

We urge you to continue your prayers for Pastor Youcef and his family.  Please also pray for those in authority who are making the decisions about his life.

Imprisoned Christian Newspaper Editor, South China Church Leader Li Ying Released Five Years Early

I am so happy to share with you this great news about our sister Li Ying.  Many of you have joined me and thousands of others in writing letters of encouragement to Li over the past few years.  Now we get to rejoice that she's been set free early.  Praise the Lord!   

The following is courtesy of China Aid...

(Jinmen, Hubei—Feb. 22, 2012) A Christian newspaper editor and house church leader sentenced in 2002 to 15 years’ imprisonment for “intentional assault” was released almost five years before the end of her prison term as the result of a world-wide letter-writing campaign and other international efforts on her behalf.

Li Ying, of the South China Church in Hubei province, was released on Dec. 25, 2011. She tearfully told ChinaAid founder and president Bob Fu that during her 10 years in prison, thousands of letters for her were sent to the prison. She said the letters had helped to significantly improve her prison conditions and contributed to her early release. She expressed thanks to ChinaAid and asked ChinaAid to convey her gratitude to the international community and churches worldwide.

Li was one of the first prisoners featured by the international human rights group Voice of the Martyrs on its www.prisoneralert.com website, from where concerned Christians to write letters of encouragement to imprisoned Christians. According to Voice of the martyrs, more than 11,400 letters were written to Li through the site since 2004.

Li is the niece of Pastor Gong Shengliang, founder of the South China Church, one of the fastest growing house-church movements in China. She was also editor in chief of the church newspaper, South China Special Edition (Huanan Zhuankan). She had been arrested several times and had previously spent a year in prison in 1996.

As a condition of her release, Li was required to sign a guarantee to submit to “community correction,” which included the requirement that she live only in government-appointed neighborhoods and attend government-appointed churches.

In December 2001, Li was one of 17 South China Church leaders who were convicted of “using a cult to undermine enforcement of the law,” five of whom were sentenced to death. Li was one of them. But as a result of the ensuing international outcry, a higher court in Hubei revoked the death sentences in September 2002, citing lack of clarity about certain facts and insufficient evidence, and the Jinmen Intermediate Court in October 2002 retried the case. Instead of the crime of “using a cult, ” the five who had been condemned to death were convicted of “intentional assault.” 

The five were Gong Shengliang, Xu, Fuming, Hu Yong, Gong Bangkun, and Li Ying. Gong Shengliang was also convicted of rape. Three of them—Gong Shengliang, Xu Fuming, and Hu Yong—were sentenced to life imprisonment.  Gong Bangkun and Li Ying were given 15-year prison terms.

Source: China Aid

Iran: Prisoner List Update

The Iranian Christian news agency Mohabat News recently published a list of Christians imprisoned in Iran. The list, which was current as of February 2012, consists of prisoners known by and confirmed by Mohabat News.

For security reasons, the prisoners listed below or their families have asked that they not be featured on VOM’s www.prisoneralert.com. However, please pray for each one of these believers. For a list of Iranian prisoners to whom you can write, visit the PrisonerAlert.com Iran country profile.

Prisoner Name	City of Arrest	Date of Arrest	Prison
Noorallah Qabitzade	Dezful	Dec. 24, 2010	Dastgerd
Farshi Fathi	Tehran	Dec. 26, 2010	Evin
Fariborz Arazm	Tehran	Oct. 17, 2011	Evin
Farshad Sabokroh	Ahwaz	Dec. 23, 2011	Karoon
Naser Zamen-Dezfuli	Ahwaz	Dec. 23, 2011	Karoon
Davoud Alijani	Ahwaz	Dec. 23, 2011	Karoon
Massis Moussian	Tehran	Feb. 8, 2012	Rajei-Shahr
Mojtaba Houseini	Shiraz	Feb. 8, 2012	Pelak 100
Fariba Nazemian	Shiraz	Feb. 8, 2012	Pelak 100
Homayoun Shokoohi	Shiraz	Feb. 8, 2012	Pelak 100
Nima Shokoohi	Shiraz	Feb. 8, 2012	Pelak 100
Vahid Hakkani	Shiraz	Feb. 8, 2012	Pelak 100
Shrifeh Dookh	Shiraz	Feb. 8, 2012	Pelak 100
Masoud Golrooyan	Shiraz	Feb. 8, 2012	Pelak 100

Source: Mohabat News

Two Churches Targeted in Bomb Attack in Nigeria

The following news is from our friends at Compass Direct and reveals the continuing persecution happening in Nigeria.  Please keep these brethren in your prayers. 

Five injured; in Christmas Day blast in nearby Madalla, seven left blind.

SULEJA, Nigeria, February 21 (CDN) — Suspected Islamic extremists detonated a bomb outside a church building here on Sunday (Feb. 19), two months after Boko Haram Islamists killed 44 Christians and blinded seven in a church bombing in nearby Madalla.

Sunday’s blast in Suleja, in front of Christ Embassy church during their morning worship, injured five people, one seriously, sources said. The bomb, planted in a parked car, was left by suspected members of Boko Haram, which seeks to impose sharia (Islamic law) throughout Nigeria, and authorities arrested some members of the sect the same day.

Triumphant Ministries International Church is also near the site of the explosion. Peter Osema, a search-and-rescue worker with Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency, told Compass that the bomb was likely meant to affect both churches, and indeed Compass learned that at least one of those injured belongs to the Triumph Ministries church.

“We found five vehicles destroyed, and we believe that the bomb was targeted at these two churches here,” Osema said.

Keep Reading here.

Pastor Youcef Execution Could Come at Any Time

Iran (MNN) ― Sources in Iran say an execution order for Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has been signed.

According to Present Truth Ministries (closely connected with Nadarkhani), this is grim news. Todd Nettleton, a spokesman for Voice of the Martyrs USA , confirms the news.  "Apparently, that execution order has not been delivered to his family has not been delivered to his attorneys, but the report is that it has been signed. That means that at any time, he could be executed."

Often the government will execute people without any prior notice to attorney's or family.   It's also unclear whether it has been approved by the Ayatollah who is the head of the Judiciary Sadegh Larijani.

Nadarkhani was born to a Muslim family and admits that he was introduced to the teachings of Islam, but claims he never accepted the faith.  That was the basis of his appeal to the High Court on the apostasy verdict.  

Nettleton explains, "His reply to that is 'well no. I wasn't a practicing Muslim this execution order being signed says that the court has not approved that logic. They are saying 'yes in fact, you were a Muslim. Because you're a Christian now, you're an apostate and you'll be executed for that apostasy."

Pastor Youcef has refused to recant his faith during the three years he's been separated from his wife and two sons.  His conviction and sentence has been delayed due to international pressure, according to other reports from Present Truth Ministries. 

Meanwhile,  on February 17, Rep. Joseph Pitts (R-PA) introduced a resolution denouncing Iran for its leaders' ruling of apostasy against Youcef Nadarkhani and calling for his immediate release.   So far, it has the support of seven other members. Nearly 90 members of Congress previously signed a letter supporting Nadarkhani.

When asked if international pressure would be enough to intervene again, Nettleton responded, "The most important thing we can do is to pray. There are petitions you can sign. We have Pastor Youcef on PrisonerAlert.com. They can also send emails to Iranian authorities asking that he not be executed."

Given the application of the apostasy law,  one would think it would have a severe 'chilling effect' on evangelism. Quite the opposite, says Nettleton.  The Arab Spring and Iran's Revolution played a big role in that. 

Ruthless government oppression of the protestors shook many Muslims' faith.  To them, the government is the mullah, and the mullah is the government.  That means, Nettleton goes on to say, that "When there is disappointment with the government or frustration with the government, it translates in people's minds to disappointment and frustration with Islam."

People are looking for an anchored Truth. "So, there's hunger for the Gospel, there's an openness for the Gospel and the Church is growing at a rate  that is really mind-boggling."   

Ask the Lord to uphold and sustain Youcef, his wife, and their two children. Pray that this family may soon be reunited. Pray for Youcef's legal team and all those in authority connected with this case.

Pray the Body of Christ will continue to multiply and mature despite persecution.

Source: Mission Network News

Israel: Death to Christianity

A Jerusalem church was vandalized on Monday, Feb. 20, in an attack reflecting the sentiments of Jewish nationalists.

Vandals spray-painted the words “Death to Christianity” on the wall of the Baptist Narkis Street Congregation church. The graffiti included profanity about Jesus and the words “Price Tag,” a slogan used by Jewish extremists to protest policies they perceive as anti-settlement. The vandals also slashed the tires of several cars parked in the church compound.

Police have launched an investigation into Monday’s attack, which is similar to a graffiti attack two weeks ago on the 11th-century Monastery of the Cross, also in west Jerusalem. “Officers are investigating a strong possibility of a nationalist motive, but no one has been apprehended yet,” police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told Ynet News. It is unlikely that Muslim vandals would have denigrated Jesus, who is considered a holy prophet in Islam.

When asked for comment on the attack by a local reporter, a VOM contact in the region said, “Jesus told us persecution would happen, and he told us to forgive when it does happen. So that’s what we think about the incident.”

“Price tag” attacks are carried out all over Israel by Jewish extremists. The term is used to suggest that vandalism is the “price” that must be paid by non-Jews for the evacuation and demolition of Jewish settlements. The extremists have targeted mosques, Palestinian homes and Israeli military installations in the West Bank.

Source: Ynetnews.com

Mixed News for Christians Coming Out of Jammu and Kashmir States

India (MNN) ― There's a bright spot amongst all the news coming out of India's Jammu and Kashmir states.

According to Lee DeYoung with Words of Hope, Rev. Chander Mani Khanna--accused of bribing Muslim young people to convert to Christianity--is free, and the case against him is dismissed for lack of evidence. 

The bad news is: the stress silenced the pastor. "He retired officially from the only open church in Kashmir, (that is the All Saint's Church in Srinagar), in mid-January. The church is still there, but at this point, it seems as if Christian activity has been driven completely underground and has been severely curtailed."

DeYoung confirms the Compass Direct News report saying because no charges were filed against him, the state's High Court on Feb. 11 halted proceedings in the police complaint of "promotion of religious enmity by conversions" against Khanna.

Khanna can now travel because the order binding him to the state was lifted, as well. The court asked the government to file its response by March 14, and then it will set the date for the next hearing.   

What's odd is that while Kashmir's sharia (Islamic law) court has no legal authority in India, the committee charged and convicted three church leaders of "luring the valley Muslims to Christianity." As part of their sentence, the trio was ordered to leave the state, and the state government was told to take over the management of all Christian schools in the region. 

DeYoung says, "Local Christians say that the Sharia court is continuing to pursue Christians. Newspaper announcements are posted, naming suspected or known Christians and urging people to turn them in."

As a result, life has been extremely difficult for Kashmir's Christians since the verdict. First, there's the intimidation. "They're also seeking to prevent conversions and to re-convert Christians," says DeYoung. "Committee members of this Islamic Sharia court are visiting Christian homes and allegedly pressuring them and their families to return to Islam."

Then, there are the threats, which have to be taken seriously. DeYoung says they're taking steps to keep the staff safe. "Words of Hope's radio broadcasts in the Kashmiri language, which had been on the air for a number of years, are going to be suspended at the end of March--in part, because the people who have been recording the programs, the production effort has been disrupted by this persecution."

The fifteen-minute program, "Ray of Hope," airs four days a week and includes music, a health segment, and a Bible-based message. Personal contacts have been made with listeners. The few seekers who respond to the program need support and encouragement to stand for their faith in their own community.

The decision to pull back a little is not limited to Words of Hope. "The shortwave transmissions of FEBA radio are going to cease to the Indian subcontinent at the end of March. We are continuing to pursue other opportunities, and we hope that it will be possible to restart this ministry sometime in the future."

As noted in an earlier interview with another Words of Hope staffer, for all practical purposes "active ministry has ceased for the moment, as far as we know, and the Christians who were involved in that have had to flee for their lives."

There was openness to the Gospel, so keep praying for opportunity. DeYoung says the story isn't over yet. "[We] seek the prayers of God's people for an easing of this illegal persecution and for the work of the Gospel to continue--and hopefully increase."

Source:  Mission Network News

Save the Nuba

Our friends and partners at Persecution Project Foundation are educating the the attendees at this weeks National Religious Broadcasters convention, about the persecution happening in Sudan. Today they showed the video Save the Nuba which exposes the genocide that his happening right now in the Sudan.

Please pray for the nation of Sudan today. Please pass on this short video clip so others will be educated. Please also pray for all of the people who are trying to help those suffering in the Sudan.