Persecution Blog

Persecution Podcast 107: Morocco, Turkey, Kurdistan, and China

Today Todd and Dory discuss numerous prayer requests on the 107th Persecution Podcast.  Below are the prayer requests they discussed and if you click here you can hear the conversation on this short podcast.

Morocco
Police have arrested three secret Christians and apparently gained information about other secret believers in the country. On March 1, two young men were visiting with an older believer from another city in a public café when police arrested the three. The two young men were released later that night, but the older believer remains in custody. The families of the two young men were not aware of their sons’ conversion to Christianity, and one of the young men was expelled from his home when his family learned of his Christian faith. In addition to the three arrests, police visited the home of a Christian leader in Rabat, but the family did not let them in. Pray for these two young men as well as the older believer still in custody. Also pray for protection of those whose names have been provided to the police.

Turkey
A church in Turkey has experienced increased harassment in recent weeks, possibly as a result of the Quran burnings at an American military base in Afghanistan. On Sunday, March 4, police notified the pastor of Samsun Agape Church that someone had attacked the church building. The attacker kicked in the church door to get inside, where guests from Romania were staying. He also damaged the church sign before being detained by police and a neighbor. Several policemen were injured in a struggle with the attacker. Christians in Turkey are often perceived as traitors and supporters of the West. “These types of incidents discourage new believers and drive them to fear,” the pastor said. Pray for the protection of Turkish believers, and pray that those who persecute Christians might receive the truth in miraculous ways.

Kurdistan
A student at a private Christian school in Kurdistan shot to death his American teacher before killing himself. The incident has prompted the Ministry of Education to review the programs of private schools in the region. Bayar Sarwar, 18, shot 33-year-old American gym teacher Jeremiah Small four times on March 1 as he prayed before class. Although the motive for the shooting is unclear, the Kurdistan Teachers Union believes the student was agitated by the teacher’s promotion of Christianity. Without elaborating, police said only that there was some kind of issue between the student and teacher. Jeremiah Small was from Washington state. He was buried March 6, 2012, in Kurdistan. Please pray for his family and for peace in Kurdistan.

Additionally…

China
Pray for Pastor Yang Xuan and his wife, Yang Caizhen. VOM has provided emergency aid to their family since the house church leaders were arrested in November 2009. Yang Caizhen was released last year, but her husband remains in prison.

VOM-USA Prayer Update for March 16, 2012

"All God's plans have the mark of the cross on them and all His plans have death to self in them." ~EM Bounds (1835-1913)

 

Morocco--Secret Christians Arrested
Source: VOM Contacts

Psalm 5:11-12

Police have arrested three secret Christians and apparently gained information about other secret believers in the country. On March 1, two young men were visiting with an older believer from another city in a public cafe when police arrested the three. The two young men were released later that night, but the older believer remains in custody. The families of the two young men were not aware of their sons' conversion to Christianity, and one of the young men was expelled from his home when his family learned of his Christian faith. In addition to the three arrests, police visited the home of a Christian leader in Rabat, but the family did not let them in. Pray for these two young men as well as the older believer still in custody. Also pray for protection of those whose names have been provided to the police.

Turkey--Church Attacked Amid Increasing Harassment
Source: VOM Contacts

Acts 9:3-5

A church in Turkey has experienced increased harassment in recent weeks, possibly as a result of the Quran burnings at an American military base in Afghanistan. On Sunday, March 4, police notified the pastor of Samsun Agape Church that someone had attacked the church building. The attacker kicked in the church door to get inside, where guests from Romania were staying. He also damaged the church sign before being detained by police and a neighbor. Several policemen were injured in a struggle with the attacker. Christians in Turkey are often perceived as traitors and supporters of the West. "These types of incidents discourage new believers and drive them to fear," the pastor said. Pray for the protection of Turkish believers, and pray that those who persecute Christians might receive the truth in miraculous ways.

Kurdistan--Christian Teacher Killed by Student
Source: VOM Contacts, Kurdistan News Agency

Jeremiah 29:7

A student at a private Christian school in Kurdistan shot to death his American teacher before killing himself. The incident has prompted the Ministry of Education to review the programs of private schools in the region. Bayar Sarwar, 18, shot 33-year-old American gym teacher Jeremiah Small four times on March 1 as he prayed before class. Although the motive for the shooting is unclear, the Kurdistan Teachers Union believes the student was agitated by the teacher's promotion of Christianity. Without elaborating, police said only that there was some kind of issue between the student and teacher. Jeremiah Small was from Washington state. He was buried March 6, 2012, in Kurdistan. Please pray for his family and for peace in Kurdistan.

China
VOM Project

Pray for Pastor Yang Xuan and his wife, Yang Caizhen. VOM has provided emergency aid to their family since the house church leaders were arrested in November 2009. Yang Caizhen was released last year, but her husband remains in prison.

India: Animosity Increasing

Three recent attacks against Christians in India reflect an increase in animosity against believers throughout the country.

In Kerala state, a pastor and his children were attacked on Feb. 21. Pastor Titus Ignatius Kapan and his family were eating dinner at the house of a Hindu convert when Hindu extremists entered the house. They abused the pastor and his children before dropping huge boulders on the pastor’s car.

Just days earlier, Hindu extremists disrupted a prayer service in Pandhi village, Chhattisgarh state. Although the church had reportedly obtained police permission for the event, 15 to 20 extremists interrupted the service on the first day, threatening attendees and slapping one of the pastors.

The next day, 50 extremists tore down the believers’ tent and began assaulting them. One of the pastors required stitches. The extremists returned later that night, beating church members and another pastor with their fists and leather belts. They also damaged a motorbike.

A group of Christians in Haibasa district, Jharkhand state, were forced to leave their village after a series of attacks against them by local villagers. The Christians took refuge at a nearby church and are living without adequate food and clothing. In the final attack on this group, on Jan. 29, a violent mob closed down all exit points to the village before assaulting the Christians with iron rods, axes, arrows and other sharp weapons. The mob severely beat four Christians and dragged others, including children, to a room. They locked the Christians inside and attempted to burn them alive. They were unsuccessful only because police arrived before they could complete the deed.

These are only a few of the attacks against Christians in recent weeks. Hindu groups revile Christians because they think Christians undermine the Hindu caste system. Please pray that Christians in India will find strength in Christ.

Sources: Compass Direct News, Global Council of Indian Christians, Evangelical Fellowship of India

Group Urges UN Action to Free Pakistani Christian

The cry for mercy for our sister in Pakistan, Asia Bibi, who has been in prison since 2009, has now been presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council.

CBN News is reporting that, “Fifty human rights activists from around the world are calling on Pakistan to free Asia Bibi, an imprisoned Christian mother sentenced to death for blasphemy.”

French journalist Anne-Isabelle Tollet is among those seeking justice for Bibi.

“Asia Bibi is innocent, but the Paksitani government does nothing in fear of reprisal,” Tollet explained. “By refusing to act and to impose reforms, the Pakistani government becomes the accomplice for the fundamentalists.”

Will you help us spread the word about The Voice of the Martyrs Call for Mercy petition that we have set up in order to reach one million signatures which represent one million people calling for mercy towards Asia Bibi?

Last year we did a video contest which helped propel the message of mercy for Asia. Please share this video and direct your friends and family who haven't yet signed the petition to CALL FOR MERCY.COM

We have just passed 601,000 signatures and are past our half way mark. Please spread the word!

Iran Admits Pastor Faces Only Apostasy Charge

A few days ago it was rumored that Pastor Youcef had been put to death. The Voice of the Martyrs has confirmed that those rumors are not true. Pastor Youcef is still alive and in prison. Please continue to keep him and his family in your prayers.

CBN News has also reported on some news saying that Iran has now admitted that Pastor Youcef faces an apostasy charge. Numerous countries all over the world are also watching his case very closely and monitoring what Iran is doing with Christian prisoners.

Watch the video report with Lee Webb:

You may also read more at CBNNEWS.com.

Survivors Desperately Seek Loved Ones in Jos, Nigeria Blast

My heart is so sad and grieved over the persecution happening to our brothers and sisters in Nigeria.

Our friends at Compass Direct are faithfully reporting the latest on the attacks and we have the latest from them today.

You may read the full story here.

Confirmed death toll rises to nine in Islamic extremist bombing at Catholic church.

JOS, Nigeria, March 13 (CDN) — One man rendered a widower by the Islamist suicide bombing at a Catholic church on Sunday (March 11) discovered his wife had been killed only after finding her severed hand with her wedding ring on it.

Another could identify his wife only by the clothing left on her remains.

Both women, 52-year-old Rose Dominic Dung Tari, and 50-year-old Roseline Kumbo Pam, had given birth to five children; the two victims were neighbors, their homes separated only by an apartment between them. They were two of the nine Christians confirmed killed—including two Boy Scouts, ages 8 and 16, helping security personnel keep the assailants outside the church compound gate—in the bombing by Islamic extremists reportedly from the Boko Haram sect.

Pam’s husband, Sunday Davou Pam, told Compass that before leaving for the service at St. Finbarr’s Catholic Church, his wife was preoccupied with preparations for her brother’s wedding that morning and helping him settle with his bride-to-be.

“I was in a meeting at the back of the church in the men’s fellowship meeting when the blast went off,” Pam said. “And when we heard a loud explosion, we all rushed to the front of the church, only to find the dead bodies of many of our members lying scattered across the street. There were also many injured who were crying for help.”

Please continue praying for Nigeria and all of the Christians who are being targeted by the militant Islamic terrorists in Nigeria. Please pray for the men and women who have lost loved ones. Please pray for the children who now don't have parents. Please pray for the parents who now don't have their children.

Please spread the word to your friends and family and church and ask them to pray for Nigerian Christians.

78-Year-Old Woman Arrested in Iran

Iran (MNN)—A 78-year-old Christian woman was recently arrested in Iran, reports the The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada.

The elderly woman, a member of the Church of Saint Luke in Esfahan, was held by police for three days. After several inquiries by church leaders, the woman was allowed to return home.

A reason has yet to be given her arrest. Apostasy seems an unlikely charge, reports VOM, since the woman was born into a Christian family and did not, therefore, convert to Christianity from another religion.

The idea of arresting a 78-year-old for no apparent reason is troubling, but the real concern may lie in the woman’s church affiliation. It now appears that established churches are being targeted by authorities, not just house churches, notes VOM.

The ministry reports that “the tightening of Iran’s oppressive grip against the Christian community in Esfahan has reached new levels since the official media reported the discovery of a truckload of Bibles on its way to the city.”

Iran is fifth on the Open Doors World Watch List for the persecuted church.

Pray for Iran. Pray that no charges would be brought against this woman, and pray that her random arrest would not deter believers from shining Christ to others. Pray that the Gospel would continue to break through to Iranians as it has been doing under oppression.

Learn more about Iran’s history with persecution here.

Sudan: Christians Must Leave

Amid its ongoing bombing campaign in the Nuba Mountains area, the government of Sudan has enacted a new ethnic cleansing strategy denying citizenship to anyone deemed a “southerner.” The determination is based purely on ethnicity, rather than any of the traditional criteria for citizenship, such as residency or property rights. Khartoum has set April 8 as the deadline for “southerners” to leave or establish alien residency, though no residency terms have yet been established.

In the southern self-determination referendum, Sudan’s president warned over a year ago that he would purge the North of non-Arab and non-Islamic elements. He told the British newspaper The Guardian, “If south Sudan secedes, we will change the constitution, and at that time there will be no time to speak of diversity of culture and ethnicity. … Sharia and Islam will be the main source for the constitution, Islam the official religion and Arabic the official language.”

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), about 700,000 ethnic “southerners” remain in Sudan after more than 2 million people fled to the newly established nation of South Sudan. Most of those who will be affected by the policy were born in northern Sudan and have never lived in the south.

In addition, those who wish to leave have no means of transportation. According to the IOM, a massive deportation program is impossible—the Sudanese capital has refused to provide transportation services, and the roads will become impassible after the rainy season begins in a little over a month.

Sarnata Reynolds of Refugees International called the Sudanese government’s plan intolerable. “First, the individuals targeted by this plan have a legitimate claim to Sudanese citizenship, since most have lived in Sudan their entire lives, and there is currently no way for them to apply for South Sudanese citizenship,” Reynolds said. “Second, forcing men, women and children into deportation camps and shipping them off to a country that many have never seen would be a legal and moral disaster.”

The government knows that forcing hundreds of thousands of “southerners” to move to South Sudan will exacerbate humanitarian crises on both sides of the border. Those forced into South Sudan will have few resources to enable their return to an agricultural lifestyle; South Sudan already struggles to feed its own population.

Khartoum’s current actions are a window into a government built on religious zealotry. The climate for followers of Christianity has deteriorated since succession by the South. There has been a marked increase in threats and attacks against churches, priests and Christians of all denominations. Those perceived as Christians, or “southerners,” are often forcibly conscripted into renegade militias operating in South Sudan with Khartoum’s backing. Sudan’s leading political party is also rumored to be contemplating a name change—to Hizbollah (Party of God).

Source: Eric Reeves in the Sudan Tribune

Reaching IRAN with the Gospel Through Satellite Broadcasts

Iranians are incredibly open to the gospel message of Jesus' love and forgiveness. Many are disillusioned with the oppression of Islam and are desperate for the truth.

Every day, more Iranians are hearing the hopeful message of The Way, The Truth and The Life through satellite TV broadcasts.

The Voice of the Martyrs has increased its commitment to supporting Iranian satellite TV channels throughout 2012. We invite you to make a special gift to help broadcast the gospel into living rooms all over Iran.

Will you help today?

Over 5000 Letters Written to Christian Prisoner Gao Zhisheng!

Today I wanted to give you an update on our letter writing campaign for Gao Zhisheng who is serving time in a China prison for defending Christians and for being a Christian.  A few weeks ago we asked you to help us reach a goal of 5000 letters written to Gao, and I'm happy to share with you today that, as of the time of this writing, 5010 letters have been written!

Thank you to all of you who took the time to use our wonderful Prisoner Alert system to write Gao.  Your letter is making a difference and so are your prayers.

Let's continue to write Gao more letters, as well as all of the prisoners we're highlighting on our Prisoner Alert page.

Please continue your prayers for Gao and his family.  Pray that he receives favor from those who are guarding him in prison.  Ask for comfort for him and his wife and children.  Let's also ask for God's perfect will to be worked out, and for Gao to have an opportunity to share Jesus Christ with his captors. 

Learn more about Gao and his case at http://www.freegao.com  and write him a letter today at http://www.prisoneralert.com