Persecution Blog

Behind Enemy Lines

Throughout history, Christians have utilized persecution as an avenue for ministry. Persecution can place us in situations where we would not normally be or want to be. When we are put in prison or taken to court for our faith, we have a venue that is not normally ours to utilize. We are thrust behind enemy lines where we can minister. Erwin McManus writes in The Barbarian Way: If Christ has won our heart, he will lead us “to advance forward behind enemy lines to win the hearts of those who do not yet know Him or love Him” (Barbarian, 13-14).

Bianca Adler, in her book Serving God in Hostile Territory, tells of a situation in Romania when she had to decide how much risk she was willing to take to share the gospel. Pastor Wurmbrand wanted to evangelize the Russian troops who had invaded their country. Bianca was a young, vulnerable girl who had heard the reputation of these troops and how they treated women and girls. She was, however, willing to take the risk and, even though she was caught many times, she was never harmed nor was her material ever confiscated.

A benefit of opposition is profound dependence on God that drives us to prayer. In Acts 4, Peter and John were summoned to appear before the Sanhedrin, the highest and most powerful legal body in Judaism in the time of Jesus. They gave a clear testimony to the gospel, resulting in them being threatened but then let go. Their report caused the church to go to prayer for more boldness. The place where they were meeting began to shake as the Holy Spirit filled it.

Opposition can scatter the church, forcing it to go out among the nations to preach the gospel. In Acts 8, it says that great persecution broke out on the church in Jerusalem, and Christians “were scattered throughout all of Judea and Samaria.” Those who were scattered preached the gospel everywhere they went! Churches were formed, including Antioch, where Paul and Barnabas were called and commissioned to be missionaries.

Nobel Alexander, a Christian prisoner in Cuba, describes how Cuban prison officials decided to break the back of Christianity in the prison by transferring members of the prison church to other prisons, figuring that the dispersion would destroy their unity. However, as a result of the forced dispersion, nine new prison churches were started in various prisons where Christians were transferred. What the prison officials meant for evil became a blessing when God turned apparent defeat into glorious victory (I Will Die Free, 100).

The persecuted church in this situation is able to work among those who persecute them in a way that they only can do. Our prayers support their ministry behind enemy lines.

Roy Stults, PhD, is the Online Workshop Coordinator and Educational Services Coordinator for The Voice of the Martyrs. He graduated from Olivet Nazarene University (BA and MA), Nazarene Theological Seminary (M.Div.), Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Doctor of Missiology), and The University of Manchester (England) with a PhD (theology). A Vietnam veteran, Dr. Stults served as a missionary for 19 years and pastored U.S. churches for eight years. Prior to joining VOM, he was a Professor of Religion at Oklahoma Wesleyan University.

“I never denied Jesus”

Recently, I heard a story from a friend of mine about an old Romanian pastor who he met during one of his travels. He noticed that the pastor was hobbling along and could barely walk; his feet were clearly crippled.

When asked what had happened to his feet, with a large smile the pastor said, “I never denied Jesus.”  

He went on to tell his story. He had pastored a church during part of the communist rule in Romania. Everywhere he went, he would tell people about the love and hope of Jesus. The authorities asked him to stop telling people about Christ. He responded, “I will never deny Jesus.”

The officials said, “We are not asking you to deny Jesus. We are just asking you to stop telling everyone about him. You can talk about him as much as you want as long as you stay in your building.”

The pastor responded, “For me, to stop telling others about Jesus, would be denying him.”

The authorities gave the pastor a few more warnings before they arrested him. At the prison, they strung him upside down by his feet. While the blood drained to his head, they began to beat his feet with rubber hoses until all of the bones in his feet broke.  

Then they asked him one more time. “Will you agree to stop telling other people about Jesus?”

 Again the pastor said, “I will never deny my Jesus. “

Again the officials said, “We are not asking you to deny Jesus! We are just asking you not to speak about him in front of others! This is your last chance.”

But again the pastor replied, “For me to stop telling others about Jesus is to deny him.” Seeing that he would not relent, the authorities then took the pastor and put his feet into boiling oil. The pastor was never able to walk normally again.

But after sharing his story, he said to my friend again with a smile, “But I never denied my Jesus.”

This Romanian pastor’s story is a challenge to us. What is Jesus worth to you? What is sharing the gospel and hope of Jesus with others worth to you? No one could condemn the pastor, given the pressure he was under, if he had simply agreed to stop sharing about Christ outside the four walls of his church.

How often do we neglect to tell others about Jesus outside of our church when we have no danger of our feet being crippled? To this pastor, living out his faith was more than not denying his belief in Christ; it had to do with sharing the gospel with others. May we also, years from now, be able to say with a smile: “I never denied my Jesus.”

“Grace Taylor” serves on the staff of VOM. She was first introduced to the ministry of VOM by her parents and grandparents, who received the VOM newsletter, and through the VOM book Jesus Freaks. She has served in 12 different countries and is passionate about helping expand God’s Kingdom throughout the nations of the world.

Sometimes Following God Ends in “Failure”

One thing we didn’t get to include in the September newsletter about North Korea was the future plans of the woman whose testimony we featured. Because this is an online medium, I won’t use her name, but if you’ve read the September newsletter, you know who I’m talking about. 

“Mrs. Kim” has a strong calling to reach North Koreans for Christ. Earlier, she felt the Lord leading her to the Netherlands. At first, she had no desire to go and no real idea what kind of work she’d do there. But she wanted to obey. She planned a trip for the early summer and planned to work with North Korean refugees. She would use many of the training techniques she learned in a VOM-supported evangelism and discipleship school. She raised funds for her trip and booked her flight.

But sometimes, things don’t work out as we plan. Her contacts who promised to meet her never met up with her. When she called, they insisted they weren’t able to help, even though earlier they had agreed to do so. The reasons for this probably lie in the deeply engrained patterns of distrust of others that North Koreans are indoctrinated with. Often it takes years of work to overcome these patterns.

Another reason why Mrs. Kim’s contacts were hesitant to meet with her is that they feared possible retributions for their families back in North Korea, if they got involved in Christian work. They also fear that the government may punish their families more severely if they permit their names to be exposed, or their stories to be shared.

But Mrs. Kim still sees God’s work in her journey. “There was a great purpose and providence of God even though my mission trip ended in failure,” she said. Because she saw first-hand the situation that refugees in the Netherlands live in, she’s able to share with her friends and relatives in North Korea the reality that refugees face. And she continues to share Christ’s love with them, in hope that they will someday know a freedom that supersedes geographic boundaries.

Dory P. has worked with VOM for six years. She grew up in Ecuador, met her husband while working with another mission organization, and now lives in Oklahoma. Between Dory, her husband and two-year-old son, they share five passports. Dory helps tell the stories of the persecuted through VOM's newsletter, and her husband serves with VOM's international department.

Twin Bombing at Church in Pakistan

Grief, Rage after Pakistan Church Suicide Bombing

Members of a Taliban offshoot attacked a historic church in Peshawar last Sunday, killing more than 80 and injuring more than 150. The two suicide bombers detonated their vests inside the All Saints Church around 11:45 a.m., just as 500 worshippers were sharing a meal on the grounds of the church.

The attackers had opened fire on security guards at the church’s main gates before setting of their vests packed with 26 pounds of the explosives. The blast heavily damaged the church and nearby buildings. It was the deadliest attack on Christians in Pakistan ever.

Read the rest of this article on Persecution.com…

Somalia: Islamic Scholars Denounce Al-Shabaab

Al-Shabaab has publicly said that they are responsible for the attack on a shopping mall in Kenya. But the group has now had a fatwa issued against it in Somali, the country in which it was founded and in which it has the largest presence. Mission Network News interviewed  VOM's Todd Nettleton last week (before the mall attack) about the Fatwa and what it means.

Here's the Mission Network News story that resulted from the interview:

Somalia (MNN) ―  Al-Shabaab is known as a Muslim militant group fighting for the soul of Somalia.

Loosely translated as "The Youth," it's the cell of al-Qaeda in the small African nation.  A failed state, the weak government grapples with lawlessness and piracy with few resources to answer the economic power of the terror group.

Todd Nettleton is a spokesman with The Voice of the Martyrs USA.   He says Somalia's government is trying desperately to throw off the label of "failed state."  They recently organized a conference that drew 160 Islamic scholars, elders, and imams from in the country and abroad.   Its purpose: to try to come up with security and stability solutions for Somalia.

Nettleton says, "The end result of the conference was: they issued a fatwa against al-Shabaab. Basically, they said, ‘They're not following Islam properly. What they do is not a true representation of Islam. People should not help them. People should not support them.'"

It is the first time Somali religious leaders have come up with a fatwa against the group, which controls vast rural areas.  The edict is likely not one that will be received quietly.   Nettleton explains, "Al-Shabaab would say, ‘We're the true Muslims, and we're conducting jihad because we're the true Muslims and those who are not living up to the edicts of the religion should be punished."

A fatwa is often associated with death threats or sentences. However, this fatwa may not have the teeth to hurt. For the average Somali, it's more a question of survival.  "If al-Shabaab is in charge of my village, and they have guns, am I going to stand up and say, ‘Hey! You know, there's a fatwa against you, and I can't support you.'  When it comes down to it, they  are the authority because they're the guys that have the guns."

Less than half a percent of the population is Christian.  Somalia ranks 5th on the Open Doors World Watch List, a ranking of the top 50 countries around the world known for persecution of Christians.  With a long history of oppression, does even a toothless fatwa help their cause? Nettleton doesn't think it'll change much. "Our Christian brothers and sisters are going to be under fire in Somalia, regardless of who's in charge. The government is an Islamic government. They're not going to support the church.  They're certainly not going to support Muslim converts. However, in the scheme of things, they're probably less violent and less of a threat than al-Shabaab is."

Most Somali Christians are secret believers who worship in house churches. Islamic radicals, such as the al-Shabaab group, have vowed to eradicate all Somali Christians.  The murder of Christians, specifically Muslim converts to Christianity, is increasingly common, and there is little in the way of justice.   Fear has taken its toll on Gospel work.  Many believers have fled.

However, Nettleton notes that "across the Muslim world, God is moving--sometimes without any people involved at all. He's moving  supernaturally through dreams and visions. We can pray that that will happen in Somalia and that Muslim people there will come face to face with Jesus Christ and commit their lives to Him."

Nettleton acknowledges that not everyone will resonate with the needs of the Christians in Somalia.   However, every great moment of the Church started the same way.  "The first action point--and the most important one--[is] to pray. For most of us, that's all we can do. We're not going to go to Somalia; we're not going to try to go talk to somebody [in Somalia] about the gospel;  but all of us can pray."

Then, consider how you might resource The Voice of the Martyrs to come alongside the national Church in Somalia.  And finally,  while it's a dangerous place to actually visit, you can raise awareness of the needs and the plight facing the body of Christ.

MOVING TOWARD MUSLIMS: Making a Convert or Pointing to Jesus?

Last month, I shared how I felt like a project when my Muslims friends try to convert me. But what if I turn the tables and ask myself: Should I, as a Christian, convert Muslims?

The short answer? No.

The religious leaders of Jesus’ day did a lot of converting. In fact, they traveled “over land and sea to make one convert.” Impressive, right? Not to Jesus. He said those efforts to impose religion were making the spiritual condition of their converts worse than before! (See Matthew 23:15.)

Instead of starting a new religion, Jesus of Nazareth ushered in a kingdom where he reigns as King. In this kingdom, people are healed physically and spiritually. The poor finally have some Good News. Dead people are raised to new life in Jesus.  

For any of us to move toward Jesus, the supernatural must occur. The Holy Spirit wind of God must blow through my life, regenerating my enemy soul. In Jesus’ words to Nicodemus, “You must be born again.”

Ephesians 2:4-5 describes the miracle: “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ…” (NKJV, emphasis mine).

As I interact with Muslim friends, I attempt to introduce them to Jesus Christ and the reality of his kingdom reign. With a growing admiration for Jesus, we can learn together what it looks like to obey him gladly. I look for the day when Muslims unburden themselves at Jesus’ feet, without taking on my religious baggage in the process. This is clearly supernatural!

In my years of building relationships with Muslims, I have shifted my focus away from winning converts to my religion. Muslims are not prizes to be won. We are all flawed human beings who desperately need Jesus. I am identifying more with John the Baptist, who saw his role as a “mere stagehand” in the drama Christ is unfolding in the nations (Luke 3:16 MSG).

With this shift in focus, I can begin to recognize God’s everyday miracles of stirring the spiritually dead:

• A friend in turmoil is comforted by a psalm of David.
• A family matron asks a question about Jesus and her attentive daughters and nieces listen to the answer.
• A light bulb goes on for a university student and she remarks, “God is showing me how much he cares about me!”  

I will never “convert” Muslims. Instead, by God’s grace, I will live wisely and take every opportunity to point to Jesus. I may be a player in the drama God is unfolding in my friends’ lives, but I want Jesus to be the star of the show.

He must increase, and I must decrease. Because, let’s be honest. If I tried to run the show, I would operate much like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day and make my convert twice as much a child of hell as I am.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION: Do you agree with the author’s premise that Christians should not convert Muslims? Is it possible to make a convert worse off spiritually than before?

"Anna" blogs about friendship, culture, and Kingdom-living from her home in the Middle East. She loves Jesus and wants to see Him cherished by her neighbors and people everywhere. Anna will be posting on the Persecution Blog each month. Feel free to ask questions or suggest future topics in the comments section for this post. Anna is a pseudonym, and all names in her posts are changed for security reasons.

Extreme Disobedience

When Joshua sent two spies to view the land of Jericho, they hid in the house of Rahab the harlot. Rahab’s house was built along the wall of Jericho, a wall constructed to prevent illegal passage of unwelcome visitors. When the king heard the Israeli spies were in town, he immediately sent word to Rahab. He instructed her to bring forth the spies, who had entered her home.

Rahab disobeyed the command of her king and hid the spies, even lying to protect their whereabouts. Later that evening, she secretly smuggled the spies out of the city by lowering them with a long chord through her window and down the wall.

Rahab knew little of the God of Israel, but she was prepared to help his people. She disobeyed her pagan authorities and even placed her life in danger. As a result, her life was spared.

A similar act of smuggling is found in Acts 9:25. Soon after Paul’s conversion, he spent several days with the disciples in Damascus, preaching and teaching in the synagogues. The Jews were so baffled by the change in Paul that they considered him a threat. The disciples lowered him down a wall to clear the city gates and spare his life from the Jews who were conspiring to kill him.

Some Christians believe that disobeying the governing authorities in restricted nations warrants persecution. Are Chinese Christians who refuse to register with the official church deserving of the beatings they endure? In Islamic nations, do Muslims who convert to Christianity deserve to be stoned to death? While certain passages may be interpreted differently, all Christians agree that we cannot allow government to force us to disobey God’s laws. Of course, this does not permit Christians to exercise personal vendettas against the state. Disobedience is only warranted when we are forced to decide between loyalty to Christ and loyalty to the governing laws. Where do you stand on the issue? Study the Scriptures and decide for yourself, then share your thoughts in the comments to this post.

This is one of the readings from the book, Extreme Devotion, available from VOM’s online bookstore.

UPDATE: Chased Into the Jungle

“Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart” (Psalm 32:10, 11).

A few months ago, I shared the story of a strong ministry leader, Pastor Eduardo. One of his sons was recently killed by FARC guerrillas, and another son was chased into the jungle where he hid, all alone for four days.

Meanwhile, Eduardo and his wife believed that the FARC had killed their older son and kidnapped the younger one. They buried their older son two days later, while their younger son was still hiding in the jungle. He missed his own brother’s funeral. A couple of days later, after everything quieted down, the father went to look for the son and, by God’s grace, found him hiding in the jungle. Today they have moved to a new area, where VOM is supporting them as they plant a church there.

Showing prayer map to Pastor Eduardo

Just a few days ago, I was honored to meet with this dear family again. Our team drove for several hours, much of it on bumpy dirt roads, to visit their home and to encourage them face to face. 

This family has given up much for Jesus: one of their sons, their former home and their community, with the comfort, familiarity, friendships and family that so many of us take for granted.

In spite of all of their sacrifices, our visit was filled with joy! As I showed them VOM’s prayer map, they were encouraged to discover that they are not alone. Many of their sisters and brothers around the world join them in solidarity as they stand strong in the midst of persecution. They were also filled with joy because they were reminded that thousands of people have prayed for their family.

Then, with huge smiles on their faces, Eduardo and his wife shared that they are expecting another child! Gloria a Dios! The pain of losing their son has not disappeared, and there were tear-filled eyes around the room as we talked about him. But, these eyes were also lit up with excitement! They rejoice because they are experiencing the indescribable mercy of God in the midst of their struggle.

As we prepared to leave, Pastor Eduardo stood on the roof of his house and pointed with excitement to a part of town where he hopes to see his growing church expand their outreach into the community.

Please remember Eduardo, his wife, their 5 sons, and their unborn child in your prayers as they continue to stand strong. May God help all of us to faithfully follow him, despite the difficulties and opposition we encounter.

Dr. Jason Peters serves in VOM’s International Ministries department, traveling frequently to meet with our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. He lived overseas for five years and has ministered in more than 30 countries as diverse as Cuba, Nepal, Iraq and Indonesia. He and his wife, Kimberly, along with their five children, count it a great honor to serve with the persecuted
church.

#WhyWePray Video Contest

Earlier this year VOM announced its second video contest, inviting our readers and others to help us spread the message of the persecuted church through their video skills. The first video contest was to promote signatures on the Call For Mercy petition drive for the release of Asia Bibi in Pakistan.

This time, the theme of the contest was prayer, and the goal was to motivate viewers to pray for persecuted Christians.

The contest winner will be announced this week. Here are the contest entries, gathered together in one YouTube playlist:

 

Click here for full information on the contest.

"So Young and Beautiful And Yet To Die?"

In the sixteenth century, King Philip II took a hard line against those who would try to interpret Scripture for themselves. Anyone found studying the Bible during this time was hanged, burned at the stake, drowned, torn in pieces, or buried alive.

The inquisitors from the king were sent to inspect the house of the mayor of Brugge to see if any Bible studies were taking place there. In their search, they discovered a Bible. All present denied knowing anything about it. Then a young maidservant came in. When asked about the Bible, she declared, “I am reading it!”

The mayor sought to defend her saying, “Oh, no, she doesn’t know how to read.”

But the maidservant did not wish to be defended by a lie. “It is true, this book is mine. I am reading from it, and it is more precious to me than anything!”

She was sentenced to die by suffocation, sealed in the city wall. Just before her execution, she was asked by an official, “So young and beautiful and yet to die?”

She replied, “My Savior died for me. I will also die for him.”

When finally one single brick remained to complete the wall, she was told again, “Repent! Just say a single word of repentance!”

Instead she voiced her single desire to be with Jesus and added, “O Lord, forgive my killers!

To some it is simply a book—a bestseller for years running at that. To others it is merely a family tradition—given at weddings, births, and funerals. Still to others, it is God’s holy and inspired Word. These believers cling to the words as if they were letters from a lover, pouring over them again and again. What do they see in the truth of God’s Word? What makes them willing to risk death to read it? Ask God for the answer. If its truths remain a mystery to you, ask God to open your eyes to see his words more clearly. Without his help, the words will remain marks on a page. But God can bring them to life.

This is one of the readings from the book, Extreme Devotion, available from VOM’s online bookstore.