Persecution Blog

The Driver Who Became Our Brother

I’ve got some exciting news! I am literally on my way home from visiting some of our Christian family members in a very hostile nation, but I couldn’t wait to share! In the country I just left, just over one percent of the population is Christian, and it is a very difficult place to live.

One of the greatest joys of my life, beyond the joy of life with my wife and children, is to meet with sisters and brothers in these remote locations. It is a deep honor to share a greeting with them from their American family members, to offer them support and encouragement and to “refresh” them. Our presence alone refreshes them in incredible ways. It reminds me of Paul writing to Philemon, “For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother” (Philemon 7).

It is invigorating to spend time with these dear family members, and our swelling love for each other shows. This was my fifth time in this particular country, and I have been honored to develop enduring friendships with our staff there. We have also shared time together outside of their country several times. When we get together now, it is like a family reunion!

Jesus said that we would be known by our love for one another, and He works in astonishing ways through these interactions. This brings me to the wonderful news I want to share with you.

After spending a few days shuttling us around the country and watching us meet with persecuted Christians, our non-Christian driver, “Navotny” (not his real name) told one of our youngest staff members that he would like to know more about this Jesus.

Our staff member asked me if I could meet with Navotny to tell him more—of course I would!

The next morning, after breakfast, we spent about 30 minutes in a hotel room, where I carefully, and slowly, shared the story of Jesus and what distinguishes our faith from the religions of the world.

Navotny listened carefully, answered my questions and showed genuine interest. I asked him if he was interested in receiving the gift of Jesus’ forgiveness and the promise of peace with God—now and forevermore.

He thought about it carefully, and then said he wanted to think about it for a while. I assured Navotny that I would be available during the rest of the trip for any questions that he may have and we started our journey for the day

Meanwhile, I asked my family and colleagues to pray for wisdom and for the Holy Spirit to guide each of us.

A few days later, two days before we left the country, Navotny said he was ready. Yes, he wanted to place his trust in Christ alone! Early the next morning, I asked him a few more questions to make sure that he understood what he was asking, and then our team knelt with Navotny and prayed with him as he surrendered his life to God.

A few minutes later, we gathered with a small group of Christians and celebrated our new brother! Our national leader is already working to connect Navotny with a local pastor who will disciple this infant brother, and will share with his family. Please pray with us that God will lead Navotny to the ideal community of believers! Pray also that God will give each of us more opportunities to demonstrate His love to a watching world.

Dr. Jason Peters serves in VOM’s International Ministries department, traveling frequently to meet with our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. Jason and Kimberly have been married for more than twenty years, and have five children who are actively engaged in standing with their persecuted family members.

The Shadows of Persecution

As I recently watched and listened to the news of the attack and subsequent slaying of those in the office of French magazine Charlie Hebdo, I found my thoughts immediately drawn to a comparable, yet very different story.  Both stories share the similarity of bloodshed at the hands of adherents to radical Islam. Each story is painfully tragic. I wondered if any of those slain in France had met their attackers before that fateful day. I thought of the life and deaths of Necati Aydin, Ugur Yuksel and Tilmann Geske, who were murdered in their office at Zirve Publishing in Malatya, Turkey on April 18, 2007.

Nacati and Semse Aydin

Those who were responsible for the murders of Necati, Ugur, and Tilman weren’t all strangers to these men or their families. To the contrary, one of the murderers had sought Necati out earlier, pretending to be interested in his Christian faith. As described in the book Faithful Until Death, written by Wolfgang Haede, Necati was suspicious of this young man from the beginning. He and his wife Semse discussed this, and concluded that in spite of the young man’s motives, a meeting would still offer an opportunity to share the message of Jesus with him. Later Semse would refer to those who were responsible for the murders of her husband, Ugur, and Tilman as “their Judas.”

Necati Aydin, Ugur Yuksel, and Tilmann Geske didn’t have their lives taken from them, they gave them away, not unlike the Jesus they’d hoped to introduce to the five men who betrayed and murdered them that morning. Instead they were ushered into the heaven where they’ve now joined those robed in white, as they await the full number of their fellow servants.

11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been.- Revelations 6:11

Following the killings in France I wondered how this news would affect those who live boldly in the shadows of persecution. Women like Semse Aydin and Susanne Geske. Both of them  suffered great losses yet each found it in their  hearts to publically forgive those responsible for the deaths of those they love. Would the images and commentaries being shared on virtually every media outlet bring vivid memories to the forefront of their minds? Would pain that lay gently beneath the surface be visible to them once again? More importantly, I wondered if those who live in the shadows of persecution like Semse and Susanne know they are not forgotten? Do they know they are not alone, that we remember them and are praying for them? While it’s true that God is faithful to those with broken hearts, it is equally true that a broken heart hurts. I am convinced that those who’ve lost

Susanne Geske and Semse Aydin

their loved ones because of their faithful testimony are also those of whom the world is not worthy. When we remember, encourage, and pray for those who suffer for their Christian faith, let us not forget the living witnesses amongst us.

“It was not easy for me to say that I forgive the killers.” Semse said later at the memorial service. “To be honest, my heart is broken and my life feels shattered. I really loved Necati. He was the love of my life, my closest friend. But there is no one I love more than Jesus. Only because of this, I can bear it.” – Semse Aydin from Faithful Until Death.

Editor's note: Semse Aydin has spoken at several VOM Regional Conferences, and will be speaking at more this year. Watch www.VOMMeetings.com for regional conferences near you and those where Semse will speak.

Tami Yeager was first introduced to the ministry of VOM through a newsletter she was handed in 2003. As she began to read the stories shared within those pages she was confronted with a reality that did not fit into the package she had unknowingly wrapped her knowledge of God in. As she began to learn of the suffering of Christians around the world a desire grew to serve them. Today she serves as volunteer Community Coordinator in the Be A Voice ministry of VOM.

Bangladesh: Extreme Assassin

I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. Job 42:2

The evangelist, Andrew, stared into the gun, wondering why the man didn’t fire. The assassin grew frustrated, then frightened, and finally he fled from the room.

The phone rang, and Andrew found himself talking to the man who had come to kill him minutes earlier.

“The Muslim leaders offered me a big reward to kill you,” the would-be assassin explained. “I rode across Bangladesh to come to your office. The reward was mine. I was ready to shoot, but I couldn’t move my arm. I couldn’t pull the trigger.” The evangelist praised the Lord for protection.

Andrew found it somewhat comical. “So what can I do for you now?” he asked.

“Sir, I still can’t move my arm, and it’s because of you! Can you help me?”

Right on the phone Andrew prayed, and instantly the man regained full use of his arm. Astounded by the miracle, he returned to the evangelist’s office and began to ask questions about this “Jesus” of whom the Muslim leaders seemed to be afraid.

The evangelist patiently explained the good news of Jesus’ love, even offering tea to the man who’d come to kill him. After forty-five minutes, the man prayed to receive Jesus into his own heart. The former hit man’s ministry now is to destroy the works of the devil. To this day, he is a fellow missionary in Bangladesh.

The assassin’s would-be murder attempt was a comedy in errors. If it were a movie, the audience would have cheered aloud when the protagonist, Andrew, came onto the scene. Like any good movie hero, Andrew did not just defeat his enemy’s plans. He confounded them, even to the point of having tea with the hit-man-turned-convert. This was not going according to plan. The devil constantly has to go back to the drawing board to rethink his plans for our destruction. Andrew was not a victim of his circumstances, and neither are you. If he had been shot, his death also would have been a witness, and so will you. Unlike the devil’s schemes, God’s plans for your life cannot be thwarted. 

This is one of the readings from the book, Extreme Devotion, available from VOM’s online bookstore. You can also sign up to receive Extreme Devotion daily via email.

Desperate Prayers

At about the same time Muslim radicals were massacring the cartoonists in Paris, Boko Haram was levelling the city of Baga, Nigeria, killing an estimate 2,000 people. I was very angry and outraged at the horrific scale of murder of innocent people of all ages. Although the massacre in Nigeria was not specifically targeting Christians (as far as I know), as a Christian I am deeply troubled by the indiscriminate killing of human beings. I prayed for justice, for the international community to stop these atrocities that grow bolder as each day goes by, and to bring those killers to justice. Where was the sign of international unity against the massacre in Nigeria?

My feelings raise an important question—is my prayer legitimate for a Christian? In the Old Testament King David and others prayed what has been called Imprecatory Prayers—prayers that God would curse and even kill their enemies. Such prayers are not appropriate for Christians and I did not pray that kind of prayer, even though deep down inside I may have thought about it! Imprecatory prayers can be for justice and fairness, which are entirely appropriate for a Christian. The desire for justice and fairness comes from God, while revenge comes from Satan, since it is a warped and evil expression of the desire for justice.

The desire for justice and fairness comes from God, while revenge comes from Satan, since it is a warped and evil expression of the desire for justice.

The most familiar New Testament imprecatory prayer comes from the martyrs around the throne of God in heaven, asking God, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on earth?” (Revelation 6:10) In a sense, while they had won the victor’s crown and gained heaven, they were still not completely satisfied because justice had not prevailed. That makes me think that our yearning for justice is not out of line but is something that will be satisfied by a just and righteous God.

I find myself wondering how best to respond to such grievous events that tear at our hearts. I think the first level of response is to cry out to God what we feel in our hearts. We can lament and mourn the loss of valuable life. The second level would be to pray for the survivors—the families of those killed and also for the persecutors, who are lost forever if they never respond to the light.

A third level of response would be to support the families of martyrs, widows and children who are left behind. The number, as you can imagine, grows every day. Pray for VOM staff members who travel to difficult areas to provide help and give encouragement to not only widows and orphans but to the church that seeks to have a witness in such a hostile areas. Pray for their safety.

A fourth level of response is to contact national and international governmental agencies who are seeking to curb these atrocities. It is also extremely important to pray for them as well, since many have to go into harm’s way to accomplish their task.

Ultimately it will take the intervention of God in a mighty way to stop this evil. We can pray for revival among believers and for God to touch the hearts of the perpetrators of evil and turn them from their ways. May God give us the grace to face these days with optimism that God will have the last word and it will be justice combined, of course, with mercy. 

May it be soon!

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.

Nigeria Violence Forces VOM Conference Relocation

A conference for VOM front-line ministry workers in northern Nigeria was relocated last week amid concerns for the safety of the workers and their families. Violence by Islamic extremists, including several suicide bombs set off in nearby cities and a massive attack in Baga, Nigeria where nearly 2,000 were reported to have been killed, raised security concerns.

The conference, set to begin on Jan. 12, was for Christian leaders who serve in the northern states of Yobe and Gombe, both states currently under a barrage of attacks by the Islamist Boko Haram group. The Boko Haram insurgents have killed thousands of Christians since 2009.

After attacks in the cities of Damaturu and Potiskum in Yobe state on Jan. 9, 10 and 11, the training conference was moved to nearby Bauchi state. “Thanks to the Lord,” said a VOM worker, “most of the ministers we invited were able to make it out of Yobe to attend the training.”

Photo: Abubakar Shekau leads Boko Haram in its brutal pursuit for an Islamic state in northern Nigeria.

On Friday, Jan. 9, residents of Yobe’s state capital were forced to seek safety when the sound of heavy artillery weapons erupted in the southern section of Damaturu. Nigerian security personnel launched an attack against Boko Haram insurgents who have occupied pockets of the city since Dec. 1. Explosions and sporadic gunfire were heard for hours.

Sixty miles to the west, police officers in Potiskum arrested a member of Boko Haram on Jan. 10 when he was discovered in a stolen vehicle. The suspect and the stolen car were transported to the divisional police headquarters for inspection. When officers opened the car’s trunk, it triggered an explosion that killed two policemen.

The next day, an attack by suicide bombers in Potiskum killed at least seven people. Two young females entered a market areas strapped into suicide vests and set off explosives just seconds apart. In addition to seven killed, 48 people were wounded. A VOM contact reported that the explosion occurred in front of an evangelical church.

Moving the meeting to Bauchi made it possible for the front-line ministry workers to attend training in relative safety. However, just as meetings concluded, several leaders from Gombe began receiving phone calls from family members. While they were meeting, a suicide bomber drove a motorbike into a crowded area in Gombe and set off an explosion that injured 20 people. Though no deaths were reported in the Jan. 13 attack, one pastor was notified that a church member was affected by the blast.

These front-line workers returned to their homes in Yobe and Gombe fully aware of the increase of terrorist attacks around them, but strengthened and equipped for more ministry through the training conference.

Please pray fervently for Nigeria and for our Christian brothers and sisters there, especially in the days leading up to the February 14 presidential elections in that country.

This story originally appeared on Persecution.com.

Extreme Opposition

ROMANIA: RICHARD WURMBRAND

You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:43-44

“I admire Communists.”

The words seemed strange from a pastor who spent fourteen years in Communist prisons, but Richard Wurmbrand was sincere when he said them.

“Many Communists were willing to die to defend their 'Utopia.’ They were more committed to their cause than some I met in churches.”

In every enemy Pastor Wurmbrand saw a potential friend and a potential Christian. By loving his opponents, he not only saw many come to know Christ but also increased his opportunities to witness.

“When they called me a 'dirty Jew’ and told everyone not to read my books, people immediately went out to see what this 'dirty Jew’ had to say,” he chuckled. “I welcome anyone who has offense against me. Others are not always interested in what you have to say. You need to challenge them to the truth before you share your beliefs. To do this you must understand where they are coming from and be able to speak intelligently. But we must also remember to always speak in love.”

Pastor Wurmbrand’s words were not some high-minded ideal that he didn’t exemplify. He and his wife Sabina welcomed into their home a Nazi officer who worked at the very concentration camp where all of Sabina’s family had been exterminated. When the officer saw their forgiveness and love for him, he was won into the kingdom.

Editor's Note: These statements were made during one of Pastor Wurmbrand’s final interviews prior to his death in February, 2001.

Jesus taught us that others would recognize our faith by our love-especially when it comes to dealing with the opposition. How we treat our enemies is equally important as how we treat those in our own Christian family. In fact, our response to criticism often makes a greater statement for Christianity than any other example. When believers put this powerful principle of the Christian faith into practice, they distinguish themselves from the rest of the world. The natural r esponse to opposition is to refute it or return the favor. Instead, believers strive to understand their enemies, not undermine them. Opposition, when put into this perspective, is welcomed as an opportunity to exercise faith and imitate Christ’s commands.

This is one of the readings from the book, Extreme Devotion, available from VOM’s online bookstore. You can also receive devotional thoughts daily via email. Sign up here.

Learn More About Persecution

"God says we should serve Him not only with all our heart, but also with all our mind. This means intellectual work, hard work."

-Richard Wurmbrand in 100 Prison Meditations

 

VOMClassroom.com is your one-stop website for in-depth studies in persecution, suffering and Muslim evangelism. Visit www.vomclassroom.com to view a selection of online classes that will guide you through persecution studies. These courses — available at no cost — will deepen your knowledge of and effectiveness in ministry to the persecuted church. Each class is self-enrolled and self-paced, allowing you to study and complete courses as your schedule allows.

The courses include audio lectures, video clips and online reading materials on a broad range of topics, such as Persecution Studies, History of Persecution, Preparing for Persecution, Praying for the Persecuted Church, and Muslim Evangelism, as well as courses in Biblical Studies in Persecution and Suffering from the Old and New Testaments.

"My own personal seminary on the go at my own pace."

-Pastor J.D.

View courses currently offered and register for courses.

VOMRadio: Jesus is Worthy

Last week Brian and Louise shared about their efforts to plant a church in Mongolia, and the hardship they faced in that process.

This week they unwrap some of the principles they learned through that experience, lessons they are now teaching to pastors and church leaders around the world, including nations where VOM works.

We’ll also hear a first-hand report from a former prisoner for Christ in Uzbekistan, who tells us that the letters we write to Christians in prison really do make a difference. You can  write a letter to a Christian imprisoned for their faith at www.PrisonerAlert.com.

 

If you have comments about VOMRadio, or questions you'd like us to answer on the air, feel free to leave them as a comment to this post. You can also submit questions and comments via the VOMRadio web site.

We Will Endure

This week on the Persecution Blog we’re sharing excerpts from At The Foot of the Snows: A Journey of Faith and Words Among the Kham-Speaking People of Nepal by David E. Watters with Steve and Daniel Watters. (Read more about the book in Tuesday’s post.)

We have shared about a low point in the Watters ministry, and then about the moment the Kham people began to come to Christ. But their new-found faith came with a price. In this final excerpt we’ll hear how the believers suffered arrest and imprisonment, but more importantly how they responded and how God used it to grow the Kham church.

First an excerpt from a letter from Bishnu, one of seven Kham believers arrested and put in prison for their faith:

“We’re a little bit concerned, wondering what will happen to us. But whatever it be, we have cast ourselves upon God. Whatever he wants to do is his will. He knows. Thanks be to God. Up until the time that we have written this letter we are sitting in the gloom of the police fortress. But God’s glory is with us.

Regardless of what suffering comes in the name of our Lord Jesus, we will endure it. Do not concern yourself. Be of good confidence. We can never repay the debt for all that we have received from our Lord. This present suffering is of no significance. What is it compared to the suffering our Lord endured?”

* * * * *

The men began talking of about their dark, gloomy prison cell as “the house of God,” and their chains as “the ornaments of God.” Amazing! These were unlettered, unschooled men, but they stood like the giants before and after them…

* * * * *

We discovered quickly that the men’s imprisonment was the number one topic of discussion in every Kham village. Around every hearth the gospel was being discussed, by believers and unbelievers alike. “What does the gospel say, and why is it so bad?” All seven men were considered model citizens, and it baffled everybody that the government should wish to put such men into prison. “Why?” they asked. “What in those booklets is so terrible that it would put a man in prison?” So they began beating a path to Hasta Ram’s village to buy booklets and find out for themselves.

Nancy and I have often commented since that if we had hired those seven men to preach the gospel in every village, it would not have been nearly so effective as having them go to prison.

* * * * *

Later, Karna Bahadur would say with a grin on his face, “How stupid could they be? They thought they could beat God out of us with a stick!”

* * * * *

I am thankful for the legacy of David Watters and these bold Kham believers. And I'm thankful for great books like At the Foot of the Snows, that inspire us to seek God's will for our own lives and to boldly serve Him wherever He may call us. I encourage you to read the book, and to read it to your children and grandchildren.

[YOUR TURN:] What biographies have inspired you in your Christian faith and in your desire to serve Jesus more fully? Share thoughts in the comments to this post.

Todd Nettleton has served with The Voice of the Martyrs for 16 years. He’s travelled to more than 20 restricted and hostile nations and interviewed hundreds of believers who’ve faced persecution for their Christian witness. As VOM’s principle media spokesperson, Todd has done more than 2,000 interviews with media outlets ranging from Moody Radio to the BBC and Los Angeles Times. He is the principle author of Restricted Nations: North Korea and was part of the writing team for four other VOM books. You can see all 26 books that Todd read in 2014 on his personal blog.

Disclosure: VOM is part of the Amazon Associates program. If you click on the links in this post and purchase the book from Amazon, VOM will receive a very small percentage of your purchase as a referral fee.

“Baptized?” I responded. “Whatever for?”

This week on the blog we’re sharing excerpts from At The Foot of the Snows: A Journey of Faith and Words Among the Kham-Speaking People of Nepal by David E. Watters with Steve and Daniel Watters. (Read more about the book in Tuesday’s post.)

Yesterday we shared about the low point, when the Watters were ready to give up and end their work in Nepal. Today we see the result of their faithfulness. David Watters writes about the first Kham believers:

Nancy served some tea. Bishnu, the oldest, was the first to speak. “We want to be baptized,” he said.

This was completely unexpected, and I didn’t know how to respond. I had already resigned myself to the fact that no one would ever show any real interest in the gospel.

“Baptized?” I responded. “Whatever for?”

“We read in the Bible that when someone believes, he gets baptized,” he explained.

…

Three days later, the men returned—Hasta Ram, Bishnu, Danthya, and Panchya. I began to talk. I began with original sin and the fall of man. I explained that God had made provision for our sin and that he promised to send a Redeemer. I talked about the birth of Christ and his life among us, preaching the gospel and healing the sick. I talked about his crucifixion and all that that means. I talked about our hope of eternal life through him. All this took a couple of hours.

Then, I gave them a strong warning. “If you believe,” I said, “you become liable for imprisonment in your own country. In Nepal, it is illegal to become a Christian, so my advice to you is to think very carefully about what you will do. Are you willing to suffer imprisonment for your faith?” At the time, both conversion and proselytism were illegal, punishable by one or six years, respectively.

All of them responded in the strong affirmative. “Yes, we understand,” they said. “This is what we’ve been looking for all our lives.”

The men’s decision to follow Christ would prove to be a costly one. Tomorrow we’ll share one final excerpt from the book to share how the Kham responded when persecution came.

Disclosure: VOM is part of the Amazon Associates program. If you click on the links in this post and purchase the book from Amazon, VOM will receive a very small percentage of your purchase as a referral fee.