Persecution Podcast Episode 45

 Today we have another wonderful podcast from our leaders at The Voice of the Martyrs.  Click here to listen to the full show.

This week David and guest talk about China, Israel, and Turkmenistan. This week’s speaker discusses missionary work in Myanmar.

Nations discussed for prayer:

China

On Nov. 12, a house church in Anhui was raided by officers from the Bozhou Municipal Public Security Bureau and the Bozhou Bureau of Religion, according to China Aid Association. Officials detained more than 10 believers and held five until that afternoon. The government officials also confiscated items belonging to the church. Pray that members of this house church will continue to stand for Christ despite government raids. Praise God for the courage and faithfulness of believers in China.

Israel

On Oct. 29, an unknown arsonist set fire to a church in an ultra-Orthodox Jewish neighborhood, according to Compass Direct News. Compass reported that the arsonist broke into the Jerusalem Alliance Church Ministry Center through a basement window and set fire to the bottom floors. “Smoke and the noise of the blaze awakened 10 volunteer workers who were sleeping at the church’s overnight facilities,” Compass reported. “The volunteers, who were visiting Israel from the United States and Denmark, went to a nearby hospital and were treated for smoke inhalation.” The volunteers were released from the hospital several hours later. The church building sustained approximately $85,000 in damage. Praise God no one was seriously injured in the fire. Pray that the church will continue to proclaim Christ and will not fear meeting and working in this neighborhood.

Turkmenistan

Maya Nurlieva, wife of imprisoned pastor Ilmurad Nurliev, has been ordered to pay “compensation” related to Nurliev’s conviction on swindling charges, according to Forum 18 News. “I had to pay or they would kick us out of our home,” Maya said. She said the court that convicted her husband had also withheld the written verdict, preventing him from lodging his appeal within the 10 days allowed. “I complained to the court and to the Regional Prosecutor, but they said they would only give the verdict to my husband, not to his lawyer or to me.” Pastor Nurliev was recently sentenced to four years in prison on the swindling conviction. The verdict also ordered “forcible medical treatment to wean him off his narcotic dependency,” but Nurliev’s wife and others strongly deny that he has a drug addiction. Nurliev, who led the Light to the World Pentecostal Church in Mary, Turkmenistan, may be sent to the Seydi labor camp, where prisoners are thought to be tortured with mind-altering drugs. Pray for Pastor Nurliev’s family and church during this challenging time. Pray that God will minister to Pastor Nurliev in prison and will provide for Maya and their children.

This week’s speaker is John, who shares stories of his missionary work in Myanmar. His dedication to his work is moving.