Persecution Podcast Episode 48

This weeks Persecution Podcast is now online!! Click here to listen!

India

On Dec. 2, more than 20 Hindu extremists from the Bajrang Dal group attacked Pastor Johnson in Udayanagar, near Bangalore, India, accusing him of trying to convert people to Christianity. Pastor Johnson was leaving a prayer meeting at a believer’s home when the extremists surrounded him and asked him why he was trying to convert people. “They simply started to beat him up,” VOM contacts said. “The pastor’s plea that he had just come on an invitation for a prayer … simply fell on deaf ears.” VOM contacts said the extremists then dragged Pastor Johnson to the Mahadevapura Police Station, continuing to punch him along the way. The extremists also reportedly beat him right in front of the police station, and police officers watched without saying a word or doing anything to stop the assault. At last report, the pastor was still in custody. Pray that God will heal this pastor’s physical wounds and minister to him during this challenging time.

Uzbekistan

The Uzbek government recently confiscated Christian books from a youth group returning from Kazakhstan, according to Forum 18 News. An Uzbek customs official told Forum 18 that the books were not confiscated, but had been temporarily removed. Members of the youth group reported that a customs official swore at them, saying “We are the bosses here, and we will do what we like. If we need to, we’ll lock you away.” Customs officials said a court will decide what happens to the literature. Also in Uzbekistan, the head of Ukraine’s Baptist Union has been denied entry to the country, and another Christian has been denied permission to leave. According to Forum 18 News, government officials have provided no reason for either action. In addition, access to two foreign religious websites has been blocked from within Uzbekistan. These actions appear to be part of a policy of isolating Christians in Uzbekistan from fellow believers in other countries. Pray that Christians in Uzbekistan will remain faithful despite opposition from those in authority. Pray that they will not feel alone, but will know they are part of the Body of Christ.

Ethiopia

On Nov. 18, Tamirat Woldegorgis, a Christian in the southern Ethiopian town of Moyale, was sentenced to three years in prison for allegedly desecrating a Quran. Tamirat, a father of two and member of the Full Gospel Church, was arrested in early August after a Muslim co-worker at a clothes-making business discovered that Tamirat had inscribed “Jesus is Lord” on some cloth. The co-worker then accused him of writing “Jesus is Lord” in a copy of the Quran, but no evidence has proven the co-worker’s claim. Tamirat is being held at Jijiga prison, and members of his church are concerned for his safety. Pray that God will comfort and protect Tamirat in prison and that he may soon be released. Pray for all believers in Ethiopia.

This week’s speaker is a brother from the United States who shares his experiences from a trip to Colombia.