Persecution Blog

“Your cause is Christ’s gospel”

This month, VOM's newsletter focusses on writing letters to Christians imprisoned for their faith. From the earliest days of its ministry, VOM has encouraged readers to write letters to Christians imprisoned for their faith. Today you can write a letter to an imprisoned Christian using electronic tools at www.PrisonerAlert.com or VOM's new letter-writing kit.

But such letters are not new. In 1533, as John Frith awaited his execution in the infamous Tower of London, he received two letters from a close friend. The letters encouraged Frith to fight the good fight while cautioning that his writings should not cause dissention within the young Protestant movement.

Frith was part of the Reformation then sweeping Europe that challenged the Church's traditions and some of its doctrine. Among many points of contention, the Reformers opposed teachings that emphasized works-based salvation rather than the gospel's truth that man is saved by grace through faith in Christ.

Many Reformers had already paid the ultimate price for the bold stand that Frith was taking against the Church. He disagreed with the Church's views on Communion and hell, and for this he was sentenced to die as a "heretic."

Frith's close friend, William Tyndale, was also a hunted man because of his translation of the New Testament into English. At that time, the Church didn't think common people should read the Bible in their own language.

Tyndale, perhaps worried that his friend had become discouraged while awaiting his execution, wrote the following in his second letter to him:

Your cause is Christ's gospel, a light that must be fed with the blood of faith. The lamp must be dressed and snuffed daily, and that oil poured in every evening and morning, that the light go not out. Though we be sinners, yet is the cause right. If when we be buffeted for well doing, we suffer patiently and endure, that is acceptable to God; for to that end we are called. For Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow his steps… For we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him; who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body; according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto him.

Whether Frith's faith had been wavering is not known, and some question whether he even received Tyndale's second letter. What is known is that he was betrayed by a sympathizer, offered a pardon if he would renounce his views—he refused—and burned at the stake on July 4, 1533. He was 30 years old.

His friend William Tyndale, also betrayed by a friend, was arrested a few years later and burned at the stake.

VOM Australia's Merv Knight Interviewed About Richard Wurmbrand

Today we have a special interview, just posted earlier today, by our VOM staff with Todd Nettleton and Merv Knight who is involved in The Voice of the Martyrs ministry in Australia.

Here's a short description of the video: After being asked by Richard Wurmbrand to start a ministry to persecuted Christians around the world, Merv Knight helped start Voice of the Martyrs Australia and has continued working there ever since. Merv has not only worked with VOM Australia but has also partnered with VOM USA as a board member for more than 2 decades. In this interview VOM USA's Todd Nettleton interviews Merv Knight about the history of our mission, the history of God's work through The Voice of the Martyrs, and his memories of Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand.

Tanzania: Attacks Continue

Christians in Tanzania have lost churches, homes, cars and livestock in a series of recent attacks, and some have received physical injuries. In the most recent attack, Muslims returning from worship at a mosque on Friday, Oct. 12, burned a car belonging to Bishop Muhiche of the Tanzania Assemblies of God church. After burning his car, the extremists moved on to destroy the pastor’s church.

“Police had to intervene, but it was too late,” said a VOM contact. “They had to use a helicopter to help some Christians escape the attacks. When I went there, we were confronted by the police using tear-gas bombs to scatter the attackers.” Muslims tried to keep the incident quiet by confiscating journalists’ video cameras, but the news was still broadcast on all the local television stations.

That same day, in Ushirombo District of Shinyanga Region, Muslim extremists attacked the Reverend Victor Simbaulanga. Enraged by an open-air evangelistic meeting the pastor was leading, the attackers beat Simbaulanga so severely that he had to be hospitalized. A VOM contact is working to have the pastor transferred to a hospital in a safer area so he won’t be attacked again.

On Sept. 28, Muslim extremists in Tunduru District of Ruvuma Region attacked a Christian medical doctor, Vitalis Lusasi, while he was in his car. They smashed the car’s windows and attempted to burn the vehicle before onlookers intervened.

Less than two weeks earlier, on Sept. 17, Muslim extremists reportedly attacked Christians in the same region, burning 60 pigs and attempting to burn six houses. Bystanders helped save five of the houses, but one was destroyed. A few nights later, two Christians’ cars, one belonging to a pastor, were set on fire in the same area.

“No one has been arrested so far in connection with all these wild attacks, probably because 85 percent of the residents of Tunduru are staunch Muslims,” said a VOM contact. He said some of those who have been attacked are traumatized and won’t talk about their current situation, fearing future attacks. “We really do not know what is going on,” said the VOM contact. “We need your constant, intensive prayers.”

Nigerian American Christians Seek Tougher US Action Against Boko Haram

One of the nations where Christians are being persecuted mercilessly is Nigeria.  I have had a burden for Nigeria ever since I started to hear about all the Christians being killed by Boko Haram.  We've covered much of that persecution here on the blog.  

Today I wanted to tell you about a press conference that took place recently where Nigerian American Christians got together in order to raise awareness about Boko Haram and also ask the United States State Department to implement tougher sanctions against Boko Haram.

10Tv.com is reporting the following:

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nigerian American Christians are demanding that the U.S. declare Boko Haram (BOH'-koh hah-RAHM') a foreign terrorist organization.

...

In June, the U.S. State Department designated three Boko Haram leaders as terrorists, but stopped short of labeling the entire group.

 

The Osun Defender adds to the story the following details:

Speaking earlier on Tuesday at a press conference attended by officials from the US Congress Homeland Security Committee, NGOs and religious groups and leaders in the US, the CANAN leader observed that “Boko Haram is sustained by the procurement of unbelievable amounts of heavy arms and weapons, clearly transported from country to country and certainly funded by some fat pockets.”

...

Restating the need for the US to designate Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, FTO, CANAN leaders said with such a designation “all their top political backers will understand that the stakes are now higher, and they will face a wider net of justice. This in turn will likely curtail them from funding the terrorists.

...

On the expressed concern that the US designating Boko Haram an FTO might amount to internationalizing the problem, the Nigerian-American Christians stated, “such a view is already overtaken by events as the group has already threatened international peace, and the problems are no longer entirely domestic or academic.”

...

According to CANAN, “While we Nigerian-American Christians are the first to affirm the sovereignty of Nigeria, we recognize that Boko Haram is part of the worldwide phenomenon of terrorism and its many aftermaths set in motion after 9/11.

They explained that it was the sincere belief of their group “that the Nigerian government is no longer capable by itself alone to effectively check this group without some drastic international help including the designation of the group as an FTO by the US.

Please pray for the safety of believers in Nigeria and for those in positions of political power, who can make a difference, to do the right thing and care about the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

Taliban Targets Another Girl in Pakistan

Our friends at CBN News are reporting on another situation that has taken place in Pakistan concerning another teenager who the Taliban is targeting because of her speaking out on issues pertaining to women's rights.

Keep in mind that Pakistan is a restricted nation with the majority religion being  Muslim at about 96 percent and Christian at about 2.5 percent.  Please keep Christians and others who speak up for freedom and human rights in your prayers.

Please watch this short video report from CBN News:

 

He Was Burned at the Stake

One of the martyrs during the 1500's was Dr. Rowland Taylor who has a monument in his honor in Suffolk.  You can read more about Dr. Rowland here.

The following is from the book Extreme Devotion about Dr. Rowland Taylor.  If you like this devotional thought, please consider buying the book here.

Before burning at the stake for teaching the Bible, Dr. Rowland Taylor wrote these beautiful words:

    “I say to my wife and to my children, the Lord gave you to me, and the Lord has taken me from you and you from me: Blessed be the name of the Lord! I have ever found him more faithful and favorable than is any husband or father. Trust in him by means of our dear Savior’s merits: Believe, love, fear, and obey him. Pray to him, for he has promised to help. Count me not dead, for I shall eternally live and never die. I go before, and you shall follow after, to our eternal home.
    

“I say to you my dear friends of Hadley, and to all those who have heard me preach, that I depart from here with a quiet conscience concerning my teaching, for which I pray you thank God with me. For I have, in keeping with my little talent, declared to others those lessons that I gathered out of God’s book, the blessed Bible. Therefore, if I, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you another gospel than that which you have received, God’s great curse be upon that preacher!

    “Departing from here with sure hope, without any doubting of eternal salvation, I thank God my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ my certain Savior.”
    Rowland Taylor

Can you recall your most memorable childhood teacher? Perhaps it was a certain perfume she wore. Maybe it was the peculiar way he smoothed his bald spot. Something about the person remains in your mind. However, when we grow older, we value teachers for different reasons. We recall what they taught us—lessons we’ll never forget. We’ll always remember the one who first taught us God’s Word. We cannot afford to forget the basic truths our teachers shared with us about God’s love and his salvation. When someone else comes along in the name of enlightenment or academia, God’s truths will protect you and help you recognize falsehood. They are more than mere memories. They are your most valuable possession.

Al-Shabaab Strikes Again in Kenya, this Time Killing a Child

Kenya (MNN) ― The Somalia terrorist cell al-Shabaab seems to have reached a new low. According to International Christian Concern (ICC) and multiple international news agencies, police think al-Shabaab was behind the Sept. 30 attacks that killed one child and injured 12 more.

Pray for the families of these children.

As Sunday school was in session at St. Polycarp's church in Nairobi, attackers lobbed a hand grenade into the building. Kenyan police told Reuters a nine-year-old boy was fatally injured, and other children were sprayed with shrapnel when the grenade exploded. BBC said most of the 12 injured children were harmed in a stampede following the attack.

Al-Shabaab means "The Youth" in Arabic and emerged in 2006 as the radical youth wing of Somalia's previous Union of Islamic Courts. Since Kenyan troops entered Somalia a year ago, al-Shabaab has increased its attacks in Kenya. It seems the terrorists aim their Muslim rage at believers.

Five Mombasa churches were severely damaged by rioters following the death of known al-Shabaab supporter Sheikh Aboud Rogo in August. Gunmen attacked a Garissa church in July, killing 18 believers and injuring 60. The ICC said the Sept. 30 attack took place in Eastleigh, a neighborhood known to be a safe haven for al-Shabaab operatives.

"The churches in Eastleigh and the underground fellowship feel threatened," said underground church leaders quoted by the ICC. "We need prayers because our lives are at risk."

Pray for safety for innocent believers. Pray that the Kenyan government would suppress al-Shabaab forces.

Source: Mission Network News

Get Your IDOP Kit Today! - November 11, 2012

The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is coming soon, which is why I want to remind you that our IDOP kits are now available for order.

Here's what you'll get in your IDOP kit:

He could stand the torture, but he couldn't stand a day without his Bible.

Boun, a Laotian pastor, spent 13 years in prison for his faith. Although he faced many difficulties, he made it through on the strength of God’s Word. By watching Boun’s story on DVD, you will learn how this unlikely Bible smuggler brought Bibles into his prison camp, and your heart will be stirred to pray for the persecuted.

Nov. 11 is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.

Order your 2012 Church Resource Kit to help facilitate this special day of prayer. In addition to the DVD with Boun's story, this kit includes the following:

* 25 prayer brochures with a free book offer from VOM
* 10 VOM Special Issue newsletters with a Global Report and a Prayer Map
* 1 sheet of prayer cards (4 cards, 8 images)
* an 8-page IDOP prayer resource for kids

CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOURS TODAY

 

Persecution Quoteable: Richard Wurmbrand on The Death of Jesus

Earlier today on our Facebook page we posted the following graphic with this quote from Richard Wurmbrand.  This is a great reminder for when you're feeling discouraged and like nothing matters.  Remember what the death of Jesus is all about.

  Give your best to the Lord.

30 Christian Students Massacred in Nigeria

Nigeria (MNN) ― Christian students were specifically targeted by Islamists in what some say was a retaliatory attack in northeast Nigeria. The massacre killed up to 30 students at Federal Polytechnic Collage in the city of Mubi in remote Adamawa State.

Emily Fuentes with Open Doors USA describes the attack. "Certain students were called out and attacked. But Open Doors sources in the area have notified us that the people who were attacking were allegedly members of Boko Haram and were allegedly separating Christians from Muslims students; [they] attacked the Christians students there."

This is a new for Boko Haram. "Up until now," says Fuentes, "Christians were either attacked in their churches, their homes, and maybe their places of business. So this is different to have Christians attacked at university, at the school that they're going to."

Was it retaliation? Some are claiming that, says Fuentes. "Police actually went through these halls and arrested 156 members who they believe were members of Boko Haram who were actually in the school."

Fuentes says more than 700 Christians have been attacked in 2012, and believers are on edge. "It's a different kind of attack than the ones that they're used to. And it's a whole different form when [terrorists] are attacking the young at the university."

Christians are taking action. "There's been a big movement with this minister, as well as other pastors and church leaders, to encourage churches and Christians to be wise about their security to prevent more attacks like these from happening."

Open Doors is encouraging people to be aware of this situation and pray earnestly for Christians there.

The U.S. State Department's 2011 International Religious Freedom Report released a few weeks ago confirms that there have been increasing attacks against Christians. However, the government didn't effectively quell rising hostility or investigate and prosecute those responsible.

Nigeria is ranked #13 on the Open Doors World Watch List of the 50 countries which are the worst persecutors of Christians.

Source: Mission Network News