Burmese Believers Have Joy Despite Crackdown on Churches

February 25, 2009
Posted by
The Voice of the Martyrs

Picture 105


Our friends at Gospel for Asia released the following statement regarding the persecution happening in Myanmar. Here's a snippet:

MYANMAR (ANS) -- In a recent crackdown on Christians in Myanmar (Burma), at least 100 churches were ordered to stop holding services. About 50 pastors were forced to sign at least five documents each to cease church services—and warned repeatedly they could face time in jail if they disobeyed.
The crackdown is of great concern to Christians in Myanmar and a serious violation of religious freedom. Most of the churches meet in homes, and Christians are now left wondering if they will be prohibited from worshipping in their own homes.


In a recent crackdown on Christians in Myanmar (Burma), at least 100 churches were ordered to stop holding services.
Some think it could be the military regime’s response to churches helping with relief for victims of Cyclone Nargis, which hit Myanmar’s coast in May 2008.


“The regime does not like the fact that Buddhists have been receiving help from churches, and fears this may possibly result in conversion,” one pastor living in exile said. “It does not want Christianity to grow in Burma. Ultimately, the regime seeks the destruction of Christianity.

What I find interesting about this story is that unbelievers even see that when the love of Christ is manifest through the good works that God calls His people to do, conversion is a result.