persecuted-church

A NOTE TO MY READERS

2010-09-27T12:25:00.000-07:00

Dear friends,readers and followers:As you have noticed recently I haven't been posting as much as I wanted.I've been sick on-off .That's the reason why I've been away from my desk to update you all on the latest news on the persecuted church.
On top of that my laptop started acting up real funny and I haven't resolved that issue yet,so I'm blogging via "emergency laptopping mode"if the term exists....:)
I do appreciate your prayers and of course your interest and burden for our brothers and sisters that are suffering persecution wherever they are,even now--as Im typing.
Please continue to come back and visit this blog for more news...and MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL:DON'T FORGET TO PRAY FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS WORLDWIDE....!
I would also appreciate your prayers on my behalf for healing and strength in my body...!
God Bless you all....!Thank you for stopping and reading my blog....!
Jesus is Coming Soon....!
As in the days of Noah....

Women and children abused by Burmese leaders

2010-08-02T10:34:00.000-07:00

Burma (MNN)-The atrocities against the tribal people of Burma continue to mount, yet the world continues to ignore their plight. In Part 3 of our series about Vision Beyond Borders, we're taking a look at how women and children are being affected by what's being called a "genocide" in Burma by many who work there.President of Vision Beyond Borders Patrick Klein travels to the region regularly. He just returned from Burma with an even stronger sense of urgency to tell the world about what's happening there. Thousands of Karen and other tribal people are being forced from their homes.One report indicated that 27 towns and villages have been forced to relocate by the Burmese Army.Klein says, "What we're hearing is that they're killing the men, and they're allowing the women and children to flee to Thailand to the refugee camps. Then the Thai government is going to force these kids and women back into Burma to clear out the mine fields. They're just going to be mine-sweepers"...

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Sustaining the Helpless in Burma:"Babies,the Helpless Victims of Persecution"

2010-08-02T10:27:00.002-07:00

For the past half century, the Buddhist Burmese government has persecuted the Karen, a Christian minority living precariously on the eastern border of Burma.The Karen are existing in a state of near starvation. Karen mothers do not receive enough nourishment to provide breast milk for their infants, so they are forced to watch their children starve before their eyes, knowing there is nothing they can do to prevent it.To address this problem, ICC is providing fortified milk formula, which provides the essential nurtirents babies are unable to obtain from their mothers. ICC has been able to deliver the milk to grateful mothers who have traveled hours form their homes in the mountains to get it....

Somali Islamists Execute Christian Convert

2010-07-07T09:07:00.000-07:00

Washington, D.C. (July 7, 2010)– International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that members of the Al-Qaeda linked Somali Islamist group, Al-Shabaab, publicly executed a Christian convert from Islam in the in Hudur district, Somalia on July 1st.Muhammad Guul Hashim Idiris, a Christian convert from Islam, was traveling by land from Kalafo, an Ethiopian border town, to visit his mother in Mogadishu.A fellow passenger recognized his Christian background and asked him if he thought the prophet Muhammad was a genuine messenger from God. Idiris responded by saying, “If I thought so, I would have believed in him instead of the Messiah.” Once they reached the Hudur district, a stronghold of the Al- Shabaab terror network, the Muslim man reported Idiris to Al-Shabaab and had him detained on June 27th. Idiris was accused of insulting the prophet Muhammad. It is a serious sin to consider Muhammad not to be a genuine prophet and it warrants the death penalty.Sheik Adan Yare, the Al-Shabab governor of the Bakol region, spoke to the press on July 1st and said, “ Our holy warriors have today, on July 1st at 11: 45 am, executed in front of angry Muslim witnesses a young man whose name was Muhammad Guul Hashim Idiris who insulted our beloved prophet.” The execution, which took place at a make-shift soccer stadium, was attended by hundreds of people, including school children who were forced to watch the execution.The martyr had been married since January 26th and is survived by his pregnant widow.Idiris’ paternal uncle and a Christian convert from Islam spoke to ICC from Addis Ababa, calling the Al-Shabaab execution “further evidence of Al-Shabaab’s attempt to eliminate Christianity from among Somali people in the Horn of Africa.”
Jonathan Racho, ICC’s Regional Manager for Africa, said “We are deeply saddened by yet another execution of a Somali Christian. Al-Shabaab and Islamic extremist groups in Somalia have repeatedly vowed to wipe out Christians from Somalia. Al-Shabaab has murdered several Christians, chopped off the hands of Muslims suspected of crimes and even stoned Muslim women to death for allegedly committing adultery. The cruel and inhumane action of Al-Shabaab shows its complete disregard for human life.”

SOURCE

Eight Christians Killed in Nigerian Muslim Attacks

2010-07-07T08:43:00.000-07:00

Washington, D.C. (July 6, 2010)– International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that this past weekend Muslims attacked Christian villages and killed at least eight Christians in Kaduna and Plateau States of northern Nigeria.On the night of July 3, several Muslims attacked Kizachi village in Kaduna State and killed five Christians, including a primary school teacher and mother of six children. The Muslims also burned down five Christian homes.Nigerian sources told ICC that the police had stopped protecting the village on July 2 after the government failed to pay their salaries.In the second attack, on the night of July 4, 200 Muslims armed with guns and machetes invaded Ganawuri community, near Jos. Three Christians are feared dead.A spokesperson of the Nigerian military’s Special Task Force (STF), Lt. Col. Kingsley Umoh, stated that the attackers were suspected herdsmen from neighboring communities of Kaduna State.According to Umoh, STF received a distress call which they responded to, and engaged in a fire fight with the attackers. One of the attackers received gunshot wounds and six were arrested. Those arrested have since been handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the state police command for further investigations.This latest violence came on the heels of a March 7 jihad attack against Christians in Jos in which over 500 mainly women and children were murdered. It is estimated that many more thousands of Christians have been killed in northern Nigeria since the introduction of Sharia law in 2001.Jonathan Racho, ICC’s Regional Manager for Africa, said “We are outraged by the latest killings of Christians in northern Nigeria. Once again, Nigerian officials have failed to provide needed security for the citizens of Kaduna and Plateau States. We urge Nigerian authorities to quickly bring all the perpetrators of the attacks to justice and fully investigate the lapse in security.”

SOURCE

Testimonies of Moroccan Believers...

2010-07-07T08:30:00.000-07:00

Sameer is a devoted Christian; recently when a Western couple was deported they gave Sameer their old laptop, empty of any information. A week later the Security Police came to Sameer's house and confiscated the computer, blindfolded him and took him to an undisclosed location. The police officers questioned him, "Why are you a Christian? What do you hold against Islam?” Sameer said that each time God gave him the right answers and helped him to stand strong through-out the torture. After three days the police allowed him to go saying, "We will monitor you."

Even though Sameer still suffers from anxiety, he wants continue to serve God by visiting local brothers and sisters, encouraging them.
Adel has been a Christian for many years; recently he was jailed for two days because he had evangelized among Muslims. Currently Adel is under surveillance from the Security Police and expects that he will be sent to jail again. Adel says, "I'm not afraid. In prison there are people who don't yet know about the gospel."
Abdel makes a living by producing leather covers for Bibles, bookmarks, and bags with Christian symbols. He also has a small shop where he distributes Bible CDs in the Berber language. In Morocco the distribution of Christian materials is dangerous, and on a regular basis, the Secret Police come to his shop to interrogate him or order him to go to the police station. According to Abdel the Moroccan churches still need much instruction and guidance in the Christian faith, and because most Berbers are illiterate, they are grateful for Christian CDs in their language.

SOURCE
PS:Would you remember to pray for these three brothers...?

Thank you....!!!

As in the days of Noah...

Christian Professor in Pakistan Beaten for Refusing to Convert

2010-07-07T08:14:00.000-07:00

The morning of June 14th, upon exiting his house on campus, Professor Samuel John was attacked and beaten by a mob of 20 to 25 Muslim students. When his wife realized what was happening, she ran to help him, but the students beat her as well. Both John and his wife were rushed to the hospital, with his injuries listed as critical. John later reported the matter to the dean of the Peshawar University College, but the official was unable to take any action because the Islamic student council is supported by political parties and powerful Islamic groups.John, who is a father of four and has been teaching psychology for 12 years, has subsequently faced various forms of harassment from different Islamic student groups who have thrown stones at his home, sent threatening letters, and have threatened his family over the phone. “I am still getting threats,” the professor told Compass. “They say, ‘Leave the university or accept Islam if you don’t convert, we will kill your family”...

SOURCE

Indonesian Islamists eye proselytizing Christians:"Islamic youth militia held its first day of training..."

2010-07-03T19:29:00.000-07:00

In this Tuesday, June 29, 2010 photo, an Indonesian Muslim woman reads a banner with a picture of a young, bespectacled Christian man and the words:"Death penalty for Andreas Dusly Sanau" in front of a mosque at Bekasi on the outskirts of Jakarta, Indonesia.
(AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

BEKASI, Indonesia – A banner with a picture of a young, bespectacled Christian man is draped in front of a mosque, a fiery noose around his neck and the words, "This man deserves the death penalty!"
Churches are shut down. And an Islamic youth militia held its first day of training.
Though the events all occurred less than nine miles (15 kilometers) from Indonesia's bustling capital, making headlines in local papers and dominating chats on social networking sites such as Facebook, they've sparked little public debate in the halls of power.
"I really see this as a threat to democracy," said Arbi Sanit, a political analyst, noting leaders never like to say anything that can be perceived as "un-Islamic," because they depend heavily on the support of Muslim parties in parliament."Being popular is more important to them than punishing those who are clearly breaking the law," Sanit said.
Indonesia, a secular nation with more Muslims than any other in the world, has a long history of religious tolerance, though a small extremist fringe has become more vocal in recent years. Members of the Islamic Defenders Front, or FPI, have been known to smash bars, attack transvestites and go after minority sects with bamboo clubs and stones.
Now, they are targeting Christians in the fast-growing industrial city of Bekasi....
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Mosab Yousef's Testimony..

2010-07-01T14:55:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends and Followers:
Many have said all sorts of things,regarding this man's testimony.Some in favor...some not...
I invite you to watch this special report(a total of 6 videos) and decide for yourself.
For those of us that have closely lived among muslims,we know that the peril of a horrible death is real in muslim countries,when you become a christian.That is reality for thousands of our brothers and sisters living in the muslim world.
I rejoice in the braveness of this young man of coming out of darkness and sharing his testimony with all that want to hear.
My prayers go out to heaven on behalf of him and the family and friends he left behind.
There is nothing impossible with God....!
As in the days of Noah...
------------------------------
Fox News Special: ESCAPE FROM HAMAS
In January of 2009, the Fox News Channel ran an hour-long special on Mosab Yousef entitled: Escape From Hamas.
Steven Drake posted the Special in six parts on You Tube. Here they are…
PART 1

--PART 2

--PART 3

--PART 4

--PART 5

--PART 6

--Mosab Yousef's Blog:SON of HAMAS

--Save MOSAB HASSAN YOUSEF

Good News! Mosab Yousef Can Stay in America:Judge agrees to grant him asylum after government drops its objection to him staying

2010-07-01T13:11:00.000-07:00

(San Diego)—Mosab Hassan Yousef, author of the best-selling, "Son of Hamas" has won the right to stay in the Unites States after a huge campaign by both Christians and Jews had called for him to be granted U.S. asylum.With his friends in court to support him, Yousef got the news during a 15-minute deportation hearing today (Wednesday, June 30, 2010,) in San Diego, California, after a U.S. Department of Homeland Security attorney said the government was dropping its objections.
Yousef is the eldest son of Hamas founder Sheikh Hassan Yousef, and became a Christian some time back after being given a Gospel tract in Jerusalem by a London taxi driver who was on vacation in the Holy Land.After his conversion, he later became a spy for Israel's Shin Bet agency and their leadership had praised his courage.
The battle to keep Yousef in American began when the DHS denied his asylum request in February 2009, claiming that he had been involved in terrorism and was a threat to the United States.Among his supporters is former CIA director James Woolsey who had had told reporters at a recent Capitol Hill dinner to honor Mosab and others, "My view is that the decision to deny him political refugee status was incredibly idiotic. It's hard to think of a worse immigration decision in history. It's fundamentally nuts."In the surprise turnaround, Attorney Kerri Calcador gave no explanation for the government's change of heart, but those close to the case believe it was because so many people had spoken up the Yousef, pointing out the weakness in their case, and also because they believed he would be assassinated if he was returned to the Middle East.
The immigration judge, Rico Bartolomei said that Yousef will be allowed to remain in the United States after a routine background check and also that he is fingerprinted. "I will keep fighting the ideology that is behind terrorists because I know how they think," he told reporters outside the courtroom.
By Dan Wooding(BCN)
Source: Mosab Yousef's website
--'Son of Hamas' wins asylum in US

INDIA:Case against ministry workers drags on...

2010-06-29T12:20:00.000-07:00

India--Last August, we told you the story of an attack on ministry workers in Karnataka State, India.On August 11, 80 ministry partners in the state of Karnataka gathered at a 4-day training for the Year-Long Children's Bible Clubs. Around midnight, after everyone had gone to sleep, a mob of 20 Hindu extremists broke in, beat the trainees, and held them against their will for at least 14 hours. Police arrived on the scene and promptly arrested 8 of the Christians.In spite of the injustice of the arrests and jailings, their team never wavered from their purpose. Dave Stravers with Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Mission India says they did what Paul and Silas did while in prison: "They had more than 100 prisoners in their area. They started prayer meetings and worship services, and they had converts"...

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The hands of persecution tighten in Uzbekistan

2010-06-29T12:05:00.000-07:00

Uzbekistan--Mission Network News has discussed the possibility that Christian refugees fleeing to Uzbekistan from chaotic Kyrgyzstan may be running into disaster. This appears to be the case.Although there have not been reports of refugees receiving increased persecution in Uzbekistan, if they plan to stay in the country, they should probably expect it. According to Slavic Gospel Association, the Uzbek government has cracked down on Christians again.An Uzbek member of the Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists (UECB) was recently fined nearly $2,000 under charges of "teaching religious beliefs without specialized religious education and without permission from a central religious organization" and "teaching religious beliefs privately." The victim, Valery Konovalov, was not even given a chance to defend himself....

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Elections may mean change for Christians in Somaliland

2010-06-29T12:00:00.000-07:00

Somaliland--Christians may soon experience much more persecution in the republic of Somaliland. Despite the protests of an Islamic group, Somaliland, located in the northwest of Somalia, held presidential elections Saturday.Though a small clash after the elections resulted in the death of one observer, the polling was peaceful, surrounded by tight security according to CNN.That elections even took place was a victory over al-Shabaab, an Islamic group from southern Somalia whose leader, Sheik Mukhtar Abdirahman Abu Zubeyr, warned, "Those who take part in those so-called elections will face the consequences," according to AFP. He also called democracy "the devil's principles" in an audio message to local media....

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Kyrgyzstan approves parliamentary constitution

2010-06-29T11:38:00.000-07:00

Kyrgyzstan--Kyrgyzstan's referendum has passed, following Sunday's vote. With a new government, will tensions ease and ethnic violence cease?Joel Griffith of Slavic Gospel Association shared the implications of the new constitution: "This referendum did indeed pass in Kyrgyzstan. They've approved the new constitution. It sets the stage for the first parliamentary democracy in Central Asia. Voters backed the new constitution by about 90.6 percent." Since Kyrgyzstan's former president, Kurmanbek Bakiev, was ousted in April, the interim government fervently pushed for the referendum vote and October elections, despite ethnic violence flare-ups during the month of June....

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Indonesian Muslims Told to Prepare for Religious War:Group forms militia-training unit to visit mosques...

2010-06-29T09:51:00.000-07:00

Washington, D.C. (June 29, 2010)–International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that in Bekasi, Indonesia, hard-line Muslims are taking steps toward an impending religious war with Christians.A call to form religious militia units was made this weekend at the second Bekasi Islamic Conference, a gathering of 2000 representatives from regional Islamic organizations. Nine of the attending organizations joined to create a group called Bekasi Islamic Presidium tasked with preparing local mosques for a war against “Christianization.”
“Apparently [Christians] want to test our patience. We are planning to invite them for a dialogue to determine what they really want. If talks fail, this might mean war,” stated Murhali Barda, General Secretary of the Bekasi chapter of the Islamic Defender’s Front (FPI) to The Jakarta Globe. Murhali went on to claim that Christians are actively baptizing Muslim converts and “are on to something.”
The head of the Bekasi Islamic Congress, Saleh Mangara Sitompul, issued a number of recommendations to the Bekasi government in line with Sharia law and recommended that every mosque in Bekasi form its own paramilitary unit. “We hope that the recommendations to the government could be a guide for them so that there will be no religious defamation or inter-religious conflicts,” stated Saleh.
One FPI leader, Abdul Qadir Aka, said the paramilitary units were necessary: “When the need arises we will have units that can be mobilized…We have hundreds and even thousands of mosques in Bekasi. Imagine what we can do together.”
These statements are the latest in rising tensions in the Bekasi area. On June 20, the Pondok Timur Indah Church in Bekasi was shut down “because the congregation held prayers in a place where they were not supposed to.” Last May, a Catholic school named St. Bellarminus was attacked by a group of Muslims for a blog entry that reportedly defamed Islam. In February the Bekasi Galilea Church was closed over allegations of converting Muslims.
ICC’s Regional Manager, Logan Maurer, stated, “These recent events in Bekasi, Indonesia, expose a very frightening trend where radical Muslims are willing to go to any length to silence Christians. The fact that they are threatening to use paramilitary action and that they are also taking concrete steps toward forming militias shows the degree to which Christians, and ultimately religious freedom, is in danger.”
Please contact the Indonesian embassy in your country and politely ask the Indonesian officials if they are aware of what is occurring in the Bekasi area and to protect religious freedom.
Indonesian embassy contact info:

(US) 202.775.5200,

(UK) 44.171.499.7661,

(Canada) 613.724.1100

SOURCE:ICC

Open Doors World Watch List 2010

2010-06-29T09:12:00.000-07:00

The World Watch List is a ranking of 50 countries where persecution of Christians for religious reasons is worst. First of all, the scope of the list is persecution of Christians of all denominations in the entire country. The scope is also limited to those persecuted for their faith, not for political, economic, social, ethnic or accidental reasons.
Find out more how you can be on watch for the persecuted church

Moroccan Christians Targeted on Facebook

2010-06-28T14:27:00.000-07:00

Muslim extremists in Morocco are now using the social networking site Facebook to expose and vilify Christians. Sadly, they are using images and derogatory tags such as “hyena evangelists” or “wolves in lamb’s skins” that are trying to “shake the faith of Muslims.” Dozens of Christians have been called to police stations for interrogation, many of them verbally abused and threatened with jail or death.

Most Moroccan Christians that spoke to Compass News said their Muslim relatives’ attitudes had shifted, and many were kicked out of their homes or chose to leave “to not create problems” for their families.
Efforts against national Christians have been gaining momentum in Morocco. Abdel Adghirni, a Moroccan lawyer, said that “The government is trying to dominate.” Since March, the government has expelled more than 100 foreign Christians for alleged “proselytizing.” Adghirni added that he believes Morocco cannot survive and develop economically without national diversity saying that, “We can’t be free without Christians. The existence of Christians among us is the proof of liberty.” But, amid a media campaign to condemn Christians in Morocco, more than 7,000 Muslim clerics signed a statement denouncing all Christian activities and calling foreign Christians’ aid work “religious terrorism”...

Source

An Open Letter from the Afghan Christian Community to the Body of Christ Worldwide

2010-06-28T14:08:00.000-07:00

KABUL,AFGHANISTAN-(ANS)-Christians in Afghanistan have written an 'Open Letter' to believers around the world calling for help in defending those who are being persecuted for their faith.ANS has received the following letter written by missionaries in Afghanistan, one of which is a “fellow prisoner” for sharing his faith in Christ.
"Our brothers and sisters in Afghanistan are in such a bad place right now they are willing to go public and are crying out for prayers and support from the body of Christ," said Kevin Turner, founder and president of Strategic World Impact (SWI), a Midwestern-based Christian ministry which works in areas where disaster, war, or persecution of Christians occurs."Please let us not forsake those who are being persecuted for their faith, particularly in the nation of Afghanistan. Let us stand with them in prayer and fasting," said Turner, who also received a copy of the letter.
In the introduction to the letter, the Afghan believers say: "We need your help to stop the Afghan government from arresting Afghan Christians and condemning them to death by public execution!"...
By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
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Afghan Parliamentarian Calls for Execution of Christians

2010-06-28T12:58:00.000-07:00

Washington, D.C. (June 2, 2010) – International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that an Afghan parliamentary secretary called for the public execution of Christian converts on the parliament floor.On Tuesday, the Associated Free Press reported that Abdul Sattar Khawasi, deputy secretary of the Afghan lower house in parliament, called for the execution of Christian converts from Islam. Speaking in regards to a video broadcasted by Afghan television network Noorin TV showing footage of Christian men being baptized and praying in Farsi, Khawasi said, "Those Afghans that appeared in this video film should be executed in public, the house should order the attorney general and the NDS (intelligence agency) to arrest these Afghans and execute them.”The broadcast triggered a protest by hundreds of Kabul University students on Monday, who shouted death threats and demanded the expulsion of Christian foreigners accused of proselytizing. As a result, the operations of Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) and U.S.-based Church World Service (CWS) have been suspended over allegations of proselytizing. The Afghan government is currently undertaking an intensive investigation into the matter. According to Afghan law, proselytizing is illegal and conversion from Islam is punishable by death.ICC sources within Afghanistan have reported that many national Christians are in hiding, fearful of execution. Under government pressure during investigations, some Afghans have reportedly revealed names and locations of Christian converts.Aidan Clay, ICC Regional Manager for the Middle East, said, “It is absolutely appalling that the execution of Christians would be promoted on the floor of the Afghan parliament. Khawasi’s statement sounded a whole lot like the tyrannical manifesto of the Taliban, not that of a U.S. ally. American lives are being lost fighting terrorism and defending freedom in Afghanistan – yet Christians are being oppressed within Afghan borders. This comes after billions of U.S. dollars have been invested in the war effort, and millions more have been given in aid. The U.S. government must intervene to protect the religious freedoms and human rights of all Afghans. The U.S. is not a mere outside bystander – but, is closely intertwined within Afghan policy. Intervention is not a choice, but a responsibility, as Afghan policies reflect the U.S. government’s ability and commitment to secure a stable government in Afghanistan.”

Source:ICC

A NOTE TO ALL MY READERS...

2010-06-28T11:32:00.000-07:00

I thought today would be the day to write you all in a way I haven't done before.

First of all I want to thank all of my followers.Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for visiting and wanting to be part of this blog.God Bless You for your interest on our brothers and sisters that suffer daily for their faith.God will reward ya'll...!

As you can see I have been innactive for a while.There is a reason that I would like to share with you,since you are part of this blog.

Last year on March 21st my pastor Gary Norris at age 46,passed away after a short battle with cancer.That literally devastated my life,and broke my heart.He was to us more than a pastor...he was a friend and believed in the ministry the Lord had commanded us as a family.We shed many,many tears,because after many fastings and prayers,he was gone.I will never forget him.We will never forget him.

Why do I tell you all this...?

Because Bro.Norris was my biggest inspiration to start this blog.We would sit and talk sometimes about the persecuted church and he had such a genuine burden for them...We would pray for them at church,I had a weekly updated prayer bulletin at church for the persecuted church,he would offer materials,anything I needed to make this blog and the prayer bulletin known to whomever has a burden for them.

When he died many things inside me died and were gone with him.It was a hard effort for me to keep up with this blog,cause everytime I logged on,I remember how he used to cheer me to keep on going,even though I faced lack of interest from our own congregation in the matter... He used to tell me not to give up,that there were those that would be truly interested and would help me pray,and give and would get involved in this ministry.He knew it was God's Will for me to continue on with this endeavour.

The mourning is still going on in my heart,even though life seems to go on.Bro Norris' death was a big stop for me to continue on this blog.

May be you that are reading cannot quite understand why I would feel that way,may be you have lost a loved one and understand...Either way all I can tell you is that I was overcome with sorrow,deep sorrow.These last 5 years I've lost so many close loved ones that every funeral seems a little more difficult for me than the previous one.

Many things changed since his death:there is a new church we're attending and Praise God my new pastor is interested in praying for the Persecuted so I restarted my weekly prayer bulletins and from little to old,everybody gets a copy and share it with their children,and families and pray and are getting involved in serving the Persecuted.God has blessed me.

I've been struggling with some health issues too and that slowed me down a lot.

But it's time for me to wipe the tears and continue with this ministry--with God's help--in the form of daily updates,because of those that need our prayers,help and involvement and because also persecution is increasing everywhere at an alarming rate.

I know it is His Will for me to do this and to let people know everywhere about the sufferings that many of our brothers and sisters are living daily.

I found out that there is a lack of information in many churches in different countries,and when I start talking about the issue they get interested right away and beg me for info--even-- in other languages.Up to this point I should need at least a staff of 3 or 4 to translate all the info I have and post it....!

But for now it's in english.If any would like this info in a different language or has info that wanted me to include in my posts,you can always email it to me.Go to my personal info section and you'll find it.

I appreciate each one of you and want to thank you again for your support.

I would appreciate also your prayers for this blog and for my health.

Keep coming back and recommend this blog if it has blessed you.

In Jesus

As in the days of Noah....

New CEO at Voice of the Martyrs-Canada

2010-02-06T13:14:00.000-08:00

International (MNN)-The Board of Directors of The Voice of the Martyrs-Canada has appointed Corey Odden to the position of Chief Executive Officer. Odden comes to VOMC after serving most recently as vice president for the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, following 10 years as Chief Financial Officer for The Voice of the Martyrs in the United States. During his time with VOM, Odden traveled extensively in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East in service to the persecuted church.
"I cannot thank God enough for bringing to us Corey Odden, who is, in my humble opinion, uniquely qualified to step into the C.E.O.'s office," said Rev. Peter Jardine, chairman of the Board of Directors. "We remain in God's hands, secure in the knowledge that He is guiding us, sustaining us and loving us through this difficult but rewarding work."

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ALGERIA:Protestors block church service

2010-02-06T13:06:00.000-08:00

Algeria (MNN)-On the day after Christmas, a congregation of nearly 350 people gathered for a church service and Christmas celebration at their new building in Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria. They found almost 50 of their Muslim neighbors barring the doors to block them from holding their service.
"The local Muslims were unhappy to have a church so close to their homes," said Todd Nettleton of Voice of the Martyrs. "The Christians called the police, and instead of allowing them to meet, the police sent the Christians home to try to negotiate with those who were protesting. In the end, the church was not allowed to hold their services."Nettleton said the police may have had sympathies with the protestors. Although separating the two groups can be an appropriate step in some situations, the end result on this occasion was that the Christians were unable to hold their church services."In the end, their religious freedom was definitely not protected," Nettleton concluded....

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AZERBAIJAN and TAJIKISTAN:Deadline for re-registration passes...

2010-02-06T12:52:00.000-08:00

Eastern Europe (MNN)--Oppressive new laws in Azerbaijan and Tajikistan required religious communities to re-register with the government by January 1, 2010 or face illegal status. As of December 16, only about 100 of Azerbaijan's 534 religious communities had been able to do so. Fewer than half of Tajikistan's religious communities re-registered.
According to Joel Griffith of Slavic Gospel Association, officials place obstructions in the paths of churches trying to re-register.
"They will find some technicality or basically any reason to deny registration. So even if some of the groups actually follow the law to the letter and meet the requirements, it just seems very arbitrary and capricious as to whether the officials will agree to register to not," he explained.
It's unclear how strictly the governments of the two nations will enforce their laws....

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DEFAMATION OF RELIGION RESOLUTION:Progress Made After UN Vote

2010-02-06T12:28:00.001-08:00

UN (ANS)--Though the United Nations did pass the Defamation of Religion Resolution for the fifth year in a row on Friday, December 18, support for the resolution has eroded significantly. Western countries are continuing to recognize that the resolution threatens freedom of speech, especially for Christians in Muslim majority nations. The resolution would criminalize actions or even words that offend a particular religion. The only religion specifically mentioned in the resolution, though its assumed to apply to any religion, is Islam. The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) is the driving forced behind the Defamation of Religions Resolution and is already being used to silence minority religions....

Full Story.
Pray that support would continue to erode for the resolution as the tragic realities of its use are exposed.
Pray that efforts to utilize this resolution for evil would fail.

Bombing Attempt Puts Nigeria in Spotlight

2010-02-06T12:18:00.000-08:00

Nigeria (CNSNews.com)--Islamic extremism in Nigeria has resulted in violence against Christians in northern Nigeria. Hundreds were killed in July when security forces clashed with members of the radical Islamic group Boko Haram. The Christian Association of Nigeria has said that "the incessant call for jihad in this country ... is becoming louder with the passing of each day."

Full Story.
Pray that the Father would thwart and frustrate every effort of the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram to advance and exterminate the Church in Nigeria.
Pray that the Christians in Nigeria would be bold in their witness for the gospel in the face of persecution.

Persecution of Christians in Palestinian Authority

2010-02-06T12:03:00.000-08:00

Palestinian Territory (Examiner)--Persecution of Christians continues in Gaza. One Christian man, Yusuf Khoury, was forced to flee Gaza after Hamas men attempted to capture him twice. After Hamas took over Gaza, the owner of the only Christian bookstore in the region was abducted and murdered. Christian stores and schools were firebombed. Unfortunately, the Western media largely ignores the plight of Christians in the Palestinian territory...

Full Story.
Pray for the Father to grant strength and courage to the Christians living in Palestinian territories.
Pray that the church would be stirred to pray and act for this often forgotten body of believers.

The Arrest and Unknown Condition of a Christian Iranian in Mashhad

2010-02-06T11:50:00.001-08:00

Iran (FCNN)--A Farsi News Network has reported that Iranian security officials broke into the home of a Christian woman in Mashhad on the morning of December 18th. The officials arrested the woman, Hamideh Najafi, after having thoroughly searched her home. Her location remains unknown. Security officers claim that officials seized some of Hamideh's belongings, including books, CDs, and hand painted portraits of Jesus Christ. The officers said that the existence of the painting could be enough to convict her in court...

Full Story.
Pray for Hamideh's safety and her witness for Christ.
Pray that Hamideh's husband would have success in locating his wife

New Believers Attacked by Family

2010-02-06T11:43:00.001-08:00

When Soumil Dutta, Shreyas Das and Saaz Das decided to surrender their lives to Christ, their families turned on them.
Their attackers beat them in an attempt to intimidate them in to denying Christ, but the three young men remained steadfast.
After the beating and threats did not work at home, the relatives tracked down Gospel for Asia–supported pastor Dadra Thackeray. Since it was through his church that these new Christians heard about Jesus, they threatened Dadra with extortion, saying they would make him pay 100,000 rupees ($2,164 US) for each person who became a believer through his church....

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Pastor Harassed by His Landlord

2010-02-06T11:38:00.000-08:00

Duval Banerjee, a Gospel for Asia–supported pastor, is facing some difficulties with his landlord.
After Sunday worship on January 24, Duval's landlord suddenly asked him to stop holding worship services in his family's home.The house owner also told Duval that his rent would be increasing. He even locked Duval and his family out of their bathroom.This is causing extreme difficulties for Duval and his wife, Prasela....

READ MORE
Picture Left:CFA Stock Photo:It is common in Asia for a missionary's home to double as a place of worship

Forced Islamization of Christian Girls Supported by Egyptian State

2010-02-06T11:22:00.000-08:00

Egypt (AINA)--A Christian TV channel that broadcasts intro Egypt has helped to expose the "phenomenon of abduction, rape and forced Islamization of Christian girls in Egypt." Many women who have been victims of these crimes shared their testimonies when the program aired in November. One of the testimonies shared was that of a 16-year-old girl who was abducted at the age of 12 on her way to school. She reported being taken into a room a raped by five men on the first night of her abduction. Over the next month, she said that over 50 men had raped her. When she was finally found by her father and brought back home to report the crime, she was beaten by security officers and ordered to claim that she ran away from home. The girl sobbed during her testimony, saying, "Until today they have done nothing about it and will not do anything because I am a Christian."

Full Story.
Pray that the Father would continue to bring comfort and complete healing to the victims of these crimes.
Pray that the Father would see that justice is achieved in each of these cases.

Indonesian Churches Demolished by Mob

2010-02-06T11:07:00.001-08:00

Indonesia (ICC)--International Christian Concern has learned that two church buildings were destroyed by Muslim mobs in December. The first church was attacked on December 17th by a mob of over 1000 Muslim men, women and children who threw rocks at the church and then proceeded to ignite the church building using kerosene. Previously, on December 6th, an Indonesian news source reported that a crowd "destroyed tiles, removed the windows, and then burned the church." Fortunately, no one was injured in either of the attacks....

Full Story.
Pray for the body of believers in Indonesia to take a stand for Jesus in the midst of rising persecution.
Pray that the Father would begin to draw Muslims in the region to Himself.

Israel's Messianic Jews Wary of Stepped-Up Persecution

2010-02-06T10:46:00.000-08:00

Israel (ReligionNewsService)Last year, a teenage boy was nearly killed when an Orthodox Jew placed a bomb disguised as a holiday gift basket in the stairwell of a Messianic Jewish family in Israel. The attack left then 15-year-old Ami with shrapnel wounds and burns over most of his body. Teitel, the attacker, confessed to leaving the package there because he knew the family believed in Jesus as the Messiah. Now, members of the community are concerned that this kind of persecution may continue to intensify as it has in recent years due to the growing activity and confidence of anti-missionary groups who routinely hold protests outside of Messianic places of worship....

Full Story.
Pray that Ami and his family would find justice as well as mercy for their attacker.
Pray that the number of Messianic believers in Israel would continue to grow in spite of persecution and draw Israel to the truth of their Messiah.

Missionary Injured in Accident

2010-02-06T10:19:00.000-08:00

Gospel for Asia–supported missionary Chandra Pavi was injured in an accident January 28. Chandra remains hospitalized for his injuries.The accident occurred when Chandra, who was riding a motorbike, collided with a tractor.
Chandra was unconscious after the accident, but some people who saw what happened loaded him in a car and took him to the nearest hospital...

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Books headed to Nepal in 2010

2010-02-06T10:13:00.001-08:00

Nepal (MNN)-In the year 2009, Christian Resources International shipped almost 200,000 Bibles and Christian literature to pastors in parts of the world where such materials are difficult to obtain. CRI's Fred Palmerton is excited about the needs the ministry will meet in 2010."We are just so grateful for the ending year and all the ministry that we were able to accomplish, and finding out that the needs didn't go away; [they're] still great," he said. "I'm looking forward to 2010. It's going to be an exciting year at the ministry, and God blessed us mightily"...

READ MORE

Picture Left:Courtesy of CRI

2010 starts with replacements, renewed passion and rebirth

2010-02-06T09:55:00.000-08:00

India-Audio Scripture units were the last 50 units available for distribution via Audio Scripture Ministries in India.The units were being sent to an office that was last on the distribution list and had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the units, but they never arrived. JP Sundararajan with ASM explains: "Essentially the units were stolen en route and replaced with a copy of an old Bible and some old medicine bottles etc. Somebody just swapped packages"....

READ MORE

Security Beefed Up for Peaceful Christmas in India

2009-12-29T16:39:00.000-08:00

NEW DELHI – Authorities in communally sensitive Kandhamal district, Orissa state, have beefed up security for vulnerable Christians.Thousands of police have been deployed in the district to prevent any attacks or violence during Christmas.
"All hot spot areas in Kandhamal have been secured. We have also intensified checking in all entry and exit points," said Superintendent of Police S. Praveen Kumar.He told media that police patrolling will be enhanced to ensure a trouble-free Christmas.
Major violence against Christians began during the Yuletide celebration in 2007. Dozens of churches were razed down and many were beaten on concocted allegations.Following this, the murder of a Hindu leader in August 2008 triggered one of the worst incidents of anti-Christian violence in the country. Hundreds were killed, thousands of homes were burned and looted, and churches were attacked by anti-social elements....
READ MORE

Christians in Vietnam Hold Another Historic Celebration

2009-12-29T16:22:00.000-08:00

HANOI (Compass Direct News)For the second time in 10 days, Protestant history was made in Vietnam Sunday when 12,000 people gathered for a Christmas rally here.The event, which took place in the large square in front of the entrance to My Dinh National Stadium in the heart of Hanoi, was said to be 10 times larger than any prior Protestant gathering in history in northern Vietnam. On Dec. 11 in southern Vietnam, an estimated 40,000 people attended a Christmas celebration in Ho Chi Minh City.
Local sources said long-requested written permission for the event, entitled “Praise Jesus Together,” never came in spite of several reminders. But four days before the event was to take place, Hanoi authorities and police told organizers – in words as close as they would get to granting permission – that they would “not interfere.”
“One can hardly overestimate the importance of such an event in the lives of northern house church Christians,” said one long-time Compass source. “For many, this will have been the first time to join in a large crowd with other Christians, to feel the growing power of their movement, to hear, see and participate in the high quality, and deeply spiritual mass worship.”
The day before the event, Christians gathered near the stadium for final prayer and to help with preparations. Witnesses said the huge public square at the entrance to the stadium was arrayed with thousands of stools rather than chairs – plastic, backless, and bright blue and red. In 10-foot tall letters, “JESUS’ was emblazoned on the backdrop to the stage...
READ MORE
--Unprecedented Christmas Gathering Held in Vietnam

Iraqi Christians Face Bomb Threats in Run-Up to Christmas

2009-12-29T16:05:00.000-08:00

Iraqi Christians buy a Christmas tree in central Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Dec. 14, 2009. Although the number of Christians has dropped in Iraq, Christmas, a national holiday in Iraq, is very popular in the capital.(Photo: AP Images / Karim Kadim)

Some churches in Iraq have canceled Christmas services to protect themselves against the threats of bombings on churches.Just a day before Christmas Eve, a bomb planted near Church of St. Thomas in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul killed two men and wounded five others on Wednesday.Earlier this month, a series of bombs left four people dead in Mosul.
"I’m very sad that we are not able to have our rituals for Christmas this year and not have a sermon, but we do not want any Christians to be harmed," Edward Poles, a Christian priest at Sa’a Church in Mosul, which was bombed last week, told The New York Times.
While Christians in the United States prepare to gather in churches and homes to celebrate Christmas, believers in more religiously restrictive countries face more intense persecution during the holiday season....
READ MORE

Ethnic Korean Pastor Expelled from Tianjin and Church Abolished

2009-07-05T21:17:00.000-07:00

Pastor Han Changxu

The Office of Religious Affairs notice abolishing Immanuel Church and banning Pastor Han Changxu from serving in the church

TIANJIN – On May 16, 2009, the Office for Religious Affairs in Jinghai county, Tianjin issued a notice abolishing Immanuel Church and banning Pastor Han Changxu, an ethnic Korean, from serving in the church.
Pastor Han Changxu , a native of Heilongjiang province, was ordained as a pastor by the Presbyterian Church in 2008. He has been serving in Immanuel Church in Jinghai county, Tianjin since 2004. During the 2008 Olympics, authorities in Tianjin placed Pastor Han on surveillance when they discovered he had contacts with missionaries from South Korea.
Authorities in Jinghai County of Tianjin have tried to prevent Pastor Han Changxu from having contact with churches in South Korea. In March of this year a Christian brother from South Korea attended a Sunday service at Immanuel Church, was detained by the PSB officers and subsequently expelled from China. Afterwards, authorities began to persecute the church and the pastors from both China and South Korea.
ChinaAid strongly denounces the relevant authorities in Jinghai County of Tianjin for their illegal action of persecuting freedom of belief. ChinaAid urges authorities in Jinghai County of Tianjin to restore Immanuel Church and restore freedom to Pastor Han Changxu to serve the church and to the believers to worship God.
Contact the Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C. to on behalf of Pastor Han Changxu and Immanuel Church:

Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong

3505 International Place, NW,

Washington, D.C. 20008

Tel: (202) 495-2000

Fax: (202) 588-9760

Source: http://www.Chinaid.org

PS:Please keep Pastor Changxu and Immanuel Church members as well as all their contacts in and outside China in your prayers.Help Pastor Changxu....!!!

As in the days of Noah...

Historic Church Ransacked in Northwest Pakistan

2009-07-05T21:10:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON, D.C.-International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that a historic church in a secure area of northwest Pakistan was ransacked and vandalized the night of May 11. Rev. Ijaz Masih, the pastor of St. George Grecian Church in Bannu Cantt, told ICC that he had presided over a beautiful Sunday service on May 10. On the morning of May 12, however, laborers who were working to renovate the church were shocked when they arrived and found the church's cross broken in pieces, the altar demolished and partially burned, Bibles and hymnbooks burned and torn apart, and the pews reduced to ashes. The attackers even ransacked the bathrooms and cemented over a plaque inscribed with the names of the donors responsible for the original construction of the building.Local Christians were astounded that the attackers could sneak into the church and vandalize it without being noticed by anyone in the neighborhood. They are especially concerned because the church is located within a military zone and thus is considered to be in a very secure location. Rev. Ijaz told ICC that he had started as the pastor of St. George Church two years ago, and that the Christians in Bannu Cantt had been living peacefully with their Muslim neighbors. Rev. Ijaz believes that the attack was carried out by radical Muslims linked to the Taliban or Al Qaeda with the goal of provoking a clash between local Christians and Muslims.A Christian advocacy group in Pakistan, the Center for Legal Aid, Assistance, and Settlement (CLAAS), reported that even though police have registered the attack, they are not investigating it as they would if the attack had been on a mosque.

Jeremy Sewall, ICC's Advocacy Director, said, "Please pray for the members of St. George, that God would give them courage in the midst of this frightening situation. This attack clearly shows that Muslim radicals continue to operate with impunity in Pakistan."

Source: http://www.persecution.org/

Christian workers retrenching after aid worker slain:Funeral services held for Leggett as Mauritania danger pegged at high

2009-07-05T21:02:00.000-07:00

Christian groups working in Mauritania are retrenching following the slaying of an aid worker by an organization reportedly linked to al-Qaida.According to a report from Compass Direct News, a man who had been working in the capital city of Nouakchott reported he and his team were being relocated to an undisclosed European city because of the turmoil."After the crime various believers were arrested, and the community of workers is going through very tense moments because of another threat by al-Qaida and the lack of security," the aid worker who had sought anonymity told the report. "Our leaders have asked us to leave the country for awhile, as the government had sent a security force of 10 policemen to guard our home 24 hours a day."...

Beaten by His Own Family for His Faith in Christ

2009-07-05T20:54:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON, D.C.-International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that a Pakistani man preparing to become a pastor was imprisoned for three months by his own family and continues to receive death threats on a regular basis for his decision to convert to Christianity. Malik Abbas Ali decided with his wife and children to become Christians on October 10, 2006, and Ali changed his name to Abad Masih (Masih is a Pakistani word referring to Jesus the Messiah). He had been living a comfortable life, known and respected by businessmen and politicians in Faisalabad, Pakistan. When his extended family heard about the conversion, however, everything changed.Abad's family and in-laws began to harass him repeatedly, accusing him of being a "crusader" and threatening him with "severe consequences" if he did not repent and return to Islam. In addition, they enlisted the support of Muslim religious leaders to put additional pressure on him. When words did not convince Abad to return to Islam, his family resorted to physical abuse. They forced him to sign away any rights to his inheritance or his current property.Abad had to flee his home, and has been playing a dangerous game of hide and seek with his family ever since. However, God has provided for him along the way. The director of a Christian ministry in Faisalabad gave them a place to live until Abad's family found out where he was staying. Abad fled again, this time to Karachi. In January 2008, however, Abad's in-laws discovered his location and revealed it to his parents. Abad's family then forcibly took him back to Faisalabad, beat him, and threatened to kill him if he did not return to Islam. With the help of religious leaders, they put him in prison for three months, where Abad was poorly treated and nearly died of starvation.After being released from prison in April 2008, Abad fled again. Three years of persecution has not diminished Abad's faith or the faith of his family. Though he continues to receive threatening phone calls, Abad told ICC that "those who believe in Christ are never afraid of hardships and sufferings." He puts his faith to practice by preaching in church and sharing his testimony whenever he gets the opportunity. Abad's wife, Sumera, told ICC, "We are true believers of Christ and the Lord Jesus Christ always guides us and gives us strength even though people stop supporting us. Without him, since we are human, it would not be possible to be strong in such hard circumstances." Abad is intending to enroll in a seminary on July 15 to become a pastor. God has paved the way for him to go as the head of the seminary has promised not to charge him tuition and agreed to take care of his children's schooling as well.

The head of Abad's church said, "Mr. Abad and his family are really an inspiration for all of us. We really feel strengthened by their strong faith. We request all of you to pray for them because they need it the most."

Please keep Abad and his family in your prayers.

Source: http://www.persecution.org/

Campus evangelists clash with police:Dispute over signs, 1st Amendment rights prompts 4 arrests, including felony charge

2009-07-05T20:24:00.000-07:00

A campus evangelism group is stunned today, as a ministry event at a community college in Ohio resulted in four members being arrested, one on a felony assault charge that the ministry's leader claims is fabricated."I've done ministries like this at more than 200 universities," said Jason Storms, director of Faithful Soldier School of Evangelism, a ministry of Mercy Seat Christian Church in Milwaukee, Wis. "We train people to do evangelism, and I have never seen an incident like this."Storms and a team of students earlier this week traveled to Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio, with signs, literature and a message of faith...

PICTURE LEFT:Arrest of evangelism student Daniel Pollion at Sinclair Community College

Family of Kidnapped Pastor Flee Home in Colombia

2009-07-05T19:27:00.000-07:00

According to Compass Direct News, the wife and children of pastor William Reyes, who was kidnapped last September in Colombia and is still missing, have moved from their home to another city due to threatening strangers presumably linked to his kidnappers. The Pastor had been receiving extortion threats from illegal armed groups operating in the La Guajira peninsula. Family members have not heard from Pastor Reyes since, nor have his abductors contacted the family to demand ransom....

Washington Post columnist:Christians "pernicious";Uses review of gardening book to deliver missionary dig

2009-07-05T19:06:00.000-07:00

A columnist at the Washington Post has used a column about a gardening book to deliver a dig at Christians, calling the missionaries who traveled to the Hawaiian Islands while the region still was a kingdom "pernicious."

Iran: Secret Believers Growing Despite Persecution

2009-07-05T18:56:00.000-07:00

"When they unpacked the Bibles in a house church, the Christians there were overjoyed. Their leader said: 'Here are brothers and sisters who have converted through Christian radio programs and have been waiting for a Bible for years. So we decided to fast and pray for one week. Today it's the last day!'"

(Santa Ana, CA)—Many Iranian people feel frustrated by Islam 30 years after the Islamic Revolution—reflected by the current protests in Iran after the controversial re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.They are searching for spiritual truth and some are finding it in Jesus. More than 100,000 are secret Christian Believers from a Muslim background who often meet together in rapidly growing house churches.Such Believers are actively targeted by authorities. 2008 marked the toughest year regarding Christian persecution since the Islamic Revolution.At the same time, the number of official Christians has halved from 250,000 Armenian and Assyrian Christians before the Islamic revolution of 1979 to around 125,000 now. Many have left Iran as a result of discrimination and persecution. Since the election of President Ahmadinedjad in 2005, Christian persecution has increased with security forces rigidly enforcing anti-Christian legislation.
Churches monitored by secret police

Around half of the 125,000 belong to the officially recognized Armenian, Assyrian and Chaldean Churches. They are allowed to teach their own people in their own language but it is forbidden to use Farsi to preach the Gospel. Many churches have a lot of visitors during their services which are monitored by the secret police.The other half, mainly Farsi speaking Believers, meet in small house churches or are reliant on satellite television for their spiritual nourishment. Often first generation Christians, they are desperate for Bibles and spiritual teaching in their own language.
Seed bearing fruit

New Christians often tell their family members, friends, neighbors, colleagues or fellow students about Jesus. One Iranian became a Christian while living away in Scandinavia. Within a month of his return home, 50 members of his extended family converted. By the time of his next visit one year later, the house church had grown to 250 members.One burglar stumbled upon a sermon in the Farsi language while trying out his stolen satellite dish. He gave his life to Christ, told his friends who also worked in the world of crime and today they form a house church of 12.According to an employee of the Iranian Home Ministry even children of government ministers and mullahs convert to Christianity.

Growing spiritually in hiding

Most house church members meet in secret to avoid the gaze of authorities, militant Islamists, informers and religious vigilantes. They rely on Christian radio and television programs, Internet and books in Farsi to grow spiritually."Once we sent Bible couriers into a remote town," says Stefan van Dijk (not his real name), Open Doors' operations head for Iran. "When they unpacked the Bibles in a house church the Christians there were overjoyed. Their leader said: 'Here are brothers and sisters who have converted through Christian radio programs and have been waiting for a Bible for years. So we decided to fast and pray for one week. Today it's the last day!'"Muslim background Believers from Iran tell about visions and dreams as a reason for converting, more than any other country in the Middle East...
Source: Open Doors USA

North Korea threatens foreign Christians:Warns of 'something bad' for group that sent Gospel via fax

2009-07-05T18:50:00.000-07:00

North Korea,busy in recent weeks launching test missiles, exploding test bombs and warning the world it will respond with a barrage of weapons should it be attacked, is not neglecting its assault on Christianity.
The nation has responded to a campaign to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the world with a threatening fax sent to the Christian ministry Voice of the Martyrs....

Iranian Christians Refuse to Accept Election Results

2009-07-05T18:33:00.000-07:00

Here’s the latest Open Doors USA press release on the Iran situation:
SANTA ANA, Calif., June 16 – In Tehran many Iranians haven’t accepted the results of the presidential elections held last Friday. News reports show protesters streaming through the streets of Iran’s capital. There are also reports that Ayatollah Khamenei has directed the Guardian Council to examine claims of election fraud after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was declared the runaway winner.
Open Doors learned through its contacts that voters are frustrated and have lost trust in Iran’s government in cities outside of Tehran.
Iranian Christian Daryush (not his real name) from Shiraz reports: “In my neighborhood there is no evidence of any skirmishes or demonstrations and also no celebration from the elections anymore. The streets have been swept clean. But the evidence that we have trouble in Shiraz is the constant presence of the various security forces and the military helicopter I saw flying overhead. But I have only driven around my own neighborhood, so I can’t speak for the entire city.” In other districts of the southwestern city of Shiraz the situation is grimmer. Daryush shares: “Friends told me that young people in Shiraz are being arrested and that they’ve seen young men and women being beaten or worse. A friend who lives near the university and student dorms told me she heard screaming, shouting and gunfire in the early hours of the morning. The predominately young demonstrators are calling Ahmadinejad a dictator and yell chants like ‘Ma dolate zoor nemikhaim’ meaning ‘we don’t want a government of force.’ They also yell at the security forces and call them traitors and vote-stealers. A friend said that within the security forces are pro-Mousavi followers, saying ‘beechareh shodim!’ or ‘we are without hope.’”Daryush shares that the “majority of people I spoke with consider the elections a fraud and don’t accept the results at all. A friend of our family lives in Shahe Cheragh, which is a predominantly religious and conservative district of Shiraz. He said that even in that district a huge numbers of votes went to Mousavi.”Daryush continues: “There are those who have never voted, didn’t vote this time and will never vote under this regime. They look at the rest of us as naive ones and say, ‘See, we told you that the one who had been previously selected would win the election.’ Others I speak with say they will never participate in an election again because ‘it was a total fraud.’”While some Iranians never accepted this form of government, a certain percentage has considered the Islamic Republic of Iran to being a “limited democracy.” Daryush explains that “although the candidates were hand-picked and had the regime’s stamp of approval, at least we had a choice within those limits. This election, however, showed us that the Iranian people don’t have a ‘limited democracy,’ but as some are now saying ‘no democracy at all…we have an Islamic dictatorship.’”
Open Doors spokesman John Fox observes that Christians in general voted for Mousavi and hope for new elections: “We cannot generalize our observations to all Christians, but we asked 29 Christians from Tehran, Shiraz and Isfahan and all voted for Mousavi. One of them said, ‘for us bad is better than worse. Mousavi also promised more religious freedom, so I hope he does not lie.’”
Open Doors USA President/CEO Carl Moeller adds that “we need to continue to pray for the situation in Iran, especially for the Christians caught in the crossfire. This could be a pivotal point in the history of Iran and the future of believers who live there.”
(For more information or to set up an interview, please contact Jerry Dykstra at JerryD@odusa.org).

http://spiritualcourage.wordpress.com/

PS:Please keep Iran in your prayers since this situation is far from over...

As in the days of Noah....

Muslims attack fleeing Christians with acid:9 women, 4 children injured by rampage

2009-07-05T17:43:00.000-07:00

A door to a Christian's home in Pakistan demolished by a Muslim mob in this photograph from the Barnabas Aid

Wreckage of a Christian's home damaged by a Muslim mob in this photograph from the Barnabas Aid

Muslims apparently angered because a Christian man driving a tractor reportedly tried to pass a Muslim on a motorcycle have rampaged in one village in Pakistan, destroying Christians' homes and throwing acid on women and children as they fled, according to a new report from Barnabas Aid.

The ministry reported that the violence this week happened in the village of Bahmani Walla in Punjab state in Pakistan, which is dominated by Islamic influences.
The report said 600 Muslims used gasoline bombs to vandalize 117 homes belonging to Christians – including 48 damaged by fire, and sabotage water pumps and cut electricity...

To read more go to:

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=102978

ICC reports the incident too:

Muslim Mob Burns Down 100 Christian Homes in Pakistan:Riot Incited via Mosque Loudspeakers; Mob Throws Acid on Women and Children....

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 1, 2009) - This morning 100 Christian houses and churches were set on fire by local Muslims in the city of Kasur South, east of Lahore, Pakistan.The riots were incited by broadcasts from local mosques.This incident is similar to a February 1997 attack when thousands of Christian houses and churches were burned and hundreds of Christians were injured.ICC partners received the news this morning and went immediately to the scene to help injured Christians transferred to Lahore, renting two mini vans for this purpose.So far 9 burned women and 4 children have been transferred to Lahore for further medical treatment.All of them have been injured by throwing acid on them. Local police have arrived on the scene but the situation is out of control as thousands of Muslims have gathered for this purpose.

More details to follow.

Please call the Pakistani embassy in your country to ask them to protect the Christians in Kasur South.

Pakistan Embassies:

USA:(202) 243-6500

Canada:(613) 238-7881

UK:0870-005-6967

HATE CRIMES BILL WATCH:500,000 letters protest "Pedophile Protection Act":Unprecedented campaign stalls action by upper house

2009-06-23T17:14:00.000-07:00

The delivery of more than a half-million individual letters sent by Fed Ex to the 100 U.S. senators objecting to a "hate crimes" bill approved by the House has, according to some sources familiar with the process, stalled approval of legislation that has been condemned as "The Pedophile Protection Act."The campaign, organized by WND columnist Janet Porter(picture left), who also heads the Faith2Action Christian ministry, permits activists to send individually addressed letters to all 100 senators over their own "signature" for only $10.95. Nearly half a million letters have thus far been sent by nearly 5,000 participants in the campaign.
Sources working with senators opposing the legislation say the campaign has shaken up the dynamics of the debate....

PERSECUTION USA:San Diego Officials Threaten Pastor for Holding Home Bible Studies

2009-05-30T11:32:00.000-07:00

"The county asked, 'Do you have a regular meeting in your home?' She said, 'Yes.' 'Do you say amen?' 'Yes.' 'Do you pray?' 'Yes.' 'Do you say praise the Lord?' 'Yes.'"

PERSECUTION USA:Couple:"County Trying To Stop Home Bible Studies"

2009-05-29T10:31:00.000-07:00

SAN DIEGO-A local pastor and his wife claim they were interrogated by a San Diego County official, who then threatened them with escalating fines if they continued to hold Bible studies in their home, 10News reported.
Attorney Dean Broyles of The Western Center For Law & Policy was shocked with what happened to the pastor and his wife....

Hundreds of thousands of letters given to senators"Campaign in opposition to 'hate crimes' provisions growing"

2009-05-23T15:40:00.000-07:00

Hundreds of thousands of letters have been dispatched to members of the U.S. Senate suggesting that the so-called "hate crimes" bill now pending before committee is the wrong way for the country to move....
Picture left:Part of the FedEx campaign of letters from citizens opposing the "hate crimes" bill.

Senate letter calls for filibuster of "hate crimes" bill:"Do not silence pastors nor penalize people of faith"

2009-05-23T15:26:00.000-07:00

A Texas pastor has written an open letter to the U.S. Senate, asking someone, anyone, to filibuster pending "hate crimes" legislation and stop what he calls a "maddening march to the destruction of our First Amendment right to freely practice our religion."

As WND has reported, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 would provide special protections to homosexual people but leave Christian ministers open to prosecution should their teachings be linked to any subsequent offense, by anyone, against a homosexual person...

'Patriot pastors' called to crush 'hate crimes' bill:Ministers ordered to fight for freedom, against criminalization of Christianity

2009-05-23T15:20:00.000-07:00

America has become a morally bankrupt society that embraces intolerance against Christians, including a new push for "hate crimes" legislation, according to one pastor who believes it's all because church leaders have failed to do their jobs.But this Memorial Day weekend he is calling ministers to fight for those freedoms – from their pulpits.
"Pastors, if you wonder who is to blame for America's slide from the 'Ozzie and Harriet' morality of yesteryear to the 'Brokeback Mountain' immorality of today, look in the mirror," said Pastor Paul Blair of Fairview Baptist Church in Edmond, Okla.

Military burns unsolicited Bibles sent to Afghanistan

2009-05-23T15:15:00.001-07:00

Military personnel threw away, and ultimately burned, confiscated Bibles that were printed in the two most common Afghan languages amid concern they would be used to try to convert Afghans, a Defense Department spokesman said Tuesday.

Christian cross complaint targets nation's faith factor:Campaign assembled to protect recognition of veterans' sacrifices

2009-05-23T15:11:00.000-07:00

A cross erected in the remote southern California desert by U.S. veterans in memory of their lost World War I buddies has become the focal point for an effort by the American Civil Liberties Union to eradicate references to Christianity from America's heritage.
But now a campaign has been assembled to fight back, to honor the veterans who have kept the nation safe for generations and to endorse the right of the public to acknowledge those efforts.
Liberty Legal Institute has launched a new website called Don't Tear Me Down that describes the attack on the cross in the desert, which now needs a favorable ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court or faces demolition....

Challenge to mandatory government sex-ed grows:'Parents well within rights to teach children in accord with religious beliefs'

2009-05-23T15:08:00.000-07:00

A German school district's demand that Christian parents submit their 9- and 10-year-old children to a mandatory four-day state-run sex education program that violates their religious beliefs is being challenged now by a second family before the European Court of Human Rights.
The newest challenge is being raised by the Alliance Defense Fund on behalf of Willi and Anna Dojan, who have eight children and are active in the Christian Evangelical Baptist Church....

Christian Brothers Spend Two Months in Prison for Blasphemy:Released After Intervention by Police and Christian Lawyers

2009-05-21T21:27:00.000-07:00

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that two Christian brothers accused of "blasphemy" against Islam in Pakistan were released from prison on April 16 after police and Christian groups were able to negotiate a settlement with their accusers out of court. However, even the accusation of blasphemy can stigmatize a person in Pakistan for life, and Christian leaders fear that these two Christian men will not be able to continue their work and school due to this incident. Naveed Aziz, 17, was originally accused of blasphemy on January 27 in Narrowal, Pakistan, by a fellow student who noticed a pamphlet in his bag. The student told an instructor that Naveed was carrying "blasphemous" material, and the teacher proceeded to search Naveed's bag, confiscate the pamphlet, and report him to the principal. A group of angry Muslim students crowded the principal's office, demanding that Naveed be expelled from the school and handed over to police. The principal attempted to calm down the situation, but did agree to expel Naveed from the school.News of Naveed's pamphlet spread, however, and one week later Muslim students from nearby high schools and colleges conducted a rally against Naveed.Radical Muslim groups persuaded the mob to seize Naveed and his brother, Pastor Shafiq Masih, 35, burn their house and stone them. Police intervened by arresting the two brothers and taking them to prison.This provides a rare case of Pakistani police defending Christian minorities, as the police did not permit the accusers to file a court case against the two men. Instead, when a Christian legal group came to investigate the situation, they found that police were attempting to allow a local "Peace Committee" to negotiate an out-of-court agreement between the Muslim accusers and the two brothers. As a result of intervention by the Center for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS), a Christian legal group, the two brothers were finally released on April 16 after spending two and a half months in prison.Jeremy Sewall, ICC's Advocacy Director, said, "While this is an encouraging victory, these two brothers will face intense social pressure from Muslims who see even the accusation of blasphemy as reason enough for execution. Until Pakistan can address this societal pressure, even the best policing in the world will not be able to protect Pakistani Christians."
http://www.persecution.org/

CHINA:PSB Officers Return 150,000 Yuan to Pastor Bike

2009-05-21T21:22:00.000-07:00

HENAN – On April 17, at 9 a.m. local time, Pastor “Bike” Zhang Mingxuan was summoned to the Nanyang Public Security Bureau (PSB) office where authorities returned the 150,000 yuan that officials had confiscated from him on March 21 by the Beijing PSB. This action came as a direct result of international pressure after ChinaAid sent out a press release on the story. Pastor Bike told ChinaAid sources, “The authorities gave the money back, because of the pressure. Hallelujah! We will continue the ministry and fight for religious freedom.”
Pastor Bike, head of the more than 250,000-member Chinese House Church Alliance, was arrested and interrogated at 6 a.m. on March 21 by more than a dozen police officers in Beijing. Authorities confiscated his three cell phones, bank cards and more than 150,000 yuan from one of Pastor Bike’s bank accounts, before forcefully searching him and threatening him with death. Three hours later, Beijing authorities turned Pastor Bike over to three police officers from Pastor Bike’s hometown in Nanyang city, Henan province. Police then escorted Pastor Bike back to Nanyang by train, where he was questioned by local police. Beijing authorities later returned the bank cards and cell phones, but kept the 150,000 yuan.
ChinaAid, together with Pastor Bike, thank all around the world who spoke out on his behalf. The international pressure held Chinese authorities accountable, which directly led to the return of the funds. ChinaAid also acknowledges the Nanyang PSB and Beijing PSB for returning the funds.
For more information please visit:
http://www.monitorchina.org/

http://www.ChinaAid.org

Pray for Marzieh and Maryam from Iran....!!!

2009-05-21T20:59:00.000-07:00

Would you take a moment to join us in prayer for the safety and protection of two formerly Muslim women who recently became Christians?

These two Christian women live in Iran:
Marzieh Amairizadeh Esmaeilabad, 30, and Maryam Rustampoor, 27, were imprisoned by Iranian officials on March 5 and incarcerated in the infamous Evin prison. Inmates at this prison are tortured and face other forms of mistreatment.The two women were imprisoned because they were practicing their Christian faith, but Iranian officials allege that they were involved in 'anti-government activities.'
Iranian officials asked the women to post bail at the staggering amount of $400,000 in order to be released, but when Marzieh's sisters tried to pay the bail fee, the government officials refused to accept it. This makes it clear that the Iranian officials are determined to severely punish our Christian sisters.
Both women are allowed just a one minute telephone call every day to their immediate families. Both are unwell and in need of urgent medical attention. During their last call on March 28, Marzieh said that she was suffering from an infection and a high fever. She said 'I am dying.'
--Please pray that both women will be released from prison.
--Pray that the Holy Spirit would give them strength and comfort in the face of torture and other mistreatment that they experience.
--Pray that the Lord would give strength to their families.

http://www.persecution.org/

PS:Please remember to pray for these two sisters...The infamous Evin prison is the same where american journalist was held at.If you remember the news,she was released last week and is actually now resting in Austria with her parents and friends...

Please remember all those christians imprisoned and tortured there daily,

Pray for the authorities in Iran,too

As in the days of Noah...

Sharia law does not bode well for believers in Pakistan

2009-05-21T20:54:00.000-07:00

The Taliban has now officially enforced sharia law over the Swat valley in what looks like a desperately attempt by the government to create peace with the group. It appears to have had the opposite effect...

Update:ChinaAid Christmas Care Packs Field Report

2009-05-21T20:38:00.000-07:00

CHINA – December 2008, ChinaAid Association together with The Voice of the Martyrs – Canada partnered with house church leaders to distribute 2,500 Christmas Care Packs for Chinese children. Each child received a school backpack filled with items such as school supplies, candy, socks or mittens and a Bible storybook.
Every year during the week of Christmas, Christians across China experience increased persecution.In 2008, ChinaAid contacts reported 44 Christians arrested and many house churches and homes raided.

ChinaAid thanks all who supported this project to bless China’s children during Christmas. ChinaAid received the following field report from house church leaders about the Christmas Care Pack distribution:
"Local house church Christians had the privilege of distributing the ChinaAid-The Voice of the Martyrs Canada Christmas Care packs to ethnic minority children in Inner Mongolia. Twenty house church Christians requested to hand the gifts to the children at a Christmas party on December 21. On December 20, more than 2,200 Christmas Care Packs were delivered to the house church. A special truck was rented to transport the gifts and the distribution teams to several cities.
In Xinjiang, an elder in the house church, prayed over the gifts, touching them with his hands. He said, “These gifts came from North America, as if sent by neighbors. Remember our Lord loves the Chinese. Thank You, Lord, thank You for our American and Canadian brothers and sisters. You commanded us to love our neighbor, as we love ourselves.”
Some of the children live on a mountain in Guizhou province. They had never seen such a beautiful book bag and such wonderful Christmas presents. They rejoiced, jumping up and down. They cheered and sang loudly, “Hallelujah, praise to the Lord!”
At another distribution point on the Yunnan borders, there are many ethnic minority villages. More than 90% of these villagers are Christians. They love the Lord very much, though they live in stark poverty. The pastor had to send their gifts by donkey. When the gifts arrived, the teachers and the children went to welcome the “donkey train” at the entrance of the village 10 miles away. When the parents saw their children holding new book bags, they said, “Thank You, Heavenly Father, thanks to our Lord!” The children, responded, “Thank you American and Canadian Christian uncles and aunts; we welcome you to visit us in Yunnan.”
Another group of believers, the Zhejiang house church, sent the gifts with five of their missionaries. They rented a truck, loaded the Christmas Care packs, and drove to Sichuan province. In this earthquake-stricken area, the missionaries invited the orphans to come to receive a Christmas Care pack. The children responded with grateful tears. The missionaries admonished the children saying, “Be sure to live with our Lord and grow up in Him, like the uncles and aunts in North America, to help others and become a blessing of Jesus.”
For more information please visit:
http://www.monitorchina.org/

http://www.chinaaid.org/

PS:I praise the Lord for these wonderful news coming from as far as Inner Mongolia....!

Please keep these precious christian communities in your prayers....!

Also visit the China Aid website and see how you can get involved and help....!!!

As in the days of Noah...

SRI LANKA (Compass Direct News):"Buddhist Mobs Attack Churches"

2009-05-21T20:33:00.000-07:00

Buddhist mobs attacked several churches in Sri Lanka last week, threatening to kill a pastor in the southern province of Hambanthota and ransacking a 150-year-old Methodist church building in the capital. The pastor, Pradeep Kumara, has said that Buddhist extremists have come to his home and threatened him in person, as well as calling him. They are threatening to kill him if he does not leave the village. The 150-year-old Pepiliyana Methodist Church was completely emptied. The theft of items that had no monetary value, but great personal value, such as baptism and marriage records, are leading local police to believe that robbery was not the motive. Full Story.
--Pray for the safety of Pradeep Kumara and his family.

--Pray that the police are able to aprehend the individuals who robbed the church.

--Pray for the Buddhists who are persecuting Sri Lankan Christians.

http://www.persecution.org

INDIA (All India Christian Council):"Pastor Arrested in Andhra Pradesh"

2009-05-21T20:29:00.000-07:00

On April 6, Pastor Prabhu Dass and two other Christians went to pray in a local believer's home. Pastor Dass gave a tract to someone along the way, and that person immediately told anti-Christian groups. The pastor was threatened by those individuals and accused of attempting to convert people. They took him to the local police station, where he is being held. Other local pastors have been unable to discover what the charges against Pastor Dass are, and they are attempting to post bail for him. Full Story.
--Pray for the safety of Pastor Prabhu Dass.

--Pray that the charges against him are dropped, and that he is released.

--Pray for the conversion of the man who rallied the anti-Christian groups against Pastor Dass.

http://www.persecution.org

Villagers Find Severed Head of Kidnapped Christian Farmer in Philippines:Al-Qaeda-linked radical group beheads elderly hostage in series of kidnapping

2009-05-21T20:23:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 19, 2009) - International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on Sunday, May 17, villagers discovered the severed head of an elderly Christian farmer who had been abducted by Muslim militants in the southern Philippines nearly a month ago. Police believe these militants had transferred the victim to the Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group that is currently holding at least five other hostages. The son of 61-year-old Doroteo Gonzales identified his father's face on Monday after police took on the case. His family had been warned that Gonzales would be killed if they did not pay the ransom of 25 million pesos ($525,000) by Saturday. Gunmen captured Gonzales from his home in Zamboanga city on April 25 and delivered him into the hands of Abu Sayyaf rebels on nearby Basilan Island. The extremist group, infamous for its brutality against Christians and foreigners, has ramped up its efforts to raise money for its activities by embarking on a kidnapping spree throughout the southern part of the country.Christians are often favored targets for these kidnappings. Just last month, militants beheaded another Christian farmer, Cosme Aballes, whom they had taken captive after raiding a Christian community in the same province. According to the BBC, the Philippine government says the radical Muslim group has been trying to evict Christians from its Basilan Island base. Abu Sayyaf and other Muslim militants have been warring in the southern Philippines for almost 30 years to establish an independent Islamic state. In 2007, Abu Sayyaf rebels ordered civilians to deliver the severed heads of seven kidnapped Christians to military outposts in Jolo, another southern Philippine island.Three teachers, a lending-firm collector, and a peace activist are known hostages on Basilan Island. In Jolo, the extremist group is still holding Italian Red Cross Worker Eugenio Vagni, who was captured along with his two colleagues in January. ICC's Regional Manager for East Asia, Natalia Rain, said, "Imagine living in a state where you know you may be seized from your home at any moment and have your fate thrust into the hands of radical terrorists. The brazenness of men who would behead an elderly man for his impoverished family's failure to pay an outrageous ransom should wake us up to the horrifying reality of this thirty-year conflict."

http://www.persecution.org/

PS:Please keep our brothers and sisters in the Philippines in your prayers...!!!!

As in the days of Noah...

AZERBAIJIAN:"Amendments threaten religious freedom"

2009-05-21T20:10:00.000-07:00

Azerbaijani Christians face a serious loss of religious freedom, as the government completes the process of amending the country's religion law.
The presidential administration prepared the amendments, and parliament passed them at the beginning of May....

Christians at higher risk after UN conference

2009-05-07T12:39:00.000-07:00

International (MNN) ― Several national leaders continue to seethe after Iranian President Ahmadinejad inappropriately made anti-Semitic remarks at a United Nations conference on racism.The dispute over Iran's and Israel's issues caused such a distraction that more pressing matters which should have been addressed in a discussion about racism were dismissed. David Harder of the Christian satellite television network for the Middle East and North Africa, SAT-7, notes the discrepancy from the conference."One of the things that's overarching is that by bringing up issues that Iran has with Israel, they was able to completely neglect the treatment of Christians in the Middle East and North Africa."The topic of Muslim subjugation seems to be brought up quite often in international circles, while the persecution of the Christian minority in the Middle East and North Africa is very much ignored. "There are Christians that live in every country in the region and they suffer; they have difficult times," says Harder."Sometimes the pressure is very overt, and sometimes it's very subtle. Unfortunately, those things weren't dealt with."

Christians in hostile areas are at even higher risk now that many of their leaders feel contempt toward the West, due to some Western delegates walking out of the UN conference."Whenever there is animosity towards the West in general, unfortunately the Christian believers in other countries throughout the region are often targeted because many people view Christianity as a Western religion. They don't realize that it truly is a Middle Eastern religion."Harder notes that many people in the West seem to forget this, too, and often do not think about Christians living in the Middle East or North Africa. Although they may be a minority, their presence is still vibrant.To help brothers and sisters in Christ in these areas, Harder encourages you to find and support a ministry that works there. SAT-7 creates television programs to encourage these believers, as well as to reach out to unbelievers. The ministry has seen a great deal of transformation in the region and continues to watch people in countries such as Iraq and Jordan come to the Lord, especially as a result of recent SAT-7 Easter programs.

To help SAT-7 reach more for Christ, click here.
Above all, these persecuted Christians need prayer.

Pray for their safety and protection as tensions rise toward the West.

Pray that they would be free to worship as many of other religions are able.
http://www.mnnonline.org/article/12577

As in the days of Noah...

Media celebrities appear on SAT-7's Easter program

2009-05-07T12:28:00.000-07:00

Lebanon (MNN)-In the Middle East, Lebanon has the largest indigenous Christian community by percentage; around 30 percent of Lebanon's population is comprised of believers.Some of these believers have influential roles in Lebanon media, and they shared their faith recently on a special SAT-7 Easter program titled "And Follow Me." As hosts of many well-known Lebanon T.V. programs, many viewers weren't aware that they were Christians.The hosts shared the importance of their faith and profiled a number of ministries working to help the area's poor, refugees and orphans. Also featured were a number of musical performances recorded in front of a live studio audience.The vast majority of people in the Middle East don't know the claims of Jesus: His divinity, His death and resurrection. Most non-Christians are taught that Jesus was only a man, and they believe that Judas either took Christ's place on the cross or that Jesus didn't really die and was later revived. A holiday such as Easter, which celebrates Christ's resurrection, is foreign to many in the Middle East.SAT-7 broadcast the truth of Easter through their holiday special and many other Easter programs shown through the month of April. Live youth and children's shows, films, live church services, and documentaries all describe the reality of Christ's resurrection.
Pray that these special programs will prompt many to inquire about the Gospel and search the Scriptures.
Over $750,000 is needed to cover the costs of special productions, programming and air time for all three SAT-7 channels. If you could help meet these financial needs, click here to donate.

http://www.mnnonline.org/article/12549

As in the days of Noah...

UZBEKISTAN:Urgent prayer needed for SGA-sponsored pastor

2009-05-07T11:59:00.000-07:00

Uzbekistan (MNN)-As religious oppression continues in Uzbekistan, ripple effects are reaching innocent children. Pastor Pavel Nenno, sponsored by the Slavic Gospel Association, was detained at the beginning of the month on illegal religious activity charges. The pastor's family is concerned for his health, as he has been sent to a strict confinement facility and has very high blood pressure."We really need people to pray that the Lord would intervene in the situation," said SGA's Joel Griffith, "that Pavel would be released, and that this case actually would be thrown out."As a result of Nenno's imprisonment, his center for homeless children was shut down. One of the children who regularly attended Nenno's center went to play at a local train station because the center was closed. What started as innocent play soon had devastating results."Apparently the child slipped in front of a train, and his leg was severed,"Griffith said.On March 27, while Nenno was leading activities for the 65 children who regularly attend his center, police raided the building and confiscated two computers containing his communications with SGA. They also took Bibles, a small pastor's library, and Nenno's work files.Although he was arrested at the time, Nenno was soon released, and the case was thought to be settled with a fine. However, Nenno was immediately arrested again after appearing in court and sentenced to 15 days in jail.He faces several charges, including conducting illegal religious activities with children and using Christian literature in educational activities with children.Nenno's wife asks for urgent prayer; he has been taken to a strict facility where the cells have no beds, and family isn't allowed to bring him food. Nenno has extremely high blood pressure, and his wife is meeting with the police officials in charge of this case.Religious oppression has increased in Uzbekistan, with a rise in police raids, detentions of believers, and deportations of foreigners participating in religious activities.In a documentary aired last year on Uzbek television, missionary activities were placed on the same level as "religious dogmatism, fundamentalism, terrorism and drug addiction."But while churches in Uzbekistan feel increased governmental pressure, Griffith says religious oppression is not unique to the country."This seems to be something that's just spreading across those former Soviet republics in Asia which are largely Muslim in make-up."

http://www.mnnonline.org/article/12541

PS:Please remember this precious family in prayer and pray for the inmediate release of Pastor Pavel..Pray for all those former soviet republics in Asia...

As in the days of Noah...

"Taliban wants Pakistan"...says Open Doors

2009-05-07T11:44:00.000-07:00

Pakistan (MNN)Taliban-enforced sharia law went into effect this week in part of Pakistan's Northwest Frontier Province, and many believe this is the first step toward seizing control of the country.President of Open Doors USA Carl Moeller agrees."Look at the prize that's on the table with Pakistan. You have a country with nuclear weapons, the fifth or sixth largest army in the world, sea port access, and it's geo-politically strategic enough that the United States has invested billions of dollars there over the course of 50 years," he says.Pakistan ceding this part of the country to the Taliban means it's only a matter of time. Moeller says, "I think we've got about 12 to 18 months before Pakistan falls into utter chaos. There's no unifying force against these extremists. So, most people are really nervous."While sharia law has just been implemented, already the Taliban is exercising harsh punishment. According to published reports, an adult couple who attempted to elope was executed because these families didn't approve of the marriage. In another case, a 17-year-old girl was beaten severely for talking to a man who wasn't her husband.According to Moeller that punishment will affect the minority Christians. "The Taliban have no conscience when it comes to taking out their perceived offenses against Islam, against Christians will extreme violence -- murder and public humiliation and beatings."This is a concern because many of the people doing humanitarian work in Pakistan are Christians. "People don't realize there may be six or eight million Christians in Pakistan," says Moeller. "A number of these people are doctors, nurses, and other workers that are in these areas and are experiencing great repression. Some have been kidnapped and have disappeared." Sharia law has already had a negative impact on the church, says Moeller."The Muslim-background believer church is in deep hiding right now because of the increased violence against visible Christians."Open Doors is providing help for these believers. "Those who have turned to Christ from Islam, in many cases, have to relocate. They have to get new identities because their families will carry out the dictates of sharia law against them: anyone who leaves Islam is an apostate and worthy of death."Despite the oppression, Moeller says church leaders are still committed to preaching the Gospel. He spoke at a recent pastor's conference and came away moved. "They were rejoicing in the prospect of taking the Gospel to people who are afraid and hurting. In general, when people are fearful and there's a great foreboding, the message of the Gospel resonates more deeply in people's hearts and souls."
In the meantime, Moeller is asking people to pray.
He's hoping more than 100,000 people will commit to pray for Pakistan and other countries where Christians face persecution daily.
http://www.mnnonline.org/article/12552
As in the days of Noah...

IRAN:Pray for Mohsen and Feresthe

2009-05-07T11:36:00.000-07:00

When the Iranian secret police arrested Brother Mohsen, they made their intentions clear. First and foremost, they wanted to punish him for his “apostasy” by leaving Islam to follow Jesus Christ. But this was not their only aim. They also wanted to force Mohsen to divulge the names of his contacts, to tell them about his network, and to disclose the names of the others he was ministering to.But Mohsen stood firm. Angered by his silence, the secret police resorted to torture. But still Mohsen refused.Angered by his silence, the secret police resorted to torture.to speak.The torture continued until Mohsen was so ill that he was granted bail in order to receive medical treatment. Some of his teeth were broken. His spinal cord was damaged and his face injured.Knowing that the secret police would quickly return to take Mohsen back into custody, he and his wife Feresthe seized the opportunity to escape.They managed to leave Iran and sought refuge in Turkey.Now, several months later, Mohsen and Feresthe, along with their 12-year-old son, are waiting to hear the result of their United Nations asylum application.They greatly value your prayers for the outcome—to return to Iran would mean certain imprisonment and possible execution. Meanwhile, Mohsen and Feresthe are seeking to serve the Lord in their new town. Each week they meet with a small group of Iranian believers also seeking refuge in Turkey.

Please pray that the Lord will encourage and uphold each of them, and that He will provide for the families’ practical and financial needs.
http://www.opendoorsusa.org/content/view/936
PS:Continue to pray for this family and the many iranians seeking asylum and the persecuted believers in Turkey.To know more about this and other cases,you can always visit the Open Doors website at:
http://www.opendoorsusa.org
As in the days of Noah...

Brother Sani says, "I cannot thank you enough... God has used you mightily!":Your prayers are answered as Nigerian Christian is freed from jail

2009-05-07T11:29:00.000-07:00

When a Nigerian court sentenced him to three years in jail back in late 2007, Brother Sani cried out to God for help. And thankfully, the Lord heard his cry. Today, having served less than half his sentence, Sani is a free man!Sentenced on blasphemy charges, and without the right to appeal, Sani’s legal situation was bleak at the outset. Open Doors intervened and quickly hired a lawyer for Sani. Despite many challenges and threats during the legal proceedings, our lawyer held his ground and fought tirelessly for Sani’s freedom. His perseverance paid off. Finally, the judge had no option but to release Sani on the grounds of lack of evidence. “I cannot thank you enough,” exclaims Sani. “I never thought I would be out of prison by now. But God has used you mightily to fight on my behalf. No one but you came to help me. Thank you!”But it’s not only our legal support for which Sani thanks God. He and his family have been overwhelmed by the love and concern of Open Doors supporters around the world, expressed in prayers and letters of encouragement.“I think God loves me most by giving me these people to pray for me. There is such unity in the Body of Christ! I don’t know these people, but my God knows them all—and He will bless them!”Brother I, a local Open Doors co-worker, visited Sani soon after his release. “I could see in Sani how the prayers of believers around the world were at work,” I says. “Sani is full of life and zealous to keep walking with the Lord after his experience.”What a joy to see how the Lord has been at work in sustaining and strengthening Sani during his time in prison, and has brought about his miraculous release.

Thank you for praying..!

http://www.opendoorsusa.org/content/view/935

PS:Oh My God....!Look at his face.....! and all those letters....!PRAISE GOD he IS FREE....!!!!!Continue to pray for him,for his safety,protection and provision....!!!

As in the days of Noah...

NIGERIA WATCH:Meeting the Physical and Spiritual Needs of Stricken Believers in Jos

2009-05-07T11:20:00.000-07:00

The Christians of the city of Jos are familiar with suffering. The capital of Plateau state, a Christian region bordered by seven Islamic sharia* states, has seen much violence in recent years.Still vivid in the memories of the people of Jos is the outbreak of rioting in 2001. During those months of violence, hundreds lost their lives in the fighting, which led to much bloodshed, carnage and untold suffering.The people of Jos were fearful when tensions began to rise again last November. Their worst fears were quickly realized when once again violence erupted.Official reports claim that this most recent bloodbath was politically motivated because Muslims were unhappy with the outcome of local elections. Some Christian leaders think, however, that extremists used the elections as an excuse to rid Jos of Christians and to move towards forcibly claiming the city for Islam.Whatever the cause, the results of the violence are stark. More than 30,000 people were displaced from their homes, and are now living in makeshift camps. Forty-five church buildings were looted and burned. And 129 Christians—including five pastors—were killed....

To read more go to:

http://www.opendoorsusa.org/content/view/934/21/

As in the days of Noah...

Muslim Employer Brings Justice to Christian Employee's Raped Daughter:Police Pressure Father to Drop Case

2009-05-07T11:06:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON, D.C.-International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that as of April 6th, four of the six thieves who raped Naomi Rafiq, a Christian girl, had been arrested and imprisoned by the local police. While the local police have promised to track down the remaining two suspects, Naomi's father says that he is being pressured by the police and elders of the neighboring town, where the thieves are from, to drop his lawsuit.In answer to prayers and the protests of the Christian community of Cheecha Watni, Pakistan (see ICC's report from February 17), police finally started an investigation into the rape and robbery after the Muslim employer of the victims filed a lawsuit against the suspects. Muhammad Akram Khan owns a brick kiln called Allah Waris Bricks Company and employs the Christian families that were robbed on January 10 (see ICC's report of the robbery). Khan told ICC that he "loves and takes care of his workers," and said that the police will continue the investigation until they find the remaining two suspects.The Sherriff of the police department, the Saddr Police Station in Cheecha Watni, told ICC that the suspects that police had apprehended so far are Muhammad Akram son of Abdul Majeed, Ibrar son of Abdul Majeed, Maqsood son of Sultan Ahmed and Nadir son of Hassan Ali. The Sherriff promised that these men would be punished and said that the police had recovered the stolen items and returned them to the Christian families.However, Rafiq Masih, Naomi's father, told ICC that these four suspects belong to influential Muslim families from a neighboring village, and that the police and elders of the village are issuing threats for him to drop his case against the rapists.In another answer to prayer, Rafiq said that his daughter has physically recovered from her injuries.
Please continue to pray for her emotional and mental recovery.
Jeremy Sewall, ICC's Advocacy Director, said, "It is rare to find a Muslim employer who will treat Christian employees well in Pakistan, let alone come to their defense. While Naomi and her father still need prayer, it is an incredible answer to prayer that police have pursued the suspects to the extent that they have. Unfortunately, this only goes to show how much discrimination Christians normally face from the justice system in Pakistan."
http://www.persecution.org/
PS:Praise God for these developments....!!!Keep this girl,her family and Mr.Khan in your prayers....We serve a GREAT GOD....!!!!

As in the days of Noah...

The struggle of Pakistan's Christians

2009-04-17T23:02:00.000-07:00

Christians in today's Pakistan (2% of the population) have paid a high price for being in the minority. In Islamabad, the capital, a community of 5,000 of them live in extreme poverty, literally walled-off from the rest of society.

Sudan expels aid groups,CRWRC partners remains

2009-04-04T18:05:00.000-07:00

Sudan-The Sudanese government is having a difficult time filling the gaps left when Sudan expelled 13 aid groups. This was done in response to the International Criminal Court's decision to issue a warrant for President Omar al-Bashir, charging him with war crimes for the Darfur conflict.However, the expulsions didn't affect the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee and their work in Darfur, says CRWRC's Ken Little."We have not been impacted.We work in partnership with World Relief, and our programs are going on as normal. We're keeping an alert watch around us to see what's happening. Our regular work week began yesterday, and as far as I know, today everything is going well."Even though CRWRC is still there, they can't make up the difference the 13 groups were contributing. Little says many were involved in water and food projects. "If in fact they do have to leave, it will just enhance the suffering and increase the suffering of many, many, many people in Darfur."Little believes over 2-million people have been displaced by the fighting in Darfur alone.He's hoping these groups will be able to return. "We do know that all 13 groups are appealing the decision of the government of Sudan and asking for a reversal of the decision."In the meantime CRWRC's work continues.Little says, "We've been providing some medical health clinics; some after-school programs for kids;a very comprehensive nutrition program, water, sanitation and food security; and helping with new varieties of seeds."With the increasing needs in Sudan, how is the economic downturn affected CRWRC's work? Little says, "Our Canadian giving has stayed right up there, and our U.S. giving has come down a bit."As CRWRC is helping with the physical needs, the spiritual needs aren't forgotten. But Little says it's challenging. "We're being the hands and feet of Christ.It's a Muslim-dominate society, and the best way to testify is to show and demonstrate Christ's love."According to Little, there are some specific prayer requests. He's asking people to pray for the safety of their team. Also, "Pray for wisdom for the Sudanese government and for an ability to recognize that there's an opportunity for positive change rather than retribution."He also asking people to pray for the Sudanese who were employed by the expelled aid agencies.That makes the situation even more difficult for those who were struggling to survive.
If you can help CRWRC's work in Sudan, click here.

http://www.mnnonline.org/article/12405

As in the days of Noah...

NORTH KOREA WATCH:Ministry a laser beam of light in dark corner

2009-04-04T17:08:00.000-07:00

North Korea (ODM/MNN)Do you ever wonder if anyone is making a difference in the darkness of North Korea? Open Doors is. They're planting seeds of hope in a country that is widely recognized as the world's worst persecutor of Christians.This is happening not only in North Korea but with persecuted believers around the world.About 40 North Korean women regularly receive Bible study training, child education fees, and living expenses in one Open Doors project.
"Our greatest reward is to see their lives change through a stronger faith in our Lord and to see them become devoted mothers and wives," says an Open Doors co-worker.One North Korean believer wrote: "We will do our very best to spread God's Gospel in North Korea. Thank you so much for your continuous support and care."According to Open Doors ministry statistics for 2008 released today, training in North Korea increased more than in any other country.Training Christians in the Word increased from 440 in 2007 to 4,212 in 2008 in the country ranked No. 1 on Open Doors' World Watch List of 50 countries where Christians suffer the most severe persecution.North Korea also had more people receiving social-economic assistance than any of the 45 countries where Open Doors ministers to the persecuted. According to Open Doors statistics, 54,330 North Koreans were helped in 2008, which was a 42 percent increase over 2007."We give thanks to our Lord for enabling Open Doors to increase the number of pastors and church leaders trained in the Word in 2008, and also the increase in the number of people helped through our social-economic programs," says Open Doors USA President/CEO Dr. Carl Moeller."Also, Open Doors continued its delivery of Bibles and Christian materials-almost 4 million-to believers around the world. Open Doors is truly making an impact for His kingdom. All this would not be possible without the support and partnership of thousands of individuals and churches who share our passion for the persecuted."Worldwide, 3.9 million pieces of literature were delivered in 2008. They included Bibles, children's Bibles and materials, study Bibles, New Testaments, Gospels, training materials and other types of literature to strengthen Christians. Literature deliveries increased by 74 percent in Central Asia, 51 percent in Vietnam, 28 percent in the Middle East, 25 percent in sub-Saharan Africa and 22 percent in Egypt.After receiving a children's Bible, Daniel Abba, 13, of Nigeria, said: "This is the greatest gift of my life. It contains life; it has an answer to all my needs. It will teach me how to be free from sin. I can use it to help others who are walking toward destruction."More than 114,400 Christian leaders were trained in programs that varied from intensive, on-going theological training courses to shorter seminars designed to teach and encourage persecuted Christians. Worldwide, Open Doors training increased six percent. In addition to North Korea, training increased significantly in India (79 percent) as persecution there increased.Open Doors sponsors many Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS) seminars in India each year as well as in many other countries. At SSTS seminars, participants learn about what the Bibles says about persecution. Also, the participants are encouraged in the faith, and trainers let them know believers in the West are praying for them.Mary Patmajhi, 17, attended an Open Doors-sponsored SSTS seminar for women in Gopalpur,Orissa, after the August 2008 violence. She is a student who wants to study but is unable to do so because of aftermath of the violence. "I really want to study and be something for the Lord.The Open Doors seminar that I have attended has given me hope and encouragement.The exhortation that we as young people received during the seminar, to give ourselves to the Lord and the community, makes me want to serve the Lord by becoming a person of influence for Him," she said.More than 206,500 individuals around the world benefited from Open Doors' social-economic development programs in 2008, a 37 percent increase from 2007. In addition to North Korea, there were large increases in aid in the Middle East (465 percent), sub-Saharan Africa (136 percent) and Southeast Asia (40 percent). Also, social-economic support increased in India from 35 persecuted Christians helped in 2007 to 23,464 in 2008; mostly due to the violence against Christians in the state of Orissa.In China, there was almost no social-economic outreach in 2007. But after the Sichuan earthquake last May, Open Doors partnered with churches to help more than 3,860 individuals.One example of Christian community development outreach is a center in Iraq which provides the Christian community with vocational training (in English and computers), a bookshop and library. Due to violence in the country, some of the other centers established were forced to close.

http://www.mnnonline.org/article/12403

As in the days of Noah...

ICC ruling could unhinge Sudan's peace

2009-04-04T17:02:00.000-07:00

Sudan-In the wake of the International Criminal Courts actions last week, Sudan has taken aggressive action that will affect the lives of thousands and perhaps millions of people. It's also going to affect Christian outreach at various levels, too.Matt Parker with Kids Alive International just returned from Sudan. He says the ICC issued a warrant against President Omar al-Bashir for war crimes. Parker says, "This potentially has far-reaching implications for our work and for many NGOs (non-government organizations) and the whole political situation in Sudan."According to Parker, there have been demonstrations in Sudan both in support and opposition to the president."At the moment the situation is under control. We pray it will stay that way. In many ways this could potentially threaten a lot of the talks for peace including the peace treaty that was signed between the North and the south several years ago."If that is unhinged, Parker believes the entire country would be destabilized.At least 13 relief organizations have been asked to leave because al-Bashir believes these groups were instrumental in providing evidence again him in Darfur.Parker says, "Obviously that has huge implications on a large number of people. A lot of refugees, a lot of children,and the poorest of the poor are going to be affected by this, especially in the Darfur area which has just been ravaged by the affects of war."Kids Alive runs children's homes for orphaned children in Sudan in both the North and the South. Parker says they are prepared for this unrest."We've ordered extra food in. Our home managers and director in Sudan are monitoring the situation very closely. At the moment, everyone is staying very close to home. They're trying to stay off the streets."However, the unrest isn't stopping the plans of Kids Alive to build two more children's homes in Sudan.In the midst of the uncertainly, Parker says there is certainty one thing they talk about."It does give us opportunities to share our faith and to share that with the children that we work with. Even though there is instability around, they do have a heavenly Father on whom they can rely and they can trust."Funding is needed for these two homes.
If you can help financially, click here.
http://www.mnnonline.org/article/12397
As in the days of Noah..

Three martyred in Eritrea

2009-04-04T16:57:00.000-07:00

Eritrea-The persecution in Eritrea has not let up as hundreds of Christians remain imprisoned, many of whom are tortured and eventually killed. Eritrea is currently ninth on the International Christian Concern Hall of Shame. The Hall of Shame is a list of the ten countries with the worst Christian persecution worldwide. Eritrea follows other very high-risk areas, including North Korea, Iraq and Iran.Eritrea has no constitution and is run by a singular communist ruling party. Since 2002, 2000 Christians have been imprisoned in military barracks and sometimes metal shipping containers. ICC remembers the deaths of three martyrs this month.All three faithful followers were arrested for being believers outside the specified ramifications.Anyone outside of approved Christian denominations (which consist of the Eritrean Orthodox Church, the Eritrean Lutheran Evangelical Church, and the Roman Catholic Church) does not have permission to worship and may be imprisoned, forced underground or thrown out of the country. For these three believers, imprisonment, torture and death were the results.One woman was horrifically tortured until she was finally given the option to either sign an official document recanting her faith, or be killed. Two other men were also given this option on separate occasions. Two of the three were purposely exposed to malaria and given the incentive of medicine if they recanted. After suffering immeasurable torture, all three faithful believers were killed for their bold refusals to deny Christ.These direct attacks affect many other believers indirectly. Believers who are imprisoned or have been martyred leave families behind. One of the three martyred Christians mentioned was 42 with a wife and children at home.

ICC pleads for you to pray for the victims of this spiritual warfare, including those who are imprisoned, tortured and killed, as well as their afflicted families.
If you would like to help these suffering Christian families, you can donate to ICC's Suffering Wives and Children fund.

http://www.mnnonline.org/article/12394

As in the days of Noah...

Court Says “Insufficient Evidence” for Pastor Lou Yuanqi’s Case, Yet Continues to Keep Him in Prison

2009-04-04T16:46:00.000-07:00

XINJIANG-ChinaAid just learned that Pastor Lou Yuanqi of Uygur Autonomous Region received a verdict of “insufficient evidence” and his case was sent back to the Public Security Bureau (PSB) by the prosecutor.The court said “'the facts used in the case are not clear,the evidence is insufficient.”Despite this ruling,Pastor Lou continues to be imprisoned. Pastor Lou stood trial on December 15, 2008 on charges of “utilizing superstition to undermine the law.” Sources say the real reason for the charge was to stop Lou’s house church from meeting in his home. After Lou’s trial, his daughter Lou Tiantian, 18, was beaten by court police when she tried to speak with her father as he was being put into a police car. Lou Tiantian was taken to the hospital where she received medical treatment, then was released the same night.During Lou’s trial, the presiding judge acknowledged the persecution in Xinjiang.However, witnesses reported that the judge stated, “’If the Christians have more religious freedom in areas outside Xinjiang, they should consider leaving Xinjiang because Xinjiang is special.”Pastor Lou was first detained on May 17, 2008 at 1 p.m. in Qingshuihe town, Huocheng county of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. At 11:30 p.m. the same day, Pastor Lou was transferred to Huocheng County Detention Center. Pastor Lou’s suffers from hepatitis B and the harsh prison conditions worsen his health.Pastor Lou’s wife, Wang Wenxiu, his children and church continue to meet despite Pastor Lou’s imprisonment. When told that Christians around the world were praying for their family, Wang asked friends to pass on this message to the international community: “Please thank them for us because this [imprisonment of Pastor Lou]is God's best will.It is His promise.It is the grace of the Lord. How could we be worthy of awakening so many brothers and sisters’ prayers for us? The Cross of Jesus encourages us to move forward.I am very joyful and full of gratitude for all of the prayer support. ”
Write an encouraging letter to Pastor Lou Yuanqi in prison:

Pastor Lou Yuanqi,

Huocheng County Detention Center,

Yili City,

Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China

Communicate your concern to the Chinese government on Pastor Lou’s behalf:

Cell Phone numbers in Huocheng PSB office：

• Director of Police: Mr. Wang Keqiang +86- 13909999156

• Director of Domestic Security Protection：

Mr. Di Li Xia Ti +86-13519980871

• Deputy Director of Domestic Security Protection: Mr. Li Gang +86-15894-181-855 or +86-13899703878
• Director of Detention Center: Mr. Jiao Feng +86-13909991370

• Deputy Director of Detention Center: Mr. Sun Baoliang +86-13031375159
Ms. Wu Aiying, minister of Ministry of Justice of the People’s Republic of China

Tel: +86-10-65205114

Fax: +86-10-64729863

Address: No. 10, Nan Da Jie, Chaoyangmen, Beijing City (Zip Code: 100020)
Read the Court Decision Paper for Pastor Lou Yuanqi.
View video taken when Lou Yuanqi’s daughter, Liu Tian Tian, was beaten at the courthouse.
http://www.monitorchina.org/

http://www.chinaaid.org/

As in the days of Noah...

Yitong Law Firm Closed for Defending Human Rights Cases

2009-04-04T16:37:00.000-07:00

BEIJING-On March 3, a hearing was held for the Beijing Yitong Law Firm which is being forced to shut down for six months by the Haidian District Judicial Bureau.ChinaAid sources say the reason behind the forced closure is that authorities are punishing the firm because some of its attorneys signed an open letter in August 2008 asking that independent candidates be allowed to run in the election of the leadership of the Beijing Lawyers Association [equivalent to the U.S. Bar Association], and because the firm has provided representation for a number of human rights cases, including cases of persecution against house church Christians.Only Li Jisong, the director of the law firm, was allowed to attend the public hearing on March 3 at 9:30 a.m. in North Room B101, Office Area No. 1 of Haidian District People’s Government of Beijing Municipality (Address: 17, Changchunqiao Road,Haidian District, Beijing).The other 12 lawyers and workers from the firm were forbidden to attend the hearing, even though the hearing was public and they filed official request forms asking permission to attend immediately after receiving the hearing notice on February 23.The government officials said there was no room, because all the seats were filled by February 25.In fact, the government deliberately filled all the seats with Haidian District Bureau of Justice officials.Presiding over the two-hour hearing was a committee organized by the Bureau of Justice.The committee has not yet released a decision.The government says the forced closure is because the firm allowed Christian attorney, Li Subin, to practice law without a license. However, the firm says that Li Subin, who worked as deputy director of the firm, served only in administrative duties and acted as a legal advisor. Although he has been a fully qualified and licensed attorney since 1991, he never acted as an attorney at the firm because the government refused to renew his license after he brought a lawsuit in 2001 against the Louyang City Bureau of Justice and Louyang Bar Association for collecting illegal lawyer license registration fees. Even though Li Subin won the suit, his license has been refused renewal ever since, and he has had no explanation from authorities for the reason.The forced closure of the firm is the most recent in a series of government tactics to shut down the firm in order to stop their human rights defense work. In October, government officials pressured the firm to fire some of their attorneys, including Li Subin, because they signed the open letter asking for the free election of the leadership of Beijing Lawyers Association.The implication for a free election is that the member lawyers would be able to choose their own leadership rather than accept the leaders the government chooses.A Chinese news source (http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=9434407&msgid=191921&act=75CF&c=142953&admin=0&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canyu.org%2F), interviewed Attorney Liu Xiaoyuan of Yitong Law Firm.Attorney Liu said that the law firm will defend itself on the basis of the following three aspects:

1) Haidian District Bureau of Justice is not qualified to impose the administrative penalty of forcing the law firm to close for six months.

2) Li Subin did not act as an attorney in the firm’s cases; he was only involved as a legal advisor. 3) Even if the charge was legitimate, the penalty of closing down the law firm for six months is not fair or just. In similar cases, the penalty is generally a warning, an order for improvement, or a fine.
ChinaAid urges the international community to speak out on behalf of Yitong Law Firm. Their work defending human rights cases, including persecuted house church Christians, has made them a target of the government.

Contact the Chinese Ambassador and let him know your concern for the actions against Yitong Law Firm:
Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong,

Embassy of the People’s Republic of China

2300 Connecticut Ave NW,

Washington DC 20008

http://www.china-embassy.org/

Tel: 202-7456743

Fax: 202- 588-0032; 202-7457473

Director of Religious Affairs: (202) 328-2512
Read the Hearing Notice delivered to Yitong Law Firm.
Read a blog article by Liu Xiaoyuan, a Yitong Law Firm attorney, regarding the forced closing of the firm.
http://www.chinaaid.org/

As in the days of Noah....

13-year-old Girl Raped for Two Days,Then Released:Growing Trend of Muslim Men Imposing Islam on Christian Girls by Rape, Forced Marriage

2009-04-04T16:30:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON, D.C.-International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that a Muslim man in Pakistan kidnapped, raped, and forced a 13-year-old Christian girl to convert to Islam after deciding he wanted to marry her. The girl, whose name is Rida Ilyas, is a sixth-grade student living in a small Christian neighborhood in Faisalabad. On February 13, a Muslim man named Muhammad Shahid accosted her at gunpoint as she was leaving her school. He told her to be quiet or she would be killed, and forced her to convert to Islam. He wanted to marry her, and so for two days he raped her thinking that she would agree to the marriage to cover the shame of being raped, even though it is illegal in Pakistan for women to marry under the age of 16. He then released her on February 15. Rida returned to her family and told them everything, and her family filed a criminal case against Shahid at the police station. Shahid responded by attempting to take custody of Rida until she was 16 and could legally marry him. Fortunately, Rida's family was able to gather support from their local Christian leaders and lobbied the police until they agreed to drop Shahid's claim on Rida. Rida's family is relieved, but has refused to send her back to school for fear that Shahid would try to kidnap her again.Rida's mother told ICC, "Thank God my daughter came back. It's a miracle of Jesus Christ. Otherwise, I know some Christian girl's case who was kidnapped, sold to another man as a sex slave, and forced into Islam. After a year her dead body was delivered to her home. I am not interested any more to see the police station or doctor's medical report even though she was raped." Rida's mother is rightly cynical of receiving justice from the Pakistani authorities, who often ignore Christian complaints altogether.This story calls attention to a growing trend in Muslim countries where Muslim men are given financial rewards for converting a Christian woman to Islam by forcibly marrying them.Rida is not alone. In the past year, we have received five confirmed reports on Christian girls kidnapped and raped by Muslim men who were attempting to force them into Islam in Pakistan:
--Farzana Rashid, 14, was kidnapped by police on March 28, 2008 from her house in Lahore and was raped and charged with a false crime.
--Sumaira Rafiq Masih was raped by three influential landowners when she was working in the fields near Patoki, Punjab, on May 14, 2008.
--On June 4, 2008 a Muslim man named Ramzan kidnapped two Christian sisters from Chak 285-JB, a village in Toba Tek Singh, Punjab.
--Saba Younis, 13, and Anila Younis, 10, were kidnapped on June 26, 2008 by a Muslim man named Muhammad Arif Bajwa.
--In November 2008, Parvisha, 18, and Sanam, 14, told a local magistrate in Gujranwala about their abduction from their home, rape, and forcible conversion to Islam.
Samuel Wallace, ICC's Regional Manager for South & Central Asia, said, "Muslim fanatics and sexual predators in Pakistan see Christian girls as easy prey for their lust because the government does not defend them. Protecting the most vulnerable in society is the government's responsibility, and it is to their shame that Pakistani officials fail to prosecute these heinous violations of human dignity."

http://www.persecution.org/

As in the days of Noah...

ICC Calls for Investigation of Violence against Christians in Bauchi,Nigeria

2009-04-04T16:23:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON, D.C.-International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that Islamic extremists in northern Nigeria gunned down Christians and set fire to their homes and churches during a three-day rampage in which 11 people were killed and 3500 were displaced.According to Nigerian news source, the Guardian, the violence against the Christians in the city of Bauchi started on February 20, 2009, following a disagreement between two factions of an Islamic sect known as Izala.The factions had agreed to hold prayer at the mosque at different times. When one of the factions breached the agreement by continuing their prayer service beyond the time allotted them, the members of the other faction parked their cars in the parking lot of a nearby church. When members of the church asked the Muslims not to utilize the church's parking, the faction responded by burning the church to the ground.Following the church's destruction, unidentified individuals burnt down a mosque. Though their claims were unverifiable, Muslim extremists accused Christians of the arson and began indiscriminately attacking Christians in the city."The security agencies and Bauchi State government have failed us. We are at the mercy of the Muslims, we are not safe, and there is no security for us here in Bauchi," stated Bishop Musa Tula in a statement quoted by the Nigerian Tribune. Bishop Tula is Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bauchi State chapter.The Bishop added that,"If they want us to go and live in the bush, let them show us the place. We are living in perpetual fear and the Federal Government must do something urgent for the sake of peace in the country." Muslims are the majority in northern Nigeria, and Christian minorities in the region are routinely attacked by Islamic extremists. In most cases, the extremists carry out large scale and violent attacks which are largely ignored by Muslim officials who do not take enough measures to safeguard the safety of Christians. ICC's Regional Manger for Africa, Jonathan Racho, stated, "Nigerian officials have repeatedly failed their obligations to protect Christian minorities from savage attacks by Muslim extremists in the northern part of the country. We call upon the Nigerian government to establish an independent commission to investigate the attacks in Bauchi and bring the perpetrators to justice."

Please pray for Christians in northern Nigeria.

Pray for their safety and protection against persecution.

Also pray that the Muslims that persecute them will come to know the love of Jesus Christ.

http://www.persecution.org/

As in the days of Noah...

Signing Away Our Rights:A Global Attack on Christians:Hate Speech and Anti-Conversion Laws a Disturbing Trend

2009-04-04T16:19:00.000-07:00

Hate speech and anti-conversion laws are cropping up around the globe in what, on the surface, seems to be an effort to protect religious freedoms. In reality, these laws are generally aimed at preserving the rights of only one religion and restricting and even criminalizing the expression of others.

There are several freedoms that Americans hold especially dear: freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of conscience. The reason these freedoms are so important to us is that our forefathers experienced what it was like to not have them, and many fled their countries because of it. So we have codified these freedoms in our law, specifically in the Bill of Rights to the US Constitution, to ensure that the government would never limit "the free exercise of religion" or abridge "the freedom of speech."These are not just freedoms suited for Americans, but they are freedoms the whole world should enjoy. Even the UN was able to agree that "everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion," including the "freedom to change his religion or belief." Despite the fact that nearly every country, in joining the UN, has expressed its agreement with these principles, there is a growing movement throughout the Muslim world and in some other countries that seeks to deny these fundamental human rights...
Click here to view the entire article.

Source:ICC

As in the days of Noah...

PAKISTAN:Sisters Lured Into Horrific Trap

2009-04-04T16:12:00.000-07:00

Warning: Story Contains Graphic Content

Two Christian girls in Pakistan have finally been rescued after two Muslim men kidnapped them two months ago,raped them repeatedly, forcibly converted them to Islam, and sold them to other men as sex slaves. Despite this intense psychological trauma, the girls had the courage to tell their local government that they would never leave their Lord.Sisters Parvisha, 18, and Sanam, 14, received a call in early November 2008 from their neighbor, Muhammad Irfan, offering them training in cosmetology and jobs in his beauty salon. Parvisha, the oldest of seven children, convinced her father, Pastor Sharif Alam, to allow her to take the opportunity so that she could help support their struggling family. Irfan told the girls that he would come to pick them up since they did not know where his shop was.

Kidnappers Drug, Rape, Force Sisters to Accept Islam

On November 12, 2008, Irfan picked the girls up with the help of another man, Muhammed Mehboob, drove them 30 minutes away from home and stopped to get drinks. The girls' drinks were heavily drugged, and when the sisters came to they found themselves locked in a small hotel room almost 500 miles away from their home in Gujranwala. At gunpoint, the girls were told that if they tried to escape or made any noise they and all of their family would be killed...
Click here to view the entire article.

Source:ICC

As in the days of Noah....

Eritrea: A Christian Burial Ground

2009-04-04T16:07:00.000-07:00

Since 2002, more than two thousand Christians have been arrested in Eritrea.Imprisoned across the country in dark cells, military barracks, and metal shipping containers, these believers have never been taken to court or allowed to see their lawyers. They have been tortured and martyred for their faith.Eritrea won its independence from Ethiopia in 1993.Today, Eritrea has no constitution, and the ruling party is the only legal political party in the country. Its Communist rulers enacted legislation in 2002 that restricted recognized Christian denominations to the Eritrean Orthodox Church, the Eritrean Lutheran Evangelical Church, and the Roman Catholic Church. Believers outside of these denominations who have not yet been imprisoned have been forced underground or chased out of the country.

Martyred for Refusing to Recant their Faith in Jesus Christ

Imprisoned without formal charges in the infamous Wi'a Military Training Center, Azib Simon was arrested in December 2007 for her participation in the underground church...
Click here to view the entire article.

Source:ICC

As in the days of Noah..

A Continued Call to prayer for our Brothers and Sisters in Egypt and Pakistan

2009-04-04T16:01:00.000-07:00

Pakistan - After 7 months of legal deadlock, lawyers in Pakistan said they have new hope they can restore Saba Masih to her family. Saba, a 13-year-old Christian girl, was kidnapped last year and forced to marry a Muslim.
Pray that the lawyers can legally maneuver around Pakistani policemen who, according to Compass, have stonewalled attempts to arrest the captors in spite of a Pakistani judge charging them with kidnapping. Praise God for the judge’s decision to file kidnapping charges. This marks a major shift of momentum in the case where previously the judges have repeatedly sided with the Muslim kidnappers. Continue to pray for all those involved “Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ” 2 Cor 2:14.
Saba’s sister Aneela, aged 10, was also kidnapped last year but has since been returned to her family…Glory be to God!
Egypt - Maher Ahmad El-Mo’otahssem Bellah El-Gohary, the Muslim-born Egyptian, is legally attempting to change his religion on his identity card from Muslim to Christian. In a hearing on Feb 22nd, more than 20 Islamic lawyers advocated that he be convicted of “apostasy,” or leaving Islam, and sentenced to death.
Pray for El-Gohary who was not present at the hearing, as his attendance would have put him at extreme personal risk. He had planned to obtain papers authorizing his attorney to act as his proxy representation in court. But staff members at the registry office swore at and beat his attorney thus preventing him from filing the proxy.
A new court date has been set for March 28th.El-Gohary who is now in hiding told Compass “I am now in a position where I can’t do anything else,I have to go to court despite the danger. I believe God will protect me. It’s a very hard decision, but I have to go.”

Pray for his safety as he continues this legal battle.

Pray with El-Gohary that “When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Proverbs 16:7.
Read the full report on these and other stories on the Open Doors Website.

As in the days of Noah...

CHINA:Groundbreaking Ceremony for Christian Senior home

2009-04-04T15:57:00.000-07:00

China (MNN)At the end of this month, a church in Hangzhou supported by China Partner will see a long-held dream take baby steps toward its fulfillment.On March 30, a groundbreaking ceremony was held to mark the commencement of Hangzhou Christian Senior Home's second phase of construction."I was reminded of several of our partners who made a donation to help with this project last year," said China Partner President, Rev. Erik Burklin, after receiving an invitation to the home's groundbreaking ceremony. China Partner gathered donations from several associates last year, and the gift was hand-delivered by Dr. Werner."Rev. Gu was visibly moved by the generous support."The home will provide care and ministry for the elderly. Several years ago, Reverend Joseph Gu shared his dream of building a Christian senior home next to the church with China Partner's founder, Dr. Werner Berklin. The "Senior Project" has been ongoing, supported by China Partner while funding efforts continued.

You could support the project by praying with your church or visiting China Partner's Web site to learn more.

http://www.mnnonline.org/article/12374

As in the days of Noah...

IRAN:Church grows,crackdown continues

2009-04-04T15:43:00.000-07:00

Iran-A great spiritual hunger in Iran has caused many to turn away from traditional Islam, resulting in an ever-increasing number of conversions. Words of Hope President Lee DeYoung says that conversion is viewed as a serious offense in Iran, and the government continues to hunt those suspected of turning to Christianity."We continue to hear reports of government inquiries," DeYoung says, "and people being called in for questioning about alleged Christian activities."Many believers have taken to exercising their faith "underground" to avoid officials' prying eyes."It shows that the government of Iran is still very vigilant and concerned."DeYoung adds that in Iran, conversion could result in punishment by death. Many Iranians are tired of the disillusionment associated with Islam and Iran's government. The disillusionment has resulted in a great spiritual hunger in Iran. As the hunger grows, so does the number of converts to Christianity; God's family is growing despite continued persecution."The work of God in Iran testifies to the power of the Gospel," said Victor Atallah, founder of the Middle East Reformed Fellowship (MERF).MERF partners with Words of Hope in Iran to broadcast Christian programming into Iran. Every night, Iranians tune in to God's Word broadcast in Farsi, their native tongue. Believers are also encouraged through the Internet and Biblical training offered by WOH. DeYoung urges sustained prayer for believers in Iran as governmental pressure continues."People there are courageous," De Young said."They need wisdom, and they need God's protection so that they can continue to minister in Jesus' name both on the radio and in other ways."

If you'd like to become involved in supporting Words of Hope's work in Iran, click here to make a donation.

http://www.mnnonline.org/article/12377

As in the days of Noah...

Libya Tortures Four Christian Converts from Islam:Other Christian converts on the run fearing for their lives

2009-04-04T15:19:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON, D.C.-International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that Libyan intelligence officials have detained and tortured four Christians for converting from Islam. The Christians have been imprisoned for the past seven weeks in Tripoli, Libya's capital. Libya's External Security Organization is believed to be behind the detention and torture of the Christians, according to our sources.The security agents have barred the families from visiting the detained converts and are putting severe physical and psychological pressure on the Christians in order to force them to reveal the names of other converts. Fearing for their lives, converts from Islam are on the run. The detention and the torture of the Christian converts come at a critical time in Libya's relations with the international community. The country has been improving its relations with the international community following the lifting of sanctions imposed on it due to its involvement in the bombing of an American airliner in which 270 people were killed. By torturing the four Christian converts and stifling religious freedom, Libya is once again violating basic principles of the international human rights law. ICC's Regional Manager for Africa, Jonathan Racho, said, "We call upon Libyan officials to stop torturing the four Christians and release them from detention. Libya must respect the rights of its citizens to worship freely and not to be tortured. We particularly ask the Libyan leader and the current head of the African Union, Mr. Muammar Gaddafi, to set the prisoners free and demonstrate his country's commitment to respect human rights."

Please pray for the safe release of the detained believers. Also pray for comfort and strength of their families.

Please call the Libyan embassy in your country and politely ask the Libyan officials to release the Christians.
Country
USA
202-944-9601
202-944-9606
libya@libyanbureau-dc.org

UK
(0)20 7589 6120
(020) 7589 6087
Canada
(613) 230-0919
(613) 230-0683
Australia
(+61-2) 62907900
(+61-2) 62864522
Germany
(+49-30) 2005960
(+49-30) 20059699
Libysch.Arab.Volksbuero@t-online.de

http://www.persecution.org/

As in the days of Noah...

Christian valedictorian case headed for Supreme Court

2009-03-29T02:01:00.000-07:00

Attorneys for a high school valedictorian whose microphone was turned off when she began sharing her Christian faith say they'll appeal her case to the U.S. Supreme Court.The Rutherford Institute is representing Brittany McComb, whose lawsuit against school officials was dismissed Friday by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The appeals court stated that "by preventing her from making a proselytizing graduation speech," McComb's free speech and free exercise rights were not violated, nor was her right to equal protection.In June 2006, McComb strayed from her school-approved script to tell how faith in Jesus had filled a void in her life.Her microphone was shut off in mid-sentence as she said, "God's love is so great that he gave up-gave up his only Son..." The audience responded with boos and shouts to turn it back on, and responded similarly when school officials attempted to introduce the next valedictorian speaker, saying "she deserves this chance to speak."One month later, McComb filed a First Amendment lawsuit against Foothill High (Henderson, Nevada). The school's attempts to have that original case dismissed were rejected by the U.S. District Court for Nevada in June 2007, and school officials subsequently appealed to the Ninth Circuit to have the case dismissed. The Rutherford Institute says it will now ask the U.S. Supreme Court to rule that school officials violated McComb's constitutional rights. "This is a very important free-speech case that will affect the rights of all persons across America," states John Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute, in a press release. "If government officials can extinguish speech by turning off microphones at public assemblies, then none of us will have any rights." He argues that McComb's case is another example of a "politically correct culture" that silences Christians in order not to offend those of other beliefs. "Brittany McComb worked hard to earn the right to address her classmates as valedictorian," Whitehead says on his firm's website, "and she has a constitutional right-like any other student-to freely speak about the factors that contributed to her success, whether they be a supportive family, friends, or her faith in Jesus Christ."Brittany McComb was one of three valedictorians chosen to deliver a speech at the June 2006 commencement ceremony at Foothill High School.She is currently studying at Oxford University.

Read a complete history of this case and view a video of Brittany McComb's speech
By Jodi Brown
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=463166
As in the days of Noah....

State Department Releases Religious Freedom Blacklist

2009-03-29T01:53:00.000-07:00

The State Department headed under Secretary of State Hillary Clinton released this week the religious freedom violator blacklist designated by the Bush administration in January before leaving office.Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice re-designated the same eight countries named in 2006-Burma, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, the Peoples Republic of China, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Uzbekistan-as “Countries of Particular Concern” (CPC) on Jan. 16.The list was not made available until this week after an inquiry by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).Being named a CPC is the worst label a country can receive from the United States for religious freedom violations. The designation can result in a wide range of U.S. actions against the country in attempt to improve its religious freedom record, including sanctions.USCIRF, a bipartisan government agency that monitors religious freedom status around the world, was critical of the latest CPC list for not adding any of the countries it had recommended. It also voiced dissatisfaction that although Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan were designated CPC, the Bush administration had given them waivers.USCIRF had recommended in its 2008 Annual Report for the State Department to add Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Vietnam, and Iraq to the eight countries already designated as CPCs.“The Commission is disappointed that Secretary Rice refused to designate any new countries and that waivers were granted for both Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia,” said Felice Gaer, USCIRF chair, in a statement. “Religious freedom conditions in Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia are appalling and a specific U.S. government response is required.”Saudi Arabia is known to practice the strictest form of Islam, Wahhabism, and stands out among Islamic states for its extremely harsh laws against all religions other than the Wahhabi branch.Investigation have also shown that it spends millions each year disseminating Islamic teachings - including religious literatures that teaches students to hate “infidels,” or non-believers – around the world.The country also has severe human rights abuses including a legal system with punishments such as flogging and amputation. Saudi Arabia has been a CPC since 2004, but has received a waiver, or essentially a pass, each year.USCIRF had sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in February expressing the Commission’s concern, including the State Department’s failure to designate CPC’s. The State Department has not released a new CPC list since 2006. The list released this week occurred after the Commission’s inquiry.“State Department efforts to negotiate with certain countries to bring about improvements in religious freedom certainly might be an appropriate reason for delaying CPC designation, but the Commission concludes that the State Department should have acted years ago in the case of a number of the countries our Commission recommended for CPC designation, under our statutory authority,” Gaer said.“As it reviews the previous Administration's CPC designations, we hope the Obama Administration will recognize the added value that CPC status can bring to American public diplomacy on human rights.”The International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (IRFA) requires an annual State Department review by Sept. 1 of each year. Although the IRFA does not set a specific deadline for CPC designations, decisions are based on the annual review and therefore is expected to come soon after, the Commission pointed out.USCIRF noted it is “problematic” for the State Department to release a CPC list after a more than two-year delay.

By Ethan Cole
Christian Post Reporter

http://www.christianpost.com/Intl/Human_rights/2009/03/state-department-releases-religious-freedom-blacklist-28/index.html

As in the days of Noah...

International Policy Watchdogs Call U.N.'s "Defamation of Religions" Dangerous

2009-03-29T01:45:00.000-07:00

Religious freedom and human rights groups are protesting a U.N. resolution on defamation of religions that could be used to justify anti-blasphemy laws and restrict freedom of expression, belief, and press.Since last week, a letter has been circulating around the world among rights groups seeking the signature of those opposed to the resolution. Critics argue that the “combating defamation of religion” concept has no validity in international law.The resolution, created by members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), explains the concept of defamation of religion in a way that could be manipulated to “silence and intimidate human rights activists, religious dissenters, and other independent voices,” the letter warned.U.K.-based Christian Solidarity Worldwide signed the statement on Wednesday, which had already been signed by 186 other non-governmental organizations from more than 50 countries.Among the first signers were Freedom House, The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, the International Humanist and Ethical Union, and U.N. Watch.The resolution comes at a critical time for the United Nations, which is preparing for the upcoming “Durban Review Conference” in Geneva this April. The conference is a follow-up to the 2001 World Conference against Racism, held in Durban, South Africa.There is concern that the Review Conference will be used to legitimize a “defamation of religion” agenda, supported by the 57 members of the Organization of Islamic Conference.“We are concerned that the motivation behind these annual resolutions on defamation of religion, and the aspiration to push this agenda at international conferences is not driven by a desire to protect religious believers,” said CSW’s chief executive, Mervyn Thomas.”Rather, we believe these resolutions can be used to protect states from the legitimate criticism of human rights defenders," Thomas continued. "They may also be used to justify blasphemy, anti-conversion and apostasy laws.“CSW therefore urges member states to reject such texts and to seek the protection of religious believers through existing international human rights law.”

By Michelle A. Vu
Christian Post Reporter

http://www.christianpost.com/Intl/Human_rights/2009/03/int-l-policy-watchdogs-call-u-n-s-defamation-of-religions-dangerous-25/index.html

As in the days of Noah...

U.N.Council Ignores Mass Petition,Adopts "Defamation of Religions" Resolution

2009-03-29T01:37:00.000-07:00

The U.N. Human Rights Council adopted a “defamation of religions” resolution on Thursday, ignoring a mass petition signed by over 180 non-government organizations from more than 50 different countries."Human rights protect people, not ideas," responded L. Bennett Graham, Becket Fund representative to the U.N., in a statement after the resolution was passed. "The passage of this resolution by the Human Rights Council is a disaster for people of all faiths." Becket Fund for Religious Liberty co-drafted the petition that requested the Council to reject the resolution.Critics of the defamation of religions resolution warn that it could be used to legitimize anti-blasphemy laws and intimidate human rights activists and religious dissenters. Instead of protecting adherents of religions, including those of religious minorities, the resolution protects religions themselves, they say.“Unfortunately these resolutions seek to undermine the very principles we were celebrating just last December with the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” said U.K.-based Christian Solidarity Worldwide advocacy director Alexa Papadouris.“They attack freedom of expression and freedom of religion and seek to protect powerful governments at the expense of often powerless individuals.”CSW was among the 186 NGOs that called on governments to reject the Pakistan-tabled resolution.Various forms of the defamation of religions resolution have been created and backed by members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). A version of the resolution was first introduced to the U.N. Human Rights Council by the Islamic Conference in 1999 under the title “defamation of Islam.”But international outcry against the resolution resulted in sustained lobbying at the United Nations. Since 2005, the resolution has been passed annually at the U.N. General Assembly.However in 2008, for the first time, “no” and “abstention” votes combined outweighed "yes" votes on the “defamation of religions” resolution.On Thursday, the U.N. Human Rights Council adopted the resolution by a vote of 23 yes, 11 no, and 13 abstentions. NGOs have noted that this is the second year in a row that “no” and “abstention” votes combined have outweighed “yes” votes on the resolution.Becket Fund’s Graham, who is in Geneva, emphasized, "We are no longer talking about rights at the Human Rights Council, we are talking about politics. It's a disgrace.”He added, "We already have the tools we need to address religious conflicts in international law, including existing provisions against incitement to hatred and violence. We need to use them better."CSW’s Papadouris urges governments to reject defamation of religion in “whatever form it should take” at next month’s U.N. Durban Review Conference in Geneva.By Michelle A. Vu
Christian Post Reporter
http://www.christianpost.com/Intl/Human_rights/2009/03/u-n-council-ignores-mass-petition-adopts-defamation-of-religions-resolution-27/index.html
As in the days of Noah....

Not Guilty Plea for Alleged Ill. Church Shooter

2009-03-29T01:34:00.001-07:00

A man charged in the fatal shooting of a pastor during church services said that he wanted to plead guilty, moments after his attorney entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf.

Settlement Lets Christian Preach in Public Square

2009-03-29T01:18:00.000-07:00

MODESTO, Calif.-Attorneys for a Christian street preacher have reached a settlement with the city of Modesto, California, that allows him to keep sharing the gospel.The Alliance Defense Fund filed suit on behalf of Kevin Borden(picture left)in July to challenge Modesto’s attempts to block him from preaching in the city’s public square on Saturday evenings.The city prevented Borden from preaching outside theaters in the square for 10 months by claiming the private business was renting the plaza, making it akin to private property.Under the settlement approved by a federal judge, taxpayers will pay Borden’s legal expenses.

http://www.thecronline.com/news_article.php?nid=5176&ndate=25/03/2009

As in the days of Noah...

California college denies funding to Christian club

2009-03-29T00:42:00.000-07:00

The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in California has dealt yet another blow to religion. The Christian Legal Society (CLS) chapter at Hastings College of Law wanted school recognition in order to obtain certain privileges such as funding. CLS attorney Tim Tracey picks up the story."So they applied for recognition and Hastings said essentially, sorry, you can't be recognized because your membership requirements and leadership requirements violate our non-discrimination policy. So, requiring your members to believe in Jesus Christ and telling them that they can't engage in sex outside of marriage, those are discriminatory policies, and we don't have a place for you here," Tracey explains. CLS filed suit in federal court and lost the ruling, so the case was appealed to the Ninth Circuit. "They affirmed that Hastings had a right to deny recognition to a religious student group because it requires its officers and voting members to agree with its Christian beliefs," Tracey adds. Tracey finds it outrageous in light of other federal courts ruling that the clubs have a constitutional right to determine their philosophy and membership. The Supreme Court will be asked to take the case.

By Charlie Butts

http://www.onenewsnow.com/Legal/Default.aspx?id=463854

As in the days of Noah...

Bishop of Rochester resigns to become defender of persecuted Christians

2009-03-29T00:27:00.000-07:00

The Rev Michael Nazir-Ali has resigned from his post as the Bishop of Rochester. Photo: CHRISTOPHER PLEDGER

Dr Michael Nazir-Ali is only 59 and could have stayed for another decade in his post, one of the most senior in the Church, but has chosen instead to devote the rest of his career to working in communities where Christians are in a minority.While this is likely to see him involved in the Middle East and Pakistan, the bishop revealed that he also plans to work with Muslim converts to Christianity in Britain.He said he has been inspired by the story of Hannah Shah, an Imam's daughter who faced being killed by her family for refusing an arranged marriage before becoming a Christian."Bishop Michael is hoping to work with a number of church leaders from areas where the church is under pressure, particularly in minority situations, who have asked him to assist them with education and training for their particular situation," said a spokesman.
In a letter to clergy in his diocese, the bishop said: "I have decided that the time is now right for me to step down as Bishop of Rochester. I have valued my modest part in the life of the Church locally, nationally and globally."We take this step of faith 'not knowing where we are going.'"Dr Nazir-Ali, who is the Church's first and only Asian bishop, received death threats himself after warning last year that parts of the country have been turned into "no-go" areas for non-Muslims.He has been unafraid to speak out since being appointed as Bishop of Rochester in 1994 and has risen to become a leading champion of traditional Christianity in Britain.Many saw him as a likely contender to succeed George Carey as Archbishop of Canterbury in 2002, but he has instead become a focus for the conservative evangelical wing of the Church that has opposed the incumbent, Dr Rowan Williams.His interventions over the row over homosexual clergy in the Anglican Church have been seen as a direct challenge to the archbishop.Nevertheless, Dr Williams paid tribute to Dr Nazir-Ali's contribution to the Church of England."Bishop Michael's decision to undertake this new and very challenging ministry will leave a real gap in the ranks of English bishops," he said."His enormous theological skill, his specialist involvement in the complex debates around bioethics, his wide international experience and his clarity of mind and expression have made him a really valuable colleague, and he has served the Church and the wider society with dedication and distinction."In his new work with churches in minority situations, he will need all our prayer and support."It is a courageous initiative and a timely one."

By Jonathan Wynne-Jones, Religious Affairs Correspondent

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/5067202/Bishop-of-Rochester-resigns-to-become-defender-of-persecuted-Christians.html

As in the days of Noah...

UPDATE:A NOTE TO MY READERS

2009-03-23T01:00:00.000-07:00

I just wanted you all to know that my pastor,bro.Norris,passed away on saturday night at 1145PM.He was 47.He was like a father to us.Today we had a worship service at church,but it wasn't the same;it will never be the same without him.I would truly appreciate your prayers at this moment.Please pray for his wife and his two children.

I am having a hard time dealing with this.I haven't slept in two nights at all and I've been feeling physically sick.

I find myself beyond words.

I want to truly thank all those of you that sent me a note of encouragement,and overall for your agreement in prayer.

I have no way of repay you for all the love and prayers and the care even though we have never sen each other.The Lord will reward you.

You have no idea what it meant for me and my family

God bless you all and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

As in the days of Noah....

PS:Bro. Norris,loved the persecuted church and it is in great part because of him that I have this blog.