California Court Ruling Affirms Christian Schools

Attacks on faith are an opportunity, says Cameron

A well-known Christian actor says it should come as no surprise that Christianity is under attack in America.Kirk Cameron is co-host of The Way of the Master,a 30-minute television show aired weekly to more than 100 nations via the Trinity Broadcast Network, FamilyNet, Sky Angel, the Christian Television Network, and several other outlets. Along with co-host Ray Comfort, Cameron teaches Christians how to witness biblically and effectively. Cameron, who as a teenager starred on the hit TV series Growing Pains, says it is clear that assaults on the Christian faith are increasing in the public square.But Christians should not react with hostility, he advises; instead, he suggests they should view the attacks as an opportunity to share and spread the gospel of Christ."Mankind wants to suppress the truth-and people love their sin," notes Cameron. "And there's enough people out there who are really irritated enough about the truth of God and the fact that you're going to be accountable to God one day that they want to try and squash all of that so they can have as much fun as they can now." The outspoken Christian understands that attitude. "You know, if I was an atheist, I would imagine I'd be going along the same lines," he shares, "because if this life is all there is, why not just go all out and take everybody out of the way who's trying to keep you from having all your fun?" But as Cameron points out in his testimony, a life of belief in Christ brings joy beyond measure. "I can honestly tell you," he says, "...that of all the places I've ever been, of all the people I've ever met, of all the fun and exciting things I've ever done, absolutely nothing compares to the joy of knowing Jesus Christ, of knowing that my sins are forgiven, and that I'm in a right relationship with God." The third season of The Way of the Master has been released.
By Allie Martin and Jody Brown - OneNewsNow
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=400206
As in the days of Noah....

College Dumps Restrictive Speech Policy

Yuba Community College in Marysville, Calif., has agreed to end its policy that required students to obtain a permit to exercise "free speech" during allotted hours.The Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) represented Ryan Dozier, who was threatened with arrest and expulsion if he continued sharing the Gospel on campus between classes."Christian students shouldn’t have to face jail and expulsion for expressing their beliefs on a public college campus," said Heather Gebelin Hacker, ADF litigation staff counsel. "We are pleased that Yuba College officials have finally agreed to recognize that its campus policies cannot strip away the free-speech rights of students with religious viewpoints."Prior to the settlement, the college allowed "free speech" only on Tuesdays and Thursdays between noon and 1 p.m., with permission required two weeks in advance.

By Jennifer Mesko
http://www.citizenlink.org/content/A000009185.cfm

As in the days of Noah....

Iran: Three Christians arrested, held without charges, whereabouts unknown

“We are quite sure that these arrests are part of a bigger operation from the government.”"Iran: Three Christians Arrested From Homes In Tehran," from Compass Direct, January 23:
LOS ANGELES, January 23 (Compass Direct News)-Three Christians from two different families were arrested from their homes Wednesday morning (Jan. 21) and are being held without charges, sources told Compass. Authorities took Jamal Ghalishorani, 49, and his wife Nadereh Jamali from their home in Tehran between 7 and 8 a.m., about a half hour after arresting Hamik Khachikian, an Armenian Christian also living in Tehran. Ghalishorani and his wife are Christian converts from Islam, considered “apostasy” in Iran and potentially punishable by death.Christian sources told Compass that Ghalishorani converted to Christianity 30 years ago, and his wife received Christ about 15 years ago.They have one child, a 13-year-old daughter, while Khachikian has two children, a 16-year-old son and an 11-year-old daughter. Authorities have not told the families of the charges against those arrested or their whereabouts....The arrests come as part of a tsunami of arrests in the past several months, the sources said.“We don’t know why the pressure is continuously high, but we see that it is increasing,” said one source.“The government does it to the Baha’i people as well-there are more arrests in the last several months among them than in maybe the whole 30 years before.” Arrests and pressure on Christians from authorities have ramped up even further in the past few months, the source said, adding that the reasons were unclear.Another source, however, said the arrests are part of a concerted, nationwide government plan.“We are quite sure that these arrests are part of a bigger operation from the government,” the source said. “Maybe up to 50 people were arrested. In Tehran alone already some 10 people were arrested – all on the same day, January 21.”Sources noted that whereas past waves of intense harassment and arrests of Christians eventually have subsided, recent pressure has been “continuously high,” with reports of arrests in almost every month of 2008.“In the past there have been waves of incredible pressure, but then it seemed to calm down a bit sometimes,” said one source. “Then we had the feeling pressure came and went, but now it is continuously ongoing.”...The arrests are particularly disturbing in light of the Iranian parliament’s approval last September of a new penal code calling for a mandatory death sentence for “apostates,” or those who leave Islam. In the past death sentences for apostasy were issued only under judicial interpretations of sharia (Islamic law).Under the new penal code, male “apostates” would be executed, while females would receive life sentences. The new code was to be sent to Iran’s most influential body, the Guardian Council, which will rule on it. The council is made up of six conservative theologians appointed by Iran’s Supreme Leader and six jurists nominated by the judiciary and approved by parliament. This body has the power to veto any bill it deems inconsistent with the constitution and Islamic law.The last Iranian Christian convert from Islam executed by the Iranian government was Hossein Soodmand in 1990. He was accused of working as “an American spy.” Since then at least six Protestant pastors have been assassinated by unknown killers.
Posted by Robert

http://www.jihadwatch.org/dhimmiwatch/archives/024584.php

PS:Please keep these three precioius christians and their families,friends and churches in your fervent prayers!!!!

As in the days of Noah....

Persecution Groups unsure about new U.S. president

USA (MNN)History was made yesterday, when Barak Obama was sworn into office as the first African-American president of the United States. While many are excited about the change an Obama administration brings, some Christian organizations are concerned.President of International Christian Concern Jeff King says it could be a new day under an Obama administration. "Bush, no matter what you think of him, was a great friend of the persecuted church. He stood up for them. He would intervene. He would talk to government leaders of other countries. With Obama, I'm not so sure."King expects to see hate speech legislation pushed through congress. "While these laws on the surface sound good and they sound like they're going to tap down hatred, the whole point is it's going to be a tool to shut down Christians. We will no longer be able to speak our mind or talk about what the Bible teaches."King says hate speech isn't their only concern. He says access to lawmakers and other government leaders could be at risk. "Bush was a great friend, and that filters down through the state department, through the halls of Congress, [impacting] the ability for groups like ours and others to get attention on cases of persecution. With the new president, I'm not so sure, and I'm a little worried about hate speech laws."While the situation isn't encouraging, King says we need to pray, because this isn't someone crying "wolf." He says,"It is an absolute danger. Most people are asleep on this. The Christian community probably doesn't know it's coming. The threat has been that in the first 100 days, this will be pushed through."Pastors have been arrested and tried in Australia under hate speech laws for simply teaching Christians about Islam and helping Christians to be more effective in sharing their faith with Muslims.
Pray that God would give wisdom to the Obama administration and that he would allow religious freedom to continue in the United States.
http://www.mnnonline.org/article/12195

As in the days of Noah....

Death toll higher in India's anti-Christian attacks

India (MNN)In August, a Hindu leader in India was killed by Maoists. Christians were blamed, and riots broke out across the state of Orissa, displacing thousands of Christians. The death toll is still unknown, but officials estimate it to be around 90.Josh Fisher with Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Mission India just returned from a fact-finding visit to the region, and he says the damage was catastrophic. "One of the villages we were in was a totally Christian village. It had 58 homes. At the end of the road, it dead ended into the village church. The mobs came in and destroyed everything. "Fisher says this happened in many locations. A government insider says the official death toll isn't correct."He himself consigned 200 dead bodies found from the jungles to flames, after getting them collected in a tractor. And as for his estimates, he based the intensity and the pace of the killings numbering over 500. Clearly something happened that is being reported accurately."According to Fisher, these attacks have affected their partners. "At least 30 of our partners have been affected by this. That means their programs have been stalled or postponed. 15 of our ministry partners had to suspend operations. They lost their churches. They lost their homes. We have church planters that were in training that are living in relief camps and they're unable to finish their training at this time."While the government-run relief camps are helping some, many more are in private facilities. "These people are not receiving enough assistance. Many of them don't have enough food and clothing and warm blankets. It's winter time in Orissa now. Especially in these camps in the mountains, it's very cold."That's why Mission India is committed to raising enough money to help 2,000 people with relief kits "containing valuable survival items such as clothing, bedding, blankets, cooking utensils, medicine and food.The cost is just $35." Fisher is pleading with you to help, because they've given it all up for Christ. "People are being allowed back to their villages, but there's this ultimatum waiting for them everywhere, which is, 'Come back as a Hindu, or face your death.' So they've decided to leave everything behind and start over."While this short-term assistance is needed, Mission India is already looking ahead to long-term help. "Of these people who died, many of them were pastors. There's going to be a great need to train more pastors in this area. They've lost hundreds of pastors. So pastoral training will be important."

Source:MNN

As in the days of Noah...

How can your family encourage the persecuted church?

Every day, missionaries from your church, friends working overseas and even new Christians right here in the United States are in danger because of their faith.
While God doesn't call everybody to the mission field, we're all called to stand in the gap for families worldwide-and it's easier than you might think.
4 ways to bless believers...
1. Pray!We serve a God who is mighty to save--and eager to answer. Ask Him to protect persecuted Christians and their families at home and overseas.
2. Adopt a missionary family from your church.Ask your pastor for ideas and contact information--as well as a list of needs and prayer requests.
3. Talk to your kids. Knowing that other children around the world are standing for Christ can help them stay firm in their faith at school.
4. Share stories.Take time to be challenged and inspired by the stories and updates of families just like yours. Discuss with your family how you can apply their example of faith to your everyday life.
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/?refcd=IM08LEVOM&tvar=n

As in the days of Noah...

PAKISTAN:Three Christians Attacked by supporters of the Pakistan Muslim League

Bos News Life has reported that three Christians were attacked by supporters of the Pakistan Muslim League in late November. The attack happened during a welcome procession for the Provincial Minister of Punjab for Minorities Affairs and Human Rights. Mushtaq Gill, one of the men attacked, is a Christian member of the local Assembly of Punjab’s Sargodha Distric.After the attack, Mushtaq Gill was left with a fractured left leg and serious head injuries which were almost fatal.The other two Christians hurt in the attack were Yasser Maseh and Asif Masih. According to an investigation by the World Council of Churches this attack was the latest in a series of incidents targeting Christian leaders and individual believers.
Pray for the protection for all Christians in Pakistan and especially their leaders as the country drifts into a period of uncertainty.
Pray for the physical healing for Messrs Mushtaq Gill, Yasser Maseh and Asif Masih from the injuries received in this attack.
Pray for God’s blessing upon Mushtaq Gill as he takes a public stand for Minorities and Human Rights in his area of Pakistan.

Source:ICC

http://www.persecution.org/

As in the days of Noah....

GAMBIA:Scottish Missionaries in Prison

David Fulton, 60, a Scottish missionary, and his wife, Fiona Fulton, 46, are currently in prison in the West African country of Gambia according to BBC News.They are accused of sedition, or undermining the government, a crime that carries up to 25 years of imprisonment.They have pleaded not guilty to the charges but thus far have been unable to post the high bail required.The Fultons were arrested on November 29th and are being held in different prisons. Mr. Fulton has not eaten and it is not known if he is intentionally not eating or is unable to eat.At the time of the arrest, David Fulton was writing a book of his life story.He has lived in Gambia for 12 years, and has been working as a chaplain for the Gambian army.However, their main focus has been teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gambian people.Their two-year-old adopted child was taken from them when they were arrested. Gambia has a secular constitution, but its population is 90% Muslim.
Pray for the quick release of the Fultons and the dropping of all charges against them.
Pray for supernatural strength for the Fultons while they are in jail, and for David Fulton to get the nutrition he needs.
Pray for the salvation of the Gambian people.

Source:ICC

http://www.persecution.org/

As in the days of Noah...

Iranian Secret Police Harrassed Christians before Christmas....

Before Christmas,many Iranian Christians were summoned to the Information Ministry (Islamic Secret Police) and forced to sign written guarantees not to celebrate with Christmas gatherings and New Year celebrations.Also, as reported by the Farsi Christian News, some heads of house churches in Tabriz, Sanandaj, and Shiraz were summoned to the Information Ministry, and have been accused of spying for the foreigners.With severe violence they are forced not to have any contact with the other heads of Iranian churches, both inside or outside of the country.
Pray for divine protection over all Christians in Iran and especially their leaders.
Pray that God will perform a miracle for Iranian Christians and they will be able to celebrate the miracle of Christ’s birth without government harassment.
Pray that the Gospel will go forth in Iran despite the government’s attempts to stamp it out.

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

As in the days of Noah...

INDIA:Attacks against christians in two different states

There have been reports in early December from two separate states in India that attacks against Christians occurred, according to Evangelical Fellowship of India.The first attack occurred in Sangur, Punjab, where two Operation Mobilization workers, Pani Garhi and Kitan Bhai, were attacked by Hindu extremists as they were distributing gospel tracts. The extremists took the men to the police station accusing them of forceful conversation, but authorities refused to file charges against them. The second attack occurred in Bangarapet, Kolar, and Karnataka on December 14th during a Christian function held by Helping Hands, an organization which helps rural women and children. Hindu extremists barged into the Christian function, burned the gospel tracts, and then dragged the director of Helping Hands, Samuel Moses and his accountant, to the police station accusing them of alluring the people to convert to Christianity. Mr Moses and his accountant were detained for nine hours then released although an investigation is on going to confirm whether they are guilty of forceful conversions.
Pray that Samuel Moses and his accountant will not be charged with any wrong doing so they can continue their work for the Lord in India.
Pray that all Christian ministries in India will boldly continue to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in spite of the Hindu extremist attempts to weaken and bring fear among Christians.
Pray against the spirit of darkness which covers India in order that the message of the Gospel will go forth, and bear fruit.

Source:ICC

http://www.persecution.org/

As in the days of Noah....

Officials Allow Muslims to Demolish 30 Christian Homes for Stable

The Washington-DC based human rights group, International Christian Concern (ICC) http://www.persecution.org
has learned that a powerful Muslim village elder and his nephews forcibly evicted about 30 impoverished Christian families from their homes in order to make way for a stable for their livestock. While the stable will keep the Muslims' animals warm and dry, these 30 Christian families are now homeless in their village of Kotla Punjubaig in Sheikhupura district near Lahore, Pakistan.In an interview with ICC, a local Christian elder of Kotla Punjubaig, Boota Masih, said, "This land was given to our forefathers by the British Rulers before the Indo-Pak partition in 1947 and we had been living here since then."Masih described what happened as follows: "A few days back the hard-line Muslim head of our village, Muhammad Mansha, and his nephews, Akbar Ali, Arif, Asgher Abbas and Muhammad Yousaf, armed with deadly firearms, invaded our homes and forcibly threw us and our household things out of our houses."Masih said sadly, "And they left us homeless and shelter-less by demolishing our sweet homes."Boota Masih and other victims added that Muhammad Mansha and his nephews had occupied their homes to build a stable for their livestock with permission from officials of the local Land Requisition Department.Masih said that when they pleaded with Mansha over why he was doing this to them, Mansha replied coldly that the land was allotted to him by the Land Requisition Department. As these families have no other place to live, their belongings are currently strewn along the streets and alleys of the neighborhood (photo of belongings on street left). Muhammad Mansha and his nephews refused to comment on this matter, despite ICC's repeated efforts to contact them.Masih claimed that police officials had not taken any action to prosecute Mansha or his nephews and had not yet attempted to find the Christians alternate housing, despite the fact that he had appealed to Punjab's Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif (Fax: (0092) 42 - 5881383) to intervene and provide them homes.
Please contact the Pakistani embassy in your country and ask them to protect the rights of Christians and all religious minorities.
Pakistan Embassies:
USA: (202) 243-6500,
info@embassyofpakistanusa.org
Canada: (613) 238-7881,
info@embassyofpakistanusa.org
parepottawa@rogers.com
UK: 0870-005-6967,
hoc@phclondon.org
Source:ICC
http://www.persecution.org/
As in the days of Noah...

China:40 Christians Arrested in Nanyang,16 Sentenced to Administrative Detention;Police Forcibly Escort Pastor 'Bike' from Beijing

Chinese police raided a Christian leaders' gathering in Henan on Tuesday (December 16), detaining over 40 Christians.Some were released after paying a 1000-2000 yuan fine,but 16 were sentenced to 10-15 days administrative detention.It has also been reported that well-known Pastor 'Bike' Zhang was forcibly escorted from Beijing by Public Security Bureau officers (December 18).
This is the second time he has been forced out of Beijing. Full Story.
For more general information please go to ICC's webpage on China.
Source:ICC
http://www.persecution.org/
As in the days of Noah....

Vietnam: Authorities Destroy New church Building

A new wooden church built in September by Hmong Christians in Vietnam has been destroyed by local government officials. Hundreds of Christians who rushed to protect the building were forced back by police wielding electric cattle prods. Five people were injured, including one child and a pregnant woman who was stabbed in the stomach with a cattle prod. Villagers fear she may miscarry. Full Story.
For more general information please go to ICC's webpage on Vietnam.

Source:ICC

http://www.persecution.org/

As in the days of Noah...

China Pastor Lou Yuanqi's Daughter Beaten at Trial

Pastor Lou Yuanqi, arrested by Chinese police on May 17, stood trial Monday, but the court has still not reached a verdict. It was reported that his daughter, 18, was beaten by court police when she attempted to speak to her father as he was being put in the car with police. Full Story.
For more general information please go to ICC's webpage on China.

Source:ICC

http://www.persecution.org/

As in the days of Noah....

Christians Attacked in Two States of India

Hindu extremists allegedly belonging to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) attacked a Christmas function and accused the Christians of forceful conversion on December 14 in Bangarapet, Kolar, Karnataka. Full Story.
For more general information please go to ICC's webpage on India.

Source:ICC

http://www.persecution.org/

As in the days of Noah...

Indonesia's Seram Island in Maluku Region Tense After Riots

A Christian teacher's comment that agitated one of his students evolved into several days of rioting. Dozens of homes, shops and places or worship have been damaged or destroyed.The teacher and the student are both being considered "suspects," and the teacher could be charged with up to five years in prison for his comment. Full Story.
For more general information please go to ICC's webpage on Indonesia.
Source:ICC
http://www.persecution.org/
As in the days of Noah.....

China Sentences Christian to Labor Camp

Mao Minzi, a 55-year-old Chinese Christians has been sentenced to a year of re-education through labor for "organizing an illegal religious gathering" in China. He may be able to appeal the sentence with the aid of a Christian attorney from ChinaAid's Legal Defense Fund.
Full Story.
For more general information please go to ICC's webpage on China.
Source:ICC
http://www.persecution.org
As in the days of Noah....

Nigeria:Six Pastors Killed,40 Churches Razed in Violence in Jos

The murderous rioting sparked by Muslim attacks on Christians and their property on Nov. 28-29 left six pastors dead, at least 500 other people killed and 40 churches destroyed, according to church leaders. One man asked, "Why were churches and clergy attacked and killed? Why were politicians and political party offices not attacked, if it was a political conflict?" Full Story.

For more general information please go to ICC's webpage on Nigeria.

Source:ICC

http://www.persecution.org/

As in the days of Noah....

Prisoner Alert:Sandul Bibi--Pakistan

Location: Pakistan

Arrested: October 2008

Twenty- year-old Sandul Bibi is in prison in Pakistan, charged with violating section 295-B of the Pakistani legal code, the “blasphemy” law. Sandul is falsely accused of ripping pages from the Quran. On Oct. 9 a large crowd of Muslims attacked Christian families at a church, throwing stones and firing guns. They were shouting, “Kill Gulsher and his daughter Sandul.” Sandul and her father, Gulsher Masih, were arrested after a mob from the local mosque surrounded their house. Loudspeakers from different mosques broadcast accusations that Christians had disgraced the Quran, calling Muslims to attack and burn their homes. The angry crowd threw stones at Sandul’s home. Christians believe Sandul and her father were targeted and arrested because they were aggressively winning villagers to Christ. Sandul has written several letters to her family from prison. In her latest letter she says, “I am praying a lot that God releases me from here and I can meet you, but I don’t know when. He will give answers for our prayers. Please pray for me.” If convicted, Sandul faces at least four years in prison. She and her family desperately need your prayers and encouragement.Also write a letter of encouragement to Sandal’s father, Gulsher Masih, who is being held at the same prison.

To write them a letter.click on the URL below:

http://www.prisoneralert.com/qry/vp_writeletter.taf?pfilid=189&_UserReference=E7CA03801FD65E8F4977EB6D&_nc=239c48ca1989a0e82e885bbf42d0b72a

Source:

http://www.prisoneralert.com/

As in the days of Noah...

Muslims Set Church on Fire During Christmas Preparations

The Washington-DC based human rights group, International Christian Concern (ICC) http://www.persecution.org
has learned that unknown Muslims entered a church, poured kerosene on the pulpit and set it on fire in the small village of 'Chak 77-RB' near the city of Faisalabad, Pakistan. In addition, the attackers left a letter behind threatening the Christians with eternal damnation if they refused to become Muslims. According to Pastor Asif Mukhtar (photo left, holding the threatening letter),Christians in the village were cleaning the church in preparation for Christmas on December 17. There are 80-100 Christian families in the village, and they are split between Catholics and Presbyterians. However, they both share the St. Paul Church building and have never had religious disputes. At noon the church work-team took a break for lunch and left the church open. While the work-team was away, some young boys started shouting that someone had set fire to the church. Javed Masih immediately ran to the building."I was the first who reached into the church," Masih said. "I saw the Bible and other holy books burning there…and a bottle of kerosene oil and a few papers nearby.""In the meantime, other people also reached there and we took out the burned books. Fortunately, we reached in time. If not the fire may be spread in the small church," he added.According to Father Yaqoob Yousaf, the Catholic Priest who shares responsibility for St. Paul Church, the full text of the letter left behind was: "All you Christians! Embrace Islam, the true and everlasting religion, and quit Christianity since it is a false religion. You will enjoy the life here and after death also, if you believe in Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), the last Prophet, otherwise you would be put into hell." The writer reportedly neither mentioned his name nor the organization he belonged to, but simply signed the letter, "Servant of Islam."In addition, Father Yousaf commented, "The writing style and the language used shows that [the author] could be a student of a lower grade in the school or a seminary, however provoked by someone for this act."
Rapid Response
Christians informed the local police who responded quickly by sending someone to inspect the scene of the crime.The same evening, church members registered a first information report (FIR) against unknown persons, under section 295-A (blasphemy laws) of Pakistan Penal Code in Khurrarianwala police station.The work-team also told the whole village about the incident. In response, the Christian villagers gathered in the church to express their solidarity, and even some of their Muslim neighbors came to express their support for the church.Father Yousaf advised the Christians to have patience, but urged the authorities to "provide practical protection to the Christians, arrest and punish the culprit and take firm action against the religious fanatics." He said the incident has caused fear among the local Christian community. Christians are especially afraid that this person will disrupt Christmas Day services. Father Yousaf added, "We would stage a country-wide protest on the roads, if the administration does not arrest the culprit and fulfill our demands."Father Yousaf said that when the Bishop of the Diocese, Joseph Coutts, was made aware of the incident, he responded by condemning the attack and asking the faithful to remain united and pray for peace and religious tolerance in the society.
Please contact the Pakistani embassy in your country and ask them to protect the rights of Christians and all religious minorities.
Pakistan Embassies:
USA: (202) 243-6500,
info@embassyofpakistanusa.org
Canada: (613) 238-7881,
info@embassyofpakistanusa.org
parepottawa@rogers.com
UK: 0870-005-6967,
hoc@phclondon.org
Source:ICC
http://www.persecution.org/
As in the days of Noah...

Pastor Bike--CHINA

Pastor Bike speaks about the support China has received from western Christians...

Unrest continues in the Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo has been plagued by suffering and unrest.The weakest members of society are the victims of massive human rights abuses and cannot access resources to fulfill their most basic needs."You think of all the suffering that's going on, people being displaced over and over again," said Sam Vinton, president of Grace Ministries International. "There's a calm there at this time, but the people who are inciting the problems or having the rebellion are still there, so it's always something hanging over the people."A recent report by the United Nations has accused Rwanda of supporting Tutsi rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo."People in Congo are very, very concerned about the way Rwanda, they feel, is helping," Vinton said. "Whether this is completely true or not, we do not know."Despite the situation, the ministry continues to go forward. GMI is launching an initiative in partnership with Book of Hope to reach every child in its over-200 Congolese schools with the Book of Hope and the GodMan film."If we waited for things to come down to 100% peace in Congo, I think we would have left many years ago," Vinton said."But we really feel the Lord has put these 40,000 students especially right where we can reach them."Grace Ministries International trains leaders for over 500 churches in the Congo, and the national church operates 75 high schools and 145 grade schools. Many of the schools are in remote locations, and they are very difficult to reach...

PS:Remember to pray for the Church in Congo,for protection and provision for every project,they are praying for.

Source:MNN

As in the days of Noah....

Fear hangs over Christians in India

India (MNN)-About 2,100 Christian families driven from their homes in India's Orissa state are finally receiving badly-needed relief supplies.Tens of thousands of Christians were forced from their homes after riots in August following the murder of a Hindu swami and four of his followers. Hindu extremists blamed Christians and mounted mob attacks on churches, as well as homes and villages populated by Christians.Though arrests have been made in the murders, thousands of believers are too frightened to return home. Many evangelical mission agencies are calling the pogrom an effort to exterminate Christians completely.As a result, thousands have fled to camps operated by the government, police officials and private groups.However, because of extremist threats, Tom Dudenhofer with Audio Scripture Ministries says not everyone is getting what they need to survive the deteriorating conditions. "It's cold there now, and the families are suffering. The kids, especially, need blankets and clothing. However, attempts to take supplies to these people have been rejected by the state authorities who say that they don't want to give this material to the Christians because they'll only use it to force conversions on other people."Though some try to return home, extremists are forcing them to make a choice: reconvert to Hinduism, die, or leave.Dudenhofer is encouraged that it appears many believers are refusing to recant.The anti-Christian brutality spread from Orissa into Karnataka state.However,ASM has seen a unique evangelistic opportunity.Dudenhofer says their partners in Bangalore say, "There's nothing else that these people have to turn to. There is no hope; there is no promise of any material blessings or anything coming out of this situation. Our directors in Bangalore tell us that all of a sudden, a huge increase in requests for Scriptures in audio has been coming out of this area."
Keep praying for those who are in ministry in these dangerous areas.

Pray that their faith will not waver.

And pray that God will sustain and provides for their needs....

Source:MNN

As in the days of Noah...