Thursday, August 7, 2008
China – Mixed Signals
Persecution Of House Church Christians Taking Place Despite Some Positive Olympic DevelopmentsSANTA ANA, Calif.(july 28th,2008)With the start of the Summer Olympics in Beijing only 12 days away (August 8), China has sent out mixed messages regarding basic human rights, including religious freedom, in the last week.
On the positive side, China is permitting:
--Printing of 90,000 Gospel booklets and Bibles for Olympic athletes and visitors.
--Places of worship to be set up inside the Olympic village to provide religious services to the athletes.
--Set up of special protest zones in three public parks several miles from the main Olympic stadium. However, demonstrators would need to apply for permission in advance.
On the negative side, China has:
--Relocated Zhang Mingxuan, a prominent Beijing-based pastor and founder of the Chinese House Church Alliance, and his ailing wife Xie Fenglanto, to Hebei Province’s Yanjiao Township after a week of harassment. According to Hong Kong’s The Sunday Post (July 20), the government was concerned that he might be a “destabilizing factor” during the Olympic Games.
--Continued its crackdown on house churches. According to Mingxuan, 2008 is the most difficult year in his 20 years as a Christian. “The crackdown on underground churches so far this year is much more intense than the past few years put together because of the Olympic Games.”
--Re-arrested Shi Weihan for publishing Bibles and Christian literature. Shi ran a Christian bookstore, a printing press and travel agency. The bookstore is located near the Olympic Village. According to Johnny Li, Open Doors International Minister-at-Large who has spent many years in China, it’s not unusual for the Chinese government to send out mixed signals to the world.
“The Chinese government is concerned about any group disrupting their plans for being a ‘perfect’ Olympic host. House churches are among the groups drawing special attention. The same government that says it’s okay for Olympic competitors and visitors to bring in and read their Bibles and provides places of worship in the Olympic village is cracking down on house church leaders and relocating and imprisoning some of them.”
Li adds that perhaps the No. 1 question is what will the landscape look like for Christians after the Games wind up August 24 – better or worse?
Open Doors is urging Christians in the United States to email Chinese Ambassador to the United States Zhou Whenzong to express their concern over the status of Weihan, including access to medical care and medicines, adequate clothing, visitation rights for his family and a fair and prompt trial. To send an email and for more information, go to http://www.opendoorsusa.org/.
An estimated 100 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with millions more facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world's most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers. To partner with Open Doors USA, call toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (888-524-2535) or go to our Website at http://www.opendoorsusa.org/.
OPEN DOORS USA
Jerry Dykstra, Media Relations Director
Phone: 616-915-4117
Email: JerryD@odusa.org
Website: http://www.opendoorsusa.org/
As in the days of Noah...
Olympic Games Begin this Friday--PRAY....!!!!
China - Open Doors is looking for prayer warriors to host a special prayer event in their church or small group during the Olympic Games (Aug. 8-24) with resources available in the Open Doors “Get-Set-Pray” kit. You can download these China prayer materials now.Also, President Bush will be meeting Chinese President Hu Jintao this weekend in Beijing. President Bush will be bringing up concerns over China’s poor human rights record. Please keep this meeting in your prayers. Read our latest press release on the continued persecution of House Church Christians in China.
As in the days of Noah...
House Churches Ready to Welcome President Bush; Deeply concerned over President Bush’s Second Visit to Government Sanctioned Church
3 days before the opening of the Olympic Games in Beijing, China Aid Association has learned that House Church Alliance President, Zhang Mingxuan along with his wife has been detained by Chinese Authorities. The two along with a fellow pastor are being held in an undisclosed location in Henan Province.The arrest comes on the eve of President George Bush’s visit to China for the Beijing Olympic Games. President Bush has been a stalwart supporter of the Chinese House Church and Religious freedom within China since his inauguration. In order to further his commitment to the House Church, President Bush has committed to visit the Kuanjie Protestant Church at the behest of the Chinese Government.According to PRC officials the Kuanjie Protestant Church is a Government sanctioned church which has incorporated House Church Christians into its ranks therefore validating to the World the CPC’s tolerance of religious worshipers. In reality however, China’s embracing of Kuanjie Church is a misleading and deceptive ploy used by China to deceive the international community into believing the CPC is no longer persecuting Christians.Upon further investigation of Kuanjie Church, CAA has found that the so called “House Church incorporation”, is nothing more than a series of Government sanctioned “House Cells” that have permission from the CPC to meet outside of the Government sanctioned building. These “cells” are lead by pastors who have been trained and appointed by the Government and who are required to obey all rules dictated by the TSPM (Government) Church. By creating such a system the Chinese Government has created a false sense of inclusion of house churches into mainstream society and has deceived many world and even evangelical leaders into believing China has ceased religious persecution. Unfortunately, this deception has lead to the increasing persecution of the House Churches across China. With outside leaders adding validity to the TSPM churches, House Churches are constantly being painted as dissenters and lawbreakers, while simply trying to worship in true freedom.China Aid urges President Bush as well as other leaders to not be deceived by the CPC’s ploys to appear as if they are tolerant of Religion while at the same time brutally persecuting House Churches and their members across China.
As in the days of Noah...
Beijing Christian Book Store Owner Shi Weihan’s Condition Deteriorating in Prison
Shi Weihan seen here with his familyBeijing- CAA has learned that Beijing book store owner and House Church Leader Mr. Shi Weihan,has been suffering a deterioration in health since his imprisonment four months ago. Poor prison conditions and refusal of diabetes medication have contributed to Shi’s lack of health. Shi has lost more than 10 kg in body weight amidst the constant physical and psychological torture employed by prison officials. Recently Shi was coerced to sign and recognize a confession convicting him of “engaging in the printing and distribution of a large number of illegal publications.” The charges stem from Shi’s printing of Bibles and Christian literature which were sold at his Beijing Christian bookstore, but were deemed “illegal” by Beijing authorities because the books were not printed by the TSPM church.Pastor Bob Fu, The president of China Aid Association strongly condemns the PSB of Beijing, citing the hypocrisy and contradictory nature of the Chinese Government’s pledge of religious freedom amidst the upcoming Olympic Games. Mr. Fu calls on the international media to continue to pay close attention to this incident, and provide support and help to Mr. Shi Weihan’s family in this time of need.The host of the Olympic Games, which signify honor and freedom amongst world citizens, has continued to mock the World community by pledging to uphold religious freedom while simultaneously persecuting its own citizens for their personal beliefs.To voice your concern over this matter contact:
Municipal Government Departments
Municipal Government Departments
Information Office
Bldg 10, Fahuananli, Chongwen
Tel:01186-6715-2383
http://www.beijing.org.cn/
Legislative Office
Legislative Office
2 Zhengyi Lu, Dongcheng District
Tel: 01186-6512-2146
http://www.bjfzb.gov.cn/
China’s Anti-Corruption hotline- reporting of corrupt Government officials (within China) -12388
China’s Anti-Corruption hotline- reporting of corrupt Government officials (within China) -12388
PS:PLEASE PRAY for Shi's health and for his family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As in the days of Noah...
Bob Fu Interviewed by Nationally Syndicated Talk Show Host Mancow Muller
CAA President Bob Fu was interviewed by nationally syndicated talk show host, “Mancow” Muller on Tuesday August 5, 2008 at 6:35 AM.To listen to the interview visit:
http://fetch.noxsolutions.com/mancow/mp3/mancow_080508.mp3
(Mr. Fu’ s interview can be found at: 1:20 through 1:25 minutes into the show.)
Source: http://www.chinaaid.org/
As in the days of Noah...
Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan and Wife Arrested in Henan Province
CAA has been informed that President of the Chinese House Church Alliance and Personal Friend, Pastor Zhang "Bike" Mingxuan, has been arrested along with his wife and fellow pastor, Wu. The three were detained by the PSB of Zhengzhou City, Henan Province. Pastor Zhang was on his way to deliver medicine to his ill wife when he was detained. All three are being detained at an undisclosed PSB office in Zhengzhou City, the Capital of Henan Province.Please pray for the safe and immediate release of Pastor Zhang his wife and Pastor Wu.
Source:http://www.chinaaid.org/
As in the days of Noah...
President Bush condemns China human rights record on eve of Olympics
President Bush has issued a blunt condemnation of Beijing’s repression of its people on the eve of the Olympics, just as three American Christians were arrested for protesting for religious freedom in Tiananmen Square.With the eyes of the world on China and heads of state from around the globe flying in for the opening ceremony tomorrow, Mr Bush used some of his toughest language yet to press China to improve its record on human rights.Speaking in Bangkok, he said: “America stands in firm opposition to China’s detention of political dissidents and human rights advocates and religious activists. We press for openness and justice – not to impose our beliefs but to allow the Chinese people to express theirs.”The remarks were a sharp reminder of the many abuses that are still reported in China, seven years after the promise it gave to the International Olympic Committee when it applied to host the games that it would take the opportunity to improve its record on human rights.China’s 1.3 billion people enjoy far greater personal autonomy, with greater rights to move to other parts of the country, seek jobs nationwide, speak their minds in privately and even in Internet chat forums. However, the limits of those freedoms are starkly portrayed in cases of activists detained, monitored or jailed for challenging the Communist Party leadership or criticising its policies. The latest such example involved a young teacher from southwestern Sichuan province who was ordered to serve one year of “re-education through labour” – a non-judicial punishment that can be imposed by the police – for distributing on the Internet photographs of schools that crumbled in the May earthquake.President Bush, who arrives in Beijing later today, said: “The United States believes the people of China deserve the fundamental liberty that is the natural right of all human beings." Beijing has been accused of cracking down even more severely on dissent ahead of the Games rather than grant greater freedoms in line with its original promises.The President said: “We speak out for a free press, freedom of assembly, and labour rights not to antagonise China’s leaders, but because trusting its people with greater freedom is the only way for China to develop its full potential."Those remarks are likely to anger China’s leadership, but some Chinese analysts said Beijing would probably give no sign of its irritation when Mr Bush meets his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao. Mr Bush has chided China on human rights before - focusing especially on restrictions on religious freedom - and has drawn the Chinese government's ire by meeting dissidents at the White House ahead of his week-long farewell trip to East Asia.But prominent Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo, who has been jailed several times for his views and for his role in the 1989 student-led demonstrations in Tiananmen Square, said China’s leaders were likely to take a relatively sanguine approach.“Whatever he says, the Chinese government won’t care too much about the content. The most important thing is that he is attending. Whatever he says is less important," he said.Asked to comment on whether President Bush could have been even more critical during what is almost certainly his last visit to China as president, Mr Liu said: “This is probably as much as he can say since he is coming. He must be taking into account that China is an important country and if you don’t show respect to China at such an occasion, then it will not only not listen but it will spark a backlash.” By Jane Macartney in Beijing http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article4476593.ece
As in the days of Noah.....
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Hundreds Turn Out to Back Science Teacher Fired for Keeping Bible on His Desk
In this case,the only thing that disturbed me was the fact of the branding of crosses in the arms and foreheads of kids,which he said he did(only the arms).I saw him talking about this on a video when the case started.He explained then that it was during a lesson of science, where every year he uses to "tatoo-kinda"a cross or sometihng in his arm to illustrate the class.I cant remember exactly what it was all about.At any rate.IF his file was good for so many years and he did this class every year,WHY now there are some kids complaining?We know it is almost criminal to carry a Bible and worse to have it in your desk at a public school--if you are a techer.This is the state of things in our nation,where christian science teachers are no longer welcomed at public schools nation wide,just because they believe in the Bible.Any other thing he or she does is considered extra fuel in the fire that started with the complaints and ended up with his suspension....We are in the days in which christianism is gonna be outlawed in the US,while paganism and atheism is embraced gladly by the masses that have hardened their hearts and hate and fight any mention of God anywhere in the country,especially in the public arena...May God help us!!!!!!!!!!!
As in the days of Noah...
Saudis to Christians: Get out!:Those accused of worshipping in homes ordered deported
More than a dozen Christians in Saudi Arabia who were accused by government officials of worshipping in their homes have been ordered deported. According to a report from International Christian Concern, the Christians will be expelled tomorrow for one specific home worship service in Taif in April.The deportation conflicts with the message stated just weeks earlier by Saudi King Abdullah, who called for interfaith dialogue and held a summit in Spain with a representatives from several major religions.
"Deporting Christians for worshipping in their private homes shows that King Abdullah's speech is mere rhetoric and his country is deceiving the international community about their desire for change and reconciliation," said Jeff King, the president of ICC.The report from the Washington-based human rights group said 15 Christians will be deported. Sixteen had been arrested on April 25 when a dozen Saudi Arabian police officers raided a home during a prayer meeting."The first officer to enter the house after breaking down the main gate pointed a pistol at the Christians and ordered them to hand over their resident permits and mobile phones," the report said. "The other 11 police followed quickly and started searching the entire house. The confiscated an electronic drum set, an offering box with 500 Saudi Riyal in it ($130), 20 Bibles, and a few Christian books."The worshippers initially faced accusations of preaching and singing. "They later changed the charge to holding a 'dance party' and collecting money to support terrorism," the ICC said."During the raid, the police mocked, questioned and harassed the Christians for four hours. Then they took them to a police station where the head of the station interrogated them. The head of the police then wrote down their 'statements' in Arabic and forced the Christians, who are immigrants and not able to read or write Arabic, to sign the statements," ICC said.They were released three days later, and one Christian immediately left the country. The others returned to their work, but soon got letters ordered their departures tomorrow, ICC said."Three weeks ago, Saudi Arabia hosted an interfaith conference in Madrid, Spain. During the conference that took place from July 16-19, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia called for reconciliation among various religions," ICC said.
According to an International Herald Tribune report, King Abdullah's meeting drew about 200 representatives of Christianity, Islam and Judaism as well as those representing Hindu, Taoism and others.The reporter noted that the meetings had to be held outside of Saudi Arabia because "the mere fact that rabbis would be openly invited to the kingdom, a country where in principle Jews are not permitted to visit, would have constituted a turning point."
As in the days of Noah....
Monday, August 4, 2008
Colorado Law Bans Bible
Press Conference held on July 1, 2008 at the Marriott Denver Tech Center regarding SB200 which criminalizes Christian teaching on Sexual Immorality...
As in the days of Noah...
As in the days of Noah...
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Court Orders University of Florida to Accept Christian Fraternity
GAINESVILLE, FL-The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit ordered University of Florida officials Wednesday to stop discriminating against a Christian fraternity, Beta Upsilon Chi (BYX), while a lawsuit filed by Christian Legal Society and Alliance Defense Fund attorneys against school officials is on appeal."The 11th Circuit seems to understand that Christian student groups cannot be singled out for discrimination. The right to associate with people of like mind and interest applies to all student groups on a public university campus," said Litigation Counsel Timothy J. Tracey with CLS's Center for Law & Religious Freedom. "We are confident that the court will not allow the University of Florida to continue to deprive BYX of this right by forcing the group to abandon its identity as a Christian men's organization."University officials had refused to recognize BYX as a registered student group because the group limits its membership to Christian men. The school does not apply a similar standard to other student organizations, permitting various groups to limit their membership to those who share the organization's views.Without official recognition, BYX cannot receive critical benefits given to other student groups, such as access to meeting space and the ability to advertise and recruit members on campus. Wednesday's injunction from the 11th Circuit means that the university must officially recognize BYX while the case moves forward.A motion for summary judgment is still pending in federal district court, but BYX appealed the case to the 11th Circuit when the district court denied a preliminary injunction to BYX. The fraternity had gone the entire 2007-2008 school year without official recognition.As in the days of Noah...
Brownback: China leads world in human rights abuses
A conservative U.S. senator is urging President Bush to press Chinese leaders about their crackdown on religious freedom when he travels to Beijing to watch the Summer Olympics.President Bush recently held talks with five Chinese dissidents to "discuss his concerns about human rights in China" and to promise that he would carry those concerns to Beijing. One of the Chinese activists, Bob Fu of the China Aid Association, implored Bush to intercede on behalf of an imprisoned house church leader.Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kansas) is also asking Bush to raise concerns about religious persecution in China. He says China remains the greatest enabler of human rights abuses around the world."Whether it's their relationship with Zimbabwe or North Korea or Myanmar, Sudan, the Chinese are either supplying economic dollars and activities to those regimes or blocking for them, or slowing things down in international bodies from...stopping the abuses," said Brownback. "And they abuse their own citizens, such as what you're hearing taking place through the house church, which has been something ongoing..." he notes.Brownback has released documents detailing the Chinese government's plan to monitor the Internet activity of hotel visitors near Olympic venues.As in the days of Noah...
Friday, August 1, 2008
Judge sends kidnapped sisters to shelter:Banned from seeing parents or Muslim 'caretakers' until further hearing
A Pakistani court has ordered two young girls whose parents reported them kidnapped into a shelter, forbidding them from seeing either their parents or the Muslims who were accused of kidnapping them, until a hearing next week.The case hinges on the girls' disputed conversion from Christianity to Islam. At a hearing in Multan, Judge Saghir Ahmed ordered Aneela and Saba Masih, 10 and 13 respectively, to be placed temporarily in a government-run women's shelter, according to a report from Compass Direct.A provincial high court judge said he did not believe the children had been free from external pressure when testifying they had converted to Islam. According to a lawyer representing the Christian parents, the court's emphasis on the genuineness of the children’s conversion is irrelevant."It is not a matter embracing Islam – the parents have a right to their children under the law," said advocate Rashid Rehman of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.But according to Rehman, the judge may have acted under pressure from fanatical Muslim clerics."Muslim clerics have threatened the judge that if he allows the girls to go with the Christians, they will kill him," said Khalid Raheel, the girls' uncle.Aneela and Saba attended the recent hearing in the company of Amjad Ali, a Muslim who "married" the elder sister on June 27, the day after they disappeared. The girls' father has accused Ali and his relatives of kidnapping the girls. Their father only discovered his daughters' location when he found Ali and another local had filed a case against him for custody of his children. Their claim was based on Aneela and Saba's alleged conversion to Islam. Under one interpretation of Islamic law, a non-Muslim may not have custody of a Muslim.In a July 12 ruling, Judge Main Naeem Sardar upheld the Islamic law rationale, awarding the alleged kidnappers custody of the girls based on their conversion to Islam. He refused to accept the children's birth certificates as proof of their age, relying solely on 13-year-old Saba's testimony that she was 17 and had converted and married of her own volition.Their father appealed the decision with the help of lawyer Rehman.During the hearing, Ali and nine relatives remained around the children in the courtroom, issuing them instructions. They surrounded them even when the court allowed the girls to approach their parents. According to Rehman, the 13-year-old angrily shoved her mother away and shouted, “I do not want to talk with you. I don't want to go with you. I don't recognize you. I am a Muslim and you are a Christian."Aneela, the 10-year-old, was unable to respond to questions from the judge and appeared to be in a daze. Her uncle, who attended the hearing, said that she had been especially close to her father.After the hearing, their father told Compass Direct he and his wife had begun fasting and praying for their daughters' safe return.Last week, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif called on police to take measures against an increase in incidents of kidnapping for ransom.Earlier, Compass Direct reported police initially refused even to file the kidnapping case sought by the father, Younis Masih.The two children, the youngest of eight children in the family, were abducted while en route to visit their uncle, reports said.As in the days of Noah...
Victory for Mt. Soledad—Federal Judge Rules that Cross can Stay
San Diego, CA-On Tuesday of this week a federal judge ok'd the presence of the 29-foot cross on Mt. Soledad in San Diego, California—a memorial to Korean War veterans, according to a Christian Post report. The decision was the culmination of a long battle after a lawsuit was filed in the 1980's by the ACLU; seeking to remove the cross on the grounds of unconstitutionality.U.S. District Judge Larry Alan Burns stated in his ruling, "The court finds the memorial at Mt. Soledad, including its Latin cross, communicates the primarily non-religious messages of military service, death, and sacrifice," Burns wrote in his decision. "As such, despite its location on public land, the memorial is constitutional."Happy with Judge Burns' judgment was William Kellogg, president of the nonprofit Mount Soledad Memorial Association. In an interview with the Union-Tribune of San Diego he said, "That makes me feel terrific because that truly is what it's all about, honoring veterans. Our mission has been to communicate that to the public for so many years, so I think the language there is very appropriate."Source: Lawrence Jones – Christian Post
PS:The ACLU here in the US hates christians and fights for anything and everything that relates to Jesus and the God of the Bible.....
As in the days of Noah...
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Hamas' Christian convert: I've left a society that sanctifies terror
A moment before beginning his supper, Masab, son of West Bank Hamas leader Sheikh Hassan Yousef, glances at the friend who has accompanied him to the restaurant where we met. They whisper a few words and then say grace, thanking God and Jesus for putting food on their plates.It takes a few seconds to digest this sight: The son of a Hamas MP who is also the most popular figure in that extremist Islamic organization, a young man who assisted his father for years in his political activities, has become a rank-and-file Christian. "I'm now called Joseph," he says at the outset. Masab knows that he has little hope of returning to visit the Holy Land in this lifetime."I know that I'm endangering my life and am even liable to lose my father, but I hope that he'll understand this and that God will give him and my family patience and willingness to open their eyes to Jesus and to Christianity. Maybe one day I'll be able to return to Palestine and to Ramallah with Jesus, in the Kingdom of God." Nor does he attempt to hide his affection for Israel, or his abhorrence of everything representing the surroundings in which he grew up: the nation, the religion, the organization. "Send regards to Israel, I miss it. I respect Israel and admire it as a country," he says. "You Jews should be aware: You will never, but never have peace with Hamas. Islam, as the ideology that guides them, will not allow them to achieve a peace agreement with the Jews. They believe that tradition says that the Prophet Mohammed fought against the Jews and that therefore they must continue to fight them to the death." Is that the justification for the suicide attacks? "More than that. An entire society sanctifies death and the suicide terrorists. In Palestinian culture a suicide terrorist becomes a hero, a martyr. Sheikhs tell their students about the 'heroism of the shaheeds.'" And yet, in spite of the criticism of the place he left, California can't make the longings disappear. "I miss Ramallah," he says. "People with an open mind. ... I mainly miss my mother, my brothers and sisters, but I know that it will be very difficult for me to return to Ramallah soon." The continuation of this article will appear in the Haaretz Weekend Magazine.To read more go to:
As in the days of Noah...
Son of top Hamas leader converts to Christianity:'I hope my father and family open their eyes to Jesus and the Kingdom of God'
Sheik Hassan Yousef (Passia.org)JERUSALEM-The son of one of the most popular leaders in the Hamas terrorist organization has moved to the U.S. and converted to Christianity, it has emerged.In an exclusive interview with Israel's Haaretz newspaper, Masab Yousuf, son of West Bank Hamas leader Sheik Hassan Yousef, slammed Hamas, praised Israel and said he hoped his terrorist father will open his eyes to Jesus and to Christianity."I know that I'm endangering my life and am even liable to lose my father, but I hope that he'll understand this and that God will give him and my family patience and willingness to open their eyes to Jesus and to Christianity. Maybe one day I'll be able to return to Palestine and to Ramallah with Jesus, in the Kingdom of God," Masab said.Masab said he previously aided his father with Hamas activities, but he now has affection for Israel and laments Hamas."Send regards to Israel, I miss it. I respect Israel and admire it as a country," he says."You Jews should be aware: You will never, but never have peace with Hamas. Islam, as the ideology that guides them, will not allow them to achieve a peace agreement with the Jews. They believe that tradition says that the Prophet Muhammed fought against the Jews and that therefore they must continue to fight them to the death."Masab slammed Palestinian society as "an entire society that sanctifies death and the suicide terrorists. In Palestinian culture a suicide terrorist becomes a hero, a martyr. Sheiks tell their students about the 'heroism of the shaheeds.'"Masab's father is considered the most popular Hamas figure in the West Bank. He is serving a sentence in Israel for planning or involvement in multiple terror attacks, including an infamous 2002 suicide bombing in the school cafeteria of Jerusalem's Hebrew University in which nine students and staff members were killed.In a statement to the Palestinian Maan news agency, Masab's brother, Suhaib, strongly denied that Masab converted to Christianity.But Haaretz stood by its story. The newspaper said it sent a correspondent to the U.S., who met with Masab for a detailed, in-person interview.
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=71097
PS:Lets pray for Sheik Yousuf and for his son in the US now.There is nothing impossible with God....!http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=71097
As in the days of Noah....
Bush to Attend Church in China, Urge Religious Freedom
US President George W. Bush plans to attend church while in China for the opening of the Olympic Games next month, and will speak about freedom of religion,a top aide said Wednesday. "When he goes to church on Sunday (August 10) he will make a statement afterwards in which he discusses his view on religious freedom in China," said national security council director of Asian Affairs Dennis Wilder."You can deliver the message of freedom without politicizing the events of the game," Wilder said."The president will have diplomatic meetings with the Chinese leadership that are separate from the games. And in those meetings with the Chinese leaders he will of course bring up these issues."Bush, a devout Christian, has walked a diplomatic tightrope over the Olympics, repeatedly insisting the games are not a political venue while recently stepping up his public criticism of Beijing's rights record.Bush will attend the August 8 opening ceremonies of the games, having rejected human rights activists' appeals for him to boycott the gala in protest of China's overall rights record, including a crackdown in Tibet in March.Wilder said the United States was "disappointed that they have cracked down on the Internet," and expressed hope that protests planned around the event would be open to non-Chinese."The Chinese have announced that there will be protesters. We very much hope that those protest areas will be open not only to Chinese citizens but to foreigners," Wilder said."We hope that the rules for operating within those protesters' areas are opening up, that those who want to protest can. We hope that these protest areas are truly like those areas that have been allowed at other Olympics."That is yet to be demonstrated, I think, that the Chinese are truly moving in that direction."On the whole, the United States looked to Beijing to use the attention of the Olympics to show progress in granting various rights, such as free speech and free press, Wilder said."What we are looking for in China is not gestures, we are looking for structural change,we are looking for long term change," Wilder said."We are looking for the Chinese at these games to show that they are making progress, to demonstrate to the world, the spotlight is on Beijing, this is an opportunity for Beijing to show that it is widening ... freedom of press, freedom of expression," he said."The ultimate goal here is to get the Chinese government to see that it is in their interest to free up their society."Asked about China's failure to release political prisoners as a goodwill gesture ahead of the Games, Wilder said: "Obviously I would like to see all these political prisoners that we have on our lists released."We have handed the Chinese lists of people that we think are unfairly in prison."PS:Lets pray for Hu Jintao,that the Lord will soften his heart and that the outcome will be the expected by the church,for God's glory!!!!!!!!
As in the days of Noah....
Bombing widens division in Turkey
Turkey-Deadly twin blasts in Turkey this weekend heightened insecurities over the secular-religious rift.SAT-7's David Harder says partner TURK-7 feels the pressure. "Turkey is in a very tense time. The ruling political party is on trial right now to prove that it should exist. It's a very complicated scenario. Nobody knows how it will play out. That is a big threat in the background to the stability of the country."The Constitutional court's decision could shut down the Justice and Development Party's government for alleged Islamism.Doing away with it would fly in the face of the nationalist thinking that ‘"to be Turkish is to be Muslim, and to be Muslim is to be Turkish."Analysts think any changes to the 85-year-old system could trigger months of political upheaval. Already, the rumblings can be felt in the streets. Add to that the shock of the terror attacks, and the tensions go up even higher.Christians are often singled out in times of sectarian violence. While the Turkish constitution includes freedom of religion, worship services are only permitted in "buildings created for this purpose," and officials have restricted the construction of buildings for minority religions.The few who dare to profess Christ face harassment, threats and prison. Evangelism is difficult. According to a 2007 report from I.N. Network, a ministry working in the country, the number of believers reportedly declined from 22% to only .2% between 1900 and 2000, and most of these Christians are non-Turkish.Even so, the TURK-7 team shares the hope of Christ through programs produced in Istanbul.Harder says no one from their ministry was hurt in the bombings. He urges prayer for the team in Turkey because "they are members of the community. They are the ones who can most effectively train and encourage the Christians who are living near them. SAT-7 is working within the local community, making the program locally, because they will be the most effective to minister in the region."With a population of 70 million people, of whom 99% are Muslim, the evangelical church of the 21st century desires to build relationships with their Muslim neighbors.Pray that local officials will stop harassing Christians.
Pray for opportunities for Christians in Turkey to share the truth of who Jesus is with those around them
Source:MNN
Pray for opportunities for Christians in Turkey to share the truth of who Jesus is with those around them
Source:MNN
As in the days of Noah...
Persecution continues in India, Bible students committed
India-Radical Hindus in India are angry and helpless.Thousands of Hindus are giving their lives to Christ.That is causing extremists to lash out at Christians. According to Gospel for Asia, last week two of their Bible college students were beaten and ridiculed for handing out evangelistic tracts in the state of Maharashtra. They were on their weekend outreach when the incident occurred.Founder and President of Gospel for Asia KP Yohannan says,"This is one of the toughest states. Not only two, but a group of seven of our students while they were going out for outreach, they were rounded up by 30 or 40 people who simply destroyed their literature, burned their Bibles, and beat them up without mercy."The trouble began when Mohan, a third-year student, came across an automobile driver who questioned his authority to distribute tracts about Jesus. The automobile driver then slapped Mohan on his face.Simson, another third-year student, was distributing Gospel tracts nearby and rushed to protect Mohan.The scene drew a crowd of people and they, too, began to interrogate the students. They shouted at Mohan and Simson, using vulgarities to speak out against them. Their attackers shoved the two students around and beat them until they were severely bruised. One of the attackers pushed Simson down and kicked him.
At first, no one came to the students' aid. Finally, a few people from among the crowd told the assailants to stop beating them. The attackers grabbed their Christian literature, telling them, "We don't want any Jesus." Then they let Mohan and Simson go, warning them not to return.GFA has 120 students enrolled in the Maharashtra Bible College. These are just a few of the many young people who are receiving the Bible school training. Yohannan says many more would like to attend. "For $30 a month, anyone can help to train one of these young people. We have 7,000 young people now in our Bible colleges all across the Asian nations. And, we have the possibility to recruit thousands more, if we had people pray and help them."According to Yohannan, this training is serious. "We tell them, 'You are going to the mission field because Jesus is sending you, and this is what He said: Are you willing to make a commitment and lay down your life for My sake?' So far, I don't know any graduates that have said, 'I don't want to get beaten up, and I don't want to get killed.'"
According to Yohannan, persecution is expected. "Wherever people are coming to Christ in large numbers, we see persecution increase. However, wherever the persecution is harsh and increasing, there we find more people coming to Christ. That is a strange irony."
Source:MNN
As in the days of Noah....
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
President George W. Bush Meets with Bob Fu
Today just before noon, Bob Fu, President of China Aid Association, met withPresident Bush along with 4 other leaders advocating for human rights and religious freedom in China.This historic meeting sends a strong statement to the Chinese government officials of the President’s priorities in his visit to the opening Beijing 2008 Olympic Games next week. President Bush explained his desire to talk to the Chinese officials about human rights violations, and also speak with the Chinese people about the importance of religious freedom. ThePresident promised to discuss with President Hu Jintao that the Christians inhis country are peace-loving and caring people, and that he should not be afraid of them. Bob Fu delivered “Prayer for China” wrist bands to the President and encouraged him to wear them as a symbol of solidarity with the Chinese people.In addition to explaining the deteriorating situation for religious freedom in China as the Olympics approach, Bob Fu also raised thecase of house church leader Zhang Rongliang, who is serving his 7 ½ year prison sentence and Bob asked President Bush to intercede in his behalf.President Bush’s willingness to meet with Bob Fu and other activists despite the sensitivity and complexity of Sino-American relations is a clear showing of his commitment for basic human rights within China.China Aid Association is deeply thankful to President Bush for his courageous stand in the advancement of Religious freedom in China and around the world.
As in the days of Noah....
Islamic Extremists Kill Somali Christian:Fifth Christian Martyred in Somalia in the Last Nine Months
The Washington-DC based human rights group, International Christian Concern (ICC) www.persecution.org has learned that Islamic extremists shot and killed a Muslim convert to Christianity on July 10, 2008 in Afgyoye, a town 18 miles away from Mogadishu, Somalia's capital. The victim's name was Sayid Ali Sheik Luqman Hussein, and he was 28 years old.On Tuesday, July 8, two Muslim men approached Mr. Hussein and asked him if he faces Mecca when he prays (Mohammed instructed his followers to face the city of Mecca when they pray). Hussein told them that as a Christian, he does not have to face a specific direction to pray because God is omnipresent.The two Muslim men returned on July 10th armed with an AK-47 assault rifle and a semi-automatic handgun and shot Hussein to death.Hussein's wife went into premature labor and delivered a stillborn baby upon hearing of her husband's murder.Hussein came to Christ from Islam in 2004. He grew in his faith and started to evangelize in the community in which he was working as a teacher. Hussein's pastor described him as the most effective evangelist in his area. One of Hussein's students described him as the godliest man he has ever met.Recently, Islamic extremists have intensified their attacks against Christians in Somalia. In the past nine months alone, five Christians, including Hussein, have been martyred for their faith. The other four martyrs are:David Abdulwahab Mohamed Ali, Da'ud Ali, Mohamed Yusuf and Hassan Mo'alim.ICC's regional manger for Africa, Jonathan Racho, stated, "Somali Christians are paying the ultimate price for their faith in Jesus Christ. Despite the spike in persecution they face, they have chosen to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ to the point of death.Christians should continue to pray and support their brothers and sisters in Somalia."To learn more about the needs of Somali Christians and how you can help them, please contact ICC.
Source:ICC
PS:PLEASE REMEMBER PRAYING for Sayid's wife and family and the church in Somalia through this difficult time.As in the days of Noah....
Muslim Mob Stones Christians in Eastern Ethiopia:Spread of Radical Islam Brings Increased Attacks Against Christians in Ethiopia
The Washington-DC based human rights group, International Christian Concern (ICC) www.persecution.org has learned that mob of Islamic extremists stoned Seid Ahmed and Musa Ibrahim [names changed for security reasons] in Jijiga, a city on border with Somalia. The attack is the latest attack against Christians in Ethiopia where the spread of radical Islam is fueling the persecution of Christians.On July 19, 2008, Ahmed and Ibrahim were going to a church meeting when they were confronted by nine extremist Muslims yelling anti-Christian slogans.The extremists started hurling rocks at the two Christians.Ahmed, who is a church leader, was hit by eight stones and suffered a severe concussion and injuries on his torso. He was admitted to Karamara Hospital where he was treated for his injuries.Mr. Ibrahim escaped physical harm as he fled the scene to call the police who never arrived to stop the attack.The mob finally dispersed when Mr. Ibrahim ran in the direction of the local police station.Jijiga is the capital city of Somali Regional State, which is one of nine states in Ethiopia. The majority of residents in Somali State are ethnic Somalis who are majority Muslim.This is not the first time that Christians have been attacked in Jijiga. On August 5, 2007, the Ethiopian Full Gospel Church in Jijiga was bombed.Though the church was packed with five hundred people, no one was hurt by the explosion.The same church was attacked by bomb five years earlier.ICC's Regional Manager for Africa, Jonathan Racho, said, "Unless the growth of radical Islam is curbed in Ethiopia, the attacks against Christians will continue to rise. Ethiopian government officials, particularly local officials in Muslim dominated areas of the country, should be made accountable for failing to protect Christians against such attacks."Source:ICC
As in the days of Noah.....
PRAY FOR GAZA and ITS PEOPLE!!!!!!
Please remember to pray for the people in the Gaza Strip that are subject to this horrible sufferings.Remember also those persecuted for their faith and the widows and orphans of christians murdered lately...THEY NEED OUR PRAYERS!!!!!!!!!!!!
As in the days of Noah....
GHANA:Executive director attacked, robbed
Ghana-Three masked gunmen attacked and robbed the home of Walter and Marian Pimpong on the night of July 23, 2008. They are very traumatized, but safe.Rev. Walter Pimpong is the Executive Director of IN Network in Ghana.He works to free girls and women from traditional sexual slavery at village shrines.The Trokosi tradition has thrived in the Volta region of Ghana, where the practice of voodoo originated, for hundreds of years.When a villager commits a crime, the aggrieved person reports the crime to the fetish priest.The priest then afflicts the villager's family with curses and misfortunes.To stop the curses, the family must give up a virgin daughter, usually between eight and fifteen years old but sometimes as young as five, to the priest. She becomes his property through a humiliating initiation ceremony. Her labor and her body are his to demand, usually for the rest of her life. The priest controls everything she does and beats her if she tries to escape.The priest will not provide food, clothing, schooling, or basic medical care for any of the girls enslaved at the shrine.The Trokosi often bear children, who live in bondage with them.Although the practice became illegal in 1998, the law is difficult to enforce due to the pervasive fear of the curses.For several years, Rev. Pimpong has been working to free the Trokosi. Rather than paying ransoms for the women, he works through a slow process of negotiation, building relationships and trust with the priests and village elders.By that method, he can usually persuade the shrine to agree to cease the practice of Trokosi.So far, 31 shrines have dropped the practice, and 3,500 women and their children have been liberated.It is estimated that about 2,000 are still enslaved, along with approximately 8,000 children.IN Network hopes to free them in the next few years, while the political climate is favorable. However, the work does not end with the women's release. IN Network provides the women with counseling, vocational training, education, Bible teaching, food, healthcare, clothing, and a micro-credit plan. Their children are assimilated into IN Network's sponsorship program. More than 95 percent of the freed Trokosi become followers of Jesus Christ.IN Network ministers not only to the women but also to the villages surrounding the shrines.When the Trokosi practice comes to an end, the entire village is freed from the fear of the curses.Through the continued relationship with Rev. Pimpong and other national workers, the village receives sanitation, clean water, and education for the children. In addition, national Christians often have the opportunity to plant churches in former Trokosi villages.Pray that the Pimpongs will recover from the attack.
Pray also for their protection and for the continuation of their ministry without opposition.
As in the days of Noah...
Unique Open Doors Seminars Training Church Leaders To Better Counsel Traumatized Arabic Refugees
SANTA ANA, Calif.-Many members of Christian Iraqi families in cities like Baghdad and Mosul have faced traumatic experiences, such as the lost of a loved one or a kidnapping.These experiences are often the main reason families leave their city and flee to northern Iraq, Syria or Jordan. Although they flee, the trauma often doesn’t disappear.Many psychologists and psychiatrists say that trauma does not automatically go away in time; rather trauma victims need careful handling through talking about their frustrations and feelings. But in the Arab culture, it is not common to talk about your feelings. Rather it is a culture of honor and pride; the kind of culture where one does not shame his or her family by talking about their deepest emotions. This causes a dilemma for people who want to help. On one hand, the refugees are in great need of trauma counseling. However, they are not used to counseling as a form of treatment.Most of the refugees who went to Arab churches in northern Iraq, Syria and Jordan were only able to receive minimal counseling from the leaders of these different churches. Though these leaders have a lot of experience, they are not trained in trauma counseling. They need extra training and support. As a result, Open Doors has set up – in cooperation with local Christian leaders – an unique training program with foreign and Arab trainers to give the churches and Christian leaders the tools to handle the traumatic experiences that the refugees have faced.Difficult To Forgive
Forgiveness is an important word in the Bible and the concept of that word is one of the key elements of Christian theology. However, the emphasis on forgiveness in the Bible is almost opposite to the culture of the Middle East. There it is often more talk about revenge rather than forgiveness. Some Arab Christians have problems with the concept of forgiveness after so many years of oppression by other religions. Biblical truth is taught from the pulpit, but “forgiving your enemy” is often not part of that teaching. Though Arab Christians know that the Bible instructs us to forgive, it is difficult to forgive a person who has hurt or killed one of their family members. “There is nothing against anger and frustration, but you have to channel those emotions in a right way, otherwise it is possible that you will commit a sin, maybe a crime, and that is not God’s way. So a person experiencing trauma needs to learn how to deal with that anger and feelings of revenge. Therefore we have organized these sessions,” one of the trainers said.
‘Big Step Forward’
Counseling Iraqi refugees with trauma is a long process and can take years, depending on the person. Open Doors has started the first sessions in trauma counseling and hopefully many will follow. “It is unique what we are doing here. Challenging Arabs in areas of forgiveness, revenge, shame and honor is new in this world, but it is a blessing to be able do this,” one of the Arab trainers said.The participants are overwhelmed with the material and the information: “I am in need of this material when I am dealing with Iraqis suffering with trauma in my church. There are so many questions and unanswered problems, but we have made a big step forward now.”
As in the days of Noah....
Muslims Come to Jesus in Egypt
Bashir (pseudonym) is passionately excited about how God is working in Egypt. “God is doing something wonderful in our region and is restoring the inheritance of what God left for us many years ago,” he said, and the persecution they face is not deterring them. Bashir explains, "There was a wonderful Christian couple from a Muslim background living quietly in their home for five years until they were reported for not attending the mosque. They were beaten and taken to the police station, and accused of being infidels. The police then beat the believers badly again. A week later the police advised them to leave their house. We had to re-settle them in a safe location. However, all of these persecutions are not stopping Muslims from coming to the Lord.”Prayer Points:
*Pray for the Muslim-background believers who experience severe opposition from their family and community when they decide to follow Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 10:32f)
*Pray for the Christians who were unable to bear the persecution and have denied Jesus; pray that they will receive God’s forgiveness, grace and mercy. (Matthew 26:41)
*Pray for the Christian leaders and their families in Egypt who risk their lives serving newly converted Muslim-background believers. (Philippians 1:4,5)
Source:Open Doors
As in the days of Noah....
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Freed U.S. hostage was Chad rebels' "guest of honor"
U.S. Missionary Steven Godbold (C) stands with U.S. Ambassador Louis Nigro (L) and Chad's Foreign Minister Moussa Faki Mahamat after being freed, by Chad's rebel Movement for Democracy and Justice in Chad (MDJT), in N'djamena, July 26, 2008.N'DJAMENA-Freed U.S. missionary Steven Godbold expressed relief to be on his way home on Saturday but said Chadian rebels had treated him as "guest of honor" during his nine months as a hostage deep in the Sahara.Godbold, 49, was captured in October as a suspected spy by rebels in the remote, mountainous north of Chad while helping a local organization transport equipment to drill water wells.He was freed late on Thursday to local officials in northern Chad and formally handed over to the U.S. ambassador by the Chadian government in the capital N'Djamena on Saturday."My main feeling is relief at being released. I am very happy," Godbold said. "I am very happy with everything the Chadian government has done to obtain my release, and the way they have worked with rebel groups to achieve that."Godbold, who is married and has four children according to The Evangelical Alliance Mission (TEAM), based in Wheaton, Illinois, said he had found his imprisonment psychologically difficult, especially being separated from his family."But I was never physically mistreated. Nobody ever said a threatening word to me. I was treated almost as a guest of honor. We ate together, we drank tea together, we played cards together and we chatted together," he said.Godbold, of Sarasota, Florida, has worked as a missionary in Chad since 1991. He was captured last October by the rebel Movement for Democracy and Justice in Chad (MDJT) on suspicion of being a spy for the Chadian government.
SAHARAN REBELS
SAHARAN REBELS
Chad's MDJT was formed in the Tibesti mountains in the Sahara in the late 1990s but has been eclipsed in recent years by eastern rebels battling Chadian President Idriss Deby from bases near the border with Sudan's Darfur region.Chadian Foreign Minister Moussa Faky Mahamat, who handed Godbold over to U.S. Ambassador Louis Nigro, said the government had made no deal with the rebels for Godbold's release."We didn't launch a military operation so as not to put his life in danger," he said.At the time of his seizure, Godbold was working on a humanitarian assistance project drilling water wells in the Zoumri region, funded by the U.S. Department of Defense.In January the MDJT said its inquiries showed Godbold was not working for the Chadian government as it had originally suspected, but on that and several subsequent occasions hopes of an imminent release came to nothing.Godbold's TEAM organization said on Friday his release had followed "extensive negotiations between his captors and TEAM"."TEAM emphasizes that Godbold's release was unconditional and that no ransom was paid and no concessions of any type were made to secure his release," the evangelical group said.TEAM said Godbold would be flown home to his family in the United States via Europe, though it was not clear when he would leave N'Djamena.A plethora of armed groups operate in the Sahara, and several have taken Westerners hostage in recent years. Al Qaeda's North African arm is thought to be holding two Austrian tourists on the Mali-Algeria border hundreds of kilometers (miles) west of Chad, after seizing them in Tunisia in February.
As in the days of Noah...
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