Iran Underground Church is Growing Despite Persecution

Sad to say in a split second's moment of thought--when you think of Iran you may think about nukes, religious fanatics, and missiles pointed at Israel for a showdown. If you give it more thought you may think of it as a country full of humanity. For instance somebody's loving mother, father, brother, or sister lives there. God loves each and everyone. Then as you get closer you can see something or rather sense that there are prayers going heavenward on behalf of it's underground church of Muslim Background believers. That is powerful when you think of the hostility they must face to make a simple decision to follow Christ. We can allow media to dim our eyes or dull the senses in forgetting that God's love and Spirit can penetrate into a country like Iran and grow. Here is some excerpts from an article that caught my eye:

Despite the Iranian government's ongoing crackdown of Christians living in the primarily Islamic country, the number of Muslims converting to become Christians is growing at an explosive rate, according to the persecution watchdog group Open Doors USA.

There is even talk of witnessing a Christian revival, especially among young people living in the country, say Open Doors ministry workers in the Middle East.

A house church movement within Iran is part of that revival and has triggered "many secret meetings." The growth in the number of Christians is happening in all regions, but mostly in larger cities, say Open Doors workers in the region.

In one city alone, Isfahan, more than a dozen Christians were arrested in less than a month, beginning in late February.

As The Christian Post has previously reported, although the established church in countries such as Iran suffers great violence, it is the underground, invisible church that continues to grow. Christians are putting their lives at risk for their continued faith.

According to Open Doors USA President and CEO Carl Moeller, a stream of Christianity has arisen in the Middle East's invisible church, sometimes referred to as the Muslim Background Believer Church.

"Men and women, out of emptiness of their current situation spiritually, are turning to faith in Jesus Christ despite the literally lethal risks in doing so," Moeller said. "That's only attributable to the work of the Holy Spirit."

"Iranians are very outgoing and want to speak about their faith," the ministry worker said. "That is why discipleship training (with elements of outreach and communications) for Iranian believers is successful. If you tell them that a Christian should share, the Iranian Christian shares."

See this article http://www.christianpost.com/news/open-doors-growth-of-christianity-in-iran-explosive-71946/

Open Doors the Source: http://www.opendoorsusa.org/

Pakistani Christian Teacher Mobbed for Blasphemy: Persecution in Pakistan

As Reported in Pakistan Christian Post:       http://www.pakistanchristianpost.com/viewnews.php?newsid=1788  Pakistani Christian Teacher attacked on accusation of Blasphemy Lahore: Feburary 23, 2012. A mob stormed the school where Saira Khokhar teaches in an attempt to abduct her after she was accused of burning a copy of the Qur’anThe local police chief took the Christian teacher into custody to examine whether the case warranted a First Information Report

Op Noah-- It seems that in Pakistan they use the threat quite often --"Accusation of Blasphemy" to subdue Christians in the name of the law. Who knows what are the real reasons they want to get a hold of the teacher. Do they want to make an example of her to intimidate the rest of the Christians? Was she teaching Christian values that enraged the community? 

Here is some more material that I read on that website. I'm not promoting that particular website (even though it seems a good source of Christian Pakistan news), but rather focused on the amazing plight of poor Christians in a poor country. One's heart goes out to them in their plight. Here are some summaries of what is going on down there.

20 million Pakistani Christians are facing constitutional genocide in Islamic Republic of Pakistan after implementation of Sharia law and other Islamic law which protect Islamic elements on enforced conversion of Christian women, killing of Christian on pretext to blasphemy law, attacks on worship places of Christians and to ransack Christian properties.

The 20 million Pakistani Christians are living below poverty line comparing to Muslim dominated society facing hates on their religion after implementation of Islamic Sharia law in Pakistan and legislation turning them to be third class citizen in a land which was goverened by their ansecstors for centuries.

The Muslim agreesors migrated to Indian sub-continent from Middle East and Central Asia in 7th centurary while Christians belonged to this land as son of soil. 

It is ironic that now Muslim immigrants are master in Pakistan and Christian sons of soil are living like slaves in their own land.

There have been frequent incident of violnce against Christians in Pakistan where Muslim culprits are protected and never brought to justice.

Islamists in Pakistan can gunn down Christian in broad day light in court compunds, they abduct Christian women and convert them with force to Islam to marry them, they gang rape Christian women but not arrested, they torture and kill Christian house-maids who refuse to convert to Islam, they destroy hundreds of homes but never convicted, they burn alive Christians but Islamic courts set them free, they are free to spread hate against christians but no legislation to creat harmonious society and use of religion Islam to oppress millions of Christian citizens.

Op-Noah:

Many times we as Christians are absorbed in our own state of affairs and feel like we have little time to consider such matters like what is reported here. When we see news reports in the Media about such and such country we are tempted to typically sum up that country as some mass of people that all act as their leaders represent them. Our human minds fail to grasp that there are millions of souls in a place like Pakistan that need a Savior.
      It never pays to hate when one realizes that sin is ugly in any shape and form and we have all been partakers of its poison. As a Christian being taken advantage of, we see and feel the example of Christ move within us, "Father they know not what they do..."  Such forgiveness and grace is so foreign to human nature. This article shows that where evil is not trying to seduce mankind to sin---it uses force and passion to conquer men's faith. May we all be strong and not forget to pray for those that suffer persecution for 'His names sake.'


*** Just a note on the 20 million Christians. Obviously in a country with a Islamic majority-- few of these would be evangelical--- most would be traditional Christians. Christians by birth, culture and tradition as it is dangerous to be responsible for the conversion of Muslims. Persecution in the name of religion is ugly all the same.  No doubt this persecution is awakening the old evangelical fire as it tests their faith, so that it is not just a matter of who were your parents. I only mention this because the concept of Christian faith could be different from the "believer of choice" that we can experience in a free country. 

Beijing Cracks Down on House Church in China

160 members of the  Shouwang house church were detained for worshiping in a public area after the government refused them right to worship in the Shouwang's  church building. They have a 1,ooo membership roll and purchased 4 million building for a Church last year. After becoming evicted this month from their building they chose to worship outdoors.
 There has been reported 3,343 instances in which house church members or leaders were detained or beaten in 2010 as the Chinese government is stepping up its program to discourage worship outside the state sponsored Churches.  Read the complete story at 


http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/religion/article_ed2ded48-695e-11e0-8c66-001a4bcf6878.html


There are estimates that two-thirds of China’s estimated 60 million Protestants worship at unregistered churches.

The Face of Persecution: some pictures of the persecution which Christians in Asia face.

Is it real or how real is it? They say persecution is on the rise. Here are a few websites that have shown some images to show how real it is. I will let you be the judge.
Indonesia Persecution
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2006/11/islamic_jihad_i.html

India
http://christianpersecutionindia.blogspot.com/2008/09/photos-of-orissa-violence.html

Persecution Against Christians is on the Rise-- WorldWide

I would like to write more on this subject, but it seems time and commitments have taken priority over posting on my blog. Sites like
http://www.persecution.org/2011/03/19/persecution-of-christians-getting-worse-says-report/

have more information on the latest reports.

An excerpt:

Iraq has seen an exodus of Chris­tians. At the time of the last census, in 1987, there were 1.4 million Christians in the country. By 2003, that figure had fallen to about 800,000. Now, leading Roman Catholics in the country believe, the figure could be as low as 150,000.

In 22 out of 34 countries that the charity has under review, persecu­tion has worsened in the past two years. The report says: “The propor­tion of countries with a worsening track-record of anti-Christian vio­lence and intimidation would be higher were it not for the fact that in many cases the situation could scarce­ly have been worse in the first place.”

Iraqi Muslims Persecuting Iraqi Christians

Christian Persecution in Iraqi and the Middle East Finally is getting Front Page
New York Times had a front page article on the persecution of Iraqis Christian minority. Many Iraqi Christians are packing their bags and leaving with the shirts on their back to start life anew elsewhere. It is not like these small Chrisitan's are posing such a threat to the Muslim majority. Apparently there are hints that the government are turning a blind eye to their plight. As Christians we pray for those that are persecuted and also for those that persecute. I hope in the end Muslims the world over can witness the power of forgivness and love borne from hearts where God's love dwells. If a Muslim would ever read this article I would encourage him to find out if there is not a cry in his heart. If there is I would encourage him to pick up a Bible with a prayerful heart and see what it says. If you believe Jesus is a prophet start with his writings and see what his message really was.

Koran Burning Episode Causes Around 14 Deaths in India

By Santosh Digal, Worthy News Southeast Asia Correspondent reporting from India with additional reporting by Worthy News' George Whitten 

NEW DELHI, INDIA (Worthy News)-- Tensions remained high Wednesday, September 15, in several parts of India where reports of Koran burning in the United States sparked deadly attacks against Christian institutions.

In the village of Tangmarg, in India's Kashmir region, at least 14 people were killed and scores injured over the weekend when thousands of angry Muslims took to the streets and torched a Christian school, police said. 

"The school students are not hurt, [but] the building has totally burnt down," said Bishop Pradeep Kumar Samantaroy of the Church of North India. "It was entirely made of wood."

He said officials were informed of a possible attack and that Christians requested protection, but that "no action was taken". He said "The mob even stopped the fire brigade from reaching the spot."

There was no immediate response from police.

IRAN REPORTS

The demonstrations were fueled by reports on Iran's state-run channel Press TV, which is widely available in India, that a copy of the Koran was desecrated over the weekend in the United States.

Though a Florida pastor called off his plans to burn what Muslims regard as a holy book, the network showed footage of a different man destroying a Koran in Tennessee.

"Death to the U.S.!" and "Death to Koran desecrators", demonstrators reportedly said. Violence also spread to the Muslim dominated town of Malerkotla in India's Punjab state where a mob set furniture of the town's only church on fire before the police intervened, witnesses said.

Separately, Sunday, September 12, an angry Hindu mob interrupted an evangelical church service in the town of Naggal in India's Uttar Pradesh state, local Christians said. "While the Church service was in progress the mob [of some 35 members of the Arya Samaj Hindu sect] entered the room and started arguing," said Pastor Rockwell Louis of the Masih Satsang Mandali Church. "They blamed people for converting people," he added in published remarks.

CHURCH DENIES

The church strongly denied the accusations, but the pastor said the mob only disappeared after police intervention. Earlier, other Hindu activists disturbed the church service September 5, saying the pastor was "eating meat" and "converted people," Christians said.

The mob reportedly argued that "the Bible is wrong and presents a false god". They had warned that they would return September 12 and would not allow Sunday worship service to take place, Pastor Louis said. 

He said two police officers have been deployed to protect the church, but it remained unclear whether that would be enough to prevent further attacks.

India is a predominantly Hindu nation where minorities, including Christians, face growing opposition, rights groups say.


Find more and read this article at http://www.worthynews.com/9363-14-killed-as-anti-christian-violence-spreads-in-india

Secret Believers

I just finished a very good read about Muslims turned to Christ. It is a true story with the characters having substitute names for their protection. The penalty to these converts is endless harassment and for many even death. This treatment is not only from government officials, but the persecution starts from their own family. The book is about Brother Andrew (the Dutchman that was famous for smuggling Bibles into Communist lands during the Cold War era) encouraging a Christian Arab graduate in England to go back to his country and see if he cannot aid in the Lord's work amongst the Churches. He finds a lot of the churches are harassed and the members somewhat discouraged. For many it is tempting just to pack up and move to the West. As he goes around encouraging the Church leadership and Bible study, he meets up with a challenge. The challenge is that growing numbers of Muslims were reaching out to Christ. This movement was catching the Churches off guard as it is a serious offence to be involved in leading a Muslim from Islam. Three young men early on in the book turn to Christ after studying the "Injil" the New Testament. They eventually suffer imprisonment and become strong fearless leaders who the face of strong opposition. Many questions and problems are raised in what to do with these many converts as they keep coming forward. They can't all just leave the country, they can't join the existing Churches least it brings more harm to the Christian community, and then what of marriage and other cultural issues. Your mind realizes the answers lie beyond man and God alone can show us the way for these people.   I recommend this book to Christians everywhere to learn of what is happening right now as we sit and read this article. It presents a challenge of how responsible are we to do even the little things God asks of us. Let us remember these people in prayer and everybody that is Muslim, for that matter. I really appreciate the books effort to help us love Muslims more and how we need to offer them forgiveness and an invitation to a life that is free from fear and rooted in love.

Here is their website you might want to check out:
http://www.secretbelievers.org

Persecution in Iran

Ever since the Iranian Revolution of 1978, Christians have suffered acutely in Iran. Following the election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2005, conditions have steadily grown more severe, bringing Iran to the second position in this year’s World Watch List.

Taking the Shiite totalitarianism of his predecessors to a new extreme, Ahmadinejad has sent out spies to monitor Christian groups and report them to the police. Over the last few years there has been a constant stream of reports about Iranian Christians being arrested. Former prisoners have reported being tortured to reveal the names of their brothers and sisters in Christ.

An ever increasing wave of arrests began in 2008 and continues to the present. It is suspected that these arrests are a tactic used by the Iranian government to demonstrate their absolute  control, and distract attention from internal problems.

State of the Church in Iran

It is estimated that there are about 250,000 Christians in Iran. Approximately half of these belong to the officially recognized Armenian, Assyrian and Chaldean Churches. The government allows these churches to exist, provided they are subject to the government’s demands. For example, representatives of these churches have been forced to sign statements saying they will not witness to Muslims and will bar former Muslims from fellowship.

Those Christians who are not part of the government approved churches are forced to meet in small house churches under conditions of utmost secrecy. When a house church is discovered, the ramifications for Christians attending it can range anywhere from boycotts of their businesses to torture and even execution. Once known to be Christians, if they are not arrested, they typically encounter great difficulty finding and keeping a job, and may be demoted or even fired. As a result, Christians can find it almost impossible to gain an income and provide for their families.

While all Christians in Iran are subject to mistreatment, the most severe persecution is reserved for converts from Islam. In 2008, Ahmadinejad’s government passed a law mandating the death penalty for any Muslim that converts. While Muslim converts often flee the country to escape the apostasy penalties, many have not been so fortunate.

A reliable source, who must remain unnamed for security reasons, spoke of some of the challenges facing Muslim converts in Iran:

“According to Islamic law, an apostate must return to Islam or die, and the government wants to start punishing converts now with execution; women are to be imprisoned for life in such cases. I know a Christian couple who were flogged because of their faith. The husband was a former Muslim and she was an Assyrian Iranian. They had to have a Muslim wedding ceremony because the traditional churches wouldn’t marry them. The couple attended a house church and were arrested in September 2005 along with fellow house church members. When their case came before the court, the judge ruled that the wife had abandoned Islam because a Muslim wedding is equal to a conversion in Islam. For two years the couple had to report regularly to authorities until a verdict was reached, but the wife stopped going after she was sexually harassed by an official. As a result, security forces came to their home with a court order to whip them as punishment.”

God is on the Move
It may seem impossible that the gospel can be growing in a nation where all missionary activity and Christian witnessing is strictly forbidden. However, the Lord is able to work even without missionaries, as seen by the fact that many Muslim-background believers are telling of converting after being given visions and dreams attesting to the truth of Christianity.

Even Ahmadinejad’s severe regime is backfiring and being used to advance Christ’s kingdom in Iran. The theocratic government seeks to legislate on every aspect of life from clothing to the type of hairstyles permitted. This, together with rising inflation, high food costs and increasing unemployment has left a large percentage of the population, especially the youth, deeply disillusioned. In their emptiness, many young people are secretly turning to Christ. According to a reliable source, even children of government ministers and mullahs have been converting to Christ.


This article can be found http://www.opendoorsusa.org/persecuted-christians/persecution/persecution-in-iran/

Christian Persecution in North Korea 2010

In first position on the 2010 World Watch List, North Korea has the deadliest level of Christian persecution in the world. The only worship that is allowed is that of the “dear leader” Kim Jong-Il and his father Kim Il-Sung.

In North Korea, every other religious activity is labeled an act of insurrection against North Korean socialist principles. Christians are routinely beaten, tortured, imprisoned for life, mutilated, murdered, and used in the testing of biological or chemical weapons. Punishment for being a Christian can also include the imprisonment or death of ones mother, father, sisters, brothers, children and grandchildren.

The communist Police stop at nothing to search out and punish Christians, including pretending to be Christians to infiltrate underground prayer meetings. The information they obtain is then used to identify and arrest Christians, who are taken to prison camps where they face slave labor and starvation as well as the inhuman treatment mentioned above.
Recent Challenges
A recent survey by the Peterson Institute found that 60% percent of North Koreans now have access to information outside government propaganda. Kim Seung Min of Free North Korea Radio said in a press statement, “North Koreans are increasingly finding out that their misery is a direct result of the Kim Jong-Il regime, not South Korea and America as we were brainwashed from birth to believe.”

Knowing that they are in danger of losing their iron control, the North Korean government has reacted by mobilizing every resource of power in a desperate struggle to control all of society. This included so called “combat campaigns” lasting 150 days and 100 days, in which almost every citizen had to effectively become a slave to the state and work on government farms. During these periods, anyone found on the street without a valid reason was immediately shipped off to a labor camp. This has meant that fathers were not able to provide for their families, and in the Hwangae province it has become commonplace to see children lying dead in the streets.  During these campaigns, the North Korean regime also targeted secret Christians to arrest and kill them, leading to many Christians being exposed.

Recently, an additional challenge has risen in the form of a currency reform which took place in late November 2009. The new currency was part of an economic plan to stabilize prices and give the government total control over a nationwide market system. It failed to achieve the desired result and led instead to hyperinflation and shortages of daily necessities. As public sentiment worsens, people are protesting the currency reform in front of markets and banks. The North Korean government is strictly controlling the situation by brutally suppressing protestors as soon as they begin.

Daily necessities have now run out nationwide and the people have no means of buying more. Increasing numbers of people are dying of starvation. The situation is speedily becoming more desperate, especially in Hamkyung, Jakang and Hwanghae provinces. In addition, infectious diseases are rampant in the country. The situation in Hamgyung province is so severe that local authorities are encouraging people to receive assistance through their relatives in China.
North Korean Defectors
Many North Korean Christians have tried to escape to China. However, the border with China is virtually closed and Chinese authorities vigilantly pursue North Korean defectors to return them to North Korea and certain death.

As the number of North Korean defectors continues to increase, so does the government’s effort to increase house searches and punishments. Surveillance and security within the country is extremely tight. In January 2010, Kim Jong-Il ordered every defector who crosses the border to China to be immediately executed or sentenced to death. The order was added as a supplementary penal code.
Good News

In spite of these inhuman circumstances, Christianity is growing in North Korea. The opportunities to hear the Gospel are also increasing, especially for those who live in the cities near China.

Even as the situation in North Korea continues to worsen, Christians continue to risk their lives to comfort, encourage and strengthen fellowship with one another. They are preparing themselves for the day when North Korean churches are restored to them.


This article is from http://www.opendoorsusa.org/persecuted-christians/persecution/persecution-in-north-korea/

A Testimony from Saudi Arabia

Born to a Saudi family, in Saudi Arabia, and living very close to Mecca, I grew up with strict principals and traditions of Islam and the Arab culture. As a teenager I went to the mosque five times a day in obedience to my parents. One night, while I was asleep, I had this horrible dream of me being taken into hell. And what I saw there brought me real fear and these dreams kept coming to me almost every night. At this point I was really wondering as to why I should be seeing hell in this manner. Suddenly one day, Jesus appeared to me and said, "Son, I am the way, the truth and the life. And if you would give your life to Me, and follow Me, I would save you from the hell that you have seen."
This came as a surprise to me, for I did not know who this Jesus was. Of course, He is mentioned in the Koran in the book Surah Mariam. He is stated as one of our prophets, but not as a Savior who could save us from hell. So I started looking out for a Christian who could give me some advise about this Jesus I have seen and possibly get one of the Christian Holy Books, which I now know is the Bible. But it was a difficult task for me to get any Christian to speak to me about Jesus. As you would know, Christianity is totally banned in Saudi Arabia and if a Christian is caught witnessing to a Muslim, he could be almost sure that he would be beheaded.
Then the Lord led me to an Egyptian Christian who was sick. I prayed for this man’s healing and this man gave me a Bible. Then I, by myself, started reading the Bible. By this time Jesus had become a close friend to me. Soon I started witnessing about the experience I had with all my family relations and friends. Soon the authorities were informed that I had converted to Christianity, and I believe this was done by one of my family members. As it states in the Koran, if someone would turn away from Islam, he is a traitor to the faith and he should be executed. So I was taken into custody and tortured. They told me that I would be beheaded if I would not turn back to Islam. But I had already made my decision that I would never turn back. So I told the authorities I’m willing to die for Jesus and that I would never come back to Islam. After much torture and imprisonment, I was sentenced to be beheaded. They gave me a date and a time and I told them, "You go ahead and execute me. I’m going to heaven to see Jesus. But I pray that what you would do to me would stay in your minds and not give you rest until you come to Jesus."
The appointed day and time came for my execution, and I was waiting with much anticipation, yet very much strong in my faith in Jesus. Generally the executions are carried out on the set time and date. But to my amazement, no one turned up. One hour lapsed, two hours went by, then it became three hours, and then the day passed by. And no one turned up. Then two days later, the authorities turned up and opened the doors and told me, "You demon! Get out from this place!" I also noticed that the main person who was determined to get me beheaded was not present when they came to release me. I asked them where this guy was. And with much hesitation they replied that his son had died on the same day they planned to execute me. Although I continue to go through much persecution, one thing I know is that the Lord’s hand is upon me.
A Brother from Saudi Arabia
found this at http://www.answering-islam.org/Testimonies/saudi.html

JAN BLOCK BURNT FOR THE FAITH, AT NIMEGUEN, A. n. 1572

FROM THE MARTYRS MIRROR

About the year 1572, there was burnt at Nimeguen, a young man named
Jan Block, who had wealth, and lived of the same, so that he had not
learned any profession or trade. He associated with a brother named
Symon van Maren, a furrier, born at Hertogenbosch, with whom he
formerly was wont to go to the tavern to tipple, but who, after he was
converted, admonished him to read the New Testament, which advice he
also followed; and the good Lord so opened his heart, that he
understood from it what was right, and joined the church of God. This
done, he could not remain hid, since he led a better life than before;
so that all his property was confiscated, and a price set upon his
apprehension, that whoever would betray him, should receive for it
seventy gold reals. Then he fled out of the city, and in a village
asked a mason for work as a tender, in order that he might earn a
living, since he knew nothing else to do. The mason refused him this,
saying: "They would come here to apprehend you, and this would bring
me into trouble." Sometime after he came into town, where he was
espied by a traitor, who went and reported it to the officer and his
beadles, who came to seek him. The woman of the house had compassion
on Jan Block, and he went and stood upon the bed behind the curtains.
The bailiff looked into the chamber, but did not search very closely,
since he was not a bloodthirsty man, and then turned back again,
saying: "He is not there." The traitor said, "He is there; I saw him
go in." One of the beadles went back, and raising the curtains, saw
him standing there. He was then taken along, as a malefactor. While in
prison he was often visited, and cared for by the God-fearing. 

Finally sentence of death was pronounced upon him, and he was
condemned to be burned at the stake as a heretic. 

While this took place, one of the lords in the court, who, since Jan
Block was of high descent, had formerly associated much with him,
sought, as he pretended, to convert him to the Romish faith before his
end; to whom this valiant witness of Jesus Christ, turning around,
answered: "You should have converted me when we were formerly together
in such and such places (which he named to him) and each of us had a
harlot in his lap." 

Coming upon the scaffold, to be put to death, he showed such a joyful
countenance, as though he had come to a wedding feast or a festival;
for he went to the stake at which he was to offer up his sacrifice,
with as much alacrity as though he had made a leap. 

Having arrived at the stake, he pointed out to the executioner his
carelessness, consisting in this, that the holes where he was to be
fastened were not bored at the proper place. 

Shortly after this, after having commended his soul into the hands of
God, and suffering many tortures, he was burned, and an end put to his
life. 

All this was so affecting, that several of the lords who had sat in
judgment over him shed tears of compassion for this innocent, but
nevertheless well-established and steadfast young man; which we have
deemed necessary to record from the testimony of those who according
to their statement were present on that occasion and witnessed it

Modern Martyrs Mirror 2010

Here is a sampling of what kind be found at

http://barnabasfund.org

As I was reading it --I thought that it read like my Martyrs Mirror, which is a 1000 page book that chronicles the Persecution of Nonresistant Christians from Christ till 1660 AD. Very little has changed. Christians still uphold the cross even till death. I have to post this lest I forget to pray for those that suffer....

INDIA - BRUTAL MURDER OF EVANGELIST

Ravi Murmu, a Christian evangelist from Jamalpur, Bihar State, was murdered on 2 May. He was among a group of evangelists who were showing the Jesus film in nearby Laxmanpur. When he did not return home that night, a search was organised; his body was found with his right hand severed and deep cuts on his neck and other parts of his body. Ravi’s personal belongings, including his watch, mobile phone and motorbike, were found with the body, suggesting that robbery had not been the motive for the attack.

The police have reportedly detained two people in connection with the murder. When asked how the family was coping with the murder, Ravi’s brother (also an evangelist) replied, “The peace of God still reigns in this house and in this family.”

• Pray for Ravi’s widow, Rinku, and Celesty, their eight-year-old daughter, and all who knew and loved him.

IRAN - PRAYERS ANSWERED IN IRAN

Maryam Rostampour and Marzieh Amirizadeh were acquitted on 21 May of the two remaining charges against them.

The women, both converts from Islam, were imprisoned in March 2009 on charges of apostasy, “propagation of the Christian faith” and “engaging in antigovernment activities”. They were held in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison for 259 days until November 2009, during which they endured repeated interrogations and solitary confinement, leaving them both seriously ill. When told to renounce their faith, the women refused, saying, “We love Jesus. Yes, we are Christians.”

Following the acquittal, Maryam said, “I have no doubt that God heard the prayers of his people.” The women have now left Iran after the Iranian authorities warned them that any future Christian activity in Iran would have severe consequences.

Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN) has also confirmed that Hamid Shafiee and Reyhaneh Aghajary, a married couple arrested on 28 February, have also been released and reunited with their sons. They were released on 19 and 16 May respectively, after 80 and 77 days in detention, following a large bail payment. They are expected to face a court hearing at a later date.
.

KENYA - PANEL OF JUDGES RULE IN FAVOUR OF CHRISTIAN LEADERS

A panel of judges in Kenya have ruled that the country’s Islamic courts are illegal and discriminatory.

The Islamic “Kadhi” courts were set up under British colonial rule and mainly deal with issues relating to marriage and inheritance forKenya’s Muslim minority. In 2004 a group of Christian leaders filed a case challenging the proposal to grant constitutional status to the Kadhi courts in the new constitution that was then being drafted by the Kenyan government. Many Christians feared that the proposals for Kadhi courts would extend the authority of sharia law in Kenya and that they would also undermine the basic constitutional principle of the equality before the law of all Kenyan citizens, irrespective of religion.

The panel of judges ruled in favour of the Christians, that inclusion of Kadhi courts in the draft constitution amounted to favouring one religion over others practised in the country, and thus that Kadhi courts are unconstitutional since Kenya is a secular country. Kenya’s Attorney General, Amos Wako, claimed that the judgement is unconstitutional and said that he will appeal against it.

A referendum on the proposed new constitution is due in August.

ERITREA - IMPRISONED CHRISTIAN WOMAN DIES

A young Christian woman has died in one of Eritrea’s notorious military prison camps, after being refused medical treatment.

Senait Oqbazgi Habta, 28, had been imprisoned for two years in the country. She and 15 other university students had been detained for attending a Bible study group and held in metal shipping containers, which can become baking hot during the day and freezing cold at night. Sources say that “she was offered freedom and medical care in exchange for abandoning her Christian faith”. Senait stood by her faith and tragically succumbed to malaria and severe anaemia on 23 April.
.

IRAQ - CHRISTIAN STUDENTS INJURED IN BOMB BLASTS

A roadside bomb and a car bomb were detonated in close proximity to each other on 2 May in Mosul, killing a Christian shopkeeper and injuring at least 80 Christian students.

The students were travelling from a mainly-Christian town to Mosul University when the bombs exploded. The blast tore through the side of one of the buses, and the impact of shrapnel and shattered glass left many students dazed and covered in blood. The Christian community in Mosul is increasingly concerned as anti-Christian violence continues to intensify (see Prayer Focus Update March 2010).

On 11 May, lecturers and Muslim students at the university staged a sit-in to protest against anti-Christian violence, demanding that measures be taken to ensure the safety of the Christian students. They said they would return to class only when their Christian counterparts did.

UZBEKISTAN - SERVICE RAIDED, CHURCH SEARCHED AND CHRISTIANS ARRESTED

The morning service at the Tashkent City Church of Christ was raided on Sunday 16 May by several government agencies. Eight members of the church were arrested and issued with a mixture of fines and short prison sentences.

At 11am, members of the police and the National Security Service (NSS) secret police arrived without a warrant, during the worship service. They filmed everyone present, including the children, and took passport details and car number-plates of the 500 adults present as well as the names and addresses of the children. They conducted a five-hour search of the premises and confiscated literature, computers and money from the offering. Members of the tax inspectorate, fire brigade and Sanitary-Epidemiological Service also participated in the search. After the raid the church was officially sealed by the police so that the congregation could have no further access, and the fire brigade cut off the electricity.

Those who were arrested were held overnight and then instructed to attend a court hearing. Three people, including the assistant pastor, Artur Avanesyan, were sentenced to 15 days imprisonment, while the other five were fined between five and 80 times the minimum monthly wage. One Christian who attended the trial stated, “Everyone was shocked at the verdict ... there were so many violations of legal procedure.” Local Christians are planning to appeal to the President of Uzbekistan and other authorities.

There have been a number of reports of anti-Christian harassment at churches and events in the last couple of months (see Prayer Focus Update May 2010). Tashkent City Church of Christ, one of the largest and most active churches in the Uzbek capital, has been legally registered since 1999. The church says that it has carefully followed official procedures and has never before been accused of breaching any regulations. Church members fear that the real aim of the raid is to close down the church. A Christian from an unregistered church in Tashkent commented to Barnabas Aid how shocked she was to hear of such an attack on a legally registered church: “If they do that to the Church of Christ, what will become of the rest of us?”

NIGERIA - CHURCHES AND PASTOR’S HOME DESTROYED BY FIRE

Two churches and a pastor’s house have been demolished by a group of Muslim youths in Kwasam, Kano State, northern Nigeria, reportedly because some members of the Muslim community objected to the presence of the Christian buildings.

At 11am on 19 May, an old church building and the pastor’s house were set ablaze, while the newly completed church, which was meant to replace the older building, was demolished. All of the pastor’s property was destroyed in the fire, and it is reported that he is now in hiding, after some members of the mob “vowed they would not leave the area until he was dead”.

Christians are being gagged by UK laws?

As a addition to this blog, I am going to share news from time to time in relation to Christians in the End times.

http://www.theway.co.uk/feature.php?id=8141

The Man Who Couldn't Be Killed: An Incredible Story of Faith and Courage During China's Cultural Revolution

I have not read this book, but I would like to get my hands on it. However I think I have reached my summertime book quota, so I will wait. I read Heavenly Man last winter to my wife. I liked it and could believe the miracles could happen, but I seemed to wonder just a little....Anyways I wondered if anyone has read this other book. It looks low-key but a incredible story. I will Die Free by Alex Noble is also a faith boosting book about a minister in Communist Cuba. I have that book and it is inspirational. I like these low key books, because you get more of a feel that the person is just testifying more than trying to gain favor or attention. Of course the testimony is powerful enough that you wonder why more have not read them.

The story written in the title is about a Chinese law enforcement officer that takes up the cross and makes some radical changes in his life and life style. He then finds himself behind bars for his faith. He gains this nick name because he is ear marked for "special treatment. " Yet survives his sentence. Like I said I haven't read it but it looks like a good read.

Indonesia Persecution

I had just read a story about persecution in Indonesia last night. It was a graphic novel put out by Voice of the Martyrs. It takes place around 2000. It is a story of a young family that finds itself engulfed in a Muslim Jihad or cleansing of their island. The book is called "Hope Amid Horror". It is a true story and is pretty gripping. They lose their home, lives are lost, the man's wife is forced to marry a Muslim---that is all I will tell you. I wanted my wife to read it, and she finds it very difficult to read. So today I am going about my duties and this story is still in the back of my mind: Is it real? How can this happen? I decided some time I was going to look it up and do a little research. The first thing I pulled up is this article:

http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2006/11/islamic_jihad_i.html

A person cannot imagine. After viewing this I really don't think there is much more to say.

On what is happening today see Worthy News Link:

http://www.worthynews.com/8485-news-alert-netherlands-party-condemns-indonesia-militant-threats-against-christians

One more recent Link by VOM:

http://www.persecutionblog.com/2010/07/church-in-indonesia-appeals-to-the-united-nations.html

Glendale shutters church that saved tough guys' souls

I thought this was an interesting article. I am not familiar with knowing the nature of Potter's

House, but it sounds like they do a good, needed work.

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2010/05/26/20100526roberts0526.html#ixzz0speUfAkx

Christians Ruffle Feathers at Dearborn Muslim Celebration?

This is an interesting website that a brother shared with me the other day. Apparently four people were arrested for sharing their faith with Muslims during a Muslim festival. I have not taken sufficient time to go over the details and reflect on them much, though I did find the Mission website fairly interesting. Check it out the story in Michigan and see this website.

http://www.mnnonline.org/article/14386

Are Christians going to be targeted for persecution in America? Some say it is already here.

What is Our Persecution?

I asked this question along with sharing a few verses to my friends and fellow comrades in arms, which we call brethren. Here is a few highlights from my inquiry to give background and also a letter I got in response from a real friend. I really appreciated his view point- How about you? What do you think? Leave a comment or e-mail jonluketws@gmail.com


Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
—Matthew 5:10-12   

Yea, and all that will live godly life in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
—2 Timothy 3:12   

The Question:

I have a question about our commitment to Christ.***Learning about some major persecution going on in India, I asked a missionary or board member from that country about his opinion. He told me that it was there fault for openly challenging and preaching to their Hindu and Muslim neighbors. In return their churches and houses were burnt to the ground by the hundreds, and lives lost. He went on to explain that his personal tailor was a Muslim and a great personal friend and that they got along quite well. If there was ever any chance of confrontation we would be sure to evacuate our missionaries and send prayers of support to our native brethren. I am not wanting to be critical of the brother or our mission program. In fact who is to say that I wouldn’t do the same.***Maybe the Church has a different role to play in these matters than my dim vision can percieve. It is up to God, what he wants us to do. We say our persecution is stress, choices, and living in a sex saturated society. However it seems that other countries suffer stress and immorality, albeit with less choices. What is our persecution?? What are our marks on our bodies that we bare for our Lord Jesus Christ?***However am I ready to suffer for my Lord and brother and sisters. It is one thing to die but another to carry a cross that includes suffering. I don’t wish suffering on anyone, but this Christmas season can we relate with these verses. I am not talking about the first of the year bills either. Do we have that lively hope that is constantly running over. I want to be willing to be all I can be with the help of the grace of God. How will the revival start. This article is not meant as a reproof, but as a challenge and a question. Is this an area that we are lacking in? Please open up a discussion to open my eyes on these matters.

The Response:

What is our persecution?
 
I don’t know if I can answer all your questions, Jon, and I don’t know either if I can get all my scattered thoughts together on this subject as I’ve pondered it
 
There were a few thoughts that came to me as I read this verse: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 5. 10.
 
We ask “Why aren’t we persecuted?” I don’t believe there is any value in persecution itself. There are many groups of people that have been persecuted throughout history. Today some gay rights groups feel they are persecuted because they are not recognized as “normal”. So does this mean they are blessed? No... the blessing comes to those who are persecuted because of righteousness.
 
Sometimes maybe we think that being persecuted IS righteousness. Or that it somehow makes us better or puts more stars in our crown (maybe it does… I don’t know.) But this type of mindset puts the focus on our own good works. There are some radical fundamental groups which thrive under this thinking and believe that the more they are persecuted, the more God smiles upon them. Their persecution actually becomes their “righteousness”. But that is somewhat backwards thinking. Matt 5:10 says that persecution may be a RESULT of righteousness, not that it is righteousness itself.
 
So what is righteousness?
 
Is it “going out of our way to be persecuted”? Is it “preaching boldly in anti-Christian atmospheres”? Or is it simply recognizing that all our righteousness is as filthy rags, and out of thankfulness for Christ’s covering of righteousness, stepping forth in service to God and our fellowman? Filling our place of service, small or great, at home or abroad, with the leading and blessing of God and His Church? All our righteousness is as filthy rags in God’s sight. Only as we are covered by the Blood do we become “righteous” in God’s eyes.
 
Having said that, I do believe that we are wanting to have it too easy, and more and more the thought of “persecution” is becoming foreign and distasteful to us. But this doesn’t start in the mission field.. it starts at home. Denying ourselves of unnecessary earthly possessions, material pressures, the latest technology, etc, may be the persecution we are being called to. Living as pilgrims and strangers upon the earth. Being willing to stand out. Building a moderate home or buying a gently used vehicle instead of going all out, even if we could afford it. Showing a non-resistant, non-materialistic spirit when we are being taken advantage of in the business world. I dare say at times this may be harder persecution to stand up to than preaching to hostile Muslims, but I’m not speaking from experience so I can’t really say. How are we faring in the arena of a materialistic society? Are we giving in to escape the roaring lions? Commitment to Christ starts at home, not on the mission field.
 
But this probably doesn’t address your questions of physical persecution in foreign lands. I do believe that the Church is trying to stay in tune with God’s leading in this area. I once heard someone say regarding the Great Commission (“Go ye therefore and teach all nations…… teaching them to observe all things..”) that the part of the Church today seemed to be more in the area of “teaching them to observe all things” rather than introducing people to the Gospel. A large majority of the world has heard about Jesus. Many churches are in every country preaching the Gospel, and many are coming to salvation thru this. But how many of them have been exposed to the Church, a visible united organism that preaches and lives the whole Gospel? We could be more vocal and bold about preaching the Gospel in foreign lands, but don’t you think that a consecrated mission family living in a village speaks louder than “just another voice” telling about Jesus? Regarding your comment about the “dark land” of Bangladesh.. many people may have heard about Jesus, but how many have been touched by Him as our eye clinics and harelip programs are attempting to do? If the missionaries in that land would start openly preaching and challenging the society around them with words very likely these programs would be forced to close down very quickly. (I’ve read some recent letters from my wife’s cousin who is in Bangladesh and the ARE sharing the Gospel as the door opens up.. and it hasn’t always been in a friendly environment... ) Think about Jesus’ example.. He went about healing the sick, not preaching to them. Is this what we are doing in Bangladesh? I’m not trying to excuse a fearful, laid-back approach to mission work, but rather sometimes God works in areas far beyond what we can see. Also, I’m sure our missionaries undergo more than we realize. We need to be "wise as serpents, harmless as doves."
 
We can’t change the world. No amount of talking or challenging other people’s religions is going to do this. Only God can change men’s hearts (altho it may at times include talking or sometimes challenging others.) As we submit to God (and the Church) at home, He will use us in the way He sees fit. Our focus should be on carrying out His will, and if it results in persecution, may we rejoice as Paul did to suffer for the Lord! Chad G.

Thanks for the answer!

Persecution in San Fransisco

Here is an interesting story I picked up on after researching the group JHOP (Justice House Of Prayer). I met one of their group when we Christmas caroled in the BART (subway) Transit station a couple of years past. They go in the roughest areas of big cities, rent a room and have 24 hour prayer meetings. The man we met was formerly gay and told us his repentance experience and how he had changed and now was engaged to a "real" christian lady. He was glowing with joy. I had hoped to run into him again and learn more about inner city evangelism and see if they could use our tracts. After a few emails and websites, I ran into this story that had just happened around that time. I read two different accounts of the same happening on different sites by different people that were there. They meshed pretty close. Perhaps you'll find it just as interesting. It makes you ask the question, "who knows what the future holds....?"

I take liberty to share this story for its value in informing others of what is happening even here in America.

November 18, 2008

     Last Friday night (11.14.08) our team of thirteen people, mostly ranging from eighteen to twenty-two years old, left the house around 5:30pm to head to the Castro District as we have done for the majority of Friday nights for the past three years. Over the course of the week we had actually been out in the Castro every night, singing and worshiping in the neighborhood. This night we arrived at Castro and 18th Street, with one guitar to simply worship and bring the presence of God to the Castro District. We understood that since Proposition 8 had passed it would seem instigating to talk with people, so we decided to only play the guitar and sing rather than to engage with anyone on the streets.

     Our intention was not to stir up anger, but to worship Jesus on the streets the way we had worshipped there for the past three years. As we were worshiping a man approached us and began yelling "You are haters! Get out of here!" A girl on our team simply told him "We are only here to worship God. We love you." This man became angrier and was screaming at her using profanity and obscene language. When he noticed that we were standing in front of a memorial that had been dedicated to an AIDS/HIV activist he became even more enraged. We had stood on that particular street corner numerous times when there had been a memorial and it had never been an issue before this night. She continued to answer him "We are only here to worship God. We love you and Jesus loves you," and eventually he left the street corner. A police officer then came and asked us how long we would be out there. We told him until nine o clock and he said "ok" and left.

     Our team continued to sing as a young man approached us. He stood near by until another man joined him.  He was wearing a headdress, which led us to believe that he was affiliated with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. This man in the headdress began to surround us with a cloth and shoving us to encircle us fully with the cloth.  He wanted to do this so that people on the outside could not see us. While this was happening the other man instigated to people walking by that we were the "Yes on 8 people". When in reality, we were only doing what we had always done at the Castro since before proposition 8 was even in sight.  This was not a proposition 8 event.

     At this point our team was standing in a circle holding hands singing "Amazing Grace." 
While they were holding the cloth around us someone from the crowd threw hot coffee over the cloth and it hit our team, including splashing two of our girls in the face and one on her head going down her back. At first the girls thought it was boiling water until they smelled that it was coffee.

     During the event people lunging through the crowd to get at us hit a couple of our girls in the face.

     Then a man picked up one of our Bibles and started to walk away with it. A girl from our team walked out of the circle after him and said, "Excuse me that is our Bible. Could I have that back please?" He turned to her and said "no" then hit her on the head with the Bible knocking her to the ground, then began kicking her legs.  A man from the crowd pulled him off of her. A police officer then came and detained the man who hit her. One officer asked the girl on our team if she would like to press charges. She said "No. Tell him I forgive him."

     A couple of the people who were holding the cloth around our team walk up to her and said "We are sorry that happened to you." and "He is not with us." referring to the man that hit her. Then the man who had been responsible for making the crowd think we were there concerning Proposition 8 said to her "I'm glad to see that you're feeling better, but let that be a lesson to you not to come here." 

     At different points throughout the night one girl on our team had her camera and was able to film some of what was happening.

     The crowd around began to grow as people started to scream "Shame on you! Shame on you!" over and over. They were yelling all kinds of obscenities and cursing us. That is when one of the young men who was with us called the police department to let them know what was happening. It was difficult to say how many people were surrounding us due to the chaos of the situation. We were trying to focus on worshiping rather than the masses, but we would guess anywhere from 200 to 500 people. One of the girls then stepped out to see how the girl who got hit was doing. And as she rejoined the team singing, she overheard a few men saying things like "we should grab them."  As well as "yeah we should grab their butts." At that point we realized that it was climaxing into a really hostile situation.
 
     Then it seemed like out of nowhere hundreds of whistles were being blown in our ears. Around that time someone removed the cloth which enabled the crowd to enclose around us turning the situation into what resembled a mob frenzy. The people in the crowd were shoving us against the wall blowing the whistles in our ears so close that we could feel the spit from the whistles hitting our faces. Around that time we began to sing "Oh the Blood of Jesus."  Things grew more intense and the crowd came in closer around us shoving and pushing us. Some men from the crowd began grabbing a few of the young men on our team inappropriately, sexually assaulting them and trying to take down the pants of one of them. When that began the young men with us quickly pulled all the girls into the middle so that no one could get to them.

     The intensity of the mob around us grew until finally the police had to shove the crowd off of us and they made a wall between the crowd and our group. There was one moment when a man from the crowd around us pointed out Roger, the leader of our team, and said, "I'm going to kill you!" An officer overheard and said to him "What did you say!?" The man said "nothing." And the officer replied, "I heard what you said."

     Then one officer said to Roger "Do you want to leave?" and he replied, "We would like to stay" because we knew we had the freedom to be there. A few minutes later as the crowd was growing quickly the officer said to Roger "I am sorry, but we need to get you out of here because we fear for your life, you no longer have a choice." Roger turned to our team and explained that we were going to honor the police and follow them. The officer came back, asked us where we were parked and told us we would be moving out in five minutes. At that point there was somewhere between 15 and 25 police officers. They surrounded our team and escorted us to 20th and Eureka Street where our van was parked. As they were escorting us to our van the crowd followed our team and continued to scream and threaten us.  They even threatened to follow us all the way home. As we were being escorted out a man with a news camera showed up and began filming us. (Later we found the footage on KTVU, a local news station in the Bay Area) They had reported that we were doing a religious march regarding Proposition 8, when in all actuality we were being escorted out of the Castro.  Realizing the hostility of the people who were still following us, and their threats to "follow us all the way home" we covered our license plate with post-it notes that a guy on our team had in his wallet. We did this so that they could not identify our vehicle later. We then loaded our entire team into the van and drove home. The time when we left was 8:30.

     In closing, though this event was one of the scariest moments in our individual lives, because of those who have died in America to purchase freedom, we felt in this situation we were to stand firm and not be intimidated out of our rights.  Furthermore our faith in Christ calls us to be willing to die for the sake of the gospel, and we are not to sacrifice for the sake of comfort or a false peace. Though the American church has not often been tested in this, these days seem to be upon us. We love the LGBT community and we do not believe that everyone in this community is filled with hate or anger. What happened on Friday night was different than what we have ever encountered.  We forgive those who assaulted us physically and sexually. We forgive the anger and threats of violence against us.  Our desire has always been to be a bridge to bring the love of Jesus.
 Thank you,
JHOPSF team.