Persecuted Church of Christ - Homeschool Blogger

Bangladesh

Thu, 2 Aug 2007 10:18:00 -0500

I've not written a post here in a while, but I feel I must come back because God is continuing to place things on my heart and I need an outlet for them aside from prayer.

My children and I love getting the resources from VOM. In the past, they've received a Kids of Courage magazine that told them of the struggles of Christian children in Bangladesh. We took time and prayed for them and continue to pray for them. I received the current issue of VOM and the focus is on Bangladesh as the violence is escalating there. My heart goes out to them and I want to pray and ask God to stop the seeming senseless violence, but to hear those precious ones who trust in God. They actually laugh at the easy life we live! That's amazing to me. They are ready and willing to suffer (God helps them to be brave while they are getting attacked) as Jesus did and don't complain! If service is over the time limit we complain! Oh man. These are the heroes I want my children growing up to admire. Not the fake Superman's and Spiderman's of our day. These are the real heroes and they will get their reward! I love these people so much! I am honored to be called their sister in Christ!

Good news

Fri, 31 Mar 2006 19:18:00 -0600

Afghanistan:

PRAISE Report! Abdul Rahman�s case has been dismissed and he has been released from prison! Abdul, who was turned into police by relatives for converting to Christianity from Islam, could have been sentenced to death under Afghan law. The courts announced that the case was dismissed on legal grounds (poor evidence and loop holes in the case), but it was most likely the world-wide attention on this case that caused the courts to back down. Please continue to keep Abdul in prayer as he is still in danger from Islamic fundamentalists for being an �apostate.� PRAISE God for the worldwide attention to this case and the awareness it has raised relative to the persecution of Christians. PRAY that this press coverage will become the norm rather than the exception on matters of persecution.

Pray for our Iranian brothers and sisters in Christ

Thu, 23 Mar 2006 07:48:00 -0600

IRAN

The lawyer representing imprisoned Iranian Christian Hamid Pourmand has petitioned for his early release from Tehran's Evin Prison this month, during Iran's annual prisoners' amnesty. A lay pastor jailed 18 months ago, Pourmand continues to be allowed regular visits at home with his family for three to five days each month. Hundreds of Iranian prisoners are released each year between the February 11th anniversary of the 1989 Iranian revolution and Iranian Now Ruz (New Year) celebrations on March 21st. "We don't know how the authorities will respond to this appeal," an Iranian Christian in contact with Pourmand's lawyer told Compass. "But, we know the prison officials and guards have extended very good cooperation with Hamid these past months."

Pray God will soften the hearts of the authorities and allow Pourmand's release very soon. Give thanks to the Father for His sustaining power and the good witness Pourmand has been throughout his trial and imprisonment. Pray Pourmand's release will be just the beginning of a movement to allow more religious freedom in Iran.

Pray for Belarus

Wed, 22 Mar 2006 07:36:00 -0600


BELARUS (ASSIST News Service)

On March 13th, Georgi Vyazovsky of Christ's Covenant Reformed Baptist Church in Belarus was freed from a Minsk prison on completion of a 10-day sentence for conducting religious worship in his own home. After his release, Pastor Vyazovsky told Forum 18 News Service he felt "splendid" and even joked he had lost weight due to the "good diet." Held in cells with five and later 13 other inmates, he said both they and the warders were "amazed" he was there for religious activity. One of the staff remarked the judge must have gone crazy. To Forum 18's knowledge, Pastor Vyazovsky is the first person to have been imprisoned for religious worship in Belarus for 20 years. When 30 members of various Protestant churches gathered at the prison to meet Pastor Vyazovsky, police roughly moved them some 400 meters away, while some 20 special police officers stood by. Pastor Vyazovsky confirmed there has been no further attempt to prosecute church members since his conviction. However, the Pentecostal bishop of the Minsk region is now threatened with prosecution as well. Sergei Tsvor, who is also first vice-chairman of the Pentecostal Union and pastor of the Minsk-based Good News Church, told Forum 18 that police visited the free-standing residential house where his 100-strong congregation met during a service some six weeks ago. When an officer drew up a protocol against the bishop on the grounds he had no right to lead the gathering under the law on public demonstrations, Tsvor told Forum 18, "I told them that it wasn't a demonstration or a picket, but a worship service." He was summoned to a hearing at Minsk's Moscow District Court on March 9th, but the judge was busy with another case and told him he would be summoned again. He has heard nothing since.

Pray our almighty and all-powerful God will protect His followers in Belarus. Pray every Christian will be a witness of Jesus' persevering love. Pray the Holy Spirit will move in power to bring the light of Christ to all countries with a heritage of communistic atheism.

Pray for our Turkish brother in Christ

Wed, 4 Jan 2006 09:05:00 -0600

TURKEY (Compass Direct)
For the third time in six months, Turkish Christian Yakup Cindilli has failed to appear at court hearings against the ultra-nationalists who beat him into a coma two years ago for distributing New Testaments in his hometown. The clerk of the Orhangazi Criminal Court near Bursa, in northwestern Turkey, confirmed to Compass last week that Cindilli had not attended a December 15th hearing. Partially recovered, Cindilli had left Orhangazi last June, apparently circulating in various areas of Istanbul over the summer months. With his whereabouts unknown, it is presumed he may not have known about the hearings scheduled on his case. Although his assailants were jailed, one was released a month later and the other two granted bail after three months. The Orhangazi judge has postponed the criminal court hearing on Cindilli's case until March 16th.

Pray Cindilli will be able to have another series of medical tests to prove the severity of his injuries. Pray he will be willing and able to attend the March 16th hearing. Pray that as the time for the trial drags on, the Lord will lead his attackers to repentance and faith in Jesus.

Pray for Indonesian Christians

Wed, 4 Jan 2006 09:02:00 -0600

INDONESIA (Compass Direct)
Following the closure of scores of churches in the past two years, the Indonesian government is revising a controversial law to regulate places of worship. Christian leaders fear the changes will do little to keep Muslim communities from blocking or shutting down churches. The original 1969 decree requires all religious groups to apply for permits before setting up a place of worship. Neighbors in the immediate vicinity of a proposed church, mosque or Hindu temple must give their consent before a permit is granted. Under proposed revisions, community members will serve as "inter-faith forums" to give approval before a church could even apply for a permit. This will give them even more power in establishing the religious make-up of a village. "If it comes down to a vote, Muslim leaders will influence others to vote against churches," Father Antonius Benny Susetyo, a spokesman for the Indonesian Bishops' Council, told Compass.

Pray God will give Indonesian Christians a spirit of wisdom for the present and great hope for the future. Pray they will draw close to the Lord in worship wherever and whenever they meet. Pray Muslims will be frustrated with their inability to stamp out Christianity and come to realize the eternal authority and love of Jesus Christ.

Pray for our Iranian brothers & sisters

Fri, 18 Nov 2005 13:13:00 -0600

Don't forget the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is November 13 (&20), 2005!

IF YOU MISSED THE FIRST ONE, THERE'S ANOTHER CHANCE IN TWO DAYS!

I hope these aren't annoying anyone. I put them on here since it's near and dear to my heart. I've also promised to get the word out about the persecuted church. In our home school we actually pray everyday for the children and families we've read about in our Link International magazine that Voice of the Martyrs puts out for children. We pray separately for them during our devotions. With these updates I hope to make praying for those being persecuted a bit easier. The updates always include prayer guides. I also feel if you can read about what happpens to them it will impact your heart better than me just saying, "pray for them". These stories wrench my heart so I have to do something. Since I don't have much to contribute by way of finances, I'm doing what I can by praying for them myself, teaching my children to pray for them and writing about their struggles and triumphs. Prayer really does work. I hope everyone who reads these says a prayer in their hearts for those being persecuted for their faith in Christ.

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IRAN (Compass Direct)
Jailed 14 months ago for converting to Christianity, former Iranian army colonel Hamid Pourmand has been allowed to visit his family on a monthly basis since August. Pourmand has reportedly developed good rapport with both guards and prisoners at Evin Prison. Despite earlier reports that Pourmand's case had been appealed before the Iranian Supreme Court, sources now say his lawyer has decided to drop the appeal out of fear it would be perpetually delayed, giving authorities an excuse to keep the Christian in prison. While in prison, Pourmand has been psychologically tortured�more than once told he would be imminently hanged, and at other times forced to listen to the screams of children. (Click here)

Give thanks to God Pourmand's witness of Christian love is being rewarded with home visits. Pray the Lord will strengthen him as he undergoes physical and emotional abuse, as well as giving him an ability to pray for his torturers. Pray God will use Pourmand to help draw many to Him and His everlasting love.

Please pray for our Indonesian brothers and sisters

Thu, 17 Nov 2005 13:13:00 -0600

Don't forget the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is November 13 (&20), 2005!

IF YOU MISSED THE FIRST ONE, THERE'S ANOTHER CHANCE IN THREE DAYS!

The devil is defiant but God's Word will stand! Pray for Christian Indonesians to have boldness to speak the Word of God.

INDONESIA (VOM-Canada)
Two high school girls are in critical condition after being shot point blank on November 8th near a Pentecostal church. Ivone (last name unknown) and (Yuli) Siti Nuraini, both 17 years old, were shot by men on a motorcycle in the Gatot Subroto area of Poso. Ivone was shot in the left jaw, while Yuli was wounded in the neck. Both girls are presently in critical condition in the hospital. This incident follows the shocking attack on four Christian girls in the same city on October 29th, when three were beheaded. Hundreds of troops have been dispatched to the area. There are reports that the attackers have been arrested, but no names have yet been released. This recent shooting, however, demonstrates the danger from militant Islamic groups has not abated.

Pray Jesus will comfort the families of the girls who were attacked as they await their healing and return to their homes. Pray Christians in Indonesia will remain faithful, bold and loving as they follow their Shepherd. Pray their witness will draw many into God's kingdom which cannot be shaken.

Pray for our Eritrean brothers and sisters!!

Wed, 16 Nov 2005 13:12:00 -0600

Don't forget the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is November 13 (&20), 2005!

IF YOU MISSED THE FIRST ONE, THERE'S ANOTHER CHANCE IN FOUR DAYS!

I receive prayer alerts and news updates on what's happening around the world through Voice of the Martyrs' news and prayer update. It's e-mailed to me every week. There are five in each newsletter. I'm going to start to post one a day during the work week so all of you can see and remember to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ. I'm praying for them as well!

ERITREA (Compass Direct)
The number of Eritrean Christians confirmed to be jailed for their religious beliefs has shot up to a total of 1,778, nearly double the documented count six months ago. At least 26 full-time Protestant pastors and Orthodox clergy are in jail, and their personal bank accounts frozen by government order. "Their family members are suffering (to) a great degree," according to one source. In late September, three Protestant leaders imprisoned months ago by Eritrean authorities were handed jail sentences of two and three years by sham courts. Last month police raids in several locations of Asmara and the town of Kushete landed at least 51 more Protestant Christians in police detention.

Pray Jesus will draw near to the imprisoned Christians, giving them a sense of His loving presence. Pray Christians around the world will respond bountifully to the needs of the prisoners' families. Pray for a miracle of God's grace causing Eritrean authorities to cry out for the living God.

Nearly 10 months after Pastor Oqbamichael Tekle-Haimonot was arrested at a wedding in western Eritrea, authorities at the Sawa military training center have released the ailing evangelical leader on bail. Pastor Haimonot, a minister in the Kale Hiwot (Word of Life) Church, suffered a severe breakdown last May after being subjected to solitary confinement, hard labor and other physical and emotional mistreatment at Sawa. Five weeks ago, security police raided the Kale Hiwot Church at their headquarters in Asmara and arrested members. They released 25 members on November 8th.

Give thanks to God that these believers are no longer suffering in Eritrean prisons. Pray our loving Father will restore Pastor Tekle-Haimonot to complete mental, physical and spiritual health.

Have you prayed for the persecuted church of Christ today?

Sun, 13 Nov 2005 13:10:00 -0600

Don't forget the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is November 13 (&20), 2005!

PRAY NOW!!!!

Today is the day set aside to pray for the persecuted Church of Christ around the world. Whether your church took part in this with you or not. Please set aside some time today to pray for our sisters and brothers in Christ. They need our prayers.

~Dear Lord. I thank You for Your children in other lands. Lord Jesus, I ask that You would protect them and keep them safe. Protect their safe houses from being raided so that they can meet and learn more about You. I ask that You would send out the laborers in the fields to reap the ready harvest in those countries that are hostile to You. Keep Your children courageous so that they speak Your Word no matter what they are faced with. Thank You that they already fear You more than they fear what man can do to them. Lord, I ask that You would instill that kind of devotion in all of Your children. Help us all to stand for You and not back down. In Jesus' name, amen.~