Tuesday, 24 November 2009 03:15 PM EST Simba Tian / Compass Direct News News - Featured News

Members of the Islamic extremist group al Shabaab had taken 23-year-old Mumin Abdikarim Yusuf into custody on Oct. 28 after the 15-year-old boy reported him to the militants, an area source told Compass Direct News. Yusuf's body was found on Nov. 14 on an empty residential street in Mogadishu, with sources saying the convert from Islam was shot to death, probably some hours before dawn.

"Our brother Yusuf has been murdered," the source told Compass. "His body was dumped in Yaqshid district of Mogadishu, and his body is said to be on an empty residential street."

Al Shabaab, said to have links with al Qaeda terrorists, controls parts of Mogadishu and much of southern parts of Somalia, as well as other areas of the nation.

Their accusations against Yusuf had led the extremist group to raid Yusuf's home in Holwadag district, Mogadishu, sources said. After searching his home, militia didn't find anything relating to Christianity but still took him into custody.

Before Yusuf was executed by two shots to the head, reports filtered in to the Compass source that he had been badly beaten and his fingers broken as the Islamists tried to extract incriminating evidence against him and information about other Christians. The source later learned that Yusuf's body showed signs of torture; all of his front teeth were gone, and some of his fingers were broken, he said.

"We don't know the time he was murdered, but his freshly killed body was dumped in Yaqshid district at around 4:30 in the morning of Nov. 14, and due to the will of the family we have buried the body at around 3 p.m. on Nov. 14," the source said.

The clandestine Christians could not safely identify themselves to Yusuf's Muslim family, but they were able to indirectly assist the parents in burying him with dignity, the source said.

It is not known whether under torture Yusuf revealed information about area members of the hidden church, but underground church leaders have been relocating local Christians who knew him, the source said.

"We still don't know if the Shabaab did find any new evidence from Yusuf," he said.

Yusuf's Muslim parents did not know that their son was a Christian, and they had insisted to the al Shabaab militants that he was still a Muslim, the source said. The extremists accused the family of not reporting that their son had converted to Christianity, and they ordered his mother and father to appear before an al Shabaab court.

Although the Compass source could not confirm whether the parents heeded the command, he said they most likely did as it is not uncommon for the militants to behead those who defy their orders.

"I cannot confirm if they appeared before the Islamist court, but that is highly possible," he said. "Who can dare defy them?"

The extremists have demonstrated they have no qualms about killing those they perceive to be sympathetic to any "foreign" religion, the source said. He added that the Islamic extremists did not execute Yusuf quickly only because they had no evidence against him except the testimony of the teenage boy.

"In Islam, to execute someone you need to have evidence of three witnesses, and they didn't have it," he said. "Al Shabaab is known to do whatever they like, and they don't even follow the rules of their religion they claim adherence to."

The discovery of Yusuf's body brought an end to a strenuous attempt by his family to secure his release, but t

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When the boy in the hotel finally spotted the visiting “businessman,” he ran to him and grabbed his hand. The startled visitor tried to pull away but soon realized that the boy was making the sign of the cross on his palm silently with his finger. The man, a missionary who had prayed to make contact with the church, looked down into the face of the rail-thin boy and immediately understood the message: “The church is alive in North Korea!”

    The next day, the missionary met secretly with the boy. He learned that his father was a Christian who had been imprisoned years before. The boy’s family had greatly suffered under the brutal government and had to beg for food just to survive. Now because of drought, people everywhere were dying from severe malnutrition.
    When the missionary asked what he could do, he thought surely the boy would request food for his family. But the boy asked him for only four things: to take his tithe that he had saved over many years, to baptize him, to give him Holy Communion, and to give him a better Bible.
    The man was moved to tears as he realized the boy’s wisdom. Physical help would only serve him for a day or two, and then he would be back in the same predicament. Spiritual help would prepare him for eternity.

Wanting something and needing something are two entirely different things for most people. What they want is not what they need. Yet what they need most is not what they want. This is why so many people are frustrated. The child in this story teaches us what happens when all our wants are lined up with all our needs. He got it right. He wanted the very thing he needed most: Jesus Christ. When all you want is all you need, you will find great satisfaction. You may say you want money, but you’ll soon find that money meets only so many needs. You may say you need money, but soon you’ll want other things as well. Only Jesus can satisfy your wants and needs at the same time.

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Persecution

The beating Pastor Bandoni endured put him in the hospital for two days.

Jesus promised His followers that the world would hate and persecute them. Many Gospel for Asia-supported missionaries have come to know the harsh reality of Jesus' words.

Persecution is a part of life for many GFA workers. Beatings, death threats and imprisonment are a few of the things they encounter on a daily basis. But despite great hostility, they continue to press onward as they proclaim the Good News of Christ to the unsaved souls of Asia. They are not willing for any man to perish without hearing the name of Jesus, even if that means that they might physically perish.

Read more stories
of persecution.

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Proclaiming Peace in a Ravaged Land
“If you follow Christianity and spread it here,” the Maoist commander warned, “you will have to leave this village.”

Ministering in war-torn Nepal, GFA Pastor Mangal recently found out what it means to be caught in the cross fire between the government and insurgent Maoists.

With threats continuing to warn Pastor Mangal of danger to his life if he remained in the village, he continued serving his Savior, telling others of Jesus and discipling his flock of new believers.

Then, a few months ago, Pastor Mangal was returning from the village market, where he had bought food for his family. At an army checkpoint, a Nepalese officer interrogated him about what he was carrying. Though Pastor Mangal explained the food was for his family, the official suspected he was carrying supplies for the Maoists-and beat him severely.

Pastor Mangal was hurt so badly that he had to rest in bed for a month. As soon as he recovered, he continued actively sharing the Good News, going from village to village.

Again he was stopped by the Maoist commander, who demanded, “Why haven't you left the village?” The commander beat Pastor Mangal very severely and left him on a cliff.

But the believers in Pastor Mangal's young church came to his rescue, tenderly caring for him and providing medication for his pain. Although this time the pastor left the village to minister in a different area, he didn't go without leaving someone behind to carry on the work: A GFA Bible college student who recently graduated and is from this village will be serving in his stead. This student is aware of the dangers of sharing the Gospel in this area but is still willing to obey God's call, trusting in His sustaining grace.

Although it is too dangerous at the moment, Pastor Mangal remains hopeful that he can one day return to the village God gave him such a passion for.

“I have labored for the Gospel in this area,” he says. “I have served the Lord here with my sweat and blood. Now there are 14 baptized believers in this village. Though I've moved temporarily, I believe the situation of this nation will one day become normal and I'll again be able to serve my Master and Savior in this village.”

“Please pray for me,” he continues. “Whatever has happened to me, I count all this joy since there is a price we’re to pay if we love and serve Him.”

Please pray for Pastor Mangal’s comfort and protection. Pray for growth in the ministry he has started elsewhere. Please pray as well for the newly graduated Bible college student who will carry on the work he had to leave behind.

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Share This Web Page Extremists Try to Murder Missionary; Attack Well-Drilling Team Read 08/15/2009 UPDATE Jesus Wells are tangible evidence of God's love for the people of Asia. Original Story A mob of anti-Christian extremists tried to murder a Gospel for Asia-supported missionary working at a Jesus Well drilling site on Tuesday. The pastor escaped unharmed, but they badly beat a ministry intern and one of the men drilling the well. The incident occurred Tuesday when the well-drilling team arrived in the village where missionary Bala Nunwate serves. Bala, along with ministry intern Vincey Rao and the men who work for the well-drilling contractor, started working. About 20 minutes later, a mob of people who belong to a well-known, violent anti-Christian group showed up and tried to attack Bala. He managed to escape from their grasp, but the mob grabbed Vincey and the drilling crew chief. The attackers badly beat Vincey and forced him to sign a statement saying he was an outsider who came to the village to convert people to Christianity. They threatened to take his life unless he signed the paper. After he signed it, they sent him away. It is illegal in many Indian states to convert people to Christianity by using force or allurement. These anti-conversion laws are ironically called "freedom of religion" laws. After he was released, Vincey found himself in a dilemma. He was unfamiliar with the village, so he hid out in a rice paddy overnight. At daylight Vincey found his way back to the church. The other GFA workers took him to the hospital to treat his wounds and then to the police station. The extremists also badly beat the drilling crew chief. He was also able to escape and go the local police, who took him to the hospital for treatment. GFA officials had to go to the police station and file reports about the crime and the fact that the mob had taken the drilling equipment and the missionary's bicycles. Later in the day, the officials were able to meet with the superintendent of police, and he helped them get their belongings back from the mob. The local leader where this incident occurred asked for prayer for the mob that attacked the workers. Pray that God would speak to their hearts and that they would come to know Christ. Also pray for Bala and the other GFA workers in that area, that God would lead and guide them to deal with the anti-Christian extremists. Pray especially for wisdom for Bala as he deals with the situation, and that God would protect him from any further danger.

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Asia Bibi Location: Pakistan Arrested: June 2009 Asia is the wife of 50-year-old Ashiq Masih, and their family is one of only three Christian families in a village of more than 1,500 families. Many of the local women work on the farm of Muslim landowner Muhammad Idrees, including Asia. During their work many of the Muslim women have pressured Asia to renounce Christianity and accept Islam. In June, the pressure became especially strong. On Friday, June 19, there was an intense discussion among the women about their faith, with the Muslim women telling Asia about Islam. Asia responded by telling them about her faith in Christ. More Info...

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Bandoni and Naren were on their way home from a prayer meeting when they were attacked.

Church leaders in Madhya Pradesh, India, have filed a complaint against a group of extremists who attacked Gospel for Asia-supported pastor and missionary Bandoni Masih earlier this year. As of our last report from the field, the missionary's attackers remain free.

The complaint stems from an attack in May in which Bandoni and Naren Dandi, a member of his congregation, were beaten. The two men were bicycling home from a prayer meeting when 12 men stopped them on the road. They surrounded Bandoni and Naren and began yelling at them. They accused them of forcing people to convert to Christianity. Then they attacked, beating the two men with wooden sticks and an iron rod. The beating lasted for nearly an hour, and then the mob ran away.

Bandoni sustained serious injuries and was unable to walk. Naren, who was barely able to stand, managed to ride his bike to the nearest police station to get help. Meanwhile, Bandoni dragged himself to a nearby village. When the police heard Naren's report, they went out and brought Bandoni, along with three Christians who were helping him, back to the police station and questioned them at length.

When the extremists found out about the police report they started bothering Bandoni again, trying to get him to drop the charges.

Bandoni was hospitalized for two days after the attack. Initially his legs were so badly injured that he could not walk. He was unable to eat or drink anything for two days because of the injuries to his jaw.

After being released from the hospital, Bandoni spent several weeks recovering at home before he could return to ministry work.

He asks for continued prayer for the situation. Here are his requests.

• It appears that the police have declined to pursue prosecution of the extremists. Pray that justice would be done.
  
  
• Pray for the safety of Bandoni, Naren and the other Christians in this area.
  
  
• Pray for the repeal of Madhya Pradesh's harsh anti-conversion law, which makes it difficult and dangerous to preach the Gospel.
  
  
• Pray for strength for Bandoni as he continues to serve in this area.
  
  
• Pray for the 12 persecutors, that they would come to know Christ.
  
  

• The persecution of Christians is a common occurrence in Asia. Read about other instances of attacks on Christians here.
• Read more about Madhya Pradesh, India's geographic center.

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Location: Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Arrested: March 2009
Days Imprisoned: 194
Print Fact Sheet

On March 5, Marzieh Amirizadeh Esmaeilabad and Maryam Rustampoor were arrested by Iranian security forces and labeled "anti-government activists," according to Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN).
Thirty year-old Marzieh and 27-year-old Maryam are being held at Evin Prison, which is notorious for treating women badly. "Both women are allowed just a one-minute telephone call everyday to their immediate families. Both are unwell and in need of urgent medical attention," FCNN reported. During their last call on March 28, Mazieh said that she was suffering from an infection and high fever. She said, "I am dying."
Marzieh and Maryam's apartment was searched and their belongings were confiscated. "Their only crime is that they are committed Christians who follow the teachings of Jesus," FCNN added. “They are being unfairly labeled as 'anti government activists' because of the hostility of the government towards practicing Christians."
The women have reportedly been interrogated numerous times and were held in t

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Persecution and Prayer Alert September 09, 2009 No matter where The Voice of the Martyrs ministers, the first request of persecuted Christians is almost always the same: "Pray for us." Answer that request by joining The Voice of the Martyrs in praying for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. Sign up today to receive specific, up-to-date prayer requests by email every Wednesday through the Persecution and Prayer Alert. To subscribe, click here. Several Christian converts from Islam arrested in Iran Evin prison Photo from FCNN According to a September 7 report from Middle East Concern, Iranian Christians have requested continued prayers for a number of believers from a Muslim background who are currently in prison or under other forms of pressure. On August 3, security officers entered the home of Marzieh Fesahi. After searching the house and confiscating many of Marzieh's personal belongings, the officials have detained her in the notoriously brutal Evin prison in Tehran. On August 23-24, several Christian converts from Islam throughout the western province of Kordestan were detained for several hours and intensely questioned. Authorities have also ordered them to attend hearings at their local Ministry of Information offices. On August 31, Iranian authorities arrested twenty-five Christians attending a house church meeting in Amameh, near Tehran. Officials transported the believers to an unknown location where they were interrogated and their personal information was collected. Eighteen of the believers were released while the remaining seven Christians were taken to Evin prison and are detained in solitary cells. Pray that those detained will know the presence and peace of Jesus in prison. Pray for their release. Pray that Iranian officials involved in harassing and abusing Christians will come to know Christ and respond in faith to His love for them. Continue to pray for Maryam Rustampoor (27) and Marzieh Amirizadeh (30), who have been detained in Evin prison since their arrest in March. Please remember these brothers and sisters in your prayers and post a prayer on our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall as a sign of solidarity with them. For more information on the persecution of Christians in Iran, visit the Iran Country Report.

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Every November, Christians around the world join together in prayer to remember our Christian brothers and sisters suffering persecution simply because they confess Jesus Christ as Lord.

In the traditional church calendar, the month of November is marked by "All Saints Day" and "All Souls Day." These days were set apart to remember the saints of the church and the souls of those who have departed this world. In recent years, the modern church has also set apart the month of November to remember and pray for suffering believers through The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) -- an initiative of the Religious Liberty Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance.

There are many countries around the world where Christians are martyred for their faith. Last August, the world watched in horror the unbridled violence unleashed upon Christians in Orissa state, India. In countries like North Korea, acts of persecution take place daily, but we often don't see or hear of it. Brother Andrew of Open Doors once said, "Our heroes are not with us simply because they are in prison."

This November, join with thousands of Christians worldwide in prayer for the Persecuted Church. Mark your calendars, inform your churches, and tell your friends about this unique opportunity to pray for your persecuted Christian family and remind suffering believers that they are neither forgotten nor abandoned. We would encourage you to post a prayer for the brothers and sisters mentioned in this story on our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.

To find out more about IDOP 2009 and special resources designed to help you get involved, please visit the IDOP-international website. In Canada, click here.

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Iran

Iran has held its own cultural independence, language, and Shia interpretation of Islam since ancient times. After a brief period of political engagement with the West that ended in 1979 with the fall of the Pahlavi monarchy, Iran embraced a theocratic Shiite government. Movements for greater public freedom have often been attacked by those pushing for the strict observance of Shia law. In 2005, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was elected President and his regime maintains strict control of the Iranian people. However, recent years have seen a growing appetite for political reform among the Iranian people. There is also a growing openness to considering the claims of Christianity, especially among the young.

Christians make up less than one-half of one percent of the population. The open witness of the Good News is banned and government spies monitor Christian groups. Believers are discriminated against in education, employment, and property ownership and also face arrests, imprisonment, and sometimes even death.

Although missionaries are not allowed to work in Iran, a growing number of Muslims have converted to Christianity. Many Christians have fled Iran and have sought refugee status abroad. Those who commit the crime of apostasy (leaving Islam for another religion) are often arrested and tried in court. These charges are of particular concern since a draft law proposed in early 2008 that would mandate the death penalty for apostasy has passed several stages of Iran’s legislative process.

• Pray that the government will be open to change and allow full rights and protection for non-Muslims.
• Pray for strength for those who come to Christ despite the threats they may face.
• Pray that those who flee Iran will be able to find refuge and help.

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China: Witnessing Secretly in School Leah is a Christian woman in China. “The most important calling we have from God is to preach the gospel in places where people have not heard it,” said Leah.

Leah knows how difficult it can be to follow that calling. She went to jail for three years because she taught others about Jesus. Now the police watch her every day. She and her family have moved three times in the last three years to avoid the police.

God began preparing Leah to face difficulties as a Christian in China when she was a girl. She told her story to a worker from The Voice of the Martyrs.

Leah’s Story
I was about 5 years old when my mother became a Christian. My father was not a believer.

I knew about Jesus for a long time. My mother told me about him. But I didn’t get saved until I was 12. One day I went with my mother to a small church. Only about nine Christians went to the church. They had no Bibles and no pastor.

That day at church when they prayed, I wanted to cry. I don’t know why. One person asked, “May I pray for you?” I said yes. I felt Jesus’ presence and I really loved him and wanted to follow him.

After that I always wanted to pray. But I didn’t know much about Jesus. I just knew I loved him very much.

Sharing at School
No one at school knew I was a Christian. If they found out, I would not be able to go to that school anymore. I was tempted to stop believing in Jesus.

But when I was about 15, there was a fire in my heart. I wanted to study the gospel and tell others about Jesus. Even some of my cousins began to believe in Jesus after I told them about him.

I had never seen a Bible. Missionaries brought God’s word to China many years ago. Then the government kicked out all the missionaries. The older people passed down what they had learned from the missionaries to us.

I wrote down what I heard from the old people on notes and passed the notes to my classmates. Before class, I walked with them and talked to them quietly about Jesus.

After my classmates started believing in Jesus, I found out one of my teachers was a Christian! He was my music and math teacher. Christians could talk freely about our faith in his class and he protected us.

Finding a Bible
We talked about what the older people told us. But we didn’t know if it was correct or not, because we didn’t have a Bible. When I was 16, I found someone with a Bible! I thought, “I can read it myself and I don’t have to learn from others!”

I began to copy the Bible by hand. I copied parts of it to hand out to others.

Leah Today
Leah continued to share her faith with others, even when she was persecuted for it. She now has a daughter who is about the same age Leah was when she decided to follow Christ. Her daughter worries about her mother’s safety.

Please ask God to continue watching over Leah, and to give her daughter peace and comfort.

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Christian man dies following torture in Eritrean military prison

by Staff
August 11, 2009

(christiansunite.com) - A 43-year-old Eritrean Christian imprisoned for his faith in Mitire Military Confinement Centre died on July 23 after authorities denied him medical treatment, bringing to three the number of detained Christians known to have died in the country this year, according to the Dutch branch of Open Doors.

Yemane Kahasay Andom, a member of the Kale-Hiwot church in Mendefera, had reportedly endured brutal torture since he was detained 18 months ago and was suffering from a severe case of malaria. Two weeks prior to his death, he had been placed in solitary confinement in an underground cell for his refusal to sign a recantation form. Although the exact contents of the form have not been confirmed, most Christians interpret the signing of such a form as the denouncement of their Christian faith. He has reportedly been secretly buried in the camp.

Thank the Lord for the life and witness of Yemane Kahasay Andom. Ask God to comfort those who mourn for him. Pray that the Lord will be exalted, even through the deaths of His faithful followers (Philippians 1:20). Post a prayer for Christians under fire in Eritrea on our online prayer wall at www.persecution.net/prayerwall.

For more information on suffering Christians in Eritrea, go to www.persecution.net/eritrea.htm. The UK rap duo Surrender has recently released a song dedicated to the persecuted church in Eritrea. You can download a copy from VOMC for a suggested donation of $5.00 (all proceeds go towards supporting Eritrean Christians). Go to www.tinyurl.com/my-refuge.

Discuss this article in the ChristiansUnite Discussion Forums

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The Asia Times Online reports: “Al-Qaeda and allied groups are the usual suspects when acts of terror or violence take place in Pakistan, and once again fingers are being pointed in that direction following the killing of seven Christians on Saturday in the remote village of Gojra in Punjab province.

A leading bishop, Almas Hameed Masih, however, takes a different view and he has registered a complaint case with the police against the province's entire administration, which was handpicked by the province's ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), led by former premier Nawaz Sharif.

The seven Christians were burned to death when about 100 houses and a church were torched by angry Muslims who believed pages of the Holy Koran had been desecrated. Christian representatives claim officials did nothing to stop the mayhem.

Television footage of the attack shows gangs of hooded youths throwing petrol bombs and firing indiscriminately into crowds. Some reports said that some of the rioters belonged to the banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, a Sunni sectarian group that has links with al-Qaeda.

Christian schools across the country went on strike on Monday and the chief minister of Punjab, Shebaz Sharif, was stopped by Christians from entering the Gojra area.

Christians - Catholics and Protestants - make up less than 3% of Pakistan’s estimated 175 million population and many live in neighborhoods referred to as ‘Christian colonies’ in various cities. Like the minority Shi'ite Muslims, they are regularly the targets of violence…”

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Latest update: Fourteen believers reportedly killed; more than 100 homes burned in north-eastern Pakistan.
This afternoon, Compass Direct released an excellent summary of the events that have transpired over the last three days in north-eastern Pakistan.  If you are a church or worship leader, we ask that you would please take time this weekend during your worship services to pray especially for the Christians who are suffering this persecution. GOJRA, Pakistan, August 1 (Compass Direct News) –

Six Christians killed as violence escalates overnight in Pakistan
Last night as I posted a blog on the rioting in Korian, Pakistan on Thursday, I closed by saying that we would undoubtedly be updating you as time went on. I had no idea that it would not even be 12 hours before this situation would tragically spiral even further out of control. This morning it was confirmed that at least six Christians were killed, including four women and a child, in rioting

Pakistan’s Christians suffer another night of terror
Twenty-four hours ago, I began to receive reports of a major attack on Christians in the Pakistan village of Korian, near Faisalabad. As is normal in the hours following such acts of violence, getting a clear picture of what happened has been difficult.  What I can tell you for sure is that several dozen Christian homes were burned to the ground after a Muslim mob received a report that pages

When charity (and aid) is the wrong approach
I just ran across this lecture today and felt that it really is worth posting. In this provocative talk, Ugandan journalist Andrew Mwenda asks us to reframe the "African question" -- to look beyond the media's stories of poverty, civil war and helplessness and see the opportunities for creating wealth and happiness throughout the continent.

Reading reflections
Earlier this year when I travelled to Egypt to visit with suffering believers, I brought along C.S. Lewis’s The Problem of Pain. At the end of each day as I attempted to process the difficult stories I had heard, I would read through several passages from the book. Lewis’s words helped me bring perspective to the terrible hardships endured by the believers I met with and reminded me that their

Famous last words: Anthony Ricetti
Anthony Ricetti had been sentenced to execution by drowning because of his confession of Christ.  A few days before the sentence was to be carried out, his son came to him in prison and pleaded with him to renounce his faith so that he might not be left fatherless.  Anthony replied: A good Christian is bound to relinquish not only goods and children, but life itself, for the glory of his

What have you been reading in July?
As you may have noticed, I like to recommend good books.  Often what I read is based on someone else’s recommendation or I see the book referred to in the footnotes or bibliography of another book that I have found helpful (yes, I am one of those who actually looks at bibliographies).  So here are some books that I read in July with links to where you can find a copy if you would like to get a

Hopes fade for true justice as trial of Malatya killers continues
As the following report from Middle East Concern shows, recent events at the trial of the five men charged with the April 2007 murder of Necati Aydin, Ugur Yuksel and Tilmann Geske, at the Zirve Christian publishing house in Malatya, Turkey have confirmed fears that those

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By Andre Vornic
BBC News

North Korea views religion as a threat to its state ideology

Human rights groups in South Korea say North Korea has stepped up executions of Christians, some of them in public.

The communist country, the world's most closed society, views religion as a major threat.

Only the founder of the country, Kim Il-sung, and his son, Kim Jong-il, may be worshipped, in mass public displays of fervour.

Despite the persecutions, it is thought up to 30,000 North Koreans may practise Christianity secretly in their homes.

A report by a number of South Korean groups highlights one particular case of a woman allegedly executed in public last month, in a northern town close to the Chinese border.

She was accused of distributing Bibles, spying for South Korea and the United States and helping to organise dissidents.

Her parents, husband, and children were sent to a prison camp.

Such reports are hard to verify, but North Korea is known to be intolerant of religion - it views any form of alternative social organisation as a competitor for its own, religion-like ideology.

The US government says just owning a Bible in North Korea may be a cause for torture and disappearance.

Pyongyang's position appears to have hardened on everything from human rights to defence policy and international relations in the last year or so.

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Islamic extremists have beheaded two boys in Somalia because their Christian father, 55 year-old Musa Mohammed Yusuf, refused to give them information about an underground church leader, according to Compass Direct News.

The extremists from the group al shabaab killed 11 year-old Abdi Rahaman Musa Yusuf and 12 year-old Hussein Musa Yusuf, after abducting them in front of their mother. The terrorists are currently looking for Yusuf in Kenyan refugee camps.

Yusuf was a leader of an underground church in Yonday village, 19 miles from Kismayo, Somalia. On February 20, the extremists interrogated Yusuf about his relationship with Salat Mberwa, the Christian leader who discipled him in the faith and led an underground fellowship with 66 believers. When Yusuf told them he did not have any connection to him and knew nothing about him, they left and vowed to return the next day. Yusuf fled immediately and the next day the extremists killed his sons.

Yusuf’s wife and 7-year-old son have joined him in the refugee camp in Kenya where Mberwa and other believers are helping them. VOM encourages you to pray for Yusuf and his family as they have lost their sons. Pray God comforts them during this difficult time, and provides the family with other believers who can encourage them with scriptures and songs.

http://www.persecution.com/

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

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

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

The ministry reported that the violence this week happened in the village of Bahmani Walla in Punjab state in Pakistan, which is dominated by Islamic influences.

The report said 600 Muslims used gasoline bombs to vandalize 117 homes belonging to Christians – including 48 damaged by fire, and sabotage water pumps and cut electricity.

According to the report, the violence apparently stemmed from an incident one night earlier, "in which a Christian man driving a tractor requested that a Muslim man riding a motorcycle allow him to pass."

"The request was refused and a disagreement ensued," said the Christian ministry that directs financial support to projects that help Christians "where they suffer discrimination, oppression and persecution as a consequence of their faith."

(Story continues below)

Following the confrontation, news was spread among Muslims that there had been blasphemy against Islam, and it took only a few hours for a 600-strong mob of Muslims to assemble and begin the attack.

Cars and trucks owned by Christians were burned or stolen, jewelry and cash were taken and the next morning found Christian business owners facing a boycott.

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

"The most disturbing development was the throwing of acid at the Christians as they fled. At least nine women and four children have been injured," the Christian ministry reported.

While blasphemy carries a death penalty in Pakistan, there is no punishment available for making a false accusation that someone was guilty of the crime, the ministry said.

"Please pray for our Christian brothers and sisters in Bahmani Walla, who have suffered in this shocking attack, pray that the authorities will investigate thoroughly and bring to justice the perpetrators," said Patrick Sookhdeo, the international director for Barnabas Aid.

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Thursday, 18 June 2009 10:53 Compass Direct News - Featured News

Christian sources said police put the two church leaders into separate cells, and each man was beaten by a gang of five policemen. Pastor Duong Van Tuan of the house church in Hamlet 3, Ong Dinh Commune, Khoai Chau district said that officers beat them in a way that did not leave marks: hard blows to the stomach.

The beatings came in retaliation for Tuan refusing to leave the area as police had ordered, Christian sources said. He and the church elder were released later that evening.

The congregation in Hung Yen, a small but populous province that straddles the Red River 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of Hanoi, has endured harassment and attacks by police and other officials since April. Police officers disrupted worship services on April 19, bloodying Tuan's mouth with punches, and also on May 24 and 31.

In the May 31 incident, he was attacked as he preached. The deputy commune police chief, identified only by his surname of Them, grabbed him by the neck while another officer tore the Bible from his hand, Christian sources said. His arms were twisted behind his back and "he was marched off like a criminal gang member," one said.

Authorities took Tuan to the office of the commune people's committee, clubbing him several times en route. Immediately after arriving at the office, police tried to force him to sign a document saying he had resisted their investigation, though he had yet to be questioned, and said that he was under administrative arrest. Christian sources said he was also ordered to sign a document accepting the seizure of his Bible, which they had taken from him two hours prior.

Officers ended by issuing him an order "to leave the commune immediately by the most direct route."

A woman from his congregation who was unable to obtain cooperation from authorities at lower levels, Le thi Nhung, prepared and sent a detailed, three-page petition to local, provincial and national authorities on June 1, a week before officers last stormed their worship service.

In the petition, Nhung explained that one of the first things Tuan did on his arrival in March was to explain to church elders how to register their congregation's activities according to the Prime Minister's Special Directive on Protestantism of 2005. This directive permits and urges local authorities to register house churches to carry on religious activities. Tuan also went to the local Fatherland Front chair, a woman identified only as Hao, explained the church's aspirations and asked her to help them meet requirements.

The church elders submitted an application to register locally, in accordance with the directive. Authorities, however, did not respond within the 30-day period prescribed by the directive. On the 31st day, they sent a document denying registration.

Bogus Denial

Officials gave two reasons for denying registration, Christian sources said: that the congregation needed permission from higher authorities, including the central Bureau of Religious Affairs; and that in any event the Prime Minister's directive applied only to churches on mountains and not to churches on plains.

Both reasons, local Christians said, are contrary to the directive.

The church's petition to the government clearly spelled out two articles of the constitution (71 and 73) and four articles of

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Carla thanks, the christians always get treated violent from the Muslims. Satan is working over time in the muslim world.

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Christians Affected by Pakistan Unrest

More than 80 Christian families are homeless and living on church grounds following the recent and continuing political unrest in Pakistan, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts.

Unlike Muslims, who have housing provided to them by the government, more than 300 Christians have been displaced and left to fend for themselves. “When we left… [we were not] provided any transportation, whereas Muslims were provided transportation,” a displaced Christian said. Some Christians walked for two days without water.

The Pakistan local governments have provided Muslims with tents, mattresses, clothing, medicines, food and medical care, whereas injured believers have not received medical intervention. “There are many children and women needing medical attention,” VOM contacts added. “Although the church is providing food right now, they need help. God knows how long it will take and then it will be difficult for the church to feed these people.”

During a camp visit, local believers told our VOM contacts that the Taliban treated Christians as “infidels.” They stopped them from holding prayer meetings and threatened them, firing guns near Christian homes to stop them from praying.

The current unrest in Pakistan has resulted from the government fighting the Taliban and an estimated 1.3 million people have been displaced and are living in refugee camps. The Voice of the Martyrs is assisting believers that are not being helped by the government. VOM recently distributed Action Packs, Bibles, and the books Triumphant Church and He Lived Among Us.

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Pastor Wurmbrand worked his way through the others prisoners to where another pastor sat motionless on the floor. He had just been thrown into the cell. He was badly beaten. Wurmbrand did not know if he would survive the night.

    With loving compassion Pastor Wurmbrand knelt down beside the beaten pastor and asked, “My brother . . . can you say the prayer, ‘Father forgive them’?”
    The man winced with pain, touching his swollen, bruised face. It was difficult to speak. The words came out slowly, “I cannot.”
    Just as Pastor Wurmbrand began feeling sympathy for the man, the beaten pastor began to speak again. With tears in his eyes he said, “My prayer is not ‘forgive them.’ My prayer is . . . ‘Father, forgive them and me.’ If I had been a better pastor, perhaps there would have been more converted torturers.”
    This weary pastor expressed his concern for the missed opportunities to convert his enemies to Christ. Both pastors realized a young member of Romania’s Communist Youth Organization was once arrested and unmercifully beaten by a supposedly Christian police officer. This incident hardened his heart toward Christ for the rest of his life. This missed opportunity for the gospel finally became the dictator of the former Communist nation of Romania. Nicolai Ceausescu was responsible for the torture of countless Christians, including Pastor Wurmbrand and his fellow beaten pastor.

No regret is greater than that from a missed opportunity. Unfortunately, life often brings missed opportunities like the birth of a child, a Christmas morning, or even that last flight out going home. However, nothing compares to the missed opportunity to change another person’s eternal destiny. We never know how the seemingly nominal person sitting next to us on the train one day might affect the world for Christ—if only we said something. Equally true is the possibility that breaking our silence might detour a determined Christian opponent. You may count many missed opportunities for the gospel in your past. However, you can change your future by seizing the opportunities given to you each day to share your faith.

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George Jeltonoshko knew his government did not want people propagating the gospel of Christ, but he had a stronger conviction to obey the commandments of Christ—even if it conflicted with the laws of his country.

    It was not a huge surprise to him when the police came to his door. He figured it was inevitable that they would find out about his ministry activities because of the literature he had been spreading. When his trial date came, he was given a state-appointed Communist attorney. George boldly told the judge, “I don’t want a lawyer. I feel I am right, and righteousness needs no defense.”
    The judge asked him, “Do you plead guilty?”
    He replied, “No. To spread the good news of God’s love is the duty of all Christians.”
    The judge then asked him to join the ranks of the “official churches,” which were nothing more than state-run puppet churches. But George refused. The state church followed the commandments of the state, not the commands of God.
    The judge was getting frustrated. “Where do you meet for worship?” he demanded.
    George answered, “True believers worship everywhere.”
    He was sentenced to three years in prison where George Jeltonoshko continued to carry out his work and worship. He was right. Righteousness needed no defense.

Doing the “right thing” may be a popular motto. That’s easier said than done, however, because what is right in God’s eyes often conflicts with popular opinion. The dispute between right and wrong often becomes apparent in a classroom, a workroom, and even a courtroom or church. We can’t rely on our environment to tell us what is right. People can persuade us to confuse compromise with righteousness. God’s Word is the only defense for determining what is right in every situation. Others may not understand or agree with the choices we make. However, God promises to honor our commitment to doing what is right. Those who observe us will see the light and feel the warmth of our righteous actions.

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Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Country Profile:
The Islamic Republic of Iran is a theocratic Shiite republic where Muslims are 99 percent of the population and Christians less than half of 1 percent. Religious freedom for those not Shiite Muslims has been crushed even though the constitution guarantees such freedom. Christians may not proselytize, and anyone defecting from Islam may be punished by death. All foreign missionaries were expelled shortly after the governmental overthrow in 1979. About 50 percent of the population is under the age of 25. Farsi (Persian) is the official language. The Islamic revolution that removed the Shah has not delivered all it promised coupled with eight years of war with Iraq have contributed to economic recession in this nation where the majority lives in poverty. Discrimination in jobs, housing and education is a daily reality to all who are not Muslims. Christian bookstores, conferences, camps, printing of Christian literature or church newsletters and the production of Christian videos are banned. Persecution is so severe that it is difficult to estimate how many secret believers may worship there. An estimated 5 million have fled this nation seeking refuge elsewhere, but there remain more than 68 million people living in this land between the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf.

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New Documentary Highlights Martyrs of Turkey "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies it bears much fruit." — John 12:24 a film about the first martyrs of the Turkish church Three Christians were brutally murdered on April 18, 2007 in the offices of a Christian publisher in Malatya, Turkey. The five Muslim men who killed them all carried identical notes in their pockets: "We did this for our country. They were attacking our religion." Click above to watch a trailer of the Malatya film. Instead of hatred, Christians responded with love. On national television two widowed mothers echoed Christ: "Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Muslims across the nation wondered how Christians could respond with such love. Malatya, a feature-length documentary film, tells the story of three men willing to give up their lives to share the gospel with Muslims, and the fruit that has grown up from their sacrifice. Place your order by April 10 and you’ll ensure delivery of the documentary DVD by April 18 which, in honor of the three martyrs, has been declared an international day of prayer for the nation of Turkey.

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“And I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. . . . And because of my imprisonment, many of the Christians here have gained confidence and become more bold in telling others about Christ. . . . For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him” (Philippians 1:12, 14, 29, NLT).

    If American Christians were more active in evangelism, would the United States see an increase in persecution within its borders? Metro Ministries, an evangelistic ministry that reaches out to the most difficult areas of New York City, has seen this effect in their own ministry. As their evangelism penetrates deeper into the city, they have faced more resistance. Certain staff members have been beaten, stabbed, and raped while carrying out their mission. One staff member was even killed.
    Their director, Pastor Bill Wilson, has been stabbed and beaten on a number of occasions. Yet, the threat of evil has not kept him at arm’s length from the people he loves. He also contracted tuberculosis from ministering to homeless people.
    Debbie, a fifteen-year-old in one of the poorer neighborhoods of Brooklyn, New York, speaks for many young people who have experienced persecution within the states. She says, “It is very hard to openly be a Christian in my school. I am constantly harassed and pressured to join one of the gangs.”

In many restricted nations, Christians are not persecuted because they believe in Jesus but because they tell others about him. In these nations, evangelism produces persecution, which often produces stronger witnesses for Christ. What was meant to destroy them actually makes them more determined. Similarly, evangelism in America and other open nations is not always safe. Yet, should this reality dampen our enthusiasm for the task? A nation such as America, founded on religious freedom, is wholly unaccustomed to suffering and persecution. Instead of using this principle as a buffer to keep us safe, we should rely on it to make us bolder. As a person living in a free democracy, you have even more reason to share your faith with boldness and confidence. Will you speak up today?

Send a complimentary copy of Tortured for Christ to your friends!

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vom groups extreme devotion After hundreds had died needlessly in Timisoara in 1989, other demonstrations spontaneously broke out in different cities all across Romania. During one protest, a group of thirteen children made a human barrier with their bodies to keep the soldiers from advancing on the crowd. When the soldiers began to advance anyway, the children knelt and shouted, “Please don’t kill us.” The soldiers ignored the innocent children and began shooting them. Yet the children did not retreat. They just kept begging, “Please don’t shoot us.” A memorial was erected where the children were killed. A legend has circulated around Romania that angels actually started the revolution by surrounding the children and giving them the holy courage they needed to stand in the face of evil. In every town, tanks and troops were called out to stop the uprisings. But eventually, the soldiers succumbed to the peaceful crowds. In the town of Sibiu, soldiers and officers joined in with the crowd of thousands as two ministers atop tanks asked everyone to kneel for prayer. They were just as fed up with the government as the people were, and it soon became impossible to repress the uprising. It is believed that the martyrdom of a small group of children gave the country victory over a generation of Communist oppressors. When we become childlike in our faith, we deeply desire to accomplish that which Christ has set before us. Like children, we must seize the moment and make the most of it. The Romanian children unsuccessfully begged for their lives, but they were undeterred in their mission. Is there a circumstance or consequence that threatens your allegiance to your mission? What are you willing to sacrifice in order to abandon yourself to Christ’s cause? Special Offer Send a complimentary copy of Tortured for Christ to your friends! Invite your friends or family members to receive a copy of Tortured for Christ! More Info Suggested Links www.Persecution.com The Voice of the Martyrs Official Homepage www.VOMBooks.com The Voice of the Martyrs Online Store www.PrisonerAlert.com Write to a Christian Prisoner in their own Language Donate Now Make a Donation to The Voice of the Martyrs Listen in on VOM's Persecution Podcast. Podcasting stories of the persecuted church around the world to build fellowship and unity among the Body of Christ. You are receiving this email because you subscribed to the Extreme Devotion topic at vomgroups.com. If you have received this email in error or if you wish to unsubscribe, click here.

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Persecution and Prayer Alert March 11, 2009 No matter where The Voice of the Martyrs ministers, the first request of persecuted Christians is almost always the same: "Pray for us." Answer that request by joining The Voice of the Martyrs in praying for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. Sign up today to receive specific, up-to-date prayer requests by email every Wednesday through the Persecution and Prayer Alert. To subscribe, click here. Pakistani Christian killed, other believers injured in mob violence One of the believers injured in the attack Photo from Pakistan Christian Post A Christian woman was killed and at least 16 people injured in an attack on the predominantly Christian village of Sangowali, Punjab province on March 2. According to reports from Sharing Life Ministries Pakistan, the attack was led by a local Muslim, Waseem Butt, in retaliation for charges of robbery and assault placed against him by a Christian family in late February. At approximately 8:00 p.m., Butt and a group of his Muslim friends and family members attacked a Presbyterian church and the homes of believers nearby. Attackers kept ambulances away by firing shots into the air. Shakeela Bibi was beaten in the head with a bamboo rod and succumbed to her injuries before reaching the hospital. Other believers, including Shakeela's mother-in-law, remained in hospital at last report. Pray for those mourning the loss of Shakeela. Ask God to help those affected by the attack remain steadfast as they suffer (Revelation 2:10). For more information on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan, click here. Pastor shot in Bihar state, India On March 8, the Prarthana Bhawan church in Rothas district, Bihar state, India was attacked by a 25-year-old man who threw a bomb through the window, according to a March 10 report from Compass Direct. As church members fled, the assailant, Rajesh Kumar Singh, entered the building and shot Pastor Vinad Kumar (35). Singh was apprehended by church members before he could inflict more harm. In a statement given to authorities, Singh revealed that he had intended to kill Pastor Kumar in an effort to stop conversions to Christianity in the area and had planned to take his own life. Local Christians claim that the presence of Hindu nationalist groups has increased in the area in recent weeks and the pastor had received a threatening letter from militants demanding that he stop preaching. At last report, Pastor Kumar was hospitalized with serious injuries but was expected to make a full recovery. Pray for healing for Pastor Kumar. Pray that Singh would understand the truth about Jesus and come to faith in Him. Pray that the bold faith of Christians in India will be a light that draws others to Jesus (Matthew 5:14-16). For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, click here. Malaysian Christian's faith recognized by Islamic court Photo from New Straits Times In a rare victory for religious minorities in Malaysia, a Christian man was legally recognized as a non-Muslim by an Islamic court on March 6. Mohammad Shah (60), who goes by the alias Gilbert Freeman, brought his case to the Sharia court in Negeri Sembilan state after the National Registration Department refused to acknowledge his Christian faith when he applied for a new identity card. Freeman was raised a Christian by his mother after his Muslim father abandoned the family when Freeman was only two months old. As a result, the judge ruled that Freeman had never been a Muslim and his identity card could therefore be changed. The court also found no evidence that Freeman's parents were ever legally married. Praise the Lord that Freeman's faith has been recognized in this way. Pray for increased religious freedom in Malaysia. To find out more about the plight of Malaysian Christians, go to the Malaysia Country Report. Update: "Insufficient evidence" found against Chinese pastor Photo from ChinaAid Pastor Lou Yuanqi, who was arrested in May on charges of "inciting separatism" (click here for more details), remains imprisoned despite a judge's verdict of "insufficient evidence," according to a March 6 report from ChinaAid. After Pastor Yuanqi's trial on December 15, his 18-year-old daughter was beaten by court police when she tried to speak to him. Pastor Yuanqi suffers from hepatitis B and the harsh prison conditions have reportedly worsened his health. In this week's VOMC weblog (www.persecution.net/weblog.htm) Check out the latest posts by VOMC staff: a) Find out how, by declaring human rights and religious freedom off the table before she set foot in Beijing, Hillary Clinton jettisoned the first leg of smart power -- how governments treat their own -- in "Clinton's not so 'smart power.'" b) Learn about a special VOMC offer in "Spread the news, receive a free copy of special edition 'Tortured for Christ.'" c) Get informed about the trials facing young Christian women in Pakistan and other Islamic countries in "Thirteen year old Christian girl violated for two days by Muslim man." d) VOMC CEO Glenn Penner argues against the UN resolution on the defamation of religions, which extends human rights protections to religions, in "Religions don't have rights -- people do." e) What do the two most common commands in the Book of Revelation have to say to those struggling to overcome fear? Find out in "Behold!" To make comments on these and previous VOMC weblogs, go to persecutedchurch.blogspot.com.

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Jeremiah Logara never knew resignation, only determination. The Muslim soldiers had arrested six boys from his church and falsely accused them of being spies. When Jeremiah, their pastor, tried explaining that the boys were Christians, not spies, the soldiers decided to arrest him too.

    The Islamic soldiers tied Pastor Logara’s arms and legs together and hung him four feet in the air with a rope. They whipped him and dripped hot melted wax on his chest. He recalled the prayer of Jesus in the Garden. He prayed, “Oh God, if it is your will for me to die today, let it be done.” He could not bear that he might give in to the tortures of the Northern Sudanese Arabs as he stood before the young, impressionable boys.
    But God’s will was that he live on as a testimony for these boys. He was released. But the boys were detained. Pastor Logara imagines the boys were probably being forced to train as soldiers.
    When the pastor reflected upon that incident, he recalled, “I thought of Jesus’ death, that Jesus died to save the whole world. I thought my death could be part of the salvation of these boys as I followed in the footsteps of my Lord. I pray my example of suffering for them will encourage them to remain faithful to God.”

Children love to walk in the footsteps of their parents. On sandy beaches, they strive and stretch to plant their tiny feet within the pattern of their mom or dad. Ever-trusting, they follow the path wherever it may lead. Likewise, Jesus’ footsteps may lead us through some trying terrain. We may follow him through trials and tribulations that we never would have chosen for ourselves. However, if we are committed to following Jesus, we have released our right to choose our own destinies. Following Jesus provides a clear example for our children and other observers to imitate. The path we take matters. What impressions are you leaving in the minds of those around you?

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