The news that appears on this blog has almost completely come from two sources:
www.opendoorsusa.org
www.vomgroups.com
Rather than recirculating the information that comes from these newsletters, I encourage any readers who visit this site or who receive the RSS feed -- to visit these sites and request the newsletter directly. The newsletters cover many more stories and demonstrate more need than this blog can. They are also consistent in updates.
When this blog started, it was understood that it would be a short-term project. So, it will now come to an end.
Please join with me in continuing to pray for the needs of the persecuted church around the world.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Victim of Bomb Blast in Israel Recovering
On March 20, 2008, Ami lifted the lid of a Purim basket left anonymously at the Ortiz’s family apartment. A bomb hidden inside the basket exploded. Blinded by explosion, Ami was rushed to the hospital covered with blood and burns. His body had been blasted with the needles and screws contained in the bomb. The doctors told his mother, Leah, that Ami was “Anush.” “Literally, in Hebrew it means the spirit is leaving the body,” she said.
Now, 20 months later, Ami (16) is back in school and playing basketball. And, last week on Nov 12, Jack Teitel, the man that police say committed the crime, was indicted for attempted murder. Little is known about Teitel but one thing is certain – he believes he was acting in accordance with the will of God.
In spite of all the pain that the Ortiz family has gone through, Leah said she has seen much good come from the tragedy, including miraculous healings. She said that the bombing has helped soften the opinion of people in Israel toward Jews who believe that Jesus is the Messiah promised by the Jewish prophets.
Howard Bass, a leader of a Messianic congregation in Beer Sheva, Israel, isn’t so sure. “It’s not that simple,” he said, adding that such attacks may help tolerant people to eschew violence, but that others will actually be encouraged by the bombings.
Regardless of what happens in court, members of the Ortiz family say they have forgiven Teitel. David Ortiz, Ami’s father, hopes one day to sit down face-to-face with Teitel and talk. He said he hopes Teitel will become another Apostle Paul.
via Open Doors newsletter
Now, 20 months later, Ami (16) is back in school and playing basketball. And, last week on Nov 12, Jack Teitel, the man that police say committed the crime, was indicted for attempted murder. Little is known about Teitel but one thing is certain – he believes he was acting in accordance with the will of God.
In spite of all the pain that the Ortiz family has gone through, Leah said she has seen much good come from the tragedy, including miraculous healings. She said that the bombing has helped soften the opinion of people in Israel toward Jews who believe that Jesus is the Messiah promised by the Jewish prophets.
Howard Bass, a leader of a Messianic congregation in Beer Sheva, Israel, isn’t so sure. “It’s not that simple,” he said, adding that such attacks may help tolerant people to eschew violence, but that others will actually be encouraged by the bombings.
Regardless of what happens in court, members of the Ortiz family say they have forgiven Teitel. David Ortiz, Ami’s father, hopes one day to sit down face-to-face with Teitel and talk. He said he hopes Teitel will become another Apostle Paul.
via Open Doors newsletter
Saturday, October 3, 2009
CHINA - Believers Assaulted, Church Destroyed – China Aid Association
On Sept. 13, a mob of more than 400 people, including Chinese officials, barged into the Good News Cloth Shoes Factory on the site of the Fushan Church building in Linfin City, Shanxi province, according to China Aid Association. The officials used two construction vehicles to tear the building's foundation and also attacked church members who were sleeping on the site. Believers were assaulted with bricks and other blunt objects. The attackers smashed windows, doors and appliances, and looted church members' money, cell phones, clothes and books. They also stole the factory's business license.
At least ten church members were severely injured in the violence. Several were taken to the emergency room for treatment. However, the hospital was told by unidentified authorities to withhold medical treatment, including blood transfusions, from the injured church members. The factory's electricity, water supply and telephone have been terminated and guards have been placed on-site to monitor the supply lines. The Voice of the Martyrs has supported persecuted believers in China for more than 30 years.
Pray that the Lord will strengthen members of the Fushan Church in their hearts, minds and bodies as they face opposition for their faith. (from VOA newsletter)
At least ten church members were severely injured in the violence. Several were taken to the emergency room for treatment. However, the hospital was told by unidentified authorities to withhold medical treatment, including blood transfusions, from the injured church members. The factory's electricity, water supply and telephone have been terminated and guards have been placed on-site to monitor the supply lines. The Voice of the Martyrs has supported persecuted believers in China for more than 30 years.
Pray that the Lord will strengthen members of the Fushan Church in their hearts, minds and bodies as they face opposition for their faith. (from VOA newsletter)
SOMALIA - Christian transporting Bibles killed – Compass Direct News
On Sept. 15, 69-year-old Omar Khalife, a Somali Christian, was shot dead by members of al-Shabaab, a Muslim extremist group, when Bibles were found in his possession, according to Compass Direct News. At approximately 10:30 a.m., a bus transporting Omar Khalife was stopped by extremists at a checkpoint near the city of Merca. When the extremists discovered 25 Somali Bibles in one of the bags Khalife was delivering to an underground fellowship group they demanded to know who owned them. When the passengers did not disclose the owner, they used photos in the bag to determine the owner. When they realized the photos resembled Khalife, they asked him if the Bibles were his. When he did not respond the extremists shot and killed him. They transported Khalife's body and the Bibles to Merca and displayed them as a warning to others. Later that day, a member of the extremist group reported Khalife's death on a local radio program. Khalife, who had been a Christian for 45 years, was active in sharing the gospel and baptizing Christian converts from Islam. He is mourned by his wife and seven children. Praise God for the life and testimony of Omar Khalife. In recent months, Khalife is the latest believer killed by the Muslim extremist group al-Shabaab. Ask God to protect and encourage believers who courageously continue to stand for Him in the midst of danger. Pray for peace in war-torn Somalia.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
MIDDLE EAST – Pray for Muslims – VOM Sources
On Sept. 1, The Voice of the Martyrs received a letter from the wife of one of many Christians being held in prison in an Islamic country. In her letter, she shared how her 3-year-old daughter struggles with her husband’s imprisonment and asked for continued prayers. The letter highlights the challenges Christian families are facing in Islamic countries. Many believers are being held in prisons because they refuse to recant their faith. VOM encourages you to pray for this family and many others who are asking God for their loved ones’ release. Pray for the children who do not understand where their parents are. Ask God to comfort them with the Holy Spirit.
UZBEKISTAN - Believers Arrested – Forum 18 News
On Aug. 23, seven church members belonging to the registered Donam Protestant church were arrested and Christian literature confiscated when more than 20 police officers raided a church service in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, according to Forum 18 News. Members of the Anti-Terror Police claimed the service was “unauthorized” and although three men were released on the same day, four, including the pastor, Vladimir Tyo, were sentenced to 15 days in prison. They have been charged with “violation of the procedure for organizing and conducting meetings.” The judge ordered the confiscated literature be destroyed. This is the latest of many raids on both registered and unregistered religious communities in Uzbekistan. The Voice of the Martyrs supports persecuted believers in Uzbekistan by encouraging them and providing resources to courageous believers. VOM encourages you to pray for the imprisoned believers and their families. Ask God to protect and encourage them and other believers living under heavy scrutiny from the government.
Friday, September 4, 2009
SOMALIA – Christian Convert Murdered by Extremists – Compass Direct News
Compass Direct News reports that on Aug. 18, a Christian convert from Islam was shot dead in Bulahawa, Somalia, by members of al-Shabaab, an Islamic extremist group. In early 2009, Ahmed Matan began facing harassment from Muslim extremists who demanded to know why he had expanded his trading business to Mandera, a town in neighboring Kenya. Two weeks before his death, Matan informed the former leader of the underground church he had attended since 2001 that extremists were monitoring his activities and preventing him from working in Kenya. Matan is survived by a wife and three children, ages 7, 4 and 3 months. Pray for those grieving the loss of Matan. Pray that Somali believers will remain faithful even upon threat of death
INDIA — Church burned in Andhra Pradesh — VOM Sources
On Aug. 20, The Best Friends Church building in the village of Mahasamudram in Andhra Pradesh, India, was burned to the ground by suspected Hindu extremists, according to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts. A dedication service for the newly constructed church building had been scheduled for Aug. 30. The pastor constructed the building on his property after hosting the services in his home for seven years. Ask God to protect the pastor’s family who live near the burned church. Pray that the believers of this church will continue to gather together for worship. Pray that those responsible will experience repentance and salvation, just as Paul did.
BELARUS — Church Evicted — Forum 18 News
On Aug. 20, New Life Full Gospel Church in Minsk, Moscow, was issued an eviction notice by government officials, forcing them to abandon their church building purchased in 2002, according to Forum 18 News. The church is adamant they do not fear the government’s threats. “We’re here praying and believe God will protect us,” Sergei Lukanin, the church’s lawyer told Forum 18 News. “As a lawyer I believe the state could do anything, including the use of force. But as a believer I rely on God.”
Government authorities have not disclosed why the church is being evicted, but have repeatedly refused to grant the church’s application for registration. In 2002, Belarus passed a restrictive religion law that made all unregistered religious activity illegal. New Life Full Gospel Church is one of many churches in Belarus facing increased restrictions by the government. Forum 18 News said the government has fined two other churches since July in the western town of Baranovichi. Ask God to encourage members of New Life Full Gospel Church and for their testimony to draw nonbelievers into fellowship with Christ.
Government authorities have not disclosed why the church is being evicted, but have repeatedly refused to grant the church’s application for registration. In 2002, Belarus passed a restrictive religion law that made all unregistered religious activity illegal. New Life Full Gospel Church is one of many churches in Belarus facing increased restrictions by the government. Forum 18 News said the government has fined two other churches since July in the western town of Baranovichi. Ask God to encourage members of New Life Full Gospel Church and for their testimony to draw nonbelievers into fellowship with Christ.
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