Wednesday, 31 December 2008
Tuesday, 30 December 2008
Monday, 29 December 2008
BISHOP BLAMES GORDON BROWN
Bishop Blames Gordon Brown for Persecution of Christians in Iraq
Andrew Pierce has written this interesting piece from the Telegraph in the UK. Some might say it's a tad controversial, but as with all controversy, there is a little truth in it.
Rt Rev Graham James, the Bishop of Norwich, accused Britain and America of "religious illiteracy" about the fallout from the Allied occupation.
He said it was "tragic" that two western powers with a strong Christian tradition had contributed to the eclipse of one of the longest surviving churches in the world. The war in Iraq, he said, had led to the brutal persecution of Christians.
Andrew Pierce has written this interesting piece from the Telegraph in the UK. Some might say it's a tad controversial, but as with all controversy, there is a little truth in it.
Rt Rev Graham James, the Bishop of Norwich, accused Britain and America of "religious illiteracy" about the fallout from the Allied occupation.
He said it was "tragic" that two western powers with a strong Christian tradition had contributed to the eclipse of one of the longest surviving churches in the world. The war in Iraq, he said, had led to the brutal persecution of Christians.
Wednesday, 24 December 2008
SANTA JOURNEY ON SATELLITE
For web-savvy kids everywhere, Santa's journey from the North Pole can be tracked online. Skip related content
Related photos / videos Track Santa by satellite! The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad), which is responsible for aerospace and maritime defence, has teamed up with internet giants Google to make Santa's busy 24 hours visible online via the www.noradsanta.org site.
It appears he has already dropped off some some gifts in Russia, Japan, Fiji, North Korea, New Zealand and Australia and will be heading to the UK later.
So you'd better be good for goodness sake...
Related photos / videos Track Santa by satellite! The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad), which is responsible for aerospace and maritime defence, has teamed up with internet giants Google to make Santa's busy 24 hours visible online via the www.noradsanta.org site.
It appears he has already dropped off some some gifts in Russia, Japan, Fiji, North Korea, New Zealand and Australia and will be heading to the UK later.
So you'd better be good for goodness sake...
Tuesday, 23 December 2008
POPE ON SAVING HUMANITY FROM HOMOSEXUAL
The Pope has said saving humanity from homosexual or transsexual behaviour is as important as saving the rainforest from destruction. Skip related content
Related photos / videos Gay groups slam Pope's claim Lesbian and gay Christians have denounced the claim which was given in a holiday address to the Curia, the Vatican's central administration.
He said the church should protect man from the "destruction of himself", saying that tropical rainforests deserved protection but man as a creature "does not deserve any less".
The Pope added: "The tropical forests do deserve our protection; but man, as a creature, does not deserve any less."
Chief executive of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, the Rev Sharon Ferguson, described his remarks as "totally irresponsible and unacceptable in any shape or form."
She said: "It is more the case that we need to be saved from his comments. It is comments like that that justify homophobic bullying that goes on in schools and it is comments like that that justify gay bashing."
Rev Ferguson continued: "There are still so many instances of people being killed around the world, including in western society, purely and simply because of their sexual orientation or their gender identity.
"When you have religious leaders like that making that sort of statement then followers feel they are justified in behaving in an aggressive and violent way because they feel that they are doing God's work in ridding the world of these people."
The Catholic Church teaches that homosexual orientation is not a sin but homosexual acts are. It opposes civil partnerships and gay marriage.
As Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Pope said homosexual inclination was not a sin, but it represented a "more or less strong tendency ordered toward an intrinsic moral evil".
Related photos / videos Gay groups slam Pope's claim Lesbian and gay Christians have denounced the claim which was given in a holiday address to the Curia, the Vatican's central administration.
He said the church should protect man from the "destruction of himself", saying that tropical rainforests deserved protection but man as a creature "does not deserve any less".
The Pope added: "The tropical forests do deserve our protection; but man, as a creature, does not deserve any less."
Chief executive of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, the Rev Sharon Ferguson, described his remarks as "totally irresponsible and unacceptable in any shape or form."
She said: "It is more the case that we need to be saved from his comments. It is comments like that that justify homophobic bullying that goes on in schools and it is comments like that that justify gay bashing."
Rev Ferguson continued: "There are still so many instances of people being killed around the world, including in western society, purely and simply because of their sexual orientation or their gender identity.
"When you have religious leaders like that making that sort of statement then followers feel they are justified in behaving in an aggressive and violent way because they feel that they are doing God's work in ridding the world of these people."
The Catholic Church teaches that homosexual orientation is not a sin but homosexual acts are. It opposes civil partnerships and gay marriage.
As Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Pope said homosexual inclination was not a sin, but it represented a "more or less strong tendency ordered toward an intrinsic moral evil".
Monday, 22 December 2008
THERE SHALL BE PERSECUTION
"Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another.
And many false prophets shall rise,and shall deceive many.
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations; and then shall the end come."Matt.24:9-14
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another.
And many false prophets shall rise,and shall deceive many.
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations; and then shall the end come."Matt.24:9-14
Saturday, 20 December 2008
Thursday, 18 December 2008
A CHRISTIAN FATHER AND DAUGHTER PUT IN JAIL
Twenty- year-old Sandul Bibi and her father Gulsher are in prison in Pakistan, charged with violating section 295-B of the Pakistani legal code, the “blasphemy” law. Sandul is falsely accused of ripping pages from the Quran. On Oct. 9 a large crowd of Muslims attacked Christian families at a church, throwing stones and firing guns. They were shouting, “Kill Gulsher and his daughter Sandul.” Sandul and her father, Gulsher Masih, were arrested after a mob from the local mosque surrounded their house. Loudspeakers from different mosques broadcast accusations that Christians had disgraced the Quran, calling Muslims to attack and burn their homes. The angry crowd threw stones and set fire to Sandul’s home. Christians believe Sandul and her father were targeted and arrested because they were aggressively winning villagers to Christ.
Sandul has written several letters to her family from prison. In her latest letter she says, “I am praying a lot that God releases me from here and I can meet you, but I don’t know when. He will give answers for our prayers. Please pray for me.” If convicted, Sandul faces at least four years in prison. She and her family desperately need your prayers and encouragement.
The Voice of the Martyrs has supported Sandul and her family both financially and spiritually through this difficult time. VOM encourages you to lift this family up in prayer and ask God to encourage them. VOM has featured Sandul on the group’s Christian prisoner Web site, www.prisoneralert.com. VOM encourages you to visit this Web site and compose letters of encouragement and mail them to Sandul. You can also send letters to the Pakistani government requesting Sandul be released.
Sandul has written several letters to her family from prison. In her latest letter she says, “I am praying a lot that God releases me from here and I can meet you, but I don’t know when. He will give answers for our prayers. Please pray for me.” If convicted, Sandul faces at least four years in prison. She and her family desperately need your prayers and encouragement.
The Voice of the Martyrs has supported Sandul and her family both financially and spiritually through this difficult time. VOM encourages you to lift this family up in prayer and ask God to encourage them. VOM has featured Sandul on the group’s Christian prisoner Web site, www.prisoneralert.com. VOM encourages you to visit this Web site and compose letters of encouragement and mail them to Sandul. You can also send letters to the Pakistani government requesting Sandul be released.
CHRISTIANS HUNTED IN CHINA
CHINA: Officials Reach Out to House Churches; Raids, Arrests Continue
In recent months Chinese officials have attempted to build bridges with the Protestant house church movement even as police raided more unregistered congregations, arrested Christian leaders and forced at least 400 college students to swear they would stop attending such worship services. Two research institutes - one from the government - organised an unprecedented symposium on 21 - 22 November that concluded with an agreement for house church leaders to begin a dialogue with government officials. A month earlier, the chairman of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement told a gathering of 200 Hong Kong church leaders of his desire to assist Chinese house churches and provide them with Bibles, according to Ecumenical News International. Rights groups pointed to recent raids and arrests, however, as confirmation that Chinese authorities still restrict freedom of worship for local house church Christians. Police raided a house church gathering in Tai Kang County, Henan province on 3 December and arrested all 50 Christians, the China Aid Association reported. Public Security Bureau officers also raided another gathering of 50 house church believers in Xiji town, Zaozhuang city, Shandong province on 2 December arresting 20 Christian leaders.
In recent months Chinese officials have attempted to build bridges with the Protestant house church movement even as police raided more unregistered congregations, arrested Christian leaders and forced at least 400 college students to swear they would stop attending such worship services. Two research institutes - one from the government - organised an unprecedented symposium on 21 - 22 November that concluded with an agreement for house church leaders to begin a dialogue with government officials. A month earlier, the chairman of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement told a gathering of 200 Hong Kong church leaders of his desire to assist Chinese house churches and provide them with Bibles, according to Ecumenical News International. Rights groups pointed to recent raids and arrests, however, as confirmation that Chinese authorities still restrict freedom of worship for local house church Christians. Police raided a house church gathering in Tai Kang County, Henan province on 3 December and arrested all 50 Christians, the China Aid Association reported. Public Security Bureau officers also raided another gathering of 50 house church believers in Xiji town, Zaozhuang city, Shandong province on 2 December arresting 20 Christian leaders.
$250 PRICE TAG AS REWARD IF A PASTOR IS KILLED
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INDIA: Going Rate to Kill Pastor: $250
Hindu extremist groups are offering money, food and alcohol to anyone who murders Christians and destroys their homes.
The violence is nothing new in Orissa, India, where India's Communist Party estimates that more than 500 Christians have been killed by Hindu mobs in Orissa since late August, 12 times more than official government claims of only 40 homicides.
But now the stakes are even higher - and pastors have a bounty on their heads.
Faiz Rahman, chairman of Good News India, said Hindu militants are targeting Christian leaders, the Christian Post reported.
"The going price to kill a pastor is $250," he said.
Rahman, a head of several orphanages in Orissa State, said he's helped 25 pastors to leave refugee camps, but 250 Christian leaders are still in shelters.
"All of the pastors are high value targets," Rahman told the UK-based Release International. "We've got to get them out of the refugee camps."
An All-India Christian Council spokesman said, "People are being offered rewards to kill, and to destroy churches and Christian properties. They are being offered foreign liquor, chicken, mutton and weapons. They are given petrol and kerosene."
INDIA: Going Rate to Kill Pastor: $250
Hindu extremist groups are offering money, food and alcohol to anyone who murders Christians and destroys their homes.
The violence is nothing new in Orissa, India, where India's Communist Party estimates that more than 500 Christians have been killed by Hindu mobs in Orissa since late August, 12 times more than official government claims of only 40 homicides.
But now the stakes are even higher - and pastors have a bounty on their heads.
Faiz Rahman, chairman of Good News India, said Hindu militants are targeting Christian leaders, the Christian Post reported.
"The going price to kill a pastor is $250," he said.
Rahman, a head of several orphanages in Orissa State, said he's helped 25 pastors to leave refugee camps, but 250 Christian leaders are still in shelters.
"All of the pastors are high value targets," Rahman told the UK-based Release International. "We've got to get them out of the refugee camps."
An All-India Christian Council spokesman said, "People are being offered rewards to kill, and to destroy churches and Christian properties. They are being offered foreign liquor, chicken, mutton and weapons. They are given petrol and kerosene."
MAYHEM IN NOTHERN NIGERIA AGAIN
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NIGERIA: Six Pastors Killed, 40 Churches Razed in Jos, Violence
The murderous rioting sparked by Muslim attacks on Christians and their property on 28 - 29 November left six pastors dead, at least 500 other people killed and 40 churches destroyed, according to church leaders. More than 25,000 persons have been displaced in the two days of violence, according to the National Emergency Management Agency. What began as outrage over suspected vote fraud in local elections quickly hit the religious fault line that quakes from time to time in this city located between the Islamic north and Christian south, as angry Muslims took aim at Christian sites rather than at political targets. Police and troops reportedly killed about 400 rampaging Muslims in an effort to quell the unrest, and Islamists shot, slashed or stabbed to death most of more than 100 Christians killed. Among Christians killed was Joseph Yari of the Evangelical Church of West Africa. The Rev. Emmanuel Kyari, pastor of Christ Baptist Church, Tudun-Wada, told Compass that Yari died helping other Christians who repelled Muslim fanatics bent on burning down his church building. "Yari was standing beside my wife when he was shot by Muslims," Rev. Kyari said. "In addition to Yari who was killed, there were also three other Christians who were shot, and two died instantly."
NIGERIA: Six Pastors Killed, 40 Churches Razed in Jos, Violence
The murderous rioting sparked by Muslim attacks on Christians and their property on 28 - 29 November left six pastors dead, at least 500 other people killed and 40 churches destroyed, according to church leaders. More than 25,000 persons have been displaced in the two days of violence, according to the National Emergency Management Agency. What began as outrage over suspected vote fraud in local elections quickly hit the religious fault line that quakes from time to time in this city located between the Islamic north and Christian south, as angry Muslims took aim at Christian sites rather than at political targets. Police and troops reportedly killed about 400 rampaging Muslims in an effort to quell the unrest, and Islamists shot, slashed or stabbed to death most of more than 100 Christians killed. Among Christians killed was Joseph Yari of the Evangelical Church of West Africa. The Rev. Emmanuel Kyari, pastor of Christ Baptist Church, Tudun-Wada, told Compass that Yari died helping other Christians who repelled Muslim fanatics bent on burning down his church building. "Yari was standing beside my wife when he was shot by Muslims," Rev. Kyari said. "In addition to Yari who was killed, there were also three other Christians who were shot, and two died instantly."
Thursday, 11 December 2008
THE CHURCH IN CHINA
CHINA: Officials Reach Out to House Churches; Raids, Arrests Continue
In recent months Chinese officials have attempted to build bridges with the Protestant house church movement even as police raided more unregistered congregations, arrested Christian leaders and forced at least 400 college students to swear they would stop attending such worship services. Two research institutes - one from the government - organised an unprecedented symposium on 21 - 22 November that concluded with an agreement for house church leaders to begin a dialogue with government officials. A month earlier, the chairman of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement told a gathering of 200 Hong Kong church leaders of his desire to assist Chinese house churches and provide them with Bibles, according to Ecumenical News International. Rights groups pointed to recent raids and arrests, however, as confirmation that Chinese authorities still restrict freedom of worship for local house church Christians. Police raided a house church gathering in Tai Kang County, Henan province on 3 December and arrested all 50 Christians, the China Aid Association reported. Public Security Bureau officers also raided another gathering of 50 house church believers in Xiji town, Zaozhuang city, Shandong province on 2 December arresting 20 Christian leaders.
Compass Direct
More articles about China
In recent months Chinese officials have attempted to build bridges with the Protestant house church movement even as police raided more unregistered congregations, arrested Christian leaders and forced at least 400 college students to swear they would stop attending such worship services. Two research institutes - one from the government - organised an unprecedented symposium on 21 - 22 November that concluded with an agreement for house church leaders to begin a dialogue with government officials. A month earlier, the chairman of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement told a gathering of 200 Hong Kong church leaders of his desire to assist Chinese house churches and provide them with Bibles, according to Ecumenical News International. Rights groups pointed to recent raids and arrests, however, as confirmation that Chinese authorities still restrict freedom of worship for local house church Christians. Police raided a house church gathering in Tai Kang County, Henan province on 3 December and arrested all 50 Christians, the China Aid Association reported. Public Security Bureau officers also raided another gathering of 50 house church believers in Xiji town, Zaozhuang city, Shandong province on 2 December arresting 20 Christian leaders.
Compass Direct
More articles about China
TALKS ON CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION
This past weekend on the Fox television show Huckabee, Mike Huckabee had on former Governor David Beasley (right) to talk about Christian persecution. In fact, I remember watching and thinking - "I really need to TIVO this and put it on the blog." But instead, I have part of a press release from William Murray (center) that I will share with you instead. Here it is...
MEDIA ADVISORY, Dec. 8 /Christian Newswire/ -- On Mike Huckabee's new Fox News program, former Governor David Beasley, who has worked on numerous humanitarian projects in the Middle East since leaving politics, claimed the United Stateshad failed in its responsibility to the hundreds of thousands of Iraqi Christians who have been forced to flee religious persecution in Iraq.
The official position of Secretary Condoleezza Rice is that there is no religious persecution of Christians in Iraq.
Gov. Beasley of South Carolina described on the Huckabee Show how Christians in Iraq have lost half of their population since the beginning of the war. Just weeks ago another 13,000 Christians were forced to flee their homes in Mosul, Iraq after 13 persons were murdered. The demise of the Christian population in Iraqhas taken place during the US occupation.
Gov. Beasley has been working with a coalition of organizations supporting the Iraqi Christians and other defenseless minorities. He has traveled to the Middle East to investigate the plight of Iraqi Christians along with William Murray of the Religious Freedom Coalition and Father Keith Roderick of Christian Solidarity International.
I also was able to find a video of David Beasley sharing about his experiences as he traveled and spoke to persecuted Christians.
MEDIA ADVISORY, Dec. 8 /Christian Newswire/ -- On Mike Huckabee's new Fox News program, former Governor David Beasley, who has worked on numerous humanitarian projects in the Middle East since leaving politics, claimed the United Stateshad failed in its responsibility to the hundreds of thousands of Iraqi Christians who have been forced to flee religious persecution in Iraq.
The official position of Secretary Condoleezza Rice is that there is no religious persecution of Christians in Iraq.
Gov. Beasley of South Carolina described on the Huckabee Show how Christians in Iraq have lost half of their population since the beginning of the war. Just weeks ago another 13,000 Christians were forced to flee their homes in Mosul, Iraq after 13 persons were murdered. The demise of the Christian population in Iraqhas taken place during the US occupation.
Gov. Beasley has been working with a coalition of organizations supporting the Iraqi Christians and other defenseless minorities. He has traveled to the Middle East to investigate the plight of Iraqi Christians along with William Murray of the Religious Freedom Coalition and Father Keith Roderick of Christian Solidarity International.
I also was able to find a video of David Beasley sharing about his experiences as he traveled and spoke to persecuted Christians.
EXPERIENCE OF A MISSIONARY IN INDIA
India (MNN) ― Last week Mission Network News told you about the mirculous escape of a Gospel for Asia missionary in Madhya Pradesh. For the first time since he was kidnapped and beaten on November 24, GFA missionary N. Chauhan is telling his story -- in his own words -- about the harrowing ordeal and his miraculous escape.
Chauhan was on outreach ministry in Madhya Pradesh, India, when he was kidnapped by a mob of about 40 anti-Christian extremists.
"On November 24 at 11 a.m., while I was going for outreach ministry in a village 20 kilometers (12 miles) from my home, a group of young people belonging to an extremist group stopped me. They asked me several questions, such as what was I doing and where was I going. Then they opened my bag and found Gospel literature and teaching CDs.
"The extremists started to beat me. They took my bicycle, mobile phone and two thousand rupees (US$40). They forcefully took me on their bike to a remote village, where around 200 people had gathered, and they made me sit in the middle of the crowd. They asked me several questions and told me to read Hindu literature, leave the Christian faith and worship one of their gods. I said "No," so they started to beat me again.
"Then the crowd called for their leader. They took me to a small hut and locked me inside. They kept me locked up from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
"During that time, I was praying to the living God. I remembered the verse where Jesus said, ‘In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.' Through this Bible verse, I got courage to face any problem.
"When they took me out of the room at 8:00 p.m., I was very hungry and cold. They took me to a road to meet the extremist leader. But I was thinking and looking for some way to escape. So I told them I needed to use the bathroom, and they let me walk into the forest. I walked a little ways and then started to run. Some started to chase me and loudly told the others that I was running away, and so many people ran after me.
"I don't know from where I got such power to run. The mob even took their jeep and bike to catch me, but as I was running through paddy fields, they couldn't catch me. I even fell in a small well, but God helped me to get out. And again I started to run through the forest.
"Up until midnight, I was sitting in the forest. My whole body was in severe pain, but God gave me strength to walk 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) through the forest without fear. I found a village where I know a Christian family.
"Around 3 a.m., I reached their house and told them what had happened to me. They gave me a place to sleep and kept me there for two days, until I went to another village and got some medicine. On November 27, I safely reached a GFA district office. Now I am in the office resting, but I still have pain in my chest and legs.
"I thank God that He has saved my life. I also want to give thanks to all those who sincerely prayed for me. Kindly keep remembering me in your prayers."
Continue to pray for the thousands of GFA workers that are sharing the Gospel no matter what the cost.
If you'd like to support a GFA worker, click here.
Chauhan was on outreach ministry in Madhya Pradesh, India, when he was kidnapped by a mob of about 40 anti-Christian extremists.
"On November 24 at 11 a.m., while I was going for outreach ministry in a village 20 kilometers (12 miles) from my home, a group of young people belonging to an extremist group stopped me. They asked me several questions, such as what was I doing and where was I going. Then they opened my bag and found Gospel literature and teaching CDs.
"The extremists started to beat me. They took my bicycle, mobile phone and two thousand rupees (US$40). They forcefully took me on their bike to a remote village, where around 200 people had gathered, and they made me sit in the middle of the crowd. They asked me several questions and told me to read Hindu literature, leave the Christian faith and worship one of their gods. I said "No," so they started to beat me again.
"Then the crowd called for their leader. They took me to a small hut and locked me inside. They kept me locked up from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
"During that time, I was praying to the living God. I remembered the verse where Jesus said, ‘In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.' Through this Bible verse, I got courage to face any problem.
"When they took me out of the room at 8:00 p.m., I was very hungry and cold. They took me to a road to meet the extremist leader. But I was thinking and looking for some way to escape. So I told them I needed to use the bathroom, and they let me walk into the forest. I walked a little ways and then started to run. Some started to chase me and loudly told the others that I was running away, and so many people ran after me.
"I don't know from where I got such power to run. The mob even took their jeep and bike to catch me, but as I was running through paddy fields, they couldn't catch me. I even fell in a small well, but God helped me to get out. And again I started to run through the forest.
"Up until midnight, I was sitting in the forest. My whole body was in severe pain, but God gave me strength to walk 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) through the forest without fear. I found a village where I know a Christian family.
"Around 3 a.m., I reached their house and told them what had happened to me. They gave me a place to sleep and kept me there for two days, until I went to another village and got some medicine. On November 27, I safely reached a GFA district office. Now I am in the office resting, but I still have pain in my chest and legs.
"I thank God that He has saved my life. I also want to give thanks to all those who sincerely prayed for me. Kindly keep remembering me in your prayers."
Continue to pray for the thousands of GFA workers that are sharing the Gospel no matter what the cost.
If you'd like to support a GFA worker, click here.
CONVERTS DILEMMA
Compass Direct have this story today from Bangladesh. Please take a few minutes today to pray for this precious family.
MALUMGHAT, Bangladesh, December 8 (Compass Direct News) – The harassment that Bangladeshi converts from Islam face from Muslim neighbors in this southeastern area near Cox’s Bazar can take serious turns – as it did last month, when an attack by about a dozen Muslims left a Christian family with machete wounds.
Confident that no police would side with Christian converts from Islam, the Muslims in Chakaria town, near Cox’s Bazar 380 kilometers (236 miles) southeast of the capital city of Dhaka, later filed false charges of assault against the wounded and limping Christians, family members said.
The smallest of claims can serve to provoke such attacks. Laila Begum, a 45-year-old Christian convert from Islam, said she was helping to make disbursements for a local non-governmental micro-credit agency called Darpan in Chakaria town on Nov. 1 when 10 to 15 Muslim neighbors blocked her way and demanded 200 taka (US$3).
Begum told Compass she had borrowed 2,000 taka (US$30) last year from a neighbor, a Muslim woman who goes by the single name of Kohinoor, and this year paid her back with interest. Telling the group she would give them no more money as she had already repaid the loan, Begum said, she asked why they were demanding more.
They began beating her, snatching a pair of gold ornaments from her ear.
“Suddenly they got equipped with sticks, iron rods, knives and machetes,” she said. “Several places of my head were lacerated by machetes and iron rods. They also cut two of my fingers when I tried to fend off their attacks. They beat me in several places of my body by iron rods and sticks.”
MALUMGHAT, Bangladesh, December 8 (Compass Direct News) – The harassment that Bangladeshi converts from Islam face from Muslim neighbors in this southeastern area near Cox’s Bazar can take serious turns – as it did last month, when an attack by about a dozen Muslims left a Christian family with machete wounds.
Confident that no police would side with Christian converts from Islam, the Muslims in Chakaria town, near Cox’s Bazar 380 kilometers (236 miles) southeast of the capital city of Dhaka, later filed false charges of assault against the wounded and limping Christians, family members said.
The smallest of claims can serve to provoke such attacks. Laila Begum, a 45-year-old Christian convert from Islam, said she was helping to make disbursements for a local non-governmental micro-credit agency called Darpan in Chakaria town on Nov. 1 when 10 to 15 Muslim neighbors blocked her way and demanded 200 taka (US$3).
Begum told Compass she had borrowed 2,000 taka (US$30) last year from a neighbor, a Muslim woman who goes by the single name of Kohinoor, and this year paid her back with interest. Telling the group she would give them no more money as she had already repaid the loan, Begum said, she asked why they were demanding more.
They began beating her, snatching a pair of gold ornaments from her ear.
“Suddenly they got equipped with sticks, iron rods, knives and machetes,” she said. “Several places of my head were lacerated by machetes and iron rods. They also cut two of my fingers when I tried to fend off their attacks. They beat me in several places of my body by iron rods and sticks.”
VOLUNTEERS FOR CHRIST
Gospel for Asia Volunteer Network
Volunteer Home | What You Can Do | Join The Volunteer Network
Gospel for Asia Volunteer
Join the Gospel for Asia Volunteer Network!
Gospel for Asia's Volunteer Network exists to speak out on behalf of those waiting to hear the Gospel and the native missionaries who are ready to lay down their lives to tell them. We are looking for volunteer representatives in your area.
If you believe God is calling you to be more involved in reaching the unreached for Christ, consider becoming a Gospel for Asia volunteer! As a volunteer, you will have the opportunity to touch countless lives for eternity.
Gospel for Asia volunteers help Christians understand their responsibility to help fulfill the Great Commission and present the ministry of Gospel for Asia as a means of fulfilling that responsibility. We are seeking highly motivated, self-directed individuals who will share their hearts for the lost and help raise up support for native missionaries and other GFA ministries.
By faith and the grace of God, we believe the GFA Volunteer Network will have a tremendous impact in reaching the lost of Asia. Proverbs 11:30 says, "... He that winneth souls is wise." You can experience the joy of knowing that your labor is accomplishing what is on the heart of God—the proclamation of the Gospel.
Take the first step today by filling out a GFA Volunteer Network Application. The packet describes each volunteer position in greater detail and contains everything you need to make a prayerful and informed decision.
What You Can Do
Join The Volunteer Network
Call Us: 1-800-WIN-ASIA (1-800-946-2742)
BUY NOW
Volunteer Home | What You Can Do | Join The Volunteer Network
Gospel for Asia Volunteer
Join the Gospel for Asia Volunteer Network!
Gospel for Asia's Volunteer Network exists to speak out on behalf of those waiting to hear the Gospel and the native missionaries who are ready to lay down their lives to tell them. We are looking for volunteer representatives in your area.
If you believe God is calling you to be more involved in reaching the unreached for Christ, consider becoming a Gospel for Asia volunteer! As a volunteer, you will have the opportunity to touch countless lives for eternity.
Gospel for Asia volunteers help Christians understand their responsibility to help fulfill the Great Commission and present the ministry of Gospel for Asia as a means of fulfilling that responsibility. We are seeking highly motivated, self-directed individuals who will share their hearts for the lost and help raise up support for native missionaries and other GFA ministries.
By faith and the grace of God, we believe the GFA Volunteer Network will have a tremendous impact in reaching the lost of Asia. Proverbs 11:30 says, "... He that winneth souls is wise." You can experience the joy of knowing that your labor is accomplishing what is on the heart of God—the proclamation of the Gospel.
Take the first step today by filling out a GFA Volunteer Network Application. The packet describes each volunteer position in greater detail and contains everything you need to make a prayerful and informed decision.
What You Can Do
Join The Volunteer Network
Call Us: 1-800-WIN-ASIA (1-800-946-2742)
BUY NOW
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
PERSECUTOR CONVERTED
For days, the Communist guards would beat the imprisoned pastor, help him gain strength with good food, and then beat him again. He was to be systematically beaten to death, but not a quick death. They wanted him to suffer.
Captain Reck said one day as he beat the pastor, “I am God. I have the power of life and death over you. The one who is in heaven cannot decide to keep you in life. Everything depends upon me. If I wish, you live or die. I am God!”
The pastor responded calmly. “You don’t know what a deep thing you have said. You were not created to be a torturer, a man who kills. You were created to become like God, with his life in your heart. Many who have been persecutors like you have come to realize, as the apostle Paul did, that it is shameful for a man to commit atrocities. They can do much better things. Believe me, Captain Reck, your real calling is to be Godlike, not to be God. You can have the character of God, not a torturer.”
Reck pretended not to hear the Christian’s words, and he continued beating the pastor for his faith. However, he couldn’t stop thinking about his calling. Eventually, on bended knee, Reck accepted Christ into his heart.
Every caterpillar is really a butterfly, if it develops correctly. If not, it may continue to live. However, it is something it was not meant to be. Like-wise, our true calling as humans is to enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and develop Christlike character. Without Christ, we may still be very accomplished with several credits to our names. We may become lots of admirable things—a successful businessperson, a loving mother, a devoted dad. Yet if we miss our true calling, we never become the person we were originally created to be. A caterpillar is interesting. But a butterfly far surpasses it in beauty and ability. Have you had a life of worldly success, yet missed your true calling?
www.persecutionblog.com
Captain Reck said one day as he beat the pastor, “I am God. I have the power of life and death over you. The one who is in heaven cannot decide to keep you in life. Everything depends upon me. If I wish, you live or die. I am God!”
The pastor responded calmly. “You don’t know what a deep thing you have said. You were not created to be a torturer, a man who kills. You were created to become like God, with his life in your heart. Many who have been persecutors like you have come to realize, as the apostle Paul did, that it is shameful for a man to commit atrocities. They can do much better things. Believe me, Captain Reck, your real calling is to be Godlike, not to be God. You can have the character of God, not a torturer.”
Reck pretended not to hear the Christian’s words, and he continued beating the pastor for his faith. However, he couldn’t stop thinking about his calling. Eventually, on bended knee, Reck accepted Christ into his heart.
Every caterpillar is really a butterfly, if it develops correctly. If not, it may continue to live. However, it is something it was not meant to be. Like-wise, our true calling as humans is to enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and develop Christlike character. Without Christ, we may still be very accomplished with several credits to our names. We may become lots of admirable things—a successful businessperson, a loving mother, a devoted dad. Yet if we miss our true calling, we never become the person we were originally created to be. A caterpillar is interesting. But a butterfly far surpasses it in beauty and ability. Have you had a life of worldly success, yet missed your true calling?
www.persecutionblog.com
Thursday, 27 November 2008
ABDUCTED PASTOR ESCAPED
Terrorism has struck MumbaiThe horror of terrorism has struck Mumbai, India's business hub and one of the most important cities in all of Asia. The death toll has topped 80, with 200 injured, in a bloody, coordinated attack on more than half a dozen sites. As I write this email, the terrorists continue to hold hostages and the Indian military is closing in on them. Read the latest news article about the situation here: http://www.gfa.org/mumbai-terrorist-attacks-cause (Int'l Site)I am in India right now. My heart is broken for my country and for the hundreds of families affected by this horrible tragedy. Mumbai, the former Bombay, is home to one of our major Bible colleges and dozens of missionaries and churches. Please hold these up in your prayers.And please pray for this volatile situation. Your prayers are vital as our missionaries and leaders begin to minister in the midst of this tragedy.
Abducted Pastor EscapesI write to you today with great news. Pastor Chauhan, who was beaten and abducted on Monday, has fled his captors and is on his way to safety. Read about how he escaped:http://www.gfa.org/abducted-pastor-escapes (Int'l Site)Thank you so much for your prayers for this servant of the Lord. I'm sure he would be very moved to know that you cared enough to pray for him.Yours for the persecuted,
KP Yohannan
Founder and President
P.S. I encourage you to forward this email to as many of your friends as possible so they, too can pray for the situation in Mumbai.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About Gospel for Asia: learn more about Gospel for Asia
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If you experience difficulty, simply reply to this email and request removal or call us on 0800 032 8717.
Contact Information:
Gospel for Asia
PO Box 166
Winterscale House
YORK
YO10 5WA
Email: infouk@gfa.org
Abducted Pastor EscapesI write to you today with great news. Pastor Chauhan, who was beaten and abducted on Monday, has fled his captors and is on his way to safety. Read about how he escaped:http://www.gfa.org/abducted-pastor-escapes (Int'l Site)Thank you so much for your prayers for this servant of the Lord. I'm sure he would be very moved to know that you cared enough to pray for him.Yours for the persecuted,
KP Yohannan
Founder and President
P.S. I encourage you to forward this email to as many of your friends as possible so they, too can pray for the situation in Mumbai.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About Gospel for Asia: learn more about Gospel for Asia
Subscription Information:
To unsubscribe to this newsletter, please click here
If you experience difficulty, simply reply to this email and request removal or call us on 0800 032 8717.
Contact Information:
Gospel for Asia
PO Box 166
Winterscale House
YORK
YO10 5WA
Email: infouk@gfa.org
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN LIVING
This compilation of biblical lessons is very necessary in order to bring and initiate new converts into Christianity and that they should be exposed to the fundamental concepts and definitions of what is it to be a follower of Christ.
In most cases many converts or even those born into the faith takes a lot of things for granted. They see themselves consciously or unconsciously engrossed in the rituals of religion and as a result are not able to differentiate between what they believe and what Christianity demands of them and even worst still, they are unable to see what makes Christianity to be unique from other religion.
Becoming a Christian is beyond the practice of mere religious rituals and fulfilment of church traditions but coming into the family of the true living God as revealed in our Lord and Saviour, Redeemer and Eternal King, Jesus Christ.
The concept, “Born Again” and the baptism of water and of the Holy Ghost are vital experiences that new converts into discipleship must have so as to be able to identify themselves with the knowledge of the power and the mysteries of the Living God.
The contents of this book should therefore be exposed to new converts and old members who are just experiencing the true conversion and new birth into the household of God.
From the book INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN LIVING by Rev, Babatunde Ezekiel Ajibola
In most cases many converts or even those born into the faith takes a lot of things for granted. They see themselves consciously or unconsciously engrossed in the rituals of religion and as a result are not able to differentiate between what they believe and what Christianity demands of them and even worst still, they are unable to see what makes Christianity to be unique from other religion.
Becoming a Christian is beyond the practice of mere religious rituals and fulfilment of church traditions but coming into the family of the true living God as revealed in our Lord and Saviour, Redeemer and Eternal King, Jesus Christ.
The concept, “Born Again” and the baptism of water and of the Holy Ghost are vital experiences that new converts into discipleship must have so as to be able to identify themselves with the knowledge of the power and the mysteries of the Living God.
The contents of this book should therefore be exposed to new converts and old members who are just experiencing the true conversion and new birth into the household of God.
From the book INTRODUCTION TO CHRISTIAN LIVING by Rev, Babatunde Ezekiel Ajibola
FULFILMENT OF PROPHECY
Last Updated: Tuesday, 20 September 2005, 16:23 GMT 17:23 UK
E-mail this to a friend Printable version
Ethiopia Jews go on hunger strike
More than 20,000 Jews live in Ethiopia
Hundreds of Ethiopian Jews have gone on hunger strike to protest against a delay in their relocation to Israel.
Frustrated by an eight-year-long wait, the community has resolved not to eat until the planned move gets under way.
The Falasha Mura, or Beta-Israel as they prefer to be called, are an ancient and isolated group living in the Ethiopian highlands.
Although some were forcibly converted to Christianity, they trace their roots to the biblical King Solomon.
'Grave starvation'
Members of the Falasha Mura community - many wearing Jewish skullcaps - began the hunger strike in their camp in the capital, Addis Ababa, on Tuesday morning.
Our home is Israel
Getenet Mengesha
Ethiopian Jew
They are protesting against their "long wait" to return to the Promised Land.
Israeli officials say they will all be allowed to travel by the end of 2007.
"Israel is our place. We have been displaced for 2,000 years," said Getenet Mengesha, one of the group's leaders.
The protestors have been listening to lectures by their religious leaders aimed at giving them the heart to endure many days of hunger.
"End our suffering and let us go home," read some of the slogans.
The community believes that by going on hunger strike they will force the Israeli authorities to act fast.
The Falasha Mura lamented their living conditions in a recent letter to the Israeli government.
Many Jews were airlifted to Israel in 1991
"We have been suffering for the past eight years in Addis Ababa and Gondar. We are... facing grave starvation... and much hardship," the letter said.
"They [Israeli officials] must respond. Our home is Israel," Mr Getenet said.
The protestors are among the more than 20,000 Ethiopians of Jewish origin remaining in the country.
In November 1984 Israel airlifted 6,300 Ethiopian Jews from refugee camps in Sudan in a move code-named Operation Moses.
Another massive airlift - Operation Solomon - followed in 1991, bringing the number of Ethiopian Jews living today in Israel close to 80,000.
E-mail this to a friend Printable version
Ethiopia Jews go on hunger strike
More than 20,000 Jews live in Ethiopia
Hundreds of Ethiopian Jews have gone on hunger strike to protest against a delay in their relocation to Israel.
Frustrated by an eight-year-long wait, the community has resolved not to eat until the planned move gets under way.
The Falasha Mura, or Beta-Israel as they prefer to be called, are an ancient and isolated group living in the Ethiopian highlands.
Although some were forcibly converted to Christianity, they trace their roots to the biblical King Solomon.
'Grave starvation'
Members of the Falasha Mura community - many wearing Jewish skullcaps - began the hunger strike in their camp in the capital, Addis Ababa, on Tuesday morning.
Our home is Israel
Getenet Mengesha
Ethiopian Jew
They are protesting against their "long wait" to return to the Promised Land.
Israeli officials say they will all be allowed to travel by the end of 2007.
"Israel is our place. We have been displaced for 2,000 years," said Getenet Mengesha, one of the group's leaders.
The protestors have been listening to lectures by their religious leaders aimed at giving them the heart to endure many days of hunger.
"End our suffering and let us go home," read some of the slogans.
The community believes that by going on hunger strike they will force the Israeli authorities to act fast.
The Falasha Mura lamented their living conditions in a recent letter to the Israeli government.
Many Jews were airlifted to Israel in 1991
"We have been suffering for the past eight years in Addis Ababa and Gondar. We are... facing grave starvation... and much hardship," the letter said.
"They [Israeli officials] must respond. Our home is Israel," Mr Getenet said.
The protestors are among the more than 20,000 Ethiopians of Jewish origin remaining in the country.
In November 1984 Israel airlifted 6,300 Ethiopian Jews from refugee camps in Sudan in a move code-named Operation Moses.
Another massive airlift - Operation Solomon - followed in 1991, bringing the number of Ethiopian Jews living today in Israel close to 80,000.
PERSECUTION IN INDIA
Pastor Beaten, Abducted, Missing
(26 November 2008)
Madhya Pradesh, India
A Gospel for Asia native missionary serving as a pastor in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh has been beaten and abducted and is still missing.
GFA leaders in the state report that Pastor N. Chauhan was attacked by a mob of 40 anti-Christian extremists on Monday, beaten severely and then dragged into the forest. Attempts to contact him have failed, and no word of his fate has been received.
When a GFA leader tried to call Pastor Chauhan on his mobile phone, a voice answered, saying, "The same thing is going to happen to you!"
The GFA state leader and other pastors have reported the incident to police, who have promised to take the matter seriously.
The leaders are asking for prayer that God will protect Pastor Chauhan, and that He will give wisdom to all who are handling the situation.
About Madhya Pradesh (Int'l Site) >>
Back to news >>
(26 November 2008)
Madhya Pradesh, India
A Gospel for Asia native missionary serving as a pastor in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh has been beaten and abducted and is still missing.
GFA leaders in the state report that Pastor N. Chauhan was attacked by a mob of 40 anti-Christian extremists on Monday, beaten severely and then dragged into the forest. Attempts to contact him have failed, and no word of his fate has been received.
When a GFA leader tried to call Pastor Chauhan on his mobile phone, a voice answered, saying, "The same thing is going to happen to you!"
The GFA state leader and other pastors have reported the incident to police, who have promised to take the matter seriously.
The leaders are asking for prayer that God will protect Pastor Chauhan, and that He will give wisdom to all who are handling the situation.
About Madhya Pradesh (Int'l Site) >>
Back to news >>
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