Blogs and Articles
Trouble for Christians in North Sudan
The closure of the Nyala offices of the Sudan Council of Churches (SCC) and the relief group Sudan Aid have reportedly left churches in this region of Darfur “deeply disturbed and frightened.” When the organizations’ staff came to work one day, armed security agents ordered them to leave and took the keys to several vehicles. Several staff members of Sudan Aid were also arrested and later released.
“I Will Not Leave Jesus.”
A group of 11 Christians gathered in the home of Gaffar Shaike in India on March 30 for worship, prayer, and a shared meal. While they were meeting, Muslims broke into the house, beat them, and threatened them if they would not return to Islam. The attackers tried to block Christians from fleeing, and even beat a 65-year-old widow named Moyazan Bewa.
Some Eternal Principles
Today, we're going to look at some of God's eternal principles of life and service. For the better part of 84 years, I have found that the following fundamental, eternal bedrock truths, principals, promises, and assurances of Scripture have given me confidence and hope. They have sustained me through every situation of life!!!
Persecuted, But Not Forsaken
The GKI Yasmin Church in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia continues to face opposition from Muslims. Their struggle for the right to meet on their own land has been ongoing for four years. Recently gunmen attacked and damaged the church building.
Dilemma in Sudan
Many Christians in North Sudan face a difficult dilemma. They are being denied rights in the north and pressured to leave, and yet they are being prevented opportunities of leaving. Compass Direct News reports,
Christian Woman under Threat
Pakistani Christian woman Hanifan Bibi’s husband converted to Islam in November 2011. In March of this year her husband, Muhammad Sarwar, locked her up and made her “prisoner in her own home.” She says, “Since I have not decided to change faith like him, he segregated me in the house.” Then Muhammad changed his tactics. He then accused her of illegally possessing the very house she had worked to build and where she was now being held prisoner. Muslim families assisted him in filing a lawsuit against her and threatening her.
A Christian Teen Convicted in Egypt
17-year-old Christian Gamal Abdou Massoud was recently sentenced to three years in prison for allegedly posting on Facebook cartoons insulting to Islam and Mohammed and distributing them to school friends. The court also held him responsible for inciting riots.
The Fire Shall Never Go Out
The book of Leviticus is about man's relationship with—and approval by—God. We learn about the Aaronic priesthood, sacrifices, atonement, and holiness. Tremendous spiritual lessons abound!! In chapter six we read:
Praise for God’s Provision!
For years, Smyrna’s faithful donors to the Martyr’s Fund have been helping to support a martyr’s widow in India. We recently received great news from our ministry partner there. The family’s older sons are now old enough to get work to provide for the family, and the government has also begun paying some compensatory funds. Praise God for His provision! Please continue to pray for this martyr’s family and for the families of other martyrs.
Growing Church in Afghanistan
The church in Afghanistan has faced severe persecution, but continues to grow. There have been no public churches in the country since March 2010, when the last one was destroyed. That was the same month that Muslims became outraged over clips an Afghan TV station aired of Christian converts being baptized and worshiping.
Unjust Imprisonment
The blasphemy case against 26-year-old Christian Shamim Bibi in Pakistan is fraught with problems. Several relatives tried to pressure her into converting to Islam, but Shamim refused. Four days later, she was arrested after an Islamic prayer leader accused her of blaspheming Mohammed on a separate afternoon at 3:00 PM. The prayer leader said that two witnesses had told him that Shamim made derogatory remarks about Mohammed in her courtyard, but did not specify what those remarks were. One of the witnesses denies having heard anything.
Turmoil in Mali
The situation of Christians in Mali is bleak. They make up only about 1% of the population, but this tiny minority is being targeted in recent violence. Sharia law has been imposed in Timbuktu. One refugee testifies, “We have escaped in the wake of horrible death threats as the Islamists have a list of all the Christians in Timbuktu whom they intend to execute by beheading.
Answered Prayer
In May 2008, Muslims from Saleman village in Indonesia attacked Christians in nearby Horale. They burnt crops, homes, churches, and a school. Several Christians were brutally killed and over fifty were injured. Survivors fled into the jungle. A week later, Muslims claimed that Horale belonged to them. They filed a legal case to claim ownership of the land.
Freedom in Morocco?
Abdelilah Benkirane, prime minister of Morocco, recently defended the personal freedom of Moroccan citizens. He said, "I believe in freedom, God created us free. Who is Benkirane to tell Moroccans to shave your beards or to impose the hijab? Individual liberties are sacred and are not to be touched."
Christian Student Harassed, Disappears
Twenty-four-year-old Christian student Simi Maltida Kim was finishing her last year at Federal Polytechnic in Bauchi state, Nigeria. One of her teachers was determined to convert her to Islam. He summoned her, questioned her for her faith, and brought other students to confront her. He even failed one of her written exams without even looking at it. Her mother says, “This Muslim teacher did this to force our daughter into submitting to recanting her Christian faith, but this did not deter her from remaining firm as a Christian.”
