Overcoming Fear

The church in Algeria has faced fear before and overcome it. When the government cracked down on Christians in 2008, a ministry leader told a government official, “If you are thinking of putting us in prison, you had better enlarge your prisons—because what you have today will not be enough for us.”

Another ministry leader, who has faced charges for “shaking” the faith of Muslims, often gets called into the police station. There he takes the opportunity to witness to the Muslim policemen. His calm attitude is astonishing. He says, “When you overcome fear, the enemy does not have much to frighten or threaten you with!”

A recent court case in Algeria could create renewed danger for churches in Algeria. In December four Christians were given “suspended” prison sentences for worshiping without a permit—suspended meaning that they will not serve time, but are condemned as criminals.

Compass Direct News reports,

Although the suspended sentences mean the four Christians will not serve prison time, [Pastor] Yahou told Compass that he and the three other men plan to appeal the verdict because the outcome of their case could affect all Protestant churches of the country, none of which have official permission to operate.

“If they close us, they can close all the gatherings and churches that exist in Algeria,” [Pastor] Yahou said. “They could all be closed.”

Pray that the Algerian church will continue to overcome fear, even in the face of these new dangers.

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” –Psalm 27:1

Their courage is a challenge to us.

“Some of you dare not do a thing that you know to be right, because somebody might make a remark about it. What are you but slaves? …The fear of God is the death of every other fear; like a mighty lion, it chases all other fears before it.” –Spurgeon

News sources: ANM, Compass Direct