Bangladesh
Believer’s Home Seized
This summer in BANGLADESH an influential Muslim seized the home of a Christian. When police officials summoned Christians and Muslims to resolve the issue, the believers were treated unfairly and two pastors were beaten. The house was recovered, but the man who stole it escaped unpunished.
Praise God that the land has been restored. Pray that the believers’ lives will be a witness to the gospel. “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
Charges Filed against Believers
UPDATE: In BANGLADESH charges have again been filed against two Christians and four of their friends for “hurting religious sensibility.” Reportedly the case was filed to stop Christian activities and to harass the believers.
Pray that the charges will be dropped. “I will praise You, O LORD, among the nations.”
Hundreds Come to Christ
Our ministry partner, Pastor "Tarak" in BANGLADESH, reports that in the space of three months over 500 people were saved and over 300 baptized through his ministry.
Praise God for the many former Muslims who have come to Christ! “They are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power and by Your strong hand.”
Christians Harassed, Beaten
In April in BANGLADESH, a group of Muslim young men harassed Christian girls. They fought against a Christian young man who tried to defend the girls. Days later they found him again and beat him severely.
Ask God to comfort the believers. Pray that their attackers will come to know Jesus. “For by grace you have been saved through faith.”
Imprisoned Christians Exonerated
Six Christians in BANGLADESH were imprisoned for three days this spring on fabricated charges of “hurting religious feelings.” As volunteer health care workers, they had assisted a Christian volunteer doctor who offered his patients Christian leaflets and Bibles.
Praise God that the case against them was dismissed! “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way.”
Evangelist Exonerated
An evangelist in BANGLADESH was sentenced to one year in prison for “creating chaos at a religious gathering.” The man, described as gentle and polite, was distributing Christian literature on a street near an Islamic event. At his appeal in March, a judge exonerated him and ordered his release.
Praise God! “He brought me out into a broad place, He rescued me because He delighted in me.”
Evangelist Beaten and Robbed
An evangelist in BANGLADESH was beaten and robbed. He was accused of being a Christian and of making other people Christians by feeding them pork and letting them disrespect the Koran. Muslims scattered the seeds that he sells to support himself and took the money he had borrowed to buy more seeds. He does not think he will be able to rebuild his business.
Pray that God will provide for him. Pray also that his neighbors will understand the Gospel. “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”
Pastor Accused, Bibles Destroyed
On October 26, Muslims barged into a prayer meeting in INDIA and accused the pastor of forceful conversion. They tore Bibles and damaged household items. Police then arrested the pastor and charged him with “deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage the religious feelings of others.” He is now released on bail.
Pray that the charges against him will be dropped. “Those who dwelt in the land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.”
Baptism Prevented, Bibles Destroyed
In BANGLADESH, a Christian family planning to be baptized in September was prevented by Muslims who beat them and filed false charges against them. Still the Muslim background believers refused to return to Islam. Muslims burned and tore Bibles and ripped hymnals in their home, where a house church normally meets. The head of the household has been released on bail.
Pray that the charges against the family will be dropped. “He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives…”
Father and Son Attacked
On October 9 in BANGLADESH, a Muslim background believer and his son were beaten for refusing to return to Islam. Now his neighbors will not let him work on their farms.
Pray that God will provide for him. “For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?”
Believer Falsely Charged
UPDATE: A believer falsely arrested in BANGLADESH this August has now been charged. Another man has confessed to the crime. This man testified that officials incited him to implicate the Christian as an accomplice, but his real accomplice was someone else. Despite this testimony, the believer has still been charged.
Pray that the influential Muslims plotting against him will not succeed. “And now, little children, abide in Him.”
Convert Charged with Theft
In August, a Muslim background believer in BANGLADESH was arrested on false charges of cattle theft. Muslims have been harassing him ever since his conversion several years ago, when they threatened to hang him upside-down in a tree and lacerate his body. Muslims recently brought the theft charges against him in an effort to discredit his ministry in the village and turn others from Christ. The Muslim background believer has already expressed a willingness to die for Jesus.
Baptism Interrupted
A baptism service for Muslim background believers in BANGLADESH was interrupted by Muslim protesters several months ago. Since then believers who invited people to the baptism have faced false charges, beating, and extortion demands. For three days, Muslims chanted threats over bullhorns. They threatened to “peel off the skins of the Christians.”
Pray that God will encourage the believers, especially the new converts. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Just a Glimpse
With my yellow notepad in hand, I settled into one of the big arm chairs in the executive director’s office, ready to catch a glimpse of the other side of the world. The associate director sat down with his own notepad, its pages worn from a whirlwind week of international travel.
Baptism Service Interrupted
In Bangladesh, Christians invited converts from Islam to come to a river to be baptized. Fifty-five new believers came, but so did Muslim protestors. Only six converts were baptized before the protestors’ intimidation brought the service to a halt. When the police arrived, they took the Christian leaders into custody.
For the next three days, Muslims used bullhorns to shout death threats to Christians. Along with other threats, they chanted, “We will peel off the skins of the Christians.”
Christians Beaten in Bangladesh
About a hundred soldiers in BANGLADESH beat Christians and set fire to several churches and to many houses. They had supposedly arrived to bring peace to a region of conflict. Instead, they ignited churches and opened fire on believers who tried to stop them. A church member says that he does not expect the government to take any steps against the army, which has a reputation of land seizure, torture, and rape. Now well over a thousand refugees have fled to the jungle.
Christian Girl Kidnapped
An eighth-grade girl was kidnapped in BANGLADESH. Her attackers forced her to convert to Islam and marry her captor. Police arrested three of the kidnappers, but the Muslim court granted them bail and are delaying trial.
Pray that this child will be rescued and her oppressors will be brought to justice. "The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe."
Woman and Children Evicted
A BANGLADESHI Christian widow and her two daughters are in danger of starvation. Her husband was murdered and now her landlord is evicting the family because they are Christians. She cannot pay for her children's school tuition and her youngest daughter is suffering from severe malnutrition.
Pray that she will find a job and a place to live. "You shall put them in the house of God."
Believer Killed by Muslim Students
A believer was walking home in BANGLADESH when he was set upon by Muslim students. They demanded his cell phone, and, when he refused to hand it over, they beat him to death. While he lay dying, students threatened his wife--telling her that if she reported the crime they would kill her.
Pray for the young widow as she attempts to honor Christ in her grief and fear. "Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of Me in the scroll of the book."
Family Tormented for a Conversion
November 3, 2009
While studying abroad, a young man from BANGLADESH accepted Christ. Now, his family is under attack. Their home has been ransacked, and they are ostracized by their community, but the family is showing interest in Christ.
Pray for their salvation and the courage to withstand societal pressure. "You came near when I called on you; You said, 'Do not fear!'"
A Christian's Muslim Family is Persecuted
A girl from BANGLADESH who lives in the United States converted to Christianity. As a result, her family is being persecuted and marginalized by their fellow Muslims in her home country.
Pray that their daughter's decision will bring her family to Christ. "To those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life."
Evangelists Beaten When Showing Jesus Film
Two evangelists in BANGLADESH were asked by a Muslim to show them the Jesus film. Sensing a trap, they refused. They were then compelled to travel deep into the city to show the film. Soon after they arrived, a mob of Muslims began severely beating them. Though one of the evangelists had his hip dislocated he said, "We forgave the attackers and showed them the love of our God."
Bangladeshi Christians face threats
In Bangladesh Christians face increasing threats of violence. Official religious meetings are under guard by government security agents.
Pray for peace. "But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him."
Bangladeshi church threatened with destruction
Bangladeshi authorities have threatened to destroy a church building under construction because they fear the presence of a larger structure will lead to massive numbers of conversions. Muslims continue to lobby for its complete destruction and threaten violence against parishioners.
