Persecuted Christians
from Voice of the Martyrs (www.persecution.com)
VOM News and Prayer Update: July 15th, 2008
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or
hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?"
(Romans 8:35)
NEPAL
Priest Killed by Hindu Extremists - VOM Sources
On July 1, Father Johnson Prakash Moyalan, a Roman Catholic priest from India,
was killed by armed extremists in eastern Nepal. According to The Voice of the
Martyrs contacts, "At approximately 1:00 a.m., the men broke into a
building belonging to the Don Bosco Mission in the town of Sirsiya. They locked
up the assistant priest and shot Moyalan in the stomach and chest. Reports also
indicated that a bomb was detonated on the premises. The attackers left
pamphlets on the scene identifying themselves as members of the Nepal Defense
Army, a terrorist group that wants Hinduism restored as the state
religion." Pray those who mourn Father Moyalan will find strength, comfort
and peace in Christ. Pray that God will continue to raise up cross-bearing
disciples in Nepal willing to remain faithful to Him at all cost. 1
Corinthians 4:9-14, 16
CHINA
Pastor Sentenced to Re-education Through Labor - China Aid Association
On July 4, Pastor Zhang Zhongxin was sentenced to two years re-education through
labor in Jining city in Shangdong province. According to China Aid Association (CAA),
"Shandong Re-education-Through-Labor Management Committee issued a written
decision sentencing Zhang Zhongxin to two years re-education through labor.
Authorities accused him [Zhongxin] of cult participation in the ‘whole scope
of the church' organized ‘Sunday school training courses, preaching the gospel
to the northwest, Tibet and other places for missionaries and pioneers
sermons.'" CAA added that in 2005, Zhongxin established The Rainbow
Missions Fellowship and Timothy Bible Training School in Jining city, Shandong
province, where Christian leaders are trained. Zhongxin has appealed his
sentence. Pray for Zhongxin and his family during this difficult time. Ask God
to give them courage as he appeals his sentence. Ask God to protect believers in
China who face trying times as the government cracks down on believers ahead of
the Olympics next month. Deuteronomy
33:26-27
SRI LANKA
Christians Attacked - National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka
Recently there have been at least two incidents of violence against Christians
in Sri Lanka. According to the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri
Lanka (NCEASL), "Unidentified assailants set fire to the house of an
Assemblies of God church pastor in the city of Middeniya on the evening of July
3. The pastor, his wife and two children awoke to find that a fire had been
started by the main door of their house. The family managed to put the blaze out
before it caused extensive damage and no one was injured. Local villagers
opposed to the pastor's church have reportedly been threatening him and his
family in recent weeks." Meanwhile NCEASL added, "On July 6, a mob
attacked the Calvary Church after false rumors about Christians attacking a
temple spread in the district of Colombo. At approximately 9:30 a.m., five
Buddhist monks charged into the church building during a worship service and
demanded that the service cease. The pastor led the monks outside where they
told him that there was no need for Christians in the village and threatened to
destroy all local churches. By the time the police arrived on scene a large mob
had gathered around the building. Fearing violence, the pastor sent his
congregation away. The mob then attacked the building, completely destroying the
contents. They beat the pastor and at least five others with clubs and rods. The
pastor and his father were severely injured while others sustained minor
injuries." Ask God to strengthen and heal the victims of these attacks.
Pray that the faithfulness of Christians in Sri Lanka will be a light that draws
others to Christ. Psalm
91
IRAN
UPDATE: Imprisoned Iranian Christian "Temporarily" Released -
Compass Direct News
Praise God! On June 26, Mohsen Namvar, an Iranian Christian who was arrested in
his home in Tehran on May 31, was released from prison "temporarily."
According to Compass Direct News, "Namvar was badly beaten while detained.
Upon his release, he was treated for a fever and high blood pressure and his
body appeared to be in shock. Local Christians believe that authorities may have
released him out of fear that he would die in prison." Praise God for
Namvar's courage and release. Pray for healing in his body and peace of mind.
Ask God to encourage him and other believers in Iran who are standing in their
faith in spite of persecution. Pray God gives them strength to forgive their
persecutors. Romans
8:11
YEMEN
Christians Arrested - VOM Sources/ AhSahwa Net
Seven Christians were arrested recently by Yemeni security forces in the
province of Hodeida, Yemen. According to VOM sources, "Security authorities
told media organization, AhSahwa Net, that Political Security Forces in Hodeida
city were holding a person named Hani Hussein Dahani from the district of
AlZaidia who is being accused of embracing Christianity and leaving the Islamic
religion. Four others close to him had the appearance of missionary network, as
well as two others who were also seized, were involved in secretly spreading and
distributing Bibles in AlDhahi district a year ago, and who had been fugitives
from the law ever since." VOM sources added the report confirmed that those
arrested had been transferred to Sana'a city for further investigation and
scrutiny. The Yemeni government has arrested these seven believers because they
distributed Bibles in several districts in 2007. Pray for strength for the
arrested believers and their families. Ask God to increase their faith and
courage as they stand for Christ during this challenging time. Pray those
affected will forgive their persecutors and get an opportunity to share Christ
with them. Isaiah
54:17
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