Monthly archive for June 2020

On 3rd May, members of Xingguang Church in Xiamen were physically dragged out of the home there were having a meeting in. Various rooms in the house were destroyed. Educational material, furniture along with personal belongings were confiscated, during a series of raids on house churches. It has been reported that a total of about 12 homes were ruined.

Pray for members of Xingguang Church and other churches facing incessant persecution. Pray that their faith in God will not waver, and they will still be able to find opportunities to encourage and comfort one another in the faith.

Pray that they will be recompensed for everything that was lost, destroyed or taken from them. Pray that those who are opposing the gospel will come to understand the reverential fear of God and realise their need to turn to Him in faith.

 

(Source & Photo Credit : VOMC)

#persecuted Church

On 4th June, Samaru Madkami, stayed home from school due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.  His father, Unga, was a leader of the Bethel House Church which met in their home in the village of Kenduguda, Odisha.

At around 11pm, a group of villagers went to Samaru’s house to ask his father, Unga, to attend a meeting, but Unga was not at home because he had taken Samaru’s sister to see a doctor. So Samaru followed them instead, only to find a mob waiting in the jungle. There the youth was stoned and stabbed to death, and subsequently cut into pieces and buried in a pit.

Some of those responsible for the killing of Samaru, accused the Christians of practising black magic that caused of the sickness of several people in the village.  But this allegation was proven to be not true, as the authorities explained that the community’s water supply was the true cause of the illnesses.

In the 3 years since Unga and Samaru made the decision to follow Christ, they have faced continual harassment and threats because of their faith. Attempts have also been made on Unga’s life before.

Please pray for Samaru’s grieving family and members of their house church as they deal with this horrific loss of a young and innocent life.

Pray that God will protect this small group of believers and render justice in the situation.

Pray that the villagers will, in time, respond to the gospel message and experience God’s unconditional love and forgiveness.

 

(Source & Photo Credit : VOMC)

#persecuted Church

A teenaged girl caught teaching a Sunday school class about Jesus had her teaching materials confiscated. She was also told never to teach from the materials again.

This young girl had nearly completed her high school education, but is now unable to get the final paperwork documenting her education, because of this incident.

Please pray for this courageous young believer who is determined to keep teaching children about Jesus despite the opposition.

Pray that the favour of God will be upon her and He will establish the work of her hands (Psalm 90:17). Pray that many children will understand the gospel message and receive salvation in the Lord through her teaching, and entire families will be saved through the children’s testimonies.

Pray that she will receive the final paperwork necessary so that she can continue her studies in college

 

(Source & Photo Credit : VOM)

#persecuted Church

Pastor Luo was conducting a “Proclaim Jesus Gospel Gathering” via zoom in the Nanjing Road church in Wuhan when he was interrupted and questioned.

Pastor Luo took the opportunity to share with his interrogators how the Christians in Wuhan had disregarded their own lives during the pandemic to serve the community. Pastor Luo also courageously declared that he will continue living for Christ and sharing the gospel with others.

Lord we pray that the Chinese people will be open and receptive to the gospel as Christians in Wuhan continue to share the love of Christ with their neighbours in many practical and meaningful ways.

We pray that God will turn every crisis and challenge into opportunities for believers to bring honour and glory to His Name.

 

(Source & Photo Credit : VOMC)

#persecuted Church

Voice of the Martyrs Korea (“VOMK”) has been sending Bibles and items like rice and vitamins to North Korea, by using large balloons that would strategically drop the materials across the border, and in bottles systematically placed along the western coast, according to the timing of the tide, to float to their intended destination.

However, in June this year, when VOMK workers set out to launch the latest 500 rice bottles, they were stopped by two dozen people and prevented from getting to the sea. They were later told to cease and desist from any rice bottle launches.

Despite the opposition, Pastor Eric Foley, CEO of VOMK, remains positive as he recognises that divinely appointed opportunities are being presented in every challenge that arises. He recalls that all previous attempts to obstruct their past humanitarian efforts have made it possible for the members of his mission team to demonstrate the love and grace of God.

Please pray that the heart of those opposing VOMK’s work will be open to receive the gospel message and eventually find salvation and hope in the Lord.

Pray that God will continue the good work He already begun in the lives of the many North Koreans who have received previously launched Bibles.

Pray that the Lord will open other avenues with more creative and effective ways to bring the gospel message across the border into North Korea with more far-reaching effects.

 

(Source & Photo Credit : VOMC)

#persecuted Church