Monthly archive for September 2020

Pastor A. Dao has been released from prison after being incarcerated for over four years. He was released 11 months before the expected release date.

Pastor Dao, who headed the Montagnard Evangelical Church of Christ, was an ardent advocate of his people who frequently faced oppression because of their faith in Christ. He was arrested in August 2016 and sentenced in April 2017 to 5 years’ imprisonment for allegedly “helping individuals to escape abroad illegally.” He was reportedly tortured and beaten by other inmates during his incarceration.

We praise and thank God for this unexpected and early release!

We pray that Pastor Dao and his wife, Nguyen Thi Tuoi, will experience the Lord’s peace and rest as they reunite and reconnect after being apart for four years. We pray that Pastor Dao will receive the much-needed healing from the traumatic and horrific abuse he endured during his imprisonment.

Pray for a radical change in the mindset of the local community, especially those who are apposed to the Gospel. Pray that their hearts will be enlightened to understand the truths of the Gospel and be set free to receive salvation in Christ.

 

(Source & Photo Credit : VOMC)

#persecuted Church

A church-run summer camp was raided on August 23rd, resulting in the confiscation of personal and church property, as well as the temporary detention of the pastor and his wife. The church in Gushi County in Henan, China was accused of organizing religious events without authorization. However, a church leader, Wang Guangming, said the students were actually learning music theory when the raid occurred.

Pray that Churches and ministries throughout China will favour in eyes of the communities they are serving. Pray that God will bless their endeavours to spread the Gospel and minister to one another, leading many to receive salvation in Christ.

Pray that the hostility of their opposers will dissipate, allowing these Christians to resume worship in safety and peace.  

 

(Source & Photo Credit : VOMC)

#persecuted Church

A pastor’s teaching on suffering was timely for a young woman attending a discipleship seminar in Laos.

Sei Wang, 20, gave her life to Christ earlier this year, unbeknownst to her husband. One Sunday morning in June, he followed her to church and discovered her new faith. He berated her and hit her, but Sei Wang refused to leave because she deeply wanted to worship the Lord that day.

A few weeks later, Sei Wang got up early to attend a Christian seminar. She was surprised when her husband handed her a bag with her clothes in it. He told her she could go to the seminar but could not return home. He also told her that if she continued to go to church, he would beat her. Sei Wang was not scared and went ahead to attend the seminar. After the pastor leading the conference shared on suffering from 1 Peter 4:12-14, she stood up and gave her testimony.

We praise God for young Sei Wang’s courage and faith in the Lord.

Pray for Sei Wang’s husband. Pray that God will remove his heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh that will be receptive and responsive to God. Pray that he will receive salvation in Christ.

 

(Source & Photo Credit : VOM)

#persecuted Church

Pastor Zafar Bhatti has been in prison since 2012 after being charged for sending text messages that offended certain people in the community. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2017. You can read the full story in our March/April 2020 Stand! magazine.

Pastor Zafar, a diabetic, suffers from eyesight problems and has had 2 minor heart attacks in 2019. He experienced another heart attack on 3rd September. Although he received swift medical attention and is now recovering, there are concerns for his physical and mental well-being.

Due to threats from fellow inmates, Zafar is presently being held under tight security. He is appealing against his sentence, but the hearings have been repeatedly delayed. However, his faith in Christ remains strong.

Please pray that Pastor Zafar will be proven innocent and released from prison. Pray for his safety whilst he remains in prison and that he will receive timely and proper medical treatment. Pray that God will care and provide for his wife Nawab Bibi, who has had to struggle to make ends meet to support herself and their children in the absence of Pastor Zafar.

Pray that the hearts of Pastor Zafar’s opposers will be radically transformed and they will witness God’s light shining through Pastor Zafar’s life and countenance. As he continues to faithfully express the love and goodness of Christ, may many others in Pakistan come to a point of repentance and salvation in Christ.

 

(Source & Photo Credit : VOMC)

#persecuted Church

Pastor You Guanda, of Dianqian Church in Xiamen city, and his wife are facing possible charges for choosing to homeschool their own children instead of sending them to public school for education. The Dianqian Church’s worship services were disbanded last year and the church facility demolished earlier this year.

Pray for Pastor You and his family. Pray that God will protect them and give them the wisdom to handle the situation. Pray for strength and courage to weather the challenges they are facing now.

 

(Source : CBN News, Photo Credit : Internet)

#persecuted Church