Monthly archive for September 2022

An independent Christian evangelist, K. Madhavan, was burned to death in the state of West Bengal by a mob that included some of his family members. Madhavan was the sole Christian in his extended family and he diligently worked to spread the gospel message.

In early August, when Madhavan visited his family to attend a wedding, his children destroyed his Bible, verbally harassed him because of his faith in Christ. Other family members pressured him to renounce his faith but he refused to do so.

On 14th August, Madhavan was attending a church service when his wife and son entered the building where they beat him and forced him to go home. He was then dragged into a nearby forest where family members and other locals poured gasoline over his body before burning him alive.

Pray that those who opposed the gospel will reflect on the crime they committed and God will convict their hearts to repent and seek forgiveness. Pray that they will come to know the Lord and receive salvation. Pray that God will comfort church members and friends of Madhavan who are grieving over this senseless loss.

 

(Source : VOMC, Photo : Internet)

#Persecuted Church

In February 2021, Salamat and his friend Haroon were charged for behaving irreverently because they read the Bible aloud at a public park located in Lahore and offered a Christian book to a non-believer. Read more about this case here : https://gosheninternational.org/remember-salamat-mansha-and-haroon-ayub-in-your-prayers/ and https://gosheninternational.org/pakistan-christian-man-tortured-into-false-confession/.

Haroon and his family managed to escape arrest and went into hiding but Salamat was detained. Despite the efforts of his lawyer, the chances of Salamat being granted bail in such a case were previously considered very slim. However, after having spent more than 18 months in prison, it is now reported that Salamat was granted bail on 23 August. The Court ordered that Salamat be protected until the charges against him are resolved.

In February 2018, Patras was detained for allegedly sharing a picture on social media that was deemed insulting. He was eventually granted bail and released until the case is resolved. The judge who granted bail ruled that the image was not insulting and there was no evidence that it was uploaded by Patras.

In another unrelated case, Raja, a lay minister with the Anglican Church, was arrested in December 2021 after sharing a Facebook post. Despite Pastor Raja’s apology, hundreds of opposing members of the community held demonstrations calling for his death. The judge in this case released Pastor Raja on bail based on his lawyer’s argument that Pastor Raja was not facing any charges punishable by death.

We praise and thank God that the judges appointed in these cases have endeavored to rule equitably and the Christians have been released. We pray for divine protection over each believer and their respective families. Pray that justice will be upheld and all the accused will be acquitted.

 

(Source & Photo : VOMC)

#Persecuted Church

There has been a recent spate of civil suits launched against religious groups in Kazakhstan.

On 11th July 2022, a volunteer at the drug and rehabilitation treatment centre, run by the New Life Church in Pavlodar, filed a civil lawsuit against the church. The man claimed that he was not paid proper wages during the years of 2009 to 2022 and also demanded a settlement for “moral damages”. Witnesses testified that the Plaintiff never worked for the church and he signed an agreement every year stating that he participated as a volunteer.

Similar civil suits have also been filed against various Jehovah’s Witnesses communities where alleged victims demand for “moral compensation” for psychological damage suffered as a result of reading Jehovah Witnesses’ literature.

Pray that God will grant wisdom and guidance to the leaders of New Life Church as they manage the legal process against the church. Pray that all unjust actions and motives will be exposed and justice will prevail in this case. Pray that the Lord will convict the hearts of those opposing the gospel and they will truly come to respect religious freedoms in this nation.

 

(Source & Photo : VOMC)

#Persecuted Church

On 7th August, hundreds of Christian families fled their homes when they say a huge mob, chanting anti-Christian slogans, marching towards their church building.

Pastor Gulzar, who leads the Presbyterian Church, received a message at around 1.30pm notifying him of the impending riot.

The riot was sparked by a youth seminar on the topic of “False Prophets” which took place the day before the attack, and which was misunderstood to be sacrilegious. The attack was averted due to the police’s swift intervention at the scene and the tense situation de-escalated after Pastor Gulhaz explained what the course had been about and apologized for any hurt feelings.

An agreement was subsequently signed by local Christian leaders and the rioters, promising to maintain peace in the area. However, despite the peace agreement, tensions remain among those who strongly oppose the practice of Christianity in the community. As a result, many of the Christian men have sent their wives and children to stay with relatives until they are confident that the threat if danger is no longer a concern.

Pray that church members and leaders will experience the empowerment of the Holy Spirit as they endeavour to reach out to the community, including those who oppose the gospel, with the love and grace of God. Pray that harmony will be restored in the area.

Pray that families that were forced to flee for their safety will receive God’s strength, peace and discernment as they determine when it is safe to return to their homes without negative consequences.

 

(Source & Photo : VOMC)

#Persecuted Church

On 11th August 2022, Elder You Guanhui of Beijing Shouwang Church was not allowed by the authorities to leave his home whilst three other church members were taken to the police station for questioning before being released. As a result of increasing challenges and being regularly forced out of their meeting place, the Beijing Shouwang Church decided in 2001 to conduct their worship services outdoors instead. And they have been meeting outdoors since then.

Then on 14 August, a branch of the Beijing Zion Church was raided by the authorities. Two computers were confiscated. Nine adults, including Pastor Yang, and two children were taken into custody. Pastor Yang was released the next day but another leading member of the church, Zong, was released four days later.

On the same day, a gathering of 50 to 60 believers from the Early Rain Covenant Church at a tea house was raided by the authorities. The believers were eventually permitted to leave.

Another church facing increasing challenges is the Wang Family Wedding Church in the Southern city of Zhuhai.  In 2016, various members, including the pastor and her husband and a church staff, were arrested and later released after they paid a fine. Then in 2021, three of the church’s leaders were fined a total of about 36 million yuan (about SGD $7 mil).

Pray for the members of these churches and the many others who are experiencing ongoing persecution. Pray that they will be comforted by the presence of God, especially those who have been imprisoned or are facing penalties/restrictions due to their commitment to Christ. Pray that they will receive divine guidance, provision and direction  from the Lord on what they should do in their given situation. Pray that their persecutors will ultimately discover the reality of Christ and come to faith in Him.

 

(Source & Photo : VOMC)

#Persecuted Church