Monthly archive for April 2023

In 2019, there were about 80 Christians from 13 different families living in Jai’s village in Laos. As one of the villager leaders, Jai, knew that these Christians were being persecuted for their faith.

Jai’s parents, who were Christians, urged him to consider Christianity. So, he contacted a pastor, who led him to faith in Christ. Soon afterwards, Jai was removed from his role as a leader of the village and persecution of believers in the village started to increase. Children under 18 were no longer allowed to attend church.

When the very people who were persecuting believers in the village threatened to destroy Jai’s livestock, he refused to deny Christ and stood firm in his faith. On 5 January 2023, his entire livestock and means of livelihood consisting of 4 pigs, 16 ducks and 20 chickens were all slaughtered.

Pray for Jai and his family, and the other believers living in the village as they seek the Lord’s direction and guidance on this matter. Pray that God will strengthen them and help them to endure the challenges they are facing. Pray that God will restore to them twice as much for all that they have lost because of their faithfulness to Him (Zech 9:12).

 

(Source & Photo : VOM)

#Persecuted Church

Recently, many Christians living in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh State, India, have been forced to leave their homes and their villages because of their faith in Christ.

A group of thugs have been assaulting these believers, and vandalizing and destroying their homes and churches. These thugs even declared publicly that Christians are not wanted in the area.

Pray that pastors and believers in Bastar will remain strong in their faith. Pray that they will not allow fear to control or intimidate them into compromising their faith. Pray that for every home or church that was destroyed, the Lord will provide the finances and resources to build a bigger and better one in its place. Pray that the gospel message will continue to touch and transform lives in Bastar and many will come to faith in Christ.

 

(Story & Photo : VOM)

#Persecuted Church

Pious is a Christian convert who gave his life to the Lord about five years ago. As a result of his faith, he lost his job as an artist and faced much pressure from his family.

In April 2021, he was kidnapped, chained, beaten and had his throat cut. Fortunately for Pious, some passersby, who witnessed the attack, intervened and rescued him from his attackers. Police have linked the attackers to Pious’ family.

Following the brutal attack, Pious has had to hide for several months until he could obtain a visa to leave the country. He is now seeking asylum in a neighbouring country where local brothers and sisters-in-Christ have welcomed him and are willing to mentor him.

Pray that Pious will be successful in getting asylum and be able to leave the country safely. Pray that he will continue to grow in his faith and maturity in Christ. Pray that his family members will have an opportunity to hear the gospel and receive salvation.

 

(Source & Photo : VOM)

#Persecuted Church

Bibles are difficult to obtain and therefore highly treasured by Iranian believers. Very few believers own a copy of God’s Word. This is because it is considered illegal to own, print, import or distribute Bibles in Iran.

Despite these restrictions, a group of Christians have knocking on the doors of people they do not know and hand-delivering Bibles to anyone who will accept the gift. They sometimes place the Bible in mailboxes.

Front-line workers have received many reports of Iranians who read the Bible for the first time after unexpectedly receiving one in their mail box, and later became followers of Christ.

Pray that there will be an increase in the supply and availability of Bibles in the local Iranian language. Pray that God will protect these courageous believers as they hand-out Bibles to complete strangers. Pray that everyone who receives a Bible will come to faith in Christ.

 

(Source & Photo : VOM)

#Persecuted Church