Monthly archive for September 2023

On 25 November 2022, Drithi and about 25 other believers were worshipping God when a group of thugs interrupted the service.

The thugs demanded that the believers renounce their Christian faith and proceeded to beat them up, including Drithi and her father.

Because of this incident, 14 of the Christian families renounced their faith. Drithi and her father are now the only Christians in their village. Undaunted, Dithri said, “In life or death, we will follow the Lord.”

Pray that God will strengthen and encourage Drithi and her father as the only Christians in their village. Pray that they will remain firm in their faith. Pray that the 14 Christian families who renounced Christ will repent and turn back to the Lord.

 

(Source & Photo : VOM)

#Persecuted Church

Village leader, Wawan, and ten other villagers rudely interrupted a worship service at the Tabernacle of David Christian Church on 19th February. Click here for more details : https://gosheninternational.org/indonesia-official-stops-church-service/.

This incident was reported to the police because of the violent nature of the confrontation. In May, a settlement was reached wherein church members agreed to leave any prosecution to the authorities in exchange for a public apology from Wawan and a temporary permit to continue worshipping.

At the trial, the prosecutor proposed that Wawan be sentenced to four years in prison but the judge did not agree. Because Wawan sought peace with the church, the court sentenced him to only three months in jail. And since he had been already detained for nearly two months, he was ordered to serve the remaining 34 days.

This case is the first in Indonesia where perpetrators did not walk free and is seen as a “wake-up call for intolerant people”.

Pray that this case will cause those who oppose Christianity to reconsider their attitudes and bring about greater freedom of worship in Indonesia.

 

(Source & Photo : VOM)

#Persecuted Church

The death of a young woman in September 2022 whilst in custody led to a spontaneous uprising. According to front-line workers, this incident has caused many to be disillusioned and to search for truth.

“Iranian women want their dignity back,” said a font-line worker. “In Iran, girls as young as nine can be given in marriage and a woman’s testimony in court is worth only half a man’s.”

Despite the monitoring and restrictions on the usage internet, many Iranians are finding the truth about Christ through satellite television broadcasts. “We have registered more salvations in the last three years than in the last 20,” said an Iranian Christian broadcaster.

Praise God for these new believers, for with God all things are possible and no Word of His will ever fail (Luke 1:37).

Pray that these new believers will grow in their faith and maturity in Christ. Pray that they will be strong in the Lord as they meditate on and obey His Word, and choose not to walk in the counsel of the ungodly (Ps 1:1-2).

 

(Source & Photo : VOM)

#Persecuted Church

In March 2021, the Ren’ai reformed Church was raided by the authorities. Elder Zhang Chunlei and several other members of the church were arrested.

Click here for more details :  https://gosheninternational.org/china-pray-for-christians-arrested-after-church-raid/, and https://gosheninternational.org/china-continue-to-pray-for-elder-zhang/.

Elder Zhang’s trial was held in November 2022 but his family received no news of the verdict or outcome of the hearing. In spite of this, his lawyers reported that Elder Zhang remains optimistic and in good spirits.

Whilst in prison however, Elder Zhang suffered a bout of Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder), resulting in severe pain. He was sent to Sanjiang hospital for treatment in early August but no update was provided to his family about his condition and current health or well-being in prison.

Pray for divine healing for Elder Zhang. Pray for his physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. Pray that he will be an effective witness for Christ in prison and many, inmates and prison guards, will believe in the Lord and receive salvation. Pray for his release soon. Pray that his family will find peace and comfort from the Lord during this challenging time.

 

(Source & Photo : VOMC)

#Persecuted Church

Pastor Ru, originally from a rural area in Anhui Province, came to faith in Christ at an early age through the Christian witness of his parents.

He studied theology and graduated from seminary in 2007. Through his ministry over the years, the Chengxi Christian Church has grown to a membership of about 400 believers.

In May 2015, Pastor Ru was injured when he tried to stop urban management officials from entering the community and destroying the church’s building. He was strangled and badly beaten resulting in permanent kidney damage. As a result, he requires kidney dialysis.

On 30th July, Pastor Ru was handcuffed to his hospital bed during dialysis and detained in hospital for 5 hours before being released. The reasons for his detention are unclear.

Pray for Pastor Ru. Pray that he will find strength, comfort and peace in the Lord in the midst of ongoing challenges. Pray that he will be a gifted and effective witness for Christ wherever he goes. Pray that they work of the church will continue to thrive in spite of the restrictions and opposition.

 

(Source & Photo : VOMC)

#Persecuted Church