Persecuted Watch

We are launching a ‘Letter Writing and Handicraft Campaign’ to bless a special group of children and youths aged between 5 and 20 years old. These precious young ones come from very poor families and live in a restricted community where religious freedom is seriously threatened. They are in need of our love and, support.

Do consider participating in this meaningful campaign where you can write a letter of encouragement or handmake a small craft to let these young ones know that someone outside the Philippines cares for them. These letters and handicrafts will be hand carried by our pastors to the Philippines.

Details of how you can participate and some guidelines to follow can be found in the attached pictures.

More details about our Project Philippines (Sponsor a Child) can be found in our Mar-Apr 2023 issue of Stand! Magazine – https://gosheninternational.org/goshen1/wp-content/uploads/MAG_MAR-APR2023-v5.pdf

In December 2022, a 12-year-old Christian girl, Hoorab Masih, was abducted by two local shopkeepers, forced to renounce her Christian faith and marry one of her kidnappers.

Hoorab’s father, Basharat, was a single dad of four and did not have the funds to commence legal action against the kidnappers. Thankfully, Hoorab was allowed to return home to her family in late March 2023. Both kidnappers were arrested and one of them, Muhammad, confessed to the fraudulent marriage after his arrest.

Shortly after that, on 24th April, Basharat was attacked and murdered by a group of assailants while he was taking part in a community pigeon flying competition. Basharat’s sister believer that the murder was committed in revenge for Basharat’s part in bringing his daughter’s captors to justice. The family continues to receive threats.

Pray for healing for young Hoorab from the trauma and injustice that was done to her at such a young age. Pray for her siblings who are now left without any parents. Pray that they will be re-settled into a stable and loving home where they can continue to grow and mature in the ways of the Lord.

 

(Source & Photo : VOMC)

#Persecuted Church

In December 2022, seven Christian families in Chhattisgarh State, India, were summoned twice by the village council and pressured to renounce their Christian faith.

When the families refused to turn away from Christ, villagers visited each Christian family’s home. First, they took the families’ household goods and then they physically removed the believers from the village and warned them not to return.

For about a month, these families lived in the jungle where they prayed and fasted together for those who persecuted them. They found encouragement and comfort in Rom 8:31 – “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Then in January 2023, the families were permitted to return to their homes but the household goods, that were previously taken by the villagers who persecuted them, were not returned to them.

We thank and praise God that these families were allowed to return to their own homes. Pray that God will bless them abundantly and recompense them for all that they have lost and suffered because of their unwavering faith and trust in Him. Pray that many villagers, including their persecutors, will come to faith in Christ.

 

(Source & Photo : VOM)

#Persecuted Church

Jagat Wagle was transformed from a violent career criminal to a passionate evangelist after he encountered Jesus in the Bible given to him by a stranger in 1996. Since then, he completed Bible school, became a pastor and now shepherds more than 300 believers.

However, a group of thugs who dominate the area where Jagat ministers have repeatedly threatened to harm or kill him. These thugs even bombed a church and posted pamphlets identifying Jagat as “most wanted.”

Because his life was in imminent danger, Jagat had to take refuge in the mountains. However, the anguish of that period of time left a lasting effect on Jagat’s wife and caused much suffering. Jagat remains passionate for his ministry but his wife’s condition is a heavy burden.

Pray for healing for Jagat’s wife. Pray that the Lord will strengthen, comfort and encourage her during this difficult time, and fill her with His shalom peace that surpasses all understanding. Pray that Jagat’s ministry will continue to flourish in spite of the persecution, and many people will receive salvation in Christ.

 

(Source & Photo : VOM)

#Persecuted Church

A legislation was passed in 2006 that required all places of worship to first obtain a government permit before they commence operations. And such a permit is usually granted if there is an approval by at least 60 non-Christian residents in the area and the church has to have a minimum of about 90 members. Because the approval process is quite difficult and applications may potentially be rejected, many Christians gather together without the mandated permit.

The Simalungun Christian Protestant Church in Cigelam, which has a congregation of only 60 members, was forcibly closed in April 2023 due to opposition from a group of thugs. These thugs interrupted the church’s services on two occasions in March 2023 demanding an end to all church activities. When the church refused to comply, these thugs reported the matter to the authorities who forcibly closed the church and sealed the building. The church was asked to relocate to a different building in another location but this location was too far away and not so accessible for the congregants.

Please pray that the leaders of this church will receive divine guidance, direction, wisdom and encouragement as they determine what to do next. Pray for the Lord’s intervention and mediation for this church, and others facing opposition, so that they can continue to gather for worship, ministry and fellowship in peace without any threat of harassment.

 

(Source & Photo : VOMC)

#Persecuted Church