Persecuted Watch

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)

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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)

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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)

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A house church pastor, Alimujiang Yimiti (“Pastor Alim”), was arrested because of a phone conversation with an American colleague in 2007 wherein Pastor Alim cautioned his colleague that the phone call could be monitored. Pastor Alim was subsequently charged with “unlawfully providing state secrets to an overseas organization” even though there was no evidence that any sensitive information was shared during the call.

Despite the lack of evidence, Pastor Alim was sentenced in 2009 and his appeals in 2010 and 2011 against his sentencing were both rejected. Members of Pastor Alim’s family were also prohibited from attending his trial.

We thank and praise God that Pastor Alim, who spent 15 years in prison, has finally been released and reunited with his family.

Pray that Pastor Alim will be able to adjust well and enjoy his time with his loved ones. Pray that God, in His grace and mercy, will restore to Pastor Alim and his family all that they have lost because of the many years of separation (Joel 2:25).

 

(Source & Photo : VOMC)

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The Pentecostal Assembly congregation in Dodangoda, Sri Lanka, is made up of seven families who regularly meet for worship in the home of their pastor.

On 12th February, about seven police officers interrupted a Sunday worship service at the pastor’s home. Officers informed the pastor that they received complaints that the Sunday services were conducted illegally.

The complainants insisted that all Christian services involving other villagers should be discontinued because the village, where the pastor was staying and holding worship services, was not a Christian village. The pastor, who was permitted to only pray with his own family, further confirmed that no one was forced to join in the church meetings, and he is the legal owner of the property.

On another scheduled meeting on 17th February to resolve the matter, about fifty villagers gathered around the pastor’s home demanding an end to all worship activities. They threatened the pastor with negative repercussions if he did not comply. Because of the antagonistic nature of this demonstration, the police had to be called in to disperse the crowd.

Pray that the shalom peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard the hearts and minds of the pastor and congregants of the church in Dodangoda, as well as those in other Sri Lankan Christian communities. Pray that the matter of concern here will be resolved amicably and the church can continue their worship services.

Pray that believers will continue to demonstrate God’s love to fellow villagers, including those who are opposing them, so that many will readily receive God’s wonderful gift of salvation.

 

(Source : VOMC, Photo : Internet)

#Persecuted Church