Persecuted Watch

After her husband’s death, BounMee felt she was under a curse. So, she sought the help of Christians to break the curse. She met a local pastor and eventually placed her trust in Christ.

When BounMee’s brother-in-law, Reang, learned of her Christian faith, he asked her to choose between God or her family.  BounMee chose Jesus. Angered by her response, Reang, a leader in the village that BounMee lives in, stole a portion of BounMee’s land, claiming that her husband had, before his death, given him permission  to farm it. Villagers have also stopped talking to BounMee, further isolating her.

Pray that BounMee will be able to feel God’s presence and be encouraged by His Word. Pray that she will be able to receive support from other believers and continue to grow in her faith.

 

(Source & Photo : VOM)

#Persecuted Church

Filadelfo Santos Perez trafficked drugs before he came to faith in Christ.

Now a pastor, he has been persecuted many times for his Christian faith. He has been arrested for failing to participate in pagan festivals and charged heavy fines.

On one occasion, he was denied food and water for three days. After constant threats, Pastor Filadelfo was driven from his village because of his witness for Christ. He now rents a small room in another town, but he feels called to continue sharing the gospel in his home village despite the opposition.

Pray that Pastor Filadelfo will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to be an effective witness for Christ, especially to those who are opposed to the gospel. Pray that whenever he shares the Good News many will believe and receive salvation. Pray that God will supply all Pastor Filadelfo’s needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:19).

 

(Source & Photo : VOM)

#Persecuted Church

The wedding ceremony of Zhang and Xiao, members of the Early Rain Covenant Church, was scheduled on 21st May. But before the wedding took place, church members were detained and questioned regarding their plans to attend the event. Church leaders were detained in their own homes which prevented them from attending the wedding.  And the hotel the couple had booked to host the reception were forced to cancel their reservation.

The day before the wedding, the couple themselves were detained and interrogated by the authorities for four hours. Even after their release, Zhang said he was under continual surveillance. Ultimately, the couple was forced to cancel the event.

Pray that this couple will find encouragement, comfort and strength to recover from the disappointment and heartache of their cancelled wedding plans. Pray that they will be granted another  opportunity to joyously share their wedding celebration among fellow church members sometime in the near future.

Pray that the Lord will give this couple and other members of Early Rain Covenant Church the wisdom, guidance and discernment needed to overcome the challenges they are facing because of their faith in Christ.

 

(Source & Photo : VOMC)

#Persecuted Church

After Sumi received salvation in Christ, she was given a copy of the New Testament. When her father found out about her conversion, he shouted at her and threatened her with a knife. He told her to leave her Christian faith or leave his house.

When Sumi left the house, her father burned her clothes, Bible and other Christian literature he found. She stayed at the church for 15 days before returning home. But the emotional abuse and persecution from her father and other villagers continued, such that Sumi could not complete her high school education and struggled to find quality work. Today, 21-year-old Sumi works odd jobs in Kathmandu and attends church in a nearby city.

Pray that God will fill Sumi with His shalom peace. Pray that the joy of the Lord will be her strength that will help her overcome every challenge in life. Pray that she will be able to make peace with her father and other family members and they will also come to believe in the Lord.

 

(Source & Photo : VOM)

#Persecuted Church

Sister F is a long-time Christian leader in Iran.

Last year, the authorities raided one of her discipleship groups. Sister F was beaten, tortured and placed in solitary confinement. She was then sentenced to a two-year prison term because of her faith in Christ. In the days before her prison sentence would begin, front-line workers met with Sister F online to encourage her and equip her with ministry tools to share the gospel while in prison.

Pray that God will strengthen and rejuvenate Sister F’s spirit with His Word. May she experience peace and hope in Christ as she serves her prison term. Pray that many will believe in Christ and receive salvation through her faithful witness.

 

(Source & Photo : VOM)

#Persecuted Church