This is what new believer, Jai, told his Hmong family when they disinherited him, and accused him of taking a foreign religion and disrespecting their tradition of ancestor worship. They told him he would have no share in their father’s inheritance and they divided the property among themselves.

Jai received salvation in Christ in December 2019, yet he recognised the value of his inheritance in Christ as far more valuable than any earthly possession. In February 2020, when Jai built a new house, his family and a village leader began threatening him.

Longing for a reconciliation with his family, Jai invited a pastor to the village to explain the Christian faith them. They listened to what the pastor had to say but still insisted that as long as Jai remains a Christian there will always be problems.

Pray that God will anoint Jai and this pastor with wisdom to resolve the matter.

Pray for Jai’s family and those opposing the gospel – that God will remove their heart of stone and put in them a heart of flesh that will recognise and acknowledge our sovereign God and His goodness.

(Source & Photo Credit : VOM)

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We praise the Lord that Pastor Keshav Raj Acharya was finally released on bail in late June after spending 3 months in a remote prison renowned for its harsh conditions.

He was first accused of uploading a video on YouTube alleging that God can heal COVID-19 through prayer. Despite denying that he uploaded the video, Pastor Keshav was arrested after being asked to pray for a woman who had contracted the virus. He was charged with spreading false information and misleading his followers. He was subsequently re-arrested on 2 other occasions and charged with “outraging religious feelings” and “attempting to convert”, and printing and distributing Gospel tracts.

In late June, his case was reviewed and bail set at $3,300 CAD. Five days later, Pastor Keshav was finally released and reunited with his wife, Junu, and their 2 young children. However, during this time, because the church was unable to pay the rent for the facility they were occupying, they had to vacate the building.

Pray that all charges against Pastor Keshav will be dropped, and he will remain free to raise his young children in the ways of the Lord and continue ministering to others. Pray for wisdom and divine opportunities for this couple to share the gospel. Pray that God will bless the work of their hands and multiply the fruit of their labour.

Pray that God will provide these believers with a suitable place to gather for worship.

Please share this prayer request.

(Source & Photo Credit : VOMC)

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Finding a scrap of paper on the seat of a bus with the words, “The Lord Jesus has chosen you for Him,” piqued 16-year old Adam’s (not his real name) curiosity.  This curiosity was the start of a journey of seeking Jesus.

When his family found Christian books in his room, Adam was beaten, but he would not give up his faith in the Lord. His family members tried to convince him to change his mind, and even sent him to Saudi Arabia, where his father owned a factory. Despite being imprisoned in a small room for 7 years, Adam never gave up his faith in Christ. His family eventually allowed him to return to Egypt and they married him to a cousin.

In Egypt, Adam was able to access Christian media on the internet and his faith grew. However, his family disowned him and removed his rights to inherit his father’s business fortune. Last year, Adam started a small restaurant business to support himself, but his neighbours burned down the restaurant when they found out he was a Christian.

Pray for Adam and his family. Pray that the Lord will recompense them for all that they have suffered and lost because of their faith in him.

Pray that they will be greatly blessed as they persevere on and continue to look to Jesus for comfort and strength.

(Source & Photo Credit : VOM)

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The land where 2 church buildings in Kazakhstan are built on were confiscated, and the land used for building a new public kindergarten.

In 2001, Grace Presbyterian Church purchased a former college building and spent a considerable amount of money to renovate the property. When the church property was confiscated, the compensation being offered to the church was well below the market value of the property.

Members of Agape Pentecostal Church dreamed of having their own building for years. All official approvals for the building construction had been received. However, just when they began construction of the church building, an order was given to confiscate their land.

Please prayerfully uphold the members and leaders of these two churches as they deal with the legal challenges set before them. Pray that this issue will be resolved without unnecessary duress and that the church members will be able to retain rightful ownership of their property.

Pray that Christians in Kazakhstan will have many opportunities to share the Good News of the Gospel in the community. Pray that many will be enlightened to the truths of the gospel through as believers testify of God’s life-changing power.

(Source & Photo Credit : VOMC)

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Some state-approved Three-Self Churches have been “voluntarily” converted into cultural centres.

In Jiangsu province, the Flowing Stream Church was accused of “occupying the village’s cultural base” and disbanded in 2019. It has now been converted into the “Yangzai Township Flowing Stream Village Cultural Service Centre”.

A similar fate happened to the Beizhouzhuang Church, which was shut down in October over registration problems. It was reported that church members “voluntarily” donated the facility to the community, turning it into the Beizhouzhuang Cultural Compound. The church has been unable to meet since being closed.

Pray that the Lord will make it possible for these Christians to receive the greatly needed fellowship, teaching and encouragement despite the fact that they do not have a church building to meet in. Pray that they will be able find new and innovative ways to minister to one another and spread the gospel message.

Pray for members of churches who may be facing the uncertainty of potential shutdown. Pray that the Lord will empower them with the spiritual strength to stand firm in their faith in Christ. Pray that they will be filled with the peace and hope contained in God’s infallible Word.

(Source & Photo Credit : VOMC)

#persecuted Church