Pastor Wang of Early Rain Covenant Church, sentenced to 9 years imprisonment, has been held in a highly restricted cell and not allowed to have visitors or even speak with other inmates, except for two criminal offenders who are charged with watching him. He eats and sleeps in the same cell with these two men. And he is fed moldy rice and given expired prison medication when he requires medical attention.

Pastor Wang’s wife, son and elderly parents continues to face harassment as they live under virtual house arrest with officers stationed outside their apartment.

Pray that Pastor Wang will find favour with the prison guards and fellow inmates, and receive more humane treatment in prison. Pray that Pastor Wang will continue to be a light shining brightly for Jesus and will draw many to believe in the Lord Jesus and receive salvation.

Pray that God will bless him with good health – mentally, physically and emotionally. Pray also for his family – that they will experience an increased portion of God’s grace, thus, empowering them to endure the difficulties and still remain firm in their faith.

(Source & Photo : VOM)

#Persecuted Church

Life for the small Christian community in Afghanistan has always been difficult. They cannot worship openly and often face threats of beatings and other forms of torture from opposing family members and the community they in.

However, the dangers these believers face have now increased significantly. Many foreign Christian workers have been forced to flee. And Afghan church leaders have received notice that their locations and activities are being closely monitored. We heard that one member of the Hazara community was killed merely for having downloaded a Bible app on his/her device.

And because the foreign Christian workers have left, now the local Afghans are leading these small house church fellowships and risking their lives every day to share the Word of God to their neighbours, families and friends.

Pray that God’s presence and His glory will be evident in His people. Pray that many in Afghanistan will turn to Christ as their source of hope and salvation. Pray that God’s peace that surpasses all human understanding will replace fear and anxiety in the hearts of believers who remain in the country.

Pray that God will divinely intervene in every seemingly impossible and hopeless situation to soften the hearts of those opposing Him and turn them away from acts of violence and brutality.

(Source : VOMC, Photo : Internet)

#Persecuted Church

Shagufta and Shafqat were accused of sending insulting text messages via a phone registered under Shagufta’s name. They were arrested, convicted and sentenced to death. Click on this link to read more: https://gosheninternational.org/pakistan-praise-god-for-christian-couple-exonerated-after-spending-7-years-on-death-row/.

In 2021 they were acquitted of all charges and released from prison. According to International Christian Concern (“ICC”) news, the couple have since left Pakistan and arrived safely in Europe, where they received asylum, and reunited with their children.

We wish to thank all those who have prayed for them.

Please continue to pray that they will be able to adapt to their new environment. Pray that God will bring new friends into their lives who will support, and encourage them. Pray for divine provision for all their needs.

Pray that they will find complete healing and restoration in the Lord.

(Source : ICC, Photo : VOMC)

#Persecuted Church

The future of Afghanistan’s Christian population, a minority in this nation, grows more uncertain as the chaos and internal conflict continues. Many church leaders and their families have had to flee their homes and go into hiding as persecution escalates and intensifies in the ensuing crisis. Some leaders have already received death threats and thugs are hunting them down.

There are also many overseas workers living in the capital and are unable to leave the country because commercial flights have been cancelled.

Pray for divine protection over all the pastors, ministry leaders, church members and their respective families. Pray that they will be safe and hidden from thugs who are opposed to the gospel. Pray that God will cover them with His feathers and shelter them with His wings (Ps 91:4a).

Pray that those who have been physically separated during the chaos will be reunited and all foreign workers will be evacuated safely out of the country. Pray also that all sensitive and Christian materials will be destroyed or remain hidden from sight and will not be used as evidence to persecute believers.  

Pray that God will comfort and strengthen believers, and fill them with His peace that surpasses all understanding. Pray that they will be strong and courageous knowing that God is with them wherever they go (Josh 1:9). Pray for an immense anointing of grace, power, wisdom and discernment as they navigate the challenges ahead of them.

We declare Psalm 91 over believers in Afghanistan.

(Photo : Internet)

#Persecuted Church

Street preacher, Chen was arrested on 19th June and held under designated residential surveillance for 20 days. During this time, he was questioned and officials attempted to persuade him to stop preaching the gospel in the streets. For the past 2 decades, Chen had travelled many times to other regions throughout China to preach the gospel.

Praise God that Chen has since been released in early July.

We thank God for his faithfulness to the gospel throughout the years. We pray that God will protect him and use him mightily as a witness for Christ. Pray that the gospel message will continue to spread and transform lives for the better. Pray that those who hear the gospel will believe and receive salvation and eternal life.

(Source & Photo : VOM)

#Persecuted Church