The Persecution & Prayer Alert
The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada
www.persecution.net
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
A weekly news digest on the Persecuted Church and how you can respond.
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In this week’s edition: reports from Philippines, Cuba and Sri Lanka with updates from China, Pakistan and VOMC
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1. Christian village raided, two men killed in the Philippines
Two men are dead and another remains missing following a raid by approximately 40 Muslim rebels on the predominately Christian village of Sitio Arco in Basilan province, southern Philippines on Good Friday (April 10). Cosme Aballes, Ernan Chavez and six children were kidnapped during the raid. Another man, Jacinto Clemente, was shot and killed by the rebels. The children were released later that day. Aballes was barbarically beheaded and his body was found two days later in the nearby town of Lamitan. According to a military spokesman, the rebels “will kill anybody they encounter and the intention they had was to disrupt the Christian activities during the Lenten season when they went to Sitio Arco.” The spokesperson also stated that “their second motive was to extort from local leaders in the area,” referring to Chavez, who at last report was still missing.
Pray for the family and friends grieving the death of those killed. Pray for the safe release of Chavez. Pray that authorities will be able to effectively stop the militant organizations operating in the country.
To learn more about the persecution of Christians in the Philippines, go to www.persecution.net/philippines.htm.
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2. Imprisoned pastor falsely accused in Cuba
Pastor Omar Gude Perez, who has been held in detention in Cuba since May 2008, is facing false charges of “illicit economic activity and falsification of documents,” according to an April 17 report from Christian Solidarity Worldwide. The original charge of “human trafficking” placed against Pastor Perez was dismissed in March due to lack of evidence. The State prosecutor has requested a seven-year prison sentence be given to the pastor, who is currently imprisoned in the city of Camaguey. According to local Christians, Pastor Perez has been targeted by authorities because he is one of the main leaders of an unrecognized denomination. Other leaders and members of the denomination have also faced pressure from government officials.
Pray that the charges will be dropped. Ask God to provide for and protect Pastor Perez’s family. Pray that Cuban believers will rejoice in the opportunity to grow in Christlikeness through the ongoing opposition they face (James 1:2-4).
To find out more about suffering Christians in Cuba, go to www.persecution.net/cuba.htm.
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3. Church robbed, pastor threatened in Sri Lanka
A church was robbed and a pastor threatened in Sri Lanka in recent weeks, according to reports from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka and Compass Direct.
On the evening of April 5, a gang of unidentified assailants broke into a Methodist church building in the city of Dehiwela, Colombo district. Musical instruments, Bibles, hymn books and church documents, including baptism and marriage records, were stolen.
On April 8, four Buddhist militants gathered outside Pastor Padeep Kumara’s home in the town of Weeraketiya, Hambanthota district. They demanded that he come outside and threatened to kill him. Pastor Kumara’s wife, who was home with their two children, phoned her husband, but by the time he arrived home the militants had fled. Later that evening, the leader of the militant group phoned the pastor several times and threatened to kill him if he did not leave the village by morning. He then returned to the pastor’s house and threatened him with violence. When the police arrived, the leader was arrested. He was released the following day and drew up a petition along with other local Buddhists against Pastor Kumara’s church. The Buddhists also threatened the owner of the pastor’s home with violence if he did not evict the family. The pastor’s children have since been moved to a new location for safety.
Ask God to protect and encourage Pastor Kumara and his family. Pray that the perpetrators of these attacks will come to repentance and salvation. Ask God to enable Sri Lankan Christians to remain steadfast in the face of suffering (Revelation 2:10).
For more information on the persecution of Christians in Sri Lanka, go to www.persecution.net/srilanka.htm.
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4. Update: Confiscated money returned to Chinese pastor
Money confiscated from Pastor Zhang “Bike” Mingxuan by Chinese officials on March 21 (see www.persecution.net/cn-2009-04-08.htm) was returned on April 17, according to an April 20 report from ChinaAid. Pastor Zhang was summoned to the Nanyang Public Security Bureau office at approximately 9:00 a.m. where he was given back the 150,000 yuan (approximately $27,000 CAD). He told ChinaAid sources, “The authorities gave the money back, because of the pressure. Hallelujah! We will continue the ministry and fight for religious freedom.”
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5. Update: Christian men acquitted of “blasphemy” in Pakistan
James Masih (67) and Buta Masih (72), two Pakistani Christians who were sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of “blasphemy” in November 2006 for allegedly burning pages of the Quran (see www.persecution.net/pk-2006-11-29.htm) were acquitted on April 16. According to an April 21 report from Compass Direct, the men claim that the allegations against them were fabricated in response to a land dispute between James Masih and a Muslim neighbour. According to their lawyer, the men will not immediately be able to return home due to safety concerns. In Pakistan, Christians accused of blasphemy, even those who are acquitted, often face pressure and violence from Muslims.
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6. Pray for the #1 persecuting country
For the seventh year in a row, North Korea has topped Open Door’s “World Watch List,” which ranks 50 countries where Christians are persecuted by their own governments. There is no other country in the world where Christians are being persecuted so horribly and relentlessly. North Korean Christians need your prayer and solidarity!
Show that you care for our brothers and sisters in the Hermit Kingdom. Make it known that you are committed to breaking through the world’s most closed border through prayer. Get equipped to make a difference in the lives of persecuted believers in North Korea and around the world!
Sign up to receive the monthly Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter and receive a FREE prayer band with the words “Pray for North Korea” inscribed on it in both English and Korean. The newsletter and prayer band are two unique ways to help you remember your persecuted brothers and sisters in North Korea and around the world.
Request your free subscription and prayer band today! Only available to those with Canadian addresses and only at www.persecutedchurchblog.com.
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7. In this week’s VOMC weblog (www.persecution.net/weblog.htm)
Check out the latest posts by VOMC staff:
a) In “What was Paul’s “thorn in the flesh?” VOMC CEO Glenn Penner shares his view on Paul’s mysterious affliction (2 Cor. 12:7) and explains how understanding this “thorn” can provide tremendous encouragement to persecuted Christians.
b) Erin Vandenberg describes a refreshing move Egypt’s Coptic Church recently made in how it responds to Muslim-background believers in “Standing with Egypt’s converts.”
c) The blog of Hamoud Bin Saleh, a convert to Christianity in Saudi Arabia, was removed just days after his release was announced. Find out more in “Saudi blogger site ‘removed’” and “Saudi Christian’s blog still blocked.”
d) Check out “So what are you reading in April?” for Glenn’s most recent recommendations, including books about human rights commissions, church history, and suffering.
e) In “Help us develop a ‘preachers pack,’” Glenn invites input into what material would be helpful for a downloadable kit of resources to help church leaders preach and/or teach on the persecution of Christians around the world.
To make comments on these and previous VOMC weblogs, go to www.persecutedchurchblog.com.





, sarbatoare. Sarbatoarea dragostei. Sarbatoarea care sarbatoreste sarbatorirea sarbatorii dragostei dintre cupluri. Va spun sincer ca nu stiu ce a facut sf. Valentin de a ajuns sa fie numit protectorul inimilor insa stiu ca este incercarea cuiva de a ne lua toate privirile de la Cel ce este Dragoste. Oamenii inventeaza povesti de dragoste , ba le mai si traiesc in gandul lor , filmele incearca sa fie regizate cu mult romantism , incat sa creeze o senzatie oamenilor ca barbatul gentleman trebuie sa se sacrifice si magarii dinastea. Am vazut si eu multe filme dinastea , drama , romanta si me moment mi-au dat o stare , nu stiu cum sa o descriu , de bucurie implinita , insa o bucurie trecatoare.


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