`The Weekly Persecution & Prayer Alert

[Pastor Dale Morgan]

*`The Weekly Persecution & Prayer Alert*

The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

A weekly news and prayer digest on the Persecuted Church.

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In this week's edition: reports from Kazakhstan, China and Uganda with
an update from Mexico
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1. Christians fined and deported in Kazakhstan

Two Christians, Viktor Leven and his brother, Didrikh, are facing
prosecution for taking part in religious worship without state
registration in Akmola Region, Kazakhstan, according to a November 5
report from Forum18. On October 14, Viktor, who was born in Kazakhstan
but has German citizenship, was found guilty of "carrying out missionary
activity without local registration" (Article 375-3 of the
Administrative Code), an offense which prescribes a fine and/or
deportation to foreigners or people without citizenship. He was fined a
total of 6,480 Tenge (approximately $45 CAD) and ordered to be deported.
He has since had his fine and deportation annulled on appeal -- a
decision which local Christians see as a result of the court recognizing
"that he was not a missionary and had not been sent to Kazakhstan for
this...he lives here." On October 28, Didrikh was found guilty of
violating Article 374-1 which forbids "leadership or participation in
the activity of an unregistered social or religious organization." He
was fined 129,600 Tenge (approximately $900 CAD), which is 100 times the
minimum monthly wage. He reportedly plans to lodge an appeal to the same
Akmola Regional Court which overturned Viktor's punishment.

Also in Kazakhstan, Feruza Utegenova, a member of New Life Church in
Aktau on the Caspian Sea, was deported to Uzbekistan on November 5. She
had been convicted and fined in June for "carrying out missionary
activity without local registration" (Article 375-3) after she
distributed a Christian children's magazine to a 12-year-old girl living
near her home.

Pray that the charges against Didrikh will be dropped. Pray for strength
and guidance for Feruza as she seeks to serve Christ amid her trials.
Pray that authorities will cease their harassment of Christians in
Kazakhstan.

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2. House church banned by authorities in Shanghai, China

According to a November 4 report from ChinaAid, more than 30 officials
from four government agencies barged into the Wanbang Missionary Church
in Shanghai, China on November 2 and accused the believers of holding an
illegal gathering. Leaders from each of the agencies, including the
Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau (PSB) and the State
Administration on Religious Affairs, then interrogated the senior
pastor, Cui Quan. PSB officers also questioned other major church
partners in the city affiliated with the Wanbang Missionary Church.
After concluding that church members were meeting illegally, police
officers banned the church and forbade the believers from meeting
together in the future. The Wanbang Missionary Church has approximately
1,200 members and is considered one of the most influential urban house
churches in the country.

Pray that these believers will be encouraged to continue to meet
together despite opposition (Hebrews 10:23-25). Pray for significant and
lasting advances in religious freedom in China.

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3. Muslims attack worship service in Uganda

According to a November 10 report from Compass Direct, approximately 40
Muslims armed with machetes and clubs attacked the World Possessor's
Church International in Namasuba, just outside the capital city of
Kampala, Uganda, on November 1 while believers were holding a worship
service. When the church members heard the Muslims outside, they
gathered at the front door to try to prevent them from entering. Some
Christians were able to escape through the church's rear door. When the
Muslims noticed one of the Christians taking photographs of them, they
beat him severely. Nearby residents eventually arrived on scene and
helped the Christians ward off their attackers. When police arrived,
they assisted in stopping the assault but made no arrests.

Local Muslims have long opposed the existence of the church in Namasuba,
complaining that church members try to convert Muslims in the area. They
have also argued that the church building's outdoor stairway encroaches
on the alley and that the church members make too much noise. Many of
the believers are reportedly too fearful to return to church and
attendance for the worship service held the following Sunday decreased
from 250 to 100 people. "Since the attack we have been receiving a lot
of threats from the Muslims," said Pastor Henry Zaake. "There is a
conspiracy that we can't understand. This trend really gives me
sleepless nights."

Ask God to sustain all the victims of this attack through His peace and
grace. Pray that the members of the church will grow in Christlikeness
through the ongoing opposition they face (James 1:2-4).

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4. Update: Court releases nine more Mexicans accused in Acteal massacre

Nine men who were falsely accused of participating in the December 1997
massacre in Acteal, Chiapas -- including five known to be evangelical
Christians -- have been released, according to a November 6 report from
Compass Direct. Twenty other prisoners also arrested following the
massacre were earlier released in August. The Supreme Court of Mexico
ordered the release of the nine men on November 4, ruling that the
federal attorney violated legal process, fabricated evidence and false
testimonies, formulated non-existent crimes, and provided no concrete
arguments establishing culpability. They were released from the federal
prison in Cintalapa, Chiapas on November 5 and transported to a
temporary housing facility, where they are expected to remain under
government supervision for several weeks. In total, the court has
released 29 of the 57 prisoners and has ordered retrials for 22 others.

Praise the Lord for the release of these men! Pray for the release of
the other falsely accused Mexicans who remain in detention. Pray that
detained Christians will witness faithfully to fellow prisoners.