~The Weekly Persecution & Prayer Alert
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-Pastor-Dale-Morgan-
May 13, 2012, 2:47:18 AM5/13/12
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~The Weekly
Persecution & Prayer Alert
The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Against the persecution of a tyrant the godly have no remedy but prayer.
- John Calvin
***********************************
In this week's edition: reports from China, Vietnam, Iran and Azerbaijan.
***********************************
1. Chinese government plans to eradicate house churches
(Source: China Aid Association, Compass Direct News)
China's government is engaged in a three-phase campaign to eradicate Protestant house churches. The government's strategy was clearly outlined in a document released last September during a training class for "Patriots in the Christian Community" run by the State Administration for Religious Affairs.
From January through June of this year, the document called for local authorities to conduct a thorough investigation of house churches nationwide and create reports on each of them. In phase two, for the following two to three years, authorities would strongly encourage unregistered churches to affiliate with the government-approved Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM). In phase three, to be completed within 10 years, churches refusing to comply would be shut down. Officials would also ban the words "house church" and all reports on house churches from websites and other media and replace the term with "house gatherings" -- a term that would refer to group meeting in sites affiliated with the TSPM. In a recent random survey conducted by China Aid's source in several provinces, it was discovered that over 95% of house church leaders said they had already felt the impact of these investigations, while 85% said local religious affairs departments had already created a dossier for their group. "Since the beginning of 2012, we have noticed an increase in the frequency of persecution," China Aid said in its report. "In addition to the continuing persecution of Shouwang Church in Beijing, the number of similar cases has risen 20% over last year and has spread into other areas, including Christian education, publication and bookstores."
Pray that Chinese churches will not be daunted by threats and pressures from the government, but will remain faithful to Jesus (Hebrews 10:23). Pray that believers throughout China will be bold in sharing the gospel despite the difficulties they face. Pray that Christians in China will encourage one another in the face of persecution. Pray that God will prevent the local authorities from attempting to stop house churches meeting.
***********************************
2. New believers expelled from villages in Vietnam
(Source: VOM-USA)
Hmong believers in Vietnam are facing opposition from village authorities because of their faith in Christ.
Three families were expelled from their village in Cao Bang province, in northern Vietnam, because of their recent adoption of Christianity. Each family came to faith after a Hmong Christian worker prayed for an ill family member and the family member recovered from illness. The families, which include a total of 13 people, must find a new place to live because officials will not allow Christians in their village.
Likewise, in Thai Nguyen province, also in northern Vietnam, a Hmong family was compelled to leave their village because village leaders opposed their Christian faith. One family member was very ill, but she recovered after moving to a Christian village and receiving prayer.
Praise God for His work among the Hmong people and for using them as His witnesses. Pray for these families who have lost everything to follow Christ. Ask the Lord to supply all their needs. Pray that they will grow stronger in their faith, and that their testimony will encourage others to know Jesus.
***********************************
3. Update: Lawyer of Iranian pastor faces 9 year prison sentence
(Source: Compass Direct News, ACLJ)
The main defense lawyer for Youcef Nadarkhani, an Iranian pastor who is appealing a death sentence, may be facing imminent imprisonment for defending the rights of Iranians, reports Amnesty International. Mohammad Ali Dadkhah, a prominent human rights activist, had been sentenced in July to a nine-year prison sentence and a 10-year ban on legal practice and teaching. On April 28, he learned that an appeals court has upheld the sentence. Charges against him include "membership of an association seeking the soft overthrow of the government" and "spreading propaganda against the system through interviews with foreign media."
Mohammad's imprisonment will leave Pastor Youcef, who was found guilty of apostasy and sentenced to death in September 2010, without legal representation. Mohammad has previously stated that if the sentence against him were carried out, no attorney would be willing to represent Pastor Youcef for fear of being imprisoned or disbarred for representing the persecuted pastor.
Pray for those in positions of authority in Iran. Pray that they will come to know Jesus Christ, and that they will act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). Pray that God will work powerfully in the lives of Youcef and Mohammad. Ask God to be near to their families and loved ones. Pray that many more in Iran will come to know the Good News.
***********************************
4. Update: Judge rules to liquidate church in Azerbaijan
(Sources: VOM-USA, Forum 18 News Service)
In the first known case of a church closure under Azerbaijan's new religion law, a judge in Baku ruled on April 25 to liquidate Greater Grace Protestant Church. Under terms of the ruling, religious activity by the church or its members is illegal and is subject to punishment. The church intends to appeal the ruling. Although Greater Grace registered with the state in 1993, it did not re-register in 2009 when the new religion law passed because leaders believed the church was already registered.
Hundreds of churches that re-registered in 2009 are still waiting for the State Committee to respond to their applications. In some cases, churches were denied registration because of unspecified errors in their applications. Christians fear that the ruling against Greater Grace sets a dangerous precedent for other churches in the country.
Pray that Christians in Azerbaijan will continue to gather together for worship despite restrictions. Pray that believers will confidently entrust themselves to Christ so that they can preach the gospel without hesitation (2 Timothy 1:7-12). Pray that religious freedom will be respected in Azerbaijan.
***********************************
The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Against the persecution of a tyrant the godly have no remedy but prayer.
- John Calvin
***********************************
In this week's edition: reports from China, Vietnam, Iran and Azerbaijan.
***********************************
1. Chinese government plans to eradicate house churches
(Source: China Aid Association, Compass Direct News)
China's government is engaged in a three-phase campaign to eradicate Protestant house churches. The government's strategy was clearly outlined in a document released last September during a training class for "Patriots in the Christian Community" run by the State Administration for Religious Affairs.
From January through June of this year, the document called for local authorities to conduct a thorough investigation of house churches nationwide and create reports on each of them. In phase two, for the following two to three years, authorities would strongly encourage unregistered churches to affiliate with the government-approved Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM). In phase three, to be completed within 10 years, churches refusing to comply would be shut down. Officials would also ban the words "house church" and all reports on house churches from websites and other media and replace the term with "house gatherings" -- a term that would refer to group meeting in sites affiliated with the TSPM. In a recent random survey conducted by China Aid's source in several provinces, it was discovered that over 95% of house church leaders said they had already felt the impact of these investigations, while 85% said local religious affairs departments had already created a dossier for their group. "Since the beginning of 2012, we have noticed an increase in the frequency of persecution," China Aid said in its report. "In addition to the continuing persecution of Shouwang Church in Beijing, the number of similar cases has risen 20% over last year and has spread into other areas, including Christian education, publication and bookstores."
Pray that Chinese churches will not be daunted by threats and pressures from the government, but will remain faithful to Jesus (Hebrews 10:23). Pray that believers throughout China will be bold in sharing the gospel despite the difficulties they face. Pray that Christians in China will encourage one another in the face of persecution. Pray that God will prevent the local authorities from attempting to stop house churches meeting.
***********************************
2. New believers expelled from villages in Vietnam
(Source: VOM-USA)
Hmong believers in Vietnam are facing opposition from village authorities because of their faith in Christ.
Three families were expelled from their village in Cao Bang province, in northern Vietnam, because of their recent adoption of Christianity. Each family came to faith after a Hmong Christian worker prayed for an ill family member and the family member recovered from illness. The families, which include a total of 13 people, must find a new place to live because officials will not allow Christians in their village.
Likewise, in Thai Nguyen province, also in northern Vietnam, a Hmong family was compelled to leave their village because village leaders opposed their Christian faith. One family member was very ill, but she recovered after moving to a Christian village and receiving prayer.
Praise God for His work among the Hmong people and for using them as His witnesses. Pray for these families who have lost everything to follow Christ. Ask the Lord to supply all their needs. Pray that they will grow stronger in their faith, and that their testimony will encourage others to know Jesus.
***********************************
3. Update: Lawyer of Iranian pastor faces 9 year prison sentence
(Source: Compass Direct News, ACLJ)
The main defense lawyer for Youcef Nadarkhani, an Iranian pastor who is appealing a death sentence, may be facing imminent imprisonment for defending the rights of Iranians, reports Amnesty International. Mohammad Ali Dadkhah, a prominent human rights activist, had been sentenced in July to a nine-year prison sentence and a 10-year ban on legal practice and teaching. On April 28, he learned that an appeals court has upheld the sentence. Charges against him include "membership of an association seeking the soft overthrow of the government" and "spreading propaganda against the system through interviews with foreign media."
Mohammad's imprisonment will leave Pastor Youcef, who was found guilty of apostasy and sentenced to death in September 2010, without legal representation. Mohammad has previously stated that if the sentence against him were carried out, no attorney would be willing to represent Pastor Youcef for fear of being imprisoned or disbarred for representing the persecuted pastor.
Pray for those in positions of authority in Iran. Pray that they will come to know Jesus Christ, and that they will act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). Pray that God will work powerfully in the lives of Youcef and Mohammad. Ask God to be near to their families and loved ones. Pray that many more in Iran will come to know the Good News.
***********************************
4. Update: Judge rules to liquidate church in Azerbaijan
(Sources: VOM-USA, Forum 18 News Service)
In the first known case of a church closure under Azerbaijan's new religion law, a judge in Baku ruled on April 25 to liquidate Greater Grace Protestant Church. Under terms of the ruling, religious activity by the church or its members is illegal and is subject to punishment. The church intends to appeal the ruling. Although Greater Grace registered with the state in 1993, it did not re-register in 2009 when the new religion law passed because leaders believed the church was already registered.
Hundreds of churches that re-registered in 2009 are still waiting for the State Committee to respond to their applications. In some cases, churches were denied registration because of unspecified errors in their applications. Christians fear that the ruling against Greater Grace sets a dangerous precedent for other churches in the country.
Pray that Christians in Azerbaijan will continue to gather together for worship despite restrictions. Pray that believers will confidently entrust themselves to Christ so that they can preach the gospel without hesitation (2 Timothy 1:7-12). Pray that religious freedom will be respected in Azerbaijan.
***********************************
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