Category: News Briefs

Source: Barnabas Fund, March 24, 2020

Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa hinted that he is prepared to introduce an anti-conversion bill to “save this country” from falling into deep difficulties.

On March 2, Rajapaksa, a leading member of the majority Sinhala Buddhist community and brother of the country’s president, spoke shortly before the announcement of a general election, due to take place on April 25 but now postponed because of the coronavirus.

Addressing the annual convention of the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress, Rajapaksa outlined the “threats facing the Sinhala Buddhist nation.” He identified the conversion of “traditional Buddhist families to other religions” as a major “threat.”

» Full story includes responses from local Christians.

» Also read Legal Confusion in Sri Lanka Fans Flame of Buddhist Nationalist Hostilities, Sources Say (Christian Headlines).

Source: Bible League, March 23, 2020

Thony, a 45-year-old father of three, comes from a community in Haiti where it is common to practice Voodoo. Thony not only practiced Voodoo, he called himself a sorcerer. He often worked with a woman who was a Voodoo priest, and they both served the spirits. During that time, Thony experienced attacks by these spirits, and the house of his priest partner was set on fire.

He recalls, “I became so afraid of that spiritual darkness that I decided to flee the area. That’s when I moved to a different community in Port-au-Prince.”

His life began to change for the better after his move. A pastor saw him struggling and offered to pay rent for Thony’s new home. Not long after, he was invited to attend a local church. He found new life in Christ when he went to church that day. That was 15 years ago. As he grew in his faith, he became more active in the church. Soon, the pastor suggested he attend church planter training. He says, “I was thrilled to be part of it!”

Thony loved the sense of community he felt in the training as well as the materials he received. He notes, “They have helped me fulfill my ministry significantly. I have used the books to study the Word of God with other people and to facilitate the growth of the churches where I’m a leader now.”

Today, he pastors two churches. “I used to be a sorcerer, but I am a servant of God now. I know and understand the Word of the Lord better.”

» Read full story.

Our feeds and inboxes are full of news about COVID-19. But how is the global Church responding? Read our roundup of stories. Find resources for church and ministry leaders. Pray on.

1. TURKEY: Words of Wisdom as First Case of Coronavirus Announced
2. CHINA: Fear Not!
3. WORLD: Leading with Hope During the Global Coronavirus Pandemic
4. IRAN: 70,000 Prisoners Released, Many Christians Still Jailed
5. WORLD: How Coronavirus Is Affecting Refugees

Source: SAT-7, March 16, 2020

As the first case of the coronavirus was announced in Turkey, the news and social media caused fear and panic.

“Because of the virus, we are seeing a consumption madness. In the news, we see empty shelves in markets as if we are running out of food, and this is making selfishness and greed apparent” [says a SAT-7 program host Volkan Er].

To inform SAT-7 TÜRK viewers about the coronavirus, a public service announcement was created, detailing the facts about the coronavirus, its symptoms, precautionary measures and travel advice.

“We must be sensible and calm,” [Er] continues to reassure viewers. “We trust our Lord, we have a living God. He is going to lead us. We have the opportunity to be a light to others and emphasize Christ in this situation. But first of all, we must be sensible.”

[In contrast with] other public service announcements, SAT-7 TÜRK concluded with a prayer:

“Lord, we bring all the people who are impacted by this epidemic before you. We pray in your name that the people who have this virus will be healed. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

» Read full story.

Source: Asia Harvest, March 16, 2020

Many people have asked how the virus is affecting the Chinese churches in Wuhan and throughout China. Ironically, the brutal persecution launched by President Xi over the last few years has helped prepare the house churches for the current situation. Thousands of large congregations were broken down into small groups of five or six believers, who have been meeting together for prayer and Bible study in their homes.

Some Chinese churches set up online services since the virus began, but many of their websites and social media pages have been shut down by the government… Communist authorities have even taken the opportunity to let people know that their facial recognition technology works just as well when people are wearing masks.

As fear and trepidation spreads throughout the world along with the virus, we would like to encourage all believers to focus on the Lord Jesus Christ, for “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Rather than worrying about what might go wrong, the Lord wants his children to look to Him in faith, because fear and faith cannot exist together, and the stronger of the two will always kill the other. Our job is to set our eyes on Jesus and his kingdom, for “without faith it’s impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6).

So, let’s not fear! God is, and always will be in total control. Although our lives look set to be disrupted for some time because of the economic effects of the pandemic, God is not yet finished his work in you or through you. Let us keep serving him while we have the opportunity. The Lord Jesus said: “As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work” (John 9:4).

» Read full article for more scripture and encouragement.

Source: Lausanne Movement, March 17, 2020

If ever there was a time for prayers and supplications, this is such a time. Let us join together in united prayer as we pray for:

• Governments and local authorities who bear large responsibilities in confronting this challenge
• WHO and all health professionals who are working to safeguard public health
• Industry leaders and workers in global workplaces that are taking precautions and making decisions to confront this challenge
• Pastors, church leaders, and leaders of the community who provide care and guidance for those they lead

As a global family, this is a time to let the light of Christ shine his healing rays throughout the world. May the Lord, our Chief Shepherd and our Refuge, grant mercy and grace upon the nations of the world in this time of trouble and distress.

Below we have compiled a list of resources based on contributions from Lausanne leaders around the world. We hope this list will be helpful to you as you’re leading and discerning amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

• Joni Eareckson Tada, US, A Calming Word During the Coronavirus (Joni and Friends)
• Pablo Martinez, Spain, A Psalm in the Epidemic: Trust Overcomes Fear (Evangelical Focus)
• Ed Stetzer, US, Christians, This Is Our Moment: A Call to Clarity and Mission (Christianity Today)
• René Breuel, Italy, The Coronavirus and the Ministry of Touch (Evangelical Focus)
• Sadiri Joy Tira, Canada, Global Family and the Coronavirus (Christianity Today)
• Patrick Fung, Hong Kong/China, Coronavirus Outbreak: Four Ways to Pray (OMF International)
• Leonardo De Chirico, Italy, Italy in Lock Down; Country Open to Conversations on Faith “Like Never Before,” Claims Christian Leader (Premier Christian News)
• Ed Brown, US, God Is Our Refuge: Thoughts on COVID-19 (The Pollinator: Creation Care Network News)

» Read full article and visit a new, collaborative website, Coronavirus and the Church. It has lots of helpful resources for you and your church.

Source: Open Doors, March 17, 2020

“Recent reports indicate that the COVID-19 virus has spread inside Iranian prisons,” Javaid Rehman, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Iran, said in Geneva.

The immediate release freed an estimated 70,000 prisoners, including six Christians. However at least 11 believers serving longer-term, security-related sentences will remain imprisoned. That includes Christians like Nasser-Navard Gol-tepeh who has been sentenced to 10 years for “crimes against national security.”

Also known to be still in detention in Iran on charges related to the peaceful practice of their faith are nine Christian converts from the northern city of Rasht. Their five-year prison sentences were recently upheld, even though neither they nor their lawyers were permitted to attend the hearing. Five of the men are among the at least 11 Christians. They were arrested during raids on their homes and house churches.

Christian activist Mary (Fatemeh) Mohammadi was among the prisoners recently granted temporary leave from Qarchak women’s prison. In detention, she was severely tortured and beaten so badly that the bruises were still visible on her body three weeks later.

» Read full story.

» An interesting development from another region: the mayor of Seoul is pressing charges against the church at the center of Korea’s coronavirus outbreak (Huffington Post with links to other sources).

Source: Preemptive Love Coalition, March 3, 2020

As the number of coronavirus cases grow worldwide—including in many of the places we serve—we’re checking in with our refugee friends. Refugees and displaced families the world over are hit particularly hard by widespread crises like this one.

Here’s how the coronavirus (or COVID-19) outbreak is impacting our displaced and vulnerable friends around the world.

» Read about refugees in Iraq, Syria, Venezuela, and Mexico.

 

1. TAJIKISTAN: Pastor Released, Writes Letter of Thanks
2. AFRICA: Reading the Bible for the First Time
3. SENEGAL: Scripture for the Wolof
4. WORLD: Top Ten Posts about Media Ministry
5. JAPAN: Shintoism’s Unlucky Years