NEPAL: Foreign Christians Arrested on Charges of Attempting to Convert People

Source: Morning Star News, August 8, 2019

A Christian from South Korea arrested in Nepal on charges of “attempting to convert” was released on bail on [August 7], sources said.

Cho Yusang, a 73-year-old evangelical Christian, posted bail of 150,000 Nepalese rupees (US$1,330) after being arrested on July 23. His health deteriorated after he was incarcerated, and he had been hospitalized, said Tanka Subedi, chair of the Religious Liberty Forum Nepal (RLFN).

The charge of “attempting to convert” under the Nepal Penal Code of 2017 calls for as much five years in jail and/or a fine of up to 50,000 Nepalese Rupees (US$445), according to Subedi.

B.P. Khanal, national coordinator of Nepal for the International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief, told Morning Star News that after arresting Cho from his lakeside lodging, police raided his room and confiscated some Bibles and Christian literature.

Khanal, who is responsible for inter-faith relations for the Nepal Christian Society, said possession of a Bible and Christian literature is not evidence of a crime.

“In this case the law is discriminatory, because it is not an offense to have Bibles in your room,” Khanal told Morning Star News. “The recovery of some Bibles and Christian literature from Yusang’s personal belongings is projeced as an offense and as a crime Yusang committed. Anybody can have a Bible—it is not a drug or an explosive. Carrying a Bible should not be a criminal offense.”

» Full story includes more details and context. Khanal asks foreigners visiting Nepal to refrain from actions that will land them in legal trouble, but commit themselves to equip the local Church to share the gospel.

» For less-sympathetic local coverage of this event, see Three Foreign Tourists Arrested for Proselytizing (myRepublica). The two other foreigners mentioned are Jehovah’s Witnesses from Japan.

SOUTH KOREA: Ministry to Yemeni Refugees

Source: Anglican Frontier Missions, August 12, 2019

Jesus never raised a sword against anyone!

If that statement sounds unremarkable to you, consider how it might strike a Muslim fleeing war in his native land. It’s the message that Rev. Dr. Duane Miller, took to Korea to train Koreans to witness to Yemenis.

About 3 million Yemenis have fled the war ravaging their country. Many of them have found their way to Indonesia, another Muslim-majority nation that admits Yemenis with no visa requirement. For some of those, Indonesia has proved a jumping-off point for South Korea and its bustling economy.

The refugees among them, Miller told his Korean hosts, are living in turmoil. Many of them have lost loved ones to the violence back home. In such troubled times, far more than in tranquil ones, people tend to re-examine big questions and foundational beliefs.

One of Islam’s abiding teachings, set out in the Quran, is that Muslims are the best people in the world.

The Yemenis who have fled know that Muslims have been killing Muslims in Syrian and Afghanistan. They know too well the same has happened in their own country. They can hardly avoid a searing question: If we are so bent on slaughtering each other, can we be the best people in the world?

» Read full story.

ALGERIA: Christian Leaders Call for Freedom of Worship

Source: Barnabas Fund, August 19, 2019

Christian leaders called on the authorities in Algeria to guarantee freedom of worship following the closure on August 6 of a second church in Boudjima city, Tizi Ouzou province.

Officials sealed the church on the instructions of the provincial governor, Mohamed Djemaâ. It was also on his orders that another church in the town was sealed on May 27.

The World Evangelical Alliance called for the churches to be reopened and said it “deeply regretted” the latest action, which brought the number of forced church closures in Algeria to at least five since the beginning of 2018. “Many more churches are threatened with closure, amid denial of formal registration and recognition by authorities,” it added.

Committees of officials started regularly visiting churches in late 2017, with the declared aim of checking safety, but they also asked about permits to operate as churches, obtained from the National Commission for Non-Muslim Worship. However, despite numerous requests from some churches it has been reported that the commission has never issued a permit.

» Read full story or As Church Worships, Police in Algeria Arrive to Seal Building, describing the same events (Christian Headlines).

» See also an article about the early Church in North Africa. We can be encouraged by what God has done there (Pioneers USA).

TURKEY: Disappearing Christian Leadership

Source: International Christian Concern, August 15, 2019

A melody is slowly quieting in Turkey. For centuries, the soft chanting of psalms flowed across churches flooded with worshipers. They knelt in prayer, their petitions floating like the incense which enveloped them. Candles were lit as they exited, a reminder of Christ’s light to the world. This is the country where the New Testament church came to life.

But today, that light is slowly extinguishing. The gospel’s melody is softening. The Church in Turkey is suffering strangulation—the consequences of which are felt across the globe.

It is all because of one rule that Turkey has established, a rule which restricts Christians’ ability to choose their own leadership. Without leadership, the life of any church slowly fades.

“Because there are not enough local Protestant leaders, the spiritual leadership of some churches is provided by foreign pastors,” said Turkey Alliance of Protestant Churches (TEK).

But Turkey is slowly closing this door. TEK continued, “Some foreign church leaders were deported, were denied entry back into Turkey, and/or faced problems with getting their residence permits renewed. A foreign church leader in Izmir was incarcerated for a long period of time on the grounds of being a member of the FETÖ/PDY terror organization.”

This year, 18 foreign church leaders have had to leave the country. Local church leaders suffer their own challenges.

» Read full story. It includes links to a rather thorough summary of the recent religious liberty situation in Turkey (TEK).

» Check out a brief but interesting article from Mission Network News about a ministry encouraging persecuted Christians by sharing the stories of the early Church. History has a way of repeating itself, after all.

ZIMBABWE: To the Whole World

Source: Operation Mobilization, August 14, 2019

Tinashe is passionate about seeing the gospel spread not only in [his country of] Zimbabwe but to the utmost parts of the world.

“Many people in Zimbabwe are inward-focused about themselves and their church,” Tinashe explained. “There has been a lack of discipleship within churches too. Therefore, I am motivating the church to look beyond itself and pray for nations, give, and start discipleship groups.”

“People think that missionaries are white people who come from Europe or America to build mission stations complete with a school and hospital,” said Tinashe. “So, without resources to accomplish the same, [Zimbabweans] think themselves unworthy of the calling.”

“I also used to think missionaries came from Europe and the West,” Tinashe admitted. “However, one day, a missionary came to our church and explained the need for the whole church to take the whole gospel to the whole world.”

From then on, Tinashe’s perspective about missions and missionaries changed, and he desired to correct this misconception by sharing the truth with others. Through their efforts and God’s grace, [Tinashe’s] team has seen God raise local people to go and share the gospel in North Africa and the Middle East and to serve about the OM ship Logos Hope.

» Read full story and another recent story from OM about a Costa Rican recognizing and responding to God’s call to the nations.

Stop Yer Complainin’ and Do Something! | Practical Mobilization

Missions-Catalyst-no-tagline_largecomplaintsStop Yer Complainin’ and Do Something!

By Shane Bennett

I had a challenging, even upsetting, conversation after church a couple weeks ago. I had promo’d the upcoming speaker and mentioned the guy would be talking, in part, about racism. I may have mentioned that if you didn’t want to hear that, you might choose to stay home.

Afterwards, a friend asked to chat and expressed concern. One point led to another until he’d given me his socio-political view of life. When he paused after lamenting how divided our country currently is, I jumped in. “What’s the solution, Tom? What can be done?” He replied, “I don’t know. But I do know the socialism that’s being pushed on us these days isn’t going to make things better!”

Maybe not. But deep inside my brain a circuit fizzed, smoked, and blew. I can still feel my frustration. How often do we complain, complain, complain, but don’t lift a finger in an effort for positive change?

This pattern is not wholly illogical. Some problems are so huge, intractable, and deep-rooted that we throw our hands up and believe there’s nothing we can do but object. Other problems are our own that we project on others. And addressing some problems come with such high social risk that we back off. It’s safer to vent to like-minded friends than risk their disapproval by beating our swords into plowshares.

On the other hand, the Bible warns us about grumbling and complaining. Paul recounts for his rascals in Corinth how God dramatically responded to Israel’s grousing (1 Corinthians 10:8-11). Jesus was pretty straightforward when he told the Jews (and us), “Stop grumbling among yourselves” (John 6:41-51).

So, here’s the principle I’m trying to live by. Don’t complain about something that you’re not going to take productive action to change.

Just don’t complain
unless you plan to do something.
(Tweet this.)

For instance, I don’t complain a lot about certain policy issues. I’ve learned they aren’t my battle, though my opinion about them play a role in how I vote. But the things God has called me to act on? I’m going to squawk about them! Intelligently. And graciously. And I’ll do my best to take the action God gives me to take, which I assume will often include equipping others to take godly action. Toward that end, two things people complain about and some positive action we can take.

Instead of Complaining about Church

Have you ever been a pastor? I haven’t been a real one, but I’ve played around with some part-time roles and know some of how people, including me, complain about church. You may have far deeper familiarity, present pain or more serious grounds for concern. I get that.

But how often many of us complain about what’s said and what goes unsaid. About the choice of songs and the volume at which they’re played. About what’s not getting done, and then when someone steps up, how it’s not done right. We grouse about who’s there and who’s not there, how little the church does for missions, or kids, or the poor… along with pretty much everything the leaders say and do. At least we don’t complain about someone sitting in our pew any more. (We don’t, do we?) What positive, change-oriented action might grow out of our complaints?

Here’s one I’m thinking about these days: Pray for our pastors. Deliberately, faithfully. You may already do this. Kudos to you. I’d like to see a groundswell of prayer for our church leaders during Pastor Appreciation Month this coming October. A dear friend of mine says, “Maybe a good starting point is to pray about something for the same amount of time you complain about it!” I say, “Who has that kind of time?” But I do want to pray for my pastor.

I plan to put together a one-page guide to praying for pastors. If you’re game, I’d love to hear what you pray for your pastor or what you think should be prayed for them. Click below to the list. If someone has already said what you were going to say, feel free to put an “amen” or “I agree” beside or below it. The guide will be available in next month’s Practical Mobilization article.

Share your thoughts

Instead of Complaining about Refugees, Immigrants, and Other “Others”

I live in a beautiful part of Colorado. That describes pretty much the whole state! I haven’t been here all my life. Yet I can get a little chippy about new people coming here. Also, about Texans speeding on the interstate (sorry, y’all!). And in my nation and maybe yours, I hear many complaints about outsiders moving in.

Without getting deep in the weeds about border security, who’s an economic migrant and who really needs asylum, and the degree to which someone must look and sound like me in order to qualify as “integrated,” can I suggest four positive actions we might take or kindly propose these to others who seem particularly stressed about these issues?

1. Have a conversation.

So much could happen if we simply asked some good questions and listened to the answers. Last week, an insightful and influential website, The Denison Forum, published an article I wrote on this topic of starting conversations. It would be great if you could give it a little boost simply by clicking through to it. If you comment, I’d be over the moon! The Denison Forum might be a good way to get some of what we all think out to a wider world. The article is about Muslims in particular, but the ideas would work with anyone somewhat different from you.

2. Have dinner with a refugee family.

Check out the Bridge Experience. I think you have to live near Lancaster, PA to experience this, but what a fascinating idea: They train refugee families to host local residents in their homes for dinner. Refugees make some money and the locals get to experience the refugee’s culture. I’d love to see this idea popping up all over. Want to try to make it happen where you live?

3. Watch films about the immigrant experience.

A high-quality movie about an immigrant or refugee experience can make a lasting mark on even a hardened heart. Going to the trouble of screening one at your church may have amazing results.

I love both The Good Lie and The Visitor.

If you have ideas for films that will open our hearts to immigrants, as well as ideas about how to get people to come out to see them, please share them below or on our Facebook page.

4. Take your kids to hang out with new neighbors.

I’m looking for three intrepid youth groups to visit (“invade”?) an American refugee community with me next summer. We’ll listen, play, and serve. Basically, we’ll stop our grousing about others and discover God’s up to amazing work in and through all sorts of people. Email me to learn more.

Thoughts?

Do you have another issue which is easy to complain about, but hard to take action on? Let the Missions Catalyst tribe take a crack at it! Comment below or on our Facebook page.

SAUDI ARABIA: Hajj Begins Friday

Source: Cry Out Now, August 2019

This is a call for Christians to pray for Muslims as they go on the Hajj.

Since the Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, all Muslims are commanded to perform the Hajj at least once in their lifetime if they are able. The Hajj begins on the eighth day of the twelfth month of Dhul Hijjah in the Islamic calendar. During these days, around three million Muslims from all over the world flock to Mecca to perform sacred acts and follow the steps of Muhammad, their prophet. This year, the Hajj will start on August 9 and last for three or more days.

» Short article from Cry Out also compares Muslim and Christian ideas about forgiveness.

More on praying for Muslims on Hajj:

Watch a new four-minute video from Prayercast. It’s simple and sincere. Want more? Sign up for daily prayer emails August 7-14.

Watch or download the international five-minute video, Hajj Prayer 2019 from Praying through the Arabian Peninsula. Informative. You can also download a prayer guide available in multiple languages.

Visit or follow Arab World Media on Twitter or Facebook. They will be posting updates from seekers in Saudi, the current social climate of the country, an insight into the rites of Hajj, and how you can specifically pray for the men and women seeking God.

Read God at the Hajj, by Shane Bennett.

SOUTHEAST ASIA: The Power of Crickets

Source: Tearfund, July 26, 2019

Chouma lives with her husband and daughter in a small village on the side of a mountain, near the border between Cambodia and Vietnam.

Chouma became a Christian when a few people from the local church prayed for healing from a sickness she’d had for many years. She was healed instantly and has been attending the church ever since.

However, living as a Christian in this community wasn’t easy. She was verbally abused by her neighbors. On a few occasions, she even had stones thrown at her while she was worshiping.

A few years ago, Tearfund’s local partner started working with churches in the area. Through a series of Bible studies and workshops, they equipped Christians to be agents of positive change in their communities.

The Bible studies sparked something in Chouma. She helped coordinate a number of initiatives in the village, such as a savings group and chicken rearing. [She also] set aside a corner of her house to raise crickets, which are a popular snack in Cambodia. With help from her pastor, Chouma had soon established a profitable cricket farm. Seeing her success, other members of the community started visiting Chouma to learn about the business. Now, 25 families in the village are raising crickets.

But Chouma didn’t stop there. The road to her village had been damaged for a long time—a big problem in such a remote area. Chouma got her church members to pool their resources and buy some cement. The whole community is now united around the road repairs, which are being led by Chouma’s husband.

The village now see the Christians in an entirely different light, and Chouma is hoping that the church will continue to grow.

» Read full story.

UNITED KINGDOM: Felix Ngole Wins Appeal in Freedom of Expression Case

Source: Christian Concern, July 3, 2019

In a landmark judgment, the Court of Appeal has upheld the rights of UK Christians to freely express their faith by handing victory to former student social worker Felix Ngole. Overturning a High Court decision to uphold Felix’s expulsion from Sheffield University, the crucial outcome represents a major development of the law. It is now clear that Christians have the legal right to express biblical views on social media and elsewhere in public without fear for their professional careers.

Felix was expelled in 2016 from his social work course at the University of Sheffield after quoting Bible verses on Facebook that were deemed critical of homosexuality.

In the court hearings, the University argued that Felix had “lacked insight” into the effect of his posts on social media. During his Fitness to Practice hearing, the University had told him that the expression of his Christian views was unacceptable and was effectively told either to renounce his faith or stay silent on pain of losing his career.

However, the Court of Appeal held that it was the university that was “lacking insight” in not understanding a Christian viewpoint.

» Read full story and watch Felix discuss what he did and the implications of his expulsion. Wonder how these cases will play out in the future?

» See also Christian Street Preacher Awarded £2,500 for Wrongful Arrest (The Christian Institute). Oluwole Ilesanmi was accused of hate speech for criticizing Islam while preaching outside a metro station in London and his Bible confiscated by police.