Category: News Briefs

Source: Asia Harvest, March 2018

In the past 18 months, the situation for Christians in China has dramatically worsened. At the start, we hesitated to publicly share new information from China for a few reasons. Some of the news we have received from church leaders is so dire that most believers around the world simply wouldn’t believe it if we told them. We also wanted to make sure these things were not part of a short-term crackdown, as over the years we have seen numerous seasons of persecution come and go in China.

However, we believe it is now time to present the known facts, to help people understand what our fellow believers are experiencing right now.

Few Christians around the world imagined that China would ever return to its intense anti-Christian persecutions like during Mao’s rule, but things are lining up for a brutal and prolonged period of struggle for Christians in China. In many ways, because of new technology, believers face an even greater challenge than during the dark days of the Cultural Revolution.

» Full story includes analysis, prayer points, and links to other sources on the topic.

» Watch the five-minute video, In Your Face: China’s All-Seeing State (BBC) or listen to a podcast interview, China Just Made Life Way Harder for Christians (Christianity Today).

Source: International Mission Board, March 16, 2018

I work with refugees in Africa, and it’s not at all what I thought it would be. I expected it to be about meeting needs and helping people, sort of a one-way transfer of blessing and Christian encouragement. On some level, maybe I thought I would be overwhelmed by the plight of Christian refugees grappling with the goodness or existence of God in what is understandably difficult circumstances for faith.

I wasn’t prepared to be inspired by their faith every time I went into the camps. The believers living in these very humble settings are truly focused on the eternal things. They are planting churches, helping others, and sharing their faith. They are expanding God’s kingdom in the refugee camps. I feel privileged to work alongside them.

You can learn about the various refugee crises in Africa from nearly every world news organization. But there are many stories you won’t read in the news—stories of God’s faithfulness to Christian refugees and their faithfulness to him.

» Read the stories of three refugees, and be sure to watch the powerful video at the top about Sudanese refugees training leaders and planting churches in a massive Ugandan refugee settlement.

» See also: Did You Know South Korea is One of the Biggest “Exporters” of the Gospel in the World? (CBN).

Source: God Reports, March 13, 2018

Since Burma achieved independence from the British in 1948, the country now called Myanmar has been embroiled in civil war, as various ethnic groups have waged bitter battles against the military-led government.

Yet behind the disturbing headlines, God is on the move, as confirmed by interviews with pastors at a recent conference organized by Global Disciples in Myanmar.

“In the last three years, God has opened the door wide to the gospel in Myanmar. But we don’t know how long it will be open,” says one of the organizers of the conference.

He has been involved in street ministry since he was in his teens and is currently overseeing an effort to plant churches among unreached people groups throughout South Asia. “We want to nurture what is growing and multiplying,” he says. “Not just addition, but multiplication.”

Pastor Imo is one of the pastors multiplying the church by going to tribal groups in southern Myanmar that have never heard the name of Jesus. “By the grace of God we went from village to village and many accepted Jesus as their Savior. We went to some places not reachable by boat or motorbike. So we went on foot,” he reports.

» Full story reports on miraculous healings and ministry to the drug-addicted. You might also be interested in more stories from Myanmar from Global Disciples.

Source: Mission Network News, March 19, 2018

Last week, American Pastor Andrew Brunson was given a new indictment in Turkish court. This time he was charged with “leadership in a terrorist organization.” Prosecutors are seeking a possible life sentence. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) condemns the indictment and calls on the US government to deal with the issue.

According to USCIRF, Brunson’s charges have been brought based on so-called secret evidence and a secret witness. However, the charges seem baseless.

David Curry of Open Doors USA reminds us that BrunsoAn served as a pastor in Turkey for more than two decades before his arrest. He’s been in prison since October of 2016.

In this situation, Curry says that prayer is really the very best (and perhaps only) action we can take. And as you pray for Brunson—for his release, courage, and perseverance—Curry says to remember others who are also facing persecution for their faith:

“The thing to remember is when we hear about an American pastor who is held prisoner somewhere, whether it’s in North Korea or in Turkey, there are many, many, many other pastors who are in prison or Christians who are in prison for their faith around the world. This is just one, it’s public knowledge here in America because he is an American citizen. But we don’t pray for him because he is an American citizen, we pray for him because he’s a follower of Jesus, in my mind. He’s a citizen first of the Kingdom, and so we support our brother or sister in the Lord.”

» Read full story. Note that March 13 reports that prosecutors had submitted an official indictment demanding life imprisonment were premature, though evidently an indictment was drafted.

According to his daughter Jacqueline, early this month Brunson wrote the following: “Let it be clear, I am in prison not for anything I have done wrong, but because of who I am—a Christian pastor. I desperately miss my wife and children. Yet, I believe this to be true, it is an honor to suffer for Jesus Christ, as many have before me. My deepest thanks to all those around the world who are standing with and praying for me.”

“…Many were trying to prevent this mission. They were talking among themselves behind my back, and saying: Why is this fellow throwing himself into danger among enemies who know not God?’ Not from malice, but having no liking for it…” — The Confession of St. Patrick, 46.

See also: St. Patrick’s Passion for Missions (International Mission Board).

In this issue:

1. NEPAL: Next Door to a Living Goddess
2. VIETNAM: Why One Christian Wants to Preach to His Persecutors
3. FINLAND: I Want to Change My Religion
4. NIGER: A Family Changed by the Gospel
5. JAPAN: Carrying the Local Shrine

Source: International Mission Board, February 26, 2018

A living goddess sat in a room just above me. I wasn’t allowed to go inside because I’m a foreigner and not Hindu or Buddhist. But I imagined what her childhood will look like now that she has been chosen by a council from her people to be the next in a long line of “living goddesses.”

She’s three, you guys. Three. Years. Old. Skipping, plucking wildflowers, and going down to the corner store for sweets are now all out of the question. Seeing her family—that’s now only on festival days.

She’s known as a kumari, and she is worshipped as what Nepali Hindus believe to be a manifestation of the goddess Durga and Nepali Buddhists believe to be a manifestation of the goddess Vajradevi.

Once installed as a kumari, the weight of her people’s spiritual needs is placed squarely on her small shoulders. She’ll live in isolation, except when people come to worship her, pay their respects, and ask for healing.

» Full story describes the life of a kumari and reflects on the practice in light of the gospel as well as current events. See also this interesting story, How Religion Shapes Girls around the World.

Source: Open Doors, February 9, 2018

Vang Atu, a 28-year-old father to two kids, was the first Christian convert in his village in Vietnam. He comes from the Hmong tribe and once worshipped different spirits asking for luck, wealth, good health, and food; but when he surrendered his life to Jesus, he completely abandoned his animistic beliefs.

As a part of the body of Christ, Vang Atu evangelized to other villagers and saw at least four families come to follow Jesus. His house became their place of worship and fellowship.

One day in 2016, his house was destroyed by local authorities and villagers. He and his family were then forced to move out from their village.

This is Vang Atu’s prayer: “Pray with me that one day I’ll be able to go back to my hometown and testify to the people about my faith in the Lord.”

» Read full story and watch a three-minute video.

» Religious persecution can be very complex, with many roots and manifestations. See, for example, a recent story about tensions between evangelicals and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church that led to violence between the two groups (World Watch Monitor).

Source: Operation Mobilization, January 19, 2018

Suliman, a refugee from Iran, first came to Markus’ church for Finnish classes. “After a while, he comes to me with his broken English and with Google translator,” Markus remembered. The translation app wasn’t enough to communicate his request, though, so Suliman fetched his Iranian interpreter, also a member of the church. “Markus, I want to change my religion,” he finally announced.

Markus said, “I thought this is not possible. With my experience that does not happen.” Somewhat suspicious of Suliman’s motives, Markus asked him what he knew about Christianity.

“I know the Christmas,” Suliman replied. “With the Christmas comes the Santa Claus.”

Realizing then that Suliman knew little about Christianity, Markus asked him what his family would think about him changing religions. “I’m an adult. I can change my religion if I want to,” Suliman retorted.

“OK, I can teach you,” Markus agreed. For almost six months, the two men met together to study Christianity. Soon, a few others joined. Although Suliman listened carefully, he rarely asked questions, and Markus sometimes wondered if he understood what was being said.

Two months in, they took a break for Christmas. During that time, Suliman had a dream. “In my dream, I was crucified, then a voice said, ‘It’s not enough.’ That happened again. Again the voice said, ‘It’s not enough.’ That happened many times. What does that mean?” he asked Markus.

Having never interpreted a dream before, Markus needed some time to pray and process. Eventually he recognized that the dream dealt with the difference between legalism and faith. “In Islam you need to pray, you need to fast, but it’s never enough,” he explained. “If we bring our deeds to God, it’s never enough.”

After Suliman’s dream, “he was a different man…I think that was what fully turned his heart to Christ,” Markus said.

» Read full story.

» Many from backgrounds like Suliman’s are afraid of how their familiies might respond to their interest in Jesus. Read more in this story from Arab World Media.

Source: Samaritan’s Purse, March 5, 2018

Moumouni had a major infection in his leg and also suffered from insomnia because he constantly heard inaudible voices. His mother, Maimouna, sought help from health centers in Niger, Muslim healers, and witch doctors, but nothing worked. Maimouna spent all her money trying to heal him. Family members expected him to die.

Maimouna shared her son’s situation with our staff and invited them to visit her son. Our staff prayed for Moumouni, shared the gospel, and he prayed to receive Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Not long after, Moumouni stopped hearing the inaudible voices and his sleep improved. His leg gradually healed.

Maimouna was touched by the love demonstrated by Samaritan’s Purse staff. “The entire family has learned that the name of Jesus Christ can save and heal,” she said.

» Read full story.

» Friends, let’s keep neighboring Nigeria in our prayers after Christian-Muslim clashes in Kaduna state and a recent school attack that leaves more than 100 girls unaccounted for.

Source: OMF International, February 2018

The conversation was fine to begin with. They were okay that I am a Christian, that I tell Bible stories, and help people to follow Jesus. But when it came to allegiance to the local shrine—whether I would visit it to pray at New Year and help to carry it around the neighborhood—things got tense.

I told them that praying for blessing and protection is good and that I do it every day by praying to the God who made everything and wants to bless us. I shared that I’m happy to go with them to be part of the group but that I will only pray to the Creator God. I explained, “I won’t be able to join in carrying the shrine and worshipping the local god. I believe the Creator God is the source of all blessings and the place to search for safety.”

Nobody blinked an eye, but an awkward, dead silence seemed to continue forever and everybody stared at the floor. We waited for “Daddy” to speak. In a soft voice, he explained, “This is a problem. These Christians always disturb the harmony… their God is not as good as Japanese gods, who aren’t so envious and so stubborn.” He continued, “You live here now. You need to be willing to give your best to be part of the community. If you do that, it might work somehow.”

» Read full story with prayer points, and consider: What would you say? What would you do?