Day: July 17, 2013

Source: Mission Network News, July 4, 2013

Lesotho’s shepherds spend weeks at a time in difficult conditions in the highlands, tending their employer’s flocks of sheep and goats and spending their nights in simple rock shelters. It’s a job that keeps them isolated and marginalized.

Africa Inland Mission (AIM) is trusting God to bring together a team of eight single young men to live among these least-reached shepherds and introduce them to Christ. The project is part of AIM’s Training in Ministry Outreach program.

“I believe that the shepherd community of Lesotho offers extraordinary opportunities for incarnational witness,” says AIM missionary John Barry, who has served among them. “While conditions are difficult, and the population density very low, relationships [among shepherds] are intense. I think this offers the perfect opportunity for genuine discipleship.”

» Read the full story, and watch the beautiful five-minute video Set Apart. See also two previous AIM reports, The Shepherds of Lesotho and The Shepherd Evangelists.

Source: Baptist Press, July 3, 2013

Thousands have fled their homes in northern Nigeria amid Islamic extremist attacks on Christians, partly in retaliation for the government’s state of emergency and the destruction of extremist bases.

The violence was attributed to ethnic Fulani Muslims and to the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram, indicating the latter has regrouped and retaliated against Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan’s state of emergency and corresponding destruction in May of Boko Haram bases in the Sambisa Games Reserve in Borno.

Boko Haram is blamed for killing pastor Jacob Kwiza and attacking five Christian communities in Borno’s Mandara Hills area, Morning Star News reported. Fulani Muslims are blamed for killing Toma Vongjen, a Christian in the Wase area of Plateau State, and destroying church buildings in four villages there, the persecution monitor reported.

The thousands who fled their homes had been warned by Boko Haram to flee within a week or face death, area Christians said, the Associated Press reported.

Dinfa Lambda, a pastor in Jos, told Morning Star News whole villages have been displaced in northern Nigeria and that Christian fellowship and evangelistic outreach efforts are no longer possible.

“There are Christian villages that have been completely wiped out by these Muslim terrorists,” Lambda was quoted as saying.

» Read full story, as well as another Baptist Press story making the case that Nigerian Islamic Terrorism Transcends Religion.

» See also, Boko Haram Begs for Forgiveness, Signs Ceasefire Deal (Vanguard News) and Why Nigeria Matters (Julian Linnell, Anglican Frontier Missions).

Source: United Bible Societies, July 5, 2013

Ramez Atallah, General Secretary of the Bible Society of Egypt, asks for prayer during “these momentous days.”

“The real picture of what happened during the demonstrations is radically different from what you imagine. More than 17 million people across the country participated (the largest turnout in our history and possibly a world record, too), but it was mostly peaceful, despite the numbers involved. As I and my family walked through the crowds of people – old, young, men, and women – we felt proud to be Egyptians and to be united with so many of our countrymen – both Christians and Muslims. It was exhilarating to see people’s enthusiasm and love for our great nation.

“It was when Egyptians realized that they could not depend on foreign powers to resolve their crisis that a small group of young people started this grassroots movement designed to force the president’s resignation. The fact that this is truly a movement by and for the people was reflected in the sheer numbers who took part in the protests.

“So rejoice with us for the remarkable events taking place in our country. Pray that the unprecedented unity expressed between all Egyptians who reject the forceful imposition of political Islam will result in a new Egypt where people with different persuasions can live alongside one another in harmony. This is the Egypt I remember from my youth and the Egypt most people yearn for.”

» Read full story.

» See also: Christians and Muslims Come Together to Share Ramadan Meal in Egypt (Christian Post).

Source: ASSIST News, July 12, 2013

“Whom did you cast your vote for?” I asked my tailor, a hardworking man in his early forties who works in his shop in a peaceful locality in Lahore where I have been living for the last 23 years. He stared at me and replied [with anguish], “No one. Our leader told us not to, because we have no rights in the country and we are treated like animals.”

He caught my confusion and added, “I’m an Ahmadi. You might have heard about us?” The hurt on his face left me speechless. It was the first time he revealed his identity, confiding in me knowing well I am a Christian [and therefore also] a minority in Pakistan.

Pakistan is the home to the largest population of Ahmadis in the world and in 1974 became the first and only state to declare Ahmadis “non-Muslims.” In 1984 the Pakistan military dictator further issued an ordinance of imprisoning those Ahmadis calling themselves Muslims, using public prayer rooms, or using traditional Islamic greetings in public.

» Read full story.

» See also: Pakistan’s Ahmadis Face Rising Persecution, Violence (Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty).

Source: Barnabas Fund, July 8, 2013

A young Christian man who has turned his home in Belarus into a shelter for the homeless is facing up to two years’ imprisonment after being accused of leading an unregistered religious organization.

Aleksei Shchedrov, 28, is being investigated on criminal charges following police raids on the shelter in the village of Aleksandrovka, Grodno Region, in February and April.

The authorities have taken issue with a prayer room, which is used by residents and local villagers, at the site, but Aleksei insists that he is running a charity, not a religious organization.

He said, “I am a Christian and I help those who are in need. I give them food, a bed, a bath, and clothes, and I pray together with them.”

Aleksei set up the shelter in December 2011 and estimates that he has since helped almost 100 people.

He is being investigated under Criminal Code Article 193-1, which punishes “organization of or participation in activity by an unregistered political party, foundation, civil, or religious organization.” Violators face a fine or up to two years’ imprisonment.

» Read full story.