Persecution Watch Weblog

Pastor Chuck & Arlyn
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Missions Insider Report

In most Western cultures persecution of Christians is seen in its more subtle forms: ridicule, inciting of religious arguments, attempts to suppress public forms of Christian expression, and accusations of being “religious fanatics” for sharing your faith. But in the Majority World (or, the “developing countries”), persecution is as blatant as it is rampant.

By far, persecution from Islam is the largest threat in most of the 54 African countries, but village cultures and religions also pose a very real impediment to the gospel. Some of these cultures include voodoo, incantations, and animal sacrifice, as part of their religious rituals. Benin is said to be the “World’s Capital for Witchcraft.” People are deeply entrenched by powerful demonic oppression and control, so when missionaries try to penetrate this spiritual barrier, there is much resistance and even death threats.

Christian Aid is deeply distressed over another obstacle to the gospel: the influence of foreign missionaries. The following is a direct quote we received from a missionary leader in Nepal, who explains the problem very clearly:

“One of [our] the local believers joined with a foreigner, who tempted him with money, and this believer is now creating problems. I do not understand some of the [foreign] missionaries, why they tempt the people with money. Here in Kathmandu some people directly say, ‘We will give you money if you join with us or come with us.’ This is a very sad thing. My relatives are saying, ‘Why do you Christians give money and force people to become Christian?’ This kind of act destroys our long-time efforts on the field.” It is as disgrace that foreign Christian “missionaries” are responsible for not only causing their brothers to stumble, but also acting as a deterrent to the Lord’s work in India and Nepal. (These tactics by foreign missionaries occur in many other areas of the world, as well.)

Religion, politics, long-time resentments or prejudices, are just some of the triggers that can set off a barrage of brutality in its various forms in Southeast Asia: Raids upon villages where Christians are rounded up, loaded onto trucks for “relocation,” and where many endure starvation; genocide by use of poisonous chemicals; imprisonment and torture; and finally, martyrdom. Less brutal in the physical sense, but having a devastating impact; nevertheless, is simple discrimination. Christians in one Asian country are denied national identification cards, rendering them as non-persons with no rights, no jobs, and no lives.

In the state of Orissa, India, persecution is often the result of long, drawn out and persistent resistance by Hindu fanatics, who try to besmear Christians with blatant lies and cruel accusations. This past year we have all been witness to the persecution that began on December 24, 2007 (“Black Christmas”) and continued to escalate during the year, culminating in their latest attack on Saturday, August 23. Hindu fanatics accused Christians of attacking and killing Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader, Swami Laxmananda Saraswati, and four of his associates, citing Black Christmas as the reason for this “vengeance.” A ministry assisted through Christian Aid advised that they went on record denouncing these acts of hatred, but riots erupted throughout 14 districts in Orissa. Once again, thousands of people fled to the forests and hill country to escape beatings, killings, looting and massive destruction of homes, property and churches.

Persecution in China was wielded with a double-edged sword. Communism forced foreign missionaries out of China and then punished believers by putting them in hard-labor camps, where they were treated harshly by officials and other (non-Christian) prisoners. Persecution still continues today, but much more discreetly. Despite the dangers of proselytizing in China, during the past 60 years the church has grown tremendously. For the past 20 years Christian Aid has been a part of the emergence of 132 underground Bible schools – at least one school in every province!

In Central Asian countries, Christianity, as well as Islam, suffered setbacks due to suppression of any religion while under Soviet rule. The result of this was nominal Christians – and Muslims whose religion was by then a mix of Islam and an indigenous form of Shaminism. After the fall of the iron curtain, however, Islam began to emerge in a much more radical form. Muslims from countries to the south began their migration into Central Asia, building mosques and trying to impose what they believed to be “true” Islam on citizens there. Today Islam is the predominate religion in this area, with 80% to 97% adherents in most countries. Majority rule finds ways of discriminating against the Christian minority.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:10-13 NKJV

Click here to contribute help for Christians persecuted for their faith.

Pastor Chuck & Arlyn
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Missions Insider Report
October 11, 2008

An Eritrean Christian living outside of the country writes to Christian Aid:

“The church in Eritrea is doing great, by God’s grace, in spite of terrible persecution. God is working mightily; the church is growing, and that’s why the devil is afraid and trying to destroy it.

“We have seen God’s servants serving faithfully, sharing their time and all they have, as they teach and preach the gospel.

“The government has special task forces to hunt Christians from their offices, homes, from under-ground and on the street. Their aim is to eradicate Christianity from the country by killing believers, beating them into death in front of their peers. My closest Christian brothers and sisters with whom I have prayed, fasted and ministered are in prison for four years, leaving behind their families. Many infants and children are left behind, bringing temptation for them, as the government demands that they denounce their faith.

“I was one of the elders of the church in Eritrea, and I am still coordinating things to help them. I am writing to ask if you could assist in any way the persecuted church in Eritrea.”

Eritrea is about the size of Pennsylvania and is located on Africa’s east coast on the Horn of Africa. Population is approximately 5 million.

Here, in this small nation, Christians are routinely arrested and sent to military camps or underground prisons, where they are severely tortured unless they agree to renounce their faith. Many have been sent to Sawa Defense Training Center (SDTC), the country’s main military training center.

At SDTC many Christian youth are brutally persecuted.

Last month, Eritrean authorities confiscated and burned 1,500 Bibles from new high school students who arrived at the Sawa Defense Training Center for the 2008-2009 school year. Eight male students who boldly protested the Bible burnings were locked in a metal shipping container that exceeded 100 degrees F.

Upon completing grade 10, all Eritrea high school students are required to attend SDTC to finish grades 11 and 12. Though technically only required to attend for two years, many youth have been forced to remain for up to 10 years. Only Muslim girls are exempt from this service.

Eritrea’s ratio of military to civilian population is the largest in the world, as almost 9 percent of its citizens have been trained at SDTC to serve in the army.

The SDTC has also become a hub of terrorist activity, hosting major international terror groups, including those from Somali and several with links to al-Qaeda.

Since 2002, the Eritrean government only recognizes four religions: Muslim (which comprise 50 percent of the population), Coptic, Catholic, and Lutheran. These three Christian religions are generally in no danger, as long as they remain nominal, without showing any evidence of true spirituality. Evangelical Christians face severe consequences if found carrying a Bible, praying, partaking in communion, engaging in baby dedications, or even having weddings.

The most common forms of torture involve prolonged sun exposure in temperatures up to 120 degrees F, intense beatings or binding of the hands, elbows and feet for extended periods.

According to the U.S. State Department, Eritrean authorities “suspend prisoners from trees with their arms tied behind their backs,” or “place prisoners face down with their hands tied to their feet, a torture technique known as the ‘helicopter’.”

Eritrean believers report that more than 4,000 evangelical Christians are currently being detained incommunicado in remote army camps.

Devastated by 30 years of war, drought, and lack of infrastructure, Eritrea is desperately poor. Western aid agencies, however, have ceased offering support due to the nation’s blatant support of terrorist activity.

Last year the U.S. State Department warned that the United States was considering adding Eritrea to its list of rogue states, which include countries such as Iran, Syria, North Korea and Cuba.

Eritrea is bordered by the Red Sea, Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti. Arab and African Muslims have teamed up to seize control of its two ports.

Unofficially Marxist, the nation’s transitional government led the country in a 30-year war to gain its independence from Ethiopia. In 1993 Eritrea was officially recognized as a nation.

More than 1 million Eritreans have evacuated the troubled nation and are living throughout Africa, America, Europe and Arab countries. Approximately 10,000 of these refugees are Christians.

Underground church leaders have extremely limited resources to meet the material and spiritual needs of believers suffering under persecution. However, Christian Aid is in communication with native Eritrean believers who can provide funds to those in desperate need. Please help our brothers and sisters in Eritrea.

Click here to contribute to where most needed to advance the gospel in Eritrea.

Pastor Chuck & Arlyn
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Missions Insider Report
October 13, 2008

Shortly after World War II, Albania was officially declared to be the world’s first atheistic state. Marxist dictator, Enver Hoxha, claimed to have murdered God and called this his greatest achievement. In the end, however, all he really accomplished was murdering religious practices.

By mid-1967, all religious institutions had relinquished their churches, mosques, cloisters, and shrines to the government. In 1976, Article 37 of the Albanian Constitution required: “The State recognizes no religion, and supports and carries out atheistic propaganda in order to implant a scientific materialistic world outlook in people.” But after Hoxha died in 1985, it did not take long for new believers to emerge. By 1992 new churches were planted and new ministries were started.

Over the years, Christian Aid has been involved with several native ministries involved in this growth. Most indigenous ministries are engaged in some kind of mercy outreach, such as feeding the poor, which in turn, provides opportunities to share the gospel.

For those wishing to learn about Christ, true Christian literature is scarce. There is a lot of propaganda claiming to be of Christian origin, but does not recognize Christ as the living God and Savior of sinners. While there are some books considered to be sound Christianity, they are very small in number and geared toward younger believers.

Albanian Translation Ministries (ATM), a native ministry helped through Christian Aid, has been striving to meet this need. “In view of the fact that the Albanian church is now 18 years old and acknowledging that we have some ‘milk’ books, but no ‘meat’ ones, our aim is to translate great books from our long heritage of Christian literature. This will give a stronger foundation to mature Christians – especially in church leadership,” reported the ministry leader. When asked about the doctrinal statement of this translation ministry, he replied: “Gospel-related books only!”

ATM has a highly qualified Albanian English teacher/translator who joined the ministry in 2002. His prior experiences include translations of Christian books, articles, brochures and other materials for organizations or churches. Albania is 70% Muslim and ATM hopes to reach this large segment of the society, as well. As a former Muslim himself, this teacher will be able to translate the best Christian apologetics geared toward Islamic believers. While ATM has the capability of translating any of the great Christian writers, it does not have the resources to get them published at the present time. Prayers are constantly being offered to make this much-needed form of outreach a reality.

In a country where there was decades of enforced atheism, there is now religious freedom. Today only 0.7% of the population is born-again Christian. There are only small pockets of true Christian witnessing taking place in this mission field. Our brothers and sisters in Christ need our support and our prayers.

Click here to contribute to the work of Albanian Translation Ministries.

Pastor Chuck & Arlyn
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USA (MNN) –It’s being called an historic election. Americans will be heading to the polls tomorrow to choose their next president, as well as legislative leaders. According to Craig Parshall, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the National Religious Broadcasters Association, depending on who’s elected, Christian radio and other religious freedom could be negatively affected.

He says the Democrats have gone on the record saying they wanted to reinstitute the fairness doctrine. The fairness doctrine was overturned in the 1980’s because it limited free speech. Parshall says, “We think it would be a real travesty to Christian broadcasters because it would convert Christian broadcasting into anti-Christian broadcasting. Christian broadcasters would be required to air the opinions of atheists, members of major world religions, pro-abortion proponents, pro-homosexual activists and so forth.”

NRB also opposes hate crimes legislation, which many of the democrats support. Parshall says it has very little to do with crime prevention and more to do with restricting free speech and religious freedom. He says the legislation protects the rights of gay activists and alternative religions other than Christianity.

“If Christians come out and speaks against Islam, if they feel harassed or intimidated or verbally attacked, they could actually go to the local federal prosecutor and have the speaker and those involved in the conference charged with hate crimes,” Parshall says.

According to Parshall, if the democrats win the U.S. election, Christians are at risk under this legislation. “In every country in the world where hate crimes have been instituted, it has migrated very quickly into hate speech, suppression of speech, and the targets have usually been Christian evangelists and Christian preachers.”

He says that has a direct affect on Christian radio and television. “There would be no question in my mind that federal prosecutors would be asked to prosecute those that make statements over the airwaves that may result in someone feeling harassed, intimidated or insulted.”

Parshall says the candidates have two different views on the fairness doctrine. “Senator Barak Obama has indicated that he wants to mandate a creation of diverse viewpoints. In other words, he doesn’t necessarily like the way the viewpoints are situated right now in the broadcast media. He wants to create different opinions by federal mandates. John McCain has come out and said he very much opposes fairness doctrine and anything that would mandate that kind of required diversity.”

He says Republicans oppose hate crimes legislation, while the democrats have gone on the record supporting such measures.

While there are many other issues separating the candidates, says Parshall, “On these very essential ones affecting the Christian church and our freedom not only to broadcast, but to proclaim the whole truth of the whole Gospel to the whole culture, I think there’s a very distinct difference between the two parties and the two candidates.”

Pastor Chuck & Arlyn
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Iraq (MNN) –”I’m a afraid it’s actually getting worse.” That’s the word from President of Open Doors USA Carl Moeller in response to the persecution affecting Christians in Iraq. Last week we reported that the violence continues to escalate, forcing more Christians to leave Iraq.

Moeller says, “The Christian community continues to be terrorized by extremists and basically are being forced out of homes at gunpoint, children and elderly people being murdered. This is a real crisis. Not just a Christian crisis, but a real humanitarian crisis for the country of Iraq.”

While coalition forces are in the region, they’re powerless to do anything. “This is often seen–because it’s Iraqi-on-Iraqi violence–as an internal matter, and yet it’s really an international crisis where the Christian community is in danger of being extinguished completely in Mosul.”

While the government has made statements of horror concerning what’s happening there, nothing is being done. Moeller says, “The city itself is being religiously cleansed of Christians. In fact, that’s the intended aim of the terrorists, and the government is very reluctant to take on such a massive force that’s being applied to the Christian community there.”

Moeller believes al Qaeda is one of the lead groups responsible for the attacks.

While Open Doors isn’t a political organization, he’s encouraging people to take political action. “This is not a political situation; this is a humanitarian crisis. And if anyone can go to our Web site, they can get the latest information so that they can send an email or their voice to the Iraqi government to intervene on behalf of Iraqi Christians.”

But the most important thing Christians can do is pray. Moeller says Open Doors and other organizations are helping the victims with relief and other physical aid.

With the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church approaching Sunday, November 9, Christians need to be on their knees. “If the church in Iraq can’t turn to us for prayer and material support, and for being a voice when it has no voice, then who can it turn to? The church in Iraq is like what Brother Andrew encountered in communist countries in the 1950’s,” says Moeller.

If you’d like to help, click here.

Pastor Chuck & Arlyn
Click here for more articles on the persecuted church.

Somalia (MNN) –According to International Christian Concern, a 22-year-old Somali Christian, Ahmadey Osman Nur, was murdered last month during a wedding ceremony.

The Muslim wedding Nur was attending was performed in Arabic, the language of Islam. Even though most Somali Muslims don’t speak Arabic, it is considered the “language Allah hears” and is therefore used in Muslim ceremonies.

Due to the lack of comprehension of the service by any of the guests, Nur asked that the contents of the wedding be translated into the Somali vernacular. The Sheik performing the ceremony was aware of Nur’s conversion to Christianity, however, and took offense to the request. He declared him to be guilty of apostasy and asked a guard to “silence” him.

Nur was encouraged to leave the ceremony, and upon exiting, he was shot and killed by the armed guard.

Nur is not the first Christian to be put to death for his faith in Somalia. It seems as though many Islamic extremists are looking for reasons to kill believers, and they often do so without much justification. In the past nine months, six Somali Christians have been martyred, including Nur.

Ironically, Nur is now remembered for his generous compassion for those in need, a quality necessitated in the Five Pillars of Islam.

Please pray for believers in Somalia and other Islamic nations that undergo this kind of persecution daily. Pray that believers would reflect the peace of Christ with their lifestyles and that many more Muslims would come to know the Lord, just as Nur did.

Pastor Chuck & Arlyn

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Around noon on October 16, Zhang Jian received an urgent phone call from his mother. Plainclothes Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers had broken into her upstairs apartment and were throwing all the family’s belongings out into the street:

“When I got there, I saw my mom lying on the ground being knocked down by these thugs … I tried to use my body to protect my mom from being hurt by them. Then this group of 15 officers immediately surrounded me and started beating my head and body with iron bars and said, ‘We need to teach you a lesson as a troublemaker.’”

The violent attack lasted 25 minutes.

Authorities persecute this family simply because they are Christians. Their ministry to orphans and house churches – ordinary Christian activities – are considered crimes in China. Zhang Jian was severely injured in the attack and needs immediate surgery. His family is now in hiding with nowhere to live. His father is missing, believed to be kidnapped by authorities.

» Learn more about Zhang Jian and his family and how you can send emergency help.

Bob Fu – Founder & President
ChinaAid

Please forward this e-mail to as many of your friends as possible who may want to help this family.

Pastor Chuck & Arlyn
Click here for more articles on the persecuted church.

China (MNN) –According to Voice of the Martyrs USA and China Aid Association, Zhang Jian, son of Pastor “Bike” Zhang Mingxuan, is recovering from an unprovoked brutal beating by Chinese public officials six days ago.

Zhang Jian reported to China Aid that he was called to his mother’s apartment when officers entered her home forcibly to evict the family and began throwing their belongings onto the street. Zhang Jian arrived to find his mother shoved to ground and his younger brother injured by the intruders. Zhang Jian was then beaten by 15 Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers with iron bars for 25 minutes, according to his mother, Xie Fenglan.

When the officers left, Xie Fenglan attempted to call an ambulance, but the receptionist told her that a government official had forbidden the dispatch of an ambulance to Pastor Bike’s home.

Zhang Jian was taken to the hospital by a friend and regained consciousness the next day. His nose and eye bone were broken, and doctors are unsure whether he’ll regain eye sight. Even though his physical condition is serious and more treatment is needed, Zhang Jian has left the hospital because PSB officers were watching him there, and he feared for his safety.

All nearby hotels were prohibited from housing the Zhang family; they are now staying with friends.

The family has not been able to contact Pastor Bike, who was traveling at the time of the attacks, and they fear authorities have detained him.

Persecution is not new to this family. Pastor Bike has been arrested 26 times during his ministry, and his house church (which had received government approval) was recently boarded up and shut down.

These setbacks have not stopped the Christian movement in China, however. Pastor Bike has continued to ride from place to place, spreading the life-changing news of the Gospel, supported by hundreds of other Chinese believers.

Pray for Zhang Jian to make a full recovery and for his family to obtain the money to pay the hospital bills. Pray that the Lord would continue to move in China, and that His people would be strengthened and encouraged despite persecution for their faith.

In Matthew 10:22 we find Jesus’ words to His followers, “All men will hate you because of Me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

Pastor Chuck & Arlyn
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October 14, 2008

In the capital city of Dushanbe believers may lose their own church buildings.

Christian Aid received the following report from a ministry it assists in Central Asia:

In 2005 the city launched a demolition project as the first phase of its rebuilding program. Many communities were bulldozed and hundreds of citizens were left homeless. Last year a Protestant church was confiscated and completely demolished. To date, no compensation has been given to the church leaders. Two other Protestant churches have been banned.

On August 29 the High Economic Court ruled on a case concerning a dispute over the property of a Protestant church. City officials wanted to seize the building even though it was bought legally ten years ago. Church members have been working on it for the past nine years and renovations are still on-going. But the authorities wanted it back. The judge, barring international observers from the courtroom, refused to report on the outcome.

Increasingly, government authorities are making it more difficult for certain religious organizations to exist. In order to qualify as a local religious association, there must be a membership of at least 200 believers. This is an obvious attempt to squelch the growth of religious minorities in a 97% Muslim population. With help from Christian Aid, one ministry has been starting a series of short-term training programs – all of them underground. If there are no more churches available for these training sessions, they will meet in the homes of believers.

Click here to contribute to the needs of persecuted Christians in Tajikistan.

Pastor Chuck & Arlyn
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Dearly beloved,

Marjorie Deale received the following on her email, copied it and passed it on to us. It is so very important, we are copying it by hand so that we may send this prayer request to many. When you read this news, we hope that you will join your prayers with those of others that God delivers these Christian brothers and sisters from the sure death they are facing. Please pass it on to many others, so that the Body of Christ may intercede.

The email was sent by “Dick and Joan”. Forwarded by Helen Eisberg,
another missionary in India.

“This is a request for prayer for YWAM (Youth With A Mission) missionaries and their churches in Orissa, India. Please read and make this a matter of urgent prayer.

“Our beloved sponsors and friends of Good News India. We have never seen anything like this. We knew that Orissa was the most resistant and hostile State in India as far as the Gospel is concerned. And we brushed off the continuous threats and harassment we faced as we went about His work. But none of our staff imagined that they would see this kind of carnage…… and it seems to be totally under the radar of the Western Media….. Let me explain……….

If we can take these thousands of throw-away children and help them to become disciples of Jesus, they will transform an entire region. It is a long term goal, but it is strategic thinking in terms of the Great Commission. What can you do? First, please uphold all this in fervent prayer. Second, pass this email on to as many friends as you can. We must get the word out and increase our prayer base for this is spiritual warfare at its most basic meaning. We are literally fighting the devil in order to live for His Kingdom. The next 10 days are crucial. We pray for peace and calm to pervade across Orissa. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please pass it on and help us to get as many people to partner with us on this cutting edge effort to fulfill His mandate: Go and make disciples of all nations. Prayer works!”

Laulima Ministries International

Keith Hamilton