VOM: The Persecution & Prayer Alert
The Persecution & Prayer Alert
The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada
1. Several Christians Killed in Muslim Riots in Nigeria
At least nine Christians were killed by Muslims in a series of violent attacks in the Tundun Wada region of Kano State, northern Nigeria on the weekend of September 28-29. According to an October 2 report from Christian Solitary Worldwide, local Muslims also burned churches and destroyed believers' homes and businesses. Although the exact cause for the rampage is not yet known, the violence reportedly began on Saturday morning when a group of Muslim students barged into a room shared by two Christian students at the local Government Secondary School and attacked the believers. When the school principal arrived on the scene, the Muslims claimed that these two had drawn a picture of Mohammed on a mosque wall and were planning an attack on Muslim students.
Authorities have removed all corpses in a likely attempt to obscure the true death toll. Local police have also sealed off the area and denied access to those seeking to provide assistance. Three pastors from the state capital were detained when they tried to evacuate members of their denomination. Three Christian members of the Nigerian Air Force who were accompanying them were also detained. The pastors have since been released on bail. The other three remain in custody.
Pray that Christians will rely on the Holy Spirit to comfort, strengthen and embolden them in the aftermath of this brutal attack. Pray that those who have lost loved ones will find peace in the fact that those who suffer with Christ will be glorified with Him (Romans 8:15-17). Pray that the three detained believers will be released.
For more information on persecution in Nigeria, go to www.persecution.net/country/nigeria.htm. This month's Persecution Report video report includes a feature on the persecution facing Nigerian believers. Go to www.persecution.net to view the report.
2. Christian Worker Martyred in India
Ajay Topno, a missionary with a Christian media organization, was shot and killed in the Ranchi district of Jharkland state on September 19 for converting three tribal families to Christianity, according to a September 28 report from Compass Direct. Local Christians reported that villagers had been angered by the recent conversion of these families to Christianity. On September 11, the villagers drove the families from their homes. Then, after a meeting on September 14, the villagers forcibly "reconverted" the families to Hinduism and then arranged for a local criminal to murder Topno. Topno went missing from his home on September 16. His body was found in a jungle near the village of Sahoda three days later.
Thank the Lord for Ajay's life as a cross-bearing disciple of Christ. Ask God to comfort those who mourn for him. Pray that Indian Christians will be emboldened to follow in their Saviour's footsteps and remain faithful to Him at all cost (1 Corinthians 4:9-14, 16).
For more information on persecution in India, go to www.persecution.net/country/india.htm.
3. Senior Pastor Arrested in Eritrea
Pastor Oqbamichael Tekle-Haimanot, a well-known and senior leader of the Kale-Hiwot Church in Eritrea, was arrested and imprisoned on October 1, according to VOMC sources. This is the second imprisonment for Pastor Oqbamichael in the last two years. In January 2005, he was arrested at a Christian wedding in the western town of Barentu. He was released after nearly ten months of imprisonment that included solitary confinement and hard labour in the Sawa Military Camp. The arrest of Pastor Oqbamichael follows the recent imprisonment of Evangelist Mussie Ezaz, who is also a minister in the Kale-Hiwot Church.
Pray for the Lord's grace to sustain and strengthen Pastor Oqbamichael as he again endures prison time for the Name of the Lord (Ephesians 6:19, 20). Pray that his family and congregation will focus their eyes on Jesus to find strength and comfort in Him (Hebrews 12:1-3). Pray for Eritrean Christians as they continue to suffer severe persecution.
For more information on the persecution facing Christians in Eritrea, go to www.persecution.net/country/eritrea.htm.
4. Two House Church Members Arrested in China
Two female house church members, Ms. Guo and Ms. Li, were arrested in Huocheng County, Xinjiang on September 2, according to a September 26 report from China Aid Association. Both have been detained indefinitely at the local detention center.
Guo and Li were arrested when they met together at the home of a Christian brother who was recuperating from a broken leg. The police arrested them, claiming that their gathering at a private residence was illegal. The next day, the police went to search the house. On both occasions, the police did not show any arrest or search warrants.
Fellow Christians who tried to visit the detained sisters in the detention center on September 11 were turned away.
Pray that these Christians will be released. Ask God to open doors of opportunity for them in prison so that they can share the gospel for which they suffer (Colossians 4:2-3).
For more information on the persecution of Christians in China, go to www.persecution.net/country/china.htm.
The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada
1. Several Christians Killed in Muslim Riots in Nigeria
At least nine Christians were killed by Muslims in a series of violent attacks in the Tundun Wada region of Kano State, northern Nigeria on the weekend of September 28-29. According to an October 2 report from Christian Solitary Worldwide, local Muslims also burned churches and destroyed believers' homes and businesses. Although the exact cause for the rampage is not yet known, the violence reportedly began on Saturday morning when a group of Muslim students barged into a room shared by two Christian students at the local Government Secondary School and attacked the believers. When the school principal arrived on the scene, the Muslims claimed that these two had drawn a picture of Mohammed on a mosque wall and were planning an attack on Muslim students.
Authorities have removed all corpses in a likely attempt to obscure the true death toll. Local police have also sealed off the area and denied access to those seeking to provide assistance. Three pastors from the state capital were detained when they tried to evacuate members of their denomination. Three Christian members of the Nigerian Air Force who were accompanying them were also detained. The pastors have since been released on bail. The other three remain in custody.
Pray that Christians will rely on the Holy Spirit to comfort, strengthen and embolden them in the aftermath of this brutal attack. Pray that those who have lost loved ones will find peace in the fact that those who suffer with Christ will be glorified with Him (Romans 8:15-17). Pray that the three detained believers will be released.
For more information on persecution in Nigeria, go to www.persecution.net/country/nigeria.htm. This month's Persecution Report video report includes a feature on the persecution facing Nigerian believers. Go to www.persecution.net to view the report.
2. Christian Worker Martyred in India
Ajay Topno, a missionary with a Christian media organization, was shot and killed in the Ranchi district of Jharkland state on September 19 for converting three tribal families to Christianity, according to a September 28 report from Compass Direct. Local Christians reported that villagers had been angered by the recent conversion of these families to Christianity. On September 11, the villagers drove the families from their homes. Then, after a meeting on September 14, the villagers forcibly "reconverted" the families to Hinduism and then arranged for a local criminal to murder Topno. Topno went missing from his home on September 16. His body was found in a jungle near the village of Sahoda three days later.
Thank the Lord for Ajay's life as a cross-bearing disciple of Christ. Ask God to comfort those who mourn for him. Pray that Indian Christians will be emboldened to follow in their Saviour's footsteps and remain faithful to Him at all cost (1 Corinthians 4:9-14, 16).
For more information on persecution in India, go to www.persecution.net/country/india.htm.
3. Senior Pastor Arrested in Eritrea
Pastor Oqbamichael Tekle-Haimanot, a well-known and senior leader of the Kale-Hiwot Church in Eritrea, was arrested and imprisoned on October 1, according to VOMC sources. This is the second imprisonment for Pastor Oqbamichael in the last two years. In January 2005, he was arrested at a Christian wedding in the western town of Barentu. He was released after nearly ten months of imprisonment that included solitary confinement and hard labour in the Sawa Military Camp. The arrest of Pastor Oqbamichael follows the recent imprisonment of Evangelist Mussie Ezaz, who is also a minister in the Kale-Hiwot Church.
Pray for the Lord's grace to sustain and strengthen Pastor Oqbamichael as he again endures prison time for the Name of the Lord (Ephesians 6:19, 20). Pray that his family and congregation will focus their eyes on Jesus to find strength and comfort in Him (Hebrews 12:1-3). Pray for Eritrean Christians as they continue to suffer severe persecution.
For more information on the persecution facing Christians in Eritrea, go to www.persecution.net/country/eritrea.htm.
4. Two House Church Members Arrested in China
Two female house church members, Ms. Guo and Ms. Li, were arrested in Huocheng County, Xinjiang on September 2, according to a September 26 report from China Aid Association. Both have been detained indefinitely at the local detention center.
Guo and Li were arrested when they met together at the home of a Christian brother who was recuperating from a broken leg. The police arrested them, claiming that their gathering at a private residence was illegal. The next day, the police went to search the house. On both occasions, the police did not show any arrest or search warrants.
Fellow Christians who tried to visit the detained sisters in the detention center on September 11 were turned away.
Pray that these Christians will be released. Ask God to open doors of opportunity for them in prison so that they can share the gospel for which they suffer (Colossians 4:2-3).
For more information on the persecution of Christians in China, go to www.persecution.net/country/china.htm.
posted by Tim at 1:38 PM
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