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ARCHIVE
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June 18, 2008
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President of Chinese House Church Alliance Detained
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Pastor Zhang Mingxuan, the president of Chinese House Church Alliance, was detained at approximately 12:00 p.m. on June 18 along with his interpreter when he was on his way to meet with a senior European Union official, according to a June 18 report from China Aid Association. The pastor and his interpreter are being held at a Public Security Bureau office in Beijing. Since his conversion to Christianity in 1986, Pastor Zhang has been arrested, beaten and incarcerated 12 times.
Pray for the release of the pastor and his interpreter from prison (Acts 12:5). Ask God to strengthen Chinese Christians to continue honouring God despite pressure and opposition from the authorities.
For more information on the persecution of Christians in China, click here.
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Christian Girl Raped by Muslims in Pakistan
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 On May 25, a 12-year-old girl from a Christian family, Elishba, was raped by three Muslims in Lahore, according to a June 13 report from AsiaNews. Elishba's father, Niamat Masih, returned from work to find her not at home and grew worried for her safety because she suffers from mental problems. When he went outside to look for her he heard noises coming from a nearby home and went inside. He was met by the young Muslim men who fled at the sight of him. He then found Elishba lying unconscious on the floor with her clothing torn. Elishba's family initially refrained from reporting the crime or filing charges because they were threatened by local Muslims and unable to afford the costs of a trial. After receiving support from Christian organizations, however, her father has opened a case against the rapists and they have been arrested.
Pray for healing and comfort for Elishba, who is set to receive care at a local Christian centre specializing in treating patients with mental problems. Pray that authorities will prosecute the offenders to the full extent of the law. Pray for God's love and grace to abound in the Masih family.
For more information on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan, click here.
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Christian Girl Beaten by Fellow Students in Middeniya, Sri Lanka
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 A Christian girl was attacked by her classmates following an anti-Christian meeting held in a mostly Buddhist school in the village of Middeniya, Hambantota district on June 17, according to a June 17 report from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka. After a speech by the principal warning students not to go to church, a group of students beat the Christian girl.
Ask God to heal and comfort the Christian girl who, at last report, was too afraid to return to school. Ask God to strengthen Christians in Sri Lanka to stand in God's grace in the midst of civil war and opposition (1 Peter 5:12).
For more information on persecution facing Christians in Sri Lanka, click here.
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Pastor Attacked in Madhya Pradesh, India
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 Pastor Rampal Masih was attacked by Hindu militants while leading a morning church service in the town of Gurh, Madhya Pradesh on June 15. At approximately 11:30 a.m. militants gathered outside the church building and began to shout curses at the 70 believers present. Five of the militants forcibly entered the church, dragged Pastor Masih outside and beat him. When some of the church members rescued the pastor, the militants fled to the local police station. Later that day, the militants returned with two police officers and another group of militants. They ordered Pastor Masih to come outside of the building and when he did, they beat him for a second time. Before leaving the premises, the attackers threatened to set fire to the church.
Pray for healing for Pastor Masih. Pray that he and his congregation will grow in Christlikeness through the ongoing opposition they face (James 1:2-4). Pray that the faithfulness of Indian Christians will be a light that draws others to Christ.
For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, click here.
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Albertan Pastor Fined and Censored for Violating Human Rights in Canada
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 In late November, the Alberta Human Rights Commission (AHRC) ruled that Pastor Stephen Boissoin and the Concerned Christian Coalition (CCC) violated Alberta's human rights law by publishing a letter in a local newspaper that was "likely to expose homosexuals to hatred or contempt because of their sexual preference" (click here for more information). On May 30, in the penalty phase of the proceedings, the AHRC ruled that Boissoin and CCC must pay damages equivalent to $7,000 as a result of the tribunal's decision to side with the complainant, homosexual activist Darren Lund (to view the full ruling, click here).
The ruling also ordered Boissoin and CCC to cease publishing "disparaging remarks" about homosexuals in the future in newspapers, by email, on the radio, in public speeches, or on the internet. Furthermore, Boissoin was ordered to publicly apologize to Lund in a local newspaper statement.
Boissoin has publicly stated that he "will never offer an apology" and plans to appeal the ruling. If you are interested in knowing how you can support him at this time, visit www.stephenboissoin.com.
In response to the ruling, Chief Executive Officer of The Voice of the Martyrs, Glenn Penner, said, "Is it the same to make disparaging remarks about homosexuals and homosexuality? I suspect this ruling would combine the two. Hence, Mr. Boissoin is effectively muzzled for the rest of his life from ever expressing his biblically-based views on homosexuality. In what is reminiscent of Soviet show trials, he is also being forced to publicly apologize for a crime he claims never to have committed. How far has freedom fallen in this country?"
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Formerly Imprisoned Pastor Threatened by Police in Azerbaijan
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Zaur Balaev upon his release on March 19, 2008
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Azeri pastor Zaur Balaev, who was released on March 19 after being imprisoned for nearly a year in prison on accusations of holding "illegal meetings under the guise of religious activities" (click here for more details), is facing new threats from authorities, according to a June 12 report from Forum 18. In late May, Balaev was summoned to the office of a local police chief where three officers present made statements including, "'Haven't you learned from your imprisonment?" and "Wasn't one prison term enough for you?'" Balaev also said that one officer told him, in a clear threat, "You may not be afraid, but you've forgotten you've got a wife, daughter and a son." Although the officers were not violent to him, Balaev described them as "very crude." Balaev's church is reportedly under close watch by authorities. The police have banned the church from holding church services but the congregation has refused to stop meeting together for worship. |
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Have you checked out the most recent VOMC weblog commentaries?
- In "Thoughts on Bill C-10," VOMC CEO Glenn Penner discusses a proposed controversial bill
 dealing with tax credits and subsidies to the Canadian film industry.
- In "What Kind of Animals Would Do This?" Glenn comments on the story of Elishba, a young Christian girl raped by Muslims in Pakistan.
- In "Looking Around the Office," Glenn shares his desire to impart to his staff some of the lessons he learned during his extensive ministry travels.
To make comments on these and previous VOMC weblogs, go to persecutedchurch.blogspot.com.
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