Crown of Life Blog

No Place to Call Home

10/31/2014

Photo Courtesy Open Doors

Christians in Iraq Have No Place to Call Home
by Katey Hearth
Mission Network News

"As ISIS digs in their heels and grows their radical Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, hope grows evermore dim for religious minorities in the region. Al-Monitor reports 90% of Orthodox Christians in Iraq are displaced. Only 30 families out of 600 remain in Baghdad, and there are less than 10 families left in Mosul.

“'The return of those who have been displaced back to their homes is linked to the political and security situation. We cannot urge anyone to go back now, in light of this ongoing war in different regions in Iraq,” Greek Orthodox Bishop Ghattas Hazim told Al-Monitor.

“'We are a main element in this region’s culture; Christians and Muslims from all confessions are threatened...'”

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31 More Dead in Nigeria

10/31/2014

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Muslim Extremists Kill 31 Christians in Taraba State,
Nigeria Boko Haram insurgents collaborate with Fulani herdsmen, church leader says.

October 24, 2014
By Our Nigeria Correspondent
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The Rev. Caleb Ahema, president of the Christian Reformed Church of Christ in Nigeria. (Courtesy Morning Star News)

JOS, Nigeria
Morning Star News

Armed Muslim extremists stormed two churches in Taraba state on Sunday (Oct. 19) and killed 31 people as they worshipped, a church leader said.

Two pastors, one pastor’s son, and 28 other Christians were slain in the attacks in the villages of Gindin Waya and Sondi, said the Rev. Caleb Ahema, president of the Christian Reformed Church of Christ in Nigeria. Ahema said the onslaught was the seventh attack on Christian communities in Wukari Local Government Area since February.

“The attack on Christians in Taraba state is a planned genocide against Christians by Islamic insurgents who have invaded the southern part of the state, inhabited mostly by Christians, since February,” he said.

Ahema said the Muslim extremists, who wore military uniforms, were members of the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram who came from outside the state. Recently insurgents from Boko Haram, based in Borno state, have reportedly joined ethnic Fulani herdsmen in attacks on Christians in Taraba and other northeastern states.

Some recent attacks, according to Nigerian press reports, have been carried out by Fulani herdsmen who have become members of Boko Haram, which seeks to impose sharia (Islamic law) throughout Nigeria.

While ethnic Fulanis have had longstanding property disputes with Christian farmers, church leaders say attacks on Christian communities by the herdsmen constitute a war “by Islam to eliminate Christianity” in Nigeria.

“This is the third time that the Muslims have attacked Christians on a Sunday,” Ahema said. “The attack led to the death of four persons in Gindin Waya, and 27 persons in Sondi. Among the dead is the pastor of the Sondi church, Nuhu Useni, and his only male child.”

Pastor Useni and the three other Christians slain in Sondi were buried on Monday (Oct. 20), he said.

Ahema said the killings have caused excruciating pain for the Reformed Church in Nigeria, and he appealed for the Nigerian government to take steps to stop the blood bath.

“Muslims seem determined to wipe out Christians in this country,” he said. “What is happening? How come Christians have been attacked seven times now, and it seems as if the country has no good security intelligence gathering network, or that security reports are not being used?”

Islamic extremist insurgents with Boko Haram and others killed 1,631 Christians in Nigeria for their faith in the first six months of 2014 – a figure that is 91 percent of the total Christians killed in the country in all of last year, according to advocacy group Jubilee Campaign. Last year 1,783 Nigerian Christians were killed for their faith, according to Jubilee Campaign.

The increase in Christian deaths this year accompanies an increase in the total number of people killed during the period, mainly by Boko Haram – 4,099, which is 975 more than the total deaths from attacks by religious extremists for all of last year, 3,124, according to Jubilee.

While Boko Haram (translated as “Western education is a sin”) is the moniker residents of Maiduguri, Borno state gave the insurgents, the group calls itself the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, translated as “The Congregation of the People of Tradition for Proselytism and Jihad.” The United States designated it as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in November 2013.

Christians make up 51.3 percent of Nigeria’s population of 158.2 million, while Muslims account for 45 percent and live mainly in the north.

Earlier this year, well-armed Islamist mercenaries from Niger accompanied ethnic Fulani herdsmen in attacks on eight towns and villages across four local government areas in the southern part of Taraba, Christian leaders told the head of the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria. The assailants also destroyed three church buildings.

On July 31 the assailants killed three Christians in their homes in Mayokam, Bali Local Government Area, and one in Danburam, they said. Since March, mercenary-backed, Islamist Fulani herdsmen have killed 30 Christians in Ndo Yakuima, 24 in Bajimba, and 11 in Nayinwa, Tudun Wada and Yamini. In Nwokyon, at least seven Christians were killed.

“The government with whom lies the onus to protect the lives and properties of the citizens as provided for in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria seems to have no interest in these killings and displacement of people, with attending sufferings by women and children especially,” Ahema said.

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Morning Star News is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that relies solely on contributions to offer original news reports of persecuted Christians. By providing reliable news on the suffering church, Morning Star News’ mission is to empower those in the free world to help and to encourage persecuted Christians that they are not forgotten or alone. For free subscription or to make tax-deductible donations, contact editor@morningstarnews.org, or send check to Morning Star News, 24310 Moulton Parkway, Suite O # 157, Laguna Hills, CA 92637, USA.

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Asia Will Appeal

10/31/2014

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Asia Bibi Will Appeal Death Sentence, Lawyer Confirms
by Russ Jones
Christian Headlines

Asia Bibi, the Pakistani Christian mother who has been sentenced to hang for her Christian faith, will appeal her case to the Supreme Court.

A source that could not be named told Christian Today that it is "highly unlikely" that Bibi's sentence, which was upheld in the Lahore high court on October 16, will be carried out.

"She is the first Christian woman to ever be handed the death sentence, and Pakistan haven't carried out any executions in six years," the source, who could not be named for security reasons, added.

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Reverend and Wife in Cuba

10/25/2014

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International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #241, Washington, D.C. 20006 www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org

Media Contact: Corey Bailey, Regional Manager for Central Asia RM-Asia@persecution.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Reverend and His Wife [Harassed] by Cuban Government
Wife Arrested While Husband Threatened with Criminal Charges

10/24/2014
Washington, D.C.
International Christian Concern

Religious freedom activists Reverend Mario Felix Lleonart Barroso and his wife Yoaxis Marcheco Suarez have a history of being harassed by the Cuban government, and the month of October has been no exception. On October 15, Reverend Barroso was threatened with criminal charges and the following day his wife, Yoaxis Suarez was arrested. Authorities attempted to force her to sign paperwork accusing her of criminal activities. She refused.

Prior to the threat of criminal charges on Barroso and Suarez's arrest, Barroso had visited with numerous church leaders who reported violations of religious freedom. The couple's involvement with defending religious freedom or belief has made them a target for the Cuban government, which apparently equates that as "counter-revolutionary" activity. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) says,"The Cuban government must be held to account for its ongoing violations of the religious freedom of its citizens and its harassment of those who are involved in documenting these violations."

The Reverend and his wife were both previously detained by the Cuban government on June 22, 2014. They were "released two hours later without charge, but their laptop computers and a memory flash drive were confiscated," reported Assist News. The couple was told that the police were keeping the flash drives and computer for further investigation into criminal activities.

The restriction of the right to religious freedom and belief of Christians in Cuba is not going away. CSW reported that from January to June 2014 they registered more than 130 serious documented violations of religious freedom in Cuba.

Corey Bailey, Regional Manager for ICC says, "We demand the Cuban government cease its harassment of Reverend Mario Felix Lleonart Barroso and his wife Yoaxis Marcheco Suarez. The people of Cuba must be free to practice their right of freedom of religion and belief. The government must no longer be allowed to get away with these scare tactics, threats and wrongful arrests."

For interviews, contact Corey Bailey, Regional Manager for Central Asia: RM-Asia@persecution.org

# # #

You are free to disseminate this news story. We request that you reference ICC (International Christian Concern) and include our web address, www.persecution.org. ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.

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Pastors and a Deacon Imprisoned

10/25/2014

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Iranian Pastors, Deacon Sentenced to Six Years in Prison
by Carrie Dedrick, Editor
Christian Headlines

"Two Iranian Christian pastors and one deacon have been handed down six-year prison sentences for their alleged “crimes.”

"Pastors Benham Irani and Matthias Haghnejad and deacon Silas Rabbani will be forced to spend six years in isolated prisons; Irani will be sent to a prison in the northern city of Zabol, while Haghnejad and Rabbani will serve their sentences in a prison on the island of Minab..."

"...Irani’s sentence will actually extend 12 years because he had previously been charged with “action against the state” and “action against the order” in 2006..."

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Persecution Magazine

10/25/2014

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Click Image to Read
Persecution Magazine
October, 2014

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Crosses Come Down In The Dark

10/24/2014

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International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #241
Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org

Media Contact: Sooyoung Kim, Regional Manager for Southeast Asia RM-SEAsia@persecution.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

China's Zhejiang Government Continues to Tear Down Church Crosses in Dark

10/22/2014
China
International Christian Concern

At 3:30 a.m., October 17, 2014, three hundred people in uniforms blocked all the entrances of the Kaiyang village, climbed over the church wall, broke into the church building, and forcibly removed the church cross of Kaiyang Church, Pingyang County, Wenzhou City. Local believers reported that there was a member of the church staff sleeping in the church, but she was awakened and forcibly removed from the church building. ChinaAid also reports that two other church crosses in Zhejiang Province were removed on the same day.

The church cross demolition campaign, under the guise of "removing illegal construction," has been carried out by China's Zhejiang Provincial government for over six months. Within Pingyang County of Wenzhou City, "only Zengshan Church's cross has not been taken down," a worshipper said to ChinaAid. "Believers from seven or eight pastoral regions in Pingyang are taking turns guarding the cross of Zengshan Church. Now, the only cross listed to be taken down in Pingyang County is Zengshan Church. As many as a hundred people are guarding the place."

The Zhejiang Provincial government has been showing determination in removing all "illegal" church crosses and they claim the campaign has nothing to do with religious persecution. However, all the local believers we have interviewed are strong in their stance that "the church crosses are not against any building code." A local believer even quoted a report by China Central Television (CCTV), the official state-run media in China, that Chinese government forbids forcible removal of any kind of construction at night.

"Look at what Zhejiang Provincial government is doing! They still tear down church crosses at night! What are they afraid of? Even if church crosses are illegal, why can't they just come during the daytime?" the local believer asked during the interview.

Sooyoung Kim, ICC's regional manager for Southeast Asia, said, "Zhejiang Provincial government must follow China's law and stop tearing down church crosses illegally at night. Your own people's hearts are hurt by the government's actions and it is not wise to continue this campaign. ICC strongly urges Zhejiang Provincial government to stop tearing down church crosses and to listen to its own people's cry."

For interviews, contact Sooyoung Kim, Regional Manager for Southeast Asia: RM-SEAsia@persecution.org

# # #

You are free to disseminate this news story. We request that you reference ICC (International Christian Concern) and include our web address, www.persecution.org. ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC provides Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance to the worldwide persecuted Church. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 800-422-5441.

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Prayer Force Alert

10/24/2014

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Prayer Force Alert, November 2014.pdf
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Open Doors
Prayer Force Alert
November, 2014

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Hundreds of Thousands of Christians Fleeing

10/24/2014

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Christians, Jews Unite To Fight Islamic Persecution
by Ruth Kramer
Mission Network News

"The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria is still advancing. Since their offensive attacks began four months ago, ISIS has given followers of Christianity who live in the towns they take a choice: convert to Islam, pay a tax to remain in these communities as Christians, leave, or ultimately die.

"For the Muslim-Background Believers, regardless of their choice, militants have ruthlessly attacked or killed them anyway.

"Hundreds of thousands of Christians fleeing before the ISIS onslaught are at risk of freezing or starving to death. They can’t go home. They can’t move anywhere else because of the presence of ISIS. It begs the question: Is there a future for Christians in Iraq?

"Christian communities that survived for almost 2,000 years in the country are on the brink of extinction as they are forced to leave their homes. The fate of Christians in Syria mirrors what happened in Iraq in the last decade..."

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Report from Ukraine

10/23/2014

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Ukraine: War-Torn, Weary, and Needing Hope
by Ruth Kramer
Mission Network News

"...Vehicles loaded with food have already been to the eastern regions, and we are planning to send more vehicles soon. One will head to a town in the Donetsk region (where heavy fighting has been raging despite an official ceasefire) and another to the Lugansk region. Right now, refugees in the cities of Zhitomir and Zaporozhye are asking for winter clothing, and the local believers are helping them with funds sent by SGA partners.

"The onset of winter is a serious concern, and many families remain without electricity, water, and other essentials. Churches and SGA-sponsored Bible schools have been helping to house refugees and have provided mattresses, bed linens, and other materials. SGA is now looking into the provision of emergency heaters and other winter needs. As always, the churches and ministry teams will be well-equipped with Bibles and other evangelistic literature to share the Gospel with those seekers whose lives have been devastated by the conflict.

"Because of the violence, many have been forced to flee the region, and the faithful pastors and church members who remain are in need of support during these difficult days..."

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Crown of Life Blog

The Martyrdom of ST Stephen, Pietro da Cortona, 1660

News and Information about
Persecuted Christians from all around the
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Persecuted saints benefit most from your heartfelt and earnest prayer.

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial;
for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
James 1:12

'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the
devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so
that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Revelation 2:10

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HOW TO READ A PERSECUTION NEWS STORY

Trials make the promise sweet;
Trials give new life to prayer;
Trials bring me to His feet,
Lay me low, and keep me there.

"God often takes away our comforts and our privileges in order to make us better Christians. He trains His soldiers not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and subjecting them to forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford through streams, and swim through rivers, and climb mountains, and walk many long miles with heavy backpacks of sorrow. Well, Christian, may this not account for the troubles through which you are passing? Is the Lord bringing out your graces and making them grow? Is it for this reason He contends with you?"

Read Why Do I Face Trials?,
by Alistair Begg, Truth for Life Daily, at One Place

Christian persecution is just a phenomenon in the
Middle East.

Christians aren’t greatly
impacted by persecution.

Whatever persecution there is, the damage is superficial - more a loss of multicultural diversity than anything else.

Christians supposedly bring persecution upon themselves by proselytizing.

Persecution couldn’t
happen here.

Please read 5 Myths about Persecution of Christians, by
Kristin Wright, at Religion Today.

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