A number of months ago I joined the Open Doors prayer campaign for North Korea because I had a burden for this nation beforehand... this was before all the political and military issues surfaced.I believe that this surgence of activity is a result of the stirring up spiritually of this nation and also that this nation is key in the end times prophecy, as is China...
I think this is a good time to remind people about this three year ongoing prayer campaign, and especially with the recent events and the role this nation is playing worldwide, perhaps some of you may be called to also join at this time..
I am not sure if people outside the US are able to join because Open doors is US based and the time slots are based by state, but you can check...
Here is the link
http://www.opendoors.org/3ypnk-us/
If you can not or are not led to join the team, you can still hold up the team 'prayers' in your prayers!
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Global Week of Prayer for North Korea
June 19th - 25th will be a global week of prayer for North Korea sponsored by Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
Friday, May 05, 2006
A Light Over North Korea
I have a new [added blog] for the persecuted church specifically for North Korea.
I will be building upon it as time allows. ...
A Light Over North Korea
http://nkpersecution.blogspot.com/
If there ever were a place that one could call hell on earth today it would be North Korea. Many people think the days of Nazi germany, death camps and similar atrocites are things of the past.. but they are alive and thriving in North Korea. Fortunately, God has never forgotten the North Korean people, whose capital was once called the Jerusaleum of the East. There is still hope and that hope is faith and salvation through Jesus Christ, the true path to freedom for all people.
I will be building upon it as time allows. ...
A Light Over North Korea
http://nkpersecution.blogspot.com/
If there ever were a place that one could call hell on earth today it would be North Korea. Many people think the days of Nazi germany, death camps and similar atrocites are things of the past.. but they are alive and thriving in North Korea. Fortunately, God has never forgotten the North Korean people, whose capital was once called the Jerusaleum of the East. There is still hope and that hope is faith and salvation through Jesus Christ, the true path to freedom for all people.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
North Korea Freedom Week [In progress]
Please go to the "Open Doors" site for additional information and suggestions on how to pray specifically over these areas.
This is North Korea Freedom Week, a week long of focused prayer and other events designed to open peoples eyes to the true condition of the North Korean people. Prayer vigils are scheduled in the cities of Houston, Washington dc and Los Angeles.
This is North Korea Freedom Week, a week long of focused prayer and other events designed to open peoples eyes to the true condition of the North Korean people. Prayer vigils are scheduled in the cities of Houston, Washington dc and Los Angeles.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Does YOUR Church have any idea?
Reported by Open Doors...
"An estimated 200 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with another 200 to 400 million facing discrimination & alienation..."
This "should" be a mind boggling but also commonly known fact to ALL Christians, but the sad thing is that the majority of Christians refuse to pay attention, learn the truth or acknowledge their persecuted brethren... I think only 3% [of all Christians] actually support and keep abreast of what is happening to fellow believers who are enduring genuine persecution?
More effort and pain is required to support our persecuted brethren in many areas where other groups are not willing to tread... yet both the saved and unsaved in these area villages and towns reap the benefits from these missions & agencies.
It's ironic because many Christians avoid opening their eyes and acknowledging the extreme suffering of their brethren, because it is so painful.. yet these same people will constantly refer to "the cross and Christ's sacrifice"... It would seem that Jesus' death on the cross is merely some form of "abstract concept" to them, not something that needs to be related to the here and now.
"An estimated 200 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with another 200 to 400 million facing discrimination & alienation..."
This "should" be a mind boggling but also commonly known fact to ALL Christians, but the sad thing is that the majority of Christians refuse to pay attention, learn the truth or acknowledge their persecuted brethren... I think only 3% [of all Christians] actually support and keep abreast of what is happening to fellow believers who are enduring genuine persecution?
More effort and pain is required to support our persecuted brethren in many areas where other groups are not willing to tread... yet both the saved and unsaved in these area villages and towns reap the benefits from these missions & agencies.
It's ironic because many Christians avoid opening their eyes and acknowledging the extreme suffering of their brethren, because it is so painful.. yet these same people will constantly refer to "the cross and Christ's sacrifice"... It would seem that Jesus' death on the cross is merely some form of "abstract concept" to them, not something that needs to be related to the here and now.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
New Version of UN Human Rights Council will allow Wolves IN !
Changes to the UN Human Rights Council have loosened former restrictions and opened doors that will actually allow the repressive regimes and major human rights violators an opportunity to be voted into the group and part of the future decision making processes and laws.
Quoted from Christian Freedom Intl report...
" The UN General Assembly voted 170 to 4, with 3 abstentions, to create the new body designed to expose human rights abusers and help nations develop rights legislation and policy. The U.S. was joined only by Israel, Palau, and the Marshall Islands in opposing the motion ... "
Although the mandate of the new revised group looks good, it is the criteria that determines the members that is the grave concern here. Less votes will be required to vote a nation in, and those who are well known human rights violators will have rights to be submit for membership. Political pressure will in all liklihood allow new entries [wolves into the fold].
Imagine countries that methodically torture and abuse people making the kind of decisions as to laws on how to "protect people"... This is an absolute travesty of God's justice!
Pray for the Persecuted Church as never before now because the floodgates of evil have been now opened wide through this decision and the innocent will suffer more than ever before. God help and sustain the body of Christ and ALL those who suffer under the evil oppressers.
Quoted from Christian Freedom Intl report...
" The UN General Assembly voted 170 to 4, with 3 abstentions, to create the new body designed to expose human rights abusers and help nations develop rights legislation and policy. The U.S. was joined only by Israel, Palau, and the Marshall Islands in opposing the motion ... "
Although the mandate of the new revised group looks good, it is the criteria that determines the members that is the grave concern here. Less votes will be required to vote a nation in, and those who are well known human rights violators will have rights to be submit for membership. Political pressure will in all liklihood allow new entries [wolves into the fold].
Imagine countries that methodically torture and abuse people making the kind of decisions as to laws on how to "protect people"... This is an absolute travesty of God's justice!
Pray for the Persecuted Church as never before now because the floodgates of evil have been now opened wide through this decision and the innocent will suffer more than ever before. God help and sustain the body of Christ and ALL those who suffer under the evil oppressers.
Open Doors 2006 list of Most Persecuted Nations
Open Doors ministry has released it's 2006 annual report and listing of the top 50 Countries where Christians suffer most for their faith.
North Korea tops the list for the fourth year in a row.
The top ten nations are...
1. North Korea
2. Saudi Arabia
3. Iran
4. Somalia
5. Maldives
6. Bhutan
7. Vietnam
8. Yemen
9. Laos
10.China
Although it is hard for many to think of these people as blessed, it is clear in God's Word that they truly are... perhaps those blessings are not apparent at the moment, but eternally they will be made clear. Many of God's children who are suffering and carrying the cross of persecution and those who already wear the white robes described in Revelations have met most [or even all] of the qualities and criteria that Jesus said qualified a believer to be counted as blessed.
Matthew 5:3-12
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Another vitally important thing that greatly blesses these believers is knowing that they have not been forgotten by their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ... those of us in nations that are not experiencing the same levels of persecution as they.
Revelation 2:9-10 "The Persecuted Church"
I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Remember the plight of the suffering "church of Smyrna", stand in the gap for them through your prayers, advocacy, and the active sowing of seed into those ministries [Voice of the Martyrs, Open Doors, Christian freedom International, etc...) that would help them not only endure these trials but also supply their very essential needs!
Matthew 25:31-40
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Report of 2006 top ten nations
http://www.opendoorsusa.org/Display.asp?Page=WWL_frontpage
North Korea tops the list for the fourth year in a row.
The top ten nations are...
1. North Korea
2. Saudi Arabia
3. Iran
4. Somalia
5. Maldives
6. Bhutan
7. Vietnam
8. Yemen
9. Laos
10.China
Although it is hard for many to think of these people as blessed, it is clear in God's Word that they truly are... perhaps those blessings are not apparent at the moment, but eternally they will be made clear. Many of God's children who are suffering and carrying the cross of persecution and those who already wear the white robes described in Revelations have met most [or even all] of the qualities and criteria that Jesus said qualified a believer to be counted as blessed.
Matthew 5:3-12
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Another vitally important thing that greatly blesses these believers is knowing that they have not been forgotten by their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ... those of us in nations that are not experiencing the same levels of persecution as they.
Revelation 2:9-10 "The Persecuted Church"
I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Remember the plight of the suffering "church of Smyrna", stand in the gap for them through your prayers, advocacy, and the active sowing of seed into those ministries [Voice of the Martyrs, Open Doors, Christian freedom International, etc...) that would help them not only endure these trials but also supply their very essential needs!
Matthew 25:31-40
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Report of 2006 top ten nations
http://www.opendoorsusa.org/Display.asp?Page=WWL_frontpage
Thursday, March 09, 2006
SUNDAY 03/12/2006 - Global day of prayer for BURMA
* This Sunday, March 12, 2006...
The nation of Burma will be lifted up in a day of global prayer.
Pray for God to supply all the needs of the faithful and diligently protect those who are persecuted and suffering within that nation. Please intercede for a change of heart among it's leaders and military forces... petition the Lord for a spirit of peace to blanket the land and settle deep into it... Ask for a deep spiritual seeking amongst all the people, a strong desire to know the one true God and to once again [as it did in the early 1800's) have the Holy Spirit sweep across the nation, awakening hearts and leading multitudes to Jesus Christ.
Psalm 57: 1-2
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; nd in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me. He shall send from heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. Selah God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.
The nation of Burma will be lifted up in a day of global prayer.
Pray for God to supply all the needs of the faithful and diligently protect those who are persecuted and suffering within that nation. Please intercede for a change of heart among it's leaders and military forces... petition the Lord for a spirit of peace to blanket the land and settle deep into it... Ask for a deep spiritual seeking amongst all the people, a strong desire to know the one true God and to once again [as it did in the early 1800's) have the Holy Spirit sweep across the nation, awakening hearts and leading multitudes to Jesus Christ.
Psalm 57: 1-2
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; nd in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me. He shall send from heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. Selah God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.
Multitudes of Homeless Burmese
* Multitudes of Homeless Burmese
Psalm 57: 1-2
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me. He shall send from heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. Selah God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.
The following report [which highlights the day of prayer for Burma] goes into detail about the state of unrest, vast human rights violations and oppression of the Burmese people. There are literally multitudes of displaced people living as vagabonds forever on the move within it's jungles, as well as a huge population of refugees who have fleed from this repression and violence... but there is hope, salvation and peace through Jesus Christ. Inform yourself over the situation in Burma and let God move your heart to intercede for ALL the people within that nation.
----------------------------------------------------------
ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA Wednesday, March 8, 2006
BURMA (MYANMAR): GLOBAL DAY OF PRAYER - 12 MARCH
By Elizabeth Kendal
World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission (WEA RLC)Special to ASSIST News Service
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (ANS) -- Sunday 12 March is the Global Day of Prayer for Burma.
BURMA – NATION IN CHAOS
Today, after half a century of continual conflict and chaos, Burmese citizens live under one of the most brutally repressive regimes in the world. Whilst Burma's military junta is defined by a mix of Buddhist and Marxist thought, its real interest is power, not ideology. Meanwhile many of Burma's ethnic minorities have large Christian communities and are pro-democracy. The Karen, Burma's largest ethnic minority - around 20 per cent of the population - are 40 percent Christian. Christianity is dominant amongst the Kachin of the north and the Chin and Naga of the west, and is widespread amongst the Karenni and Karen of the war-wracked east. Burma's military dictatorship brutally and decisively crushes all dissent, but active insurgencies are continuing in the Shan, Karenni and Karen eastern states. Burma's army is infamous for its gross human rights abuses which include forced labour, rape, killings, beheadings, the mutilation of bodies and the use of terror squads. Burma's internal conflicts have created over a million IDPs (internally displaced people) forced to be constantly on the move through dense jungle, as well as more than a million refugees, mostly in camps in neighbouring countries.
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
a miracle of peace to Burma, from our Creator God who brought order to chaos and light to darkness, from our Sovereign God who rules over the nations and holds the hearts of 'kings' in his hands. (Isaiah 40:12-26; Proverbs 22:1) May peace, not power, be the heart desire of all Burmese, especially those in positions of influence and authority. And may peace be accompanied by wisdom, justice, grace and reconciliation.
BURMA – CHURCH UNDER ATTACK
In the mid-1960s nearly all foreign missionaries were expelled and all private schools and hospitals, mostly run by Christian missions, were nationalised. Today, Burma's registered church has a limited religious freedom. The government imposes restrictions on witness, the building and repair of church property and the importation and distribution of Christian literature. The government monitors religious activity to ensure there is no talk of human rights or democracy. Christians are frequently discriminated against and persecuted 'in the public interest' because they mostly belong to the restive ethnic minorities. Buddhism is strongly entrenched and is used by the regime as a weapon against the ethnic minorities. The government is known to fund and arm Buddhist militias to burn the churches and violently persecute the Christians amongst the Karen and Karenni minorities. These attacks form what is really government-sponsored religious offensive within a larger civil war.
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
God to protect and nurture Karenni and Karen believers, forced to live in constant fear and with abject poverty and hardship, as they face brutal offensives from Buddhist militias and the Burma army. (Isaiah 40:11) the Holy Spirit to fix the eyes of all Burma's repressed and suffering Christians firmly on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). 'Consider him [Jesus] who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.' (Hebrews 12:3) May Jesus be their strength, direction and hope.
BURMA – IN GOD'S HEART
When Adoniram Judson, America's first foreign missionary, arrived in Burma in 1813 it was a hostile and totally unreached territory. He was 24 and worked there for 38 years until his death at age 61. Judson laboured for six years without any fruit. When berated for his lack of results he replied, 'The prospects are as bright as the promise of God.' His first convert Maung Nau was baptised on 27 June 1819. Judson persevered, but with little progress and inconceivable, costly suffering. The first Karen Judson led to the Lord was Ko Tha Byu, a slave and hardened criminal. After his converion in 1828, Ko Tha Byu became a mighty evangelist who ultimately led to Christ multitudes of Karen whom God had prepared to receive the gospel. But it was in 1831 that Judson noticed a distinct change come over the land. He observed: 'A spirit of inquiry is spreading everywhere, through the whole length and breadth of the land.' The Holy Spirit moved in power and many thousands of Burmese from right across the nation sought and received salvation. Less than 200 years later, Burma today has around four million Christians - 8.7 per cent of the population. And the prospects for Burma are still as bright as the promises of God.
PLEASE PRAY:
that God will revisit Burma with another special outpouring of his Holy Spirit, that a 'spirit of inquiry' will once again flood the land, so deep it reaches up into the high places of government and military power. that God's Spirit will bring deep conviction of sin to Burma, that the killings and oppression might end with repentance and restoration.
** Printed with permission **
Psalm 57: 1-2
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me. He shall send from heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. Selah God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.
The following report [which highlights the day of prayer for Burma] goes into detail about the state of unrest, vast human rights violations and oppression of the Burmese people. There are literally multitudes of displaced people living as vagabonds forever on the move within it's jungles, as well as a huge population of refugees who have fleed from this repression and violence... but there is hope, salvation and peace through Jesus Christ. Inform yourself over the situation in Burma and let God move your heart to intercede for ALL the people within that nation.
----------------------------------------------------------
ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA Wednesday, March 8, 2006
BURMA (MYANMAR): GLOBAL DAY OF PRAYER - 12 MARCH
By Elizabeth Kendal
World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission (WEA RLC)Special to ASSIST News Service
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (ANS) -- Sunday 12 March is the Global Day of Prayer for Burma.
BURMA – NATION IN CHAOS
Today, after half a century of continual conflict and chaos, Burmese citizens live under one of the most brutally repressive regimes in the world. Whilst Burma's military junta is defined by a mix of Buddhist and Marxist thought, its real interest is power, not ideology. Meanwhile many of Burma's ethnic minorities have large Christian communities and are pro-democracy. The Karen, Burma's largest ethnic minority - around 20 per cent of the population - are 40 percent Christian. Christianity is dominant amongst the Kachin of the north and the Chin and Naga of the west, and is widespread amongst the Karenni and Karen of the war-wracked east. Burma's military dictatorship brutally and decisively crushes all dissent, but active insurgencies are continuing in the Shan, Karenni and Karen eastern states. Burma's army is infamous for its gross human rights abuses which include forced labour, rape, killings, beheadings, the mutilation of bodies and the use of terror squads. Burma's internal conflicts have created over a million IDPs (internally displaced people) forced to be constantly on the move through dense jungle, as well as more than a million refugees, mostly in camps in neighbouring countries.
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
a miracle of peace to Burma, from our Creator God who brought order to chaos and light to darkness, from our Sovereign God who rules over the nations and holds the hearts of 'kings' in his hands. (Isaiah 40:12-26; Proverbs 22:1) May peace, not power, be the heart desire of all Burmese, especially those in positions of influence and authority. And may peace be accompanied by wisdom, justice, grace and reconciliation.
BURMA – CHURCH UNDER ATTACK
In the mid-1960s nearly all foreign missionaries were expelled and all private schools and hospitals, mostly run by Christian missions, were nationalised. Today, Burma's registered church has a limited religious freedom. The government imposes restrictions on witness, the building and repair of church property and the importation and distribution of Christian literature. The government monitors religious activity to ensure there is no talk of human rights or democracy. Christians are frequently discriminated against and persecuted 'in the public interest' because they mostly belong to the restive ethnic minorities. Buddhism is strongly entrenched and is used by the regime as a weapon against the ethnic minorities. The government is known to fund and arm Buddhist militias to burn the churches and violently persecute the Christians amongst the Karen and Karenni minorities. These attacks form what is really government-sponsored religious offensive within a larger civil war.
PLEASE PRAY FOR:
God to protect and nurture Karenni and Karen believers, forced to live in constant fear and with abject poverty and hardship, as they face brutal offensives from Buddhist militias and the Burma army. (Isaiah 40:11) the Holy Spirit to fix the eyes of all Burma's repressed and suffering Christians firmly on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). 'Consider him [Jesus] who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.' (Hebrews 12:3) May Jesus be their strength, direction and hope.
BURMA – IN GOD'S HEART
When Adoniram Judson, America's first foreign missionary, arrived in Burma in 1813 it was a hostile and totally unreached territory. He was 24 and worked there for 38 years until his death at age 61. Judson laboured for six years without any fruit. When berated for his lack of results he replied, 'The prospects are as bright as the promise of God.' His first convert Maung Nau was baptised on 27 June 1819. Judson persevered, but with little progress and inconceivable, costly suffering. The first Karen Judson led to the Lord was Ko Tha Byu, a slave and hardened criminal. After his converion in 1828, Ko Tha Byu became a mighty evangelist who ultimately led to Christ multitudes of Karen whom God had prepared to receive the gospel. But it was in 1831 that Judson noticed a distinct change come over the land. He observed: 'A spirit of inquiry is spreading everywhere, through the whole length and breadth of the land.' The Holy Spirit moved in power and many thousands of Burmese from right across the nation sought and received salvation. Less than 200 years later, Burma today has around four million Christians - 8.7 per cent of the population. And the prospects for Burma are still as bright as the promises of God.
PLEASE PRAY:
that God will revisit Burma with another special outpouring of his Holy Spirit, that a 'spirit of inquiry' will once again flood the land, so deep it reaches up into the high places of government and military power. that God's Spirit will bring deep conviction of sin to Burma, that the killings and oppression might end with repentance and restoration.
** Printed with permission **
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
(03/01) Day of Prayer for Nigeria - URGENT
Nigeria is currently experiencing a great spiritual upheaveal and unrest . There has been much violence erupting against Christians, and some counter violence against Muslims occurring on several fronts. Churches have been burned, many people killed and there is a great stirring up by political forces against religious minorities. Many factors have combined to create this hostile environment, one of them being the fall out from the danish cartoons that have incited Muslims to recent violence across several nations.
Quoted from CSW
"... Sources in northern Nigeria report that at least 30 churches and 250 shops and houses were destroyed in Borno State, when a peaceful protest in the capital city Maiduguri turned violent and a crowd armed with sticks, machetes and iron bars rampaged through the town destroying Christian properties and targeting members of the clergy..."
http://www.csw.org.uk/latestnews/article.php?id=480
However this is just the tip of the iceberg, and there are other factors that have created this volatile situation, many groups have been working long and hard to turn the nation of Nigeria into an Islamic nation.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide has informed us that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) have designated 1 March as a day of prayer for Nigeria.
Remember this nation and pray for it's people and the breaking down of those strongholds that have set itself against the Kingdom of the most high God on March 01/2006!
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (New King James Version)
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
Quoted from CSW
"... Sources in northern Nigeria report that at least 30 churches and 250 shops and houses were destroyed in Borno State, when a peaceful protest in the capital city Maiduguri turned violent and a crowd armed with sticks, machetes and iron bars rampaged through the town destroying Christian properties and targeting members of the clergy..."
http://www.csw.org.uk/latestnews/article.php?id=480
However this is just the tip of the iceberg, and there are other factors that have created this volatile situation, many groups have been working long and hard to turn the nation of Nigeria into an Islamic nation.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide has informed us that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) have designated 1 March as a day of prayer for Nigeria.
Remember this nation and pray for it's people and the breaking down of those strongholds that have set itself against the Kingdom of the most high God on March 01/2006!
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (New King James Version)
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
Seoul Wailing Prayer Vigil - North Korea (02/28-03/01)
Please pray for God's spirit and power to fall upon and ignite all the participants of this prayer vigil being held for the North Korean people and His church...
http://www.kccnk.org/Eng/index.html?PHPSESSID=9da3bc75a3380f4e73
"... On February 28 - March 1, 2006, KCC will be hosting the Seoul Wailing Prayer. This spectacular event will be held at the Youngnak Presbytarian Church in Seoul, Korea, and an attendance of approximately 26,000 attendees is expected. This event is expected to be the largest gatherings of Korean pastors (total 6,000 pastors expected - 5,000 from Korea and 1,000 from outside Korea) from all over the world for North Korea freedom, and will feature many prominent speakers and experts on the North Korean issue. We will be honored by your presence, as well as that of your congregation, or any other interested person will be greatly appreciated. Won’t you please join us, and be part of this historic event?..."
http://www.kccnk.org/Eng/index.html?PHPSESSID=9da3bc75a3380f4e73
"... On February 28 - March 1, 2006, KCC will be hosting the Seoul Wailing Prayer. This spectacular event will be held at the Youngnak Presbytarian Church in Seoul, Korea, and an attendance of approximately 26,000 attendees is expected. This event is expected to be the largest gatherings of Korean pastors (total 6,000 pastors expected - 5,000 from Korea and 1,000 from outside Korea) from all over the world for North Korea freedom, and will feature many prominent speakers and experts on the North Korean issue. We will be honored by your presence, as well as that of your congregation, or any other interested person will be greatly appreciated. Won’t you please join us, and be part of this historic event?..."
Prayer events for North Korea
Monday, February 27, 2006
NEW INTERNATIONAL INTER-AGENCY WEBSITE FOR NORTH KOREA LAUNCHED
By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries
NEW MALDEN, SURREY, UK (ANS) -- Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), a British human rights organization specializing in religious freedom, has announced that a new website dedicated to mobilizing and facilitating prayer for North Korea is being launched on Tuesday, February 28.
The website, http://www.prayfornorthkorea.org/, has been launched as part of the Global Week of Prayer for North Korea which will run from June 19-25, 2006. The week is an inter-agency initiative designed to focus the worldwide Church's attention on the need to pray for the desperate plight of the country's 22 million people.
“North Korea has long been shrouded in secrecy, masking it from the interest and prayers of the outside world,” said CSW's International Advocate, Elizabeth Batha, who has pioneered the Global Week of Prayer, “but in recent years information on the terrible oppression, statewide enforced idolatry and utterly brutal persecution of the Christians has become available to all. The level of brutality and the suppression of the gospel should make this a key prayer focus for the worldwide Church. The Global Week of Prayer for North Korea is a call for all of us to recognize and respond to the seriousness of this situation.
”Numerous resources have been created and made accessible through the website to enable prayer and facilitate the running of meetings. These include a video and self-running PowerPoint presentation, as well as a plethora of written materials to enable even those with no previous knowledge to run a prayer meeting for North Korea.
GLOBAL SCALE
A CSW spokesperson said, “The scale of the Global Week of Prayer for North Korea is reflected in the agencies that are participating, including agencies with millions and tens of millions in their memberships, such as the National Association of Evangelicals (US) and World Assemblies of God. Large Korean church umbrella bodies are also participating. The Human Rights Committee of the Christian Council of Korea, the representative body of the majority of the South Korean Churches, is a participating organization as are the large Korean American Church Coalition and the Korean Church Association in the UK. Other agencies, such as the North Korea Freedom Coalition, Open Doors, and Release International are on board, and media such as God TV and Premier Christian Radio are supporting the Week.
HISTORIC EVENT
“The website is launched to coincide with a historic prayer vigil taking place in Seoul from February 28 to March 1. The organizers, the Korean Church Coalition, are anticipating that the Seoul Wailing Prayer Meeting will be the largest international gathering of Korean and non-Korean pastors worldwide to pray for North Korean freedom. They estimate 5,000 pastors from Korea and 1,000 pastors from elsewhere will be participating with a total attendance of approximately 26,000 believers.” (For more information visit http://www.kccnk.org/).
CSW's Elizabeth Batha will be addressing the event and encouraging all participants to engage in the Global Week of Prayer for North Korea and to take up the prayer, advocacy and aid dimensions of the week.
GETTING INVOLVED
“Churches and agencies are encouraged to adopt the focus in their meetings and publications during that week, to use the resources in Sunday meetings, to encourage prayer meetings and fellowship meetings to follow the focus and even to organize local or regional meetings with others,” said the CSW spokesperson. “Meetings and peaceful protests are already planned in several major cities across the world, including London, Washington and Seoul.
“Believers are also encouraged to adopt the week of prayer as a focus, to encourage services and meetings to include the focus and to get involved in other ways. Alongside prayer, the Global Week of Prayer for North Korea will carry advocacy and aid dimensions, encouraging believers to use their voices to speak out for those suffering under the dire oppression and to donate to help North Koreans, including those who flee the repression and misery only to encounter further suffering at the hands of the Chinese authorities.
”The website http://www.prayfornorthkorea.org/ is designed as a key vehicle to facilitate all these activities.
“We believe North Korea deserves to be high on the worldwide Church's agenda and that, as awareness rises, believers all over the world will feel moved to pray against this idolatry,” said Elizabeth Batha, “Even the word for God is banned and most Christians have been killed or sent to the gulag. Ninety-nine years ago North Korea was a centre for revival and many of the mega churches in South Korea that are looked to as examples of church growth around the world were planted by those fleeing from North Korea. Now is the time to raise up a concert of prayer that will see that blessing flood back into North Korea. We urge all believers to get on board, to participate in the Week and to visit the new website to see how they can get involved.”
For more information, please visit http://www.prayfornorthkorea.org/, e-mail admin@prayfornorthkorea.org / mary@csw.org.uk or call Christian Solidarity Worldwide at 020 8329 0048
Christian Solidarity Worldwide is a human rights organization which specializes in religious freedom, works on behalf of those persecuted for their Christian beliefs and promotes religious liberty for all.
NOTES TO EDITORS SUPPLIED BY CSW:
BREAKING THE SILENCE
Behind the wall of silence in North Korea, the Communist regime has sought to decimate the Church and repression of Christianity has been ruthless and thorough.
The isolation of North Korea has enabled the leaders to brainwash the population and teach them unquestioning obedience to their authority. Kim Il Sung (the “Great Leader”) and his son, Kim Jong Il (the “Dear Leader”) have instituted a personality cult in which they are worshipped. No belief in a higher authority is tolerated and being a Christian is viewed as one of the most serious crimes.
HORRIFIC PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS
Before the Communist regime was installed, the North was a centre of revival and Pyongyang was known as the Jerusalem of the East. Most Christians fled to the South during the Korean War, or were martyred. Kim Il Sung, the “Great Leader”, ordered that three generations of a Christian's family must be eliminated. A few believers have managed to hold on to their faith despite the horrific persecution. Many Christians have been publicly executed and others have been taken away to camps where they are subject to barbaric abuse and treated as sub-human. They will never be allowed out of the camps, alive or dead, and are worked to death in brutal conditions and terrible deprivation. Christians suffer especially cruel treatment in these death camps as they are under ongoing pressure to renounce their faith. They are subject to frequent torture and abuse and are also forced to do the most grueling and dangerous work, both by guards, as punishment, and by fellow prisoners, who despise their faith as insanity. The persecution of Christians i n North Korea may be the worst anywhere in the world.
SPIRITUAL BREAKTHROUGH
As the Church worldwide lifts up North Korea in prayer, it will join with many South Koreans who have been praying earnestly for their brothers and sisters in the North for many years. Pastor Yonggi Cho, the pastor of the largest church in the world, has endorsed the call to prayer, stating: "We have been praying fervently for North Korea for many decades now, specifically praying for the peaceful unification of the two Koreas. We have many young pastors preparing for the ministry who are planning to enter North Korea when this door is open. It would be deeply appreciated if you would join us in prayer for North Korea. God is not willing that any should perish without Him.
"North Koreans are immensely open to the gospel. Those who flee the country often accept Jesus with open hearts. They have been trained to such a level of obedience in North Korea that they can quickly become devoted disciples, even ready to face death for their faith.
CHINA
Although North Korea forbids its citizens to leave the country without permission and punishes those who do, significant numbers have fled over the border into China, which they consider a comparatively free and prosperous country. However, even there, they face grave danger, exploitation, bride-selling and, if caught, repatriation to brutal treatment in North Korea. Those repatriated are cross-examined about whether they have come into contact with Christians or become Christians. Those discovered to have done so are singled out for the harshest punishment, including execution or imprisonment.
Note: Dan Wooding is one of the few Christian journalists ever allowed into North Korea to report from there.
- story reported by -
ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA Visit our web site at: http://www.assistnews.net/ -- E-mail: danjuma1@aol.com
** Posted with permission ***
NEW INTERNATIONAL INTER-AGENCY WEBSITE FOR NORTH KOREA LAUNCHED
By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries
NEW MALDEN, SURREY, UK (ANS) -- Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), a British human rights organization specializing in religious freedom, has announced that a new website dedicated to mobilizing and facilitating prayer for North Korea is being launched on Tuesday, February 28.
The website, http://www.prayfornorthkorea.org/, has been launched as part of the Global Week of Prayer for North Korea which will run from June 19-25, 2006. The week is an inter-agency initiative designed to focus the worldwide Church's attention on the need to pray for the desperate plight of the country's 22 million people.
“North Korea has long been shrouded in secrecy, masking it from the interest and prayers of the outside world,” said CSW's International Advocate, Elizabeth Batha, who has pioneered the Global Week of Prayer, “but in recent years information on the terrible oppression, statewide enforced idolatry and utterly brutal persecution of the Christians has become available to all. The level of brutality and the suppression of the gospel should make this a key prayer focus for the worldwide Church. The Global Week of Prayer for North Korea is a call for all of us to recognize and respond to the seriousness of this situation.
”Numerous resources have been created and made accessible through the website to enable prayer and facilitate the running of meetings. These include a video and self-running PowerPoint presentation, as well as a plethora of written materials to enable even those with no previous knowledge to run a prayer meeting for North Korea.
GLOBAL SCALE
A CSW spokesperson said, “The scale of the Global Week of Prayer for North Korea is reflected in the agencies that are participating, including agencies with millions and tens of millions in their memberships, such as the National Association of Evangelicals (US) and World Assemblies of God. Large Korean church umbrella bodies are also participating. The Human Rights Committee of the Christian Council of Korea, the representative body of the majority of the South Korean Churches, is a participating organization as are the large Korean American Church Coalition and the Korean Church Association in the UK. Other agencies, such as the North Korea Freedom Coalition, Open Doors, and Release International are on board, and media such as God TV and Premier Christian Radio are supporting the Week.
HISTORIC EVENT
“The website is launched to coincide with a historic prayer vigil taking place in Seoul from February 28 to March 1. The organizers, the Korean Church Coalition, are anticipating that the Seoul Wailing Prayer Meeting will be the largest international gathering of Korean and non-Korean pastors worldwide to pray for North Korean freedom. They estimate 5,000 pastors from Korea and 1,000 pastors from elsewhere will be participating with a total attendance of approximately 26,000 believers.” (For more information visit http://www.kccnk.org/).
CSW's Elizabeth Batha will be addressing the event and encouraging all participants to engage in the Global Week of Prayer for North Korea and to take up the prayer, advocacy and aid dimensions of the week.
GETTING INVOLVED
“Churches and agencies are encouraged to adopt the focus in their meetings and publications during that week, to use the resources in Sunday meetings, to encourage prayer meetings and fellowship meetings to follow the focus and even to organize local or regional meetings with others,” said the CSW spokesperson. “Meetings and peaceful protests are already planned in several major cities across the world, including London, Washington and Seoul.
“Believers are also encouraged to adopt the week of prayer as a focus, to encourage services and meetings to include the focus and to get involved in other ways. Alongside prayer, the Global Week of Prayer for North Korea will carry advocacy and aid dimensions, encouraging believers to use their voices to speak out for those suffering under the dire oppression and to donate to help North Koreans, including those who flee the repression and misery only to encounter further suffering at the hands of the Chinese authorities.
”The website http://www.prayfornorthkorea.org/ is designed as a key vehicle to facilitate all these activities.
“We believe North Korea deserves to be high on the worldwide Church's agenda and that, as awareness rises, believers all over the world will feel moved to pray against this idolatry,” said Elizabeth Batha, “Even the word for God is banned and most Christians have been killed or sent to the gulag. Ninety-nine years ago North Korea was a centre for revival and many of the mega churches in South Korea that are looked to as examples of church growth around the world were planted by those fleeing from North Korea. Now is the time to raise up a concert of prayer that will see that blessing flood back into North Korea. We urge all believers to get on board, to participate in the Week and to visit the new website to see how they can get involved.”
For more information, please visit http://www.prayfornorthkorea.org/, e-mail admin@prayfornorthkorea.org / mary@csw.org.uk or call Christian Solidarity Worldwide at 020 8329 0048
Christian Solidarity Worldwide is a human rights organization which specializes in religious freedom, works on behalf of those persecuted for their Christian beliefs and promotes religious liberty for all.
NOTES TO EDITORS SUPPLIED BY CSW:
BREAKING THE SILENCE
Behind the wall of silence in North Korea, the Communist regime has sought to decimate the Church and repression of Christianity has been ruthless and thorough.
The isolation of North Korea has enabled the leaders to brainwash the population and teach them unquestioning obedience to their authority. Kim Il Sung (the “Great Leader”) and his son, Kim Jong Il (the “Dear Leader”) have instituted a personality cult in which they are worshipped. No belief in a higher authority is tolerated and being a Christian is viewed as one of the most serious crimes.
HORRIFIC PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS
Before the Communist regime was installed, the North was a centre of revival and Pyongyang was known as the Jerusalem of the East. Most Christians fled to the South during the Korean War, or were martyred. Kim Il Sung, the “Great Leader”, ordered that three generations of a Christian's family must be eliminated. A few believers have managed to hold on to their faith despite the horrific persecution. Many Christians have been publicly executed and others have been taken away to camps where they are subject to barbaric abuse and treated as sub-human. They will never be allowed out of the camps, alive or dead, and are worked to death in brutal conditions and terrible deprivation. Christians suffer especially cruel treatment in these death camps as they are under ongoing pressure to renounce their faith. They are subject to frequent torture and abuse and are also forced to do the most grueling and dangerous work, both by guards, as punishment, and by fellow prisoners, who despise their faith as insanity. The persecution of Christians i n North Korea may be the worst anywhere in the world.
SPIRITUAL BREAKTHROUGH
As the Church worldwide lifts up North Korea in prayer, it will join with many South Koreans who have been praying earnestly for their brothers and sisters in the North for many years. Pastor Yonggi Cho, the pastor of the largest church in the world, has endorsed the call to prayer, stating: "We have been praying fervently for North Korea for many decades now, specifically praying for the peaceful unification of the two Koreas. We have many young pastors preparing for the ministry who are planning to enter North Korea when this door is open. It would be deeply appreciated if you would join us in prayer for North Korea. God is not willing that any should perish without Him.
"North Koreans are immensely open to the gospel. Those who flee the country often accept Jesus with open hearts. They have been trained to such a level of obedience in North Korea that they can quickly become devoted disciples, even ready to face death for their faith.
CHINA
Although North Korea forbids its citizens to leave the country without permission and punishes those who do, significant numbers have fled over the border into China, which they consider a comparatively free and prosperous country. However, even there, they face grave danger, exploitation, bride-selling and, if caught, repatriation to brutal treatment in North Korea. Those repatriated are cross-examined about whether they have come into contact with Christians or become Christians. Those discovered to have done so are singled out for the harshest punishment, including execution or imprisonment.
Note: Dan Wooding is one of the few Christian journalists ever allowed into North Korea to report from there.
- story reported by -
ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA Visit our web site at: http://www.assistnews.net/ -- E-mail: danjuma1@aol.com
** Posted with permission ***
Pakistan's blasphemy laws - tools for misuse
In many countries blasphemy laws are being misused and are frequently tools for personal vengence, and silencing christians. In Pakistan the law requires the testimony of only one Muslim against the accused. Without the legal need for any witnesses, innocent Christians are increasingly falling victems to vicious slander and being wrongly imprisoned based on the false testimony of disgruntled neighbors, and radical extremists. A call for reform of these laws by the government was abandoned due to fear and intimidation tactics from high profile islamic organizations. This is a growing trend in many islamic countries.
Hindu Festival Threatens Indian Christians
I wanted to update you on the outcome of this festival. God is good AND He does provide spiritual protection and answer the prayers of His saints, even in these times of great spiritual upheaval... Please continue to pray that there will be no residual violence emerging from those who attended the hindu festival.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
HINDU EXTREMISTS SPREAD HATE; CHRISTIANS CELEBRATE FESTIVAL OF JOY
OPEN DOORS USA
Jerry Dykstra, Media Relations Coordinator
Phone: 616-915-4117
E-Mail: JerryD@odusa.org
Web Site: www.opendoorsusa.org
SANTA ANA, CA (ANS) -- Organizers and local sources estimated that 300,000 Hindus converged on the Dangs region of Gujarat state in India during a three-day rally that began on February 11, although the government figure stands at 160,000 people.
The rally was designed by extremists “to trigger the return of thousands of Christian vanvasi [forest-dwelling] converts back to the Hindu fold.” At the same time, many of the area’s Christians attended an annual three-day Christian worship event.
The three-day Shabri Kumbh, or “Hindu Re-Awakening,” was organized by Hindu extremist groups, including the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP or World Hindu Council). The rally started amidst shouting of militant Hindu slogans such as, “Only those people will rule this country who talk about favoring Hindus.”
Participants listened to speakers, including Hindu religious leaders, espousing the “one nation based on one culture” theory as propagated by the extremists groups. Speakers accused Christians in general and Christian missionaries in particular of inducing Adivasis (tribal, sub-caste Indians) to convert and advised them to stay away from Dangs. Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi, among others, spoke openly against Christians and vowed to prevent the conversion of tribals to Christianity. Modi said that he saw nothing wrong in extending state help to prevent conversions of tribals and to facilitate “reconversions” -- even though tribals are historically animists, not Hindus.
As religious ceremonies continued throughout the first day, participants grumbled at the lack of proper sanitation and other basic facilities, noise levels and dust. At the same time, the organizers credited themselves for successfully planning the massive gathering in one of the least developed areas in the country.
Many of the bookstalls at the festival selling literature promoting Hindutva (Hindu nationalist) ideology were also seen selling provocative material targeting Christian missionaries. One bookstall also sold books glorifying the anti-Muslim Gujarat riots which caused the massacre of thousands of Muslims at the hands of frenzied Hindu mobs.
Having attracted attention from the international community, the organizers were unable to carry out assaults on Christian tribals, missionaries, churches and Christian institutions in the Dangs region on the first day. The situation continued to be sensitive, however, as more Hindus gathered on the second and the third days.
Festival of Joy
The threat of reconversions and violence was not enough to dampen the spirit of celebration of many local Christians as they gathered February 10 for a three-day Joy Mahotsav (Festival of Joy).
The Festival of Joy is an annual event in the area bringing in more than 25,000 local Christians participants from the Dangs and the surrounding areas. It is organized by Joy Ministries, headed by the Rev. Vijay Gavit from Khodtalav village, Taluka Vyara, District Surat.
This year, the threat of the Hindu rally loomed large over the preparation of the festival. Still, more than 10,000 local Christians attended the first day.
Political leaders and senior Christian leaders from the area were present on the stage, in addition to the main speaker, the Rev. Suresh Babu, and the worship team. The event also showcased prominent Christian artists from Mumbai especially invited to minister with songs of worship during the event.
As local Christians traveled to the venue for the Festival of Joy, they met thousands of VHP and RSS supporters on their way to the Hindu rally. Still, peace was maintained and no clashes were reported.
Police fortified the rally site at Subir, Dangs, even as Suresh Kulkarni, the joint general secretary of the Shabri Kumbh Samiti (organizing committee), released a press statement assuring the authorities and the media that “there will be no reconversions or any law and order problem and that peace will prevail.”
The police presence at the Festival of Joy, however, was limited to 15 men and a police van to cater to the needs of more than 10,000 Christians. As the evening progressed, many policemen could be seen raising their hands in worship as they prayed along with the local Christians for healing and deliverance.
The local Member of Parliament, Mr. Tusshar Choudhary, openly proclaimed his commitment to the Christian community, saying that if anyone tries to harm even a single Christian Adivasi in the area, they would first have to deal with him. He also said that the Christian Adivasis and the other Adivasis were being manipulated to fight against each other by the Hindutva BJP Party and their allies.
He asked the Christian community for prayer for strength as he worked to eliminate the influential powers trying to destroy the area. He began his speech with a loud cry of “Praise the Lord,” and ended it with “Jai Yeshu!” (Victory belongs to the Lord Jesus). Choudhary is not a professing Christian but a Hindu.
Other political leaders, including the Member of Legislative Assembly, echoed similar sentiments as they pointed out the positive changes brought to the area by the gospel of Jesus Christ. After tribals embrace Christianity, they said, the power of Jesus makes them into ideal citizens and good human beings.
“We need to pray for Christians caught in the volatile situation in India,” says Open Doors USA President Dr. Carl Moeller. “The Hindu extremists want to intimidate Christians, so pray that Christians there will stand strong in their faith.”
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
HINDU EXTREMISTS SPREAD HATE; CHRISTIANS CELEBRATE FESTIVAL OF JOY
OPEN DOORS USA
Jerry Dykstra, Media Relations Coordinator
Phone: 616-915-4117
E-Mail: JerryD@odusa.org
Web Site: www.opendoorsusa.org
SANTA ANA, CA (ANS) -- Organizers and local sources estimated that 300,000 Hindus converged on the Dangs region of Gujarat state in India during a three-day rally that began on February 11, although the government figure stands at 160,000 people.
The rally was designed by extremists “to trigger the return of thousands of Christian vanvasi [forest-dwelling] converts back to the Hindu fold.” At the same time, many of the area’s Christians attended an annual three-day Christian worship event.
The three-day Shabri Kumbh, or “Hindu Re-Awakening,” was organized by Hindu extremist groups, including the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP or World Hindu Council). The rally started amidst shouting of militant Hindu slogans such as, “Only those people will rule this country who talk about favoring Hindus.”
Participants listened to speakers, including Hindu religious leaders, espousing the “one nation based on one culture” theory as propagated by the extremists groups. Speakers accused Christians in general and Christian missionaries in particular of inducing Adivasis (tribal, sub-caste Indians) to convert and advised them to stay away from Dangs. Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi, among others, spoke openly against Christians and vowed to prevent the conversion of tribals to Christianity. Modi said that he saw nothing wrong in extending state help to prevent conversions of tribals and to facilitate “reconversions” -- even though tribals are historically animists, not Hindus.
As religious ceremonies continued throughout the first day, participants grumbled at the lack of proper sanitation and other basic facilities, noise levels and dust. At the same time, the organizers credited themselves for successfully planning the massive gathering in one of the least developed areas in the country.
Many of the bookstalls at the festival selling literature promoting Hindutva (Hindu nationalist) ideology were also seen selling provocative material targeting Christian missionaries. One bookstall also sold books glorifying the anti-Muslim Gujarat riots which caused the massacre of thousands of Muslims at the hands of frenzied Hindu mobs.
Having attracted attention from the international community, the organizers were unable to carry out assaults on Christian tribals, missionaries, churches and Christian institutions in the Dangs region on the first day. The situation continued to be sensitive, however, as more Hindus gathered on the second and the third days.
Festival of Joy
The threat of reconversions and violence was not enough to dampen the spirit of celebration of many local Christians as they gathered February 10 for a three-day Joy Mahotsav (Festival of Joy).
The Festival of Joy is an annual event in the area bringing in more than 25,000 local Christians participants from the Dangs and the surrounding areas. It is organized by Joy Ministries, headed by the Rev. Vijay Gavit from Khodtalav village, Taluka Vyara, District Surat.
This year, the threat of the Hindu rally loomed large over the preparation of the festival. Still, more than 10,000 local Christians attended the first day.
Political leaders and senior Christian leaders from the area were present on the stage, in addition to the main speaker, the Rev. Suresh Babu, and the worship team. The event also showcased prominent Christian artists from Mumbai especially invited to minister with songs of worship during the event.
As local Christians traveled to the venue for the Festival of Joy, they met thousands of VHP and RSS supporters on their way to the Hindu rally. Still, peace was maintained and no clashes were reported.
Police fortified the rally site at Subir, Dangs, even as Suresh Kulkarni, the joint general secretary of the Shabri Kumbh Samiti (organizing committee), released a press statement assuring the authorities and the media that “there will be no reconversions or any law and order problem and that peace will prevail.”
The police presence at the Festival of Joy, however, was limited to 15 men and a police van to cater to the needs of more than 10,000 Christians. As the evening progressed, many policemen could be seen raising their hands in worship as they prayed along with the local Christians for healing and deliverance.
The local Member of Parliament, Mr. Tusshar Choudhary, openly proclaimed his commitment to the Christian community, saying that if anyone tries to harm even a single Christian Adivasi in the area, they would first have to deal with him. He also said that the Christian Adivasis and the other Adivasis were being manipulated to fight against each other by the Hindutva BJP Party and their allies.
He asked the Christian community for prayer for strength as he worked to eliminate the influential powers trying to destroy the area. He began his speech with a loud cry of “Praise the Lord,” and ended it with “Jai Yeshu!” (Victory belongs to the Lord Jesus). Choudhary is not a professing Christian but a Hindu.
Other political leaders, including the Member of Legislative Assembly, echoed similar sentiments as they pointed out the positive changes brought to the area by the gospel of Jesus Christ. After tribals embrace Christianity, they said, the power of Jesus makes them into ideal citizens and good human beings.
“We need to pray for Christians caught in the volatile situation in India,” says Open Doors USA President Dr. Carl Moeller. “The Hindu extremists want to intimidate Christians, so pray that Christians there will stand strong in their faith.”
Monday, January 30, 2006
Will YOU Stand Up for the Persecuted Today?
Stand Today - Advocacy efforts for the Persecuted
For those genuinely interested in becoming advocates for the Persecuted Church, there is an organization called STAND TODAY that is currently attempting to recruit one million people to engage in prayer and advocate for the persecuted through way of e-mail petitions and phone calls.
Quote and goal from their site...
".. Stand Today needs your help. Our goal is to recruit one million volunteers to stand with persecuted Christians around the world through prayer, advocacy and action. Join us in this effort to unite free Christians with their suffering brothers and sisters in other countries..."
http://www.standtoday.org/volunteer.asp
For those genuinely interested in becoming advocates for the Persecuted Church, there is an organization called STAND TODAY that is currently attempting to recruit one million people to engage in prayer and advocate for the persecuted through way of e-mail petitions and phone calls.
Quote and goal from their site...
".. Stand Today needs your help. Our goal is to recruit one million volunteers to stand with persecuted Christians around the world through prayer, advocacy and action. Join us in this effort to unite free Christians with their suffering brothers and sisters in other countries..."
http://www.standtoday.org/volunteer.asp
Hindu Militants stone Boy in Conversion Siege
Many Christians have kept their heads in the sand and held on to the false conception that innocent children are shown compassion and spared by persecuters of their faith, this story reported a few days ago by ANS is just one of many where children were included as targets (or were the sole target) of violence and martyred as result.
ASSIST News Service has reported the following terrible tragedy in India where angry Hindu fanatics stoned an orphanage of 100 abandoned children run by Hopegivers intl, a Christian organization, one child was killed, about thirty fled and took cover in neighboring homes while seventy children and their school caregivers were still under seige at the time it was first reported.
Quoted from ANS article...
"... TINDOLE, RAJASTHAN (ANS) -- An angry mob of anti-social fanatics stoned an orphanage in northern India, Thursday, January 26, killing one of the orphans in the rampage.Bishop M.A. Thomas, founder of Hopegivers International, received the horrifying news via a phone call earlier today. He said the child killed was a boy between 8 and 10 years of age. Bishop Thomas told ASSIST the attack began when the Hopegivers leaders in charge of the orphanage, the Reverends Mangilal and Gopal, were attacked by a mob wanting to force the Christian tribal Dalit residents (untouchables) to revert back to Hinduism..."
ASSIST News Service has reported the following terrible tragedy in India where angry Hindu fanatics stoned an orphanage of 100 abandoned children run by Hopegivers intl, a Christian organization, one child was killed, about thirty fled and took cover in neighboring homes while seventy children and their school caregivers were still under seige at the time it was first reported.
Quoted from ANS article...
"... TINDOLE, RAJASTHAN (ANS) -- An angry mob of anti-social fanatics stoned an orphanage in northern India, Thursday, January 26, killing one of the orphans in the rampage.Bishop M.A. Thomas, founder of Hopegivers International, received the horrifying news via a phone call earlier today. He said the child killed was a boy between 8 and 10 years of age. Bishop Thomas told ASSIST the attack began when the Hopegivers leaders in charge of the orphanage, the Reverends Mangilal and Gopal, were attacked by a mob wanting to force the Christian tribal Dalit residents (untouchables) to revert back to Hinduism..."
Friday, January 20, 2006
Untouchable Christians
Many persecuted Christians fall either into government or cultural caste-like systems and are on the rock bottom rung of the ladder, living just as the Indian Dalit's (Untouchables) caste. These Christians are often the last to receive crisis aid for earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters. In some cases the government gives no assistance to these people at all. This is why there is a critical need to support agencies and missions who help the persecuted. For Christians in free nations to assume that the peoples or government of these persecuted brothers and sisters will supply their needs in times of crisis or otherwise, is a misleading and false hope.
India's Caste System: A Divisive and Soul-destroying Ideology
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
THE GLOBALIZATION OF THE DALIT PROBLEM
By Joseph D’souza
Special to ASSIST News Service
INDIA (ANS) -- The cruel caste system has been a huge, never-ending problem for us as Indians. Our inability to eradicate caste completely even after the rise of prophets like Mahatma Phule and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar reveals our own blindness to one of the most dehumanizing systems the world has ever known. There is no point in saying that the Indian Constitution has abolished untouchability because we all know that the law has not taken care of the root system that gave rise to the practice of untouchability.
There is no point in saying that we have reservations for the Dalits, because if there were no reservation system, we would have effectively consigned all Dalits to their inhuman existence. We would not then have the few Dalit-Bahujan leaders who have risen to speak out on behalf of their people. To our utter shame, no significant campaign or movement has risen up after India’s independence among the upper caste leadership in the nation, nor overseas, to end the caste system in Indian society.
If we are honest, we must admit that caste prejudice runs very deep in the Indian psyche.
So today, when Dalits agitate for some kind of quota system in the private sector, India’s upper-caste-dominated industrialists shut the door in their faces! Dalit-Bahujan leaders are forced to appeal to the overseas multinational companies to voluntarily provide for affirmative action just as they have provided such benefits for African-Americans and other minorities in their own nations. In order to make their case, the Dalit-Bahujan leaders have no option but to describe their lives as they know it in modern India. Let us be clear about this one thing: Caste is alive and well on planet India. Let us have the honesty and courage to deal with this problem and avoid the spin of the last several decades which says there is no caste system, nor the ensuing discrimination that has resulted in our cities, villages and towns.
Politics has not delivered on the issues of Dalit discrimination or the abolishment of caste, Dr. Ambedkar’s main dream and desire. What is required is the development of a national and global social conscience on the issue of caste discrimination and its atrocities. This new social conscience must be both national and global because the caste problem is not only limited to India. It is present in all South Asian nations and in other parts of the world where Indians congregate. The case of the foreign-based Indian woman who had her daughter and son-in-law murdered because of their inter-caste marriage is well known.
The rise of the extremist Hindutva movement also has meant the rise of the caste-based structure in society. How can we ignore the blatant distribution of the Manusmriti by the Sangh Parivar elements in Western India when their government was in power? The Sangh Parivar has not been shy of spreading this divisive and soul-destroying ideology even in the West and especially in America. When after the lynching of the five Dalits in Jhajjar, Haryana, the Vice President of the VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad – the world Hindu federation) can say that the life of the cow is more precious than the life of the Dalit we are brought face to face with colossal social blindness.
This social blindness can be cured only when there is the realization that all men and women are created equal and have equal intrinsic value and worth. True change can come only when everyone knows and agrees that Dalits and upper caste alike they are equally created in God’s likeness and there is no such thing as a God-given hierarchy of human beings.
There is now a growing national and global alliance of people – irrespective of caste, creed and religion – who believe that both the caste system and its consequences – the practice of untouchability and discrimination – must be abolished. It is this alliance which must educate, inform, campaign and be engaged in activism resulting in the growth and development of the social conscience which will revolt against any caste-based discrimination or prejudice. It is this conscience that will eventually abolish the caste system and that will realize India’s greatness and true potential – the potential of its huge and utterly deprived masses.
Nevertheless, this is going to be a long, difficult struggle and campaign. Those who have profited economically and politically from the caste system will not yield easily. As we have noticed recently in the Gohana episode where 50 Dalit houses were burned, these forces will attack any assertion of Dalit rights.
The vast majority of our own people do not know the meaning of “India Shining” – a slogan of the upper-caste-dominated Indian elite. India does not shine for the masses – not simply because they are poor, but because of the social system that denies them equal opportunities, empowerment, capital and freedom. Globalization has resulted in “India Shining” for the privileged minority, but now let globalization also result in “India Shining” for the majority Dalits and other oppressed castes/tribes.
* Published with Permission
An Assist News Service Publication
THE GLOBALIZATION OF THE DALIT PROBLEM
By Joseph D’souza
Special to ASSIST News Service
INDIA (ANS) -- The cruel caste system has been a huge, never-ending problem for us as Indians. Our inability to eradicate caste completely even after the rise of prophets like Mahatma Phule and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar reveals our own blindness to one of the most dehumanizing systems the world has ever known. There is no point in saying that the Indian Constitution has abolished untouchability because we all know that the law has not taken care of the root system that gave rise to the practice of untouchability.
There is no point in saying that we have reservations for the Dalits, because if there were no reservation system, we would have effectively consigned all Dalits to their inhuman existence. We would not then have the few Dalit-Bahujan leaders who have risen to speak out on behalf of their people. To our utter shame, no significant campaign or movement has risen up after India’s independence among the upper caste leadership in the nation, nor overseas, to end the caste system in Indian society.
If we are honest, we must admit that caste prejudice runs very deep in the Indian psyche.
So today, when Dalits agitate for some kind of quota system in the private sector, India’s upper-caste-dominated industrialists shut the door in their faces! Dalit-Bahujan leaders are forced to appeal to the overseas multinational companies to voluntarily provide for affirmative action just as they have provided such benefits for African-Americans and other minorities in their own nations. In order to make their case, the Dalit-Bahujan leaders have no option but to describe their lives as they know it in modern India. Let us be clear about this one thing: Caste is alive and well on planet India. Let us have the honesty and courage to deal with this problem and avoid the spin of the last several decades which says there is no caste system, nor the ensuing discrimination that has resulted in our cities, villages and towns.
Politics has not delivered on the issues of Dalit discrimination or the abolishment of caste, Dr. Ambedkar’s main dream and desire. What is required is the development of a national and global social conscience on the issue of caste discrimination and its atrocities. This new social conscience must be both national and global because the caste problem is not only limited to India. It is present in all South Asian nations and in other parts of the world where Indians congregate. The case of the foreign-based Indian woman who had her daughter and son-in-law murdered because of their inter-caste marriage is well known.
The rise of the extremist Hindutva movement also has meant the rise of the caste-based structure in society. How can we ignore the blatant distribution of the Manusmriti by the Sangh Parivar elements in Western India when their government was in power? The Sangh Parivar has not been shy of spreading this divisive and soul-destroying ideology even in the West and especially in America. When after the lynching of the five Dalits in Jhajjar, Haryana, the Vice President of the VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad – the world Hindu federation) can say that the life of the cow is more precious than the life of the Dalit we are brought face to face with colossal social blindness.
This social blindness can be cured only when there is the realization that all men and women are created equal and have equal intrinsic value and worth. True change can come only when everyone knows and agrees that Dalits and upper caste alike they are equally created in God’s likeness and there is no such thing as a God-given hierarchy of human beings.
There is now a growing national and global alliance of people – irrespective of caste, creed and religion – who believe that both the caste system and its consequences – the practice of untouchability and discrimination – must be abolished. It is this alliance which must educate, inform, campaign and be engaged in activism resulting in the growth and development of the social conscience which will revolt against any caste-based discrimination or prejudice. It is this conscience that will eventually abolish the caste system and that will realize India’s greatness and true potential – the potential of its huge and utterly deprived masses.
Nevertheless, this is going to be a long, difficult struggle and campaign. Those who have profited economically and politically from the caste system will not yield easily. As we have noticed recently in the Gohana episode where 50 Dalit houses were burned, these forces will attack any assertion of Dalit rights.
The vast majority of our own people do not know the meaning of “India Shining” – a slogan of the upper-caste-dominated Indian elite. India does not shine for the masses – not simply because they are poor, but because of the social system that denies them equal opportunities, empowerment, capital and freedom. Globalization has resulted in “India Shining” for the privileged minority, but now let globalization also result in “India Shining” for the majority Dalits and other oppressed castes/tribes.
* Published with Permission
An Assist News Service Publication
Hindu Festival Threatens Indian Christians
Keep these Christians in prayer, asking for safety and hedge of protection and a spirit of peace to prevail over the people attending an upcoming festival intent on stirring area Indians against Christians and Muslims in a small tribal community (Dangs) in Gujaret, Western India.
Hindu extremists plan to hold a festival drawing up to 500,000 attendees this Februal 11-13 called "Hindu Jago, Christi Bhagao" (translated: "Arise Hindus, throw out the Christians").
It is a mythological passion play of sorts in which the demon figure [representing in this case, Christians and Muslims] is triumphantly killed at the end. The organizers are calling for a similar action against religious minorities.
The Dangs are a tribal people who mainly practive mainly Animism, with a small Christian and Muslim population. This festival's intent is to encourage their [Animists] conversion to Hinduism and a call to violence against the area minorities (Christians and Muslims).
In 1998 a similar event caused the destruction of 36 churches in that rural area.
The AICC (All Indian Christian Council) believes there are polictical motives behind this effort, a conversion to Hinduism by these tribal people would increase the numbers supporting the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. Converting to Hinduism would entrench the Dangs who currently pay little attention to the caste system firmly within the category of "Untouchables."
Hindu extremists plan to hold a festival drawing up to 500,000 attendees this Februal 11-13 called "Hindu Jago, Christi Bhagao" (translated: "Arise Hindus, throw out the Christians").
It is a mythological passion play of sorts in which the demon figure [representing in this case, Christians and Muslims] is triumphantly killed at the end. The organizers are calling for a similar action against religious minorities.
The Dangs are a tribal people who mainly practive mainly Animism, with a small Christian and Muslim population. This festival's intent is to encourage their [Animists] conversion to Hinduism and a call to violence against the area minorities (Christians and Muslims).
In 1998 a similar event caused the destruction of 36 churches in that rural area.
The AICC (All Indian Christian Council) believes there are polictical motives behind this effort, a conversion to Hinduism by these tribal people would increase the numbers supporting the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. Converting to Hinduism would entrench the Dangs who currently pay little attention to the caste system firmly within the category of "Untouchables."
Forced Church closings are on the increase
Several nations are seeing an increase of forced church closing of unregistered and house churches.
The local government either supports or is behind some of these, or else is looking the other way and allowing radical groups to threaten church leaders and members into completely closing down their place of worship.
Some church leaders and members are complying out of fear of their life and property, others are standing their ground and facing potential imprisonment, loss of life and property as a result.
A few of the nations facing a fresh onslaught of church closings
* Cuba* Indonesia* India
The local government either supports or is behind some of these, or else is looking the other way and allowing radical groups to threaten church leaders and members into completely closing down their place of worship.
Some church leaders and members are complying out of fear of their life and property, others are standing their ground and facing potential imprisonment, loss of life and property as a result.
A few of the nations facing a fresh onslaught of church closings
* Cuba* Indonesia* India
Atrocities of North Korea's death [ labor] camps
The world has basically turned a blind eye on the horrors faced by people living in North Korea for the past several decades and it is time for the church to take a strong advocacy role in support of the worlds most restricted nation in the area of Christian persecution and quality of life for ALL North Koreans. The human rights violations are hard to comprehend, but we need to be start getting educated. North Korean's need our prayer and our voice to be heard through advocacy efforts. The more I read about this nation, the more I am reminded of the Nazi Holocaust, the same "spirit" is prevailing now in North Korea.
Death camps still exist even in this present age.
Quote from New York Sun...
"... These and other "horrifying" violations of human rights and religious freedom in North Korea are reported in a new study by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, titled "'Thank You, Father Kim Il Sung': Eyewitness Accounts of Severe Violations of Freedom of Thought, Conscience, and Religion in North Korea."** Warning: The first paragraph of the article in the link below is very graphic http://www.nysun.com/article/23082
Quote from VOM fact sheet on North Korea...
"... Very few people have ever lived to speak about the atrocities committed in the dozens of labor camps spread across North Korea. And those who have escaped tell a story beyond belief..."http://www.prisoneralert.com/pprofiles/vp_prisoner_150_profile.h tml?_nc=f3d5c44f3da6e3b1100b1805366c5a33
Death camps still exist even in this present age.
Quote from New York Sun...
"... These and other "horrifying" violations of human rights and religious freedom in North Korea are reported in a new study by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, titled "'Thank You, Father Kim Il Sung': Eyewitness Accounts of Severe Violations of Freedom of Thought, Conscience, and Religion in North Korea."** Warning: The first paragraph of the article in the link below is very graphic http://www.nysun.com/article/23082
Quote from VOM fact sheet on North Korea...
"... Very few people have ever lived to speak about the atrocities committed in the dozens of labor camps spread across North Korea. And those who have escaped tell a story beyond belief..."http://www.prisoneralert.com/pprofiles/vp_prisoner_150_profile.h tml?_nc=f3d5c44f3da6e3b1100b1805366c5a33
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