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Persecution and Prayer alert, Voice of the Martyrs

Church elder killed in Mindanao, Philippines



(Source: VOM-USA) MacArthur Arbado, an elder at the Bible Baptist Church in Carmen, Cotabato, was murdered on November 10 as he returned to his farm. The attackers shot him in the leg, back and abdomen before decapitating him with his own machete. MacArthur leaves behind his wife, Lolita, and 13 children. Although his farm was surrounded by land owned by Muslims, he had a good relationship with his neighbours. He learned to speak their language and was called "uncle" by many. Often his Muslim friends tried to convert him to Islam, but he stood firm in his faith and talked with them about Christianity. MacArthur's killers are thought to be members of a separatist Muslim group in the area. VOM has met with MacArthur's family and provided some assistance. Please pray that God will comfort Lolita, her children, and the church. Pray that, as sufferings overflow, their comfort in Christ will be more than enough for them (2 Corinthians 1:5). Pray that the perpetrators of this attack will repent and turn to Jesus Christ. To post a prayer of encouragement for these believers, visit our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall. To learn more about persecution in the Philippines, please visit the Philippines Country Report.

Officials in Iran frantically deny spread of the gospel

(Source: Mohabat News) The Iranian media is desperate to refute claims that Christianity is spreading among Iranian youth and through cities considered to be almost exclusively Islamic. The government-supported Jomhouri-e-Eslami daily newspaper is calling the spread of Christianity an unfounded rumour, but there are definite contradictions in fact to this statement. On October 2, the government-supported news website, Javan-Online, acknowledged that the acceptance of Christianity was becoming a trend and reported 200 house churches were discovered in just a few months in the traditionally Islamic city of Mashhad. Many high ranking government officials and Islamic religious leaders have also made statements expressing concern over the spread of Christianity. Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani, a prominent Islamic theologian and writer, publicly spoke about the conversion of 600 people to Christianity in the city of Neishabour, according to a local newspaper in the Southern Khoarasan Province. The Head of the Ministry of Intelligence in Iran, Heydar Moslehi, also warned the heads of education in Iran about the spread of Christianity in schools. Moslehi also cryptically announced there will be a new effort to fight the growth of house churches in Iran, and there are serious concerns that this Christmas season could bring intense persecution for Christians. Last Christmas season, authorities from the Ministry of Intelligence raided house churches and the homes of believers in Iran arresting hundreds of Christians (for more information, click here). Please pray that this Christmas season believers throughout Iran will be protected. Pray that God will grant them safety as they celebrate the arrival of our Saviour. Pray that God will bless and strengthen the faith of new converts to Christianity. For more on the trials believers face in Iran, go to the Iran Country Report.

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Christians in Iraq's Kurdish region under siege

(Source: Compass Direct News) Christian-owned businesses were burned to the ground earlier this month as unprecedented violence erupted against Christians in Iraq's Kurdish region. Local sources say the attacks were organized by a pro-Islamic political party. The attackers waved flags that said, "There Is No God but Allah," according to Ankawa News. A sermon by a mullah claiming there was moral corruption in the northern town of Zakho seemed to be the trigger for a group of young Muslim men to attack the businesses, according to the news outlet. The following day, two more Christian neighbourhoods were attacked with businesses being burned, and the attacks, reportedly organized by the Kurdistan Islamic Union party, continued in other nearby regions for several days as well. Pray that God will sustain and encourage believers who lost property in these attacks. Pray for lasting peace in this area. Pray that increased persecution will result in increased boldness among believers in Iraq (Acts 4:29-31). Go to the Iraq Country Report to learn more about Iraq's suffering Church. This Christmas, fellow believers can help bring joy to brothers and sisters in Iraq through our Christmas Blessing project. For $50, a special package that contains daily necessities, such as a blanket, sugar, rice, tomato paste, powdered milk, and cooking oil -- as well as a Bible -- will be delivered to encourage believers as they live and minister in a hostile environment. To be a blessing to Christians in Iraq this Christmas, please phone our office or donate securely online.

Nigerian believers killed and property destroyed by Muslim herdsmen and soldiers

(Source: Compass Direct News) At least 45 Christians were murdered by Muslim herdsmen and soldiers in Nigeria in late November. Unfounded allegations of cattle theft preceded the attacks, according to Christian leaders in Plateau state, and thousands of vulnerable and unarmed Christians fled the area in fear, leaving churches largely empty on the Sunday following the attacks. Homes were burned, churches were closed and many Christians were also maimed or injured. Muslims were also reportedly moving onto the farms belonging to the Christians who had fled and were destroying their crops. Witnesses say Fulani Muslim herdsmen were shouting, "Allahu Akbar," which means, "God is greater." During the same time, Muslim extremists helped members of the Islamic terrorist sect Boko Haram destroy five church buildings in Nigeria's increasingly dangerous Yobo state in late November, displacing about 700 Christians. Previously in neighbouring Bauchi state, Islamic radicals killed four Christians, including three girls. Boko Haram seeks to impose a stricter version of Sharia (Islamic law) than that already in place in northern Nigeria to expand it to the rest of the country. Please pray that violence against Christians in Nigeria will cease and that churches will once again be filled. Pray that all who witness God's provision and protection will turn to Christ. Pray that God will bring verses of Scripture to mind that will comfort those who are grieving (Psalm 119:49-56). To learn more about persecution in Nigeria, please visit the Nigeria Country Report.

Update: Falsely imprisoned pastor released in India

(Source: Global Council of Indian Christians) Reverend C.M. Khanna, who was arrested and imprisoned on false charges of forced conversion in the Kashmir Valley in India in October, was granted bail by the Srinagar court and has been released from jail. When Rev. Khanna could not help a Muslim cleric, the Grand Mufti, obtain admission for a student into one of the schools run by the Church of North India (CNI), it is believed the Grand Mufti retaliated by summoning the Christian to appear before the Sharia court on false charges of forced conversion based on video evidence of a routine baptism ceremony in his church. The seven newly baptized Christians had also previously been detained and beaten (for more, click here). Rev. Khanna appeared before the Sharia court in the interests of communal harmony in the Kashmir Valley, even though he was not legally bound in any way to appear before a Muslim court in a secular country like India. The arrest of Rev. Khanna has caused great fear among believers, however, say local sources. Please pray that Reverend Khanna's courage and faith during his ordeal will be a testimony to others. Pray that efforts to win more souls for Christ will be blessed. Pray that God will soften the hearts of those opposed to the gospel in Kashmir Valley. For more information on India's suffering believers, please visit the India Country Report.


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