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Persecution and Prayer Alert; Voice of the Martyrs

Pastor accused of blasphemy, threatened with death in Pakistan



(Source: Release International) In the Punjab district of Sialkot, a Christian pastor has been accused of blasphemy and threatened with death after quoting from the Qur'an during a sermon.
Pastor Joshua was arrested on May 24 after a large crowd led by Muslim clerics gathered around the church to complain about his quoting from Islamic scriptures. Pastor Joshua was raised as a Muslim, which is believed to be one of the reasons for the accusations made against him. He was released without charge after partners of VOM Canada's sister mission in the UK, Release International, intervened on his behalf. He and his nine-year-old son are now in the protective care of Release partners. Pray that God will guide and protect Pastor Joshua and his son. Pray that God will use Pastor Joshua's background to bring many to Christ. Pray that those who oppress Christians in Pakistan may experience repentance and salvation, just as Paul did (Acts 9:1-19). To learn more about our brothers and sisters facing persecution in Pakistan, go to the Pakistan Country Report. To post a prayer for Pastor Joshua and his son, please visit our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.

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Blast wreaks bloodshed on two churches in Bauchi, Nigeria

(Sources: Compass Direct News, Christian Solidarity Worldwide) A suicide bomber crashed the gate of a church compound in Bauchi, Nigeria, on June 3, killing himself and at least 18 others and leaving more than 30 injured. The bomber, a suspected member of the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram, detonated the bomb at the gate of the church as members were leaving an early morning worship service. The explosion also brought down a wall of an adjacent church, which bore the brunt of the explosion. Twelve cars and a number of buildings were also reported to have been destroyed by the blast. Continue to uphold our brothers and sisters in Nigeria who have suffered yet another attack. Pray for comfort and healing for the grieving and the injured. Pray for the church leaders who provide guidance and encouragement to their congregations. Pray this latest tragedy will be used by the Lord to further His kingdom. For more information about Nigeria's persecuted Church, please visit the Nigeria Country Report.

Church closures continue in Kazakhstan

(Source: Forum 18 News Service) Kazakhstan continues to use land use regulations as a means to prevent religious communities and their members from exercising freedom of religion or belief. In Taldykorgan, Almaty Region, authorities used this tactic to force a church to "voluntarily" close down after the pastor's wife, Larissa Kim, was fined for using her private home -- the church's registered legal address -- for worship meetings. The church paid the fine and decided to liquidate itself to avoid further penalties. Pastor Kim noted that this incident will make any future activity by their congregation unlawful. Zhumagul Alimbekov, said that the church would have been closed down anyway unless they were able to secure 50 signatures required for re-registration. Pastor Kim said that the church is very small and they will not be able to collect the signatures required under the Religion Law for re-registration. Since the beginning of 2012, Kazakhstan has cancelled the registration of hundreds of small religious groups (those with fewer than 50 adult citizen members), so depriving them of the right to exist. Please pray the Lord will grow His church in Kazakhstan. Ask Him to give believers a bold and courageous faith, as well as the desire and the opportunity to continue meeting with one another. Pray for wisdom for Pastor Kim, Larissa Kim, and the congregation during this time. Go to the Kazakhstan Country Report for more information on Kazakhstan's suffering Church.

Christian families in Vietnam forced to leave village

(Source: VOM-USA) Officials in Cao Bang province in northern Vietnam are continuing in their persecution of Christians (read the story). Recently, two Hmong families were forced to move from their village by local officials who demanded they give up their new-found faith or leave. Those who live in Cao Bang are very poor and still practice ancestor worship; those who convert to Christianity are forced to leave the village. Instead of giving up their faith, the two Christian families moved to Thai Nguyen province. Although the land is inadequate for farming, they are happy to be able to freely worship God. Please pray for these families and other Christians from Cao Bang province as they are forced to establish new lives in new places. As sufferings overflow, pray that their comfort in Christ will be more than enough for them (2 Corinthians 1:5). Also pray that God will soften the hearts of the Cao Bang authorities. For more on Vietnam's persecuted Church, go to the Vietnam Country Report.


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