(Source: VOM sources)
Muslim extremists attempted to kill a pastor supported by VOM and his family earlier this month in Nigeria.
At least seven gunmen entered Pastor Audu D. Gadzama's church on August 10, intending to kill the pastor, his wife and his three children. One gunman shot Pastor Audu's 24-year-old son, Thomas, in the leg.
Pastor Audu ran outside when he heard the gunshot, and the gunmen fired at him as well but missed. The gunmen, assuming both their targets were dead after seeing the men fall to the ground, then entered the house to search for the church key.
They forced Pastor Audu's wife and other two children to lie on the ground as they set fire to the house and church. The family was able to escape and hide in the bushes as the gunmen fired into the air while shouting, "Allahu Akbar!" The Christians remained in hiding through the night, and the next morning took Thomas to a hospital. The family is now living with another pastor in the area.
Please pray for the safety of this family. Pray that this incident will not sow anxiety in their hearts, but that they will remain steadfast in their faith. Pray for wisdom for Pastor Audu and other church leaders in Nigeria. Pray that Nigerian Christians will be able to forgive and love their persecutors.
For more information on persecution in Nigeria, visit the
Nigeria Country Report.
Update: Four years after violent attacks in India, Christians still suffer
(Source: Asia News)
About 10,000 Christians remain homeless four years after Hindu militants destroyed over 5,000 homes while plundering and setting hundreds of villages ablaze in Orissa State (now called Odisha State), India. Violence broke out in 2008 in Orissa following the assassination of the leader of a Hindu ultranationalist group. Although a Marxist group claimed responsibility, Hindu militants blamed Christians and launched widespread attacks (for more information,
click here). During the violence, tens of thousands of Christians fled their homes, dozens were killed, and hundreds were injured.
Today, many families that were affected by the violence continue to live in ghettos, and Christians who refuse to convert to Hinduism are often victims of social, economic and political discrimination. According to a fact-finding visit by a group of journalists, activists and writers, there has been no justice for victims and compensation for lost homes and churches has been inadequate or non-existent.
Please remember these suffering brothers and sisters in your prayers. Praise God for their perseverance, and ask Him to continue to provide them with His strength and grace for each day. Please pray that their homes and communities will be restored. Pray that their passion for Christ will be the light that draws others to Jesus (Matthew 5:14-16).
To find out how you can join us in providing practical support to believers in Orissa,
click here. To learn more about the suffering Church in India, please visit the
India Country Report.
Update: Imprisoned Christians released in Laos
(Source: Christian Solidarity Worldwide)
Four Christians who were arrested in June and held without charges have been released in Laos.
The believers were arrested and their personal belongings were seized after they were caught explaining the Bible to a man in the home of a local Christian (for more,
click here).
The men, two of whom are Thai nationals, were detained for six weeks and were required to pay a small fine before being released. In Luang Namtha province, where the arrests occurred, Christians in at least 15 villages have reported similar cases of harassment by Lao authorities.
Please pray that God's Word will take hold in the hearts of those who heard the gospel through the faithful witness of these men. Praise God for the release of these faithful brothers. Pray that they will continue to serve the Lord, despite the risks. Pray that God will soften the hearts of authorities in Laos who are hostile to the gospel.
To write a prayer of encouragement for believers in Laos, please visit our
Persecuted Church Prayer Wall. For more information about persecution in Laos, go to the
Laos Country Report.
Update: Church's appeal rejected in Azerbaijan
(Source: Forum 18 News Service)
The Greater Grace Protestant Church in Azerbaijan has lost its bid to overturn a court decision to forcibly close their church. On July 31, a panel of three judges at Baku Appeal Court upheld the decision to liquidate the church (for more information,
click here).
All unregistered exercise of religion or belief is illegal under the country's Religion Law. The church had state registration with the Justice Ministry since 1993, but the State Committee argued the church should be liquidated for failing to gain re-registration in 2009, even though it applied to do so. Hundreds of re-registration applications lodged in 2009 were either rejected or have not been answered. The State Committee has approved only six registration or re-registration applications since the beginning of 2012.
Church members say they will appeal the decision to Azerbaijan's Supreme Court and will take their case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg if necessary.
Please pray that this church will not be closed down. Pray that church members will resolve to worship God together, despite opposition. Please pray that officials in Azerbaijan will encounter Jesus and turn away from opposing the Church.
For more on the persecuted Church in Azerbaijan, please visit the
Azerbaijan Country Report.
