U.S. pastor pleads guilty in Russia

Pastor Thomas Kang takes a plea deal in Russia, now free.

Russia (MNN) ― American Pastor Thomas Kang felt compelled to plead guilty to charges in court just outside of Moscow.

On Tuesday, April 2, a hearing was held on the case of Pastor Kang. He and his lawyer decided to plead guilty in order to soften the punishment for the crime.

Wade Kusack, Russian Ministries Project Manager for Religious Freedom Issues in Eurasia, says, "He agreed to plead guilty and received six months in prison and 90,000 rubles, or $3,000, in penalties." Following that, Pastor Kang was released because he had already served seven months in jail.

Kusack says Pastor Kang didn't have a choice. "He accepted the offer from the prosecutor [to] plead guilty and be free. He was separated from his family for almost seven months. It was almost impossible for him to prove the truth." (Click here for more details.)
Kusack says, "We believe that the case was fabricated by the local authorities, that the pastor gave a 'bribe' under pressure from the police officer and had been abetted by his assistant. He believes this was a test by authorities to put pressure on religious minorities. I am afraid they will practice such a situation in the future on other minorities in the future.

The following is the statement by the Russian Guild of Experts on Religion and Law:

Increasingly in Russia, prosecutorial agencies take action against the faithful, against Christian missionaries, and these actions are not, formally, prosecution initiated on the basis of their religious beliefs. Essentially, representatives of various faiths are provoked, and said provocations result in criminal, or other action.

Kusack says, "In this regard, the Guild of Experts on Religion and Law calls on the Investigative Committee of Russia, the Prosecutor General's Office, the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation, and the general public to take note of the case of the Protestant Pastor Thomas Kang, a U.S. citizen, who, as a result of obvious provocation, is under investigation for bribery."

The case isn't completely over. Kusack says authorities took personal belongings from him. "There are many things that just disappeared from his apartment: jewelry, 28,000 rubles, and more things. The lawyer has initiated a case against the police officers who searched his apartment."

Kusack also says Pastor Kang will have another issue facing him. "There's a good chance that Pastor will be deported from Russia because of his so-called 'criminal' past. I don't know what will happen."

Actions such as this, which are clearly targeted at believers who are persona non grata (an unwelcome persons), as well as at active preachers who are unable to defend themselves, will inflict damage on Russia's international reputation as a Christian country. Kusack says, "What transpired with Pastor Kang is a case of blatant persecution on the basis of religion, aided by criminal provocation. There is no doubt that the actions against Pastor Kang were taken with the aim of stamping out the Christian community which he created, and developing a means of expelling him from Russia."

Kusack continues, "We hope that, both within Russia and abroad, the public will respond vigorously to such blatant violations of the rights of believers to religious freedom and freedom to practice their beliefs, which are more and more frequently being threatened under various pretexts on the territory of Russia."

North Korean Church Leaders Ask for Prayer Amid War Preparations

Underground Christians Report Ratcheting Up of Combat Readiness

SANTA ANA, Calif., April 4, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- North Korean church leaders are asking Christians worldwide to pray for their country amid increased war threats and combat preparation by North Korean military officials.

Prayer for beleaguered believers in North Korea is more important than ever, says Open Doors, an organization that supports persecuted Christians in 60 countries.

According to underground Christians, there is a war-like atmosphere in the country:

"We are to meet the decisive battle with a gun in one hand and a hammer in the other," summarized a Christian leader about the message the North Korean people recently received from the "high command."

"The military army, navy, air force troops, strategic rocket troops, the red guards and the red youth guards are already in combat mode. Urgent meetings are being held everywhere, regardless if it is day or night. At those meetings, officials make decisions on what needs to happen in case war breaks out and everyone, including women, needs to be combat ready."

According to Open Doors sources, many cars on the roads are covered with camouflage nets. Also, soldiers are wearing hats with camouflage dried branches and carry guns. North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un released a statement to his people, saying that "If war breaks out because of the actions of the U.S. and puppet South Korean's unpardonable behavior, they will end up with a disgraceful downfall, and our people will greet a brilliant new day of reunification. The day has come to show off the power of 'Military First' and our great nation to the whole world."

However, Christians and other citizens fear war and its consequences.

"Many people are in a hurry to purchase emergency food supplies and daily goods just in case. The prices of goods, including food, are skyrocketing," tells one believer in North Korea.

North Korean Christians are grateful for their fellow believers in the West and request their urgent prayers.

"I would like to thank the many brothers and sisters around the world for their continuous love and support," says the Christian believer. "We know that our journey will not be an easy one, but we are sure that our faith, desperate hope and passionate desire will some day bear many fruit. No matter how difficult life is for us, we never blame or complain about our circumstances. God has promised us in the Bible that if we seek His Kingdom first, all other things will be given to us as well. Please pray for us."

Jerry Dykstra, a spokesman for Open Doors USA, adds: "Beneath the surface of the all the rhetoric of war and the possible launch of nuclear missiles are the suffering and persecution of the estimated 200,000 to 400,000 Christians in North Korea. Also, an estimated 60,000 to 80,000 Christians are in harsh political prison camps. The government has been the No. 1 persecutor of Christians for 11 years in a row, according to the Open Doors 2013 World Watch List (www.worldwatchlist.us).

"We must respond now to the Christian leaders' request to pray for them. Pray for Kim Jong-Un; that God will work in his heart and he will pursue peace and not war. Pray for wisdom for leaders in the United States, South Korea and China. Pray for Christians who are put in even more danger due to war preparations. Pray families will find food to feed their families. Finally, pray that no matter what happens Christians will remain strong in their faith."

Islamic Horde Attacks Christian Area of Gujranwala, Pakistan

At least five Christians injured, two seriously, in Muslim aggression following dispute among youths


By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

GUJRANWALA, PAKISTAN (ANS) -- Incited by calls from mosque loudspeakers after a dispute between Muslim and Christian youths, a Muslim mob attacked a Christian neighborhood in Gujranwala today, injuring at least five Christians and damaging a church and dozens of shops and vehicles.

The rampage in the Christian area of Gujranwala, Pakistan

According to Morning Star News (http://morningstarnews.org), only a few hours after Pakistan's Supreme Court rebuked Punjab Police for only observing arsonists and other assailants in Lahore's Joseph Colony rioting last month, police allowed Muslims to attack Christians of Francis Colony in Gujranwala, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Lahore, sources said. Two of the injured Christians were seriously wounded.

The story said that a resident of Francis Colony, where 2,000 Christian families have settled in the overwhelmingly Muslim-majority country, said police bias was evident in today's (Wednesday, April 3, 2013) attack.

"The police was doing what it does best - nothing!" said Asif Barkat, who received minor injuries as he and other Christians tried to defend themselves. "Their bias towards Christians is quite evident, because when the Muslims were raiding our church and property, they just watched, but when we confronted them, they started hitting us with batons and used live ammunition to deter us."

Area Christians said three Christian youths - identified only as Mehran, Timothius and Waqas - were heading to their homes on a motorized rickshaw along with four Muslim passengers on Tuesday night (April 2) when one of the Christian boys asked the driver to turn on the radio.

"The boys told us that a Muslim passenger named Muhammad Mushtaq stopped them from playing music, saying it was forbidden in Islam, and that he should not show disrespect to the Muslim faith," Pervaiz Masih, told Morning Star News by phone. "The boys entered into an argument with the Muslims, which later turned into a minor scuffle."

A Christian youth injured in attack in Gujranwala, Pakistan. (The Voice Society photo)

Passersby intervened, and the Christian boys went to their homes, he said, but the Muslim youths called their friends and soon a mob gathered in Francis Colony. They began shouting derogatory slogans against Christianity, trying to provoke residents, who remained in their homes unaware of the prior altercation.

"When the Muslim youths left the area, a group of Christian elders went to the police post located in our colony and sought security from them," Masih said. "The police told us that they would not let any person harm us and the matter would be resolved amicably. On this assurance we returned to our homes."

Morning Star News went on to say that this morning, a group of Muslim leaders including Muhammad Nazar, Muhammad Mushtaq and Muhammad Chand called on the Christians to form a committee to resolve the issue peacefully, he said.

"We formed an eight-member committee to negotiate with the Muslims, but when the delegation reached the designated meeting point, they found no one there," he said. "They were then asked to come for the dialogue at the police post."

Masih said that as the delegation was preparing to go to the police post, a Muslim mob of 500 to 700 people mainly from nearby Noorkey village attacked their colony with firearms and clubs.

"They took us by surprise, because we trusted the police's assurance that the Muslims would not resort to further violence," Masih said. "The mobs ransacked a church, dozens of shops and damaged several vehicles."

Police and rescue units said at least five Christians were injured during the attack, two of them seriously.

Though police reportedly engaged the armed assailants in gunfire, apparently resulting in more injuries, area Christians such as Babar Masih told Morning Star News they saw only police inaction.

Motorcycle thrown in garbage dump by Muslim mob in attack on Christians in Gujranwala, Pakistan. (The Voice Society photo)

"They were just looking on as the Muslim boys broke our shops and vehicles," he said. "No one tried to stop the mobs from damaging our property, so some of us took out our weapons and started firing into the air to scare them away. Our boys also came on the roads and confronted the Muslims with batons and sticks. We were not going to let them repeat the Joseph Colony tragedy in our neighborhood."

Aneeqa Maria Akhtar, a Christian lawyer who is head of The Voice Society advocacy group, told Morning Star News that police could have prevented the violence. She said that before the clashes, Muslims made provocative speeches used mosque loudspeakers to call Muslims to "teach the Christians a lesson," yet police did nothing.

"They let it happen," she said. "Timely action by the police would have contained the situation."

Akhtar added that she had filed an application in the police chief's office against responsible officials.

Police Accountable

Police officials said members of a banned Sunni militant group, Sipah-e-Sahaba, were involved in the attack, but that they had increased security in the area in an effort to prevent religious conflict.

Gujranwala Division Police Chief Amin Vaince said that he had ordered the police post to be shut down and disciplinary action taken against staff members for showing extreme negligence in their duties.

"The police's job is to serve the people," he said. "It's quite clear that the police did not do their job, resulting in damage to property and injuries to some people. However, we will get to the bottom of things, and those responsible for disturbing interfaith harmony would be dealt with an iron hand."

Pakistan is nearly 96 percent Muslim, according to Operation World, and Christians make up 2.45 percent of the population.

Earlier in the day, before the Supreme Court, a Punjab government lawyer conceded that Lahore police in Joseph Colony on March 9 had purposefully avoided the Muslim mobs incited by a blasphemy accusation.

"The religiously charged mob was avoided by police, for if any of them got killed, the issue might have been blown out of proportion and spread all across the country," argued Additional Advocate General Punjab Hanif Khatana, defending the inaction of police.

Justice Azmat Saeed of the three-member bench challenged the counsel's statement.

"Is the Punjab government not ready to take risk for protection of Christians?" he said. "It's disturbing and upsetting . you cannot punish a community and desecrate their churches."

Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, heading the bench, also inquired pointedly.

"Do you mean whenever there is charged mob, the police should shy away from confronting them?" he said.

 "Should we leave the SC [Supreme Court] building if any mob attacks and take shelter in Judges Colony?"

The chief justice reminded the court that all are equal before the Pakistani Constitution and the law, and that police are trained for controlling highly charged mobs.

Aftab Sultan, the newly appointed inspector general Punjab Police, said actions had begun against the area's senior police officials for failing to confront the mob that burned down more than 180 Christian-owned houses and shops and at least two church buildings.

He also acknowledged that it was the duty of the state to provide protection and security to all citizens of the country without any distinction.

"In view of the assurances given by the inspector general, the high court dropped the case but directed relevant trial courts to continue proceedings without prejudice from the Supreme Court's decision," concluded the Morning Star News story.

Report Finds Political Crackdown on Religious Freedom in Cuba Intensifies

By Jeremy Reynalds
Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service

Methodist Church close to the University of Havana

SURREY, ENGLAND (ANS) -- Events in the first quarter of 2013 point to an ongoing trend of a broader political crackdown on religious freedom in Cuba, while reported violations tripled in 2012.

That's according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide's (CSW) latest report on religious freedom in Cuba.

Religious freedom violations reported to CSW in 2012, many involving dozens of people at a time, rose to 120 compared to 40 in 2011.

CSW said in a news release that those numbers do not include the hundreds of devout Catholics who were arrested, sometimes with force, and arbitrarily imprisoned during the week of the Pope's visit, in order to prevent them from attending any of the scheduled masses or other events.
After a period in which it appeared that the government was moving towards more subtle and refined pressure on church leaders, CSW said 2012 saw a return of the use of more brutal and public tactics.

For the first time in years, CSW received multiple reports of violent beatings of Protestant pastors in different parts of the country.

In one particularly troubling case, CSW reported, Pastor Reutilio Columbie of the Shalom Christian Center, a Pentecostal church in Moa, Holguín Province, was left with permanent brain damage.

That was following a violent attack as he traveled from his home to the provincial capital to file a legal complaint against local Communist Party officials, who had illegally confiscated a vehicle owned by and licensed to the church.

The government has in general moved away from issuing lengthy prison sentences to political dissidents. CSW said it now uses a strategy of frequent, temporary arbitrary detention without charge; a tactic increasingly used against religious leaders and Christians who are prevented from attending Sunday morning services.

CSW said there were also increased reports of threats of forced closure and demolition of church buildings, as well as confiscation of property. They were often ordered by the Office of Religious Affairs (ORA), an arm of the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party, and which has authority over all religious groups and associations.

Discrimination against Christians continues to be a problem, and children are particularly vulnerable.

CSW said earlier this month a primary school-aged girl who attends a Baptist church in Ciego de Avila province was banned from school and threatened with expulsion for refusing to proclaim that "Comandante Hugo Chávez was more important than Jesus Christ" during mandatory memorial activities organized in the wake of President Chávez' death.

CSW has also received reports that children of church leaders, particularly outside Havana, are frequently singled out for harassment and ridicule because of their faith by teachers and school administrators.

CSW's Advocacy Director Andrew Johnston said in the news release, "Recent developments led many to hope for a more positive era for religious freedom in Cuba. However, the reality on the ground for church leaders representing the full spectrum of denominations suggests that the reforms and privileges accorded to a few religious groups have been mostly cosmetic."

Johnston added, "The government's stance towards religious groups, epitomized by the actions of the ORA, suggests that religious organizations, and in particular their leaders, are still considered potentially dangerous and there are concerted efforts to exert as much control as possible over their activities. We urge the Cuban government, as a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to guarantee the right to freedom of religion or belief for all of its citizens."

Christian Solidarity Worldwide works for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice.

North Korea must be taken seriously says Open Doors

North Korea is a "real and clear danager" says U.S. official.

North Korea (MNN) ― North Korean church leaders are asking Christians worldwide to pray for their country in the midst of war threats and preparation by country officials.

"Prayer for our beleaguered brothers and sisters in Christ is more important than ever," reports Open Doors, an organization that supports persecuted Christians in 60 countries.

In a secret letter that was smuggled out of the country, the underground Christians describe the war-like atmosphere.

"We are to meet the decisive battle with a gun in one hand and a hammer in the other," summarized a Christian leader about the message that the North Korean people recently received from the "high command."

"The military army, navy, air force troops, strategic rocket troops, the red guards and the red youth guards are already in combat mode. Urgent meetings are being held everywhere, regardless if it is day or night. At those meetings, officials make decisions on what needs to happen in case war breaks out. Everyone, including women, needs to be combat ready."

According to Open Doors sources, many cars on the road are covered with camouflage nets, and soldiers carry guns and wear hats with camouflage dried branches.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un released a statement to his people, saying that "if war breaks out because of the actions of the U.S. and puppet South Korean's unpardonable behavior, they will end up with a disgraceful downfall and our people will greet a brilliant new day of reunification. The day has come to show off the power of 'Military First' and great nation to the whole world."

However, Christians and other citizens fear war and its consequences.

"Many people are in a hurry to purchase emergency food supplies and daily goods, just in case. The prices of goods, including food, are skyrocketing," says one believer in North Korea.

North Korean Christians are grateful for their foreign counterparts and request their urgent prayers.

"I would like to thank the many brothers and sisters around the world for their continuous love and support," says the Christian believer. "We know that our journey will not be an easy one, but we are sure that our faith, desperate hope, and passionate desire will some day bear fruit. Nt matter how difficult life is for us, we never blame or complain about our circumstances. God has promised us in the Bible that if we seek His Kingdom first, all other things will be given to us as well. Please pray for us."

Jerry Dykstra, a spokesman for Open Doors USA, adds: "Beneath the surface of the all the rhetoric of war and the launch of nuclear missiles are the suffering and persecution of Christians in North Korea, whose government is the No. 1 persecutor of Christians for 11 years in a row according to the Open Doors 2013 World Watch List.

"We must respond now to the Christian leaders' request to pray for them. Pray for Kim Jung-Un, that God will work in his heart and he will pursue peace and not war. Pray for Christians who are put in even more danger due to war preparations. Pray that believers will find food to feed their families. Finally, pray that no matter what happens, Christians will remain strong in their faith."

Nigeria: under siege

(Images courtesy Christian Aid Mission)

Nigeria (CAM/MNN) ― Nigeria is under siege.

The Islamist militant group called Boko Haram has made a mission out of reshaping the country into a Muslim nation under Sharia law. Most of the shaping comes in the form of violence against those regarded as enemies: law enforcement, government, religious minorities, i.e. Christians.

Last year, insurgents targeted churches on a weekly basis in Niger State, Borno State, Plateau State, and Yobe State. One report from Shoebat.com quoted a priest from Maiduguri (Borno State) who estimated that Boko Haram has destroyed 50 out of 52 churches in that area alone.

According to Human Rights Watch (a global human rights monitoring group), militants have claimed 3,000 lives since the campaign began in 2009. To put that into perspective, in the first 10 months of 2012, more than 900 people died in suspected attacks by the group. Little seems to have a deterrent effect on the Boko Haram.

In the first quarter of 2013, terrorism and death have been the hallmark of Boko Haram with over a dozen attacks and hundreds of deaths. Christian Aid Mission Africa Director Brittany Tedesco says the situation has hit too close to home for a ministry they support in Nigeria. "They actually attacked a prison in an area right near one of the mission fields where Christian Aid supports missionaries."

Gabriel Barau, ministry leader of Missionary Crusaders Ministries in Nigeria, noted in a recent report, "30 gunmen walked into the town, destroyed the police station...and killed 64 persons instantly. That is the tension we have in the northeast every day. We sincerely need your prayers to raise the funds needed to move our headquarters office to a safe location."

Another concern, Tedesco added: "They (Boko Haram) released over 100 prisoners. The citizens are just constantly living in fear of what might happen next."

For more than 20 years, Barau has rented an office headquarters in Adamawa State, the site of this most recent deadly attack. Tedesco says the endless barrage of attacks has complicated things, forcing the MCM ministry team to work out of the leaders' home. "It's just too dangerous to be able to utilize that office. That place was also the place where they had a discipleship and mission's training school. That's kind of been put ‘on hold' for now."

For 28 years, Barau has worked to share the gospel with unreached tribes in Nigeria, training native missionaries and sending them out to live among the people they are reaching. "Every day we live with the threat of death for ourselves, our children, and the staff who live here with us," Barau reports.

That statement, says Tedesco, means that all 183 workers are still moving forward, planting churches and discipling converts. Many of their mission fields are located in the country's Muslim northern region, where the majority of Boko Haram attacks have occurred. "They have identified another unreached people group that they are committed to reaching. So far, they are reaching about 17 unreached people groups."

Christian Aid Mission assists the work of these missionaries through monthly sponsorships. They have also provided funds for MCM to construct a new headquarters in a safer, more centralized location. Tedesco remarks that they are looking for people to come alongside in two ways: "The two big prayer needs that I see for this ministry are protection and funds."

Pakistani Court Overturns Younis Masih's 'Blasphemy' Conviction, Death Sentence

Beaten and Tortured Christian spent 7.5 years in jail

By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

LAHORE, PAKISTAN (ANS) -- Morning Star News (http://morningstarnews.org), is reporting that, according to an advocacy group, a court in Pakistan today (Wednesday, April 3, 2013) overturned the death sentence of a Christian convicted under Pakistan's "blasphemy" laws and ordered him released.

Younis Masih

Younis Masih, who has languished in jail since his arrest on Sept. 10, 2005, was declared innocent by Lahore High Court justices Khaja Amtiaz Ahmed and Khalid Mehmood Khan, according to Legal Evangelical Association Development (LEAD). The justices also overturned a 100,000-rupee (US$1,013) fine against him.

Masih had reportedly suffered a heart attack on Jan. 8.

"On Sept. 9, 2005, he left a midnight gathering at a house after Muslims loudly singing a religious song became angry at him for requesting that they sing more quietly," said Morning Star News. 

"The Muslims incited others against him the next day and beat him unconscious. Islamic leaders later incited mobs to burn Christians' homes, saying Masih had committed blasphemy and uttered derogatory remarks against Muhammad, the prophet of Islam.

"More than 100 Christian families fled their homes. Police filed a blasphemy case against Masih in order to pacify the furious mobs and tortured him in custody."

He was sentenced to death by a judge in Lahore on May 30, 2007. The appeal was filed by the Legal Aid for Destitute and Settlement, and his case was re-opened in September 2012.

Threats against Churches in Sri Lanka on the Rise

For Immediate Release
From Christian Aid Mission

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (ANS) -- During the past six weeks, Christian Aid Mission has received several reports of threats being directed toward pastors and churches in southern Sri Lanka.

Believers meeting outside in a village

"Sri Lankan Christians are facing problems," stated a ministry contact in a recent email to Christian Aid's South Asia director. "Buddhist groups are working against Christians. Already some churches have been closed down in the south."

Christian Aid Mission provides assistance to several church-planting ministries in Sri Lanka, some of which base their outreach in the southern part of the island nation where Christians and Muslims alike have faced pressure from extremist Buddhist groups.

The correspondence is one in a string of reports from local contacts who are asking for urgent prayer as hostility toward Christians heats up. While no one has been reported injured or killed, the warnings have been taken seriously.

Missionaries walking to unreached villages

On March 27, a ministry partner was hosting a regular monthly meeting of Christian workers at his home when he received a phone call from another Christian brother. Local authorities showed up at a house church during a worship service and demanded those present to come to the police station for questioning. Another pastor was warned by police that they were going to come and check out his church too.

In mid-March a pastor and his family had to flee their home when they received threats from a group led by Buddhist monks. The same group visited five more churches and warned the pastors not to hold any more services or religious meetings.

In February, a ministry leader in the country reported an ominous gathering of close to 1,000 people who surrounded a Christian church one Sunday morning. The group, which included 50 Buddhist monks, carried weapons and was poised to attack. The pastor notified police immediately and law enforcement arrived on the scene before the situation got out of hand.

The leader said of the incident: "The Buddhist monks asked the pastor, 'With whose authority are you doing Christian work in a Buddhist village?' The pastor replied, 'We have authority, but I can't tell you now.'"

The pastor and representatives for the Buddhist group were asked to attend a police inquiry four days later, but no charges were filed.

Church vandalized by persecutors

The leader's ministry works with two main churches and some branch churches in that area. "Please pray for God's guidance and protection for church pastors and believers. We need your prayers," he said.

A worship service at another church was interrupted in early March, this time by an outraged village leader who was opposed to the gospel. Two weeks before the incident, 27 Hindus had accepted Jesus as their Savior and participated in a water baptism service.

"The village leader came to Sunday worship time and shouted, 'You are inviting our Hindu people to your church. Hereafter, you can't do this.' He also reported the church to the administration manager," said a local ministry worker.

The situation was later resolved peacefully.

Two decades of civil war between Sri Lanka's Sinhalese Buddhist majority and the Tamil separatists in the north ended in 2009, but tensions continue. 

Recent threats by extreme Buddhist sects have raised concerns that a new wave of attacks against Christians may be coming.

According to the Voice of the Martyrs web site, more than 250 Christian churches have been damaged or destroyed in Sri Lanka in recent years.

Christian Aid Mission is an indigenous missions-supporting organization based in Charlottesville, Va., that provides the financial resources to help ministries share the gospel of Jesus Christ in their home countries, particularly among unreached people groups.

Since 1953, Christian Aid Mission has provided more than $100 million in assistance to more than 800 ministries based in 122 "mission field" countries overseas. These ministries deploy a combined total of 80,000 missionaries serving in the most unevangelized nations of the world.

Central African Republic: Coup leader tightens grip on power

Central African Republic (MNN) ― The issue of child soldiers haunts the troops in the Central African Republic.

South African soldiers sent to support the CAR government reported their suspicions following the fall of the capital and the ouster of the president.

Steven Wolcott, a Regional Executive Officer at Africa Inland Mission (AIM), commented, "That is a very common occurrence with rebel groups in Central Africa." However, he went on to note that "I haven't heard anything specific that way, other than some news reports. From sources on the ground that we have, I haven't heard that directly."

So, while the reports may still need further investigation, it does reveal an underlying chaos at the heart of the CAR. After days of looting and chaos, rebel soldiers seem to have secured the area. In the meantime, CAR's Prime Minister formed his new government. Seleka, a coalition of three rebel groups, launched its insurgency in December, accusing ousted president Francois Bozize of failing to honor earlier peace deals signed with rebels in the conflict-prone country.

The concern comes from the high percentage of Seleka rebels who form the cabinet leadership. Wolcott explains, "The new leader has come in from the north of the country and has ties, it seems, with Sudan and also with Chad and some of the Islamic groups up there. So it does seem as though there's tension."

Reports from groups like Open Doors confirm the reality of religious tensions. Wolcott says it's hard to figure out what their team is doing because of how uncertain things are. "From the church people that we're in contact with, that is a huge concern. What is going to be the long-term impact, the future impact against them?"

It's also not an isolated incident, he observes, noting similar changes in Arab Spring countries. "They (Islamists) want to cover all of Africa, and so they're pushing hard to do that in whatever way they can, trying to bring in leaders who are in tune with that."

The questions that have to be answered before more outreach strategy forms are: "'What is the security situation really on the ground?' and ‘Is it really possible to do ministry in a way that's effective?' Those are issues with the Church and as a mission." Wolcott says an assessment team is going in. "There's a trip planned for next week to go and look and talk with the Church to figure out what the next step should be. It's just really difficult with the LRA and now, with the Seleka rebel group coming in."

An already difficult ministry field, there is a risk that the coup could interfere further. AIM has been trying for years to get teams into the CAR. "The Lord's Resistance Army and [leader Joseph] Kony have been up in that area since 2008. Because of that, it's been really difficult to actually move ahead, to function, to do discipleship." Wolcott explains that it's not logistics they're assessing. It's much more basic. "The bigger issue is just one of survival of the local pastors, believers just being able to survive the things that are going on against them: the LRA coming in, raiding their gardens, abducting people, killing people."

What can be done? Pray. Wolcott cited the story of Gideon in the Old Testament and noted its similarity to the situation facing believers in CAR. In a seemingly impossible situation, God intervened and used Gideon and a handful of faithful leaders to save Israel. "I'm praying that the Lord would raise up Gideons, and that as we pray together against the schemes of Satan that are opposed to us, we will actually see advances and see God intervene on our behalf, just as he did in the Gideon story."

Police prevent believers from stopping the destruction of their church

India (MNN) ― In the "Hindu Heartland" of India, another church falls victim to anti-Christian attacks.

A group of villagers in Chhattisgarh recently destroyed a 300-person church.

"It took about an hour for a year's worth of labor to be just completely undone." says Lindsay Ackerman of Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Mission India.

Ackerman says the church was planted by one of Mission India's church-planting partners in India. Christ-followers had scrimped and saved all year for a new church building, and in February their dream came true.

"The church members had worked for over a year to secure the legal documents they needed to build their first small church," says Ackerman.

Soon, someone donated a piece of land, legal paperwork was completed, and construction began on the new church. Its doors opened two months ago, and believers had their first worship service in the new building.

"Suddenly with no warning, a group of 100 people from the nearby village showed up and demolished the church," Ackerman explains. Believers were helpless as their church fell to the ground.

"Police were actually present and were pushing believers away who were trying to stop attackers from tearing down their brand new church."

There seem to be many indications the Good News was involved.

"The Gospel had been spreading, and I'm sure that was a factor behind the attack," states Ackerman. "When people start to see that many people coming to Christ--the response to the Gospel, they want to do anything they can to stop it."

It's a difficult time in Chhattisgarh.

"This church was built with a lot of joy and hope," says Ackerman. "Right now, all that exists is just a heap of rubble, and they are discouraged."

However, believers are still holding worship services. In fact, they're worshipping God right next to the demolished structure.

Pray "that they would have a sense of Christ's presence in their midst, understanding that a building is not what their faith is all about."

Click here to read the latest updates and see how the Gospel is changing lives.

At Least 80 Die in Armed Attacks on Villages in Nigeria's Kaduna and Plateau States.

By Jeremy Reynalds
Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service

SURREY, ENGLAND (ANS) -- At least 19 people were killed, an unknown number injured and an estimated 4000 displaced when armed Fulanis attacked Mafang and Zilang villages in Kaura Local Government Area in Southern Kaduna State over the Easter weekend.

A news release from human rights organization Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) said that according to local reports, on March 30 well-armed men dressed in black surrounded the villages before launching an assault that continued into Easter Sunday.

CSW said many villagers fled to the nearby hills. Some who returned later to see how badly things were damaged were also murdered. The majority of victims were women and children. The attackers also destroyed a large number of homes.

Many of those displaced by the destruction are reported to be staying in the local Amisi Primary School, as well as in nearby Fadan Attakar and Mifi villages.

Rev. Yunusa Nmadu, CEO of Christian Solidarity Worldwide-Nigeria said in the news release, "We request prayers for, and extend our condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives during the tragic events of last week. We also call on the relevant state governments to provide urgent assistance to the injured and displaced."

He added, "The systematic manner in which these attacks now occur indicates a greater degree of organization than has previously been the case, and requires an urgent reassessment of strategy and a surge in the number of troops assigned to these areas."

CSW reported the organization was also told that over a month ago, a local chief allowed Fulanis to settle on land on a hillside near Kirim Village after they were ordered to leave Zangon Kataf LGA, also in Southern Kaduna, following a Fulani attack on Aduwan Village. In recent weeks, the local community had begun to ask questions after it became clear that the Fulanis were storing arms in the area.

CSW said the assault on the villages in Kaduna occurred during the same week that a series of attacks on villages in Wase and Riyom LGAs in neighboring Plateau State claimed the lives of at least 60 people, mostly women and children, and escalated local tensions. Prior to this, attacks in Riyom LGA over a two month period had claimed 16 lives.

CSW's Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said in the news release, "While attacks on remote villages by well-armed Fulanis have occurred sporadically since 2010, the recent escalation of assaults on villagers on the Plateau-Kaduna border, the consistent targeting of women and children and the mass displacement of inhabitants appear to be part of a deliberate attempt to rid these areas of their original inhabitants."

He continued, "It is worrying that armed groups can still move freely, attacking for lengthy periods despite a security presence in each state. Tackling this issue effectively will require a comprehensive and unified effort by the governments of Kaduna, Plateau and even Bauchi States to track down and apprehend the perpetrators."

Christian Solidarity Worldwide works for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice.

Author Says Christians Suffering from a 'Dangerous Illusion' About Islam

SAN DIEGO, April 2, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- Muslims and Christians don't just quibble over small religious and moral details, says New York Times best-selling author Robert Spencer, they fundamentally clash on essential matters. In his latest book, Not Peace but a Sword: The Great Chasm Between Christianity and Islam, Spencer says that this clash means that Christians who hope for peaceful and easy cooperation with Islam are suffering from a "dangerous illusion."

"The last fifty years have been the age of dialogue," Spencer says, "the belief that differences between faiths -- however deep, ancient, and doctrinally based -- can be smoothed over by talking about what we have in common."

Global events suggest this mentality is naïve. Nations supposedly part of an "Arab Spring" are turning into Islamist disaster zones. Persecution from Islamic supremacists is driving Middle Eastern Christians out of their homelands. Muslim immigration in the West is creating a cultural crisis that no politician seems able to solve. And yet, says Spencer, "it is still considered bad form to discuss or even bring up what divides us," with some Christians all too eager to sacrifice truth for unity, and others looking to Islam as an ally against the mutual foe of secularism.

Not Peace but a Sword applies a badly needed corrective to such attitudes, and makes a compelling case that all Christians who are concerned about truth, about basic human freedoms and women's rights, and yes, about peace and authentic dialogue, must not wish away but instead confront, with confident knowledge, all the barriers that lie between them and the followers of Muhammad.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Robert Spencer is the director of Jihad Watch (www.jihadwatch.org), a program of the David Horowitz Freedom Center, and the author of twelve books, including two New York Times bestsellers, The Truth about Muhammad and The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades). Spencer, a Melkite Greek Catholic, has led seminars on Islam and jihad for the United States Central Command, United States Army Command and General Staff College, the U.S. Army's Asymmetric Warfare Group, the FBI, the Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the U.S. intelligence community.

"Robert Spencer is a careful observer of Islam and a courageous voice on behalf of Christians. In Not Peace but a Sword he shows us how to take Islam seriously without falling into alarmism, hatred, or bigotry and provides a needed corrective to media disinformation." -- Scott Hahn, Fr. Scanlan Chair of Biblical Theology, Franciscan University of Steubenville

"Dialogue with Islam may be the order of the day, but before we can discuss what we might have in common with Muslims, we had better be aware of the defining differences. With his usual clarity and insight, Spencer gets to the essence of the problems faced by anyone who thinks we can talk our way out of the challenge Islam presents." -- Robert R. Reilly, author of The Closing of the Muslim Mind