Christians bracing for more attacks

Egypt (MNN) ― While the United States has suspended military aid to Egypt, few in the Middle East country are concerned. Why? Saudi Arabia has pledged to make up any aid that is taken away. That means radicals may only be more emboldened to cause chaos.

At this point, the Egyptian military has gained control of the country, arresting a top Muslim Brotherhood spiritual leader Mohammed Badie.

E3 Partners Middle East expert Tom Doyle says Christians seem relieved that the military is in control, "But I think they're also bracing themselves for attacks. They know with the Brotherhood out of power, they're not going to go away quietly."

Christians have traditionally voted against the Muslim Brotherhood, which just magnifies the problem.

Doyle says despite the unrest, the evangelical church is seeing great growth. 20 years ago, it was rare to hear of a Muslim becoming a Christian. Now, it's common to hear of Muslims coming to faith in Christ in amazing ways. "They privately sought out Christians, learned more about Jesus, started reading the Bible, [and] came to faith in Him. This is something we see as normal today."

Doyle says E3 leaders are excited about the work in Egypt right now. One leader told him, "I wouldn't [want] to be anywhere else in the world but Egypt right now, because God is moving. Certainly it's dangerous, but God is moving in such a powerful way. This is the hour of need where we can bring the message of Jesus to the nation."

E3 Partners is providing training and materials to help believers reach out to Muslims. And funding is needed more now than ever before. "There's a systematic plan to get the Gospel to every living person in Egypt: 85 million. That's quite a feat!"

Many E3 leaders use the EvangeCube, which is a puzzle-like cube with pictures, to share the Gospel with Muslims who had visions or dreams about Jesus. Doyle reports that a believer "was sharing the Gospel using the EvangeCube [with some Muslims], and this was the same picture that they saw in their dream of Jesus on the cross for them. How amazing is that?"

Prayer is essential, too. Click here to join the E3 8Thirty8 prayer initiative, based on Romans 8:38.

Christian workers need your help in Nigeria

(Image courtesy of Christian Aid Mission)

Nigeria (MNN/CAM) ― While past and present Nigerian presidents war over words, Christian Aid Mission reports a stark reality.

According to Human Rights Watch, the Boko Haram has taken over 2,800 lives, with 2012 slated as their bloodiest year. In the past, the militant Islamist group with ties to al-Qaeda targeted other Muslims they felt were on an immoral path, but increasingly they have targeted Christ-followers.

Earlier this week in an interview with CNN, former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo criticized the current government's handling of Boko Haram's terrorist activities. President Goodluck Jonathan, a believer who took office in 2011, responded through his spokesman on Twitter.

"In Jan. 2013, OBJ (Obasanjo) tells CNN Govt should adopt a carrot and stick approach to Boko Haram," the spokesman tweeted. "Genocide & dialogue? Where exactly does he stand?"

A ministry helped by Christian Aid says Boko Haram attacks are occurring almost daily in their location.

Christian Aid has helped an indigenous ministry in Yola, Nigeria, since 1986. Last year, multiple Boko Haram attacks killed over 20 people in Yola. A recent attack claimed the lives of four, including a grandmother and grandchild burned to death in their home.

"In an official letter to the Police Commissioner, terrorist spokesmen threatened to make Yola another center and target of their operations," a native missionary ministry leader told Christian Aid Africa Director, Rae Burnett, in an e-mail. "This week they used mortar weapons and heavy machinery to attack the police station.

"We are all shaking."

This ministry has 183 workers planting churches and discipling converts among unreached Muslim and animist tribes throughout Nigeria. They're trying to move their headquarters to a safer location, but they need your help to get there.

Click here to help Christian workers ministering in Nigeria.

There are several additional things needed that would enable the ministry to move forward in reaching those who have never heard the Gospel:

    • Building and furnishing the office, including relocation and cost of movement, staff accommodations, and other fees.
    • A one-year course in the School of Missions for 16 English-speaking and 21 Hausa-speaking Nigerian trainees.
    • Posting and settling 38 new missionaries. This will include transportation, new stations, building or renting simple homes, motor bikes, and other necessities for families.
    • Completing and providing materials for the Muslim Convert Care Center, which needs four sewing machines, one grinding machine, mosquito nets, food, an additional building, and two motorcycles. This is where Muslim converts are protected while being discipled.
    • Monthly support for missionaries and school fees for their children. None of the missionaries are on salary; they live by faith.
    • At least 16 motorcycles are urgently needed for fields in the far north with 87-99% Muslims.

Ask God to protect and encourage believers ministering in this dangerous region. Pray that all needed funding would come in.

Christian students massacred in Nigeria

Nigeria (MNN) ― Christian students were specifically targeted by Islamists in what some say was a retaliatory attack in northeast Nigeria. The massacre killed up to 30 students at Federal Polytechnic Collage in the city of Mubi in remote Adamawa State.

Emily Fuentes with Open Doors USA describes the attack. "Certain students were called out and attacked. But Open Doors sources in the area have notified us that the people who were attacking were allegedly members of Boko Haram and were allegedly separating Christians from Muslims students; [they] attacked the Christians students there."

This is a new for Boko Haram. "Up until now," says Fuentes, "Christians were either attacked in their churches, their homes, and maybe their places of business. So this is different to have Christians attacked at university, at the school that they're going to."

Was it retaliation? Some are claiming that, says Fuentes. "Police actually went through these halls and arrested 156 members who they believe were members of Boko Haram who were actually in the school."

Fuentes says more than 700 Christians have been attacked in 2012, and believers are on edge. "It's a different kind of attack than the ones that they're used to. And it's a whole different form when [terrorists] are attacking the young at the university."

Christians are taking action. "There's been a big movement with this minister, as well as other pastors and church leaders, to encourage churches and Christians to be wise about their security to prevent more attacks like these from happening."

Open Doors is encouraging people to be aware of this situation and pray earnestly for Christians there.

The U.S. State Department's 2011 International Religious Freedom Report released a few weeks ago confirms that there have been increasing attacks against Christians. However, the government didn't effectively quell rising hostility or investigate and prosecute those responsible.

Nigeria is ranked #13 on the Open Doors World Watch List of the 50 countries which are the worst persecutors of Christians.

In the face of intense persecution, believers stand their ground

More than 680 people have died in Boko Haram attacks,
 according to AP. (Image courtesy Compass Direct)

Nigeria (MNN) ― Four believers perished in a suicide bombing thought to be associated with Boko Haram.

Nearly 50 were injured in the attack on St. John's Catholic Cathedral Church, located in the state capital of Bauchi. 

Several were quite severe, and the death toll is expected to rise. According to the Associated Press, drive-by attacks and church bombings initiated by the Boko Haram have killed over 680 people this year.

Yet, believers are standing firm, says Emily Fuentes with Open Doors USA.

"Their faith is just unshakeable," she said.

The Boko Haram is bound and determined to wipe Christians off the face of the Nigerian map. Their regular and persistent attacks can certainly make evangelism a daunting task.

"When you're dealing with people who are this extreme," Fuentes explained, "it seems almost impossible to witness or share the Good News."

The fact that these believers remain is a living testimony. They're not backing down, and that sends a message louder than any words could say.

"Despite the hardships, these Christians are remaining strong," said Fuentes. "I think that really is one of their strongest witnesses."

In a recent trip to Nigeria, Fuentes got an inside look at the perseverance of these believers. They shared their stories and experiences with Open Doors--not to gain pity or donations, but prayer.

Fuentes recounted one tale that created an others-centered passion within a 24-year-old Nigerian believer. In January, members of Boko Haram infiltrated this young man's village disguised as policemen. One stopped the believer and asked for his name, then shot him in the arm because the young man was named after an apostle.

"God kept me alive for a reason, and I have to live to share His message," he told Fuentes after sharing his story with her. "I have to use this story to encourage other Christians and bring more to Christ."

His testimony had a profound impact on the Open Doors worker.

"It was amazing to hear his perspective," Fuentes shared.

Many Nigerian believers share the drive to make their stories known. Many were encouraged to hear fellow Christians knew about their situation and were praying for them. It gave them further reason to share their accounts with Open Doors. Teams shared 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 with Nigerian believers and encouraged them with a reminder that they all belonged to the Body of Christ.

"When one member suffers, we all suffer," Fuentes pointed out. Open Doors asked how Christians in free nations could stand with the persecuted church in Nigeria. Their response was simple: share our story.

"They knew once others heard their stories, they would be compelled to pray," said Fuentes.

Pray for strength and encouragement for Nigerian believers. Start a prayer movement by visiting Facebook.com/MissionNetworkNewsand sharing the link to this story.

"And of course, [pray] for their safety and their livelihood," Fuentes added.

Believers demand response for anti-Christian actions

(Image courtesy of LiveLeak.com)

Egypt (MNN) ― Digital politics editor Chris Stirewalt said recently on FoxNews.com, "This is a very bad time to be an American in a Muslim country." Recent chats with missions organizations andan article from the Assyrian International News Agency (AINA) indicate that being a Christian in a Muslim country is even worse.

"It's not the people that are making the movies or the cartoons in the Western world that pay the price for their enjoyment of free speech," SAT-7 CEO Terry Ascott told MNN's Greg Yoder last week. "It is the Christians in the Middle East that bear the brunt of the reaction that inevitably comes."

Case in point: a Muslim cleric named Abu Islam tore the Bible and burned its pages last Tuesday, September 11. His actions were met with loud approval from thousands of Muslims gathered to protest outside the U.S. Embassy in Cairo. The cleric's real name is Ahmed Abdullah.

"Next time I will make my grandson urinate on [the Bible]," Abdullah reportedly told an interviewer. "As the saying goes, 'an eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth,' and the starter is at fault."

A video shows Abdullah tearing the Bible. The AINA article contained a rough translation of the video's contents, shown below:

• 0:02 "...the overwhelming Book, the Book of Truth and Peace. The place for these words and this book is over the heads because it is the real inspiration..." (He places the Koran on his head) voices chanting Allahu Akbar.
• 
  
• 0:30 He Says: "...message to the Egyptian Christians. Out of respect and politeness to the Egyptian Christians, we will not do the same like what they did to our God's book. We will be generous towards you today and say we will respect you momentarily. We will respect this book which is in the Arabic language.
• 
  
• 0:54 Demonstrators' chants "Coming, Coming O Islam" 1:09 Abu Islam holds another Bible and says: "This is the book the dog Terry believes in, as well as those dogs with him the Egyptian Christians in America."
• 
  
• 1:19 Abu Islam: "Today I can only TEAR IT APART. He starts tearing the Bible and throwing the leaves towards the mob, amid chants:"Allahu Akbar and Khaybar, Khaybar, O Jews, the army of Mohammad is coming."
• 
  
• 2:06 Abu Islam saying: "...to all the cross worshippers around the world, we will not keep quiet. Today, we tore it."
• 
  
• 2:13 A man in blue beside him burns the Bible raising it for everyone to see. Abu Islam: "Salamu Aleycom (Peace be with you)"and leaves, with mob chanting: "Khaybar, Khaybar, O Jews, the army of Mohammad is coming." "Governing, governing, O Koran." "Coming, Coming O Islam."

In the story carried by AINA, Mary Abdelmassih said multiple complaints were filed by Coptic organizations within Cairo. Dr. Mustafa Maraghy, law professor at Cairo University and chairman of the Coptic Coalition, filed a complaint citing Abdullah for "contempt of religion, disturbing public security and peace." A lawyer with the Copts of Egypt Coalition filed a complaint against Abdullah for damaging the Bible and for previous insults made to Christianity through books and his Islamic Nation TV channel.

Abdelmassih also stated that the Maspero Youth Union (MYU) had called upon President Morsi to "intervene immediately." Magdy Saber, an MYU spokesman, said officials should take action necessary to prevent trouble.

"If we condemn the file-makers…who live outside Egypt," he said, "we should also condemn this disgraceful act in Egypt, stressing the need to punish Abu Islam for his irresponsible actions."

MYU is a group of young Coptic Christians who played a key role in delivering information to the world following attacks on Christians last fall. On October 9, 2011, Christian protestors marching peacefully toward the television and radio broadcasting building near downtown Cairo were attacked by the army and an extremist mob. The attacks left 26 dead and wounded hundreds.

Pray for Egyptian Christians as violence spreads. Ask God to protect Christian ministries in this area.

Killing of Islamic cleric leads to violence

(Image courtesy of Open Doors USA)

Kenya (MNN) ― Muslim rioters took to the streets of Mombasa, Kenya following the death of Sheikh Aboud Rogo. Unknown gunmen sprayed Rogo's van with bullets, immediately killing the controversial Islamic cleric. Jerry Dykstra with Open Doors USA said rioters focused their rage on two targets.

"Muslims in Mombasa put some of the blame on the government," Dykstra explains, "but also they attacked Christian churches and organizations."

Five Mombasa churches were attacked and severely damaged by rioters; a few worshippers were injured in the process. The National Council of Churches in Kenya (NCCK) offices were damaged as well.

"We have completely failed to understand the logic that made…demonstrators associate the heinous murder of Aboud Rogo with the churches," said Rev. Canon Peter Karanja, NCCK's General Secretary.

Dykstra said it's not unusual to see believers becoming the scapegoat.

"Christians are blamed for a lot of things," he stated.

Most attacks against Christians have been linked to al-Shabaab, the Somalia-based terrorist cell of al-Qaeda. Al-Shabaab has been growing at a steady rate along the border of Somalia and Kenya. Dykstra expressed concern about al-Shabaab's expansion.

"They've been increasing in power and influence on that border area."

As al-Shabaab's presence increases, it could become even harder for believers to share the Gospel in Kenya.

Al-Shabaab has expanded its hunt for Christians from Somalia to neighboring Kenya, and Rogo was an alleged al-Shabaab fundraiser and recruiter. Remember the July 1 attacks against believers in Garissa? Dykstra said Rogo supported them because he didn't want Muslims and Christians working together.

"He called that a really good happening, a good thing," noted Dykstra.

Within the last year, Christian aid workers have been killed and kidnapped. Two believers died at a Kenyan revival meeting whenterrorists threw a grenade toward the podium. In July, gunmen attacked a Garissa church with grenades and then shot believers as they tried to escape. More than 60 were injured in this attack, and 18 believers died.

"The border area between Kenya and Somalia has become a dangerous place for the followers of Christ, as well as aid workers trying to help those caught in the chaos and poverty," said Carl Moeller, President/CEO of Open Doors. "As we have seen in the past, innocent believers are often targets of the extremists' rage.

"Please pray that the Christians there will stay strong in the faith and that rioting will come to an end."

Pastor and family survive attack in Nigeria

Nigeria (MNN/VOM) ― A pastor and his family are safe, but recovering after an attack in Nigeria. The attack happened on August 10, but details are just coming out.

According to the Voice of the Martyrs, at least seven gunmen entered an Ekillisiyar Yan'Uwa Nigeria (EYN) church compound in Borno state, intending to kill the pastor, his wife and three children.

One gunman entered the room of the pastor's 24-year-old son, but "God gave him the courage and strength to push the man down," VOM contacts said. The young man was shot in the leg and fell to the ground as he fled his attacker.

The pastor ran from the family's house when he heard the gunshots, only to see his son lying on the ground and gunmen shooting at him. Although the pastor was not hit, he also fell to the ground when the gunmen fired at him. Thinking both men were either dead or injured, the gunmen entered the house to search for the church key.

After confronting the pastor's wife and two other children, the gunmen ordered them to lie face down on the floor. The family remained in the house as the attackers set fire to the house and church. The woman and her children eventually escaped the fire and hid in bushes near the church.

Apparently satisfied with the burning buildings and persuaded that the pastor and his family were dead or seriously injured, the gunmen fired their guns into the air while shouting, "Allahu Akbar." As the attackers left the scene, they unknowingly passed right by the pastor and his family hiding in the bushes.

The family remained in hiding through the night and took the oldest son to a hospital in Maiduguri the next morning. He has been released from the hospital, and the family is staying with another pastor in Maiduguri.

Pray for Christians in northern Nigeria. The radical group Boko Haram has taken aim at Christians and anything non-Muslim. They would like northern Nigeria to be an Islamic state.

Attacks against Nigerian Christians -- third week in a row

Boko Haram fighters.

Nigeria (MNN) ― For the third weekend in a row, Christians in Nigeria were targets of deadly violence by Islamist militants. Reports indicate this time at least four people were killed in two separate attacks. These attacks hit the cities of Biu and Jos.

In the first attack, gunmen sprayed bullets as Christians attended church on Sunday in Biu. Four people died while more than 40 others were injured. The second act of violence was a car bombing outside a church in Jos. While nobody died in that attack; dozens were injured.

Africa Director of Christian Aid Mission Rae Burnett says this is just the tip of the iceberg. "There are a lot of reports that aren't getting to the news. A motorcycle rides by and shoots people in the store. Cars are being hijacked. There are individuals -- supporters of the work that is being done among the Islamic tribes in Northern Nigeria [being targeted]."

Why is it happening? Burnett says, "This is really the nature of Islam. And we're seeing it worldwide. We're not only seeing it in Nigeria."

Burnett says that's not politically correct, but she says it's the truth. "There are a lot of people who were born into Islam, and they just want to live a peaceful happy life. But when you read the Quran and you see what it says, and what the Hadith say, and what serious Islamic teachers says, you see it's not a religion of peace."

She says, "You relate to anyone who is a non-Muslim by converting them, or by killing them."

The violence is taking place because radicals want Sharia (Islamic) law. Burnett says, "Mostly, you've got nominal Muslims and they don't want Sharia because it's too restrictive." That's why many Muslims are also being attacked in the conflict.

Burnett says God is using Christian Aid to support and assist national Christians. "The main [group] that I'm helping is making tremendous inroads into Islamic areas throughout the north. It's like the Lord is exploding the work in the last few years."

However, the organization's home base is not in a good area, says Burnett. "This town that they're in is continually under siege by Boko Haram, although it's totally unreported. The missionaries are not retreating. Now they are really alarmed that they're being targeted. They're trying to move from that area."

Burnett says they have a huge funding need. "The first really big need is for this ministry to move its headquarters. [It'll cost] $35,000 for them to move all of their people and their headquarters to Abuja."

Funding is also needed to help supply transportation to believers who are sharing their faith in this difficult region of Nigeria. If you can help with a financial gift, click here. 

Some Christians may lose citizenship in Sudan

Sudan (MNN) ― Hundreds of thousands of people face an uncertain future in Sudan. Many who live in the north may have move to the south.

Lee DeYoung with Words of Hope explains. "People of South Sudan ancestry, who may have been living for generations in the north, will lose their citizenship and may be forced to leave on perhaps very short notice. These are rumors. They may come true. It's also perceived by some that they may be posturing."

Sudan and South Sudan are in negotiations about imports and immigration issues. Some reports suggest an agreement had been reached allowing citizens in either country to live, work, and own property on either side of the new international border and travel between the two nations without any pre-conditions attached to their activities.

However, a recent Barnabus Fund report indicates an estimated 500,000-700,000 people of South Sudanese descent have lost their Sudanese citizenship and are forced to repatriate by to South Sudan.

Since many of these people are Christians, DeYoung says this has had a negative impact on the church in the north. "People who were born there and never lived anywhere else have been leaving for the last year and a half, anticipating this could happen. So there are a lot of churches there that have been de-populated of their members."

It's also caused a population boom in South Sudan, which brings with it additional problems: food, housing and job shortages.

DeYoung says his ministry is tackling an issue that's been a problem for years. "Words of Hope broadcasts in both Dinka and Nuer languages, and also in the Bari language. We're definitely emphasizing peace and reconciliation among the different tribal groups," especially as South Sudanese return to their homeland.

Words of Hope is using shortwave radio transmitters to broadcast into the country, but their broadcasts are also on local radio stations that are going up. DeYoung says, "A number of these stations are Christian. Most of them are very friendly to putting Christian programming on the air. So, there's a lot about it that's very interesting and very encouraging, but it's still one of the poorest areas of the world."

To help support Words of Hope's broadcasts into Sudan, click here.

Morocco church looks different

Morocco (MNN) ― Two years ago, many foreign Christians were expelled from Morocco. It changed the face of the Moroccan church. The Christians, for example, now meet in smaller groups than they were used to. Twenty members are a big church nowadays.

2010 was a difficult year for the church in Morocco. "After the foreigners were expelled, almost half of the churches stopped; it was really a big crackdown" says an Open Doors worker responsible for North Africa. A year later, things turned normal again for the estimated 3,000 Christians, but the tendency is to split up the groups of believers into smaller groups.

The current year is seen as a crucial year for the church. There are some signs that things might become more difficult. 

In the beginning of March, three brothers were arrested at a coffee shop. "It was clear that they were arrested because of their Christian activity. The police asked questions about this and tried to find Christian literature or material." According to the Open Doors spokesman, they also tried to find the pastor of the three men. He was warned, however, and went to a safe place. The three men were released a day after their arrest because of lack of proof.

"For the Christians in Morocco, these arrests are a sign. The country is now governed by a government with clear influence of Islamists. Christians believe that the arrests are the start of a new trend," says the Open Doors worker.

According to the Open Doors worker, the fact that many foreigners had to leave the country has turned out to be a positive thing for the Moroccan church. "The church needs its own personality to organize itself. The only big difficulty is financial. The churches have less money now."

Becoming a Christian in Morocco is, in itself, not forbidden. But it is almost a miracle when someone converts. "It is forbidden to share the Gospel with non-Christians," says the worker. One of the tools Open Doors uses to support and to strengthen the church are Christian TV programs, Web sites, and follow-up. For Web sites, Christians need a lot of wisdom and discernment. "The government tries to infiltrate this with spies," says the worker about the Web sites.

The face of the churches has changed in the last years. "Ten years ago, I would have said that most of the members were singles; now you see families in the churches. That also makes the churches stronger. I would say that the church has potential to grow by itself. The church has good leaders that have no fear. The foundation is good."

Open Doors is helping Christian leaders in Morocco. "We offer training and help the leaders to be able to train others so they can stay in the country."

Morocco is No. 29 on the Open Doors 2012 World Watch List of the worst persecutors of Christians in the world.

Boko Haram strikes again in Nigeria

VOM Medical comes to the aid of
 persecuted believers.

Nigeria (MNN) ― A school, a police station, and banks are the latest targets of the Nigerian terrorist group Boco Haram. More than 300 people have been killed since the beginning of the year. These attacks have Christians fearing for their lives since the terrorist group declared war on Christians.

Todd Nettleton with The Voice of the Martyrs says, "The Boco Haram is basically attacking everything that they view as western, or everything they view as government controlling, and that includes police stations as well as churches, Christian schools, and other overtly-Christian places."

Why? Nettleton says, "Early this year, they made the announcement that they wanted Northern Nigeria to be completely free of Christians, basically telling the Christians there that you must leave, or you must convert to Islam, or you will die."

The Boco Haram attacks used to be sporadic, Nettleton says. "Now, it's almost coming day after day after day. There's a new target. There's a new attack. It really seems like the Nigerian government is incapable of bringing the situation under control."

Apart from Christ, there doesn't appear to be any answers. The Nigerian government says they want to negotiate with Boko Haram, however. Nettleton isn't thrilled with this decision. "The Boko Haram has really given no indication that they're willing to compromise. They want Sharia law. They want Northern Nigeria to be Islamic. They want everyone there to be Islam. They really have been uncompromising."

Christians have been the targets of many of the attacks, and The Voice of the Martyrs has a program specifically to help them. Nettleton says it's called VOM Medical. "It's basically a medical care project to go in immediately after persecution situations -- whether it be a church bombing, or an attack on a Christian -- to be able to provide medical help in the immediate aftermath."

VOM is raising money because of the increasing number of attacks on Christians worldwide. "The money is given so that we can act immediately when there's an event, when there's a case," Nettleton says.

While you may think that Christians are cowering in fear, that's just not the case. Nettleton observes, "There's a lot about the persecuted church that's just amazing, but that willingness to go back into harms way [is incredible]. The other thing that is amazing is the ability to forgive the people who attacked you."

VOM Medical not only meets physical needs, but they also help spiritually.

If you'd like to help VOM Medical, click here.

War on Christians in Nigeria?

The wreckage after a suicide bomber
 struck a church in Jos
Image source: Stefanos foundation

Nigeria (MNN) ― A Nigerian spokesman for the Islamic militant group Boko Haram told Bikyamasr.com this week that they are planning a "war" on Christians in the next few weeks.

According to the spokesman, speaking via telephone from northern Nigeria, the group "will launch a number of attacks, coordinated and part of the plan to eradicate Christians from certain parts of the country." Some wonder if it will come with Easter.

Boko Haram has taken responsibility for a number of bomb attacks on Christian churches across the country since a Christmas Day bombing left dozens of people killed. The spokesman said, "The government cannot be prepared for what is to come. We will create so much effort to end the Christian presence in our push to have a proper Islamic state, that the Christians won't be able to stay."

The militant group has called for an Islamic state in Nigeria and has claimed more than 1,000 lives since mid-2009, including more than 300 this year alone. Though the terrorists have attacked many churches, the primary targets have been schools and police stations in Muslim areas. To date, the extremists have murdered far more Muslims than Christians.

The location of an indigenous missionary ministry in Nigeria thatChristian Aid Mission has supported since 1986 is well-known to all. In spite of its location in an Islamic state, it has never been in danger of violence until the past few months when aggressive terrorist attacks have become bolder. With this new threat to focus on Christians, the need to relocate ministry headquarters has become critical.

One ministry leader with Christian Aid Mission reports, "Missionaries are going forward with the Lord's work in the midst of the terror of Islamic extremism. The whole nation is terrified, but we will never go underground. That would kill mission work in Nigeria, leaving the devil and his supporters to celebrate our weakness. With 90% of our work now among Muslims and making a tremendous impact, we will move forward with soul winning. But we must strategize wisely."

Just yesterday, a bomb blasted in Demsa, very close to the ministry leader's headquarters. "We do not even operate our office the usual way anymore due to current problem of Boko Haram militants," says the leader. "Two local people were killed in their offices a few days ago. On February 23, terrorists went into a neighborhood shop and randomly shot the owner and his customers. The murderers just walked away. No one does anything. They have nothing to fear."

Pray that God will protect these frontline Christians. Pray also that their boldness will be a witness for Christ.

Producer flees country in North Africa

HCJB Global is reaching 1.5 million
 people each week through radio.
 You can help.

North Africa (MNN) ― The Arab Spring has taken its toll on many nations in North Africa. In a few of those nations, it's difficult to even "be" a Christian, let alone practice your faith. Doing so could be a death sentence. That fear has caused one Christian man to flee his country.

HCJB Global's leader in the region is a man we're calling "Lobito." He tells us about the man who fled: a program producer with one of their ministry partners in North Africa. "He couldn't go back to his country. He was all of a sudden without family, without friends, without work, without anything and even illegal in another country. Then he decided in the midst of all the circumstances to produce programs for his own country."

According to Lobito, there were no active churches in his country, so HCJB Global helped him. "We helped him to get a portable studio. We helped him to get some income so he could start to produce programs."

Lobito says they have been touching hearts through short-wave radio broadcasting. As a result, people began giving their hearts to Jesus. This week, however, the program producer began facing problems again. "He had to flee again out of this country. We transferred some money to him, and now we don't know where he is. We hope to get in contact with him as soon as possible. We really have to pray for this person."

While the Arab Spring created incredible conflict in the Middle East and North Africa, it also created openness. Libito says, "Arabic people are nervous or confused about how Muslims can kill other Muslims. This is a starting point for rethinking, 'Is this really the truth that we believe in?'"

That's why Christians around the world need to be praying about HCJB's partner broadcasts into North Africa and the Middle East. Lobito says, "As we work with a lot of local people on the ground, we need wisdom on how to encourage local people to continue producing local programs reaching their neighbor."

This time in world history could be strategic. "In the midst of a hopeless moment, God starts to work. We really don't know how long we're able to do the ministry. But for now, and for the next couple of months, we see an open door."

Results from an independent radio survey firm reveal that more than 1.5 million people in the Arab World are tuning in at least weekly to HCJB's Arabic-language broadcasts. In addition, statistics indicate that those listening through Internet live-streaming and mobile apps increased by more than 300% in the past two years.

HCJB is absolutely passionate about mobilizing Christ-followers to use radio to introduce Jesus Christ as the Hope of the world to those who live in North Africa and the Middle East.

You can touch the lives of individuals in this region by helping them hear radio programs that become friends on their journey to knowing Jesus Christ.

$35 will sponsor 1 hour of broadcasting. If you would like to help support this work in North Africa, click here. 

Christians poised to help revive Egypt

Egypt (MNN) ― While marches and strikes were called over the weekend on the anniversary of President Hosni Mubarak's ouster from power, Christians believe this is the time they need to be strong. SAT-7 , Christian satellite television in the Middle East and North Africa, is there providing hope.

Director of SAT-7 Egypt Farid Garas says it has been a difficult year for everyone, but especially Christians. 

However, Garas says Christians have been praying for 30 years for what has happened in the church: "freedom of religion, having revivals for Christians in churches -- in the growing church. All that was just a dream for many, but it's taking place now."

According to Garas, much of the information coming out of Egypt is violence and radicalism, but he says that's not all that's going on. "You don't really see what God is doing because the secular media [doesn't] show that. I believe God is going to do more, and SAT-7 has to be there at the front to transfer the other part of the story."

Christians have taken a neutral role in the political realm, which has positioned them to be even more effective. Garas says because of the uncertainty throughout the region, SAT-7 is making an impact. And it's growing. "One year ago, we had one live program from Egypt. This year, in the midst of all of this, we now have eight." They also air a very popular children's program.

SAT-7 is positioned well. "People are starting to seek God. They are confused, so they want to see a different angle. They are looking for comfort, for peace of heart, and this is where the prophetic Word comes through SAT-7," says Garas.

While SAT-7 would like to do more live programming, they're limited. They only have one live studio. They're half-way done with raising money for a project they're calling the Upper Room Studio. "The Disciples received the Holy Spirit in the Upper Room. From that tiny space, the Word of God spread all over." Garas hopes the same will happen from this room.

Garas is asking you to pray for SAT-7 Egypt and to help them financially as well. Click here to help. 

Christians fear being kicked out of unreached areas

Africa Director Rae Burnett took this
 photo of a Kanuri woman who just
 heard the gospel for the first time
from indigenous missionaries. 

Nigeria (MNN) ― Five more people are dead as Boko Haram continues its spread of terror across northern Nigeria. Churches have been attacked, Christians murdered, and now even Muslims are being targeted. Mostly those who are trying to protect Christians, or are sympathetic to them.

The most recent attack came when the Boko Haram Islamic Sect on Monday night invaded the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, barracks as well as a police station in Maiduguri, Borno State, killing five people including a soldier, two policemen and two civilians.

It's a quest to force the region into Sharia law.

Africa Director for Christian Aid Mission Rae Burnett says missionaries they're supporting are reaching the unreached in these areas, but she's concerned that openness will end. "The fear is that the villagers will get word of this and be afraid to allow the Christian missionaries in. They've seen and appreciated the love of the Christians to be helpful to them. If Boko Haram gets word of it, they'll chase them out."

Up until just recently Boko Haram had been focusing on terror in major cities. But, that's changing, says Burnett. "Some of the villages in the north.

This would destroy the work Christian Aid Mission has been able to do. It's already affected some of their partners. 

"Several of the missionaries have had to leave their fields because of the threats. Of course, these Boko Haram people have relatives everywhere. And if one of them is in one of these villages, then it can cause these missionaries trouble."

Christian Aid Mission supports national Christians who are focused on reaching the unreached. Burnett says, "Nigeria is the most populated country in Africa, and there are many, many areas that have not been reached with the Gospel. The ministry that we have, primarily, helped has been so successful."

Burnett says, "They came into being to reach one particular tribe, and they've grown. Now they're reaching 14 tribes. Most of them are in the north, which has been extremely closed to the Gospel."

Christian Aid Mission supports Nigerian believers who have a plan to reach the unreached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Your financial support can help keep them work in these areas while the doors are still olpen. Click here to help Nigerian missionaries.

Convert from Islam in Uganda Survives Societal Hostilities

Ostracized by family and fired from his job, Christian overcomes false charge.

NAIROBI, Kenya, January 23 (CDN) — Hassan Muwanguzi, a convert from Islam in Uganda who lost his family and job because of his Christian faith, is thankful after fighting off the latest attack – an attempt by Muslims to imprison him and shut down the school he started.


Following his conversion in his early 20s in 2003, Muwanguzi’s family immediately kicked him out of their home, and enraged Muslims beat him, he said. His wife left him that same year, and he lost his job as a teacher at Nankodo Islamic School, near Pallisa.


Undaunted, a year ago he opened a Christian school, Grace International Nursery and Primary School, at Kajoko, Kibuku district, 27 kilometers (17 miles) from Mbale town; the area’s population of 5,000 people is predominantly Muslim.


Incensed by his boldness, an Islamic teacher, Sheikh Hassan Abdalla, filed a false charge that Muwanguzi had “defiled” his daughter, a minor. Together with his Muslim countrymen, Abdalla filed a case at the chief magistrate’s court in Palissa-Kalaki, and a warrant for Muwanguzi’s arrest was issued on April 1, 2011.


Initially he was locked up for three weeks, he said.


“After 48 hours, I was taken to court, and the judge read the charges against me and asked whether I knew of the case,” Muwanguzi said. “I answered that I was not aware of such charges. I asked for a court bail, but the judge insisted that a bail can only be given after hearing from the complainant.”


He was then sent to Kamuge Prison. On April 22, he appeared again before the judge, but the complainant did not appear. His lawyer appealed for his release.


He was freed on bail for 600,000 Uganda shillings (US$246), he said. At his first hearing on May 21, the complainant did not appear. Nor did Sheikh Abdalla appear at hearings on June 25, July 16 and Aug. 13, Muwanguzi said.


“The judge found out it was a false accusation, hence the case was dropped,” Muwanguzi said. “I had been subjected to humiliation, but I forgave them for the sake of my Christian outreach in the area.”


He said the Muslims filed the charges because he had opened the Christian school against the wishes of the Muslim majority. More than a quarter of the school’s 235 children come from Muslim homes, with the consent of their Muslim parents, he said.


“The Muslims have tried to use all kinds of threats to make me close the school – first they used witchcraft,” he said. “This did not work, so then they tried to discourage Muslims from bringing their children to the school, saying that the school was converting Muslim children to Christianity by teaching Christian Religious Education.”


The constitution and other laws protect religious freedom in Uganda, including the right to propagate one’s faith and convert from one faith to another.


Muwanguzi has also helped the area to improve its agricultural practices, training the community to become self-reliant by starting tomato and eggplant gardens, among others, and providing free seeds to widows and other indigent people, including more than 100 Muslims.


“There is need for more seeds and insecticides so that the farmers can have good yields,” he said. “This will help them see that Christianity has something good to offer to better their lives.”




END

Mubarak goes to trial

Ex President Hosni Mubarak carried
 into court on a stretcher as his trial
 resumed Monday.

Egypt (MNN) ― The trial of ex-Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak resumed Monday under speculation by many that charges could be dismissed against him. Why? A recent acquittal of policemen tried in the killings of protesters. This could bring even more unrest to the nation still in search of a leader.

Tom Doyle with E3 Partners travels to the region regularly. What happens if Mubark is set free? "If he's set free, they'll be more rioting. I think it'll be worse. So you look at all the different scenarios, and none of them look like they have positive outcomes, which is kind of sad for Egypt."

Mubarak was a stabilizing force in Egypt, even for Christians. Doyle says the replacement for Mubarak's government hasn't been good for Christians. "Now that we've got the [Muslim] Brotherhood surging forward--and now even the Salafis, which is even more radical, it's not looking good for Egypt. For Christians I think it can only get worse."

However, there is good news. Doyle says many Egyptians are turning to Christ. E3 Partners was recently in Egypt to train 300 national Christians. "Many of them had been believers for only a couple of years. And, talk about a passion to get the Gospel to Muslims!"

While 85% of Egyptians believe Muslims leaving Islam should be killed, Doyle says, "Here are 300 young people getting training on reaching out to Muslims, how they are going to disciple them, how they are going to place them in house churches. It is very exciting to see these young people who have said, 'The church is the answer, and we're going to [take] Jesus to every village. We're going to die trying if we have to."

In the meantime, E3 Partners is intimately involved in training these believers. Doyle says they need your support and encouragement. "Even in these terrible political times, the church is being called out. Muslims are coming to faith in Christ. So, go to the E3 Web site and pray, and even go on a trip and work in the area, or support some of the team there."

Click here if you'd like to help.  

Attack on Church Compound in Kenya Kills Two, Wounds Three

Children among the dead, injured in grenade blast at church guard’s house.

By Simba Tian

 

 Photo of the wounded boys, 10-year-old Peter (left)
 and 12-year-old Samuel Mutinda, courtesy
 Compass Direct News.

GARISSA, Kenya, November 7 (Compass Direct News) – Suspected Islamic extremists with Somalia’s al Shabaab militia threw a grenade into the home of the church guard of an East Africa Pentecostal Church (EAPC) congregation outside Garissa, Kenya on Saturday night (Nov. 5), killing an 8-year-old girl and another member of the church, sources said.

 

Three other people were seriously injured in the 8 p.m. grenade attack on the house, which is near the gate of the church compound.

 

Killed instantly were 8-year-old Winnie Mwenda Mutinda and 25-year-old church member John Kikavu. The child was the youngest daughter of church elder Patrick Mutinda, who also serves as the guard or watchman of the church building, sources said.

 

The other three people in the house at the time of the blast were seriously wounded. The watchman’s son, Samuel Mutinda, 12, suffered burns on his chest and leg, and his 10-year-old brother, Peter Mutinda, sustained burns on his hand and leg; the injuries of both boys required doctors to remove portions of skin. Burns on their grandmother, Rachael Kandu, also required the removal of skin from her leg, sources said.

 

The three wounded family members were first taken to the house of the church pastor within the compound before they were rushed to Garissa Provincial Hospital.

 

“The three injured Christians are in stable condition in the hospital undergoing treatment,” the pastor told Compass. “I hope they will be discharged soon.” 

 

Al Shabaab activity near the Somali-Kenya border, including Garissa in northeast Kenya, has increased since Kenya began air strikes on al Shabaab-held territory in southern Somalia last month in retaliation for the rebel group’s kidnapping and murder of foreigners in Kenya. Even before Kenya’s military action, however, the Islamic extremist militia battling Somalia’s transitional government had threatened and attacked Christians in northeastern Kenya.

 

The church pastor, the Rev. Ibrahim Makunyi Kamwaro, told Compass he was witness to the explosion.

 

“I saw big blast coming out of the house, and immediately I rushed to the scene of the incident, and I heard the attackers saying, ‘You will have to stop taking of wine,’ as they fled away,” he said.

 

Islam forbids consumption of alcohol, but Makunyi Kamwaro said he was not sure what the comment meant.

 

“I think the church participation in the Holy Communion might have been taken to mean the church members taking wine,” he said. “This statement is quite unclear to me.”

 

Also on Saturday (Nov. 5), in the morning hours a bomb in Garissa near the Heller gas station and close to an electrical transformer was removed before it exploded. Police who received reports of white sparks at the site were able to remove and defuse the bomb.

 

Pastor Makunyi Kamwaro told Compass that, in spite of the al Shabaab activity in the area, he was not sure who was responsible for the deadly blast. 

 

“At the moment we cannot say exactly who the attackers are, but what we know is that they are the enemies of the church,” he said.

 

Another area pastor said a fellowship of church leaders met on Thursday (Nov. 3) and wrote a letter to authorities requesting police security for churches in Garissa, especially on Saturdays and Sundays.

 

The pastor said that he received a threatening message yesterday on his cell phone, reading, “Message from al Shabaab – You must migrate [from] Garissa  town within 48 hours or you see bomb blast taking your life and we know your house, Christians will see war. Don’t take it so lightly. We are for your neck.”

 

In Garissa, police today also found three bombs before they could be detonated: one on a mini-bus, one near a gas station and one at a new house under construction.

 

In the attack on Saturday, in which one grenade missed its target before a second one hit, the parents of the children were not home; Patrick Mutinda was still in Garissa, about 1 kilometer from the EAPC building. His wife, known as “Mama Grace,” was helping the church pastor’s wife.

 

EAPC Pastor Makunyi Kamwaro told Compass that the church’s worship service will continue as usual this Sunday.

 

“Many of the church members have been with us here in the church building since the incident took place 10 hours ago,” he said yesterday, before Compass arrived at the scene today. “As I talk to you now over the phone, there are many people around or within the church compound: the church members, the police and people from the press. Thank you for keeping in touch with us and comforting us at this trying moment.”

 

Garissa is the provincial headquarters of Kenya’s North Eastern Province, which is predominantly Muslim.

 

Muslims restrict churches in Garissa in various ways. Christians are not allowed conduct prayers, sing or use musical instruments in rented homes owned by Muslims. No teaching of Christian Religious Education in schools is allowed; only Islamic Religious Knowledge is taught.

Garissa has more than 15 Christian denominations, the main ones being the EAPC, the Redeemed Gospel Church, the Anglican Church, the Deliverance Church, the Full Gospel Churches of Kenya, the Africa Inland Church and the African Christian Churches and schools.

 

www.compassdirect.org

 

END