Christian man prays for the men stoning him

Global Advance provides many opportunities to get involved
 with spreading the gospel. (Photo by Global Advance)

Central Asia (MNN) ― In a country that stresses religious freedom, it is often difficult for Americans to understand what it means to live and die for faith. Global Advance reports about pastor Ibrahím, a man who knows first-hand the dangers of pursuing God.

Ibrahím lives in a community of radical Muslims. His country, unnamed for security reasons, is one of the "Stan-Nations," all of which are Islamic countries in which the persecution of Christians is not uncommon. The region, in general, is charged with violence.

When Ibrahím converted to Christianity, his Muslim friends decided that it was necessary to kill him. It was their "sacred duty" to stop the spread of Christianity, and this was the way to do it.

His friends informed him that he could say goodbye to his wife before they stoned him. Ibrahím chose to keep the situation from his wife, and told her he would be right back. He did not want to risk her life or alarm her.

The friends took the new Christian to the local dump. There they began beating him. One man picked up a large rock to complete the act of murder by hitting Ibrahím in the head. At this, Ibrahím launched aloud into prayer for his abusers and their children. His prayer was not in vain.

The man holding the rock dropped it and yelled, "I cannot kill the man that is proclaiming blessing over my children!" God was watching over His faithful child.

Many Christians around the world experience similar situations every day. Unfortunately, their stories don't always end the way Ibrahím's did.

According to one of Global Advance's sources, February 2012 saw a 309% growth in Christian-targeted terrorist attacks in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

You can help. Though there is not always a direct solution to this violence, there are ways to strengthen, encourage, and support Christians who are undergoing persecution. One of ministries of Global Advance is the Persecuted Church Fund. The money raised will go to support these efforts. For more information on this and other Global Advance ministries, click here.

Pray for continued strength for Christians who are persecuted, and for the increase of their faith. Pray for the success of the gospel in these countries so resistant to it. 

Church leaders gather to form strategies, partnerships

Nepal (MNN) ― Leaders from India, Pakistan and Nepal met last week to talk strategy.

David Shibley

Gospel strategy, that is.

"We believe that something very important was begun through this summit, and we want to...continue it for the glory of God," says David Shibley of Global Advance.

A total of 30 church leaders from Pakistan, India and Nepal gathered in Kathmandu, Nepal for the Tri-Nations Summit -- possibly the first event of its kind. They met to pray together, reaffirm their commitment to spread the Good News in their nation and encourage one another in the face of persecution.

Though their backgrounds are different, each leader at the summit shared a common concern - how to share the Gospel in a nation hostile to Christianity.

"In each one of their contexts, [leaders] are continuing to proclaim the Gospel, and they are seeing people come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ," Shibley says.

"They committed to follow the leading of God's Spirit in forging new partnerships for the advance of the Gospel."

See all the commitments made at the Tri-Nations Summit here.

Global Advance is coming alongside church leaders with vital resources. Pray these materials would reach people who need them.

Along with pairing up to help the Gospel go further in South Asia, believers lived out Paul's charge in Romans 12:15 to 'weep with those who weep'. Muslim violence in Lahore, Pakistan occurred while Pakistani delegates were at the Tri-Nations Summit.

"It was a very moving sight to see Nepali pastors and pastors from India come and gather round those wonderful leaders from Pakistan and pray for them and weep with them," shares Shibley.

As the Summit concluded, delegates agreed to pray and fast on the third day of each month. They'll be praying for one another and for the three nations that were the focus of the Summit.

Ask God to protect the unity and partnerships formed between church leaders in Pakistan, India and Nepal. Pray church leaders would know "They're not forgotten, that they're not alone, and that the Body of Christ around the world is standing with them and praying for them."