Boko Haram: Amnesty or not?

Nigeria (MNN) ― Nigeria is fast becoming one of the deadliest places in the world to be a Christian.

Boko Haram's victims: Nigerian churches
 (Courtesy Compass Direct News)

According to a statistic noted by Christian Today, nearly 70% of the Christians who were killed globally were murdered in Nigeria. Open Doors and the Voice of the Martyrs report that over 900 Christians were killed in Nigeria in 2012 for their faith. This year has been another bloody year. Boko Haram--translated loosely in Hausa as "Western education is sin"--so far has claimed the lives of 128 Christians.

Over the past three years, Boko Haram has terrorized Christians by bombing churches and murdering Christians in their own homes. The Boko Haram insurgency is estimated to have cost more than 3,000 lives since 2009, including deaths caused by the security forces.

An April 19 attack in Borno State is a perfect example of the lawlessness. Authorities say Boko Haram extremists attacked Baga, a small village in the North. By the time the bloodbath was over, the Red Cross said there were 187 dead--the worst death toll in a single event throughout the Islamist insurgency.

Nigeria's federal government is attempting to offer Boko Haram a total amnesty deal in exchange for peace in northern Nigeria. However, spokesman for the Voice of the Martyrs USA Todd Nettleton asks, "What's the real issue for Boko Haram?"

They've made a mission out of reshaping the country into a Muslim nation under Sharia law. Nettleton warns, "If that's what they really want, amnesty is not going to work." Besides, he adds, it sends a mixed message to the terror group's victims. "The believers look on this with quite a bit of trepidation. For one thing, they simply don't trust Boko Haram. The other question is: who can speak on behalf of Boko Haram to make those decisions and make those choices?"

Boko Haram is a fragmented group without a single head. The fragmentation showed clearly under the alleged "cease fire" earlier in the year which ended when Boko Haram continued its attacks on schools, churches, government offices, and law enforcers. Nettleton says aside from not knowing who speaks for the group, there are threats from within the group itself against other members. "The self-proclaimed leader of Boko Haram has already threatened to kill anyone who accepted an offer of amnesty in the name of Boko Haram."

The appointed amnesty committee is being tasked with the seemingly impossible. "President Goodluck Jonathan has said within three months he wants this committee to have opened some dialogue with Boko Haram's leaders. He said as he appointed them, ‘This is a really hard job. We hope you can make some progress.'"

In fact, President Jonathon's charge seemed to acknowledge the monumental task before the 26-member committee. "We're looking for you to perform magic by making a way to peace with Boko Haram."

Nettleton says it's an almost impossible imagining: "the mechanics of actually working out some kind of an agreement and then having all the different factions within Boko Haram accept that agreement and follow through with it. "

Oddly, both the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Boko Haram rejected the idea. CAN expressed its opposition to a proposal to grant amnesty to the terrorists and suggested that any political approach had to involve both parties to a conflict.

However, one church leader asked, "Can a man clap with one hand?" describing skepticism that Boko Haram would honor any agreement. They also noted that past leaders seemingly open to a political solution have been assassinated. Boko Haram, meanwhile, responded by saying it has done nothing it needs amnesty for.

This all adds up to an ominous rumble. A disquieting movement has begun between the Christian and Muslim youth in the South. One group, claiming they would be acting to "protect" Christians, has already issued a May 31 deadline. Once that passes, they say a campaign of mosque bombings and other acts of violence will target the Muslim communities. Whether or not it will spark an answering volatility in the North is unknown.

Nettleton says in the meantime, the uncertainty does have an impact on Gospel work. "Obviously, that affects people going to church, it affects people gathering together. But then, when you step beyond that and you step to actual outreach and actually even encouraging Muslims to consider following Christ, you really put a target on your chest."

The solution? Prayer. "Even in these situations, there are great things that God can do and is doing. That can be our prayer in this, that we will see the Kingdom advance in Northern Nigeria regardless of amnesty or no amnesty."

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.

Boko Haram continues bloody path to dominance

(Photos courtesy CBN)

Nigeria (MNN) ― Suspected Boko Haram militants in northern Nigeria have killed at least 34 people since Christmas--including 27 Christians attending church services. 

So far, the body count tops more than 2,800, roughly a third of them Christians, according to Human Rights Watch. 

Frustration is growing with the ineffective government response, although President Goodluck Jonathan celebrated the arrest of significant number of terrorism suspects accused in the bombings of the Nigeria Police Headquarters and the United Nations building in Abuja. These terrorists are also believed responsible for a church bombing in Madala which killed scores.

The name Boko Haram means "Western education is sacrilege." In the past, they have attacked other Muslims they felt were on an immoral path but have increasingly killed Christians. Greg Musselman, a spokesman for the Voice of the Martyrs, Canada, explains, "They want to turn the northern part of Nigeria into an Islamic state. That is their goal, and those that would stand against that are seen as legitimate targets for the Boko Haram." 

Musselman goes on to note that even if they accomplish this goal, it won't likely stop the violence. "Eventually, they would want to take over the whole country. So again, those that would get in their way are seen as legitimate targets." 

The U.S. State Department has accused Boko Haram of attacking mosques and churches to incite tensions between the two religious groups, hoping to drive a wedge between them. That's one explanation for the spike in attacks. Another, says Musselman, is "because the Gospel is advancing into the North, and many are becoming Christians. We need be praying that the Church will not be bogged down in fear." 

That's especially true now. "What terrorism tries to do is to bring terror to people, to lock them up and prevent them from advancing the Gospel," says Musselman. The pressure is refining the Church, and the boldness of Christians is having a direct impact on the community. "Pray that there will still be boldness and wisdom in how they go about advancing God's kingdom. We need to also ask the Lord how we can  practically help through ministries like Voice of the Martyrs, Open Doors, Christian Solidarity Worldwide." 

Under the current pressures, it is dangerous to convert and dangerous for churches to integrate new converts. However, Musselman says that won't stop the Gospel or the workers they support. "Be praying and then supporting the church the best that we can, helping them, encouraging them (i.e. with orphanages for the young victims who have lost parents because of the violence)." 

2012: Boko Haram's bloodiest year

(Photo courtesy of Christian Aid)

Nigeria (MNN) ― Boko Haram, a Nigerian militant Islamist group, had their bloodiest year in 2012, responsible for over 750 deaths.

General Aziza, Nigeria’s former national security advisor, says the upscale in Boko Haram’s terrorist attacks may be linked with the upcoming 2015 Nigerian presidential elections.

When President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian, was elected president of Nigeria in 2011, a series of Boko Haram killings followed. Boko Haram made threats on the president to resign or else turn Nigeria into an Islamic nation.

Rae Burnett, the Africa Director for Christian Aid Mission, explains, “I do believe that it’s spiritual warfare, but it’s definitely the desire to see that Islam is the world religion. They start where they are, and these guys are Nigerian, so they want to be empowered in Nigeria.”

Several of the Muslim-majority Northern states began declaring themselves under Sharia law after the 2011 elections. Of the 32 Nigerian states, 12 currently are govern by Islamic Sharia law. 2015 will be Muslims’ next chance to gain power in Nigeria’s political arena.

However, Boko Haram grew quiet on the large-scale attack front earlier this month. The fact that Christmas was approaching—the biggest Christian holiday of the year—wasn’t lost on anyone and created an eerie silence. Attacks were expected, especially since Boko Haram has declared intent to eradicate Christians from Nigeria.

And Boko Haram militants have the means to back up this desire. With ties to Al-Qaeda and funding for weapons, they fight in pockets and avoid any clashes with the Nigerian military. They’ve gotten bolder. According to Burnett, “They do whatever is in front of them. If it’s a school bus, they’ll blow it up. If it’s a school, they’ll blow it up. They’re trying to make people afraid.”

Because of the disjointed nature of Boko Haram’s fighting tactics, several smaller attacks still occur weekly in Northern Nigeria, but they are largely unreported.

Burnett shares, “Once, I read [about another attack] and called my friend [in Nigeria] and said, ‘Why didn’t you tell me about this?’ He said, ‘Look, if I tell you about every terrorist attack, we would be on the phone all the time.’ They’ve become so common place that they are happening every day. We don’t hear about them.”

The attacks have gotten so bad in the state where Christian Aid’s headquarters are located that they need to move to a safer site. But Christian Aid can’t do it without the funds. Out of the $40,000 needed, they only have $10,000—enough to buy the land and lay a foundation. Christian Aid still needs $30,000 to finish the headquarter buildings and residences.

“They really need to move from the state where they are now,” says Burnett. “Two and three times a week, they are suffering terrorist attacks.”

But despite the danger, the 120 missionaries in Nigeria associated with Christian Aid are staying in the ministry field. “They are committed to making the Lord known and dying for Him if need be,” says Burnett. “They’re doing wonderful work, and many people are coming to Christ.”

Pray for Christians in Nigeria to persevere and hold fast to their hope in the Lord. Pray for many others in Nigeria to come to know Christ and for church leaders to advance their ministry.

Nigerian Christians looking to get their day in court

(Images of International Criminal Court. Logo courtesy Wikipedia)

Nigeria (MNN) ― The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) wants the Federal Government to pronounce the radical Islamic sect, Boko Haram, as a foreign terrorist group.

As if to bolster their request, the International Criminal Court just released a report concluding that  the Boko Haram has committed "Crimes Against Humanity." It's what CAN needed to get redress in the courts and not on the streets. 

The findings of the ICC were underscored by yet another attack on Sunday, November 25, in Kaduna State. Nigerian officials say at least 11 people were killed and about 30 were injured around noon. A military spokesman says a bus laden with explosives rammed into St. Andrew Military Protestant Church in a barracks, and 10 minutes later a car parked just outside the church exploded as people fled the first blast. The following day, gunmen assaulted police headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria's capital, engaging police in a vicious battle.

 

For those working alongside the Christians in Nigeria, the report is well-timed. Todd Nettleton, spokesman for Voice of the Martyrs USA,says, "We've seen the attacks on churches; we've seen the attacks on government buildings. We've seen and heard their ideology of wanting a Sharia state, wanting to eliminate the so-called ‘Western influence,' which also includes Christianity in Northern Nigeria." 

Although the effort to rid Nigeria of Christians started nearly a decade ago, the attacks of the last three years have claimed an estimated 3,000 lives. Boko Haram means "Western education is forbidden." The sect was founded in 2001 and flourished until 2009, when it went underground. It soon resurfaced, better organized and better funded with money tied to Al Qaeda. 

To that end, the ICC's Prosecutor clearly found that Boko Haram has "attacked religious clerics, Christians, political leaders, Muslims opposing the group, members of the police and security forces, 'westerners,' journalists, as well as UN personnel. The group has also been accused of committing several large-scale bombing attacks against civilian objects, including deliberate attacks against Christian churches and primary schools." 

Pressure from the international community would play a vital role in how fast the response would be. However, says Nettleton, "One of the challenges that we have here in the United States is that our government will not call Boko Haram a terrorist group. Now the International Criminal Court says there's reason to believe they've committed crimes against humanity."

Because the ICC report says one thing while the U.S. government (which is currently engaged in a war on terror) says something else, Nettleton adds: "It's a very frustrating message to those of us who kind of know what's going on, because it reflects, really, a blindness to the situation and to the reality on the ground in Nigeria."

Nettleton goes on to say that the U.S. response avoids the religious question entirely. "Their [Boko Haram] motivation for those crimes is obviously radical Islam and pushing a Sharia agenda, and yet our government says that Boko Haram is the result of ‘economic imbalance' in Nigeria and ‘lack of educational opportunities.'"

However, the ICC's Prosecutor concluded that the Boko Haram's calls for genocide and subsequent attacks on specific groups amount to crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute, i.e. "(i) murder under article 7(1)(a) and (ii) persecution under article 7(1)(h) of the Statute." 

As a result, a Jubilee Campaign spokesperson says, "We call on the ICC to move promptly to the 3rd phase of its preliminary examination. As the phase 3 process evaluates the viability of national attempts to prosecute Boko Haram, Nigerian authorities should fully cooperate and make all reports and past investigations available to the ICC."

Nettleton agrees. "What this report means is now the International Criminal Court is paying very close attention. They're watching to see what the Nigerian government does to respond to this situation and how they're going to handle or try to solve this problem with Boko Haram."

Here's what it boils down to for Christ followers in Nigeria, Nettleton explains: "As you think about the experience of going to church, and you think about the experience of trying to reach out to your community, obviously if your first concern has to be 'is this person is a threat to my personal safety,' that affects how you're going to spread the Gospel. That affects how the church is going to operate."

VOM has a long history alongside Christians in Nigeria, helping Boko Haram's victims with assistance, medical care, and more. Nettleton says while that's helpful, the one thing the survivors ask for is prayer. "Jesus calls us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us. That's a very hard standard when bombs are going off in churches every Sunday. We need to pray for the hearts of our Nigerian brothers and sisters to remain soft to the people around them, and to remain passionate about spreading the Gospel."

Pakistan: Orphan Christian boy found brutally tortured and burned to death

By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

Human Liberation Commission of Pakistan activists
 shout slogans during a protest against alleged
anti-Christian violence (AFP Photo/Arif Ali)

FAISALABAD, PAKISTAN (ANS) -- The violence against Christians in Pakistan is continuing unabated, and the latest shocking incident, monitored by the ASSIST News Service (www.assistnews.net), involves a young Christian boy who was brutally tortured before being killed in Faisalabad, Pakistan, which is about 100 miles from Lahore.

According to reports, 11-year-old Samuel Yaqoob had been missing since the evening of August 20, when he had stepped out of his home in a Christian colony to go to the market to buy food for his family.

Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the British Pakistani Christian Association, who has been tracking this shocking case said, “After extensive searching his body was found near a drain in the Christian colony, bearing marks of horrific torture, with the murder weapon nearby.

“His nose, lips and belly had been sliced off, and his family could hardly recognize him because the body was so badly burnt. Some 23 wounds by a sharp weapon have been identified in the autopsy. When sending his body for an autopsy, police raised the possibility of sodomy.

“The police, and the mother, according to some reports named Asia Bibi [not the same Asia Bibi as the iconic blasphemy law death sentence victim], said that there had been no demands for ransom, nor any accusation of blasphemy.

“Parts of Pakistani culture have a strong homosexual pederast culture, and Christian and other minority boys are especially susceptible to rape and abuse because of the powerlessness of their community and their despised status,” added Chowdhry. “In one case fairly recently, a Christian boy was kidnapped, raped, tortured and killed by a police officer, his body similarly being dumped in a drain.”

Local Assistant Sub-Inspector Shafiq Ahmed said police were investigating “all aspects of the case.”

He said Yaqoob’s father died a few months ago and the family was “very poor”, which he said ruled out the possibility that he was kidnapped for ransom.

“We did not receive a complaint of blasphemy. However we are investigating this aspect as well. The autopsy will tell whether the boy was sodomized,” Ahmed said.

The killing comes days after an 11-year-old Christian girl with Down’s Syndrome was arrested by police in Islamabad on a charge of blasphemy for allegedly burning pages of the Quran.

Rimsha Masih’s family and dozens of Christians fled their homes due to threats from Muslims.

In that case, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari directed the Interior Ministry to investigate the incident and to provide protection to the local Christians.

Why Christians are dying in Nigeria: understanding Boko Haram

Assessing the damage of a bombing in Nigeria.
(Photo by Compass Direct)

Nigeria (MNN) ― They're responsible for murdering 32 people on Christmas Day. They set off 10 car bombs in 24 hours to kill over 250 people. They've owned up to bombings, drive-by shootings, anti-Christian and anti-government warfare. For the last several months, they've aimed deathly explosives at churches on an almost weekly basis.

Hundreds have died at the hands of this terror group, but who exactly are they?

After all the talk on Mission Network News about Boko Haram targeting Nigerian Christians, we wanted to give our readers and listeners a profile of this terror sect. With Ramadan still in its beginning days, this is a crucial time to understand and pray.

Findings vary about when the Boko Haram (translated "Western education is a sin") was started, but dates vary between the mid 1990s and 2002. In a special report on the threats of Boko Haram to the United States, the U.S. House of Representatives noted that Boko Haram began as a religious study group. But when Nigerian civil service worker Mohammad Yusef took over, the group made a radical shift. In no time, they were calling themselves the Nigerian Taliban.

From 2002 to 2009, Boko Haram laid moderately low, engaging in only small scale run-ins with local police. But in July 2009, Boko Haram members launched an attack against a police station, resulting in a five-day stand-off and over 700 deaths.

Although the group was forced underground after that pestilent encounter, in 2010 they re-emerged more radical and violent than ever before. Most agree the group has gained a great deal of outside funding, and violence has been escalating ever since.

But the "why" questions still loom.

Why, for instance, does this group exist at all? And why target Christians? How do they benefit from killing Christians, government officials, and innocent by-standers?

Rae Burnett with Christian Aid Mission says the motivation for all of these things is, unsurprisingly, religious.

"Their agenda is Sharia. It is to establish Islamic rule in Nigeria," says Burnett. "If you look at the Quran, what you see is that there are two ways Muslims are instructed to deal with non-Muslims: that is to convert them, or to kill them."

Burnett says it's not so much that Boko Haram is against Christians, specifically, as they are against anyone who is not Muslim. In a nation like Nigeria with a 50-50 Muslim-Christian split, those who aren't Muslim happen to almost inevitably be at least nominal Christians.

So some attacks are geared at ridding Nigeria of non-Muslims. But Burnett says others are merely scare tactics. She likens some of their behavior to that of Rwandan rebels in the 90s.

"They were trying to take over, to intimidate, to make everyone afraid. So they didn't care if out of the blue they would blow up a school bus. They weren't targeting the school bus, but the school bus was available; and they knew if they blew up the school bus, everyone would be afraid of them," says Burnett.

Paul Filidis with WorldChristian.com -- the group responsible for the30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World Ramadan prayer guide -- says another reason for attacks is the threat that evangelical Christians pose to Islam.

"I think the fact that so many Muslims are becoming Christians fuels some of these radical elements as well. [Radicals] are afraid to lose out to Christianity," Filidis explains.

Jihad. Power. Fear. Whatever the combination of reasons each Boko Haram member acts, their violence must be met with prayer. During Ramadan in particular, even the hearts of radicals are searching. Pray that Jesus would reveal Himself in any way possible to Boko Haram members and those who are tempted to join. Pray that their hearts and minds would be transformed.

Prayer for Christians is also crucial. Burnett says Christians are desperate for wisdom on how to respond to the numerous attacks on their congregations. Dozens have died in bombings, and many Christians, especially those more nominal than evangelical, are ready for revenge. Pray for discernment on how believers should respond to attacks by Muslims as well by Christians.

As the saying goes, "knowledge is power." So may this knowledge about Boko Haram provide you with the power to pray more pointedly for our suffering brothers and sisters in Nigeria and for those who have yet to be added to the Kingdom. 

Boko Haram kills six at the start of Ramadan

Nigeria (MNN) ― Six more people were killed late last week at the hands of Nigerian terrorist group Boko Haram.

Attacks on Christian churches by the Boko Haram have been practically a weekly occurrence in Nigeria for the last couple of months. But this particular string of attacks was not directly against Christians. Instead, the attacks included a run-in with the military Joint Task Force (JTF).

Two people were killed in Maiduguri during a gunfight between the JTF and suspected Boko Haram members, according to Reuters. Gunmen later killed four people at a nearby market.

Interestingly, this all happened the day after Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan agreed to lift the state of emergency on several regions.

"It seems like they clearly are making a statement," says Todd Nettleton with Voice of the Martyrs. "But it also is the beginning of Ramadan, so it's interesting to think that may also play into this."

During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, jihadists often have increased their attacks. Ramadan just began on Friday.

More Boko Haram attacks like this only increase the concerns of Christians, many of whom bring machetes with them to church to defend themselves from militants. But the way these particular attacks were handled by the government is actually a good indicator.

"I think one of the positive things about this story is that the military was actually fighting back against Boko Haram," says Nettleton. "That has not always been the case in the attacks in Nigeria, so the fact that the military was involved--that they were trying to take an active role in stopping Boko Haram--is good news."

Better news than that is the prayerful approach Nigerian believers have begun to take. "As they think about defending themselves, they're also thinking about praying and seeking God's favor, and seeking the move of God's Spirit in Nigeria," says Nettleton.

Especially in this season of Ramadan when Muslims are more openly seeking God, believers are praying for Muslims and even Boko Haram members to meet Christ. Pray with them that the Holy Spirit would reveal His truth to many in Nigeria, not only so that the attacks might stop, but so that more people would be rescued from death and brought into the eternal grace and life of Jesus Christ. 

So goes Egypt, so goes North Africa

Egypt (MNN) ― For months leading up to the elections, Tom Doyle with e3 Partnerspredicted a Muslim Brotherhood win in Egypt's presidential elections. Now that Mohammed Morsi has indeed won the presidency, Doyle says Sharia law is around the corner--and not just for Egypt.

Doyle is a Middle East expert and the Vice President for Church and Ministry Partners for e3 Partners. All along, he's said that if the Muslim Brotherhood took over, Sharia law would follow. Despite Morsi's many promises to Westerners that he will support women's rights, protect Christians and uphold human rights, Doyle's opinion hasn't changed.

"Now they have Mohammed Morsi, who has said one thing to the Western press, and another thing to the Middle East press," Doyle explains. "As he speaks to the Brotherhood and other Muslim groups who would be called hardline, he has definitely said that he would like to see Sharia law instituted, and he'd like to rip up the peace treaty with Israel, and on and on. And all of a sudden, the Middle East becomes very unstable if any of these things are acted on."

The Muslim Brotherhood, which has until now been fairly suppressed in Egypt, has been waiting for a government opportunity for decades. Now that they have the chance to rule, Doyle doesn't think it'll take long for things to change in Egypt.

The bigger problem is: Sharia law might begin in Egypt, but it won't end there.

"The plan all along from hardline Muslims is to take northern Africa and move on down," says Doyle. "I would expect for them not only to get very strong in Egypt, but to make a play to influence all of North Africa. Once they have that, then they're in a much stronger position to influence the whole continent of Africa."

This is a particular threat for vulnerable North African nations in the midst of transition. Post-revolution Libya, for instance, would be an easy target for a group like the Brotherhood's influence, says Doyle. Hardline Islamists cover much of Sudan and Tunisia as well.

The result of this strong influence by the Muslim Brotherhood could be extremely severe. As a quick history lesson, Doyle points out, "They have been the umbrella group for radical Islamic terrorist groups. We've got Hamas, Islamic Jihad--you don't have to go far from Egypt, just over the border into Gaza, to see all kinds of groups cheering when Morsi wins the presidency."

The situation is looking grave politically. But interestingly, this increase of pressure could be a good thing from a Gospel perspective in the traditionally hard-to-reach North.

Doyle explains, "Here's kind of the formula in the Muslim world: the more radical it becomes, there is a fear among the people--there's no question they accomplished that agenda. Then it seems like the church grows."

Often, the more hardline a nation is when it comes to Islam, the more that traditional Muslims seek out alternatives. For instance, Iran may be governed by Sharia, but the church is bursting at the seams. Already, e3 Partners has seen a swell of conversions in Egypt. Doyle says we should expect that to grow in Egypt and the rest of North Africa as hardliners come in.

That doesn't make the situation remotely easy, though. Pray for believers in Egypt especially as they face a new reality under the Muslim Brotherhood regime. Pray that the Lord would be preparing the church all over to stand firm, remain faithful and spread the News that North Africa's been waiting for. 

Turkey's justice moves forward...slowly

Plaintiff lawyers Erdal Dogan (left)
 and Orhan Kemal Cengiz on the
steps of the Malatya courthouse.
 (Photo by Compass Direct News) 

Turkey (MNN) ― Compass Direct News says the suspects arrested in Turkey's 2007 Zirve Publishing House murder case were before the court last week telling their story once more.  

The original case stems from the brutal murders of three people (Necati Aydin and Ugur Yüksel and Christian German national Tilmann Geske) who sold Christian literature in a publishing house in the eastern province of Malatya.   

IN Network USA president Rody Rodeheaver explains, "There were several young men who were caught red-handed in this situation. But there has always been the feeling that the people who wielded the knives were not the people who really were behind this."

The arrested are accused of having masterminded and instigated the April murders as part of Ergenekon's plan to lay the groundwork for a military takeover. Rodeheaver says that led to more investigation which uncovered the dark underbelly of Turkey. "They felt that it was a shadowy group called 'Ergenekon' which is a terrorist group at the highest levels of the Turkish military; their goal is to undermine the Turkish government and to keep them out of the European union."

The reason the  judges of the Third Criminal Court of Malatya wanted to hear the testimony was so they could prepare another part of the case that links the suspects to the masterminds. So far, that's been a tough call. Rodeheaver says, "There is a concern on the part of the Christian church that an indictment will not really go deep enough because the lead prosecutor and the head judge were taken off the case, and there's always been a fear that this was the starting of a cover-up."

An indictment of the masterminds behind the murders is expected on April 9 if it process true justice. The trial hearings for the murders of the three Christians continued slowly last year amid advances in investigations and the replacement of key personnel--a move some think was intended to slow justice even more.

Compass Direct says while there were 20 suspects arrested in connection to last year's investigation connecting Ergenekon and Malatya, only seven of them are still in custody--five of whom are in the military. Their report goes on to say evidence garnered from a CD which surfaced was enough to connect the country's agenda, the Malatya murders, and fees for the slayings.

IN Network doesn't have a direct link to the case, but what effects one part of the body affects them all, says Rodeheaver. "If I had any message for the Christian community around the world, it would be to pray that this case would actually do what it was really intended to do -- and that would be to find those who were guilty of these crimes."

IN Network faces both the scrutiny of terrorist groups and the threat of violence. These can be very distracting, Rodeheaver admits. "There have been some spikes in some places trying to intimidate Christians: threats, assassination plots, things like that. But this is a pretty normal lifestyle for the Christians who live in this kind of environment."

Last December, an Al Qaeda plot targeting churches came to light. At the same time, Ergenekon threatened to assassinate IN Network's country director.

While the incidents are unnerving, they won't stop the outreach. Church Planting and Evangelism are carried out by a small church that was planted in Istanbul, through personal visits, discipling church members, and building them up in their faith.

The I.N. Network in Turkey also works with Internet Evangelism -- a "door-opening" forum to chat with those who do not know Christ. A new constitution is in the works, so there is some hope for believers, especially with the advocacy that's come into play with the Greek Prelate.

Turkey is poised for change, notes Rodeheaver. "Anything that changes in Turkey will change because the people of God are praying. Turkey is a very pivotal place in terms of assisting the Christian church to be the church all over the world."

Bombings kill at least 72; are Christians next?

Iraq (MNN) ― At least 72 people were killed and dozens more injured yesterday when a series of bombs went off in and around Baghdad.

The attacks were reportedly aimed at Shiites, two bombs detonating in Shiite neighborhoods and another among a group of Shiite pilgrims headed to Karbala for a holy festival.

The bombings came exactly two weeks after the December 22 car bombings, which left at least 63 bodies behind.

Carl Moeller with Open Doors USA says the upswing in violence is unfortunately related to the United States' withdrawal of troops in Iraq.

"One of the great realities of our involvement in Iraq is that as we leave, the elements of extremism on both the Sunni and the Shia side are becoming more and more violent."

And it's not just Muslims who are affected. Although the recent violence has been Muslims targeting Muslims, Moeller says Christians are swept up in the crossfire.

"Today, the Iraqi Christian population has been literally devastated by violence such as this," notes Moeller. "Christians are being forced from their homes, they're forced to flee the country, they're killed."

Even in attacks where believers are not targeted directly, the increase in violence is an indication of worse things to come, "as these extremist elements become more and more uncontrolled," says Moeller.

As it is, Iraq placed ninth worldwide on the Open Doors 2012 World Watch List for the persecuted church. The ranking is one place lower than it was in 2011, but only because persecution in other nations has heated up dramatically. Moeller says in fact, persecution in Iraq has gotten worse over the last year.

The result of the American-Iraqi war's end could have fatal effects for Muslims and Christians alike in 2012. "After years and years of fighting in that country...Christians have fewer rights. Christians are more persecuted."

Amazingly, however, among the few Christians left in Iraq, the Gospel is still moving.

"The persecution of Christians is actually providing a validating witness to the truth of the Gospel," says Moeller. "The fact that Christians are holding on to their faith despite all of the violence perpetrated against them is actually a witness to Muslims who are looking at that and wondering, ‘What on earth could possibly be so compelling and true to keep these Christians believing in it?'"

Pray for Iraq as it enters this increasingly hostile period. Pray for believers to reach out to their neighbors with the truth and to be protected in doing so.

To get directly involved, visit opendoorsusa.org, where you can advocate on behalf of Iraqi Christians, or support Christian leaders in the country. 

Al Qaeda accused of plotting to bomb churches in Turkey

(Photo: T.C. Buyuk Millet Meclisi)

Turkey (MNN) ― A startling plot involving Al Qaeda and an attack on churches in Turkey came to light Friday.

According to reports from the daily Taraf newspaper and Compass Direct News, a homegrown terrorist cell had laid plans to attack all of Ankara's churches as well as their Christian clergy. Rody Rodeheaver with  I.N. Network USA says, "These were terrorists tied to al Qaeda, who were gathering caches of explosives, weapons, plans, maps--all that you need to bring about a terrorist attack."

The militants planned a "jihad" strategy by focusing their attacks against Turkey before waging war against the United States and other countries. He explains, "Part of the rationale behind this is that it is much easier to strike in Turkey than to take the risk of making these strikes by al Qaeda in the U.S. I think the other things that were being talked about here and planned were some bombings and continued assassination attempts on Christian leaders."

Police also discovered lists of the names and home addresses of Christian clergy and other church workers residing in Ankara. Christian leaders were caught flat-footed with the revelation of the details. However, security measures had already been beefed up with recent threats. Rodeheaver says the report comes as a reminder of the environment that Turk Christians live in. "One of the churches that was being singled out, there's actually a guard booth where the police sit 24/7 because this is a major target as well as our staff person who has a bodyguard."

Police raids netted 14 suspected Al Qaeda militants, several of whom faced additional charges December 10. Christians are soft targets, which is why, Rodeheaver notes, they are used as scapegoats by extremists. "It falls into the pattern of wanting to embarrass the Turkish government, whom they wish to see become Islamic and pull away from their secular bent."

Despite the alarm raised by the revelation of the plot to destroy Ankara's churches, I.N. Network's team in Turkey won't be deterred. On the one hand, it's a logical approach. "If they became overly concerned about these various plots, they wouldn't be able to do their ministry."

On the other hand, "There is a commitment on the part of these believers that God has called them to do what they're doing. Because He has called them, He will both supply their needs and protect them." It means I.N. Network has chosen to stay focused on their mission of developing the Church in Turkey.

Church planting and evangelism are carried out by a small church plant in Istanbul. Due to the ostracism many Christians feel, internet evangelism and a Christian children's ministry are also very important parts of I.N. Network Turkey.

Rodeheaver urges believers to "pray for the protection both for the ministry staff in these countries, the national workers, who, day in and day out, are doing their job in sharing the Gospel. I think the other thing to pray for is that the staff has great wisdom in how they communicate and how they share the Gospel."

Militants prevent aid to famine victims

Africa (MNN) ― While almost 13 million people are on the brink of starvation in the Horn of Africa, relief agencies are frustrated that they may be unable to help those most desperate. It's not because they don't have the food. It's because terrorist groups linked to al-Qaeda are preventing the aid from getting there.

Todd Nettleton with Voice of the Martyrs says Somalia is the biggest challenge. "The al-Shabaab militant terrorist group has made it a stated goal to completely rid the country of Christians. They literally are hunting down Christians, and anyone who is thought to be Christian or rumored to be a Christian is a potential target."

Well-known Christian aid groups have been forced out of the country in areas where al-Shabaab cell groups are in power. Nettleton says, "There's so much lawlessness. And in the midst of that, you have so many people who are starving to death. But the reality for someone who identifies themselves as a Christian to go in: they really paint a target on their back just to go into the country."

While VOM isn't a famine-relief organization, they are helping Christians who are struggling there.

Despite the threats, World Concern is working there, says Chris Shaech. He just returned from an area along the border of Somalia and Kenya where Somalis are trying to get out of rebel-held areas. "We met refugees traveling out of the hardest-hit areas of [Africa's Horn] -- some of them [walking] up to 250 miles on foot just to try and find food and water for their families."

Sheach says it's always difficult working in a conflict zone, and in this case, "It's heart-breaking knowing that people who are really suffering and dying cannot receive any aid. The only way they can get aid is to walk."

Many of them physically can't do it. For those that can, "some of them travel at night to increase their own safety; but they do run the risk of being attacked by lions and other wild animals."

Since World Concern is a Christian organization, they're doing everything they can to aid those in need. "Where we have permission and where we have the capacity, we will continue to reach the people who are needy and try to get into areas wherever possible."

While they're helping those who are hungry physically, they're also reaching those who are hungry spiritually. "There can be opportunities to talk about our faith. One of the important things for us is that our faith is not just in word, but in deed."

World Concern needs your support during these difficult days. The United Nations says the crisis will worsen before it gets better. Pray that God will protect those working in these difficult areas and that many will support their work financially.

Mumbai Blasts Strike A Chord of Anger, Fear

(Story photo from AMG India's
 Leprosy ministry) (Cover photo: file
 footage courtesy BBC World Service)

India (MNN) -- India's government is promising justice for the victims of last week's triple bomb attacks in Mumbai.

AMG International spokesman Pat Ragan says early indications were that the attacks were a message.  "The newspaper says that on the 13th of July, it was the birthday of a Mr. Kasab who was a terrorist and part of the gang attacked the hotel Taj, in Mumbai, two years ago, so there's some history there. They said, ‘This attack is the birthday gift to Mr. Kasab who is in Mumbai jail now.'"

Investigators  questioned members of a home-grown Islamist militant group, although no one has claimed actual responsibility for Wednesday's assault--the deadliest since 2008 when Pakistani extremists struck the same region.

  

Each terror strike on Mumbai raises fresh international concerns about security in India. AMG partners were not directly affected, but AMG India country director Arun Kumar Mohanty wrote that "police have put many security forces in all the important places, and they've announced ‘high alert' in all the cities of Andhra Pradesh."

Ragan says the concern has radiated out from Maharashtra State. "In Andhra Pradesh [State], which is where our ministry is located, the government has taken many steps to find out about the terrorist. They're checking all the important places like hotels, theaters, shopping malls, and the bus shelters. They're checking all the vehicles, so security definitely has heightened there."

The police presence, however, has done little to alleviate fears. The July 13 attack is the ninth major attack on India in 20 years. Anyone can advise people to be cautious during instability, says Ragan, but he notes Mohanty's approach: "'Everyone should think that we should be reigned by God or under His authority in our lives. And we have to be in the hands of God for our safety and security,'" Ragan quotes Mohanty as saying. "I appreciate his viewpoint, particularly that there's also a responsibility for the change of the terrorists' mind and their views."

Therein lies a solution that would address the discontent that fuels malcontent. The hope of the Gospel changes the heart. Ragan says, "God is using AMG India to really transform the culture there in Andhra Pradesh."

The professional impact of AMG India's ministry on the nation is felt through the many thousands who receive vocational training in the care of Christian instructors. Armed with marketable skills and Christian values, they shine the light of Christ through their lives as professionals and business owners.

Ragan explains that through their teams, "We touch, it's estimated, 100,000 lives a month in India through shelters, reaching the elderly, the young, the impoverished, and the sick. And we also work through newspaper evangelism and radio. We have church-planting going on and evangelism in villages."

Although Mumbai searches for the culprits, people don't feel that anyone is in control. The message of the Gospel changes that. "It's not just safety and security for the population, but also our heart needs to go out to the terrorists themselves, that God would change their hearts." Keep praying for wisdom for the team as they continue working in increasingly dangerous times. Pray for opportunities and open hearts.