Voice of the Martyrs
Cross posted to FriendsinFaith
This post is PG-13 so be prepared.
In this week's edition: Reports from India, Bhutan, Indonesia and China
with updates from Belarus, India and Iran.
***********************************
1. Indian Pastor Brutally Killed
Early on June 8, Pastor Prem Kumar (67) was asked to lead a prayer service
in the village of Rampur Thanda in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh later
that day. Kumar suspected possible foul play but agreed and asked his son,
Sunil, to call his mobile phone every thirty minutes. When he arrived to be
picked up at the agreed upon place, he was met by a group of strangers. His
suspicions further aroused, he called his son and again asked him to call
often.
Three hours later, Prem Kumar's mobile phone went dead. That evening, when
there was still no contact, family members began searching for him. His body
was found in the forest near Rampur Thanda. His head had been smashed with
stones beyond recognition.
Investigating police are denying any religious motivation for the attack,
saying the motive was a personal rivalry. However, Sunil said that his
father had no enemies and strongly suspects Hindu militants. A number of
similar incidents have taken place in recent years in Andhra Pradesh and
religious tensions in the state are said to be high.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will fill the hearts of Kumar's family members
with the joy that comes from knowing that they will see him again at the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18). Pray that the
Lord will be exalted through this tragedy and that people will be drawn to
Him (Philippians 1:20). Ask God to bring about true justice in the murder of
Pastor Kumar. Also pray that there will be no further incidents of violence
against God's people in this region.
Religious persecution of Christians is increasing in many areas of India.
Recently CBN released a video report on the persecution of Indian
Christians. The video is available on VOMC's multimedia website,
www.persecution.tv. A VOMC team recently returned from India. Watch
www.persecution.net for further reports in the coming week. Information is
also available at www.persecution.net/country/india.htm.
***********************************
2. Forced Confession Leads to Charges in India
According to a June 9 report from Compass Direct, police in Jabalpur, Madhya
Pradesh raided the home of Meera Bai (52) on June 6 after coercing a
complaint from her neighbour.
Meera Bai was entertaining guests when as many as twenty-five police
officers burst into her home. They confiscated Bibles and pictures of Jesus
and then took Bai, her son and two guests to the police station. There she
was met by a large crowd of members of Dharma Sena, a militant Hindu
organization, who shouted threats and anti-Christian slogans. Police forced
the Christians to sign blank pieces of paper. Bai was then charged under the
state's anti-conversion legislation and released on bail.
After Bai returned home, a nineteen-year-old neighbour confessed that police
and Dharma Sena members had forced him to come to the police station and
sign a statement that Bai had offered him 2000 rupees ($48 CAD) each month
if he would convert to Christianity. It was on the basis of this forced
statement that Bai was charged.
Pray that Bai will find her strength in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:8-9).
Pray that there will be a strong testimony of God's grace in the community.
Pray that Sukhdev will see the character of Christ in Bai and be drawn to a
personal relationship with Him (Matthew 5:16).
For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to
www.persecution.net/country/india.htm. The June edition of The Voice of the
Martyrs Newsletter features the persecution of Christians in India. The
feature article is available online to those who subscribe. Go to
www.persecution.net/newsletter.htm.
***********************************
3. Two Christians in Bhutan Sentenced to Prison Without a Trial
Two Christians in the Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan have been sentenced to long
jail terms because of their Christian witness. Benjamin Dhunigana and John
Dai were arrested on January 8, 2006 and have remained in prison since then.
This week, a sentence was suddenly announced without a trial. Dhunigana was
sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison and Dai was sentenced to three
years. They were given ten days to appeal to the court for bail. They intend
to fight the case with the help of a prominent lawyer.
A VOMC contact says that Dhunigana has been active in sharing the gospel
across Bhutan and, in particular, in reaching Buddhist monks for Christ. On
January 7, he and Dai were traveling together in a van when they stopped and
offered a ride to a woman walking along the road. Dhunigana and Dai drove
the woman to her home and she insisted that they eat dinner with her family.
They stayed to eat and then told the woman that they would like to show her
a movie, the JESUS film. She asked if she could invite her neighbors also
and the house was soon full of people watching the film about the life of
Christ. Dhunigana and Dai were arrested the following day. VOMC sources say
it was the neighbors who reported the two Christian workers to authorities.
Both men are married and have children. Local Christians have promised to
provide for the men's families as long as they are incarcerated.
Pray that the men will be a bold witness for Christ, even while they are in
prison. Pray for justice for these two Bhutanese Christians. Polite emails
of protest can be sent to the Bhutanese delegation to the United Nations at
bhutan@un.int.
For more information on persecution in Bhutan, go to
www.persecution.net/country/bhutan.htm.
***********************************
4. Christian Businessman Sentenced for Evangelizing Muslims in Indonesia
In 2000, Abraham Bentar, a Muslim, came to faith in Jesus Christ. When he
was baptized three years later, he told his pastor that he wanted to
evangelize Muslims. Since then, Abraham has been actively involved in
evangelism to Muslims in Tasikmalaya, West Java through his clothing
business.
According to VOMC sources in Indonesia, Bentar was talking to his Muslim
brothers on March 7 when three men burst into his home and assaulted him. He
was dragged out of his home where a mob joined in, severely beating him
until police intervened. He was then charged with attempting to convert
Muslims to Christianity.
In May, Bentar appeared in court. His brothers were among those who
testified that he had tried to convert them to Christianity. The judge
sentenced him to four and a half years in prison.
When VOMC's contact spoke with Bentar's wife, Kristowati, she asked for
three Bibles for her husband so that he could share them with the six
cellmates he is sharing the Gospel with.
Pray that Abraham will have many opportunities to share Christ with those
around him and that their hearts would be open to the gospel (Colossians
4:2, 3). Ask God to place a hunger for truth in the hearts of those Abraham
comes in contact with. Pray that Kristowati and their daughter Rinda will be
filled to overflowing with the comfort of the Holy Spirit while Abraham is
in prison (2 Corinthians 1:5).
For more information on the persecution of Christian in Indonesia, go to
www.persecution.net/country/indonesia.htm.
***********************************
5. Twenty-Eight Christians Detained in Chinese House Church Raid
On June 8, China Aid Association reported on the arrest of twenty-eight
Christians in Henan Province, China on May 28. As the church members were
worshiping in the home of Ms. Chen Xuelan in Xiguan Ma Jia Chang, Public
Security Bureau officers raided the meeting and took them into custody. That
evening, all but five were released. Ms. Liu Yuemei was released on June 1
after her family paid a fine of 1600 Yuan ($220 CAD). Ms. Chang Xinhong (35)
was released a week later after she promised to pay her fine in cash. Those
remaining in custody are Ms. Chen Xuelan (58), Ms. Cao Yan (55) and Pastor
Li Shunmin (52).
During the raid, officers presented no documentation authorizing the raid or
the confiscation of Bibles and notebooks. The Christians intend to file a
legal appeal. Two prominent human rights lawyers, Dr. Li Baiguang and Dr.
Fan Yafeng, have agreed to represent them.
Pray that Ms. Chen, Ms. Cao and Pastor Li will be released soon (II
Corinthians 1:9-11). Pray that Dr. Li and Dr. Fan will be able to adequately
represent the Christians affected by this latest raid. Ask God to protect
the individuals in prison and that they would continue to share Christ with
those around them, wherever they may be (I Peter 5:1-4).
For more information on the persecution of Christians in China, go to
www.persecution.net/country/china.htm.
***********************************
6. Recent Updates from Belarus, India and Iran
(a) Belarus:
Authorities are becoming increasingly aggressive against churches and public
religious activities in Belarus. Since 2002, the New Life Church in Minsk
has faced opposition in their attempts to convert a former cow shed into a
place of worship. While a recent report suggested hope for the church (see
www.persecution.net/news/belarus26.html), police came to the services on
June 4 and demanded to see confirmation that the church had state permission
to hold worship services. A protocol has been filed against Pastor Slava
Goncharenko for holding a religious service in an unapproved location
without permission.
Also in Minsk, a court has ordered the liquidation of the property of the
Covenant Reformed Baptist Church, which has been unable to re-register under
the 2002 religion laws. In March, the church's pastor, Georgi Vyazovsky,
served ten days in prison for leading worship in his home.
On June 1, three evangelical Christians met in the central square in Brest,
Belarus for a twenty-four-hour vigil of silent Bible reading. According to
a June 13 report from Forum 18, the three were joining in an act of
solidarity with demonstrators who were arrested in the wake of March's
presidential elections. As a result of their actions, the three received
official warnings for violating a law which requires prior state permission
for religious events held outside of a designated house of worship.
(b) India:
On May 19, the governor of Rajasthan took the unprecedented act of refusing
to sign anti-conversion legislation into law (see
www.persecution.net/news/india134.html). The governor, Pratibha Patil,
believed that the legislation would violate religious freedom. This past
week, the government re-sent the legislation to the governor for her
signature. If Governor Patil again refuses to sign, the bill will be
referred to India's president, Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam. Pray
that Governor Patil will have the courage to again refuse to sign this
legislation.
(c) India:
Last week's Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on the rape of two
Christian women after the husband of one refused to recant his faith in
Christ (see www.persecution.net/news/india136.html). According to a June 9
report from Compass Direct, pressure is mounting on the Christians in area.
The head of twelve villages, including Nadia where the women were raped, is
demanding that all Christians renounce their faith in Christ or leave the
area. Furthermore, Pandya Patel declared that anyone who speaks to the
police about him or about the rapes, regardless of their religion, will be
expelled from the area.
Attempts to silence reports about the rapes have expanded into official
circles as well. On June 5, Indira Iyengar, a member of the Madhya Pradesh
State Minorities Commission, brought the rape victims to the state capital
to meet the governor. A press conference was also called to highlight the
incident, but members of the militant organization Bajrang Dal disrupted the
press conference and warned Iyengar not to accuse them of attacking
Christians. Iyengar has now been ordered to give justification as to why she
should not be removed from the commission for holding a press conference
without approval of the commission chair.
(d) Iran:
On May 2, Ali Kaboli (51) was arrested, presumably for holding "illegal"
religious meetings in his home. There were also concerns he could face
apostasy charges for converting from Islam thirty-three years before (see
www.persecution.net/news/iran24.html).
According to Compass Direct, Kaboli was released from prison on June 12.
Though his family refuses to give any comment on the charges or his release,
sources report that a large bail payment was needed for his release. If
these reports are accurate, a formal case could still be pending against
him.
***********************************
7. In This Week's VOMC Weblog (www.persecution.net/weblog.htm)
(a) "A Breath of Fresh Air in a Sea of ....": A response to recent media
reports on the arrest of seventeen terrorist suspects in Ontario, Canada,
featuring a column from The Globe and Mail.
(b) "Being Willing to Wait for the Results": Impatient to see results from
your labour? Check this out.
(c) "Why Do You Want to Lead?": Glenn shares some of his thoughts on
leadership from a biblical perspective.
This post is PG-13 so be prepared.
In this week's edition: Reports from India, Bhutan, Indonesia and China
with updates from Belarus, India and Iran.
***********************************
1. Indian Pastor Brutally Killed
Early on June 8, Pastor Prem Kumar (67) was asked to lead a prayer service
in the village of Rampur Thanda in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh later
that day. Kumar suspected possible foul play but agreed and asked his son,
Sunil, to call his mobile phone every thirty minutes. When he arrived to be
picked up at the agreed upon place, he was met by a group of strangers. His
suspicions further aroused, he called his son and again asked him to call
often.
Three hours later, Prem Kumar's mobile phone went dead. That evening, when
there was still no contact, family members began searching for him. His body
was found in the forest near Rampur Thanda. His head had been smashed with
stones beyond recognition.
Investigating police are denying any religious motivation for the attack,
saying the motive was a personal rivalry. However, Sunil said that his
father had no enemies and strongly suspects Hindu militants. A number of
similar incidents have taken place in recent years in Andhra Pradesh and
religious tensions in the state are said to be high.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will fill the hearts of Kumar's family members
with the joy that comes from knowing that they will see him again at the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18). Pray that the
Lord will be exalted through this tragedy and that people will be drawn to
Him (Philippians 1:20). Ask God to bring about true justice in the murder of
Pastor Kumar. Also pray that there will be no further incidents of violence
against God's people in this region.
Religious persecution of Christians is increasing in many areas of India.
Recently CBN released a video report on the persecution of Indian
Christians. The video is available on VOMC's multimedia website,
www.persecution.tv. A VOMC team recently returned from India. Watch
www.persecution.net for further reports in the coming week. Information is
also available at www.persecution.net/country/india.htm.
***********************************
2. Forced Confession Leads to Charges in India
According to a June 9 report from Compass Direct, police in Jabalpur, Madhya
Pradesh raided the home of Meera Bai (52) on June 6 after coercing a
complaint from her neighbour.
Meera Bai was entertaining guests when as many as twenty-five police
officers burst into her home. They confiscated Bibles and pictures of Jesus
and then took Bai, her son and two guests to the police station. There she
was met by a large crowd of members of Dharma Sena, a militant Hindu
organization, who shouted threats and anti-Christian slogans. Police forced
the Christians to sign blank pieces of paper. Bai was then charged under the
state's anti-conversion legislation and released on bail.
After Bai returned home, a nineteen-year-old neighbour confessed that police
and Dharma Sena members had forced him to come to the police station and
sign a statement that Bai had offered him 2000 rupees ($48 CAD) each month
if he would convert to Christianity. It was on the basis of this forced
statement that Bai was charged.
Pray that Bai will find her strength in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:8-9).
Pray that there will be a strong testimony of God's grace in the community.
Pray that Sukhdev will see the character of Christ in Bai and be drawn to a
personal relationship with Him (Matthew 5:16).
For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to
www.persecution.net/country/india.htm. The June edition of The Voice of the
Martyrs Newsletter features the persecution of Christians in India. The
feature article is available online to those who subscribe. Go to
www.persecution.net/newsletter.htm.
***********************************
3. Two Christians in Bhutan Sentenced to Prison Without a Trial
Two Christians in the Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan have been sentenced to long
jail terms because of their Christian witness. Benjamin Dhunigana and John
Dai were arrested on January 8, 2006 and have remained in prison since then.
This week, a sentence was suddenly announced without a trial. Dhunigana was
sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison and Dai was sentenced to three
years. They were given ten days to appeal to the court for bail. They intend
to fight the case with the help of a prominent lawyer.
A VOMC contact says that Dhunigana has been active in sharing the gospel
across Bhutan and, in particular, in reaching Buddhist monks for Christ. On
January 7, he and Dai were traveling together in a van when they stopped and
offered a ride to a woman walking along the road. Dhunigana and Dai drove
the woman to her home and she insisted that they eat dinner with her family.
They stayed to eat and then told the woman that they would like to show her
a movie, the JESUS film. She asked if she could invite her neighbors also
and the house was soon full of people watching the film about the life of
Christ. Dhunigana and Dai were arrested the following day. VOMC sources say
it was the neighbors who reported the two Christian workers to authorities.
Both men are married and have children. Local Christians have promised to
provide for the men's families as long as they are incarcerated.
Pray that the men will be a bold witness for Christ, even while they are in
prison. Pray for justice for these two Bhutanese Christians. Polite emails
of protest can be sent to the Bhutanese delegation to the United Nations at
bhutan@un.int.
For more information on persecution in Bhutan, go to
www.persecution.net/country/bhutan.htm.
***********************************
4. Christian Businessman Sentenced for Evangelizing Muslims in Indonesia
In 2000, Abraham Bentar, a Muslim, came to faith in Jesus Christ. When he
was baptized three years later, he told his pastor that he wanted to
evangelize Muslims. Since then, Abraham has been actively involved in
evangelism to Muslims in Tasikmalaya, West Java through his clothing
business.
According to VOMC sources in Indonesia, Bentar was talking to his Muslim
brothers on March 7 when three men burst into his home and assaulted him. He
was dragged out of his home where a mob joined in, severely beating him
until police intervened. He was then charged with attempting to convert
Muslims to Christianity.
In May, Bentar appeared in court. His brothers were among those who
testified that he had tried to convert them to Christianity. The judge
sentenced him to four and a half years in prison.
When VOMC's contact spoke with Bentar's wife, Kristowati, she asked for
three Bibles for her husband so that he could share them with the six
cellmates he is sharing the Gospel with.
Pray that Abraham will have many opportunities to share Christ with those
around him and that their hearts would be open to the gospel (Colossians
4:2, 3). Ask God to place a hunger for truth in the hearts of those Abraham
comes in contact with. Pray that Kristowati and their daughter Rinda will be
filled to overflowing with the comfort of the Holy Spirit while Abraham is
in prison (2 Corinthians 1:5).
For more information on the persecution of Christian in Indonesia, go to
www.persecution.net/country/indonesia.htm.
***********************************
5. Twenty-Eight Christians Detained in Chinese House Church Raid
On June 8, China Aid Association reported on the arrest of twenty-eight
Christians in Henan Province, China on May 28. As the church members were
worshiping in the home of Ms. Chen Xuelan in Xiguan Ma Jia Chang, Public
Security Bureau officers raided the meeting and took them into custody. That
evening, all but five were released. Ms. Liu Yuemei was released on June 1
after her family paid a fine of 1600 Yuan ($220 CAD). Ms. Chang Xinhong (35)
was released a week later after she promised to pay her fine in cash. Those
remaining in custody are Ms. Chen Xuelan (58), Ms. Cao Yan (55) and Pastor
Li Shunmin (52).
During the raid, officers presented no documentation authorizing the raid or
the confiscation of Bibles and notebooks. The Christians intend to file a
legal appeal. Two prominent human rights lawyers, Dr. Li Baiguang and Dr.
Fan Yafeng, have agreed to represent them.
Pray that Ms. Chen, Ms. Cao and Pastor Li will be released soon (II
Corinthians 1:9-11). Pray that Dr. Li and Dr. Fan will be able to adequately
represent the Christians affected by this latest raid. Ask God to protect
the individuals in prison and that they would continue to share Christ with
those around them, wherever they may be (I Peter 5:1-4).
For more information on the persecution of Christians in China, go to
www.persecution.net/country/china.htm.
***********************************
6. Recent Updates from Belarus, India and Iran
(a) Belarus:
Authorities are becoming increasingly aggressive against churches and public
religious activities in Belarus. Since 2002, the New Life Church in Minsk
has faced opposition in their attempts to convert a former cow shed into a
place of worship. While a recent report suggested hope for the church (see
www.persecution.net/news/belarus26.html), police came to the services on
June 4 and demanded to see confirmation that the church had state permission
to hold worship services. A protocol has been filed against Pastor Slava
Goncharenko for holding a religious service in an unapproved location
without permission.
Also in Minsk, a court has ordered the liquidation of the property of the
Covenant Reformed Baptist Church, which has been unable to re-register under
the 2002 religion laws. In March, the church's pastor, Georgi Vyazovsky,
served ten days in prison for leading worship in his home.
On June 1, three evangelical Christians met in the central square in Brest,
Belarus for a twenty-four-hour vigil of silent Bible reading. According to
a June 13 report from Forum 18, the three were joining in an act of
solidarity with demonstrators who were arrested in the wake of March's
presidential elections. As a result of their actions, the three received
official warnings for violating a law which requires prior state permission
for religious events held outside of a designated house of worship.
(b) India:
On May 19, the governor of Rajasthan took the unprecedented act of refusing
to sign anti-conversion legislation into law (see
www.persecution.net/news/india134.html). The governor, Pratibha Patil,
believed that the legislation would violate religious freedom. This past
week, the government re-sent the legislation to the governor for her
signature. If Governor Patil again refuses to sign, the bill will be
referred to India's president, Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam. Pray
that Governor Patil will have the courage to again refuse to sign this
legislation.
(c) India:
Last week's Persecution and Prayer Alert reported on the rape of two
Christian women after the husband of one refused to recant his faith in
Christ (see www.persecution.net/news/india136.html). According to a June 9
report from Compass Direct, pressure is mounting on the Christians in area.
The head of twelve villages, including Nadia where the women were raped, is
demanding that all Christians renounce their faith in Christ or leave the
area. Furthermore, Pandya Patel declared that anyone who speaks to the
police about him or about the rapes, regardless of their religion, will be
expelled from the area.
Attempts to silence reports about the rapes have expanded into official
circles as well. On June 5, Indira Iyengar, a member of the Madhya Pradesh
State Minorities Commission, brought the rape victims to the state capital
to meet the governor. A press conference was also called to highlight the
incident, but members of the militant organization Bajrang Dal disrupted the
press conference and warned Iyengar not to accuse them of attacking
Christians. Iyengar has now been ordered to give justification as to why she
should not be removed from the commission for holding a press conference
without approval of the commission chair.
(d) Iran:
On May 2, Ali Kaboli (51) was arrested, presumably for holding "illegal"
religious meetings in his home. There were also concerns he could face
apostasy charges for converting from Islam thirty-three years before (see
www.persecution.net/news/iran24.html).
According to Compass Direct, Kaboli was released from prison on June 12.
Though his family refuses to give any comment on the charges or his release,
sources report that a large bail payment was needed for his release. If
these reports are accurate, a formal case could still be pending against
him.
***********************************
7. In This Week's VOMC Weblog (www.persecution.net/weblog.htm)
(a) "A Breath of Fresh Air in a Sea of ....": A response to recent media
reports on the arrest of seventeen terrorist suspects in Ontario, Canada,
featuring a column from The Globe and Mail.
(b) "Being Willing to Wait for the Results": Impatient to see results from
your labour? Check this out.
(c) "Why Do You Want to Lead?": Glenn shares some of his thoughts on
leadership from a biblical perspective.