INDONESIA: Mob Attack Forces Church to Host Services Online

Source: VOMC
Sources: International Christian Concern, Morning Star News, DetikNews

A worship gathering in Indonesia. Photo: VOMC

In the early morning of September 16th, a mob consisting of approximately 50 people had gathered at the front gate of the Maranatha Chapel in Depok City. Mob members angrily banged on the gate while shouting and causing a disturbance. Thankfully, at the time, no service was taking place inside the church building and the crowd eventually dispersed.

Following the incident, congregation members were feeling unsettled, and therefore expressed concerns about holding future worship services in the building. The church had just recently begun renting the facility, having held their first worship service at the premises the previous Sunday. Even though the church building fulfilled all the requirements for a permit, some local community members were opposed to the opening of this new place of worship.

After discussing matters with the authorities, the church agreed to host its worship services online for two weeks while all the permit processes were being completed and verified. The congregation has always rented commercial buildings, including the present facility, because permits are not required. However, the Christians decided to go along with the requested process in their efforts to ease any tensions.

Churches are frequently targeted by militant Islamic groups in Indonesia, and the difficult permit process sometimes takes years to complete, particularly when dealing with local governments. 
For additional reports on the challenges facing Christians in this Southeast Asian nation, go to our country report.

Please remember these congregation members in your prayers as they seek to be testimonies of God's grace to others of their community – including those who are opposing the worship services. 

Pray that these persecuted Christians will come to an amicable agreement with the leaders of their neighbourhood, allowing them to peacefully continue meeting together for worship in their rented church building.

PAKISTAN: Christian Boy Beaten for Alleged Blasphemy

Source: VOMC
Sources: Mission Network News, Farrukh Saif Foundation

Photo: Flickr / ILO Asia-Pacific (cc)

A young Christian boy was recently badly beaten by his Muslim schoolteacher after he allegedly committed a blasphemous act in class. The incident, which took place in the Pakistani city of Khanewal, has raised concerns about the lack of religious tolerance and justice in the community.

On September 7th, the student was sitting in class with a workbook in front of him. Unable to properly read it, he fiddled with the book and ended up making some rips and tears of its pages. When the teacher saw what he had done, the boy was severely beaten and accused of blasphemy because the book included verses from the Quran. The child was so badly injured during the beating that he ended up in hospital fighting for his life.

At last report, the boy was recuperating at home with his family. No further reports on his present condition, and the safety of this Christian family, have been provided. Regrettably, such incidents frequently result in social stigma, as well as physical dangers from potential mob violence. In addition, there have been no reports of any police action being taken against the abusive teacher. 
For more information on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan, go to our country report.

Pray that God will provide continued comfort, rest and healing to this young child as he deals with the trauma of the painful incident. 

May the Lord also extend His compassionate love, peace and protection towards him and his family. 

Pray that justice will not only prevail in this case, but that the Lord would also touch the hearts and minds of people throughout this South Asian nation, so they will demonstrate understanding and acceptance towards those adhering to Christianity rather than reacting in volatile outbursts.

NORTH KOREA: Court Ruling Permits Balloon Launches

Source: VOMC
Sources: VOM Korea, NK News, AP News

Photo: VOMK

Since 2005, The Voice of the Martyrs Korea (VOMK) has used large balloons to carry Bibles and Scripture pamphlets into the restricted nation of North Korea. However, in 2020, the South Korean government passed a law criminalizing the use of balloons after negotiations with the North Korean government.
(See this report for more details on the restriction.)

On September 24th, South Korea's Constitutional Court struck down the law, calling it an excessive restriction on free speech. The court affirmed that public safety and citizens' rights are best protected when activities such as balloon launches are policed by local law enforcements and not by diplomats or politicians.

In response to the ruling, VOMK issued the following official statement: "Before the anti-leaflet law, The Voice of the Martyrs Korea enjoyed excellent and mutually respectful relationships with local law enforcement and local communities to ensure that our Bible balloon launches into North Korea could be conducted safely, quietly, accurately, lawfully, and in environmentally friendly ways. The Supreme Court ruling affirms that this is the best approach."

VOMK's representatives did not discuss any plans in regards to potential balloon launching activities in the future, citing safety and security concerns. They simply stated, "We will continue to do what we have always done; we will look for every possible way to bring the Word of God to North Korea, with respect for law and in cooperation with local communities."

Praise God that this effective method of sharing the Gospel message has once again been made legally possible, so our Christian brothers and sisters in South Korea can resume reaching out to those across the border who are desperately in need of His salvation and hope. 

Please join us in praying that the seed of God's Word will yield a bountiful harvest in the restrictive nation of North Korea, and that many new names will be added to the "Lamb's Book of Life" as a result!

Leading Muslims to Truth in Burkina Faso

Laos - Christian Teens Resist Family Persecution

Source: iCommitToPray
Sep. 21, 2023

Ton and Tan

Ton, 18, and Tan, 16, are teenage sisters who became Christians and have been harassed repeatedly for this decision. Recently, their mother said that she will sell her daughters to any men who make an offer. Their older sister has also begun trying to bribe them into a life of prostitution with offers of phones and jewelry. The mother pressures the girls to prostitute themselves and regularly mocks their faith. She is requiring Ton and Tan to provide food for their family of six, sending them to work in the fields to keep them from being able to worship or serve in their church. Ton and Tan remain strong in their faith and their love for the Lord, but they are under immense pressure and are saddened that their mother sees them only as a source of income.

Pray that Ton and Tan will remain strong in their faith in Jesus.

Pray for their parents and older sister would also turn to Jesus.

Prayer points for Laos.

Pray for house church leaders who are singled out as targets of persecution to persevere with grace.

Pray for Lao seekers to toss aside the social pressure to practice Buddhism and place their hope in the one true God.

Pray for believers to unashamedly proclaim the Gospel to their neighbors despite close government monitoring.

Togo - New Believer Attacked by Sorcerers

 Source: iCommitToPray

Sep. 28, 2023 | Togo

Abraham was assaulted
by sorcerers for his
 decision to follow Christ.

A young Christian in Togo was severely beaten recently by local sorcerers who were angry that he had become a follower of Christ. Abraham, who lives in a village where sorcery and human sacrifice are practiced, is currently hospitalized for wounds he suffered in the attack. 

Pray for his physical recovery as well as his healing from mental and emotional trauma. 

Pray that Abraham will stand firm in his faith in Jesus.

Please also pray that those who practice sorcery in Abraham’s village will hear the gospel and come to faith in Christ.

Additional prayer points for Togo

For the church to be refined and cleansed of idolatry.

That God will unify the Togolese Church.

That barriers of mistrust and denominationalism will be broken down.

For indigenous mission agencies to establish themselves among the Muslim population.

For an end to child trafficking, prostitution, and exploitation of the poor.

That the people will see God’s glory and turn to Him.

India NEW DELHI - Baseless Charge in India Leaves Pastor, Family in Ruins

Source: Morning Star News
Hindu nationalists weaponize ‘anti-conversion’ law against Christian.
September 21, 2023 By Our India Correspondent 

Bajarang Rawat faces baseless charges of fraudulent conversion in Uttar Pradesh, India. (Morning Star News)

Pastor Bajarang Rawat, a 47-year-old convert from Hinduism  faces charges of converting people by “allurement” even though police could find no witnesses against him, and the only evidence they presented was his Bible, the pastor said.

“Reprimanding the policemen, the magistrate told them that it was not a crime to possess a Bible, and that he himself has a Bible at home,” Pastor Rawat told Morning Star News. “The policemen stood silent, but even after this conversation, I was sent to jail.”

Wife and children of Pastor Bajarang Rawat in Mohanlalganj, Uttar Pradesh, India. (Morning Star News)

The following weeks left his wife and two daughters, ages 3 and 10, near starvation, but police had received intense pressure from Hindu nationalist, government authorities to prosecute him, he said. Pastor Rawat has yet to find a source of income after Hindu nationalists ruined his sales stall and he was forced to leave the area.

In the prior four years, police had regularly monitored Pastor Rawat’s activities but always responded positively to the people who gathered for worship at his place.

But Loni Katra police arrested Pastor Rawat, who ran a stall beside his shed where he sold petty items at a railway crossing, on the complaint of Vijay Hindustani. Hindustani alleged that Pastor Rawat was involved in alluring people to convert to Christianity with the help of a dozen unidentified people.

The day of his arrest, six or seven officers accompanied by about 12 Hindu nationalists and a few news reporters with cameras and microphones arrived at his place at 11:30 a.m. while he was leading Sunday worship, Pastor Rawat said.

The news reporters asked congregation members questions about their faith, reasons for their gathering and whether they were offered any allurement, he said.

“The people boldly stepped forward to give amazing testimonies of healing that they and their families have encountered, and they refused to deny their faith,” he said, noting that as a poor man without a proper home and job, he had nothing to offer people besides his prayers.

Spontaneous Church Plant

About 50 to 60 congregation members gathered in the open beside his makeshift stall every Sunday for prayer to hear the Word of God, but the church began without him intending to start it, he said.

“One day someone visited me on a Sunday and found my family in devotional prayer,” he told Morning Star News. “They joined us, and in this way, people began to flock every Sunday knowing that they would find us praying and they would get prayed upon.”

Area Christian Anand Masih said Rawat never went to school and could barely read, “but God’s anointing was so much on him that he began to read the Bible and preach a strong and powerful message.”

As people began to come and receive healing prayer, the church grew, Pastor Rawat said. In addition, he would offer to pray for people who stopped by his sales stall and share about their problems and illnesses, he said.

“More than 300 people have come to me for prayers, and God has been so kind that all have received healing without any exception,” he said.

Different police patrols questioned Pastor Rawat at various times about the gatherings, to which he would reply, “We gather to pray to Jesus,” and they would say that was fine, he said.

Family Devastated

Christian leaders heard about Rawat’s unique ministry and his arrest and sought his release on bail.

“With much difficulty we traced his wife and daughters, who were living in a dilapidated shed,” Chandra told Morning Star News. “They had no food to eat. Their condition was beyond what I can describe.”

Pastor Rawat’s wife, Shashi, said she was left homeless after he was taken to the police station.

The team of Christian leaders helped Pastor Rawat’s family and also procured his release on bail on Aug. 7. He and his family moved to an undisclosed location with rented living quarters.

His congregation members found out where he was and continue to visit him.

“Families are still coming for fellowship, prayer and to hear God’s Word, but they all come individually and not in a group,” he said.

Police have not returned his Bible and songbooks. One of his church members asked how he would teach, and how they would sing praises, he said.

“God’s Word fills my heart, and His songs are on my lips – even if they have taken away my Bible, I can still preach,” Pastor Rawat responded.

Pray for Pastor Rawat, his wife Shashi and their children, that God would provide for them abundantly and that they would be able be able to continue their ministry.

Pray for protection for Pastor Rawat and his family and that he wouldn't be taken back to jail again.

Pray for the community and Pastor Rawat's accusers that they would come to faith in Jesus.

NAIROBI, Kenya - Teenager Locked Up and Starved for Becoming Christian

Source: Morning Star News
September 28, 2023 By Our East Africa Correspondent

Mother of 17-year-old boy who was denied food and medicine in Nankoma, Uganda for accepting Christ. (Morning Star News)

NAIROBI, Kenya – An evangelistic team in eastern Uganda this month discovered a Muslim, Musobya Aramanzanihad, locked up his son and starved him for more than four months for accepting Christ, sources said.

“The mother used to sneak in with only water, but when her son fell sick, she didn’t bring him medicine but insulted him by calling him an infidel to the family religion, and that he should die,” the pastor told Morning Star News.

The pastor learned of the abuse on Sept. 15 during evangelistic home visits in Nankoma. He said the previous day Aramanzani did not allow him and other Christians engaged in an evangelistic campaign that week to enter his property, and the team learned from area residents that he had locked his son inside for more than four months for converting to Christianity.

The team returned on Sept. 15, and the pastor pleaded to be granted a few minutes to pray for the family; they were given five minutes, he said.

“As we were praying, there was a very strong, bad smell in the house,” said the pastor, whose name is withheld for security reasons. “Since we were many, we forcefully entered the inner room where the smell was coming from and found a teenage boy in a dilapidated state.”

Team members forcibly took the teenager, whose name is withheld for security reasons, to a nearby hospital for treatment while the pastor and others remained with the Muslim family.

Aramanzani later repented of the cruelty and other sins and put his faith in Christ, the pastor said.

“He persuaded us not to report the incident to the police,” the pastor said. “The situation at the moment is very delicate, because the father risks to be arrested, and at the same time he is a new Christian. We first need to treat the suffering young man, then later discuss with the family the next course of action.”

Pray for the son that he will fully recover from starvation and sickness.

Pray that the son would remain strong in his new faith in Jesus.

Pray that the father would also remain faithful in his new faith in Jesus.

Pray that the mother and other family members would also commit their lives to Jesus.

Pray for the evangelistic team as they spread the good news that many would come to faith in Jesus in Uganda.

Somebody prayed for me (Persecuted Church)