Barnabas Aid Magazine May/June 2020

barnabasfund.org barnabasaid MAY/JUNE 2020 BARNABAS FUND - AID AGENCY FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH - BRINGING HOPE TO SUFFERING CHRISTIANS

EAST AFRICA AND ASIA UK PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW COVID-19 GLOBAL CRISIS “Perfect storm” of locust plague Barnabas Fund praised for best How the pandemic crisis is and coronavirus pandemic practice by British government affecting the persecuted Church SAVING GOD’S PEOPLE IN CRISIS What helps make Barnabas Fund distinctive from other The Barnabas Fund Distinctive Christian organisations that deal with persecution?

We work by: ● Acting on behalf of the persecuted ● facilitate global intercession for Church, to be their voice - making their the persecuted Church by providing ● Directing our aid only to Christians, needs known to Christians around comprehensive prayer material although its benefits may not be the world and the injustice of their safeguard and protect our volunteers, exclusive to them (“As we have persecution known to governments and ● staff, partners and beneficiaries opportunity, let us do good to all international bodies people, especially to those who belong ● keep our overheads low to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:10, emphasis added) We seek to: meet both practical and spiritual needs We believe: ● Channelling money from Christians ● we are called to address both religious and through Christians to Christians (we do encourage, strengthen and enable the ● ● secular ideologies that deny full religious not send people, we only send money) existing local Church and Christian liberty to Christian minorities - while communities - so they can maintain ● Channelling money through existing continuing to show God’s love to all people structures in the countries where their presence and witness rather funds are sent (e.g. local churches or than setting up our own structures or ● in the clear Biblical teaching that Christian organisations) sending out missionaries Christians should treat all people of all faiths with love and compassion, even tackle persecution at its root by making ● Using the money to fund projects ● those who seek to persecute them which have been developed by local known the aspects of other religions and Christians in their own communities, ideologies that result in injustice and ● in the power of prayer to change countries or regions oppression of Christians and others people’s lives and situations, either through grace to endure or through inform and enable Christians in the West ● Considering any request, however small ● deliverance from suffering to respond to the growing challenge of ● Acting as equal partners with the other religions and ideologies to Church, persecuted Church, whose leaders often “Whatever you did for one of the least society and mission in their own countries of these brothers and sisters of mine, help shape our overall direction you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)

How to find us You may contact Barnabas Fund at the following addresses

International Headquarters Germany Northern Ireland and South Africa The Old Rectory, River Street, Pewsey, German supporters may send gifts for Republic of Ireland Office 301, 3rd Floor, Eikestad Mall, Wiltshire SN9 5DB, UK Barnabas Fund via Hilfe für Brüder who Office 113, Russell Business Centre, 43 Andringa Street, Stellenbosch 7599 Telephone 01672 564938 will provide you with a tax-deductible 40-42 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 6AA Telephone +27 21 808 1668 Fax 01672 565030 receipt. Please mention that the donation Please send post to our UK office address. Email [email protected] From outside UK: is for “SPC 20 Barnabas Fund”. If you Telephone 07875 539003 UK Telephone +44 1672 564938 would like your donation to go to a Email [email protected] 9 Priory Row, Coventry CV1 5EX Fax +44 1672 565030 specific project of Barnabas Fund, please Singapore Telephone 024 7623 1923 Email [email protected] inform the Barnabas Fund office in Cheques in Singapore dollars payable to Fax 024 7683 4718 Pewsey, UK. “Olive Aid Trust” may be sent to: Olives Aid From outside the UK: Australia Account holder: Hilfe für Brüder Sdn Bhd, P.O. Box 03124, Subang Jaya, Telephone +44 24 7623 1923 PO Box 3527, Loganholme, QLD 4129 International e.V. 47507 Selangor, MALAYSIA Fax +44 24 7683 4718 Telephone (07) 3806 1076 Account number: 415 600 Singaporean supporters may send gifts for Email [email protected] or 1300 365 799 Bank: Evang Kreditgenossenschaft Barnabas Fund online via Olive Aid Trust: For a list of all trustees, please contact Barnabas Email [email protected] Stuttgart Beneficiary: OLIVE AID TRUST Fund UK at the Coventry address above. IBAN: DE89520604100000415600 Bank Name: United Overseas Bank USA BIC: GENODEF1EK1 (Malaysia) Berhad 80 Abbeyville Road, Lancaster PA 17603 New Zealand Swift Code: UOVBMYKL Telephone (703) 288-1681 PO Box 276018, Manukau City, Location: KUALA LUMPUR or toll-free 1-866-936-2525 Auckland 2241 Account Number: 140-901-654-0 Email [email protected] Barnabas Fund Australia is a Telephone (09) 280 4385 charitable institution but gifts are not To donate by credit card please visit the website or 0800 008 805 tax deductible ABN 70 005 572 485 www.barnabasfund.org/au or phone the Queensland office Email [email protected] on 1300 365 799 or (07) 3806 1076 barnabasaid the magazine To guard the safety of Christians in Front Cover: Christians from hostile environments, names may have north-east India of Barnabas Fund been changed or omitted. Thank you for your understanding. Published by Barnabas Aid Every effort has been made to trace 1934 Old Gallows Road Suite 350 copyright holders and obtain permission Vienna, VA 22182, USA for stories and images used in this Email [email protected] publication. Barnabas Fund apologises for any errors or omissions and will © Barnabas Aid 2020 be grateful for any further information For permission to reproduce articles regarding copyright. from this magazine, please contact Unless otherwise stated, Scripture the International Headquarters quotations are taken from the address above. New International Version®. Editorial Contents

Coronavirus. Pandemic. Death has been 4 Lockdown. Social distancing. The plight of Christians in the swallowed up in victory midst of the Covid-19 crisis (1 Corinthians 15:54) Barnabas Coronavirus 9 Emergency Network ovid-19, spread so quickly round our little planet by the ease of modern The Barnabas’ emergency travel, will bring thousands or millions to their grave sooner than would committee is monitoring the evolving have happened without the new virus. We live in frightening times. Alarm coronavirus crisis worldwide C and despondency now grip whole nations. Extreme and painful measures, never before known, are laid on us by our governments, in a desperate effort to combat the invisible enemy. Barnabas’ Covid-19 But let us remember Easter morning and the empty tomb. For Christians, death is 10 aid response merely the gateway to glory, to a place where there will be no more death or mourning How your gifts are helping poor and or crying or pain, for the old order of things will have passed away (Revelation 21:4). persecuted Christians affected by the Death lost its sting when Jesus died to take away our sins. As the apostle Paul tells Covid-19 emergency us, it has been swallowed up in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54).

The Lord’s trustworthiness Rob Congdon, an American missionary doctor in Kenya, has described the strong spirituality that is sustaining many East African Christians in the midst of the coronavirus: “There is a remarkable, steadfast faith in God’s goodness, even in the midst of the shaking. People who’ve learned to trust God in the uncertainty of tropical disease, civil war, and hunger, develop an unshakeable awareness of the Lord’s trustworthiness.” For many Kenyan Christians have lived with poverty as the norm, and all too often drought and famine. Then there is the violence of Al-Shabaab terrorists, seeking out 10 Christians to kill them. This year has already seen swarms of locusts devouring crops, and a second generation, far more numerous than the first, is due to hatch from their eggs in late April or early May. Between one generation of locusts and the next, coronavirus Coronavirus: arrived in Kenya. Kenyan Christians have learned to trust God for survival every day. 12 coping with fear They already had a spiritual strength and resilience, a practical trust in their heavenly Remaining faithful and courageous Father, which prepared them for the surprise new uncertainty and danger of Covid-19. in the face of fear It is the same for poor or persecuted Christians in many other countries as well: the coronavirus adds yet one more challenge to their suffering. (Read more about this on pages 4-8.) Coronavirus: Those of us who are used to security and plenty must learn that same concrete faith. 13 coping with dying We now live in an age when everyone suffers, Christian and non-Christian, rich and A supportive guide for families in poor, prince and pauper, for the virus does not discriminate. We are faced with definite these testing times restriction of lifestyle, likely sickness and possible death. What can we do but turn to our God and trust Him? Project Joseph: Save God’s Divine Providence – the missing doctrine 14 people from starvation Long ago the “tube” trains of the London Underground’s District Line used to carry Locust plague and coronavirus the letters DV inside each carriage, meaning “God willing” (Deo volente in Latin). It place millions at risk of famine in was an acknowledgement of the sovereignty of God. We may make our travel plans or East Africa and Pakistan other plans, but it is God who is in control. Divine Providence is the missing doctrine of the Western Church today. What is Divine Providence? It is the belief that we are in God’s hands. He determines all of our The Parliamentary Review life. This does not mean we are merely mechanical automata. On the contrary, we have 18 Barnabas Fund recognised a very active role to play, as we decide to place our trust in Him, knowing that all things for best practice in the UK’s work together for good for those who love God (Romans 8:28). Parliamentary Review As Christians, we live with the empty tomb, and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. Therein lies our hope. A guide to giving from home All my hope on God is founded; 22 How to keep supporting our He doth still my trust renew, persecuted family while you stay at home Me through change and chance He guideth, Only good and only true. God unknown, In Touch He alone Calls my heart to be His own.1 23 Tasmanian supporter discovers Barnabas goats in Uganda 1 Meine Hoffnung stehet feste by Joachim Neander, translated by Robert Bridges 4 May/June 2020 Barnabas Aid Christians and the Covid-19 crisis

Christian grandmother from north- east India with her granddaughter

oronavirus. Pandemic. Lockdown. Social distancing. Suddenly these words and phrases began to echo round the world as the Covid-19 virus spread from country to country, from C continent to continent – spread as no disease has ever spread before. Soon it became a global danger, infecting even princes and prime ministers. But what is the impact on our Christian brothers and sisters, many of them poor, many of them persecuted? Take Mukhtaran Bibi, for example, a partially- sighted widow in Pakistan. She and her three daughters work as domestic helpers in other people’s homes. But when Pakistan went into lockdown they could no longer work and had no income. Their wages had been too low to set aside savings, and they had only meagre food stocks in the home. Mukhtaran’s only son used to try to support the family by begging on the streets. But social distancing means this is now illegal. Hundreds of thousands of Pakistani Christians face the same plight as Mukhtaran. Not just domestic helpers, but those in factories and brick-kilns that have been closed to stop the virus spreading, auto-rickshaw drivers who have no customers as people stay home, daily labourers who hire themselves out each day for construction work which has now been put on hold – all of these have lost their livelihoods in an instant. The same is true for many other countries where CHRISTIANS Christians are poor and despised. Then there are the pastors whose only income was the giving of their congregation at Sunday AND THE services or pastoral visits. Now there is no Sunday worship, no visiting. In any case, their church members have nothing to give. The pastors are left destitute. This applies not just in COVID-19 Pakistan, but in many other countries, including Uganda where, like Pakistan, coronavirus has CRISIS coincided with a plague of locusts. Discrimination, violence and the virus For Ethiopian Christians, the Covid-19 virus was the third major disaster to afflict them. Like Pakistan and Uganda, their crops had recently been ravaged by locusts. In addition, they were facing ongoing anti-Christian violence. In other cases, Covid-19 did not just coincide Turn to pages 10-11 to read about with persecution but actually caused it. In practical help from Barnabas Fund for Sri Lanka, some Hindu Tamils are blaming Christians affected by the Covid-19 crisis Christians for the virus. A pastor came from Switzerland and held a Christian worship service in Jaffna, after which it was discovered that he was infected with Covid-19 (caught while he Christians and the Covid-19 crisis Barnabas Aid May/June 2020 5

was in Sri Lanka). Sri Lankan Buddhist citizens, not agents of the West. fundamentalists are posting on social media Namibia is 90% Christian, but police reminders that the virus raged through a brutality and human rights abuses in the Christian church in South Korea and that it is name of public safety were already a familiar rampant in Italy, viewed as a pre-eminently part of life in Namibia before the virus. Christian country. “Why has God forsaken Citizens braced themselves for an escalation the Christian community?” they ask. of such behaviour as the country moved to A separate challenge faces Sri Lankan a martial-law style of full lockdown on 27 Christian converts from Buddhism and March. Namibia, called after the Namib, a Hinduism. A Sri Lankan pastor, giving an rainless coastal strip with gigantic sand update to Barnabas Fund on 27 March, dunes, is characterised by harsh desert and explained that the government had semi-desert conditions; 80% of its food is announced it would distribute food through imported from South Africa. The public the majority places of worship. But converts health system has deteriorated over the last would not be helped by either a temple or a five years and only 20% of the population mainstream church, so they would not be have proper medical insurance. Humanly able to get the food. speaking, it is one of the most vulnerable Discrimination has been seen in India countries in the world to Covid-19. against Indians from the north-east of the country, which borders China where Dangerous ignorance the coronavirus outbreak began. Indians Several church leaders have shared with from that region have facial features rather Barnabas the dangers arising from the like Chinese people, and are being “teased, ignorance of the poorest and least educated abused and humiliated by the people, who in their societies. In Ethiopia, the Church urged Christians to follow the World Health Organisation’s guidance and to pray night and day. However, confided an Ethiopian church minister to Barnabas Fund, “with the cultural and religious backward attitude of our people, I am afraid to say that the virus will be very disastrous.” In the Central African Republic, where the virus was first brought by a pastor returning from a trip to Europe, church leaders were doubtful that traditional behaviours could be changed by government announcements, for example, the habit of gathering in large numbers for funerals. “We are in very hot times,” wrote one on 28 March, “the lack of electricity and running water in the city, are not to settle the situation. The hygienic Because of lockdown and social distancing in Pakistan, conditions are deplorable … The borders are widowed Mukhtaran can no longer work, nor can her closed. Commodity prices are rising because son and daughters everything comes from Cameroon. Thank you for praying for the survival of the people.” In northern Malawi, a rumour was are calling them ‘Coronavirus’. Some shops circulating in late March that the coronavirus are refusing to sell them groceries. Landlords was a blood-sucking animal. Many are asking them to vacate the houses,” wrote Christians therefore took to spending the an Indian Christian leader to Barnabas Fund night in church buildings, so that some on 29 March. There are a large number of could sleep while others kept watch for the Christians in some states of north-east India. bloodsuckers. Just at the time when people There are also examples of verbal abuse, should have been distancing themselves and harassment and even stoning of foreigners, staying home, they were gathering together which spells danger for Indian Christians in the belief that they would be safer that way. who are always struggling to convince the Sad to say, some church leaders have Hindu majority that they are loyal Indian insisted on continuing to hold Sunday worship 6 May/June 2020 Barnabas Aid Christians and the Covid-19 crisis

meetings, for example in the USA, South Korea and Uganda. Some Muslims in Pakistan also have been resistant to instructions on physical/social distancing, believing that this would go against their Islamic duties and practices. This attitude is a cause of great concern, especially to Christians involved in providing medical care in Pakistan. “We are fearing a rapid great transmission if this mindset continues,” wrote a senior Pakistani Christian involved with Christian hospitals on 25 March. There are at least 65 Christian hospitals in Pakistan, most of which have no outside source of funding to assist them.

Building up believers who cannot go to church In many countries, Christians are quickly learning the skills necessary to provide their Sunday worship online in some form, even if it is just filming it with a phone for others to view on their phones, as in some Ugandan churches. But in Namibia, where only 10% of the population have access to the internet, even this is not possible, and instead there is a surge of interest in radio.

A presidential call to prayer The president of Christian-majority Ghana called his country to fast, repent, confess their sins and pray, while they implemented safety measures. “I appeal to all Ghanaians, Christians and Muslims, to observe a national day of fasting and prayer. Let us pray to God to protect our nation and save us from this pandemic,” said President Nana Akufo- Addo on 21 March.

Christians offering aid The well-resourced churches in Ghana have donated items to the Ministry of Health, including personal protective equipment (PPE) for health workers. They also lent ten vans equipped with public address systems to the National Commission for Civic Education and pledged to provide drivers, fuel and vehicle maintenance as long as the coronavirus crisis lasted. The strict lockdown in India soon created hunger, food shortages and untreated medical problems in the villages, reported the Church of North India. All public transport was shut down. Thousands of migrant workers whose jobs disappeared overnight started journeying on foot from Delhi back to their home towns, without adequate food, water or shelter. Some had distances of hundreds of kilometres to cover. Children and elderly were also on the move, as separated family members tried to find each other. Punjab is known as “India’s bread-basket” and is famous for its wheat, which is the staple carbohydrate of the northern part of this vast country. The wheat crop was ready to harvest in late March, but people were not allowed to go to the fields. There have been reports of riot-like situations in the villages. At the time of writing, the Church in Punjab was exploring with the Christians and the Covid-19 crisis Barnabas Aid May/June 2020 7

KEY as at 2 April

Countries with more than 25 cases of Covid-19

Areas where locusts are currently

Areas where locusts are expected by June 2020 Countries where Barnabas Fund is helping Covid-19 affected Christians Countries where Barnabas Fund is helping locust affected Christians

Countries on lockdown 8 May/June 2020 Barnabas Aid Christians and the Covid-19 crisis

government how to distribute or facilitate access to food and medical supplies. But even the poorest Christians are striving to help TEARS FOR A CUP OF TEA others. “This will be a pea in an elephant’s mouth,” said a church leader from Nepal as he described the near-futility of his church’s efforts to raise funds to In Indonesia, there is a general call for people to help in the face of overwhelming needs. Hundreds of help those whose livelihoods have been badly thousands of people in the Kathmandu valley would affected by everyone staying home. One such be the first victims of the lockdown if it lasted more group of workers are the Gojek motorcycle taxi than a week, he predicted. Nepal, already poor and drivers. Called by an app, Gojek motorcyclists underdeveloped, received a rush of people who had transport people and run errands. been working in Covid-19 infected India, as they Senny, a Christian who owns a small hastily crossed back into Nepal, just before India restaurant, had closed up for the day, put the closed the border. An estimated 50,000 labourers ingredients away, turned off the stoves and arrived and scattered themselves across the country cleaned the kitchen when a Gojek driver came as each went to their own family home. Some even fought with police in their efforts to get back to Nepal. Many churches in drought-ridden Namibia are distributing food parcels and making their water taps available to use by the community, because people in the shanty towns do not have access to water. “We hope that our Lockdown Theologies will bring some comfort,” said a Namibian church leader to Barnabas Fund, explaining how they were seeking to show, in word and deed, God’s love and presence in the midst of the lockdown suffering.

Christians are distributing food to drivers, and many others, who are struggling as work dwindles to nothing in coronavirus struck Indonesia

in, asking if she was still taking orders. At first, Senny felt inclined to refuse but changed her mind, seeing “his face full of hope”. She explained it would take a long time, but he was happy to wait, telling Senny that he had waited on the streets for work since morning and only now had got his first job. Wondering how the driver’s family would live if he only got one job a day, Senny prepared the A Christian group distributing masks and other essential food the driver had ordered for his customer, protective hygiene items to Christian healthcare workers in and made him some hot, sweet tea. When she Yogykarta, Indonesia put the tea on the table, the driver was shocked, saying he had not ordered a drink. “It is free for you,” said Senny, which caused tears to come Extreme poverty welling up in rich generosity to the driver’s eyes. As she handed over the “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing five portions he had to deliver to his customer, joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich she also added a small plastic bag alongside it, generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as saying, “The small bag is dinner for you.” Again they were able, and even beyond their ability.” This the driver’s eyes brimmed with tears and he was the apostle Paul’s description of the believers in thanked her hoarsely. Macedonia (2 Corinthians 8:2-3). After the driver had left, Senny asked the As the whole world reels in the grip of coronavirus, restaurant staff to give thanks “because even as the pandemic takes its economic toll on all, as though the condition of our restaurant is not poor and persecuted Christian believers struggle to good, we still have enough food for us every help others, will you help Barnabas Fund day. Thank you, God.” to help them? Barnabas Coronavirus Emergency Network Barnabas Aid May/June 2020 9

Barnabas Coronavirus Emergency Network (BCEN) current list of partners (for security reasons, some partners not listed)

Barnabas Fund has formed an emergency committee to monitor the evolving situation, as the coronavirus spreads globally, and Countries represented in our Network: how it impacts our project partners around the world, and to Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, assess how to best support them. We have an extensive network Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African of project partners already in place, who will send us updates on Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, a regular basis. Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guyana, India, Barnabas Fund, working with GAFCON (Global Anglican Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Lebanon, Future Conference), is preparing an Africa-wide committee to Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritius, assist in deploying relief and assistance, gathering information, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, making needs known, sourcing finance and supplies and ensuring Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Portugal, Russia, Senegal, Sierra reliable distribution to those in most need. Barnabas is a member Leone, Singapore, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, of the Network for African Congregational Theology, comprising Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Turkey, Turkmenistan, 55 seminaries, colleges and universities, which are in a position Uganda, USA, Uzbekistan, Zambia and Zimbabwe to distribute help on the ground.

• Africa Bible College (ABC), Malawi • Ecumenical Foundation of Southern Africa • Presbyterian Church, Southern Africa • Africa International University, Kenya • ECWA Theological Seminary Church, Nigeria • Pretoria University, South Africa • Anglican Church of Kenya • Ethiopian Full Gospel Theological Seminary • PTHU Global Christianity, Netherlands • Anglican Church of Nigeria • Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology • Redeemed Christian Bible College, Nigeria • Anglican Church of South Sudan • Evangelical Alliance of Kenya • Reformational Study Centre, Southern Africa • Anglican Church of Tanzania • Evangelical Fellowship in the Anglican • Reformed and Presbyterian Seminary, Nepal • Anglican Church of Uganda Communion (EFAC) • Reformed Church University, Zimbabwe • Anglican International Development (AID), UK • Free State University, South Africa • Reformed Institute for Theological Training, • Asia Graduate School of Theology, Nepal • GAFCON (Global Anglican Future Conference) Kenya • Association for Christian Religious • HEFSIBA Mozambique • Reformed Mission League Practitioners, Southern Africa • Hugenote College, South Africa • Reformed Theological Seminary, Nigeria • Association for Christian Theological • Instituto Bíblico de Kaluquembe – Missão • Rusitu Bible College, Zimbabwe Education in Africa, Kenya Urgente, Angola • Scott Christian University, Kenya • Bible College of the Evangelical Christian • Instituto Superior de Teologia Evangelica no • Seminario Emanuel do Dôndi, Angola Baptist Union, Tajikistan Lubango, Angola • Serampore College, India • Bible Media and Nehemiah Bible Institute, • Instituto Teológico da Igreja Evangélica • St Frumentius Abba Selama Kessate Berhan Africa Reformada de Angola Theological College, Ethiopia • Biblica (South Africa) • International Leadership University, Kenya • St John’s College of Theology and • Bishop Hannington Institute of Theology • Jos ECWA Theological Seminary, Nigeria Development, South Sudan and Development, Kenya • Josophat Mwale Theological Institution, • St. Paul’s University, Kenya • Brethren Church, Pakistan Malawi • Stellenbosch University, South Africa • Carlile College, Kenya • Justo Mwale University (JMU), Zambia • Syriac Orthodox Church • Chancellor College, Malawi • Methodist Church, Ghana • The Church in the Province of the West Indies • Chorra Ministry, Ethiopia • Methodist Church, Nigeria • The Church of Pentecost, Ghana • Church of Ceylon, Sri Lanka • Moffat Bible College, Kenya • The Reformed Family Forum, Southern • Church of North India • Morija Theological Seminary, Lesotho Africa • Church of Pakistan • Murray Theological College, Zimbabwe • Theological College of Northern Nigeria • Coptic Orthodox Church, Diocese of • Nairobi Baptist Church, Kenya • Uganda Christian University Khartoum, Sudan • Namibia Evangelical Theological Seminary • UMCA Theological College, Nigeria • Daystar University, Kenya • Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary • Université Shalom de Bunia, • Dinka Congregations in Juba, South Sudan • Nile Theological College, South Sudan Democratic Republic of Congo • Domboshava Theological College, • North West University, South Africa • University of Livingstonia, Malawi Zimbabwe • Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kenya • World Communion of Reformed Churches • Doon Bible College, India • Oxford Centre for Religion and Public Life, UK • Zarephath Bible Seminary, Pakistan • Dutch Reformed Church, South Africa • Pan Africa Christian University, Kenya • Zomba Theological College, Malawi 10 May/June 2020 Barnabas Aid Covid-19 emergency fund

BARNABAS FUND’S COVID-19 EMERGENCY FUND FOR POOR AND PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS

quarter of the world’s population is living under some form of working. Because they earn so of lockdown and the number of global cases of Covid-19 has little even when they do get work, the exceeded 650,000 (at the time of writing). daily labourers have no savings to fall Rich countries are pouring their resources into battling the back on and lockdown affects them invisible foe and to help their citizens survive the lockdown. very seriously. Christians in Pakistan A But what about countries whose health systems barely typically do the most menial and lowest function at the best of times? Countries that cannot hope to paid jobs. They are “often the poorest of provide salaries for those who suddenly have no work? Or places where people the poor,” says our project partner. live crowded together in refugee camps without adequate sanitation? What about Christians where they are despised and discriminated against? With God’s help and your donations, Barnabas Fund has stepped in to help our “They are looking to God and their brothers and sisters in need due to coronavirus. Here are some examples. brothers and sisters in Christ to stand with them in the face of the troubles coronavirus has FOOD failing memory, the couple continue to trust God’s promises that He will brought into their life” In poor countries like Armenia, not forget His servants. impoverished elderly Christians, now Laos is a country of severe anti- Prime Minister Imran Khan at first obliged to self-isolate, are begging Christian persecution, where poor announced that Pakistan could their churches for bread and other rural Christians are often penalised for not afford a lockdown because the basic foodstuffs. Young people from their Christian faith by being banished government had no resources to the churches were ready and willing from the fields where they grow their support the poor who would starve to deliver food parcels to the elderly, food. Barnabas Fund is providing rice, if they could not work. But then but the churches lacked funding to noodles, canned fish and salt for some lockdown became essential to stop buy the foodstuffs. of the poorest families, now forced to the spread of Covid-19. The army had Barnabas provided emergency stay at home. Widows and orphans are to be called in to enforce it, as poor food for vulnerable, elderly among the beneficiaries. people were so desperate. Christians in Armenia. Among Many Christians in Sri Lanka are Aslam and his wife Suria are both those receiving the monthly help daily labourers in tea plantations and daily wage earners in Pakistan. Due were Artashes and his wife Manik. other areas of agriculture. Already to the Covid-19 lockdown, Aslam Faithful servants of the Lord, the poor, they are extra vulnerable when can no longer work as a labourer and couple had allowed their home to there is a socio-economic crisis. Suria can no longer work in domestic be used as a secret meeting place Although the government has been houses. They have four daughters to for Christians during the years of trying to ensure that production support and no savings. “They are persecution of Christians in the continues, church leaders in touch looking to God and their brothers and Soviet era. Since 1995, Artashes has with the grassroots have told been serving as a church deacon. Barnabas Fund that survival is a huge Now, despite bodily weakness and struggle for these believers. Barnabas is working through the Sri Lankan churches to provide the neediest families with rice, lentils, chickpeas, flour, potatoes, “soya meat”, coconut oil, powdered milk, sugar and salt. There is a similar situation in Pakistan, where many Christians are also on daily wages; if they are not hired, they have no income that day. The Covid-19 lockdown means that neither Artashes and his wife Manik were given During lockdown, those not involved Aslam nor Suria can work. But Barnabas food, soap, sanitiser gel and toilet paper in essential services have no possibility Fund is feeding them and their daughters Covid-19 emergency fund Barnabas Aid May/June 2020 11

How your gifts are providing practical help for Christians affected by coronavirus Covid-19 aid the costs sisters in Christ to stand with them in PASTOR the face of the troubles coronavirus SUPPORT $14 has brought into their life,” says our could provide soap, ethanol project partner in Pakistan. Barnabas Pakistani pastor Saul Rehmat’s wipes and face masks for is helping to feed them and other church members are mostly rickshaw a South Sudanese refugee needy Pakistani Christian families. drivers, labourers, factory workers family of seven in Uganda and domestic helpers. When the coronavirus lockdown started they HYGIENE lost their work, so they can no longer $21 PRODUCTS support their pastor. Their offerings could feed a family of four in were Pastor Saul’s main source of Sri Lanka for one month At the height of the coronavirus income, which leaves him and his outbreak in Wuhan, China, family in a desperate situation. But courageous Christians put the care Barnabas Fund is now providing $32 of their neighbours above their own monthly food parcels for him and could buy 20kg rice for a safety to help others in need. They other pastors in Pakistan facing a poor or widow-headed rural risked their own health to hand out similar situation. Christian family in Laos protective masks, gloves and hygiene In countries like Kenya, Nepal, supplies to desperate people on the Sri Lanka, Uganda and Pakistan, streets of the quarantined city. the income of a pastor, especially in $49 As supplies ran short, Barnabas rural areas, is from the donations could provide rice, flour, supporters answered an urgent call of his congregation on Sundays or pulses, soap, sanitizer, for help to support the supply of when making pastoral visits. But and other basic needs essential hygiene items to help protect when there is a lockdown, Christians for a Pakistani family for these caring Christians, and those cannot gather for worship, and one month they were helping, as they ministered pastors cannot visit homes. In any to the needy on the street. case, church members have nothing to give. The pastors and their families $61 are in desperate need, but Barnabas could feed a poor and Fund is supporting them. elderly Christian couple in We have also been supporting Armenia for a month as well poor preachers who live in remote as providing some basic mountainous parts of various hygiene products provinces of China. Some have been infected and others have suffered in different ways because of the coronavirus outbreak. Thank you for your generosity Courageous Christians (pictured in yellow in making this help possible. suit) risked their own health to hand out As the coronavirus pandemic protective masks and gloves, along with looks set to continue for comforting words, to panicked residents in months more, please Wuhan, the epicentre of the virus pandemic continue to give to our Covid-19 Emergency Fund We also responded to pleas from (project reference PR1530). Uganda to provide soap, ethanol wipes and face masks for South Sudanese Christians in refugee Pastor Saul’s congregation can no camps where shared washing longer support him, due to coronavirus Disaster Relief facilities make the problem of keeping lockdown, but Barnabas Fund is assisting hands clean a big challenge. him and his family 12 May/June 2020 Barnabas Aid Coping with coronavirus

Coronavirus

“See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a Coping with fear sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.” The opposite of faith is not doubt. (Isaiah 28:16) It is fear. 1. Discipline our minds not to give As He prepared them for the One night, as the disciples were way to emotions of fear. Fill our greatest period of uncertainty they rowing across the Sea of Galilee, a minds instead with the Word of God would ever face, Jesus said to His sudden storm blew up, most likely and His promises and apply them to disciples, “Do not let your hearts be caused by an underwater earthquake, our own situation. “For God has not troubled. Trust in God; trust also in which unleashed the powerful wind, given us a spirit of fear, but of power me.” (John 14:1) which generated the churning waves. and of love and of a sound mind.” This is a command. But how do The disciples were frightened. They (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV). we obey it? How do we obey the were vulnerable – powerless in 2. Deliberately put our trust in God. command “Do not fear” that occurs the face of impending death. Jesus, Tell Him in prayer. Speak it aloud. so often in the Bible? How do we sleeping on a cushion at the back, did Sing it. “Those who know your name learn to rest in His perfect love so not stir, even when the waves breaking trust in you, for you, LORD, have that our hearts are untroubled? Seven over the small boat began filling it never forsaken those who seek you.” suggestions are in the box. with water. He seemed not to care (Psalm 9:10) In an age where the secular seems (Mark 4:35-41). 3. Acknowledge that God is in control to control all, where humanism Many things can contribute to our of our lives and nothing happens by dominates and the fear of God is fears: a sudden and overwhelming accident. “Are not two sparrows sold not acknowledged, we can, by God’s event, uncertainty about the future, a for a penny? Yet not one of them grace, train ourselves to trust Him, sense of powerlessness and inability will fall to the ground outside your to rely on His love and His power, to control what will happen. Death Father’s care.” (Matthew 10:29) and banish our fears. as a stark reality now threatens us 4. Remember that God cares for us. In the darkness of the night and at and our loved ones, in particular the “casting all your care upon Him, for He the centre of the roaring winds and elderly. An unknown deadly virus, a cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7, NKJV). crashing waves, Jesus, the Son of God, force outside our control which has 5. Embrace the Divine will, whatever was present. For God is always in the suddenly come upon us, is creating comes. “Give thanks in all darkness. He is never absent and He fear. How should we respond? circumstances; for this is God’s will does not cease to care and to intervene The Bible has much to say about for you in Christ Jesus.” as He wills. fear, mainly urging us to trust in God (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Whilst Jesus was asleep at the and not to be afraid. It also speaks 6. Know the End – an eternal glory, which stern of the boat, His Father neither of another kind of “fear”, the fear of far outweighs “our light and momentary slumbered nor slept (Psalm 121:4). His the Lord, which is the beginning of troubles” (2 Corinthians 4:17). watchful, caring eye was over them. wisdom (Psalm 111:10). This fear is 7. Care for others – “As we have The writings of Christians in times the reverent awe that should rightly opportunity, let us do good to all past, when there were few cures for fill us as we contemplate the majesty people, especially those who belong illnesses and sudden or early death of the Lord Almighty. After Jesus to the family of believers.” was commonplace, can help us now in had calmed the wind and waves, the (Galatians 6:10). the time of the coronavirus. We can frightened disciples became terrified look out for examples and note them with the fear of the Lord, as there What is this faith that Jesus speaks down, creating a resource of faith- dawned on them a new understanding of – the faith that would have building encouragements. of Jesus’ divine power over nature. kept the disciples from fear? It is a Jesus asked the disciples in the boat fundamental trust in the Divine and “Fear him, ye saints, and ye will why they were so afraid of the storm, in His purposes, knowing that we are then have nothing else to fear”1 why they had no faith? As followers in His hands and that God is in perfect of Christ, we are not meant to live in control of every aspect of life, from DR PATRICK SOOKHDEO the grip of destructive fear. For perfect earthquakes to minuscule organisms. is Founder and International Director love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). This trust is founded on Jesus. of Barnabas Fund

1 Through all the changing scenes of life, Tate and Brady Coping with coronavirus Barnabas Aid May/June 2020 13

move to intensive care are low – 50% of those in intensive care are not Coping with death surviving. They would prefer to stay at home, preferably with someone It appears that no health service in of dying is more difficult. It can involve they love. They are asking for home the world is going to be able to cope anxieties about loss of control of our palliative care provision with necessary adequately with Covid-19. lives, separation from loved ones – symptom and infection control for In the UK, most deaths have been both for them and for us – frustration carers. We do not know how this could among those already frail from old age at loss of hopes for the future, things work but something needs to be done. or chronic illness. A few were young left undone, family estrangements Dr Ronald J Sider has written, “As and in apparently good health. They and, for many, the unknown of what disciples of the Resurrected One, we died in hospital alone, apart from happens after death. Don’t put off labour now, even in the worst of times, medical staff, because no visitors are questions of faith, do it now. knowing that finally our efforts will allowed. After death the body is sealed, not be in vain. Those who understand no one can view the body. At one Act now the empty tomb can afford to face point no funerals were allowed, just a Although the evidence strongly danger now. Why? Because we know cremation or burial. suggests that for the under 40s only that in a day, or two, or a million, the those with serious underlying health Galilean champion of the sick, weak Bravado conditions risk life-threatening and marginalized will return. In the In the face of any illness some will disease, nobody’s risk of developing twinkling of an eye, he will trump say “I’m going to beat this”. Some this disease in a serious form is zero. Satan's last card. The kingdoms of think they will not get coronavirus So now is the time to talk about dying. this world will become the kingdom at all, not show symptoms or fight off How you would want to be treated of our risen Lord. the infection easily. We cannot know and what do you want to happen after “The final word is not coronavirus, how it will affect us. Occasionally, your death? Have you written a will? death, injustice, oppression, or a dead even young people have died in this Have you considered an “advanced planet. The Almighty One who raised outbreak. Everyone is at risk and has decision”? Have you told your family the Lord Jesus will have the last word. to live with uncertainty. Just praying you love them – sometimes it’s That is what can keep us going ... We or going to church will not protect important to say the words, not just work now knowing that Good Friday us. But remember that those with a assume that they know. is not the last word. As disciples of the Christian faith can be sure that we Resurrected One, we labour now, even are in the hands of something more Contact and saying goodbye in the worst of times, knowing that powerful than medicine. The Lord Most in hospital have access to phones finally our efforts will not be in vain.” Jesus said, “In this world you will and “screens”. A previously healthy have trouble. But take heart! I have journalist aged 38 wrote, “My difficulty DR ELAINE SUGDEN overcome the world.” (John 16:33). in breathing made it impossible to hold is a retired cancer consultant and author, In Talking About Dying, chapter 11 a conversation for more than a minute with others, of: Talking about Dying explores prayer for healing (available or two. Were it not for the messages free at: talkingaboutdying.org). of love and support from friends and colleagues, I would have felt very alone. Addressing fear I felt too unwell to reply but they gave Patients are helped by the honesty me great strength in the darkness.” of truthful information. Many Sometimes it is necessary to use these medical staff find it very difficult to facilities to “say goodbye”. tell patients and their families when death is approaching. Chapters 2, 4 Quality of death and 10 of Talking About Dying talk More elderly people are looking for about the fear which stops us talking ways to indicate to their families that about death. Whilst physical pain and they do not wish to go to hospital and Talking About Dying, by Elaine Sugden, other symptoms are addressed by the overwhelm the health service. They and others, can be downloaded free at: medical staff, mental pain in the face know their chances of surviving a talkingaboutdying.org 14 May/June 2020 Barnabas Aid Project Joseph

SAVE GOD’S PEOPLE FROM LOCUST SWARMS

Experts warn that a 400-times increase in locust numbers could occur in a second wave of breeding underway in Pakistan and the Horn of Africa, if current control efforts fail

Dual shock of locust plague and coronavirus spike putting millions at risk of famine in East Africa and Pakistan

he world is reeling from the Covid-19 pandemic, affecting countries rich and poor. At the same time an old and familiar foe – a locust plague – is devastating areas of Africa and Asia. T While media attention and Western resources focus on tackling their own coronavirus crisis, how will these regions’ struggling healthcare systems deal with it? And what resources will be left to help the victims of the locusts, whose crops have been destroyed, leaving them with the prospect of starvation? The plague of locusts is breeding at a staggering rate in East Africa and South Asia where crops and livelihoods were devastated by the ravenous insects in the early months of 2020. Many thousands of already marginalised and persecuted Christians are among those facing famine after vast swarms of locusts devoured crops. A Pakistani Christian farmer in locust afflicted Sindh province Project Joseph Barnabas Aid May/June 2020 15

“We as family are thankful to Barnabas Fund for their efforts to remember us in this time of unexpected disaster. God bless Barnabas Fund more and more!” Pakistani Christian farmer Tagji

Barnabas intervenes “There is no helping hand for us except God,” Pakistani Christian farmer, Tagji Haloo, told Barnabas. Her family of nine is eating just one simple meal a day. “The unexpected plague of swarms ate up our whole crops and vegetables and left us helpless and depressed with no sources of daily food for our families,” Tagji explained with unspoken grief. “We already got a loan for food needs to be fulfilled, but it is not enough or a sustainable solution for us. Instead it increased our depression and pressure.” Ramoo's household is struggling to survive after the Although they have lost almost everything to the locusts destroyed his crops, just before harvest locusts, Tagji and her husband remain hopeful and are preparing to sow new summer crops. Grateful income to support his family of five, but locusts have Tagji told us, “God sent us Barnabas Fund for help destroyed his harvest and wiped out his income. when no one here to care for us in this time of sorrow. We as family are thankful to Barnabas Fund for their Covid-19 crisis heightening threat to food efforts to remember us in this time of unexpected security in locust-affected East Africa disaster. God bless Barnabas Fund more and more!” The World Health Organisation (WHO) urged Africa to “wake up” and “prepare for the worst” in the coming months, as a surge of coronavirus cases began across the continent in March. Governments were already battling to contain the second wave of locust swarms, and protect critical summer crops, when limited resources suddenly had to stretch to contending with the Covid-19 crisis too. Agricultural regions are now at risk of renewed infestation as coronavirus hampers the fight against locusts, with delays to delivery of Fast breeding swarms of desert locusts are surging in pesticides and equipment – heightening the threat south-west Pakistan to food security at the worst possible time.

Double-disaster of locusts and coronavirus “Extremely alarming” locust swarm outbreak in south-west Pakistan surge in East Africa Ideal locust breeding conditions – followed by the “These locusts destroy many things. They destroy terrible spike in coronavirus infections – have vegetables leaving people in famine. They are deepened the emergency in south-west Pakistan. eating grass and leaves which cause the livestock Thousands of Christian families are facing famine. to die, leaving the people without animals, which The locust plague caused catastrophic loss to crops then cause the people to die,” said Taratam, an just as they were about to be harvested at the 85-year-old Kenyan Christian farmer. beginning of the year. In Sindh province, one of New swarms are swelling quickly and infesting the poorest rural regions in the country, at least swathes of East Africa with a devastating impact 30,000 acres of crops were ravaged. on countries including Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Coronavirus infections are rapidly escalating in Tanzania, Somalia and South Sudan. The UN has Pakistan, with 1,938 cases and 26 deaths recorded warned of a looming food crisis in the wake of at the time of writing. Sindh province is badly hit, “extremely alarming” locust breeding across the with cases rocketing as travellers returned across region. The infestation is the worst seen for decades the border from coronavirus-stricken Iran. in Somalia, Eritrea and Djibouti, where Christians are already marginalised and persecuted. “Share cropper” Pakistani Christian farmers The locust swarms are moving faster and further lose precious income in dry weather conditions, particularly in Kenya and “This was like a flood of locusts, travelling and eating Uganda. In February and March, the eggs were laid everything on its way,” said Ramoo. The 61-year-old in damp conditions ideal for breeding and a massive farmer depends on seasonal vegetable and biannual increase in the locust population is expected as cash crops, including tomatoes and sugar cane, for summer approaches. 16 May/June 2020 Barnabas Aid Project Joseph

WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF A LOCUST PLAGUE?

Trying desperately to defend her crops as locusts descend in East Africa [image credit: ©FAO/Sven Torfinn] The desert locust is considered the most dangerous migratory pest on earth. A swarm of only one square kilometre will eat as much Critical summer crops at risk as 35,000 people can eat in one day. In times of The summer months are expected to bring severe food plague, desert locusts can spread across around shortages if staple crops, including maize, are lost. The food 29 million square kilometres or more than 20% security of millions is under threat, especially in Kenya, of the total land surface of the planet. Uganda, Ethiopia and Somalia. In Uganda, the government has warned the country to prepare for impending double disaster as unusually heavy Where are the locusts breeding? seasonal rains are expected. A Ugandan Christian leader Desert locusts are usually restricted to the explained to Barnabas that the severe rains will increase the semi-arid and desert regions of the African risks of a locust plague. “Locusts are going to have soft ground Sahel, the Near/Middle East and parts of south- under which breeding is going to triple. As locusts increase, the west Asia. This area, of about 16 million square danger towards destruction of both food and pasture will also kilometres, comprises around 30 countries, triple. If there are no measures to mitigate the awaited calamity, including some of the world’s poorest nations. people’s lives will get destroyed by hunger,” he warned. A second wave of this year’s devastating locust outbreak is under way in summer Farmers “lost seeds and hope” breeding grounds in East Africa, parts of the In Marsabit county, Kenya, unusually heavy rains brought Middle East and south-west Asia. Breeding flooding last year that wreaked extensive damage. Meanwhile, conditions for the locusts have remained in semi-arid East Pokot, the rains did not come at all – pastures highly favourable since February along both withered and livestock died. Our partner in the region told us, Red Sea coasts and in East Africa. Heavy “Many [farmers] have lost seeds and hope.” Then the locusts rains fell in southern Iran spurring egg laying. invaded, devouring crops and pasture. Western Africa, where dry conditions have dominated, remains largely unaffected by the Marginalised and persecuted Christians need our locust swarms. help in face of “perfect storm” Hopper bands (groups of immature insects) Many thousands of already marginalised and persecuted and immature swarms multiplied in February Christians are among those facing a “perfect storm”, as severe and March in Kenya, Somalia, south-west food shortages bite due to the vast swarms of locusts and as Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait the coronavirus pandemic sweeps across Africa. The second and the UAE. In Iran, many millions of eggs laid wave of locusts, which can often be worse than the first, may by swarms in the south-west hatched to form spiral out of control as government programmes struggle to into hopper bands and, as they mature, adult operate effectively due to pandemic restrictions. swarms are crossing the border into Pakistan. Large-scale food relief is desperately needed to save the Within south-west Pakistan’s agricultural lives of many Pakistani and East African Christian families. belt, after extensive egg laying, new Widows, orphans, pregnant women, children and elderly are generations of hopper bands and small swarms especially vulnerable. emerged across Baluchistan province in March and April. New swarms are also forming in the north-west of the country. If you would like to make a gift, please direct Please see pages 6-7 for a map of locust your donation to 00-1313 Project Joseph affected regions. Feeding Locust-affected Christians

Disaster Relief Project Joseph Barnabas Aid May/June 2020 17

Even a small swarm of desert locusts of just a square kilometre can consume as much food in one day as 35,000 people

East Africa, resulting in the worst outbreak seen in 70 years. Millions of locusts also entered into Pakistan’s agricultural belt, via Iran. The gregarious phase is transferred from mothers to offspring, which means that the second wave of a plague as is now facing East Africa and south-west Asia can be many times larger than the first. Soft damp soil is especially favourable for egg laying and the rainy season in East Africa provided ideal breeding conditions in many regions.

What control measures are being taken? Pakistani Christian farmer Tulsi (pictured with his family) Aerial insecticide spraying, mainly with desperately tried to drive the locusts away from his crops, organophosphate chemicals, is the only effective but the insects devoured everything in their path means available to contain such large-scale swarms. The key focus of control operations is to How does a locust plague develop? halt the breeding cycle by destroying the hoppers Desert locusts (Schistocerca gregaria) are large before they mature into adults. grasshopper-like insects. Normally solitary and The traditional and manual control methods used sedentary, the species morphs into its gregarious in many regions, such as pesticide spraying by hand form if population density increases. Heavy rainfall and ground clearing, are almost useless in the face in arid regions of the Sahel and North Africa brings of an infestation so huge that few farmers have rapid growth of lush vegetation for locusts to feed seen in their lifetimes. on and increases the risk of swarms developing. Pakistani Christian farmer, Tulsi, explained to Within six hours of eggs hatching, if the juvenile Barnabas how he struggled in vain to protect his locusts are crowded together, a modification of the crops. “We used drums (dhool), and other noisy DNA of their central nervous system occurs, which sounds to get rid from those insects, but before initiates gregarious behaviour. Solitary insects leaving there was only straw in field but no leaves. are green but change to a yellow colour in the Even in the areas where the rice crop was about to gregarious form. be harvested, were severely damaged,” he said. The young locust nymphs march in synchrony as they form dense hopper bands. The hoppers Control relies on careful monitoring of shed their exoskeleton repeatedly as they pass breeding zones through several growth stages, before maturing Ground monitoring to identify breeding zones at into highly-mobile winged adults. Mature swarms, an early stage is critical, so that governments can of hundreds of millions of locusts, can migrate effectively target aerial spraying. Scientists are using distances of around 150km a day, and even 200km supercomputers and climate data to predict where when aided by prevailing winds. and when egg laying and breeding surges will occur. The cost of effectively controlling the plague The second wave of a locust plague can be is estimated to be around $96m. If the current many times worse breeding upsurge is not contained, costs could soar In the first wave of the current plague, locust to as high as $808m. swarms were reported to have migrated from The last locust plague, in 2003, which affected 23 the desert of Oman into Yemen and across the West African countries, involved three generations Red Sea in late 2019. The swarms spread across of locusts and took two years to bring under control. 18 May/June 2020 Barnabas Aid The Parliamentary Review

Barnabas Fund recognised in UK’s Parliamentary Review Barnabas Fund recognised as best practice representative among charitable organisations

Barnabas Fund has been recognised make a name for themselves in industry. and featured as a best practice It highlights significant developments and representative in the charitable sector in concerns for business and organisational the world-renowned British Parliamentary leaders up and down the country.” Review publication. The co-chairman of The Parliamentary Co-chaired by Lord Pickles and Lord Review, Lord Pickles, has praised the Blunkett, The Parliamentary Review upcoming Review as one of the most describes itself as an “indispensable guide comprehensive yet. He commented that as to best practice across a variety of different Britain undergoes changes, it is “essential areas, showcasing various examples from that politicians have a firm understanding steadfast organisations in the public and of the challenges with which British private sectors. Its principal aim is to organisations must contend” and that raise standards within said industries by The Review once again provides a perfect producing a template for future reform, platform for this. and the spring release of the publication In her foreword for The Parliamentary is acknowledged for its importance in the Review, the Secretary of State for political calendar. International Trade, Elizabeth Truss, states “Success for businesses of any size does that “commerce and free exchange are not always come easily, and this year's the engine room of prosperity and social edition of The Parliamentary Review is mobility” and that she is “determined to indispensable for anyone who seeks to tackle the forces who want to hold that back”.

A Message from Lord Pickles and Lord Blunkett: “The ability to listen and learn from one another has always been vital in parliament, in business and in most aspects of daily life. But at this particular moment in time, as national and global events continue to reiterate, it is uncommonly crucial that we forge new channels of communication and reinforce existing ones. The following article from Barnabas Fund is an attempt to do just that.”

RT HON THE LORD DAVID BLUNKETT RT HON THE LORD ERIC PICKLES CO-CHAIRMAN, THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW CO-CHAIRMAN, THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW The Parliamentary Review Barnabas Aid May/June 2020 19

BEST PRACTICE REPRESENTATIVE 2020

Barnabas Fund

Patrick and Rosemary Sookhdeo, Barnabas Fund Founders and International Directors

International CEO Hendrik Storm hristian aid agency Barnabas Fund is based in Pewsey, from where it supports those Christians who face either Cdiscrimination or persecution because of their faith. FACTS ABOUT International CEO Hendrik Storm tells The Parliamentary Review BARnABAS FUnD that while Barnabas Fund only directs its aid to Christians, the » International Director: benefits can reach far further than it may initially seem. The Patrick Sookhdeo agency’s work, Hendrik explains, is not just limited to individuals » International CEO: Hendrik Storm either – often the organisation works in partnership with » Founded in 1993 persecuted churches around the world to identify their needs » International headquarters in and discuss the injustices they face. Hendrik discusses Barnabas Pewsey, Wiltshire Fund’s work across the world alongside its history. » no. of staff: 70 in 10 countries » UK turnover, 2018: Three decades ago, the issue of contemporary Christian persecution in Islamic $28,690,811 contexts was little known. This changed in 1989, when Dr Sookhdeo called a » Services: Humanitarian aid for pivotal meeting between church leaders. It was during this meeting that previously persecuted Christians, unheard stories of Christian persecution came to light, displaying their plight and empowerment of poor and the subsequent need for action. oppressed Christians – focusing on women, schools, food and Building on existing contacts, Dr Sookhdeo and his wife, Rosemary, established disaster relief – leadership Barnabas Fund, aimed at the delivery of practical aid to persecuted Christians development, research and and developing a global network of indigenous church leaders. Through careful information, advocacy research in the face of scepticism and hostility, they raised awareness and » Aid sent to more than 100 spearheaded a remarkable sea change in opinion, now shared by the British and countries US governments. » www.barnabasfund.org

BARNABAS FUND | 1 20 May/June 2020 Barnabas Aid The Parliamentary Review

THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW BEST PRACTICE REPRESENTATIVE 2020 Highlighting best practice

benefits, including reduced overheads, love and greater cultural awareness, increased

compassion, security and lower exposure to Informing and educating safeguarding risks. remain vital today even those“ At the core of our values is the Biblical In the global north we are also active who seek to teaching that Christians should treat in advocacy work. The Our Religious Above: Food for disaster victims in Bangladesh all people, of all faiths, with love and Freedom campaign petition closed at programmes jointly with Stellenbosch, less threatening. Even so, it is getting persecute compassion, even those who seek to the beginning of 2019 with around Pretoria, and other South African harder to transfer financial support to Below: Vocational skills them persecute them. 90,000 UK signatures. Submitted universities and also supports a range certain countries. training for women in to the Home Office, the campaign of worldwide training events. The Pakistan Terrorism, for example is an ongoing We diligently monitor the use of our aimed to amend existing legislation centre is advancing the understanding risk. Countries in the global north grants and are fully compliant with to preserve full religious freedom for of religion in public life, especially the are required to carefully monitor In a world of modern safeguarding standards and all. Freedoms enjoyed in the UK for relationship of religion to the proper any organisation operating abroad all regulatory authorities, including the centuries are often taken for granted governance of people. In a time when global financially to prevent the deliberate Charity Commission. and are starting to diminish. We religiously motivated violence is on the or inadvertent funding of terrorist Education in northern believe that protecting religious liberty rise, OCRPL graduates, who include “instability, networks. Licences and guidelines Uganda for all promotes cohesion and diversity some of the most senior leaders provided by the Office of Foreign Barnabas Fund’s across society. of the Church in the global South, Assets Control in the USA are a well- will be well educated and equipped structure and proven platform with trusted screening We use our unique knowledge and to facilitate engagement between tools to reduce such risks. We would experience, built over many years, to different faith groups, religious groups methodology of welcome a similar initiative by the continue being the voice for those we and government bodies. represent through our publications UK government. working

and media. Overcoming global challenges In a world of global instability, through

Barnabas Fund’s structure and national church Advancing understanding of Geopolitical upheaval and uncertainty methodology of working through are making the work of many religion in public life through national church leadership provides leadership “ global research and training charities and nGOs more difficult us with a unique flexibility. This will and hazardous. Barnabas’ mode of enable the organisation to continue provides us with Barnabas Fund collaborates with working – through local organisations responding quickly to changing events a unique the Oxford Centre for Religion and and focusing only on Christians – has and using donations effectively to Public Life, a research and training the great advantage of allowing us meet needs as they develop. flexibility institute based in Oxford. OCRPL offers to operate in a non-intrusive, neutral groundbreaking masters and PhD way that national governments find

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THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW BEST PRACTICE REPRESENTATIVE 2020 Highlighting best practice

The scope of their work soon Thriving even in difficult times broadened to supporting Christians under pressure from all religions or We operate with extremely low ideologies. Assistance, for example, overheads of only 12 per cent globally, is now sent each year to hundreds enabling operating costs, advocacy, At the core of of projects in dozens of countries. information and prayer aspects of our Our global network of trusted church work to be covered. When donations our values is leaders facilitates a rapid response in are given for a specific need, however, times of need. we forward 100 per cent to the “the Biblical relevant project. Additionally, Barnabas Fund’s lean and robust economic A distinctive approach teaching that model is helping us grow. At Barnabas Fund, we do not send Christians In the last financial year, Barnabas our own employees to run projects. saw three per cent financial growth should treat Instead, we provide funds for work despite a challenging global economic to be initiated, organised and all people, of climate and a downturn of around implemented by local Christians within 4.2 per cent in UK charitable giving each region. This approach has many all faiths, with during 2018. benefits, including reduced overheads, love and greater cultural awareness, increased compassion, security and lower exposure to Informing and educating safeguarding risks. remain vital today even those“ At the core of our values is the Biblical In the global north we are also active who seek to teaching that Christians should treat in advocacy work. The Our Religious Above: Food for disaster victims in Bangladesh all people, of all faiths, with love and Freedom campaign petition closed at programmes jointly with Stellenbosch, less threatening. Even so, it is getting persecute compassion, even those who seek to the beginning of 2019 with around Pretoria, and other South African harder to transfer financial support to Below: Vocational skills them persecute them. 90,000 UK signatures. Submitted universities and also supports a range certain countries. training for women in to the Home Office, the campaign of worldwide training events. The Pakistan Terrorism, for example is an ongoing We diligently monitor the use of our aimed to amend existing legislation centre is advancing the understanding risk. Countries in the global north grants and are fully compliant with to preserve full religious freedom for of religion in public life, especially the are required to carefully monitor In a world of modern safeguarding standards and all. Freedoms enjoyed in the UK for relationship of religion to the proper any organisation operating abroad all regulatory authorities, including the centuries are often taken for granted governance of people. In a time when global financially to prevent the deliberate Charity Commission. and are starting to diminish. We religiously motivated violence is on the or inadvertent funding of terrorist Education in northern believe that protecting religious liberty rise, OCRPL graduates, who include “instability, networks. Licences and guidelines Uganda for all promotes cohesion and diversity some of the most senior leaders provided by the Office of Foreign Barnabas Fund’s across society. of the Church in the global South, Assets Control in the USA are a well- will be well educated and equipped structure and proven platform with trusted screening We use our unique knowledge and to facilitate engagement between tools to reduce such risks. We would experience, built over many years, to different faith groups, religious groups methodology of welcome a similar initiative by the continue being the voice for those we and government bodies. represent through our publications UK government. working and media. Overcoming global challenges In a world of global instability, through

2 | BARNABAS FUND BARNABAS FUND | 3 22 May/June 2020 Barnabas Aid Ways to give

Ways to give to help persecuted Christians without leaving your house

There are a variety of ways to give to Paypal Barnabas Fund from the safety of your home. These include: It is also possible to transfer funds using your PayPal account directly to ours ([email protected]) but this method has the same issue of percentage-based On our website charges to be paid by Barnabas Fund, which is especially a disadvantage for larger payments. It is easy and quick to give via our website’s donation page. Just click the link or button: “donate” in any email you receive from Barnabas Fund. Or go directly Ezidebit to: barnabasfund.org/au/donate and complete the giving form. You can give to our general fund or Ezidebit is a convenient payment system used by Australian select your preferred project from the drop down menu. organisations receiving regular payments, including Giving via our website is a cost-effective way of giving Barnabas Fund. Ezidebit is a cheap and safe way to make single one-off donations. This includes credit or debit payments. Barnabas Fund will cease collecting payments cards (including Amex) and PayPal. You will receive an should you request us to do so. Alternatively, you can cancel automatic email to thank you for your donation, and at any time via your bank. We do ask that you let us know, but notify you of the amount and project you have chosen; this you don’t have to. You can also change the amount, project, or is cheap and easy for us to process and you can keep it for payment day by email or with a quick phone call.You can set your records. The only proviso is that some cards attract up an Ezidebit quickly and easily by advising your details over a percentage-based charge which Barnabas Fund has to the phone or by completing and returning a paper form found pay, making this method less cost-effective than direct in most of our literature, downloaded from our website or bank transfer, for example. sent to you upon request. All you need is your name, address and bank account details (BSB and account number) to hand. Giving regular payments by credit card or by Ezidebit helps Direct Bank Transfers us keep our overheads down to an incredibly low 12% for Barnabas Fund worldwide. However, we fully understand Are a cost effective and safe way of giving, and convenient that supporters may prefer to use one of the other options we if you already bank online. For your payment reference have in place to donate to Barnabas Fund. please use your Barnabas Fund unique supporter number followed by the project number you wish to support. If you do not know your supporter number, please call us Recurring credit card before you make your transfer. For example: 12A123/000 would be for donations directed to our General Fund. Or, You can make regular monthly, quarterly or six-monthly for donations directed to a specific project, please use the donations with your credit card or debit card. This format as set out in the following examples: convenient method is quick to set up with your card provider. You can also change the amount or the project ● 12A123/1530 would be for gifts to Covid-19 you would like to designate your gift to at any time by Emergency Fund for Poor and Persecuted Christians contacting your card provider or our office.

● 12A123/1313 would direct donations to Project Joseph to feed locust-affected Christians Telephone

If you prefer NOT to receive an acknowledgment letter for If you prefer to donate using your credit card or debit your payment, please add /DNA at the end of your reference card by telephone you can call direct to: (07) 3806 1076 or email: [email protected]. or 1300 365 799.

PO Box 3527, Loganholme, QLD 4129 Email [email protected] 23 May/June 2020 In Touch Barnabas Aid Tasmanian supporter

discovers Barnabas Bravo for Brisbane goats in Uganda team of enthusiastic David Meadows, a Barnabas Fund supporter Barnabas fundraisers from Tasmania, was travelling in Africa when, Our thanks go to the enthusiastic team of Barnabas supporters during his time in Uganda, he came across a at St Philip’s Anglican Church in Rochdale, a suburb of young mother, with her two children, who was Brisbane, who have held an annual fair each November since having a tug-of-war with a small goat. 2016 to raise funds for our work helping the persecuted Church.

He offered to help and soon they were joined by Last November’s fair saw the wonderful sum of $6,248 raised. six other women who all wanted to praise “the wonderful things that the Lord had done for The fair is organised by a small group who are passionate about them”. The group of women were all Christian supporting Christians around the world suffering because of refugees living in Camp Rhino and their goats their faith. The team includes Karen Lie and Ruth Stuart, who had been given to them by Barnabas Fund. convene a fortnightly craft morning at the church premises.

David said, “My translator told me that they all In addition to displaying and selling various crafts, the fair had just received a goat, were praying for many includes jams, plants and cakes. There is also a Barnabas kids and were thanking God for Barnabas Fund. display, with information and reading materials available.

“They wanted me to tell Barnabas of their The fair is very popular among the congregation of St Philip’s, gratitude and if they had any more goats to give neighbouring churches and the wider community. they would gladly receive them.”

As a Barnabas supporter, this experience was a great encouragement to David

Camp Rhino is home to more than 100,000 South Sudanese Christians who fled their famine-stricken and war-torn country. The gift of a female goat given by Barnabas supporters provides refugees with nutritious milk and manure to fertilise crops, and an income from the sale of the goat’s offspring.

Those who receive a Barnabas goat must give away her first female kid to a “goatless” Christian family, and so the cycle of giving is repeated.

If you would like to make a gift, please direct your donation to East Africa Hope: Self- Karen Lie, Ruth Stuart and the team of fair fundraisers at St Philip’s sufficiency – PR1403.

We’re here for our supporters during the coronavirus crisis Many Barnabas Fund supporters may be facing times of uncertainty and isolation in the weeks and months ahead, while Covid-19 crisis restrictions remain in force.

Please know that we are here for you and are holding you in our prayers. If you would like to request prayer, or would just like to talk with us, please do call on: (07) 3806 1076 or email us on: [email protected] Grateful South Sudanese Christian refugees in Uganda, each with their own goat provided by Barnabas Fund BUY 2 GET 1 FREE MAY / JUNE 2020 BOOK SPECIAL

Buy any two of these four Books for $20.00 each

And choose one of these three Books for FREE

Add additional $12.00 postage and handling

For the next two months you can purchase two books (either Global Jihad, Unmasking Islamic State, Heroes of the Faith or Dawa ) for $20 each and choose one of either Reforming Islam, Faith, power and territory or Freedom to Believe for free plus $12.00 postage and handling. This offer is only available by contacting the Australian Barnabas Office on 1300 365 799 or (07) 3806 1076 or by emailing [email protected]. This offer is not available via the website.