WWW.PERSECUTION.ORG JANUARY 2020
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PERSECU ION.ORG HOTSPOTS!INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN ThePER ChurchSECU UnderION.ORG Attack INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN In This Issue
FEATURE 14 | ICC in 2020 ICC is looking forward to an amazing year of caring and fighting for our persecuted family. FEATURE 16 | Turkey: An Ancient Grave Reopened Turkey’s military activities in the Middle East spark fears of a new genocide of Christians. FEATURE 18 | Hong Kong’s Slippery Slope to Slavery The wife of a prominent, missing Chris- tian lawyer in China shares how the state destroyed her family, and how it may destroy Hong Kong. FEATURE 20 | Fighting for Freedom Christian protestors in Hong Kong look at the harsh reality of life for Christians in China and fear for their own rights. FEATURE 14 22 | Algeria’s Catch-22 Algeria’s churches are facing imminent clo- sure, locked in an impossible legal paradox. FEATURE 24 | Afghanistan: Land of Wars or Land of Opportunity? ICC’s Regional Manager has a change in perspective following a trip to war-torn Afghanistan. FEATURE 26 | Weep with Those Who Weep “Weep with Those Who Weep” is a devotion in ICC’s 40-Day Challenge. Regular Features 16 18 3 Letter from the President A few words from ICC’s president, Jeff King, on hotspots of tension and persecution that the Church is facing. 4 World News A snapshot of the persecution that impacts our brothers and sisters daily, in every corner of the world. 8 Your Dollars at Work Learn how your gifts are providing comfort, relief, Bibles, education and vocational training to the persecuted. 12 West Watch ICC highlights issues involving 20 22 Christianity in the West.
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PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Jeff King,President International Christian Concern - Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
e sure to read our Regional Manager for the Middle East’s In this issue, we also touch on Algeria and Hong Kong. In all Bpiece on Turkey, “An Ancient Grave Reopened.” of these areas, the Church faces significant threats and needs your prayer. It touches on the disastrous US move to let Turkey attack Christians in Syria and Iraq and how Christians in the region Finally, be sure to check out the spread on page 14 to see some feel about what’s happening. of what we are doing in 2020, including a new book and the launch of an ICC podcast. Most Western believers have no idea what Turkey did to its Christian citizens in the early 1900s. Thank you so much for your steadfast care for Jesus’s suffering body. It was a mass genocide that resulted in the deaths of 1.5 to 2 million Christians. A movie about this same tragedy, The They are beleaguered but noble, continually crushed but pure, Promise, was released in 2016 that starred Christian Bale. and above all—worthy of your time, treasure, and talent.
Despite a compelling script, great acting, and a major star, the Please give generously and know that your funds will be used movie had little traction, efficiently, effectively, and ethically.
Regardless, it’s a must-see for anyone wishing to understand Jeff King the subject or who cares about persecution.
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PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN 4 6 5 1 News 2 3
Amir’s brother, Sunny Masih, told ICC, “One of the police- “The killer hit men reportedly abused Amir, stating, ‘These Chooras [an insult- Maged on his head ing term used against Christians in Pakistan] should not be trusted. I with a cudgel, and know how to deal with these infidels.’” injured him with a Amir’s father, Iqbal Masih, added, “My son was kidnapped knife too.” by police and they tor- tured him to death. We approached the police Christian Man Fatally Beaten in Egypt officers to recover Amir; however, they 2 | EGYPT On September 25, an Egyptian Christian did not extend any named Maged Fathi died in the hospital after he was support to us and only brutally beaten by a group of at least six Muslims. handed over Amir when When Maged saw one of the men harassing his son the he was almost dead.” day prior, he tried to defend the boy, but was quickly Thankfully, the ambushed. According to a neighbor who witnessed the Pakistani Christians Suffer Surge in authorities registered attack, “The killer hit Maged on his head with a cudgel, Police Abuse a First Information and injured him with a knife too.” Report against the offi- As the group was assaulting Maged, Christians began 1 | PAKISTAN Pakistan’s Christian community has suf- cers involved in this to gather in the street. The group of attackers then fered a concerning uptick in violence and discrimination incident and arrested directed their violence toward the bystanders, injuring at the hands of local police. Last fall, in a span of only the officer who over- five people and damaging several vehicles. two weeks, ICC documented four separate anti-Christian sees the police station. Although Maged was transported to the hospital incidents led by the authorities. Perhaps most disturbing However, at the time in Assiut Governorate, his injuries were so severe was a case in which the police brutally tortured a Christian of writing, three of that he passed away the next day. He leaves behind for four days, ultimately resulting in his death. the officers involved three sons and two daughters. Following the murder, In that case, 28-year-old Amir Masih was arrested on remain at large. the family reached out to the police and the primary August 28 after he was falsely accused of stealing from a Unless serious action attacker was apprehended. Muslim resident in PAF Colony in Lahore. According to is taken both in this In the aftermath of the attack, the atmosphere in the Amir’s family, the police then tortured him for four days, case and others similar, village was very tense and communication was limited. hoping to obtain a false confession. On September 2, the Christians in Pakistan Shortly after the attack, one local believer shared, “My authorities contacted Amir’s family, saying that he was not will remain vulnerable friend lives there, but he didn’t tell me more than that well and instructing them to seek medical care. However, to attacks at the hands because he is afraid. The situation in the village is very it was too late. With bruises and burns covering his body, of those who are sup- hard and everything is strict. Even he did not want to tell Amir died only a few hours later. posed to protect them. me more than these few words.”
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PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN Christians Distributing Bibles in India Harassed by Extremists
3 | INDIA On October 11, a group of radical Hindu nationalists began harassing Christians who were distributing New Testaments and Gospel tracts in India’s Chhattisgarh State. The nationalists handed the Christians over to the police, who then ordered them to stop distributing the lit- erature, even though they had obtained prior permission from the authorities. A pastor involved in the incident told ICC, “Even though we had permission to do outreach in seven villages, we had to wind up the work after [the] second village. The police told us that we could not continue. It is sad that the police followed the instruction of the radicals. They were supposed to give us protection and allow us to continue our peaceful work of distribution.”
European Court Stops Deportation of Algerian Authorities Close Two of the Country’s Afghan Christian Largest Churches 4 | AFGHANISTAN The European Court of Human Rights has 5 | ALGERIA In mid-October, Algerian authorities closed two of the prevented the deportation of an Afghani Christian convert from nation’s largest churches. One of the churches, a 500-member church Switzerland. The court ruled that, due to the individual’s faith, they in Makouda, was closed on October 15, only one day after receiving a would face significant danger if forced to return to Afghanistan. notice about the impending closure. The same day, authorities closed Although religious freedom is technically protected according to the Protestant Church of the Full Gospel of Tizi-Ouzou, which is home Afghanistan’s constitution, Islam is recognized as the official religion to 1,000 members. Both of the affected churches are affiliated with and any laws that contradict Islamic beliefs are prohibited. As a result, l’Eglise Protestante d’Algerie (EPA), an organization established in those who convert away from Islam suffer the risk of death, life impris- 1974 to represent Algerian Christians before the government. A week onment, and confiscation of property. Similar consequences also await prior to the closures, the EPA organized peaceful protests to speak out those found guilty of blasphemy against Islam in Afghanistan. against unlawful church closures in Algeria.
Chinese House Church Member Released from Prison 6 | CHINA On October 22, Gou Zhongcan from Early Rain Covenant Church was released after seven months in prison. Thankfully, upon his release, Gou appeared to be in good health apart from the deterioration of his vision. Gou went missing on March 15, 2019, and his electronic devices were con- fiscated. Aside from a brief appearance three days later at the Hangzhou East Train Station, Gou was difficult to track down during the seven months. Despite multiple attempts, Gou’s lawyer was unable to locate him. When Gou’s elderly father was eventually permitted to meet with him, he reported that his son looked unwell, but that he continued praising God in this midst of his detention. Unfortunately, this period of detention was not Gou’s first. At only 23 years old, he worked as a reporter and was imprisoned for more than 10 years for shedding light on China’s inhumane treatment of prisoners. PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN 5 PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
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Indonesia to Expand Country’s Blasphemy Laws 3 | INDONESIA Last September, the American Pastor Arrested and Detained Indonesian govern- in India ment began review- ing sections of the 2 | INDIA On October 5, Pastor Bryan Nerren and two penal code that make other pastors from Tennessee travelled to India to attend up the nation’s blas- two conferences in India and Nepal. However, upon phemy laws. The leg- arriving in New Delhi, Pastor Nerren was detained by islation has the same customs officials during the domestic security check for premise as the former a flight to Bagdogra. The customs agents questioned the blasphemy laws, but pastor about the funds he was carrying to cover the cost expands upon the list of the two conferences as well as two weeks of travel for of potential crimes himself and his companions. and their resulting According to the American Center for Law and Justice, punishments. This the customs officials specifically asked Pastor Nerren if expansion was put he is a Christian and if the funds would be used to support in place to suppos- Christian causes. After Nerren explained their purpose, edly identify what he was told that he was free to go. Yet, upon his arrival constitutes a religious in Bagdogra, Nerren was arrested and brought to Siliguri offense more clearly. Muslim Driver Saves Eight Christians where he spent six days in jail, without access to any visi- However, regard- from al-Shabaab Attack tors, even those from the US Consulate. less of the specific- Pastor Nerren secured bail following the six days in jail, ity of the legislation, 1 | KENYA On October 23, a group of Christian construc- but the judge retained his passport and ordered a travel such laws deny citi- tion workers in Mandera South, Kenya narrowly escaped ban, effectively trapping the pastor in Siliguri. Although zens their freedom of an al-Shabaab ambush. Ten heavily armed militants Article 25 of India’s constitution calls for religious free- speech, religion, and flagged down the construction workers’ vehicle. The dom, such protections are seemingly being denied to thought. Additionally, Muslim driver of the vehicle acted quickly and decided Pastor Nerren due to his Christian faith. these laws are often to defy the militants’ orders by speeding away, saving manipulated to tar- all of the targeted passengers and himself. His brave get religious minority actions earned the applause of many, including the sur- groups. At the time of vivors of the would-be attack. writing, the matter is One of the passengers, Simon Kiiru, recalled, “As soon on hold as President as we had bypassed the attackers, they started running Widodo has ordered after us while spraying bullets on the van and deflating a delay in the upcom- one of the tires. We lied on the floor and we could hear ing voting sessions bullets hitting the body of the van. We thank God that the in the Indonesian driver, who is a Muslim, did not stop to sacrifice us to the Parliament. The enemy. His act of love has touched our hearts in a way we delay will allow poli- shall never forget.” cymakers and law- This incident echoes a similar attack that took place yers to complete a in August 2019, also in Mandera. During the August more comprehensive incident, al-Shabaab ambushed a passenger bus primar- review of the new ily filled with Christian teachers. Although the Muslim blasphemy provisions driver of the bus was shot three times, he managed to before making their drive the car to safety at a nearby police post. final decisions.
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PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN Turkish Police Remove Sport Flags with Crosses
4 | TURKEY On October 3, Turkish police refused to let soccer fans from Mönchengladbach (Germany) into the stadium for a Europa League match due to crosses on their apparel. The German team’s flag includes a coat of arms with a black cross on a yellow background. As a result of the harassment, photos from the match show the stadium with large gaps of empty seats meant for the spurned fans.
Christian Students and Teachers Series of Anti- Iran Denies Diplomas to Christian Kidnapped from School in Nigeria Christian Children 5 | NIGERIA On October 3, unknown gunmen attacked Incidents 7 | IRAN The Iranian government has denied high Engravers College in Kaduna State, Nigeria, kidnapping Documented school diplomas to two Christian students whose six students and two teachers. On October 26, after weeks father is in prison for his faith. The authorities of torture and abuse, the abductees were finally released. 6 | SRI LANKA Over a insist that the children must complete their Islamic During the period of captivity, the captors would torture span of two weeks, Sri studies before they receive their diplomas. Their the girls while they were on the phone with their parents, Lanka’s Christian father, Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani, was first arrested hoping to coax more money out of the families in the form community suffered in 2009 for protesting against an educational policy of a ransom payment. several incidents of that requires all students to participate in a course According to a spokesman for the affected families, the violence and intimi- about the Quran. girls were released when a former governor of Kaduna dation. In one inci- In response, Pastor Youcef led a three-week hun- State paid their ransom. The former governor has also dent, a mob of 100 ger strike against the unfair treatment of his sons. In offered to pay for the girls’ medical care as they recover villagers, led by six conjuncture with the hunger strike, Pastor Youcef from this traumatic experience. Buddhist monks, penned a letter to the Minister of National Education threatened mem- over the matter. At the time of writing, the policy has bers of Zion Revival not yet changed. Church, demanding that they cease their worship services. In another case, a group of villagers wield- ing sticks attacked six Christians who were travelling to church. Five were beaten so severely that they required hospitalization. PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN 7 PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN Your Dollars at Work ICC’s Ongoing Initiatives Scripture Initiative Gospel: Bibles & Broadcast ast March, ICC launched a Scripture initiative to provide persecuted communities with Lphysical Bibles, audio-Bibles, and children’s Bibles. We are primarily focusing on provid- ing God’s Word to communities that have had their Bibles destroyed and smuggling Bibles into nations that enforce tight restrictions on Gospel materials. Last year, ICC helped a church in Nepal rebuild after their building was targeted by arsonists. During these efforts, we discovered that very few members of the church owned their own copy of the Bible. Thanks to your gen- erosity, we were able to supply this congregation with 100 new Bibles. Through this initiative, we have raised nearly $100,000, enough to get thousands of Bibles into the hands of persecuted believers! Any additional gifts will go towards more Bibles. Learn more at: www.persecution.org/bibles Bibles & Bikes Gospel: Bibles & Broadcast n late 2018, ICC launched a campaign to equip church planters throughout rural India. The Icampaign developed when we realized that we could maximize an evangelist’s effectiveness by providing them with a bicycle and Bibles to distribute. In 2019, we equipped nearly 500 pas- tors across India with these tools, which will empower them to evangelize more effectively. One beneficiary of this initiative shared, “My father use to do ministry on [bicycles] only. Now I got the privilege to do as my father did. I am very thankful to ICC that I have been encouraged to do more and more ministry with the help of this [bicycle].” Through your generous donations, we have met our original fundraising goal, and because of the great need in India and success of this initiative, we are transitioning the Bibles & Bikes initiative into an ongoing program! For every $200 raised, we will equip another proven church planter with a bicycle and 100 Bibles to spread the Good News throughout India. Learn more at: www.persecution.org/bibles-bikes Communal Farms in Nigeria Restore: Lives and Communities n the summer of 2018, ICC initiated a campaign to rescue Christians affected by violence at Ithe hands of Boko Haram and Fulani militants in Nigeria. ICC sought to develop 10 communal farms to serve Christian farmers whose land has been destroyed by the militant groups. With the help of our generous donors, all 10 of the farms have been fully funded and we will be able to expand this initiative into 2020. By the grace of God, we hope to provide persecuted Christian communities in Nigeria with 10 more communal farms during Phase II. Learn more at: www.persecution.org/nigeria-crisis
Phase II Goal: $150,000 Over 40% 10 More Communal Farms To learn more about how you can support these initiatives, visit www.persecution.org or give us a call at 800-422-5441.
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PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN Your Dollars at Work
Salon Business in Pakistan
Rescue: Wives and Kids n Easter Sunday 2016, Amir lost his Obrother and nephew during a bomb- ing that devastated countless families. Thousands of Christians were gathered in a local park in Lahore, Pakistan, when the blast suddenly transformed a scene of cel- ebration into tragedy. When the dust settled, at least 72 people were killed and more than 300 others were injured. Shortly after the bombing, ICC connected with dozens of affected families to provide assistance in the midst of their grief. One of these individuals was Amir. In November 2016, we provided Amir with all of the tools necessary to start up a barber- shop, including cosmetics, shelves, mirrors, chairs, and additional furniture. We recently checked in on Amir and his salon, and his business is still thriving over three years later! Over the past few years, Amir has trained three Christians in the business and he is cur- rently training six more. Amir is providing this invaluable business training free of charge. He has also expanded his business so that the salon can serve seven customers at once. Amir expressed, “I cannot pay back what- ever ICC did for me; however, I am committed to [training] other Christians to contribute my share with ICC’s mission of taking care of the suffering and downtrodden. I am optimistic that our contributions will bring fruits to the Christian community.” Extending his gratitude for this business assistance, he added, “Today, with the grace of [the] Almighty, I am running my own business of [a] beauty salon for men with dignity and honor. I am proud to witness that it was not possible if ICC [had] not extended its great support towards me at those difficult times.” PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN 9 PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN Your Dollars at Work
Cell Phone Business in Nigeria
Messengers: Underground trying to block the machete from striking her for her to operate so that the family does not Workers head. When the attackers realized that she had have to struggle financially. Not only will some money with her, they took the cash and this provide an important service to her vil- n December 4, 2017, Fulani militants car- left her lying in a pool of her own blood. lage, but it will also provide a steady income Oried out attacks on five Nigerian villages, At the time of the attack, Marice’s husband, for Marice and her family. leaving dozens dead and wounded. During Pastor Giduel, was in another village, picking ICC provided the generator, chargers, and one of these village attacks, Marice lost most up his cellphone. Since their village has no other tools necessary to jumpstart this busi- of her left hand and witnessed the brutal mur- electricity, locals must travel to a nearby vil- ness. As customers flow in, the family will der of her 25-year-old son. Her son was ill and lage to charge their phones at a business that be able to provide for themselves for years to was unable to escape the machete-wielding charges the devices on a generator. come. After meeting with Marice and her hus- attackers who were chasing after them. In addition to providing Marice with medi- band during a recent trip to Nigeria, their final When the attackers turned their attention cal care for her injured hand, we have estab- comments were, “We give thanks to God; we toward Marice, she lost three fingers while lished a similar cellphone charging business give thanks to God.”
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PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN Your Dollars at Work Medical Care in Myanmar
Messengers: Underground However, due to the physical trauma he expe- rienced, hearing problems and difficulty with Workers swallowing persisted. ICC provided the funds necessary for him n July 2018, Mading Zai Don Bawm Ying and his wife to travel to Yangon to meet with Iwas arrested and tortured by Burmese additional physicians. During these appoint- military-affiliated border guards. Upon his ments, he was able to complete further medical release, he was pressured to remain quiet examinations and obtain medicine to address about the injustice he suffered. his hearing difficulties. He expressed his grati- Education Thankfully, he received the necessary tude for the medical treatment and for sharing Assistance in medical care to treat his physical wounds. sympathy in the midst of this tragic incident. Nigeria
Rescue: Wives and Kids n September 2018, a Christian family of 12 Iwas gathered for dinner in central Nigeria. Suddenly, gunmen stormed into the home and opened fire on the family. Ten of the family members were killed instantly. Despite gunshot wounds to the neck and shoulder, Blessing miraculously survived. Although she passed out due to the injuries, she was able to crawl to a nearby bedroom and hide when she regained consciousness. At the time of the attack, Blessing was a second-year university student. With the emotional trauma and financial loss of los- ing 10 family members, tuition costs seemed Chicken Farms in Iraq insurmountable. ICC stepped in to assist with the costs of tuition, living accommodations, Restore: Lives and With years of farming expertise at his bedding, food, and more. disposal, Hanni simply needed a little help Upon receiving these gifts, Blessing Communities kickstarting his farm again. Joining hands shared, “It has been very helpful. I am short with Stand With Iraqi Christians, we pro- of words to express this… It is encourag- hen ISIS swept across the Middle vided Hanni with 3,000 chicks, feed, and ing me in my faith in Christ…It encourages WEast in 2014, Hanni and his family of supplies to sustain the farm until the chick- me to know that God is indeed real. I am generational chicken farmers were kicked ens were ready to sell. looking forward to being able to help others off of their land. As ISIS continues to lose Hanni’s business is now thriving once in the future. I am so thankful. I pray that its grip on the nation, many brave families, again, and his family is grateful for the God rewards the donors and replenishes the including Hanni’s, have returned home in opportunity to return to what they know source from where this assistance came.” the hopes of rebuilding. best: chicken farming. PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN 11 PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN West Watch
Church in California Vandalized with Satanic Graffiti
n September, two men vandalized a Some have suggested that the vandals I church in California, covering the building targeted the church because of its opposition with Satanic graffiti, profanity, and sexually to a drag queen event at a nearby library. explicit messages. Surveillance footage cap- Although police have yet to confirm that this tured the men leaving the property around is the reason that the church was targeted, 3:00 a.m., with cans of spray paint in hand. the group hosting the event at the library has At the time of writing, police are investigat- spoken out, condemning the vandalism as ing the vandalism and the motive behind it. “extremely inappropriate.”
Five Churches in One Louisiana Town Vandalized
n a span of four months, five pre- I dominantly African American church- es have been vandalized in Crowley, Louisiana. The assailants threw objects through their doors and windows and, while it is unclear whether these attacks are hate crimes, local authorities are reportedly beginning to suspect that they were indeed racially motivated. Crowley is only approximately 30 miles away from the St. Landry Parish, where several historically black churches were burned in March 2019. Rev. Sherard Marlon Joseph, who works at two of the vandalized churches, said of the incidents, Secretary of State Mike “We just need it to stop. And if they never get caught, then that’s something they’ll Pompeo Speaks on have to deal with God.” Christian Leadership
ecretary of State Mike Pompeo addressed French Senate Votes to Further Restrict Religion in Schools Sthe American Association of Christian Counselors on October 11 on the topic of n October 29, the French Senate voted religious display, but the government now Christian leadership. He shared about the O to ban parents from wearing religious dictates that any display of any religion is way that he turns to God for guidance in symbols when they participate in school field unacceptable in public schools. his work—especially in regards to his dis- trips. This is just another instance in a long position, his dialogue with others, and his list of situations in which the French govern- decision-making. ment has forbidden individuals from having He cited religious persecution as one of religious imagery of any kind, including the fundamental violations of human free- clothing and jewelry with religious images, dom that the State Department is focused such as a crucifix. on stopping, and stated that the only way President Emmanuel Macron commented, to help people who have suffered from “[Whether someone] wears a hijab in a pub- persecution is to encourage them to stay lic space is not my business. [But] wearing immersed in God’s Word. In conclusion, he a hijab in public services, in schools, when stated, “You will all be in my prayers as you we are educating our children, is my busi- do God’s work, and I covet yours as I lead ness.” Schools and colleges used to be able American diplomacy.” to decide to what degree they would allow
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PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN Attorney General William Czech Republic Court Barr Delivers Remarks on Removes Tax on Church Religious Freedom Restitution
n remarks delivered at the University n October 15, the Czech Republic’s I of Notre Dame, Attorney General Barr O constitutional court ruled that a 19% spoke about the Trump administration’s tax set to be imposed on restitution owed emphasis on preventing the infringement to churches starting in 2020 will not be of free exercise of religion in the US. enforced. The restitution totaling $3.3 bil- According to Barr, the Founders saw reli- lion comes as payment for all of the assets gious freedom as both an absolute neces- in the form of churches, land, and art that sity and a danger. were seized by the communist regime fol- It was viewed as a necessity because lowing World War II. people must be free to serve God in The Communist Party in the Czech every area of their lives, but also a dan- Republic is currently a part of the parlia- ger because free institutions could erode mentary majority for the first time since its the moral discipline and virtue needed to fall from power in 1989, and it joined that maintain those institutions over genera- majority on the promise that this church tions. He went on to say, “I think we all tax would be signed into law. Of the deci- recognize that over the past 50 years, sion, Archbishop of Prague Dominik Duka religion has been under increasing attack.” said, “This is good news for everyone Secularism then infringes on religious who cares about freedom and democ- rights by enforcing things like the Blaine racy.” Duka himself was imprisoned by the Amendment in Montana, which does not Communist Party in the 1980s. allow low income families to use state scholarships to attend religious schools. Barr spoke about America’s desperate need USCIRF Holds Hearing on for moral renewal as a means of fully real- izing the blessings of religious freedom. the Destruction of Churches and Holy Sites Proposed Religious Freedom Laws Causes Controversy in n October 23, the United States O Commission on International Australia Religious Freedom held a hearing on Capitol Hill to discuss its concerns about ustralian Christians have criticized the destruction of churches and other A proposed religious freedom laws that places of worship around the world. US offer some protection from discrimina- Ambassador-at-Large for International tion, but fail to extend protections for Religious Freedom Sam Brownback the practice of Christianity in all areas of unveiled a plan to devote $25 million life. Catholic and Anglican bishops alike to protect or reconstruct vulnerable sites have said that religious hospitals, elderly as part of the US Ambassadors Fund for care homes, publishing houses, and retreat Cultural Preservation. centers should have protections similar to In light of recent demonstrations of anti- those enjoyed by churches because of their Semitism around the world, the destruction church affiliations and, more importantly, of many religious sites by ISIS, and church their distinctively Christian purpose. bombings in nations like Sri Lanka, this This would mean that all hiring and is a sign of solidarity with communities healthcare choices would be at the discre- that have suffered or fear that they may be tion of the Church. As of October 17, the next. Ambassador Brownback shared that Australian government has agreed to amend he would like to see more than $25 million and broaden the proposed legislation. raised for the project in the coming years. PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN 13 PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN ICC in 2020:
Assistance:
As we head into 2020, we will be assisting and aiding the persecuted, with an emphasis on our major initiatives. Iraq Chicken Bibles and Nigeria Hope Farms Bikes Farms House
Advocacy:
We will conduct three We will continue our work with the State Congressional campaigns, focused Department to encourage sanctions on persecutors on Algeria, China, and Nepal. via the Global Magnitsky Act, and other tools.
Awareness: THE BRIDGE THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON THE PERSECUTED CHURCH
Podcast: We are starting a podcast: “Into the Deep.” This Social Media: We will continue to inform and inspire our weekly podcast will take listeners into the deep-end of the faith almost 1 million social media followers with lessons, news, by sharing lessons from the persecuted church. and project updates from the persecuted.
A New Book: We will be releasing a devotional companion to Bridge (Awaken) Conferences: We will hold events in Jeff King’s 2019 book, The Last Words of the Martyrs. Learn Washington D.C. and the Tampa, FL area. Learn more: www. more: www.lastwordsofthemartyrs.org thepersecutionconference.org
The Ambassadors Program: For especially dedicated volunteers, our advocacy department will invite a core group of Volunteers: Ambassadors to represent the organization in greater capacities. Learn more: www.persecution.org/take-action/volunteer/
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PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN Focusing Our Funds:
Bridge
The Where Most Needed Fund remains the same. It supports all aspects of the ministry, including our Advocacy efforts and our Awareness efforts (making the Where Most Church and the secular world aware of persecution through our website, Persecution Needed Magazine, our social media, etc.). It also undergirds all of our other funds when they run short and supports all ministry needs, whether in-office or overseas.
Bandage Build
Rescue: Gospel: Wives & Kids Bibles & Broadcasts
What happens to a family when the husband and father The Bible is a living message, which is spiritual fertilizer is killed or imprisoned for loving Jesus? They are left that brings life wherever it is spread, and His Gospel destitute. The children often have to drop out of school is our only hope. We passionately believe these simple and start working, even as young as eight years old. We truths, so we support the printing, purchasing, and rescue the families of believers who are killed, imprisoned, smuggling of Scripture and the broadcast of the Gospel or sidelined due to persecution. Below are our old funds into the toughest areas of the world. Below are our old that we are combining to make the Rescue fund. funds that we are combining to make the Gospel fund.
Suffering Save Bibles Broadcast Wives & Kids Our for the the Children Care Sisters Persecuted Gospel
Restore: Messengers: Lives & Communities Underground Workers
When a believer or community of believers is attacked, When the light penetrates the darkness, Satan fights we will be there for both their short and long term needs. back, which is the core of most persecution. So we That is the core of our work. We will rescue one or 1,000, support church planters, pastors, and ministry workers in but we will leave the 99 to find the one whom the Lord’s the world’s most dangerous places. They are incredibly eyes are on, and whose suffering is only known to Him brave and need resources to fulfill their vision to fight on and awareness teams. Below is our old fund that we are the frontlines of the battle. Below are our old funds that transitioning to make the Restore fund. we are combining to make the Messengers fund.
Community Underground Hand of Rebuild Pastors Hope
PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN 15 PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN AN ANCIENT GRAVE REOPENED
Turkey’s military activities in the Middle East open old wounds and spark fears of a new genocide against Christians.
By Claire Evans n old tape recorder the Empire’s fall and tragically were almost They killed him. My [great] grandfather was clicked as its tape wiped out for it. killed defending people who fled from Turks ran out. Turkey’s genocide left 2 million Christians and Kurds.” The story it told dead. Ashur’s family escaped by fleeing into Turkey’s invasion into Syria and military was almost beyond Iraq; other Christians went to Syria. activities in Iraq cause many to worry that belief. It had been “My [great great] grandfather was a priest- Turkey intends to finish an uncompleted a century since about 100 years old,” recalled Ashur. “He was task—this time, allowed by the United States. Turkey’s Christian killed by a Turk when he was trying to avoid American troops promised to serve as a buffer community faced the genocide by making a deal with the Turk. against a Turkish incursion in Syria, but a sur- near-extinction from prise counter-order led to a hasty withdrawal. their own Muslim government. Local Christians felt betrayed. But as Turkey recently launched an October “Don’t let Christianity be driven out of north- Ainvasion, ancestral trauma blurred with cur- “Because of east Syria,” pleaded a joint statement published rent events. by five Syrian Christian groups. “American For Ashur, a Christian living in Iraq, Syria, our troops act as [a] barrier… we remind the inter- Turkey’s military invasion of Syria prompted national community and public opinion of the a wave of painful flashbacks for his family. church is Turkish Genocide of our people in 1915, which He had found a recording of his grandmother decimated the Syriac Christian population.” speaking of the genocide experienced at the shaking,” Even within Turkey, Christians were wor- hands of Turkey a century ago. ried about the consequences. “Because of “I was listening to a recording from my Syria, our church is shaking,” said a Turkish late grandmother,” reminisced Ashur. “She said a Turkish pastor serving near the Syrian border. The explained how [Turkish and Kurdish] troops burden of his country’s actions weighs heavily attacked them, and how Christians had fled pastor serving on his shoulders. One of his congregants was [from] the attacks.” quick to elaborate: 1915 was a turbulent year for Ottoman near the “I am an Armenian. What I see reminds me -era Turkey. The Islamic empire was fail- of my grandmother’s tears. We are afraid.” ing. Although Greek Christians had lived in Syrian border. Another Turkish pastor wished for an end to Turkey for centuries, they were blamed for the military operation. “We cannot pray that
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PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN Top: Turkey builds military lookout posts in Iraqi Christian village areas, causing many to fear.
Bottom Left: A Turkish military base sits just miles from an Iraqi Christian village.
Bottom Right: Syrian Christians have experienced multiple genocides over the past century. With this latest invasion, Turkey has twice committed genocide against these believers.
people will kill people, and our brothers and as ISIS.” sisters from other nations,” he said. “Let us Turkey’s actions have serious consequenc- “I am an Armenian. pray for the end of the current war. Let’s pray es across the Middle East. But for Christians, the guns to be shut up. Let us pray that our it means revisiting deep wounds from a What I see country will be dominated by love, peace.” traumatic past. reminds me of my Just 200 miles away in Iraq, Christians At a time when they desperately need expressed the same fears following the invasion. peace, Christians in Syria and Iraq find them- grandmother’s tears. “Still, we suffer because of the Turkish selves caught up in a clash between nations attack,” said Ashur. “Now [we] are afraid of and peoples. We are afraid.” Turkish forces because they bring with them With no end to the conflict in sight, they Muslim radical fighters. These militias are are left wondering if they have a place in – A CHRISTIAN LIVING ON THE SYRIAN so radical and their ideology, it is the same the world. BORDER PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN 17 PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN HONG KONG’S SLIPPERY SLOPE TO SLAVERY Christian protesters in Hong Kong look at the harsh reality of life for Christians in China and fear for their own rights.
By Gina Goh
n isolated mur- including Taiwan and China. The public feared The bill, formally proposed last February, der case in 2018 that sending prisoners to mainland China, a drew millions of protesters to the streets. sparked months of country known for its tarnished judicial system The simple murder case had become some- protests in Hong and tainted human rights record, would be a thing more. Kong, jeopardiz- slippery slope to injustice. “Although the Hong Kong government ing the freedom promises that criminals of political, reli- and rights that gious, and human rights nature would not the region has “Other freedoms be extradited, when China wants to oppress enjoyed for years have been eroded you, they can charge you with ‘unlawful against the back- assembly,’ ‘illegal publication,’ or economic drop of communist China. and if this continues, crimes,” Professor Ying Fuk-tsang, direc- In February 2018, a girl from Hong Kong tor of the divinity school at the Chinese Awas murdered in Taiwan by her boyfriend, it will only be a University of Hong Kong, told ICC. Chan Tong-kai, who immediately fled to Hong In 1997, Great Britain transferred the Kong. In the name of pursuing justice, the matter of time colony of Hong Kong over to China Hong Kong government sought to propose an before freedom of under the “One Country, Two Systems” amendment bill that, if passed, would essential- agreement, ensuring that Hong Kong’s ly allow the extradition of convicts in the ter- religion is affected.” economic and political systems would be ritory of Hong Kong to countries where it did protected for 50 years. This new fight to not previously have an extradition agreement, – BENEDICT ROGERS protect freedom of expression and democ-
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PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN Opposite: Young adults in Hong Kong gathered near the Legislative Council on June 12 before the bill’s scheduled second reading.
Top: A Hong Kong protester gears up for a potential clash with the police.
Bottom: A Hong Kong Christian kneels before the Legislative Council to pray for the region.
racy has turned into a call for true democ- Derfu, were also accused of “picking quar- racy, greater rights, and an investigation rels and stirring up trouble,” and “running into police brutality. an illegal business.” While Hong Kong generally enjoys reli- With these actions taking place in China, gious freedom and has thriving religious Christians were concerned that the amend- communities, Christians were concerned ment would enable the Hong Kong govern- that the bill could endanger those involved ment to bridge the gap between China and in China-related ministries, who could be Hong Kong. Hong Kongers see their resis- handed over to China and face imprisonment. tance as the last ditch effort to defend their A Hong Kong Christian businessman, Lai promised freedoms. Kwong Keung, was accused of smuggling The government has conceded amid thousands of Bibles into southeastern China months of unrest and growing pressure. On and sentenced to two years in prison for “ille- October 23, Hong Kong’s legislature for- gal trading” in 2002. mally withdrew the extradition bill. Yet, this “While the government might be cautious move has been regarded by protesters as long to implement the law at first (with the goal overdue. Dozens of lives have been lost, to let people’s guard down), this ‘knife’ is thousands of people have been assaulted and still dangling above your head. It creates arrested, and the government is now ruling fears and invites self-censorship,” Fuk-tsang the region as if it is a police state. added. “For Hong Kongers, it will be much While Hong Kong Christians can still more challenging to do any ministry inside freely worship, Benedict Rogers, the East China in the future.” Asia Team Leader at Christian Solidarity And the Chinese government has done just Worldwide, told ICC, “We have already seen that. In 2018, the Chinese government shut a crackdown recently in mainland China on down a massive, 700-member underground churches that have links with Hong Kong, house church in China, Early Rain Covenant and we could see further restrictions on Hong Church. Sixteen members of the church were Kong churches that are involved in ministry criminally detained and more than 150 were in mainland China. It is also possible that interrogated by the police. Pastor Wang Yi churches which have members or leaders was transferred to Beijing for “inciting sub- who have been outspoken against the extra- version of state power.” dition bill or in support of the protesters may Chinese authorities began investigating experience difficulties … Other freedoms the church’s pastor, Wang Yi, on the charge have been eroded and if this continues, it will of “illegal business activities” as well. Two only be a matter of time before freedom of of the church’s elders, Li Yingqiang and Qin religion is affected.” PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN 19 PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM As Hong Kong’s fate hangs in the balance, the wife of a prominent, missing Christian lawyer in China shares how the state destroyed her family, and how it may destroy Hong Kong.
By Gina Goh
s a mother of two and It started with the death threats, then it Geng He and her two children managed a wife whose husband moved into harassment. For years, the family to escape to the US in 2009, but they have has been kidnapped was monitored, harassed, and threatened by never forgotten about their beloved hus- and tortured by the the government. Gao was even beaten by the band and father. Communist Party of authorities. In August 2006, Gao disappeared In December 2011, Gao was imprisoned China, Geng He under- for the first time. He was accused of “subver- again for allegedly violating the conditions of stands all too well what sion,” and sentenced to three years in prison. his suspended three-year sentence. Although the people of Hong released from prison on August 7, 2014, he Kong are fighting against. continued to be placed under house arrest until AHer husband, the prominent human rights “The most August 2017, when he disappeared again. He lawyer Gao Zhisheng, was once lauded by is believed to be held in an undisclosed loca- the Chinese Ministry of Justice as one of tion with no contact with the outside world. China’s top 10 lawyers. His collision with meaningful The physical condition that her husband was the communist regime began when he started in when Geng He last saw him was deplorable. providing legal aid to Christians, Falun Gong thing in Hong “Gao has lost at least six of his lower teeth, practitioners, and activists. and is only able to eat porridge like an old It has been over two years since Geng He Kong’s fight is man. What can he possibly do to the govern- has seen him. ment? Yet he was forcibly taken away. Why When ICC spoke with her on November to awaken all does the government still fear him?” she raised 5, she told us, “Today marks the 814th day her voice as she posed the question. of his disappearance. There still has been no Chinese people.” Even after Gao’s loved ones reached the news whatsoever with regards to his where- land of the free, alas, their family members abouts.” – GENG HE back home are still subject to surveillance
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PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN and persecution. They are requested to sign Opposite: Hong Kong lawmaker Roy Kwong Chun-yu gives instructions to protesters in every month at a nearby police office, before a potential clash with the police near the Legislative Council. their IDs were confiscated to prevent them from leaving their town, and their family- Top: Geng went to Hong Kong, hoping to show support for the anti-extradition owned factory was shut down and fined as law movement. “punishment” by association. For this, their family cut all communication with them in Middle: Tens of thousands flocked to the streets of Hong Kong to urge the government fear of more oppression. to retract the controversial bill. The people of Hong Kong have been pro- Bottom: A Hong Kong protester helps Geng to gear up for the protest in front of the testing since last June against an extradition Legislative Council. law that could place prisoners like Gao in a vulnerable position at the hands of the regime. After the regime destroyed her family, Geng He decided to stand with them. Geng’s own fate is inextricably entwined with this bill. Since she is seen by the Chinese government as a fugitive, the Hong Kong government could arrest and hand her to China to face an unjust trial if the bill is passed. “They cannot send people to an authoritarian China!” she protested. The millions of Hong Kongers who took to the streets to fight for their rights and freedoms deeply touched Geng. “These Hong Kong peo- ple are facing a dark CCP regime, and they are using their own lives to ignite hope. Supporting Hong Kong means giving a window’s opening for a fallen China to breathe.” She continued, “The most meaningful thing in Hong Kong’s fight is to awaken all Chinese people.” She spent four days on the streets of Hong Kong, running and shouting alongside young protesters. The will of Hong Kongers and their hearts for their land moved her to tears. “While the people still have the rights to protest on the streets, if they don’t step out and persist, their government will be like the CCP–doing anything it wants. […] If we don’t speak out today, tomorrow we will not be able to utter a word,” she said. “The international community should lay its economic interest aside, Europe or the US alike. It needs to voice concerns on the ground of moral value. I hope that the Senate can pass the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act and investigate on Hong Kong police brutality,” she added. Although it seems like the human rights situation in Hong Kong and China are both deteriorating, she told me, “We must insist, because we have nowhere to retreat. Only persistence to carry on this journey. You don’t know what could be the last straw to break this evil regime.” She walked to the frontlines of this move- ment to make sure no one else will suffer like her, to support her missing husband who she knows would have done just the same, and to show that she, too, will not give in until his return. PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN 21 PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN Algeria’s Catch-22 Algeria’s churches are facing imminent closure, locked in an impossible legal paradox.
By Claire Evans
n late 2019, a disturbing video was churches in Algeria, where approximately of six weeks. released, showing Algerian law 2,000 Algerian Christians met for worship, Their crime? They were unable to produce a enforcement forcibly dragging out were forcibly closed by the government. In permit that the government has failed to issue. members of an Algerian church who total, 12 churches were closed from January were staging a peaceful protest. The to November 2019 – eight within in a period The Catch-22 Law video was just a snapshot of the It all started with a 2006 law. According to wave of persecution once again per- the law, any non-Muslim worship must occur petrated by the Algerian government in designated buildings with a permit. However, against the nation’s Christians. “We do not it turned out to be a thinly veiled catch-22. In “Today, two of the largest church- order for churches to receive a permit, they must es in Algeria have been closed,” a spokesper- understand obtain one from the National Religious Practices son for l’Eglise Protestante d’Algerie (EPA), Committee – a committee that has never met Ispeaking with ICC on the condition of ano- the relentless since its supposed formation. Even though the nymity, said. “We do not understand the committee in question lives on paper, it has never relentless injustice of the Algerian government injustice of convened to review the applications of churches towards us. They refuse to hear us or listen the Algerian seeking authorization as non-Muslim places of to us.” worship. “I am sharing with you our worries and government Many churches were able to sidestep this the challenges that we are facing on a daily legal conundrum by joining the larger body basis,” said Pastor Salah, head of the EPA, in towards us. They of the EPA, the Protestant Church of Algeria, a follow-up message. The fear in his words, which was recognized by the government spoken in French, was almost tangible. Pastor refuse to hear us before 2006. This status afforded them some Salah went on to plead for the global Church or listen to us.” protection – until last year. to pray for the Church in Algeria. Last year, that law was once again abrupt- Pastor Salah’s desperate cry for help to the – PASTOR SALAH ly leveled against Christians. Not even the global Church came after two of the largest EPA could escape the targeted suppression of
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PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN Left: Christians in Algeria lose their churches and their rights.
ICC Advocacy
ICC’s advocacy team led a campaign on Capitol Hill informing members of Congress about the plight of Algerian Christians. Congressman Lamborn of Colorado led a bipartisan effort in the form of a congressional letter to the Algerian government, pressuring them to end the harassment, reopen the churches, and offer a full legal recogni- tion of these places of worship. Algeria’s constitution and its com- mitment to international human rights covenants demand that the govern- ment grant religious freedom to its Christianity in Algeria. tee, the same one tasked with issuing permits citizens. The government is failing to The Protestant Church of the Full Gospel of to churches, has the authority to sign off on keep its own promises to the Algerian Tizi-Ozou was closed on October 15 and its a church closure. The attorney’s explanation people. If they will not hold them- lead pastor, Pastor Salah, was beaten. Pastor successfully rebuffed enforcement attempts – selves accountable, the international Salah is also the President of the EPA. for the time being. community absolutely must. Algeria The Algerian government could now close But the Algerian government has wis- has been responsive to pressure from any and all Christian churches with impu- ened up. The Protestant Church of the Full the United States in the past. As such, nity when licenses to worship, even those that Gospel of Tizi-Ozou and the Makouda church Congress and the State Department actually exist, should not be required to wor- were informed just one day before the police must make clear that these church ship to begin with. arrived. The churches’ response was to rally closures have not escaped their notice, together protesters to resist the closures, but just as they have not escaped the notice Algeria’s Church Resistance the government authorities prevailed. of International Christian Concern. The real crime of these churches is their ICC’s Advocacy Director, Matias mere existence. Algeria is a predominantly Churches in Imminent Perttula, commented, “Reports of ris- Muslim country, with over 99% of the popula- Danger ing levels of religious intolerance tion adhering to Sunni Islam. The 2006 law The EPA has 45 affiliate churches. With two in Algeria are once again causing a that started the 2019 church closures is merely of the largest of them closed in late 2019, the great level of concern for ICC and our a front for a massive persecution effort against rest are facing a similar fate. partners. These church closures are churches in Algeria. The actions of the Algerian authorities indi- completely baseless and clear indica- Some Algerian Christians have successfully cate that their only goal is to hinder non- tors of persecution and harassment of resisted authorities who have attempted to close Muslim worship. They do not care about the Algeria’s Christians, who represent their churches in the past. One church in Ighzer safety or rights of their own citizens. a significant religious minority. ICC Amokrane was given advance notice. By the “Algerian Christians have now found them- has raised this issue with our partners time the law enforcement officers arrived, pro- selves with thousands of Christians without a as well as members of Congress on testers and an attorney were prepared. The attor- place of worship,” the EPA spokesperson told Capitol Hill to make them aware of ney pointed out to the police officers that they ICC. “But we remain confident in the Lord. these human rights violations.” did not have jurisdiction to close the church. We need the prayers of our brothers and sisters According to the attorney, only the commit- from across the world.” PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN 23 PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN Afghanistan: Land of Wars or Land of Opportunity? By William Stark
can still remember the first time However, this perception changed dramat- “You mentioned 9/11,” Jon continued. I placed Afghanistan on a map. I ically after I met members of Afghanistan’s “This was the time when the world’s eyes am confident that this may be the underground Church. Through my inter- were open to Afghanistan. Afghans got more same time many Americans did actions with these faithful Christians, my opportunities than ever following the inva- the same thing. It was September perception changed from Afghanistan being sion. Money, aid, education, and new technol- 11, 2001. a land of war to Afghanistan being a land of ogy helped to bring society forward.” As I watched the coverage of opportunity for the Gospel. Despite the changes that technology and the terrorist attacks, I remember a Recently, I sat down with Jon, an Afghan foreign aid brought, many in Afghanistan map of Afghanistan coming onto church leader, to discuss the shift in my continued to suffer the effects of war. the screen. I remember feeling that perception of his native land. When I first However, this suffering did not turn people Afghanistan was a faraway and dangerous posed this dichotomy of Afghanistan to away from the Gospel. By living in a war- place. A land of war. him, he agreed. torn nation, many Afghans have become ITwelve years later, I found myself step- “It’s true,” Jon said. “People have defi- more open to the Gospel. ping off a plane at the airport in Kabul. This nitely been suffering for the past 40 years. “Because of the suffering, the next genera- was my first trip to Afghanistan and, hon- There are families now that have suffered tion is looking for something different,” Jon estly, 9/11 and that “land of war” perception for at least three generations with members said. “At least one-third of young people in still colored my thoughts about the country. having been killed or disabled.” Afghanistan are agnostic, as they are unsure
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PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN “Because of the suffering, the next generation is looking for something different ... At least one-third of young people in Afghanistan are agnostic, as they are unsure of what to believe.”
Left: Two elderly Afghan men pose for a picture.
Top Right: Abdul Rahman Khan Mosque stands as a landmark in downtown Kabul.
Bottom Right: An informal market draws many visitors in Kabul’s downtown area.
Afghanistan. Ironically, these are the same types of charges that were leveled against the perpetrators of 9/11. In the midst of these challenges, however, Jon reports that the underground Church in Afghanistan continues to grow. “There are a good number of house church- es across Afghanistan,” Jon reported. “The number of members varies between three to 25 Christians. Around Christmas and Easter, some gatherings might be as large as 60 to 70, but this is generally only once or twice a year because of security concerns.” Looking forward, Jon and other under- ground leaders in Afghanistan are hoping that the Afghan Church will continue to grow in both size and maturity. “Afghanistan is going to be very chal- lenging over the next two years,” Jon said. “As we figure, there will either be a num- ber of changes made to the current regime or there will be strife.” “On the church side, however, I really believe that in the next five to 10 years we are going to witness a huge movement in Afghanistan,” Jon of what to believe. This means that there is ily. Even with complete strangers. However, continued. “There are going to be hundreds of some openness towards the Gospel.” there are still challenges.” Afghans coming to know Jesus.” This new openness towards the Gospel Even though the people of Afghanistan are “Afghan Christians are taking the cour- sparked a conversation about Afghanistan’s becoming more open to the Gospel, Christians age to teach and to share their faith,” Jon underground Church. Christianity is offi- in Afghanistan still live in danger. said. “Looking forward, I really want to see cially unrecognized by the government of “You can lose your job or even your life,” Afghanistan become known as a country Afghanistan. It is a true underground move- Jon explained. “If you become known as a for honoring and loving God, not the coun- ment. This means that, according to Afghan Christian, you can also lose your spouse, try responsible for every evil that happens law, Christianity does not exist within the custody of your children, your inheritance, in the world.” country’s borders. your house, and any other property you With Christians like Jon helping lead the Despite this lack of official recognition, Jon own. The government can confiscate any- Afghan Church, I have little doubt that this argues that the Church in Afghanistan is both thing because you are now considered a vision for Afghanistan will someday come an underground and public movement. threat to national security.” true. There will be challenges along the way. “People know that we have Afghans that Jon went on to explain that Christians in But the enduring faith I have witnessed as have converted to Christianity,” Jon said. the past have been charged with “corrupt- a common trait among Afghan Christians, I “There are some Afghans today that are able ing the national religion.” This is consid- believe, will help transform the country from to share their faith with their friends and fam- ered a crime against national security in a land of war to a land of faith. PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN 25 PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN Weep with Those WhoWeep
“Weep with Those Who Weep” is a devotion in ICC’s 40-Day Challenge. The 40-Day Challenge is a series of daily devotions that are a supplement to “The Last Words of the Martyrs,” ICC President Jeff King’s latest book on persecution.
hen I first saw them walking along time in nearly 2,000 years. the beach, I knew it wasn’t for a day Within six months, 1.2 million Iraqis were driven out of their of play. But, I couldn’t have imag- homes, and 100,000 of them fled eastward towards Erbil and the ined what was to come. Each victim, Kurdistan region. Most arrived with absolutely nothing but the dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit, clothes on their backs, robbed by ISIS militants along the way. They was escorted by an ISIS soldier. They lived in the open, without shelter, totally exposed to the 115-degree were forced to kneel, their sentence was heat of Iraq’s summer sun. read out, and the knives were revealed. The churches in Iraq called out to their brothers and sisters in the That’s when the horror began. West for aid. Western church relief was the main source of assis- For a more than a decade before ISIS’s mass beheading of 21 tance, as aid from the UN or Iraqi government often did not make WEgyptian Christians, ICC tried to wake the Western media and Western it to the Christians. Church to the rise of radical Islam around the globe. Given ICC’s focus on persecution, we knew that most instances of modern persecution Into the Storm are driven by radical Islam. We witnessed radical Islam’s worldwide ICC raised funds from our donors and did what we do best: we sprang expansionist movement, and we weren’t afraid to be vocal (or politi- into action to become a bridge between the free Church and the perse- cally incorrect) about it. cuted Church. Two of my staff members traveled to the frontline city Unfortunately, for many years, our message often fell on deaf ears. of Erbil in Iraq, only 60 miles away from ISIS. Working together with That changed after the mass beheading. There were no more raised local churches and Christian organizations, we provided food, water, eyebrows or suspicions when we spoke about radical Islam. That one shelter, and more to thousands within Iraq’s Christian community. video woke up the world. Most people could finally see that pure evil Every square inch of shade was taken up by the Christians who had had been unleashed on the world, and it was coming from radical Islam. fled ISIS. They knew that getting out of the sun had to be their first prior- ity for survival. The Birth of ISIS We handed out food, blankets, water and whatever else was needed. In June 2014, about six months prior to the beheading of the 21 We even hired a water truck to bring 15,000 gallons of water to a group Coptic Christians, ISIS sprang onto international headlines. They had of Christians who didn’t have access to water. captured Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city, and were attacking Christian villages across Iraq’s Nineveh Plains. We Are the Body Hardened by the fighting in Syria and elsewhere, the jihadists moved In times of great persecution, when Christians have lost everything, through Iraq like a plague, raping and butchering women and children they feel desperately alone and hopeless. As you may be able to relate, along the way. Christians were marked for forced conversion, expul- they often feel abandoned by the Church and even by God, their Father. sion, or execution. Entire cities were emptied of Christians for the first ICC often meets them at this point. When God meets their physi-
26 PERSECU ION.ORG JANUARY 2020 INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN The Last Words of the cal needs, we say, “We heard you; we feel your pain.” We weep with those who weep. This touches them on a deep, deep level. It comforts them in just the way Martyrs they need and sends a clear message to them: “God your Father and His Church have not forgotten you.” Remember, we are one body. Meaning, Jesus’s Spirit is in all Christians, and He feels their pain. So when one part of the body is being crushed and broken, we respond and offer what we can to help. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 says, “There is one body, but it has many parts. But all of its many parts make up one body. It is the same with Christ. We were all baptized by one Holy Spirit. And so we are formed into one body. It didn’t matter whether we were Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free people. We were all given the same Spirit to drink. So the body is not made up of just one part. It has many parts.” (Jeff King Version)
This is the very core of why ICC exists. In the West, we are usually on the giving end (financially) to the global body. However, I’ve found that we are richly repaid because we see faith lived out on a different level. We see true courage, true devotion, and faith so real that it often startles us. Did you know that each of those 21 Coptic Christians had the chance to live? Had they only turned from Jesus and converted to Islam, they would still be alive. If you watch the video closely, you can see some of them saying something. They were repeating the name of our Lord Jesus to keep each other and themselves strong. ISIS thought that this video would terrorize the Church, but it had the Life-Changing Lessons from opposite effect. When we worked with the families of the martyrs afterward, they would Persecuted Believers Who hold up pictures of their murdered loved ones. Yes, they were filled with sorrow over losing their loved ones. However, the Paid the Ultimate Price pride they felt in the courage of their husbands, sons, and fathers was evident. For 1,400 years, Christians have suffered at the hands of Islam, but nothing can turn them away from their faith in Jesus. They see themselves as joining "It is with great pleasure that I in the suffering of their ancestors and following their Lord to Calvary. recommend The Last Words of the “I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given author- Martyrs to you. The lesson that ity to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because the martyrs are ‘whispering’ to the of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on Western Church is life-changing. I their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ urge you to listen carefully to the a thousand years.” (martyrs’ message) that Jeff has — Revelation 20:4 (NIV) captured so well." Those brothers on the beach, quietly whispering to themselves and each other, were steadying their hearts. They knew there would be a moment’s worth of pain, but their lives were about to begin. Pat Robertson The 700 Club Visit www.lastwordsofthemartyrs.org/40-day to sign up for the 40-Day Challenge. You will be sent Online: lastwordsofthemartyrs.org a devotion like the one above for 40 days. These Phone: 1-800-422-5441 devotionals are a companion piece to “The Last All profits go toward assisting the Words of the Martyrs.” families of Christian martyrs. PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN 27 PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN You Can Help Today! PERSECU ION.ORG INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
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