Missions, The Persecuted Church Across the World

28 Key Nations in ‘Ongoing Downward Trend’ – May 4th 2018

by Robert MacNaughton

Religion News Service, Thursday, April 26, 2018

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has cited more than two dozen countries as main contributors to an “ongoing downward trend” in religious liberty worldwide.

“Sadly, religious freedom conditions deteriorated in many countries in 2017,” said the independent watchdog in its 2018 report.

Examples of severe abuses in 28 countries include Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar; Tibetan Buddhists; Uighur Muslims; Falun Gong practitioners in China; Christians, Yazidis and Shiite Muslims under ISIS; and Russia’s harsh treatment of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Muslims and Scientologists.

 “Entities of particular concern”, considered severe religious freedom violators, include ISIS in Iraq and Syria; Taliban in Afghanistan; and al-Shabab in Somalia.

Missions, The Persecuted Church Across the World

39 Christians Murdered in Nigeria – May 4th 2018

by Robert MacNaughton

Morning Star News | Thursday, April 26, 2018

Still shocked over a deadly attack on a Catholic congregation on April 24, Christians in Nigeria’s Benue state yesterday suffered another onslaught by Muslim Fulani herdsmen that reportedly left at least 39 people dead.

More than 160 houses were reported to have been set ablaze in heavily armed attacks.  Dozens of Christians were wounded, and at this writing the total number of those killed was not confirmed.

 A resident told how the herdsmen who invaded her community were dressed in military camouflage and armed with AK-47 weapons.

 Christians in Nigeria held a nationwide protest on Sunday, April 29, against attacks on Christian communities.

Missions, The Persecuted Church Across the World

Concerns grow for Kachin Christians – May 4th 2018

by Robert MacNaughton

Barnabas Fund, 26 April 2018

Military authorities reportedly blocked a rescue plea as religious and community leaders raise concerns about the safety and survival of Kachin Christians trapped in a jungle region of Myanmar (Burma).

Over 2000 displaced Kachin people, including the elderly, infirm and pregnant women, have been trapped in the remote “Gold and Amber” region of the conflict-stricken Kachin State since 11 April.

Local news sources report that heavy fighting between Myanmar’s military and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has led to thousands of people fleeing their homes as a decades-long, bitter civil war continues.

Christian and community leaders met government officials and a military commander to plead for humanitarian assistance and a rescue for the trapped civilians. However, at the time of reporting, the military has blocked any rescue efforts.

Jacksons, Mission Partners of Castle Street, Missions

Jacksons Update, May 4th 2018

by Robert MacNaughton

Fraser has travelled to Zimbabwe.  There seems to be a law in Zimbabwe outlawing unlicensed journalism which extends to photographs. Fraser doesn’t want to fall foul of this law and end up in a Zimbabwean jail, but he’s been asked to take photos. Pray for wisdom.

Pray that he’ll be able to make an accurate assessment of the situation and needs, resulting in benefits to Murray College, NetACT and theological education in Africa. Most importantly, that God will be glorified.

We moved into House Louise on Hugenote College’s Samuel Campus last Wednesday and it feels as if we’ve truly arrived at last.

The homework club still has no participants, which re-emphasises the importance of personal contacts. Another homework club, run by a different church, started about a year ago for pupils of all ages.  Perhaps God’s plan is for us to get together.  Pray for clarity and contacts.

Barnabas, Mission Partners of Castle Street, Missions

Barnabas Update, May 4th 2018

by Robert MacNaughton

Conditional release of Hadi Asgari from prison

Barnabas Fund, 19 April 2018

After a harrowing 19-month detention, Hadi Asgari, a Christian convert from Islam, was released after posting bail on 11 April.

Hadi was arrested in August 2016 when security officials interrupted a gathering of Christian families. He and pastor Victor Tamrazare are appealing ten-year sentences for “acting against national security”.

Fellow Christian convert Amin Afshari was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment on the same charges.

Hearings are now expected to take place in late April or early May.

Local sources confirm that Amin and Hadi remain firm in their faith despite facing ongoing pressure to convert back to Islam.

Adult male converts from Islam are punishable by death according to sharia law in one of the countries of the world where the Islamic death sentence for apostasy is officially available, although it has not been used since 1990. 

Blythswood, Mission Partners of Castle Street, Missions

Blythswood Update, May 4th 2018

by Robert MacNaughton

Talita Kum

Give thanks for more than 1000 children who have been given a place to learn since Talita Kum first opened in 2001.

Please remember in prayer James Campbell, the CEO of Blythswood, as he will be in Romania from now until May 29th.

Daniel Centre

Give thanks for more than 120 young men who have been helped to rebuild their lives at the Daniel Centre since it first opened in 2000.

Pray for the continuing impact that such young men will have in their communities and in the future church life of Romania.

Also remember Blythswood’s five shops in Romania which help to generate the income required for the Daniel Centre and Talita Kum projects.

Blythswood, Mission Partners of Castle Street, Missions

Blythswood Update, April 18th 2018

by Robert MacNaughton

Talita Kum

Talita Kum is Blythswood’s after-school programme in western Romania, first opened in 2001.

“Izaura came from one of the poorest Roma families in Jimbolia, facing every disadvantage in her education. Both parents were illiterate and, seeing little value in education, were late in enrolling their children in school.

Her father was abusive, violent towards his children and his neighbours, and spent some time in jail.

In spite of everything, Izaura did well at school. And this she attributes to the help she received at Talita Kum.

Adrian Popa’s ambition has been to improve the life chances of the poorest children in his home town of Jimbolia.  He observes that the rate of early school leaving fell from 45% in 2009 to just 1.5% in 2017. 

“The TK programme means better people.  The youngsters who go through the programme really add value to their community.”

Barnabas, Mission Partners of Castle Street, Missions

Barnabas Update, April 18th 2018

by Robert MacNaughton

Deteriorating health of Iranian Christian prisoner

Barnabas Fund, 12 April 2018

Naser Goltapeh, a Christian convert from Islam imprisoned in Iran, “might lose all of his teeth if he does not receive immediate medical attention”.

Naser was kept in solitary confinement for two months, while undergoing a gruelling interrogation. After sentencing, he was sent to the notorious Evin prison to serve a ten-year sentence on 20 January 2018.

In July 2017, he was during a secret police raid on a church meeting and convicted of assembling in an “illegal gathering” that “threatens the security of Iran”.

Similar accusations are often made against Christians active in ministry in Iran, especially in churches of converts.  An appeals court upheld his 10-year term on 12 November 2017, making the sentence final.

Jacksons, Mission Partners of Castle Street, Missions

Jacksons Update, April 18th 2018

by Robert MacNaughton

The NetACT portal looks fairly certain to be hosted here at Hugenote College, giving Fraser more freedom to organise it, but less technical support to call on.  Thank God that the server room will be on the same campus as our new house.

The NetACT partner colleges have now been asked what they would like to include on their course reading lists.  The partners gather for the NetACT AGM in July. 

The Study Centre in Cape Town seem likely to give Fraser permission to use their system and web-design for the NetACT portal.  This would save NetACT having to employ a professional company to do the technical build.

 Pray for the homework club which starts on Thursday.

 Pray for justice and mercy to make amends for the centuries of exploitation and inequality in South Africa.

 The imam in Nigeria who came to believe in Jesus through InReach has died after a short illness.  He remained firm to the end in his new knowledge of God.  Pray that many who knew him will be curious as to why he left Islam and will themselves come to acknowledge Jesus as Lord.

Missions, The Persecuted Church Across the World

Saudi Crown Prince – “Jews Have a Right to Israel”

by Robert MacNaughton

Religion Today, April 4, 2018

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman says he believes that Israelis and Palestinians both “have the right to” Israel.

 “But we have to have a peace agreement to assure stability for everyone and to have normal relations.”  Saudi Arabia has traditionally not recognized Israel.

 “There are a lot of interests we share with Israel and if there is peace, there would be a lot of interest between Israel and the Arab countries,” he said.

 Saudi Arabia and Israel may be headed toward better relations because of increasing tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Restoration may also be happening on Israel’s side as well.  Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti, Abdul Aziz Al Sheikh, has been invited to visit Israel.

And on the prince’s trip to the United States, he met with pro-Israel lobbyists and several Jewish groups.