Missions, The Persecuted Church Across the World

Persecuted Church in Algeria, March 21st 2018

by Robert MacNaughton

Pastor Sentencing Adds to Persecution in Algeria

Morning Star News, March 12, 2018

In the latest of a rash of persecution incidents in Algeria, a judge on March 8 Pastor Nordine B. was fined US$868 and given a 3-month suspended prison sentence for causing Muslims to doubt their religion.  The pastor of the church was convicted of proselytism, but will appeal.

Christian leaders said the charge against Pastor Nordine was ridiculous – simply for carrying Christian books – and unconstitutional, as Algeria’s constitution guarantees freedom of belief, opinion and worship.

The case follows several instances of harassment of churches and Christians in the past 3 months raising concerns of a government campaign against Christianity.

A Christian-owned bookshop in Oran city has been forcibly closed, the activities of a church training centre stopped and there has been an increase in arrests of Christians.

Jacksons, Missions

Jacksons Update, March 21st 2018

by Robert MacNaughton

A house has become available on Samuel campus which should provide an opportunity to get involved in the lives of students living there.  May we clearly see the implications of such a move before deciding. 

 Hugenote College could well have fibre optic internet connection by the time you read this.  Pray that the installation will go smoothly.

Pray for people who can contribute to the God-glorifying ethos of Hugenote College to be found to fill vacant posts.

 A retired English teacher is happy to help Dawn with Afrikaans.  Dawn and Pastor Christopher visited a local high school about the Homework Club and asked if they could help with anything else. The headmaster said poverty and drugs. 

 Pray that drug lords who walk the streets of Wellington will go out of business, smothered in Christ’s love.  Dawn is also thinking of a parenting course which needs groundwork and relationship building before it can start.

 A movement of prayer for repentance, renewal and rain is growing in the Western Cape.  Thousands are expected at a prayer meeting in Cape Town on March 24th. 

 Pray for our children James and Ruth studying in the UK and for good health, security and safety on the roads.

Blythswood, Missions

Blythswood Update March 21st 2018

by Robert MacNaughton

Talita Kum

Every God-given ministry requires faithfulness, integrity and perseverance.  Pray for those called to work among the children of Talita Kum, that their example will inspire the children with whom they work and that their example will live on in the memory of these children throughout their adult years.

 Pray that God will bring to Talita Kum the children of His purpose and that the influence of Talita Kum and the adults who run it will spread not only to the children but also to their families and the wider Romanian community.

 Daniel Centre

Relationships formed in our late teens can last with us for many years.  Pray that the relationships that the young men of the Daniel Centre form with each other will continue to strengthen and encourage them far beyond the years that they spend there.

Pray that the staff of the Centre will be encouraged to see fruit from their labours and have the strength and faith to go on loving and inspiring the young men even when the inevitable problems arise and when the spiritual enemy endeavours to undermine their labours.

Missions, The Persecuted Church Across the World

Baghdad Christian doctor and family murdered

by Robert MacNaughton

Barnabas Fund, 14 March 2018

Three members of a Christian family were stabbed to death in Baghdad, on the evening of 8th March 2018.

Dr Hisham al-Maskuni (61), his wife Shaza and his mother Khairiya were attacked and killed by armed men.

A local Christian leader said, “This crime has only one message. Frightening our people and forcing them to leave the country.  This means that there is no place for Christians. We are seen as a lamb to be killed at any time.”

A Yazidi member of the Iraqi parliament, tweeted that it showed that “minorities are persecuted in their homeland.”

 Christians in Baghdad have been kidnapped, and Christian shopkeepers forced to pay “protection money” to militias.

 The United Nations have called on Iraq to protect the Christian minority stating, “We urge Iraq to protect minorities, including Yezidis, Christians … and others.”