Front Line: India

Persecution of Christians in India

How your gifts and prayers are bringing hope and strength to desperate Christians in India

Believers in Orissa are the continued targets of severe  persecution at the hands of Hindu extremists.

When Ravi heard the angry clamor of the mob, he knew his worst fears were about to be realized. As the shouts grew louder, Ravi gathered his family to him and told them to run for their lives.

The extremists were merciless. Ravi’s home was ransacked and burned, and his livestock stolen. Going from house to house, the gang continued their rampage until the whole village was destroyed. Like Ravi, the rest of the villagers fled into the nearby forest for cover—knowing that to resist would mean certain death.

Ravi’s story would be harrowing enough if his were the only village to have been hit by the extremists. But when you understand the scale of these vicious attacks, you begin to realize that the sorrow and suffering endured by the Christians of Orissa in recent months is beyond imagination.

Hate campaign Against Christians in India

Hindu extremists hold a firm grip in India’s eastern state of Orissa. The persecution of Christians in India has has significantly increased in recent years. Christians in India have been systematically targeted in a vicious hate campaign, with hundreds of homes burned and many believers killed.

The tensions reached an all-time high in August 2008 when prominent fundamentalist Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati was killed, allegedly by local Maoist rebels. The Hindu extremists leapt at the opportunity to blame Christians for the murder—and the violence against believers quickly spiraled out of control.

Hindu extremists marched ruthlessly from village to village, intent on destruction and murder. In the ensuing months, 315 Christian villages were destroyed, with 4,640 homes burned to the ground. Some 252 churches and 13 schools were demolished.


Approximately 120 people were murdered, including 7 pastors. And 54,000 people were forced to flee their homes in fear for their lives. Can you imagine what it would be like if this happened in the U.S.?


We have been at work in Orissa for many years, but never before have our brothers and sisters in the region needed our help and support on such a massive scale.

As the violence escalated, the first priority was to provide emergency relief. Our teams supported thousands of families—with food parcels as well as other essential items such as blankets, mosquito nets, clothes, and toiletries.

Healing the wounds of oppression and violence, SSTS brings the care believers in Orissa need.

Spiritual welfare of Christians in India

As always, our concern for Christians in India was not only for their material provision, but for their spiritual welfare as well. Open Doors teams were quick to plan specialist trauma counseling programs.


“The riots shocked us beyond our imagination,” says Pastor Paul. “I am really thankful to the Lord for the privilege of attending this training. These skills will be effective instruments to counsel those who have lost everything.”

Alongside the trauma counseling, Open Doors teams have also stepped up our provision of “Standing Strong Through the Storm” (SSTS) seminars.


Designed to give believers a biblical understanding of persecution and suffering, and to promote forgiveness and reconciliation, the SSTS program has been in great demand across the region. More than 600 believers have been able to attend SSTS since last September.

Still so much to be done for Christians in India

Praise God for all the needs that our teams have been able to meet since the escalation of violence in Orissa last August. But there is still so much to be done!

The persecution of Christians in India is an issue you can directly help. Today, 4,000 Christians remain in makeshift relief camps and thousands more are still desperate for our care. Please consider how you can support these believers—your prayers and gifts can help them rebuild their broken lives in the months ahead.

[All names changed for security reasons.]

Front Line: North Korea

Christians in North Korea

We unite with our brothers and sisters in North Korea in praying for God's light to penetrate a country ruled by darkness...

North Korea is a country in which being a Christian is punishable by death.  Owning a Bible carries the risk of being subjected to brutal torture.

North Korea is a life gripped by merciless famine, but where those who search for food are executed in the marketplace. Christians in North Korea are cut off from the outside world and held ransom by the idolatrous regime of a power-hungry dictator.

For most of us, it’s simply unimaginable. But this is the shocking reality of life for the people of North Korea.

Christians in North Korea Experience the World’s Worst Persecution

It’s not surprising that North Korea has once again ranked highest on the latest Open Doors’ World Watch List. For the seventh year running, North Korea has been rated the world’s worst persecutors of Christians.

Which is why at Open Doors we are more committed than ever to interceding for this desperate country and for our brothers and sisters enduring untold suffering within her borders.

Pray that the children of North Korea would learn to trust God as their provider, rather than Kim Jong Il.

Christians in North Korea are Not Forgotten

“The circumstances of life in our country are very difficult,” writes one pastor in a recent letter. “The price of rice continues to increase. Recently, five women were executed in public. Their crime? They were trying to survive by looking for food.”

Despite the risks and restrictions, this pastor thankfully knows that his plight—and that of Christians across the country—is not forgotten by the Body of Christ around the world. “We thank God that there are so many people who are praying for our country,” he shares. “Your prayers strengthen the Christians in North Korea.”

Caring for North Korean Christian Women

One area of particular concern for Open Doors is the plight of Christian women trapped inside North Korea. Not only do they endure the daily misery of famine and oppression, many have also been the victims of human trafficking, and are physically and emotionally scarred.

In one project, women are now receiving help and hope through Open Doors. The sisters receive regular Bible training along with financial support to help them meet their families’ needs and fund their children’s education.

“Our greatest reward is to see their lives change through a stronger faith in our Lord,” says one Open Doors co-worker.

Reaching out to Christians in North Korea

Evangelism in North Korea carries immense risks. The spread of Christianity is one of the greatest fears of the country’s infamous leader, Kim Jong Il. It is reported that he recognizes Christianity to be responsible for the fall of communism in Eastern Europe—and is fearful that it will also prove to be his downfall. And so the authorities clamp down harshly on any Christian found to be sharing the gospel.

But against all odds, and by the grace of God, the underground church in North Korea is committed to reaching the country with the Good News of Jesus. “We are doing our best to spread the gospel in North Korea,” writes one pastor. “Please continue to pray for us!”

While the borders of North Korea remain closed, and while the situation for our brothers and sisters remains perilous, we take heart that the Lord is indeed at work. So please join us in hearing the pleas of North Korea’s Christians as they ask for our support. May God use your prayers to break through the borders, advance His Kingdom, and fulfill His purposes in North Korea. 

Front Line: Iraq

How the Persecuted Church is Reaping a Harvest in Northern Iraq

Pastor Zarav asks for your prayers as his church reaches out with the gospel in Kurdistan

Pastor Zarav reports that Open Doors has helped provide almost 400,000 Bibles and Christian booklets in Iraq.

It’s a privilege to work in partnership with Pastor “Zarav.” A dedicated church leader in northern Iraq, he labors tirelessly and courageously to see the gospel proclaimed—in word and deed—across his region. In a recent letter, Pastor Zarav shares with us how the Lord is powerfully at work, gives thanks for Open Doors’ continued partnership, and urges us to keep praying for the church in Kurdistan as they reach out with the Good News of Christ.

“We want to thank God for all things, the bitter and the joyful,” Pastor Zarav begins. “God has graciously enabled us to achieve great victories in spreading His Kingdom in our region. In the midst of difficulties, we stand on His promise that we are victorious in the righteous Jesus.”

Encouraging new converts
Pastor Zarav’s church consists mostly of new converts, excited to grow in their faith as they meet together and study God’s Word. “We have three main services each week, as well as two prayer meetings, and a regular night of prayer every Thursday through to Friday morning,” explains Zarav. “In the last year we have held 11 Bible training conferences, which encouraged the new believers to study the Word and to pray.”

The new believers are also zealous in their evangelism. “We have teams distributing the Word of God,” Pastor Zarav shares. “Almost 400,000 Bibles and Christian booklets in different languages have been given out. We have also been able to translate and print several other books and evangelistic tracts.”

Together, the believers have visited 170 new villages, preaching the gospel and delivering Bibles. “Some have asked us to go back and preach Christ again,” Pastor Zarav reports. Wonderfully, many have been converted in recent months. “We have been able to baptize 232 new believers!”

Showing God’s love
The church also has a program of social outreach, demonstrating the love of God in practical ways. “We have been able to help 12,000 families in poverty—mostly refugees from the south of Iraq—with food, clothes, shoes, bags and kerosene for heaters,” Pastor Zarav says. In addition, the church has offered a medical service to the local community. “We conducted a free five-day clinic at the church facility with a medical team that treated more than 800 people! It was really a great work!”

Along with his team of elders, Pastor Zarav also oversees nine newly planted churches across the region with discipleship programs, prayer support and spiritual encouragement. “We pray that the Lord will give us grace to construct buildings for each of these new churches,” explains Zarav.

Of course, Pastor Zarav and his church members still face many difficulties. One such struggle is the believers’ campaign to have their faith officially recognized by the authorities. “Our continuous efforts to formalize our Christianity have not borne fruit as yet—we cannot change our ID cards to state that we are Christians.”

Yet Pastor Zarav does not dwell on the challenges and struggles. Instead, he is quick to give thanks and glory to God for all that He is doing in and through the church there. “We thank God and His Holy Spirit for the work being done in northern Iraq,” testifies Pastor Zarav. “And we thank God for your support and love, which we will never forget. Will you keep on praying for our church?”[All names changed for security reasons.]

Front Line: VietNam

June 2010

In the Trenches

Vietnamese Christians cruelly targeted

When Pastor Du was summoned to his local police station in southern Vietnam, he knew he was in for an ordeal. But he didn’t imagine the torment would begin even before he arrived.

As he rode his motorbike to the police station, officers stopped him in the street and chained his hands together. Tying the chain onto the back of the motorbike, the policemen forced Du to run behind as they drove it along. Pastor Du fell to the ground many times as he was dragged along the road, yet he was beaten and forced to continue running. Since his ordeal, Du has remained in prison, refusing to bow to pressure to renounce his faith.

Elsewhere in Vietnam, a recent convert and his family have been hounded out of their home and forced into hiding.

Shortly after coming to know Christ, a believer named Sung Cua Po faced arrest, physical abuse, and the confiscation of his motorbike. Most recently, after refusing to pay homage to his ancestral spirits, Po’s neighbors confiscated the family’s one-year supply of rice and then tore down their home. Po and his wife had no option but to flee into the forest with their three children.

Po and his family, together with Pastor Du, desperately need your prayers at this time. Please lift their needs to the Lord, asking Him to strengthen them, comfort them, and provide all they need in the coming weeks and months.

[All names changed for security reasons.]

Luke 21:10-19

"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will send some of you to your death. And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But not a hair of your head shall be lost. In your patience possess your souls."

Think on these things.

Like a Glass

The Church is like a glass cup, sitting on a shelf. The government hates that cup, so it takes hold of it, and throws it to the ground.
...what happens when a glass is shattered? The glass breaks, going in all sorts of directions. It only spreads. When it is tread upon, beaten, stepped on, it only breaks into smaller, more difficult to gather pieces, always spreading. The smaller the pieces become, the harder it is to gather them up.

The moral of this story?
The government, those that hate us, any who oppose Scripture, though they may try to shatter us, utterly fail. We only spread into thousands of smaller bits, reaching further and further into the dark corners of the world. Though we are persecuted, we are blessed, for we are counted worthy to bear witness to those around us, wherever we may be.

This illustration was taken from "Safely Home", by Randy Alcorn. (I put it into my own words, though.)

Pray for not only those in other countries, but US.

What Is Persecution?

Prayer Line: China

Prayer Line: North Korea

Imram arrested in Pakistan

Location: Pakistan Arrested: July 2009 While cleaning his brother's retail shop, Imran removed the trash he had collected, intending to burn some of it. While burning the trash, pages of the Quran flew into the fire and burned. Imran's neighbor, Haji Liaqat, saw the burned pages of the Quran and alerted other Muslims in the area. "Haji Liaqat saw the burned Quran papers, and he aggressively told all resident people and travelers also," a VOM contact said. "He was telling everybody that Imran Ghafur is burning the Quran ... he should be killed." Imran and his father were severely beaten before police arrested Imran.

Petition for Nigeria

OPEN DOORS USA LAUNCHES PETITION CAMPAIGN FOR JUSTICE IN NIGERIA
Recently, Open Doors USA Advocacy began a campaign to gather signatures, asking the Nigerian government to launch a thorough investigation of the recent slaughter of 500 Christians, to hold the perpetrators to account for their involvement in these crimes and ensure that the victims receive compensation for the crimes committed against them. In early March, ethnic Fulani Muslims attacked three villages near Jos which resulted in the deaths of up to 500 Christians and the burning of about 75 homes. Help our brothers and sisters in Nigeria today! Sign Petition!

Muslim Extremists Convert to Christianity

Dear friend of the persecuted church,

Exciting reports have come from our field operations across the Muslim world. We've received word that many Muslims are converting to Christianity… even some Islamic extremists!

A common dream has been the cause of these recent events. A man in a white robe appears to them telling them to “Get the book.” They soon discover this man is Jesus… and the book He is referring to is the Bible.

Our contacts deep inside Muslim countries (which I cannot reveal for security purposes) report that this phenomenon is sweeping the Muslim world… including some of the most radical Muslim strongholds.

But they now say there is an urgent need for more Bibles... especially as these new brothers and sisters in Christ come under harsh and even life-threatening persecution. They must be grounded in their faith!

I know you have a heart for those who are being persecuted for their faith. And your prayers and your support are crucial right now for those who are turning from radical Islam to follow after Jesus.

Your gift of just $5 will provide a Bible to one Muslim convert! So please give your online gift today.

Thank you for bringing hope and encouragement to these new followers of Christ… and for giving them the most precious gift of all, a copy of God’s Word!

In Christ,

Carl Moeller
President, Open Doors USA

Go here to see this great video!

Part Seven

This story, though fictional, is based on first person accounts. Great effort has been made to accurately reflect the reality of life of a prisoner in a North Korean detention camp.

Dear Hannah ,

I see now that Jesus has been speaking to my heart since I was a child. He was in my mother...how I miss her...her sweet face, her sweet voice, her peace. He was in Mi-kyoung...my dear friend. He was in the guard...my angel. He was in the prison cell after my interrogation...my healer. Yes, He has been with me...always.

I have shared with you my life as a prisoner in Camp 14. You may think that after so much suffering my life would be impossible to bear. In many ways it is, but even though I am locked in a cell at night and closely guarded as I labor in the fields during the day, I am free. No one can take away the joy that Jesus has brought to my heart.

Life still is difficult. Food is scant. My cell is dark and cold in the winter and stifling hot in the summer, but I now talk to Jesus. I ask Him for the strength to live one more day. I also have found small ways to show kindness to the other prisoners. And, as I look at the prison guards, I no longer feel fear or hatred. I have forgiven them because I know that their bondage is greater than mine. Jesus has set me free.

Sometimes I sing softly as I work in the fields. I can still hear Mi-kyoung’s voice as she echoes a beautiful song. Once in a while, I will see the kind guard. He stands sentry as I pick corn and wheat; his smile is dazzling. To be honest, I am not sure if he is truly there or if he exists only in my imagination. But seeing him in the distance makes me happy; the memories of his kindness bring joy.

I no longer think of escaping; I am resigned to the probability that I will live out all my days here in prison. I know that my Jesus has a reason for me to live...I am certain that I must tell others about Him. I have no fear, only peace.

In closing, I give thanks to my dear mother...in your silent ways you taught me so much, I love you for this. I look forward to seeing you...to hold your hand...together with Jesus at our side.

RELEASED!

Update on Marzieh & Maryam Praise God! On May 22, Maryam and Marzieh were acquitted of all charges, according to Elam Ministries. Maryam and Marzieh thank you for all your prayers. "We are most grateful to everyone who prayed for us," Marzieh said. "I have no doubt that God heard the prayers of his people." Maryam added, "I believe our arrest, imprisonment and subsequent release were in the timing and plan of God, and it was all for his glory. But the prayers of people encouraged and sustained us throughout this ordeal." Thank you for writing to Maryam and Marzieh. We encourage you to continue writing to other believers still in prison. Your letters make a difference. Pray and write today!

Trailer from undercoverchristians.com

I just received and e-mail with a trailer for a new series that's coming out. Please see it! Go here.

DON'T FORGET OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS!

Update: Alimujiang Yimiti

On April 20, the family of Uyghur house church leader Alimujiang Yimiti was allowed to visit with him for the first time since his arrest in January 2008, according to China Aid Association. The family reported that Alimujiang was noticeably thinner but in good spirits. Please send a letter of encouragement to let Yimiti know you are praying for him. Tell your friends about Christians suffering in China, and encourage them to pray and write to him as well.
Your letters make a difference and can result in shorter prison sentences for those accused. Write to Yimiti and let him know you are praying.