CHINA UPDATE: Case of Arrested House Church Leader Returned to Public Security Bureau - China Aid Association

On November 22, the case for house church leader Zhou Heng was returned to the Public Security Bureau by the Shayibake District People's Procuratorate of Urumqi city, Xingjiang province, China. According to China Aid Association, "Under heavy pressure from the international community, the prosecutors sent back Zhou's case because of insufficient evidence to indict him." Zhou Heng was arrested in August 2007, for receiving three tons of Bibles donated by South Korean churches. The Bibles were intended for distribution to local believers free of charge. Prior to his arrest, Zhou managed a bookstore, called Yayi Christian Bookroom, and sold religious books. Authorities have closed the bookstore. Pray for the case against Zhou Heng to be dropped. Ask God to protect Christians who live and share their faith under difficult conditions. Isaiah 26: 3, Psalm 23 Psalm 118:17, Psalm 91

Pray for NIGERIA

NIGERIA Ten Killed, Churches and Homes Burned - Compass Direct News

Ten people were killed, several Christians injured seriously and churches, businesses and homes burned, when Muslim extremists went on a rampage in Yelwa Tudu, Bauchi state, Northern Nigeria on December 11, 2007, According to Compass Direct News, the violence occurred after unidentified people pulled out two bricks from the foundation of a mosque under construction at the Baba Tank Secondary School in Kagadama shortly after construction began on December 2. Compass Direct added, "Muslim extremists believed Christians were responsible for the damage and threatened to attack local believers. Area Muslims joined the attacking students, resulting in the deaths and damages in the city, including the burning of dozens of homes belonging to Christians. The Redeemed Christian Church of God, the Assemblies of God Church and Elim Church were set on fire and damaged. At least a dozen Christian homes were destroyed in the attack." Only one of those killed has been identified as a Christian. The identities of the other nine were reportedly kept a secret by the government and their bodies were hurriedly buried in one grave. Pray the Lord will fill Christians with His peace and strength as they recover from this attack. Ask God to comfort those who have lost loved ones. Pray Christ will be exalted through this tragedy and that people in this area will continue to be drawn to Him. Philippians 1:20, Psalm 107:2

Pray for TURKEY

TURKEY Catholic Priest Stabbed - Compass Direct News

On December 16, a 19-year-old Muslim man stabbed a Catholic priest in the stomach outside a Catholic church in Turkey. According to Compass Direct News, Father Adriano Franchini was stabbed near Izmir's St. Anthony Church by a man identified as Ramazan Bay. Although the attacker fled the scene, he was arrested an hour later. Compass Direct reported, "According to the daily Hurriyet newspaper, the arrested assailant admitted in his statement to the police that he had been influenced by a recent episode of the popular television serial drama 'Kurtla Vadisi' (Valley of the Wolves)." The series caricatures Christian missionaries as political "infiltrators" who pay poor families to convert to Christianity. This recent incident is the latest violent attack on Turkey's Christian community. In April 2007, two Turkish converts and a German citizen were tortured and killed at a Christian publishing house in Malatya, Turkey. Five Muslim men confessed to the killings and were arrested. Their trial is currently in progress. Pray for protection for Turkey's Christians. Ask God to give them wisdom as they share the gospel in dangerous situations. Isaiah 54:17, Psalm 91

Pray for INDIA

INDIA Christians Killed, Homes and Churches Burned - VOM Sources

Four Christians were killed, many injured and numerous homes and churches destroyed or damaged in Orissa state in violent clashes that began on Christmas Eve. According to The Voice of the Martyrs sources in India, "Hindu extremists used anti-conversion laws to terrorize Christians. More than 18 churches and prayer houses were ransacked and torched in several areas of Kandhamai district in Orissa. Rev. Basant Diggal, reports that he was assaulted and his motorcycle damaged by a group of miscreants in Minia area where vandals went on a rampage causing damage to another church." VOM sources added Hindu extremists in Orissa have been threatening and terrorizing Christians who are marginalized and are in the minority. VOM sources said, "The attacks took place for the sole reason of terrorizing the Christian community and stopping our missionary work. But the church has always grown in persecution and this will happen again in Orissa. The church which grows in love and unity has as its basis a faith marked by suffering and persecution." Pray for Christians in India who are faced with immense difficulty at this time. Pray for the families of the killed and those whose homes and churches were damaged or destroyed. Ask God to give believers courage to remain faithful despite persecution. Psalm 27:1, Romans 8:31

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