The church's main leader, Pastor Marcos A Perdomo Silva, described the unwarranted attack: "(Officials) arrived and violently broke down the front door which was locked. The police entered with batons alongside a group of men carrying machetes. They began to destroy and occupy the properties of the pastor and the church." Photographs taken at the scene depict uniformed officers directing a bulldozer to level the area where the church and home stood. When members of the church attempted to break through the barriers set up by officials to block the roads, their IDs were confiscated and they were threatened with arrest.
The destroyed church was threatened with confiscation and demolition in March of this year, but local officials appeared to back down after the case received international attention. The house church is affiliated with the Apostolic Movement, a fast growing network of churches that the government has refused to register and considers illegal.
Please lift up Pastor Esmir and his family to our Lord in prayer, asking Him to provide for their every need at this time. May they soon secure a new home, and may the authorities cease their persecution of this family. Ask God to grant wisdom to the leaders of this church as they shepherd their congregation amid severe opposition. May their steadfast dedication to our Lord serve as an example, inspiring other Christians in the area to obey God regardless of what the unbelieving members of the community may dictate (Acts 5:29).
For more information on Cuba's persecuted church,
please visit our website.
SUDAN: Authorities Destroy Another Church Building
Sources: Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Morning Star News
Authorities destroyed a church building in Thiba Al Hamyida, North Khartoum, on June 30th. The previous day, officials interrupted the congregation's Sunday service and announced the planned demolition.
The church's leader, Rev. Kwa Shamal, attempted to stop the destruction by appealing to the North Khartoum Commissioner and providing evidence that the Church of Christ was the legitimate owner of the land. However, the reverend was reportedly informed that the government had intended to destroy the church since 2012 to make way for the construction of a hospital. However, although the church building was levelled, a mosque located on the same plot of land was allowed to stand.
Approximately 70 security personnel armed with guns and tear gas were present at the scene of the demolition. Onlooking church members were threatened with arrest if they tried to intervene. "Even if they destroy this church building, our God is still good all the time," a church member shared. "We, the believers, are the real church. We are asking you to continue to pray for us because of the great challenge we are facing."
Christians in Sudan have come under increasing pressure since the secession of South Sudan in January of 2011. In April of 2013, the government announced that new church licenses would no longer be issued. Since then, the destruction of church buildings has continued unabated.
Please pray that these brothers and sisters in Christ will soon acquire a new building in which to worship. In the meantime, may they continue to meet together for fellowship, praising our Most High God for His great faithfulness and unending goodness. May their spiritual zeal lead many neighbours to inquire about our Saviour Jesus Christ and come to faith in Him! As Christians throughout Sudan face increasing pressure, pray that the Holy Spirit will strengthen their resolve to proclaim Him as Lord of all and follow steadfastly in His ways, leading to a mighty revival in this area of the world.
To post a prayer of encouragement for our persecuted family in Sudan, please visit our
online prayer wall.
RECENT PRISONER UPDATES
IRAN: Three Christian Converts Arrested
Sources: Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Mohabat News, Middle East Concern
Three Christian converts -- Mohammad Roghangir, Suroush Saraie and Pastor Matthias Haghnejad -- were arrested on the morning of July 5th by security forces. The believers were seized while at Pastor Matthias's home in Bandar-e Anzali. Agents also confiscated Bibles and other possessions from the pastor's residence. Pastor Matthias has been targeted regularly by the Iranian regime and imprisoned on several other occasions. (To learn more about the trials this pastor has endured,
click here.)
Mohammad Roghangir and Suroush Saraie were part of a group of seven Christians who were initially arrested in October of 2012 when security forces raided a prayer meeting. The group was sentenced the following July after being found guilty of "action against the national security" and "propaganda against the order of the system." Mohammad was sentenced to six years' imprisonment, while Suroush received two and a half years. They remained at liberty, pending an appeal, which was subsequently rejected. It is thought the recent arrests of Mohammad and Suroush are related to these previous sentences; although at last report, this was yet to be confirmed as details of their whereabouts remained unclear. (For more information on these charges, please visit
our previous report.)
Please pray for Mohammad, Suroush and Pastor Matthias, asking God to grant them His favour and peace. Pray that they will soon be released from detention, while also thanking the Lord for equipping them with devotion and perseverance to follow Him despite the great personal cost. May their loved ones rest in the sure knowledge that God cares very deeply for these apprehended believers. Please also remember in prayer the many other imprisoned Christians in Iran, asking that they will each sense God's assuring presence in a very real and tangible way.
To learn more about how you can encourage and support these prisoners of faith, please visit VOM's letter-writing website at
www.prisoneralert.com.
