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Persecution and Prayer Alert, Voice of the Martyrs

INDIA: Christians Beaten and Arrested by Hindu Radicals



Sources: AsiaNews, Release International Eight Christians have been imprisoned following a brutal attack in which a pastor and seven members of his congregation were stripped naked, whipped with belts, and punched before being arrested by local police.
On November 4th, Reverend Rana had just begun a meeting with members of Bethel Pentecostal Church in Madhya Pradesh province to prepare for a prayer service when a mob of local Hindu radicals, known as the Bajrang Dal, stormed abruptly into the meeting. Following the mob's brutal attack, police arrived on the scene and surprisingly arrested the eight victimized Christians. It is reported that the arrested believers have been imprisoned under India's anti-conversion laws. These laws mandate that anyone wanting to convert from Hinduism (or trying to convert a Hindu) must seek permission from the government, providing a 30-day advance notice. In response, President of the Global Council of Indian Christians Sajan George states, "It is essential that Christian and Hindu leaders engage in an active dialogue and genuine cooperation." He then urges that steps be taken to create an environment of mutual tolerance. It remains unknown as to whether these believers have yet been released. (Christians throughout India need your prayers. To read more about the challenges they are facing in this country, go to the India Country Report.)

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Please pray for these suffering brothers and sisters in Christ. Ask God to encourage and strengthen Reverend Rana and his faithful congregants, reminding them that it is a privilege to face such opposition since Jesus Himself was also persecuted (John 15:20). Also pray that the Lord will use this opportunity to "open a door...for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ" (Colossians 4:3), bringing the revelatory truth of the Gospel even to those who have bound them in chains.

VIETNAM: Bible College Attacked for Seventh Time

Sources: VOM Canada Ministry Partners, VOM Australia On November 2nd, Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang was leading his Bible college church in southern Vietnam when nearly 300 perpetrators began throwing stones and other objects at the church. This most recent attack damaged areas of the building that had just been repaired after previous similar incidences of violence. "We had to cover the front of the church with timber to protect us from rubber bullets, rocks and rotten eggs," says Pastor Nguyen, following this recent attack on the Mennonite Bible School in Binh Duong province. Still in shock from the mayhem caused by the perpetrators, some of the church members were also followed home and physically assaulted. In June of this year, police, government officials and hired thugs broke down the gate of the college and began ransacking the buildings. Both male and female students, as well as their pastoral instructors, were rounded up and beaten. (For more information on the incident, click here. There is also a video clip online, featuring an interview with Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang that took place a few years ago.) Since the initial June attack, those affiliated with the college have suffered from repeated arrests and other difficulties resulting from the main water and electricity supplies having been cut off. In addition, Pastor Nguyen often receives calls from strangers threatening to bomb the school if it's not removed from the area. (For more information on the difficulties facing Pastor Nguyen and other believers in Vietnam, go to our online country report.) Ask the Lord to give Pastor Nguyen and the students of this Bible college the ability to unconditionally love their enemies as our Lord has instructed (Matthew 5:44). Despite the repeated violence and senseless damage of their facility's buildings and property, may these men and women be greatly encouraged over the fact that no one can ever rob them of their love for Jesus and the lasting spiritual investments they are making through the study of God's infallible Word. For in the process, they are laying up treasures in heaven, rather than here on this earth where material things corrode and thieves break in and steal (Matthew 6:20). Also pray that God's divine protection and supernatural power will enable His people in Vietnam to persevere and overcome the enemy's strategies so that the light of the Gospel will banish the realm of darkness over this Communist nation.

BANGLADESH: Pastors Arrested for "Hurting Religious Sentiments"

Source: Morning Star News Two pastors could potentially be facing two years in prison after more than 100 militant Islamists interrupted a meeting in which 41 people, including Muslims, were listening to the message of Christ being preached. On November 9th, police invaded a rented house in Nabinagar village (northwest of Dhaka) after being informed of the meeting by Muslims who were outraged because the church leaders were presenting the Gospel. Most of those present at the meeting were detained and then released later that night. The two pastors, however, were not released until November 17th, and only on the condition of bail. Both pastoral leaders have been charged with "hurting religious sentiments" and "luring" Muslims to convert on the promise of money. Pastor Arif Mondol denies the charges. "We did not tell anything to anyone that might hurt religious sensibility," he explains. "We did not offer any money for anyone to be converted to Christianity." Bangladesh is an Islamic nation with a population consisting of approximately 90 percent who are Muslim. While there is officially freedom to practise other faiths, those who do so face tremendous opposition from authorities and the Muslim majority. Secretary General of the Bangladesh Christian Association Nirmol Rozario says, "I demand that the case against the pastors be dismissed, since the grounds of the case are contradictory to our constitution." Praise God that most of the meeting attendees who were initially detained have been released without charges. May the Holy Spirit work mightily in the hearts of those who were presented with the Gospel before the meeting was disrupted. Ask the Lord to continue using the Christian witness and testimony of the two pastors for the glory of His name, even as they patiently await the outcome of the legal case and pending charges. Considering that believers of a Muslim background can also face especially trying circumstances, often having to forsake all that they have and those whom they know for the sake of Christ, pray for the Lord's comforting presence and strength to uphold them. In fact, may His tangible presence and empowerment be experienced by all Christians in Bangladesh so they can be more effective witnesses for Him. We encourage you to post a prayer on behalf of our suffering brothers and sisters in Christ. You may join along with others who are also concerned about their plight by going to the Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.

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