Source: Open Doors
On January 10th, "Manuel," 35, and his 11-year-old son, "Daniel," were brutally tortured and murdered by members of the FARC guerrilla group in the village of Guacamayas (Guaviare). In this region of Colombia, Christians face strong persecution from the guerrilla groups who threaten, pressure and forbid them from preaching the Gospel in rural areas. Manuel, a recent convert to Christianity, leaves behind his pregnant wife and their three daughters, who range in age from three to 17. The family has since been moved to another city.
The pastor who leads the church that Manuel and his family attended received a letter recently from the FARC, stating, "You must leave the region or you'll die." Included in the letter was a picture of a coffin.
Approaching the Lord's throne of grace with confidence, let us come alongside this mourning widow and her daughters in prayer, asking Him to grant them mercy and grace in their time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Pray that they will be safe in their new location, and supported and loved by fellow Christians there. May the threatened pastor entrust his very life to Jesus and seek Godly wisdom as he continues to lead his congregation during these troubled times. Also intercede on behalf of the FARC guerrillas who perpetrated this horrible crime...that they, like Manuel, will come to faith in our Risen Lord.
To watch a short video featuring the testimony of a former FARC commander who has since become a messenger of God's peace in Colombia, please visit our multimedia site.
MALAYSIA: Perpetrators Stir Strife Between Religious Groups
Sources: VOM USA, World Watch News
A church in Penang was attacked on January 26th when two men on a motorcycle threw Molotov cocktails at the building. Thankfully, the building sustained minimal damage as only one of the explosives detonated.
The attack came less than 24 hours after five separate churches discovered banners hung on their property with the phrase, "Allah is great, Jesus is the son of Allah" -- a slogan that is extremely offensive to Muslims who do not want non-Muslims using the word "Allah." The banners appear to have been put up by a group wishing to stir up trouble between Christians and Muslims. Each of the churches has filed a report with police about the acts of vandalism.
In October of 2013, the use of the word "Allah" was banned for non-Muslims in the country, sparking heated debates over the legal right of Christians (and others) to use the Arabic term for God in the Bible, other printed materials and worship services. On January 2nd, over 20 officers raided the Bible Society of Malaysia in Selangor State. Four of the officers were from the Islamic Religious Department, the highest Islamic authority in Malaysia. Despite the lack of search warrants, more than 330 copies of the Bible in the Malay and Iban languages were confiscated.
Give thanks to the Lord for protecting the church in Penang from significant harm. Pray that the truth regarding the banners hung on the other church properties will soon be made known. May Christians do all they can to live at peace with their Muslim neighbours, demonstrating Christ's love in all they do (Romans 12:17-18). During this time of unrest in Malaysia, please also bring the country's church leaders before our God in prayer, asking Him to grant them a generous measure of wisdom (James 1:5).
To post a prayer of solidarity with our Christian family in Malaysia, please visit our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.
CHINA: Crackdown Preceded Chinese New Year Celebrations
Sources: China Aid, Release International
Before the commencement of the nation's Chinese New Year celebrations, which began on January 31st, Christians were targeted several times in what is believed to be a crackdown on church activity.
In Beijing, members of a church group were arrested on January 24th when they tried to visit Zhang Wenhe, a fellow member. The 19 Christians had initially gone to Zhang's home for a Bible study, only to discover that he was being held under house arrest at another location. Upon learning of Zhang’s new location, and the fact that he was experiencing serious health concerns due to a heart problem, the believers tried to deliver food and medicine to him. Authorities then detained 15 of the believers, including Zhang, a 14-year-old male and another believer with heart trouble.
Meanwhile, churches in central Henan province and southern Guangdong province have also reported intense persecution. In Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong, police have disrupted the gatherings of a house church twice a week since the start of January. In Neihuang County, Henan, many Christians are fearful to attend their church meetings because of the opposition they have endured from several local government departments.
As our brothers and sisters in China endure this latest crackdown, pray that they will keep their eyes on Jesus, persevere in their faith, and not grow weary or lose heart (Hebrews 10:32-39; Hebrews 12:1-3). Pray that the detained Christians will be released very soon, and that their faith will only be strengthened by this trial. Also bring China's authorities to our Lord in prayer, asking that their eyes may be opened to the truth of the Gospel.
To learn more about China's persecuted church, please visit our China Country Report.
