CHRISTMAS: A TIME FOR 'PEACE ON EARTH'

CHINA: Four-Year Sentence for Church Elder

On the evening of December 9th, 2018, a coordinated attack against the Early Rain Covenant Church began, ultimately leading to dozens of arrests and the closing of the church (see this report). Over a year later, Pastor Wang Yi and others remain uncertain of the future, as they now contend with the outcome of court proceedings.

On November 29th, an elder of the church, Qin Defu, was sentenced to four years in prison. This verdict is in contradiction to the promise his family had received of Qin's conditional release, provided he accepted a state-appointed attorney. Qin was charged with "illegal business operations" because of the Christian books used by the church. His lawyer adds that Pastor Wang could be facing a ten-year sentence, in part, for his admitted involvement with the use of the Christian materials.

Please remember Qin, Pastor Wang, and other imprisoned congregation members from the Early Rain Covenant Church, as they endure separation from their loved ones this Christmas season. Ask God to give each of these believers His peace, strength, provision, and anything else they need, while awaiting vindication and eventual release. Pray for the ongoing ministry of the church, that it will not only be able to meet the spiritual needs of the congregants but also continue its wonderful outreach in the community despite opposition.

EAST AFRICA: Pastor's Family Repeatedly Moved for Safety

Source: Release International

On a recent trip to East Africa, Release International representatives met with Pastor "Jabir" (not his real name) who recounted the numerous challenges he and his family experienced due to persecution. Since Jabir's conversion to Christianity, the family has been forced to move numerous times to evade danger from militants.

When Jabir came to faith in Christ, his wife and children were taken from him and he was prohibited from seeing his older child. Although he later remarried, and now has two young children, his new family are constantly on the move. The ongoing threats of danger have taken a toll on each of them, especially his wife who wakes up at the slightest sound.

Jabir presently leads a small home church consisting of about ten people, and he also travels to various areas of East Africa to provide ministry to other Christians.

While we are thankful for Jabir's perseverance and faithfulness in ministering the Gospel amid difficulties, we ask that you please uphold him and his family in your prayers. As we reminisce on the Scripturally based Christmas story, we're reminded of the circumstances that forced the young holy family to flee to Egypt so they could escape the wrath of those wanting to kill the Promised Messiah. Even though Jabir and his family have also been forced to flee for their lives, may a sense of stability and calm reign within their hearts and minds, knowing that the Lord will always be with them wherever they go.

TAJIKISTAN: Pastor Released Early

Sources: Forum 18, Church in Chains, Word Watch Monitor

In April 2017, Pastor Bakhrom Kholmatov was arrested and charged with "singing extremist songs in church and so inciting religious hatred." In July of that year, he had been sentenced to three years in prison (read more). We are thankful to report that Pastor Bakhrom was released on December 17th, more than three months early.

During a recent interview, Pastor Bakhrom acknowledged the importance of prayer: "All these three years, I felt your prayers. They helped me to stand, they helped my precious wife and children, and they helped the members of my church...."

Praise God for this timely release! Continue to pray for Pastor Bakhrom and his family, as they adjust to the blessed new reality of being together again. Continue to prayerfully lift up the ongoing ministry of the Gospel in this nation. And let us join with Pastor Bakhrom and his loved ones in singing praises to God this Christmas season.

If you would like to post a prayer of praise or petition on behalf of our persecuted family around the globe, visit VOMC's prayer wall.