Sources: Assist News Service, Morning Star News, World Watch Monitor, VOM Partners
Gunmen believed to be members of the deadly Islamic extremist group, Boko Haram, killed Rev. Faye Pama, secretary of the Borno state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). They reportedly followed the long-time Christian leader from his church building (where he was holding an evening Bible study) to his house in the Government Reservation Area of Maiduguri. The assailants dragged the pastor from his home and shot him outside, despite the desperate pleas of his daughter to spare his life. Rev. Pama was the father of three children.
The shooting occurred on May 14th, within an hour of Christian President Goodluck Jonathan declaring a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. President Jonathan's declaration comes after April's gun battle in Baga (Borno state) between the military and Boko Haram which took more than 100 civilian lives. The militant group has reportedly killed thousands of people since 2009. For more information on this critical situation, go to www.persecution.net/ng-2013-03-14.htm.
As senior pastor of Rhema Assembly, Rev. Pama often spoke out against persecution of Christians in Borno state, the epicentre of Boko Haram attacks in north-eastern Nigeria. He had been involved in ministry leadership for more than 26 years. In a 2007 interview, the dedicated church leader had announced that he would not leave Borno state in spite of the dangerous risks he faced. Rev. Pama believed that only by showing love to Muslims could they be won to Christ "and not through fighting."
Please uphold Rev. Pama's devastated wife and three children, his ministry associates and congregation, and all who knew him through his very active role in community service. May God's comforting presence bring solace to their grieving hearts and an extra measure of strength as they cope with the aftermath of the tragedy. Ask the Lord to protect other Christian workers who are still ministering in this dangerous zone. Pray, too, for members of the Boko Haram who clearly need to experience God's transforming love and abiding peace in their own lives.
IRAN: Closure of Tehran's Largest Persian-Speaking Church
Sources: Assist News Service, Mohabat News
The Central Assemblies of God Church in Tehran was closed last Thursday, May 23rd, due to pressure from Iranian security authorities. The authorities wanted to limit the church service to just the Armenian language, thus preventing any Farsi services from taking place. In another incident on May 21st, security authorities arrested Pastor Robert Asseriyan, one of the leaders of this church, in the middle of a worship service and transferred him to an unknown location.
Iran's Islamic regime has been implementing its anti-Christian agenda for a long time. This includes pressuring church leaders to prevent Farsi speakers from entering their churches, arresting members of the congregation and their pastors, and also closing down churches. Since the raiding of the country's house churches, many new Christian converts have been arrested and terrorized. For an historical overview, see www.persecution.net/iran.htm.
May Pastor Robert Asseriyan experience the Lord's strengthening presence, protection and peace as he awaits his hopeful release from imprisonment. In fact, let's lift up in prayer all believers who are suffering persecution in Iran for their Christian faith. Ask the Lord to give the church leaders wisdom to know how to best encourage their congregations and deal with the authorities. (We invite you to pray with others online by posting your prayers at www.persecution.net/prayerwall.)
SIERRA LEONE: 150 New Christians Baptized!
Source: The Voice of the Martyrs USA
A VOM worker reports that 150 new believers were baptized recently in the village of Kaboreh, and 80 of them are converts from Islam. The ministry has provided bicycles, motorbikes, megaphones and Bibles to further equip the Christian leaders of this village, and the results of our partnership in prayer and outreach have been astounding. The believers of this village are grateful that many of their former persecutors have come to faith in Christ.
Among the new converts are four village chiefs, all of whom were formerly Muslim. As a result of their conversions to Christianity, the few remaining Muslims have announced that they will no longer obey the newly converted chiefs. However, we can be assured that God's power is still at work in this community as His Word reminds us that He is "not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).
While we can rejoice over this wonderful news, it's important for us to pray that these new believers will continue to trust in the Lord and not be pressured to return to Islam. May they grow strong spiritually, becoming solidly rooted in their new faith. Please also pray for God's ongoing protection and anointing upon the evangelists who are faithfully serving there in Sierra Leone. May there be more phenomenal church growth as a result.
