October 2004

INDIA (ASSIST News Service) On October 5th, two Gospel for Asia (GFA) missionaries, Tulsiram and Vijay, were severely beaten and kidnapped by anti-Christian elements as they prepared to baptize 32 new believers. By God's grace, Pastor Vijay escaped and ran nearly 25 miles to tell the GFA leader of the incident. No one knows Pastor Tulsiram's whereabouts. Pray the Lord will keep Pastor Tulsiram safe and return him to his village quickly. Pray he will be able to tell his captors about his Savior and lead them into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Give thanks to God that Pastor Vijay was able to escape, and thank Him for all courageous believers who put their lives on the line to save the lost.

IRAN (Compass Direct) Since Hamid Pourmand, a lay pastor in the Assemblies of God Church, was arrested four weeks ago by Iranian security police, no one has been allowed contact with him. On September 9th, Pourmand was arrested along with 85 other evangelical church leaders. A majority of them was released by nightfall the day of their arrest, and less than a dozen were kept for interrogation for three more days, when all but Pourmand were released. Pourmand was allowed one very short phone call to his wife last week, simply telling her that he was all right. After converting to Christianity nearly 25 years ago, he had continued to serve as an officer in the Iranian army, despite laws instituted after the Islamic revolution to prohibit non-Muslims from holding officer rank. One Iranian Christian who spoke with Compass last week commented, "Neither the government nor the established churches can control what is happening spiritually across Iran right now. (They) can't do anything to stop the growth of Christianity in Iran. It's out of control." (Click here) Pray God will protect Hamid Pourmand from being executed under Iran's Islamic apostasy law. Pray God will give him opportunities to lead his persecutors to Christ. Pray for his family and friends who are suffering with him. Praise God that He is moving in power to relieve the Iranian people from the spiritual oppression of Islam and that many are coming into a relationship with Him.

IRAQ (Compass Direct) Written threats, kidnappings, bombings and murders committed by Muslim extremists are driving thousands of Iraq's Christian minority to flee to neighboring Jordan and Syria. Although an Orthodox bishop in Syria warns that if the emigration continues at the present rate, there could be no more Christians in Iraq in 10 years, an Iraqi church leader said he believes the Christian community would go underground first to avoid such a possibility. Christians are viewed as collaborators with the occupying U. S. forces, because "they share the same religion." Militants also try to kidnap Christians, because they believe Christians have Western connections and access to more money than other Iraqis. Pray God will protect His own whether they choose to leave Iraq, or they decide to stay. Pray Iraqi Muslims will realize that there is no connection between the armed forces and the native Iraqi Christians. Pray the Lord will move in power to bring His peace and order to that troubled country.

PAKISTAN (Compass Direct) In September, VOM reported that a Muslim father, Abdul Ghaffar, had abducted his two small children from a court-supervised visitation in Lahore. On October 2nd, a Pakistani court issued a warrant for Ghaffar's arrest, without possibility of bail. The judge ordered the police to "take whatever measure necessary" to apprehend and produce Abdul Ghaffar before the court at the next hearing on the case. The children, a 5-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter, were raised by their Christian mother, Maria Samar John, after she escaped four years ago from a forced, abusive marriage to their father. Give thanks to God that justice has prevailed in this case. Pray the police will be able to apprehend Abdul Ghaffar, wherever he is hiding, and bring him to trial. Pray the Lord will protect the children, keep them safe, and return them to their grieving mother very soon.

TURKMENISTAN (Forum 18 News) Even though the Seventh Day Adventist Church has gained state registration, Adventists in Turkmenistan's capital, Ashgabad, still cannot meet together for worship. A ceremonial meeting to celebrate the re-launch of the church with legal status was canceled, as officials refused to give permission for the event. Turkmen officials continue to claim a liberalization of religion policy, but they do not explain why many religious minority communities that have applied for registration cannot get it, or why some of those with registration cannot meet for worship. (Click here) Pray members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church will continue to gather in homes for worship and fellowship. Pray they will have the mind of Christ toward the officials who canceled their meeting. Pray God will be gracious to the officials, giving them an understanding of His love and forgiveness.

Please continue to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ, and please send them letters of encouragement.

Contact Sis. Brandy for further instruction.