The Persecution & Prayer Alert The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada http://www.persecution.net Wednesday, November 13, 2002

A summary of news concerning the Persecuted Church and how you can respond.

*********************************** Contents: 1. Bishop and Priest Kidnapped (Colombia) 2. Witness Describes Assailants; Clears Co-Worker (Pakistan) 3. Baptist Church Threatened with Demolition (Azerbaijan) 4. Bible Study Leader Threatened with Jail (Kazakhstan) 5. Iranian Family Coming to Canada (Iran/Turkey) 6. International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (Canada) 7. Question of the Week

*********************************** 1. Bishop and Priest Kidnapped (Colombia)

The following report is from Zenit, an international Catholic news service, received by The Voice of the Martyrs late last night:

“Colombian authorities confirmed that Bishop Jorge Jim ©nez Carvajal, president of the Latin American bishops’ council, was kidnapped by the Armed Revolutionary Forces of Colombia (FARC).

The bishop of Zipaquira was abducted Monday in San Antonio de Aguilera, near Pancho, in the center of the country, together with Father Desiderio Orjuela, the town’s parish priest. Both were intercepted by two men armed with rifles, when they were going to a confirmation.

According to the bishop’s driver, the kidnappers, dressed in civilian clothes, stopped them in El Roblon, just before the town of San Antonio de Aguilera, and forced the bishop and priest to go into the forest, the Colombian press reported.

The abduction occurred around 10 a.m., but the news was not published until 3 p.m. The gunmen had warned the driver to keep quiet, saying the bishop and the priest would be released at midday, something that did not happen.

The army announced a reward of 100 million pesos for information leading to the rescue of the captives. It attributed the deed to FARC’s Policarpa Salavarrieta Front. FARC’s Front 22 also operates in the same area.”

Zenit also noted that, in recent years, three bishops, 12 priests, three nuns and one Catholic missionary have been kidnapped in Colombia. One archbishop, one bishop, 43 priests, two religious and two Catholic missionaries have also been killed.

Glenn Penner, Communications Director for The Voice of the Martyrs, upon learning of this kidnapping, said, “It is important to note that Christians of all denominations are suffering tremendous and increasing persecution in Colombia. Representatives for VOM recently returned from Colombia where we met with evangelical church leaders as well, and the stories they told echo the sufferings being endured by the Catholic Church. Christians in many parts of rebel-controlled areas are having to take a stand for Christ, often at great cost, and they urgently need our prayers and support.” In the last two years, The Voice of the Martyrs has distributed over 20,000 copies of Richard Wurmbrand’s book, “Jesus, Friend to Terrorists,” in rebel-controlled areas of Colombia. We have recently received reports of hundreds having come to Christ through this book in the last two years. The Colombian church has expressed a desire for many more copies of this effective book and for other VOM literature. Pray as we seek to meet this need.

Remember to pray for those who have been kidnapped and for those who have lost loved ones in recent months.

*********************************** 2. Witness Describes Assailants; Clears Co-Worker (Pakistan)

One of the two survivors of an attack on the Institute of Justice and Peace in Karachi, Pakistan last month has recovered to the point where he is able to describe the assailants. According to a report in the Pakistan Christian Post, Robin Sharif, the communications director for IJP, was approached by a man on September 25 asking to speak with the director. When he went to speak with the director, three more men rushed in and held him at gunpoint. They then grabbed tape from his desk and knocked him out with chloroform. The attackers then tied up the rest of the staff and killed seven of his co-workers.

Sharif has been unconscious and unable to speak with authorities until recently. However, he has since recovered enough to help police with sketches of three of the assailants. It also appears that his testimony has been sufficient to clear the other survivor, Robin Peranditta, of any responsibility for the attack. Because of health concerns, Sharif has still not been informed of the deaths of his co-workers.

Pray for Robin Sharif’s continued recovery. Pray that those responsible for this attack will be found. Pray for safety for Christians in Pakistan, who consistently face persecution from militant Islamic groups.

*********************************** 3. Baptist Church Threatened with Demolition (Azerbaijan)

A Baptist church in the capital of Baku has been told by an Interior Ministry colonel that they will be closed and the building knocked down if they do not register. According to a report received by Keston on November 6, Colonel Aliev also threatened to have the church members removed from their jobs.

The church in Baku is a member of the International Council of Churches of Evangelical Christians/Baptists who reject government registration for fear of interference by the government. Azerbaijani law does not require church registration and officials from the government have not commented on this threat. On two other occasions in October, police have come to the church during a service to warn them to register.

Churches in Azerbaijan regularly face pressure from the authorities. Pray that the threats will cease and that Christians will be free to worship.

*********************************** 4. Bible Study Leader Threatened with Jail (Kazakhstan)

The small Baptist community in Atyrau, near the Caspian Sea in north-western Kazakhstan, has been threatened by police forces and authorities to end their activities or their leader may face prison, according to a November 11 report from Keston News Service.

According to Baptist church leader Kormangazy Abdumuratov, the National Security Service raided his apartment on September 8 where eight Baptists were studying the Bible. The police searched every room, video taping each of the people and asking who owned the Bibles and religious books they found. Abdumuratov was told that he could face prison, since it was the third time he was found taking part in unregistered religious meetings.

Abdumuratov was recently expelled from the Atyrau Oil and Gas Institute where he was studying because of his religious beliefs. The faculty head told him, “Your influence will ruin our other students. You won’t be studying at our institute any longer. Leave Atyrau and go back to where you came from.”

The people of Atyrau have also been warned about the Baptists by a television commentator, who called them a “dangerous cult” who take children away from their parents and demand large sums of money from their members.

Pray for Abdumuratov and the members of his Bible study group in Atyrau, as well as other Christians who are facing growing hostility in this primarily Islamic republic.

*********************************** 5. Iranian Family Coming to Canada (Iran/Turkey)

An Iranian family stranded in Turkey for three years while seeking asylum received news on November 12 that they have been accepted for permanent residency in Canada. Mahmoud Erfani told Compass Direct by telephone that he and his family are scheduled to leave for Canada on November 25.

“We are overflowing with joy, and everyone is crying,” one of Erfani’s daughters said. “It is a big miracle for us. Please thank everyone who has been praying for us.”

The Erfani fled Iran in 1999 for Turkey where they have been seeking refugee status. Three times they were denied by the UNHCR and in April were denied immigration to Canada. However, after more information was provided on persecution they faced in Iran, as well as pressure on the Canadian government, they were granted an appeal by Canadian immigration.

Praise God for this answer to pray in the lives of the Mahmoud Erfani, his wife, and three daughters. Pray for them as they complete the arrangements to leave and as they settle in their new homes.

*********************************** 6. International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (Canada)

This coming Sunday, November 17, churches throughout Canada will be remembering the Persecuted Church in prayer. Whether or not your church will be officially joining in this day of prayer, we encourage you to take time this Sunday to support your suffering brothers and sisters through prayer.

For more information on The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church and for updated prayer requests on this year’s focus countries of Sudan, Pakistan, Vietnam, Laos, and Turkmenistan, visit the IDOP website at http://www.idop.ca.

You may also wish to make a special effort to promote awareness of the Persecuted Church through subscribing to our monthly newsletter or encouraging others to receive the Persecution and Prayer Alert. For more information, visit our website at http://www.persecution.net.

*********************************** 7. Question of the Week.

Along with our practical ministry to the Persecuted Church, The Voice of the Martyrs exists to be a voice for those who often do not have one. We also encourage Christians in religiously free countries to join us in sharing the faith, courage, and trials of this neglected part of the body of Christ.

Our question of the week is: Have you had the opportunity to speak to others about the needs of the Persecuted Church? If so, what kind of response have you received?

To participate in our discussion, go to http://www.persecution.net and click on “Discussion Forum.” If you have not registered on our forum in the past, click on “Register” and select a username and password.

*********************************** The Persecution & Prayer Alert is a ministry of The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada. (Mailing address: P.O. Box 117, Port Credit, Mississauga, Ontario L5G 4L5) Tel. (905) 670.9721. Fax: (905) 670.7642 Website: http://www.persecution.net

*********************************** Contact Person: Glenn Penner, Communications Director.

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