The Persecution & Prayer Alert The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada http://www.persecution.net Wednesday, February 5, 2003

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

*********************************** Contents: 1. Team Returns From Southeastern Sudan (Sudan) 2. Government Plan Against Christians Revealed (China) 3. Jihad Leader Acquitted (Indonesia) 4. Question of the Week

*********************************** 1. Team Returns From Southeastern Sudan (Sudan)

A multi-ministry, international team has returned from the Blue and Upper Nile regions of southeastern Sudan after conducting an investigation of recent developments in the country and sponsoring a four-day church leaders conference.

Representatives from The Voice of the Martyrs, Servant’s Heart and Freedom Quest International discovered evidence of atrocities, including the deliberate killing of young children, by troops of the Islamist government of Sudan (GOS) in direct violation of the March 2002 agreement between the GOS and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM). In the agreement, the parties agreed, among other things, to discontinue attacks against civilian targets. The team also discovered that government-backed militias continue to violate the agreed upon ceasefire. Reliable sources also report a significant military buildup in and around Juba, also in violation of the ceasefire agreement. It is feared that the government of Sudan may be preparing a major offensive to coincide with expected US-led action against Iraq, to take advantage of diverted world attention.

The GOS and SPLM are presently meeting in Kenya for peace negotiations. According to Reuters, an agreement was reached yesterday ceding control of any areas captured since October and to allow international observers to investigate any violations of the agreement. However, any optimism from this announcement is dampened by the history of violations, particularly by the Sudanese government.

A joint press release with more details on the trip to Sudan will be issued within the next day or so.

Representatives from The Voice of the Martyrs, led by Communications Director Glenn Penner, also conducted a four-day church leaders conference in the town of Yabus. Local Mabaan and Uduk church leaders from the region gathered to receive specific training in discipling young Christians. The church in Sudan continues to grow at an impressive rate, but the majority of church leaders in this region have little or no biblical education. Most churches have few Bibles in their indigenous language. Presently only the New Testament is complete in the Uduk and Mabaan languages.

The Voice of the Martyrs, in partnership with Servant’s Heart, anticipates launching a significant two-year theological education by extension course in the Mabaan language in early 2004. Glenn Penner, writing in an email today enroute from Africa, asked for prayer for the necessary arrangements for the development and translation of the study material into Mabaan and that the training of indigenous leadership will progress speedily. “There is a tremendous need for this course,” wrote Penner. “The people there are already eagerly anticipating its launch. Pray, too, that we will see peace in Sudan. This region is near the frontlines and it is expected that it will be among the first places attacked should the GOS launch an offensive in the next month or so. So please pray!”

*********************************** 2. Government Plan Against Christians Revealed (China)

A top-secret government document obtained by The Voice of the Martyrs gives proof of a concerted effort by the Chinese government against unregistered Christian churches. The document is a directive from the Public Security Bureau of Baoding to PSB bureaus throughout Hebei Province with a goal to “terminate illegal Christian activities.”

The document outlined a four-part plan from August 20 to October 20, 2002, leading up to the meeting of the National Congress of the Communist Party. The first step was publicity and education, letting authorities know what are “illegal Christian activities” as well as educating the public on the problem. The next step was investigation, infiltrating the illegal Christian organizations, gaining the evidence needed as they “prepare to terminate them.” For the third stage of termination, the document outlines methods to be used. “Compulsory measures, such as subpoena, penalty, ordered confessions, detention, may be taken against those core members, stubborn members and those who provide places for illegal activities. Their instruments used for illegal missionary purpose and their illegal publicizing materials should be confiscated.” The emphasis was to be placed on small groups and the leadership of churches rather than on large groups to prevent trouble for the authorities. In the final stage of “summarization,” the PSB referred to rewards “on the basis of performance and achievement” and criticism for those who do not perform adequately.

While not denying that they have been taking action against what they refer to as illegal religious groups, the Chinese government has been trying to be seen as a tolerant society to help their international trade. Documents such as this clearly show the true face of the Chinese government. For the full English translation of the document, go to http://www.persecution.net/china1.html.

Please pray for believers in China facing these kinds of pressures on a regular basis. Pray that the leaders will stand firm in spite of the persecution. Pray for those presently in prison for their faith. You are also encouraged to contact your government representatives, calling on them to take action. Contact information is available at http://www.persecution.net/links.htm.

*********************************** 3. Jihad Leader Acquitted (Indonesia)

An Indonesian court acquitted a leader of the Laskar Jihad on January 30; a decision which has caused concerns among Christians in the country who have faced persecution, destruction and death at the hands of the militant Islamic group. Jafar Abu Thalib faced charges of inciting violence against Christians after a speech last April in Ambon in which he condemned a small Christian separatist group, calling on Muslims to take up arms. Soon afterwards, armed militants attacked a small village near by, killing 13 Christians.

In his ruling acquitting Jafar, the judge ruled that Jafar was merely exercising his freedom of speech. In referring to the separatist group, the judge also justified Jafar’s speech saying, “the government is trying very hard to safeguard the unity of the nation. Awards can be given to those who, without reserve, uphold the unity of our country, Indonesia.”

Though the Laskar Jihad has supposedly been dissolved, Christians in Indonesia have raised concerns for their safety. According to CNSNews, Fr. Cornelius Bohm of the Ambon Crisis Center views the trial outcome as further indication of the influence of militant Muslims in Indonesia. “The government is afraid of them and gives them a little pleasure every now and then to keep them calm,” he said.

Pray that militant Islamic groups will not see this as justification to renew their attacks against Christians. Pray that the peace in the Molucca region of Indonesia will continue. Pray for peace of mind as well for those facing uncertainty and fear.

*********************************** 4. Question of the Week

Many of you subscribed to the P&P because they were touched by accounts of those suffering; whether you heard of it in a meeting or read accounts in a book such as “Jesus Freaks,” “Tortured for Christ,” or the new “Heroic Faith.” Our question this week asks for your heart-response: what first impacted you the most about the Persecuted Church?

1. The pain experienced by those suffering 2. The need to reach out and do something 3. The peace, determination, faith, etc. of those persecuted 4. Other (please specify)

If you’d like to share how you were first impacted by the need, we’d like to hear that as well!

To participate in our poll and 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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