The Persecution & Prayer Alert The Voice of the Martyrs, Canada http://www.persecution.net Wednesday, August 20, 2003

A summary of news concerning the Persecuted Church and how you can respond. *********************************** Contents: 1. Police Attempt to Destroy Monastery Walls (Egypt) 2. Assembly of God Church Attacked (Sri Lanka) 3. Classes Begin Next Week (United States) 4. 2003 International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (Canada) 5. Question of the Week *********************************** 1. Police Attempt to Destroy Monastery Walls (Egypt)

One of the world’s oldest monasteries was surrounded by over 300 police officers on August 19 with orders to destroy the perimeter walls, which were erected over four years ago. The police were acting on an order from the governor, who said that the fence was erected illegally, despite permits issued by the previous governor.

The monastery was founded in the fourth century by St. Anthony, who is known as the father of monasticism. It is located in a mountainous area along the cost of the Red Sea. The wall was originally erected because of threats by militant Islamic groups against the monastery. The government of the time agreed with the monks and authorized the construction to protect the historical site. After building the wall, the monks attempted to purchase the land but were told there was no need, since it was considered a national historical site and the government itself would protect the fence and the monastery.

The governor’s order to destroy the wall was first issued on August 5. The U.S. Copts Association then began to mediate and was eventually told that the demolition order was no longer valid. This appeared to be the end of the issue until the police arrived on August 19 with heavy trucks and eighteen bulldozers. One monk was injured and three were arrested while attempting to block the destruction.

It was only when Egyptian President Mubarak intervened later in the day that the troops were withdrawn. Demolition plans have been suspended pending a meeting later this week between the monastery’s Bishop Yustus and government representatives.

Christians in Egypt have consistently faced opposition from government agencies, as well as militant Islamic groups in the country. Pray for the upcoming meeting, that this issue will be resolved, that there will be no further injuries or arrests, and that the monastery will be protected. *********************************** 2. Assembly of God Church Attacked (Sri Lanka)

For the past three months, the Assembly of God Church in Kesbewa, Sri Lanka, has been subjected to threats and attacks, including broken windows and bottles of burning oil thrown into the church building. In response, the church has made sure that someone is at their building at all times to guard it. VOM learned today from the Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka that, on the night of August 14, Pastor Kumara and two other church members were keeping watch when two motorcycles stopped and four men in black dismounted. Pastor Kumara heard one of them say, “paththu karannna” (light it) and, fearing that the church building was about to be set on fire, shouted and ran toward the men along with one of the church members, Narada. As the men ran away, one of them threw a homemade bomb, which exploded, badly injuring Narada. The pastor escaped with only minor wounds.

A police investigation has begun and an inquiry is scheduled for August 22. According to the pastor, the main suspect in orchestrating this and the other attacks is the Kamburupitiya Chief Buddhist Monk, who wields considerable power in the community. In September 2002, the monk visited the church and threatened the pastor and members with death. The police have summoned him several times in connection with previous incidents at the church, but he has refused to speak with them. It is reported that he has been ordered to appear at the inquiry on August 22.

Pray for Pastor Kumara and the church members as they continue to minister in the face of increasing opposition. Pray also for a fast recovery for Narada. The October edition of The Voice of the Martyrs newsletter will be focusing on the rising persecution of Christians in Sri Lanka. Go to http://www.persecution.net/nlonline.htm to subscribe. *********************************** 3. Classes Begin Next Week (United States)

The first semester of the four-year Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Christian Missions/Persecuted Church Ministry at Oklahoma Wesleyan University begins early next week. Glenn Penner, Communications Director of The Voice of the Martyrs (Canada) moved into his new office at the university this week and reports that he is looking forward to the new challenge. “Expectations are high, I can tell you that much,” says Penner. “The first class begins next Tuesday and I can hardly wait.”

This program of study is the result of an unprecedented partnership between The Voice of the Martyrs and Oklahoma Wesleyan University, combining rigorous academic study, research and service to focus on the persecuted Christian church in restricted nations. Courses that will be taught this fall include, “Introduction to Persecuted Church Ministry & Theology,” “Toward a Biblical Theology of Persecution & Discipleship,” and “Distinctives of Intercultural Ministry in Restricted Nations.” Courses can be taken for credit or audit at the Bartlesville, Oklahoma campus (phone 918-335-6200 for more information, or go to the university website at http://www.okwu.edu/persecutedchurch/).

Please pray for Glenn as he teaches at OWU this fall. Pray for the rest of the VOM Communications Team as they care for many of Glenn’s duties in his absence. Pray for the students who attend, that God would use this program to change their lives and equip them for effective worldwide service. *********************************** 4. 2003 International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (Canada)

Churches across Canada will join Christians around the world on November 16, 2003 in praying for those who are persecuted for their faith. Every day in over 60 countries more than 200 million men, women and children face discrimination, persecution and even death for loving Jesus Christ. What, above all else, do they ask of us? Please pray for us!

Canada will join the international community in observing the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) on Sunday, November 16. A number of other countries will be observing IDOP on Sunday, November 9. The World Evangelical Alliance has asked that countries set aside one Sunday between November 9-16 to specifically pray for their persecuted brothers and sisters.

IDOP Canada urges the entire Christian community to set aside November 16 for a special service to stand with our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. Prayer for the persecuted is the least we can do – it is also the most we can do. While it is important to pray for those who are persecuted throughout the year, IDOP Sunday is a special day to have a special focus.

This year’s theme for IDOP Canada is “Pray for us.,” from 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3. Every day, thousands of Christians persecuted around the world join Paul in this simple request: “Pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly.and pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men.” In Nepal, Christians trying to share the gospel with neighbouring villages have been jailed because they were mistaken for terrorists fighting in Nepal’s brutal civil war. In Iran, Christians who share the gospel with Muslims continue to face torture and death for their faith. IDOP Canada is asking Canadian churches to pray especially for the four focus countries of Iran, Ethiopia, China and Nepal. IDOP Canada is preparing a resource kit to assist congregations, groups or friends to pray effectively with and for the persecuted church in these and other nations.

IDOP Canada is a partnership between the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada’s (EFC) Religious Liberty Commission, Open Doors with Brother Andrew (Canada), The Voice of the Martyrs (Canada), The Bible League and Partners International (Canada).

For more information and to order IDOP 2003 kits, go to http://www.idop.ca or telephone 905-479-5885. Resource kits include a short video, a PowerPoint presentation, suggested songs, a speaker list, a sermon outline, a 10-week Bible study on persecution in the book of Acts, children’s materials and country prayer profiles. Kits ordered before September 1 are $20, tax included ($25 after September 1). *********************************** 5. Question of the Week

The issue of same sex marriages is front-page news in much of North America today. Dr. Ian Hunter, in a recent editorial in the National Post decried how this issue is serving to limit free speech in Canada in the name of human rights (see http://www.nationalpost.com/search/site/story.asp?id=18E39E85-588D-4A2E- A59B-43352407DF70). Our question of the week is: “How broad should freedom of speech be?”

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.

Important Notice: The Persecution & Prayer Alert is an open email news service sent only to those who have specifically requested it from us. We do not send it unsolicited and ask that subscribers show the same discretion in forwarding it to others. If you would like to encourage someone to read or receive this weekly publication, please use our online form at http://www.persecution.net/pnpforward.htm and help spread the message of the Persecuted Church around the world.

os.yahoo.com/rlgmediaau”>http://au.photos.yahoo.com/rlgmediaau http://community.webshots.com/user/ramon_williams ——————————————————————- Telling others, what others are doing for the Lord.

— Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).