SHATTER THE SILENCE August 31, 2003 VOLUME 7, ISSUE #9

********************************* PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH ********************************* Our mission is to awaken followers of Christ and concerned others to the plight of persecuted Christians, calling the Church to compassionate prayer and action. *********************************

IN THIS EDITION: 1. Open Doors Reports On Growing Support for Anti-Conversion Legislation in Sri Lanka 2. International Christian Concern Offers a Free Copy of IDOP 2003 Bulletin Insert 3. Voice of the Martyrs Offers Opportunities for Fellowship with Persecuted Christians 4. Gospel for Asia Church in India under Attack 5. Christians in Crisis Invites You to Be One of 500,000 Who are Praying for the Persecuted Church 6. Christian Freedom International Seeks Prayer on Behalf of Suffering Christians

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1. Open Doors Reports On Growing Support for Anti-Conversion Legislation in Sri Lanka

The Minister of Buddhism and Legal Reform in Sri Lanka, Mr. W.J.M. Lokubandara, recently voiced his support for a proposed “anti-conversion bill” that would limit the freedom of individuals to change their religion. The Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (EASL) reported last Thursday that Lokubandara has formally announced his intention to take the bill to Parliament.

Public debate over the proposed legislation may have fueled a recent spate of attacks against Christians on the island. A mob led by Buddhist monks attacked the Assembly of God church in Kesbewa on August 7, stoning the church and hanging anti-Christian posters in Kesbewa and nearby Piliyandala. The incident was the latest in a string of attacks against churches in July and August this year.

Several churches in the Galle district suffered attacks on August 2, including the Assemblies of God in Thanamalwila and Lumugamvehera, the Methodist church in Rathgama and the Assembly of God and Calvary churches in Hikkaduwa.

Sri Lanka has a multi-ethnic, multi-religious society. “For as long as I can remember, there has been perfect freedom to follow your own religion,” said Dr. Joshua, brother-in-law of Rev. Perumal, who pastors Calvary Church in Hikkaduwa. “However, there seems to be a huge opposition to conversion of Buddhists to Christianity.”

Perumal confirmed that although he has received numerous threats in the past, threats and actual assaults have become more frequent in recent months.

For more information on the situation in Sri Lanka, visit Open Door’s website at

http://www.persecutedchurch.org/orgs/refer.cfm?address=http://www.opendoorsusa.org, or contact them by phone at 949-752-6600.

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2. International Christian Concern Offers a Free Copy of IDOP 2003 Bulletin Insert

For readers of the “Shatter the Silence” newsletter, International Christian Concern is offering a free copy of “Concern,” ICC’s eight page, color 2003 Church Bulletin insert. These inserts are excellent for use by your local church for the upcoming International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church on November 9, and provide a great opportunity for you to help “Shatter the Silence” of the persecuted church. Sign up to receive the ICC newsletter at

http://www.persecutedchurch.org/orgs/refer.cfm?address=http://www.persecution.org/subscribe.html. Be sure to mark down that you heard about ICC from PPC’s “Shatter the Silence” e-newsletter.

************************************************************************ RECOMMEND “SHATTER THE SILENCE” TO YOUR PRAYING FAMILY AND FRIENDS PPC needs your help to “Shatter the Silence” of the persecuted church. Simply send a copy of this registration link to 5 people who you think would be willing to pray through this monthly “Shatter the Silence” newsletter: http://www.persecutedchurch.org/about/newsletter.cfm. Let’s work together to mobilize God’s people to pray for our family and to help “Shatter the Silence” of the Persecuted Church! ************************************************************************

3. Voice of the Martyrs Offers Opportunities for Fellowship with Persecuted Christians

The Voice of the Martyrs exists to draw Christians in free nations into fellowship with our brothers and sisters in restricted nations. At times, our photos and articles are not pleasant. Many may not want to hear the news we share about the persecuted church but we are called to show the new wounds to the body of Christ. The publication of our June Newsletter, containing the pictures of the torture of Chinese believers, brought a wide variety of comments from our readers. Some accused The Voice of the Martyrs of ‘sensationalism’ while others voiced their deep concern for these precious brothers and sisters. Some refuse to hear the voices of the persecuted asking for prayer.

Others not only pray but also take action.

There are many ways you can take action. Write to prisoners, send faxes or emails to government officials, help your church to participate in the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP), or share your concerns for these believers with your friends and neighbors. For information on how you might help visit our website:

http://www.persecutedchurch.org/orgs/refer.cfm?address=http://www.persecution.com or call 800-747-0085.

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4. Gospel for Asia Church in India under Attack

A Gospel for Asia church of 51 believers in Jharkhand, India, is under attack as anti-Christian leaders meet to decide its fate! Many in the village have expressed their desire to beat GFA missionary Babuser and the new believers, steal their land and other belongings, and ultimately drive them out of the village.

As the village meeting continues, they are pressuring leaders to inflict maximum harm on these believers. Village leaders have already made at least one decision: The Christians must pay a fee to even meet together for church. GFA missionaries from other villages have traveled there to encourage their brothers and sisters in Christ.

This persecution follows a mighty move of God. By God’s grace, three influential families in the village very recently received Christ! Even as the lives of the Christians in this village are in danger, they ask us to pray they will stand strong in the faith and see the ministry grow. They also request prayer that those opposing the Gospel will be touched by the love of Christ.

To sponsor a native missionary, please visit:

http://www.persecutedchurch.org/orgs/refer.cfm?address=http://www.gfa.org/sponsor.

************************************************************************ NOVEMBER 9, 2003: THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH

The 2003 International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church will be observed on November 9th. Once again, the day of prayer is expected to unify hundreds of thousands of believers in prayer for Christians suffering persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ. Remember to mark your calendars! ************************************************************************

5. Christians in Crisis Invites You to Be One of 500,000 Who are Praying for the Persecuted Church

“Christians In Crisis challenges you to be one who will pray victory into the lives of persecuted Christians. Join CIC in praying daily for the persecuted church. Our challenge is to raise 500,000 intercessors to pray for the suffering church on a daily basis. You may find information on our website,

http://www.persecutedchurch.org/orgs/refer.cfm?address=http://www.christiansincrisis.net/prayerrequest.php3, regarding signing up as an intercessor, or contact Brother Terry at to sign up to pray and to receive CIC’s weekly summary of persecution news events.”

Once again CIC and Koke Mill Christian Church in Springfield, Illinois partner together for a week of prayer and fasting for the persecuted church during the week of IDOP in November. An email prayer guide for a week of focused prayer will be produced and available to individuals, ministries and churches upon request. If you would like to join in this week of focused prayer and receive the prayer guide by email, contact Brother Terry at .

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6. Christian Freedom International Seeks Prayer on Behalf of Suffering Christians

Christian Freedom International recently conducted fact-finding missions to Indonesia and Bangladesh in an attempt to document evidence of persecution of minority Christians. CFI is trying to save the live of a Christian in Indonesia and the life of Christian in Bangladesh. Their cases will soon be considered before an immigration court in the U.S. Pray that CFI will be able to present all our field interviews and research necessary to convince the judge so that these men will win asylum in the U.S. This is a serious matter. Our research shows that if these two men are sent back to their respective countries, they will die for their faith. Pray that God will give these men favor before the judge and that CFI will present its evidence in convincing manner.

Please also pray for men and women in the U.S. to consider teaching at our new Christian Freedom International School for refugees and others in Thailand, near the Burma border. Candidates would have to raise their own monthly support, and it will be a fantastic missionary opportunity to serve the persecuted church on the front line. Visit our website:

http://www.persecutedchurch.org/orgs/refer.cfm?address=http://www.christianfreedom.org for more information, or call 1-800-323-2273.

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SPONSORING MINISTRIES OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH:

Christians in Crisis with Pastor Wally – http://www.christiansincrisis.net Christian Freedom International – http://www.christianfreedom.org Christian Solidarity Worldwide-USA – http://www.cswusa.com Compass Direct – http://www.compassdirect.org Gospel for Asia – http://www.gfa.org International Christian Concern – http://www.persecution.org Iranian Christians International – http://www.farsinet.com/ici Jubilee Campaign – http://www.jubileecampaign.org Make Me Your Voice – http://www.makemeyourvoice.com/ Open Doors with Brother Andrew – http://www.opendoorsusa.org The Voice of the Martyrs – http://www.persecution.com World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission – http://www.worldevangelical.org ————————————

Please pass this newsletter on to your friends and church members!

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SHATTER THE SILENCE is a monthly electronic newsletter produced by Prayer for the Persecuted Church to provide information to encourage followers of Christ to compassionate prayer and action on behalf of the persecuted Church.

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———————————— CONTACT INFORMATION Prayer for the Persecuted Church http://www.persecutedchurch.org