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• SUDAN THREATENS TO ARREST CHURCH LEADERS
• BUILDING A REAL FUTURE FOR HAITI’S NEXT GENERATION
• MEMBER OF KUWAITI ROYAL FAMILY BELIEVED TO HAVE EMBRACED CHRIST
• CAIRO CHURCH TAKES THEIR PRAISE AND WORSHIP TO TAHRIR SQUARE
• SOUTH SUDAN VIOLENCE
• SUPREME COURT RULING A VICTORY FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
• JUSTIN BIEBER’S LATEST WITNESS TO HIS CHRISTIAN FAITH

SUDAN THREATENS TO ARREST CHURCH LEADERS

Sudan’s Ministry of Guidance and Religious Endowments has threatened to arrest church leaders if they carry out evangelistic activities and do not comply with an order to provide their names and contact information. The warning in a letter to church leaders arrived a few days after Sudan President Omar al-Bashir said that following the secession of largely non-Islamic south Sudan last July, the country’s constitution will be more deeply entrenched in sharia law. “We will take legal procedures against pastors who are involved in evangelistic activities” wrote the undersecretary of the Ministry of Guidance and Religious Endowment, to the church leaders.”

Sources said the order was aimed at oppressing Christians amid growing hostilities toward Christianity. This is a critical situation faced by the Church in Sudan.   One church leader said the order was another in a series of measures by the government to control churches. “They do not want pastors from South Sudan to carry on any church activities or mission work in Sudan,” he said. Sudanese law prohibits missionaries from evangelizing, and converting from Islam to another religion is punishable by imprisonment or death in Sudan, though previously such laws were not strictly enforced. The government has never carried out a death sentence for apostasy.

Christians are facing growing threats from both Muslim communities and Islamist government officials who have long wanted to rid Sudan of Christianity. Christianity is now regarded as a foreign religion following the departure of 350,000 people, mostly Christians, to South Sudan following the July 2011 secession. Sudan’s Interim National Constitution (INC) holds up sharia as a source of legislation, and the laws and policies of the government favour Islam, according to the state department report. Christian eaders said they fear the government is tightening controls on churches in Sudan and planning to force compliance with Islamic law as part of a strategy to eliminate Christianity.
As he has several times in the past year, Al-Bashir again warned that Sudan’s constitution will be more firmly entrenched in sharia.”We are an Islamic nation with sharia as the basis of our constitution,” he said. “We will base our constitution on Islamic laws.” His government subsequently issued the decree ordering church leaders to provide names and contact information of church leaders in Sudan.   Christian leaders said the government is retaliating for churches’ perceived pro-West position. Muslim scholars have urged heavy-handed measures against Christians to Al-Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity in Darfur.

Yasir Musa of the Sudanese Church of Christ (SCOC) was arrested along with two other church members by national security agents in Khartoum on Dec. 23; they were detained because they were Christians and therefore suspected supporters of southern military forces. Released shortly afterward, they said authorities threatened to arrest them again if they did not comply with orders not to carry out Christian activities in the Islamic nation. SCOCleaders said they have complained to the Ministry of Guidance and Religious Endowments and were told that the three were arrested for security reasons.
In another case, sources said that Islamic militias loyal to the government in civilian uniform abducted a church leader and two church members as they were returning from a worship service and demanded $1,000 in ransom. They were released after two days, according to Christian sources in Khartoum. Christians in Khartoum increasingly fear arrests by militias loyal to the Islamic government, the sources said. The pressures on Christians come as war in Sudan’s South Kordofan state has led leaders there and in North Kordofan to incite hatred against Christians, with officials in both states calling for holy war against the predominantly Christian Nuba people.

Source: Compass Direct News

BUILDING A REAL FUTURE FOR HAITI’S NEXT GENERATION

The people of Haiti are still working to recover from the unforgettable 7.0 earthquake two years ago that killed more than 300,000 people and left more than a million homeless. But the signs of that devastation are slowly disappearing from the streets. And the spirit of the Haitian people is stronger. “The last two years have been just flat out. We have been working non-stop on relief projects and development projects – saving lives after the earthquake,” David Darg, director of international relief for Operation Blessing said. “We have lost count of how many lives we have saved from the doctors we’ve brought in,” he said.

Operation Blessing brings in medical teams from the Mayo Clinic each month, administering anti-parasite medication to people in need every day. And, it’s one of the leading organizations tackling the water crisis in thecountry. David Darg, with Operation Blessing International said. “With the  introduction of cholera in 2010, it became a crisis,” Darg explained. “Still today, Haiti is the world’s largest cholera epidemic. So clean water is essential. It is probably the biggest need for the nation right now.” While water is still among the country’s immediate needs, the relief organizationis also focused on its future. Workers have recently built a school in one small village.

“It is a very remote village. It is one of the poorest villages that we’ve found in Haiti,” Darg said. “And so you have the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, the poorest village in that country. When we first went to this village, it was very different story to what it is now. Extreme malnutrition. A lot of the children weren’t even wearing clothes. I mean, it was just about as bad as you could get,” Darg said. “And to see now where they have come, just in the few years that we have been working there,” he said. “It’s amazing for us to see and of course, wonderful for all of them.”

Another example: little tilapia fish. The fish are part of the organization’s growing aqua-culture project. “The tilapia are a very resilient fish,” Darg explained. “Tilapia come from the Middle East. Some people say it’s the loaves and fishes, it’s the biblical fish. And so it’s a strong and very fast growing fish. It’s perfect for the Haitian environment, and so that is the fish of choice.” These 150 feet long, 40 feet wide aquacells are growing even more tilapia these days. But more importantly, they’re producing much-needed jobs. “It is one model of aqua-culture that we are using as an example to show what’s possible in Haiti. They need to see where they can be at,” he explained.

Lots of organization have left in the two years since the earthquake, increasing the work load. “As different organizations pull out, it certainly increases the burden on the organizations that remain in Haiti,” Darg admitted. “There is always work to do. So the burden is tough anyway.” The burden is why Operation Blessing joined forces with partners-in-health right after the earthquake to build orphans a home in Croix-des-Bouquets. It’s called Zanmi Beni. Zanmi Beni is Creole for “blessed friends.” This home is indeed a blessing for at least 50 children. And believe it or not, it all started with just one building.

“Orphanages are being shut down because the conditions are terrible. And then there are more orphans in circulation,” Darg said. “We are now being asked to absorb some of those children into our facility, just as an example,” he said. “As money dries up for different organizations and they leave, there are still needs that aren’t being met. And so Operation Blessing is perfectly positioned to be able to respond to emergency needs and the infrastructure development that is so essential to the nation,” Darg said. “We just want our work to have a lasting impact in Haiti.”

Source: CBNnews.com

MEMBER OF KUWAITI ROYAL FAMILY BELIEVED TO HAVE EMBRACED CHRIST

According to Iranian Christian News Agency Mohabat News,   Al-haqiqa, a Christian Arabic satellite T.V. station which broadcasts Christian programs, played an audio file which it attributed to a Kuwaiti prince called “Abdollah Al-sabah.” This Kuwaiti prince announced, “First of all, I totallyagree with the distribution of this audio file and I now declare that if they kill me because of this, then I’ll go into the presence of Jesus Christ and be with him for all eternity.” The TV channel claimed that Prince Abdollah Al-sabah comes from a Kuwaiti royal family which currently governs the country. The channel said that the prince recently denounced his Islamic faith and became a Christian.

The voice in the audio file introduced himself as Abdollah Al-sabah and added “I’m satisfied with whatever they do to me, because the truth in the Bible has guided me to the right way.” Regarding the Islamic groups who have recently gained power in Egypt, this Kuwaiti prince also stated, “Islamic communities have always wanted to attack in different parts of the world, but God has preserved the world and still protects it. This is why we have recently seen disagreements appearing among Islamic groups who are now fighting with each other. They are about to divide further into different groups.
Mohabat News says the audio file made headlines briefly on Arabic news wires and in the Iranian government run news agency. Some independent Shiite websites contradicted this report and quoted another Kuwaiti prince, Azbi Al-sabah as saying, “There is no one in the Kuwaiti royal family by that name.” Kuwait is a neighbour of Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Iran across the Persian Gulf. Islam is the official and dominant religion in Kuwait. Only 4 percent of the population is Christian, and there is a tiny group of other religions. Article 2 of the Kuwaiti constitution reads, “Islam is the official religion in the country and
Sharia is a main source for legislation.”

Source: ASSIST News Service

CAIRO CHURCH TAKES THEIR PRAISE AND WORSHIP TO TAHRIR SQUARE

Nearly unthinkable! Holding a worship service in Cairo’s Tahrir Square would be seemingly unimaginable, especially in light of the recent violence there. But, according to SAT-7, a member of Kasr El Dobara Church, a major evangelical church near Tahrir Square, put it this way, “We have always been protected under the ceiling and between the columns of the church. The day has come for us to leave our chairs to share with those who need to understand our hope more fully.   The idea of taking public the scheduled NewYear’s Eve praise and worship service at Kasr El Dobara came from consultation with leaders of the major Christian denominations and some local activists.

Ultimately between 5,000 and 10,000 people joined the worship as it moved from the church into Tahrir Square,” said a spokesperson for SAT-7, which describes itself as “the only Christian broadcast ministry to transmit culturally-sensitive programming in Arabic, Turkish and Farsi,” adding that “the power of SAT-7’s un-censorable satellite broadcasts is indisputable.” Senior Pastor, Sameh Maurice advised the congregation to proceed calmly and peacefully to the square. As the worshippers emerged from the Church, their candlelit procession was joined by those who had been participating outside the church via video screens placed nearby.

By the time they reached Tahrir Square a substantial crowd was asking God for His comfort and love to be extended to those who suffer. One of the event organizers who is not a Christian, said “During the event I was crying because I could feel the unity. I said to my friend   ‘You are right. This is true faith in the true God.” This event generated hope across the region as it was broadcast live to millions who could not be there themselves. Long after the event, which lasted from 8pm till 3am, praise, prayer and words of hope dominated the lips of Egyptians – and many others across the Middle East and North Africa,” added the spokesperson for SAT-7.

Source: ASSIST News Service

SOUTH SUDAN VIOLENCE

In the months since achieving independence from North Sudan on July 9, 2011, the nation of South Sudan has been the scene of deadly violence.   Clashes between the Luo Nuer and Murle tribes have resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands more have been displaced. In August 2011, just weeks after South Sudan achieved independence, the Murle tribe attacked the rival Luo Nuer. Approximately 600 Luo Nuer were killed and thousands were injured. It is also estimated that 40,000 cattle were stolen by the Murle. The Luo Nuer soon retaliated.

At least 6,000 Luo Nuer fighters began marching through Jonglei state, killing people and burning homes. They burned the town of Lukangol to the ground. On December 31, 2011, they attacked the town of Pibor. Residents fled, but the Luo Nuer massacred hundreds – mostly women and children. Tens of thousands managed to escape. They are now homeless and without protection. President Salva Kiir has called for a restoration of peace between the Luo Nuer and the Murle. Troops have also been dispatched to the Jonglei region. However, they are expected to be “heavily outnumbered and wary of being seen as favouring one community over another.”

Please pray for:

*   peace in the new nation of South Sudan. Pray for salvation, forgiveness,and reconciliation between the Murle and the Luo Nuer. Pray for the salvation of those instigating violence and hatred in Jonglei state. Pray for the Lord to turn their lives around and use them as His instruments of peace in the region.

*   comfort for those who have lost family members in the attacks. Pray for the Lord to use Christians to provide for those who are homeless and displaced. Pray for the Lord to give President Salva Kiir and other leaders wisdom in dealing with tribal feuds and violence. Ask the Lord to guide them in leading the nation.

*   Christians in South Sudan to seek the Lord and grow in the Word of God. Pray for them to function in unity and intercede for their nation. Pray for Christians to love their enemies and pray for those who mistreat them. Pray for revival in this nation. Pray for Muslims and animists to put their faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. Pray for Christians to be strong in the Lord and for the Kingdom of God to come to South Sudan in great power and glory. Pray for the Lord to be glorified in this new Christian nation.

Source: Windows International Network

SUPREME COURT RULING A VICTORY FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

In a clear victory for religious freedom in America, the Supreme Court has ruled unanimously in favour of a church who was being sued for firing an employee on religious grounds. The opinion reportedly assures religious employers that the government will keep out of hiring and firing decisions as long as they are based on religious grounds. The ruling, written by Chief Justice John Roberts reads, in part, “By requiring the Church to accept a minister it did not want, such an order would have plainly violated the Church’s freedom under the Religion clauses to select its own ministers.”
The interest of society in the enforcement of employment discrimination is important. But so too is the interest of religious groups in choosing who will teach their faith. We cannot accept the view that the Religion Clauses of the First Amendment have nothing to say about a religious organization’s freedom to select its own ministers.” Roberts said when a person who has ministerial duties sues her church for bias, courts must throw out the case. The “First Amendment has struck the balance for us,” he said. “The Church must be free to choose those who will guide it on its way. The authority to select who will minister to the faithful is the Church’s alone.”

Source: Fox News

JUSTIN BIEBER’S LATEST WITNESS TO HIS CHRISTIAN FAITH

Teen pop star Justin Bieber is “becoming less shy about being a Christian.” Bieber reportedly told his Twitter fans that his walk with the Lord helps to keep his ego in check. Bieber said, “I’m a Christian, I believe in God, I believe that Jesus died on a cross for my sins. I believe that I have a relationship and I’m able to talk to Him and, He’s the reason I’m here. Some eyebrows were raised recently when Bieber noted that he doesn’t attend church. Said Bieber, “A lot of people who are religious, I think they get lost. They go to church just to go to church. I’m not trying to disrespect them… but for me, I focus more on praying and talking to Him.”

Source: Vancouver Sun

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