Persecuted For Spreading The Gospel
We have dedicated this page for public awareness of some 200 million suffering believers and ask that you would join us in prayer on their behalf, and help us raise awareness of their plight, especially in the West where the mainstream media neglects to report their suffering. Countless Christians around the world are persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. Few seem to be aware of them, and fewer seem to care. T.T.U.F. stands with organizations such as The Voice of the Martyrs in support of our brothers and sisters in Christ who are persecuted for their involvement in spreading the gospel. We pray that you will become pro-active in prayer support and join us in raising awareness of and reaching out to the persecuted Church!
CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION
Top News Around The World:
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Click Here: WORLD MAP - Nations that Prohibit or Restrict Christianity
VOICE OF THE MARTYRS PERSECUTION BLOG
PERSECUTION PODCAST: Broadcasting Stories of the Persecuted Church Hosted by David Erwell,Todd Nettleton and Dory P.
PERSECUTION PODCAST: Broadcasting Stories of the Persecuted Church Hosted by David Erwell,Todd Nettleton and Dory P.
This week on Persecution Podcast: Dory and David are back in the audio room this week to share prayer updates on Iran, Egypt, Yemen, and India.
PERSECUTION REPORT: Voice of the Martyrs
International Christian Persecution Top Stories
Update: Christian cleared of blasphemy in Pakistan
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| Dildar was accused of "abusing Islamic holy words." |
Dildar was accused of "abusing Islamic holy words."
A Pakistani Christian man, who rescued his eight-year-old nephew from an attack by a group of Muslim boys, has been acquitted of blasphemy charges. The 27-year-old father of two, Dildar Masih, was cleared of all charges on March 26 due to a lack of evidence.
Dildar said despite being called to court three times, not a single accuser stepped forward at the hearings to testify against him. "You cannot imagine my joy when the prison officials told me that I had been acquitted by the court," he said.
The original charge came after his young nephew, Ihtesham, was passing by a nearby madrassa (an Islamic religious school) when a group of boys from the school began to beat him for refusing to convert to Islam (for more, click here). Dildar saw the attack and rushed to the boy's aid. A short time later, a Muslim mob of about 55 people converged on Dildar's home while he was at work saying Dildar had been heard "abusing Islamic holy words."
Dildar said that despite threats of violence during his imprisonment, he stood by his faith. "I kept on telling God that I had complete faith in Him and would wait for the day when He would set me free," he said.
Praise God for Dildar's release and for his faithfulness while imprisoned! Please pray that his faith will be a testimony to others who were in prison with him, and that they too will place their faith in Christ. Pray for other Christians in Pakistan who are facing false accusations of blasphemy.
Go to the Pakistan Country Report to learn more about our persecuted brothers and sisters in Pakistan.
Turkish pastor attacked over Easter weekend
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| Necati Aydin, Ugur Yuksel and Tillman Geske were three men Semir had worked with before they were martyred. Photo: Compass Direct News |
Semir Serkek, a 58-year-old pastor in Instanbul, Turkey, says although he has experienced hostility from Muslims nearly all his life, an attack over the Easter weekend was the first time he had been physically assaulted.
Semir was alone at Grace Church preparing for the next day's Easter celebration when he heard frantic pounding at the door. Four young men in their late teens claimed they had questions and demanded to enter. They then threatened to kill him if he didn't recite the Islamic testimony of faith, and after a period of verbally harassing the pastor, one of the men kicked Semir in the chest, knocking the pastor down a set of stairs. The men then ran away laughing.
However, the attack did not deter Semir from attending a memorial service for three Christians murdered in Turkey five years ago. Necati Aydin and Ugur Yuksel and Tilmann Geske were brutally murdered by five young men in the southeastern city of Malatya in April 2007 (for more information, click here). Semir said he personally knew the three men because he worked with them at the same publishing company for many years.
The United States Commission on International and Religious Freedom has recommended that Turkey be designated as a "Country of Particular Concern" this year due to Turkey's long-term and systematic limitations on non-Muslim communities. There are about 4,500 Christian converts in Turkey.
Please pray that the men who attacked Semir will repent and be saved. Please pray that Semir's continued faith will bring God glory. Pray that the commitment of Semir and the three martyred Christians will serve to encourage other believers in Turkey that, although they are hard pressed on every side, they will not be crushed (2 Corinthians 4:8).
Go to the Turkey Country Report for more on the persecuted Church in Turkey. To post a prayer of encouragement for Turkish Christians, please visit our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.
Update: Orphans remain faithful in Laos
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| Children in a village in Laos |
A group of 11 orphans in Laos who were threatened with expulsion from school for attending church have shown remarkable faith. The children have continued to attend church, slipping away one at a time to avoid being detained by school officials on their way to worship.
Last August, the headmaster of the government-sponsored school called the boys into his office and told them if they did not stop attending church they would be expelled (for more, click here). Initially only four of the boys dared to defy the headmaster, but after witnessing the faithfulness of the four, all the boys began attending church again.
The boys have not been confronted by school officials in several months, and those who care for the orphans believe that their steadfast faith has deterred officials from trying to prevent the boys from going to church.
Praise God for these orphans who indeed have the "faith of a child" (Mark 10:15). Please pray that their faithfulness will draw school administrators to Christ and make them open to receiving the gospel.
For more information on the trials Christians face in Laos, go to the Laos Country Report.
Algerian Christian Finds Hope Amid Persecution
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| Reading the experiences of Pastor Wurmbrand changed Azad’s view of persecution. Click here for this and other resources. |
An evangelist in Algeria has recommitted himself to the Lord after struggling for months following some persecution for his faith. "Azad" had been a believer for several years, but became discouraged after his father chased him out of his family home, and his wife's family threatened to take her away if he continued to evangelize. A few months later, his boss fired him.
Azad told a VOM worker, "I am so discouraged, and I feel hatred against God." He stopped reading his Bible or going to church. But one day, he asked a Christian friend for something to read. The Christian gave him "Tortured for Christ," a book written by VOM's founder Richard Wurmbrand about his experiences in prison. The book had a profound effect on Azad and he decided he could accept persecution for his faith. Azad understood something he couldn't see before: that he could accept the persecution he experienced as part of God's plan for his life.
Thank God for ministering to Azad during his time of need. Ask the Lord to continue to encourage and strengthen Azad as he shares the Good News with others. Pray that many more Christians in Algeria and around the world will put their trust in God, regardless of their circumstances.
Please visit the Algeria Country Report for more information on Algeria's persecuted Church.
Foxes Book of Martyrs Online:
History of Christian Martyrs to the First General Persecutions Under Nero Christ our Savior, in the Gospel of St. Matthew, hearing the confession of Simon Peter, who, first of all other, openly acknowledged Him to be the Son of God and perceiving the secret hand of His Father therein, called him (alluding to his name) a rock, upon which rock He would build His Church so strong that the gates of hell should not prevail against it. In which words three things are to be noted:
First, that Christ will have a Church in this world.
Secondly, that the same Church should mightily be impugned, not only by the world, but also by the uttermost strength and powers of all hell.
And, thirdly, that the same Church, notwithstanding the uttermost of the devil and all his malice, should continue.
Which prophecy of Christ we see wonderfully to be verified, insomuch that the whole course of the Church to this day may seem nothing else but a verifying of the said prophecy. First, that Christ hath set up a Church, needeth no declaration. Secondly, what force of princes, kings, monarchs, governors, and rulers of this world, with their subjects, publicly and privately, with all their strength and cunning, have bent themselves against this Church! And, thirdly, how the said Church, all this notwithstanding, hath yet endured and holden its own! What storms and tempests it hath overpast, wondrous it is to behold: for the more evident declaration whereof, I have addressed this present history, to the end, first, that the wonderful works of God in His Church might appear to His glory, also that, the continuance and proceedings of the Church, from time to time, being set forth, more knowledge and experience may redound thereby, to the profit of the reader and edification of Christian faith.
As it is not our business to enlarge upon our Savior's history, either before or after His crucifixion, we shall only find it necessary to remind our readers of the discomfiture of the Jews by His subsequent resurrection.
Although one apostle had betrayed Him; although another had denied Him; under the solemn sanction of an oath; and although the rest had forsaken Him, unless we may except "the disciple who was known unto the high-priest" , the history of His resurrection gave a new direction to all their hearts, and, after the mission of the Holy Spirit, imparted new confidence to minds. The powers with which they were endued emboldened them to proclaim His name, to the confusion of the Jewish rulers, and the astonishment of Gentile proselytes.
I. St Stephen
St. Stephen suffered the next in order. His death was occasioned by the faithful manner in which he preached the Gospel to the betrayers and murderers of Christ. To such a degree of madness were they excited, that they cast him out of the city and stoned him to death. '' The time when he suffered is generally supposed to have been at the Passover which succeeded to that of our Lord's crucifixion, and to the era of his ascension, in the following spring
Upon this a great persecution was raised against all who professed their belief in Christ as the Messiah, or as a prophet. We are immediately told by St. Luke, that "there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem;" and that "they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaa and Samaria, except the apostles."
About two thousand Christians, with Nicanor one of the seven deacons, suffered martyrdom during the "persecution that arose about Stephen "
II. James the Great
The next martyr we meet with, according to St. Luke, in the History of the Apostles' Acts, was James the son of Zebedee, the elder brother of John, and a relative of our Lord; for his mother Salome was cousin-german to the Virgin Mary. It was not until ten years after the death of Stephen that the second martyrdom took place; for no sooner had Herod Agrippa been appointed governor of Judea than, with a view to ingratiate himself with them, he raised a sharp persecution against the Christians, and determined to make an effectual blow, by striking at their leaders. The account given us by an eminent primitive writer, Clemens Alexandrinus, ought not to be overlooked; that, as James was led to the place of martyrdom, his accuser was brought to repent of his conduct by the apostle's extraordinary courage, and fell down at his feet to request his pardon, professing himself a Christian, and resolving that James should not receive the crown of martyrdom alone. Hence they were both beheaded at the same time. Thus did the first apostolic martyr cheerfully and resolutely receive that cup, which he had told our Savior he was ready to drink. Timon and Parmenas suffered martyrdom about the same time; the one at Philippi, and the other at Macedonia. These events took place in AD 44.
III. Philip
Was born at Bethsaida, in Galilee and was first called by the name of "disciple." He labored diligently in Upper Asia, and suffered martyrdom at Heliopolis, in Phrygia. He was scourged, thrown into prison, and afterwards crucified, A. D. 54.
IV. Matthew
Whose occupation was that of a toll-gatherer, was born at Nazareth. He wrote his gospel in Hebrew, which was afterwards translated into Greek by James the Less. The scene of his labors was Parthia, and Ethiopia, in which latter country he suffered martyrdom, being slain with a. halberd in the city of Nadabah, AD 60.
V. James the Less
Is supposed by some to have been the brother of our Lord, by a former wife of Joseph. This is very doubtful, and accords too much with the Catholic superstition, that Mary never had any other children except our Savior. He was elected to the oversight of the churches of Jerusalem; and was the author of the Epistle ascribed to James in the sacred canon. At the age of ninety-four he was beat and stoned by the Jews; and finally had his brains dashed out with a fuller's club.
VI. Matthias
Of whom less is known than of most of the other disciples, was elected to fill the vacant place of Judas. He was stoned at Jerusalem and then beheaded.
VII. Andrew
Was the brother of Peter. He preached the gospel to many Asiatic nations; but on his arrival at Edessa he was taken and crucified on a cross, the two ends of which were fixed transversely in the ground. Hence the derivation of the term, St. Andrew's Cross.
VIII. St. Mark
Was born of Jewish parents of the tribe of Levi. He is supposed to have been converted to Christianity by Peter, whom he served as an amanuensis, and under whose inspection he wrote his Gospel in the Greek language. Mark was dragged to pieces by the people of Alexandria, at the great solemnity of Serapis their idol, ending his life under their merciless hands.
IX. Peter
Among many other saints, the blessed apostle Peter was condemned to death, and crucified, as some do write, at Rome; albeit some others, and not without cause, do doubt thereof. Hegesippus saith that Nero sought matter against Peter to put him to death which, when the people perceived, they entreated Peter with much ado that he would fly the city. Peter, through their importunity at length persuaded, prepared himself to avoid. But, coming to the gate, he saw the Lord Christ come to meet him, to whom he, worshipping, said "Lord, whither dost Thou go?" To whom He answered and said, "I am come again to be crucified." By this, Peter, perceiving his suffering to be understood, returned into the city. Jerome saith that he was crucified his head being down and his feet upward, himself so requiring, because he was (he said) unworthy to be crucified after the same form and manner as the Lord was.
X. Paul
Paul, the apostle, who before was called Saul, after his great travail and unspeakable labors in promoting the Gospel of Christ, suffered also in this first persecution under Nero. Abdias, declareth that under his execution Nero sent two of his esquires, Ferega and Parthemius, to bring him word of his death. They, coming to Paul instructing the people, desired him to pray for them, that they might believe; who told them that shortly after they should believe and be baptized at His sepulcher. This done, the soldiers came and led him out of the city to the place of execution, where he, after his prayers made, gave his neck to the sword.
XI. Jude
The brother of James, was commonly called Thaddeus. He was crucified at Edessa, AD 72.
XII. Bartholomew
Preached in several countries, and having translated the Gospel of Matthew into the language of India, he propagated it in that country. He was at length cruelly beaten and then crucified by the impatient idolaters.
XIII. Thomas
Called Didymus, preached the Gospel in Parthia and India, which exciting the rage of the pagan priests, he was martyred by being thrust through with a spear.
XIV. Luke
The evangelist, was the author of the Gospel which goes under his name. He traveled with Paul through various countries, and supposed to have been hanged on an olive tree, by the idolatrous priests of Greece.
XV. Simon
Surnamed Zelotes, preached the Gospel in Mauritania Africa, and even in Britain in which latter country he was crucified, AD 74.
XVI. John
The "beloved disciple," was brother to James the Great. The churches of Smyrna, Pergamos, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, and Thyatira, were founded by him. From Ephesus he was ordered to be sent to Rome, where it is affirmed he was cast into a cauldron of boiling oil. He escaped by miracle, without injury. Domitian after wards banished him to the Isle of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Nerva, the successor of Domitian, recalled him. He was the only apostle who escaped a violent death.
XVII. Barnabas
Was of Cyprus, but of Jewish descent, his death is supposed to have taken place about AD 73. And yet, notwithstanding all these continual persecutions and horrible punishments, the Church daily increased, deeply rooted in the doctrine of the apostles and of men apostolical, and watered plenteously with the blood of saints.
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