THANK YOU
for your support and prayers in 2014
So many Christians around the world have faced tough opposition for their faith this year and it has been more important than ever to remind them that they are not alone, that they are part of a global family. That's why we are grateful for your generous support and faithful prayers. As we prepare to celebrate Jesus' birth, we thank God that He is working through His people people such as you to bring light and hope to a troubled world.
The Bible tells us that our prayers are powerful; and we have been greatly encouraged by the answers we've seen in 2014.
We were delighted to learn only last week that tough prison sentences handed down to three Iranian church leaders, Behnam Irani, Matthias Haghnejad and Silas Rabbani, had been overturned on appeal. Likewise, Pastor Davoud Alijani was released early from jail in January.
There was an international outcry over the death sentence handed down to Sudanese Christian Meriam Yahia Ibrahim. She was acquitted of charges of 'apostasy' and 'adultery' as a result in June. And Moroccan evangelist Mohamed el Baldi (also known as Baladi) had his conviction for 'proselytising' quashed on appeal in February.
Yet, of course, there are many places where Christians still need urgent prayer.
In the Middle East, in nations such as Syria and Iraq, the threat of attack by Islamic State militants still looms large. In north and central Nigeria, Boko Haram militants continue to launch frequent, brutal attacks, making Christians a particular target. And as recently as Sunday, Fulani militants killed five Christians during raids on villages in Agatu, Benue state.
We continue to pray for regimes that still imprison Christians arbitrarily. Several believers remain behind bars in Iran, including Ebrahim Firouzi and pastors Behnam Irani and Saeed Abedini.
Christians in Pakistan remain under intense pressure thanks to the country's blasphemy laws, with individuals such as Asia Bibi and Zafar Bhatti still behind bars. The brutal killing of Christian couple Shehzad Masih and his wife Shama, burnt in a brick kiln in Punjab in November, was a chilling reminder of the need to repeal these laws. Last week, our partners in Pakistan reported a sharp rise in the number of attacks on Christian women and girls, easy prey due to their low social status.
And in many countries Christians are denied their religious rights to worship freely. This week, Bogor's GKI Yasmin congregation (pictured) asked Indonesian police for protection as they celebrate Christmas in the open air. Its church permit was revoked by the Bogor municipality four years ago.
To find out more on these stories please go to this page on our website
Thank you for continuing to walk with us, and our persecuted brothers and sisters worldwide. We wish you a joyful Christmas and a peaceful 2015.
Please ask God to protect His people over Christmas, when church services can become a target for extremist attack. Pray that Jesus, Prince of Peace, will be with Christians in areas of conflict, such as Nigeria and the Middle East.
Pray that the joy of the Lord will be with Christians everywhere, especially with those who have to worship in secret or who are imprisoned for their faith.
Pray particularly for families separated from their loved ones this Christmas, due to persecution. Ask God to provide good friends to comfort and encourage them.
So many Christians around the world have faced tough opposition for their faith this year and it has been more important than ever to remind them that they are not alone, that they are part of a global family. That's why we are grateful for your generous support and faithful prayers. As we prepare to celebrate Jesus' birth, we thank God that He is working through His people people such as you to bring light and hope to a troubled world.
The Bible tells us that our prayers are powerful; and we have been greatly encouraged by the answers we've seen in 2014.
We were delighted to learn only last week that tough prison sentences handed down to three Iranian church leaders, Behnam Irani, Matthias Haghnejad and Silas Rabbani, had been overturned on appeal. Likewise, Pastor Davoud Alijani was released early from jail in January.
There was an international outcry over the death sentence handed down to Sudanese Christian Meriam Yahia Ibrahim. She was acquitted of charges of 'apostasy' and 'adultery' as a result in June. And Moroccan evangelist Mohamed el Baldi (also known as Baladi) had his conviction for 'proselytising' quashed on appeal in February.
Yet, of course, there are many places where Christians still need urgent prayer.
In the Middle East, in nations such as Syria and Iraq, the threat of attack by Islamic State militants still looms large. In north and central Nigeria, Boko Haram militants continue to launch frequent, brutal attacks, making Christians a particular target. And as recently as Sunday, Fulani militants killed five Christians during raids on villages in Agatu, Benue state.
We continue to pray for regimes that still imprison Christians arbitrarily. Several believers remain behind bars in Iran, including Ebrahim Firouzi and pastors Behnam Irani and Saeed Abedini.
Christians in Pakistan remain under intense pressure thanks to the country's blasphemy laws, with individuals such as Asia Bibi and Zafar Bhatti still behind bars. The brutal killing of Christian couple Shehzad Masih and his wife Shama, burnt in a brick kiln in Punjab in November, was a chilling reminder of the need to repeal these laws. Last week, our partners in Pakistan reported a sharp rise in the number of attacks on Christian women and girls, easy prey due to their low social status.
And in many countries Christians are denied their religious rights to worship freely. This week, Bogor's GKI Yasmin congregation (pictured) asked Indonesian police for protection as they celebrate Christmas in the open air. Its church permit was revoked by the Bogor municipality four years ago.
To find out more on these stories please go to this page on our website
Thank you for continuing to walk with us, and our persecuted brothers and sisters worldwide. We wish you a joyful Christmas and a peaceful 2015.
Please ask God to protect His people over Christmas, when church services can become a target for extremist attack. Pray that Jesus, Prince of Peace, will be with Christians in areas of conflict, such as Nigeria and the Middle East.
Pray that the joy of the Lord will be with Christians everywhere, especially with those who have to worship in secret or who are imprisoned for their faith.
Pray particularly for families separated from their loved ones this Christmas, due to persecution. Ask God to provide good friends to comfort and encourage them.
