The Persecuted Church

The Suffering Church

Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. (Heb 13:3)

Two female ministers in China detained, beaten, released 

Two female house-church ministers in Xinjiang were taken into police custody on May 28 and beaten. Li Tianping and Wang Ling were detained by police in the city of Korla and taken to the Sayibage police station. They were released the next day. Sources credited prayer for the speedy release.

The detentions occurred after local police raided an outdoor praise and worship service at a square in Korla that was attended by about 100 house-church Christians. The two women were detained while leaving the square.

Praise the Lord for answered prayer! Thank Him for the faithful witness of the many Christian believers in China who continue to fellowship together in spite of the opposition they face. May He continue to grow and strengthen His church throughout China.
(China Aid)

Christians killed in Laos; alarming religious freedom abuses continue

Several Christians were recently attacked and killed in Xiengkhouang Province, Laos, underscoring the intense repression and abuse facing followers of Christ in the nation. On April 15, troops from the Lao People's Army caught a group of Christians belonging to the Hmong community, an ethnic minority. All of the believers' Bibles were confiscated. The troops shot and killed four of the women after repeatedly raping two of them. Their husbands and children were beaten, tied up and forced to witness the gruesome killings. At last report, the whereabouts of the surviving believers were unknown.

Protestant Christianity and the Hmong Christian community, in particular, are seen by sections of the Lao society and the authorities as an American or imperialist "import" into the country and a threat to the Communist rule. As a result, believers are routinely expelled, forced to relocate, pressured to renounce their faith and arrested. Religious organizations and institutions have been allowed to function in Laos, but only as long as they remain under government surveillance and control.

Pray for comfort for all those mourning the loss of the four Christian women. Pray other believers will soon be returned home safely. Pray for the peace and strength of Christ to reign in the hearts and minds of Laotian Christians under pressure for their faith. Pray that the Laotian government will recognize the need for true freedom for all their citizens. (Source: World Evangelical Alliance)

AsiaLInk partner with Lao Christians and also lead teams every year to carry precious materials to equip the underground church.

Three imprisoned Iranians released!

Three Iranian believers were set free on April 30, after 239 days in prison. A fourth, Pastor Vahik Abrahamian, who was arrested at the same time, remains in custody. On April 28, Arash Kermanjani, his wife Arezou Teimouri and Sonia Keshish-Avanesian were brought before a judge. Their lawyers were asked to present their cases. Unexpectedly, they were set free. It is unclear whether the charges against them have been dropped or whether they will face further hearings. Sonia is uncertain why her husband was not freed at the same time, and she is extremely worried about him. (Source: Middle East Concern)

Muslims beat evangelist to death, assault pregnant wife in Ethiopia

On April 21, four Muslims beat an evangelist to death and assaulted his pregnant wife in Worabe, Ethiopia. Evangelist Abraham Abera died on the spot, but his wife, who sustained a severe head injury and was left unconscious on the street, was found and taken to a hospital in Butajira, where she regained consciousness April 22. Birtukan's unborn baby fortunately survived the attack. Birtukan said she knew two of the attackers. She said as the Muslims were beating her and her husband, they said, "You are growing in number in our area. You are spreading your message . We will destroy you." The attackers remain at large. A Christian leader in the area said the men may not be arrested because the local officials are also Muslims. The area is 97 percent Muslim.

Pray Birtukan will be healed and fully restored to good health. Pray the Lord ministers to her in her grief. Pray her child will grow to understand and love the faith of his/her parents. Pray for the safety of Christians in Muslim-majority regions of Ethiopia, that the Lord would strengthen them to lovingly and boldly proclaim the gospel (Ephesians 6:18-20).
(Source: International Christian Concern, ASSIST News Service)