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Monday, December 30, 2019
Pastor Wang sentenced to 9 years of prison in China
Sunday, December 29, 2019
How Boko Haram celebrates the holidays
International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on Wednesday evening, December 25, the Boko Haram sect known as Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) released a video showing the execution of 10 Christians and one Muslim. In the video, the group explains that this execution was done in order to avenge the killings of ISIS leaders Abubakar al-Baghdadi and Abul-Hasan al-Muhajir. Both of these terrorist leaders were killed in US military actions this year.
It is believed that these 11 captives, as well as two others, were shown in a previous video on December 17, during which they pleaded for their lives. They called out to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to help ransom them back from the terrorist group. Salkida.com was able to identify the 12 men and one woman who were in the proof of life video. The individuals include: Yahaya Tanwua, Kirenubi Bakari, Solomon Sini, Irimiya Ndawa. and Zira Usman from Adamawa State; Sunday Okoye from Anambra State; Bitrus Bwala, Mukhtar Adam, and David Charles from Borno State; Bashir Abdulhamid from Plateau State; and Suwaiba Kashimu (the only female) from Nasarawa State.
It is unclear which of these hostages were killed in the video. It was released, however, that the two who were not killed were spared because they were Muslim. Also, despite the group reportedly giving a timeframe for the Nigerian government to make negotiations for the release of these captives, no attempt was made by the government. The group said that they would be willing to make a trade for members of their group who were being held in government custody.
It came as a shock how quickly the execution of these individuals came after the initial proof of life video. In most cases, ISWAP has produced proof of life videos and given a deadline of at least one month for the government or others to negotiate. The time period in this case only lasted eight days. When asked about the video, an executive of CAN in Northern Nigeria, who asked to remain anonymous, said, “This is madness. This is the kind of happenings that keep widening the religious tolerance gap and building up tension. I am afraid that such continuous provocation could lead to reactions that may be difficult to control.”
ICC’s Nigeria representative added, “Whereas some key Muslim leaders [in Nigeria], including the Sultan of Sokoto, were recently quoted as saying that Christians are not being persecuted in Nigeria, this brutal, murderous act by ISWAP and Boko Haram has disproved their false statements. Rather than pursue genuine and positive steps toward curbing Islamic militancy in the country, they have continued to be hypocritical and live in blatant denial of the truth.”
Nathan Johnson, ICC’s Regional Manager for Africa, said, “This execution is deeply concerning. The Nigerian government had the chance to save these 11 lives and did not respond. This execution shows that this group has the capability to not only threaten lives, but the Nigerian government has no capability to protect them. They also clearly used Christmas Day as a way to show their hatred for Christians.”
It is believed that these 11 captives, as well as two others, were shown in a previous video on December 17, during which they pleaded for their lives. They called out to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to help ransom them back from the terrorist group. Salkida.com was able to identify the 12 men and one woman who were in the proof of life video. The individuals include: Yahaya Tanwua, Kirenubi Bakari, Solomon Sini, Irimiya Ndawa. and Zira Usman from Adamawa State; Sunday Okoye from Anambra State; Bitrus Bwala, Mukhtar Adam, and David Charles from Borno State; Bashir Abdulhamid from Plateau State; and Suwaiba Kashimu (the only female) from Nasarawa State.
It is unclear which of these hostages were killed in the video. It was released, however, that the two who were not killed were spared because they were Muslim. Also, despite the group reportedly giving a timeframe for the Nigerian government to make negotiations for the release of these captives, no attempt was made by the government. The group said that they would be willing to make a trade for members of their group who were being held in government custody.
It came as a shock how quickly the execution of these individuals came after the initial proof of life video. In most cases, ISWAP has produced proof of life videos and given a deadline of at least one month for the government or others to negotiate. The time period in this case only lasted eight days. When asked about the video, an executive of CAN in Northern Nigeria, who asked to remain anonymous, said, “This is madness. This is the kind of happenings that keep widening the religious tolerance gap and building up tension. I am afraid that such continuous provocation could lead to reactions that may be difficult to control.”
ICC’s Nigeria representative added, “Whereas some key Muslim leaders [in Nigeria], including the Sultan of Sokoto, were recently quoted as saying that Christians are not being persecuted in Nigeria, this brutal, murderous act by ISWAP and Boko Haram has disproved their false statements. Rather than pursue genuine and positive steps toward curbing Islamic militancy in the country, they have continued to be hypocritical and live in blatant denial of the truth.”
Nathan Johnson, ICC’s Regional Manager for Africa, said, “This execution is deeply concerning. The Nigerian government had the chance to save these 11 lives and did not respond. This execution shows that this group has the capability to not only threaten lives, but the Nigerian government has no capability to protect them. They also clearly used Christmas Day as a way to show their hatred for Christians.”
For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org.
About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world.
Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org
Phone: (301)-859-3842
International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world.
Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org
Phone: (301)-859-3842
International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org
Saturday, December 28, 2019
T.C.U.P.T (Part 18): Keep fighting!
One of the most well-known verses in the Bible reminds us that we must always continue to keep fighting on a daily basis.
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
- Jude 3 (KJV)
Jude insists in this verse that he urgently wanted to write this letter to everyone who have decided to go on a spiritual journey that fighting for the faith is absolutely necessary. Every day of your life, you must decide to fight for the faith because there are others that are constantly fighting against faith. Keep fighting!
Numerical Expositions: Genesis 4:22
And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
- Gen. 4:22 (KJV)
This verse mentions the birth of Tubal-cain, who was the first blacksmith. His name is actually two names of Tubal and Cain. The name Tubal means "the world." The name Cain means "possession." Combine these two words together and his name means "possession of the world." Basically, he looked to conquer the world through the weapons that he made. You could say that he was the first megalomaniac. His sister was totally the opposite of Tubal-cain because Naamah means "pleasantness." Names do have meaning. If you study the names of the Bible, then you are able to unlock mysteries that you previously did not know.
Numerical Breakdown: (4) Stay in God's Word in order to be productive. (8) To have a new beginning, use the resources that you have to create. (2) To be delivered, choose to be pleasant.
- Gen. 4:22 (KJV)
This verse mentions the birth of Tubal-cain, who was the first blacksmith. His name is actually two names of Tubal and Cain. The name Tubal means "the world." The name Cain means "possession." Combine these two words together and his name means "possession of the world." Basically, he looked to conquer the world through the weapons that he made. You could say that he was the first megalomaniac. His sister was totally the opposite of Tubal-cain because Naamah means "pleasantness." Names do have meaning. If you study the names of the Bible, then you are able to unlock mysteries that you previously did not know.
Numerical Breakdown: (4) Stay in God's Word in order to be productive. (8) To have a new beginning, use the resources that you have to create. (2) To be delivered, choose to be pleasant.
Thursday, December 26, 2019
Numerical Expositions: Genesis 4:21
And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.
Gen. 4:21 (KJV)
Jubal is mentioned here as the one that invented music. He created the harp and the flute, as an organ is a bunch of pipes. The original Hebrew translation is translated flute instead of organ. If the Bible is not true, then there would not be music in the world.
Numerical Breakdown: (4) The name Jubal means "ram." Stay in God's Word in order to mature in Him. (3) Stay in the Spirit so that you will be creative. (7) Be perfected by God so that you will be creative. (2) Walk in God's kingdom so that you will be creative. (1) Stay in the anointing so that you will be creative.
Gen. 4:21 (KJV)
Jubal is mentioned here as the one that invented music. He created the harp and the flute, as an organ is a bunch of pipes. The original Hebrew translation is translated flute instead of organ. If the Bible is not true, then there would not be music in the world.
Numerical Breakdown: (4) The name Jubal means "ram." Stay in God's Word in order to mature in Him. (3) Stay in the Spirit so that you will be creative. (7) Be perfected by God so that you will be creative. (2) Walk in God's kingdom so that you will be creative. (1) Stay in the anointing so that you will be creative.
T.C.U.P.T. (Part 17): Be unbiased
The reason why the letters of St. Paul are still being read each and every day around the world is because he was unbiased. Here's an example in Philippians 1:6-7.
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye are all partakers of my grace.
Phil. 1:6-7 (KJV)
The reason that Paul gives for being unbiased is to prove that the gospel is the truth. He did not want any of his work to be in vain so being unbiased allowed for him to spread the gospel all over the world.
Being a leader means that the leader has to remain unbiased or his or her message will not spread further.
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye are all partakers of my grace.
Phil. 1:6-7 (KJV)
The reason that Paul gives for being unbiased is to prove that the gospel is the truth. He did not want any of his work to be in vain so being unbiased allowed for him to spread the gospel all over the world.
Being a leader means that the leader has to remain unbiased or his or her message will not spread further.
Thursday, December 19, 2019
US sanctions Iranian judge
International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on December 19, 2019, the United States issued financial sanctions against two Iranian judges complicit in violating the human rights of Iranians. One of these judges, Mohammad Moghisseh, has a long record of specifically violating the rights of Iran’s Christian minority.
“Through their respective branches of Revolutionary Courts, Abolghassem Salavati and Mohammad Moghisseh, both designated today, oversaw the Iranian regime’s miscarriage of justice in show trials in which journalists, attorneys, political activists, and members of Iran’s ethnic and religious minority groups were penalized for exercising their freedom of expression and assembly and sentenced to lengthy prison terms, lashes, and even execution,” said the United States Treasury Department in a statement.
Earlier this year, ICC recommended the name of Judge Mohammad Moghisseh for sanctions, specifically because of his ongoing abuse of Iranian Christians. His record of persecution includes specific patterns of engaging in double jeopardy sentencing and being complicit in the medical abuse of imprisoned Christians. Many of Iran’s incarcerated Christians were sent to prisons which Judge Moghisseh had once helped manage. He rose through the judicial ranks because of his hardline stance in support of the regime’s human rights abuses.
Matias Perttula, ICC’s Advocacy Director, said, “The steps taken by the United States government today are definitely the right way forward, and we celebrate the work of the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control to move forward with sanctions. This decision will bring hope to the people of Iran and especially to those who have suffered under the cruelty of the Iranian regime’s so-called ‘judicial system.’ While the steps taken by the US government are welcomed, more can be done to advance human rights and religious freedom for all Iranians. The US must continue to rally with its allies and maintain consistent pressure on the Iranian regime to bring change. ICC was honored to give voice in this process."
All property and interests of those designated by today’s sanctions are thereby blocked. Any financial institution that facilitates these judges’ transactions risks exposure to these sanctions and having its own access to the US financial system severed.
Claire Evans, ICC’s Regional Manager for the Middle East, said, “The sanctioning of an Iranian Revolutionary Court judge is a powerful message to send to Iran. It shows that individuals complicit in horrific human rights abuses will be held accountable, and cannot hide behind governmental institutions. For Christians who are always subjected to abuses perpetrated by Iran’s Revolutionary Courts, this sends a strong message of hope. A reminder that they are not forgotten, and that we stand with them in their struggle for freedom of conscience.”
“Through their respective branches of Revolutionary Courts, Abolghassem Salavati and Mohammad Moghisseh, both designated today, oversaw the Iranian regime’s miscarriage of justice in show trials in which journalists, attorneys, political activists, and members of Iran’s ethnic and religious minority groups were penalized for exercising their freedom of expression and assembly and sentenced to lengthy prison terms, lashes, and even execution,” said the United States Treasury Department in a statement.
Earlier this year, ICC recommended the name of Judge Mohammad Moghisseh for sanctions, specifically because of his ongoing abuse of Iranian Christians. His record of persecution includes specific patterns of engaging in double jeopardy sentencing and being complicit in the medical abuse of imprisoned Christians. Many of Iran’s incarcerated Christians were sent to prisons which Judge Moghisseh had once helped manage. He rose through the judicial ranks because of his hardline stance in support of the regime’s human rights abuses.
Matias Perttula, ICC’s Advocacy Director, said, “The steps taken by the United States government today are definitely the right way forward, and we celebrate the work of the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control to move forward with sanctions. This decision will bring hope to the people of Iran and especially to those who have suffered under the cruelty of the Iranian regime’s so-called ‘judicial system.’ While the steps taken by the US government are welcomed, more can be done to advance human rights and religious freedom for all Iranians. The US must continue to rally with its allies and maintain consistent pressure on the Iranian regime to bring change. ICC was honored to give voice in this process."
All property and interests of those designated by today’s sanctions are thereby blocked. Any financial institution that facilitates these judges’ transactions risks exposure to these sanctions and having its own access to the US financial system severed.
Claire Evans, ICC’s Regional Manager for the Middle East, said, “The sanctioning of an Iranian Revolutionary Court judge is a powerful message to send to Iran. It shows that individuals complicit in horrific human rights abuses will be held accountable, and cannot hide behind governmental institutions. For Christians who are always subjected to abuses perpetrated by Iran’s Revolutionary Courts, this sends a strong message of hope. A reminder that they are not forgotten, and that we stand with them in their struggle for freedom of conscience.”
For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org.
About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world.
Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org
Phone: (301)-859-3842
International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world.
Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org
Phone: (301)-859-3842
International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
UWSA is a joke in Myanmar
International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that churches in Myanmar that were previously shut down began to reopen last week. The churches in Wa State were ordered to be closed last year as part of a campaign to suppress Christianity by the rebel United Wa State Army (UWSA).
Beginning in September 2018, the UWSA, the largest armed ethnic group with close ties to China, began to detain Christian leaders and shut down dozens of churches and religious schools. They also questioned pastors, bishops, and nuns about their activities.
In addition, in order to restrict foreign missionaries and root out “religious extremists,” the UWSA also demanded that all religious leaders must be residents of the Wa region and conduct their work only with the permission of local authorities.
According to Radio Free Asia (RFA), 52 Baptist churches are now back in operation. A source familiar with the situation confirmed to ICC that churches that are non-Wa, such as Lahu and Kachin, have also been reopened.
Rev. Dr. Lazarus, bishop of the Lahu Baptist Convention in Wa State, told RFA’s Myanmar Service that restrictions on churches closed by the UWSA began to lift in September in Hotaung, Mei Pauk, and Pansang townships.
“All of our churches finally opened last week, and only a Bible study school is left still closed in Hotaung,” he said. “We don’t know why they will not allow this one to reopen yet. I would like to appeal to them to reopen the school.”
Meanwhile, four Catholic schools in the Maingmaw, Winkhaung, and Panwaing townships remain closed, according to the bishop of Lashio, Father Philip Lasap Za Hawng.
“We haven’t visited these areas in the Wa region, since the authorities haven’t invited us to go there,” he said. “I heard that the Wa authorities are using the religious school where priests and nuns once lived for their own purposes.”
Asia News also reports that no Catholic churches currently operate in UWSA-controlled areas, and many religious schools and residences have been converted for secular use, according to Father Mariano Soe Naing, director of the Office for Social Communication of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Myanmar.
“We heard that the authorities converted the school in Winkhaung into a police station, and that they bulldozed the school in Maingmaw. We don’t know what the latest status of these buildings is,” he added.
Gina Goh, ICC’s Regional Manager for Southeast Asia, said, “We rejoice with the Christians in Wa State who are finally able to worship in their own churches after months of waiting. This news is especially encouraging as Christians around the world get ready to celebrate Christmas. We, however, continue to call on the UWSA to fully respect religious freedom and allow people of all faiths to worship freely.”
Beginning in September 2018, the UWSA, the largest armed ethnic group with close ties to China, began to detain Christian leaders and shut down dozens of churches and religious schools. They also questioned pastors, bishops, and nuns about their activities.
In addition, in order to restrict foreign missionaries and root out “religious extremists,” the UWSA also demanded that all religious leaders must be residents of the Wa region and conduct their work only with the permission of local authorities.
According to Radio Free Asia (RFA), 52 Baptist churches are now back in operation. A source familiar with the situation confirmed to ICC that churches that are non-Wa, such as Lahu and Kachin, have also been reopened.
Rev. Dr. Lazarus, bishop of the Lahu Baptist Convention in Wa State, told RFA’s Myanmar Service that restrictions on churches closed by the UWSA began to lift in September in Hotaung, Mei Pauk, and Pansang townships.
“All of our churches finally opened last week, and only a Bible study school is left still closed in Hotaung,” he said. “We don’t know why they will not allow this one to reopen yet. I would like to appeal to them to reopen the school.”
Meanwhile, four Catholic schools in the Maingmaw, Winkhaung, and Panwaing townships remain closed, according to the bishop of Lashio, Father Philip Lasap Za Hawng.
“We haven’t visited these areas in the Wa region, since the authorities haven’t invited us to go there,” he said. “I heard that the Wa authorities are using the religious school where priests and nuns once lived for their own purposes.”
Asia News also reports that no Catholic churches currently operate in UWSA-controlled areas, and many religious schools and residences have been converted for secular use, according to Father Mariano Soe Naing, director of the Office for Social Communication of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Myanmar.
“We heard that the authorities converted the school in Winkhaung into a police station, and that they bulldozed the school in Maingmaw. We don’t know what the latest status of these buildings is,” he added.
Gina Goh, ICC’s Regional Manager for Southeast Asia, said, “We rejoice with the Christians in Wa State who are finally able to worship in their own churches after months of waiting. This news is especially encouraging as Christians around the world get ready to celebrate Christmas. We, however, continue to call on the UWSA to fully respect religious freedom and allow people of all faiths to worship freely.”
For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org.
About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world.
Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org
Phone: (301)-859-3842
International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world.
Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org
Phone: (301)-859-3842
International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Armenian patriarch elected in Turkey
International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on December 11, 2019, Armenian Christians elected the 85th Armenian Patriarch of Turkey, Bishop Sahak Maşalyan. The election comes after a decade of delays caused by Turkey’s inference in church affairs.
The weeks preceding the election were filled with fresh controversy, as Turkey had inserted new bylaws into the electoral process which restricted candidates eligible for the position. Under the new bylaws, the only eligible candidates for the Patriarch were Turks, although the Armenian Church encompasses a global landscape.
The election of a new church leader has been eagerly anticipated by Armenian Christians ever since the previous Patriarch fell into a coma 11 years ago. Turkey forced Armenian Christians to wait until his death this past March before allowing the Church to proceed with elections. Bishop Maşalyan was elected with 102 delegate votes out of a total of 119.
The Patriarch’s Office noted in a statement, “It was observed that the (electoral) participation did not decrease despite the decrease in population due to various reasons, and the voters exercising their right to protest… We believe that despite numerous technical, legal, structural, and material difficulties, we provided an exemplary working order.”
“History will write to the black pages of public officials, co-operating spirits and rulers who play with our dignity. I will not count the chosen person as my patriarch,” tweeted an Armenian Member of Turkey’s Parliament, Garo Paylan.
Following the 1915 genocide of Christians, which devastated the population, Turkey has maintained strict oversight of the surviving churches. In the weeks immediately preceding the Armenian Patriarch election, the genocide again became a relevant feature of Turkish news. In one notable example, members of the Istanbul Bar Association published a November article describing the Armenian genocide as Turkey’s “crowning achievement,” and threatening Armenians “with a new deportation which will be the lightest measure against them.”
Turkey is ranked as a Tier 2 Country of Particular Concern by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.
Claire Evans, ICC’s Regional Manager for the Middle East, said, “It is significant that the Armenian Church, at long last, has a recognizable leader as a figurehead. This position inherits many challenges, and we pray for wisdom and discernment for the Church in the coming days. Turkey’s long prevention of this process was a significant barricade to the spiritual rejuvenation of the Church. We urge Turkey to comply with its own laws, protecting religious tolerance and freedom.”
The weeks preceding the election were filled with fresh controversy, as Turkey had inserted new bylaws into the electoral process which restricted candidates eligible for the position. Under the new bylaws, the only eligible candidates for the Patriarch were Turks, although the Armenian Church encompasses a global landscape.
The election of a new church leader has been eagerly anticipated by Armenian Christians ever since the previous Patriarch fell into a coma 11 years ago. Turkey forced Armenian Christians to wait until his death this past March before allowing the Church to proceed with elections. Bishop Maşalyan was elected with 102 delegate votes out of a total of 119.
The Patriarch’s Office noted in a statement, “It was observed that the (electoral) participation did not decrease despite the decrease in population due to various reasons, and the voters exercising their right to protest… We believe that despite numerous technical, legal, structural, and material difficulties, we provided an exemplary working order.”
“History will write to the black pages of public officials, co-operating spirits and rulers who play with our dignity. I will not count the chosen person as my patriarch,” tweeted an Armenian Member of Turkey’s Parliament, Garo Paylan.
Following the 1915 genocide of Christians, which devastated the population, Turkey has maintained strict oversight of the surviving churches. In the weeks immediately preceding the Armenian Patriarch election, the genocide again became a relevant feature of Turkish news. In one notable example, members of the Istanbul Bar Association published a November article describing the Armenian genocide as Turkey’s “crowning achievement,” and threatening Armenians “with a new deportation which will be the lightest measure against them.”
Turkey is ranked as a Tier 2 Country of Particular Concern by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.
Claire Evans, ICC’s Regional Manager for the Middle East, said, “It is significant that the Armenian Church, at long last, has a recognizable leader as a figurehead. This position inherits many challenges, and we pray for wisdom and discernment for the Church in the coming days. Turkey’s long prevention of this process was a significant barricade to the spiritual rejuvenation of the Church. We urge Turkey to comply with its own laws, protecting religious tolerance and freedom.”
For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org.
About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world.
Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org
Phone: (301)-859-3842
International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world.
Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org
Phone: (301)-859-3842
International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org
Monday, December 9, 2019
Bus attack claims 9 in Kenya
International Christian Concern has learned that on December 6, 2019, 11 non-local Christian passengers were attacked while travelling to Mandera from Nairobi and killed at Kotulo in northeastern Kenya. They were reportedly separated from their Muslim counterparts and killed for failing to recite the Islamic Shahada. Confirming the incident, a Kenyan police officer told ICC, “A passenger bus belonging to Medina Bus Company, traveling between Wajir and Mandera was attacked by a criminal gang at around 1730 hours this evening. The attack happened at Maadathe area, five kilometers to Kotulo. Lives are believed to have been lost.”
According to a reliable source, the militants separated passengers into groups, targeting the non-locals. Nine of the passengers on the Mandera-bound bus who could not recite the Shahada were paraded out of the bus and shot dead at close range by those believed to be al-Shabaab militants. There are two passengers still missing who are believed to also be dead. The names of those confirmed as killed are Athanus Kiti, Enos Odhiambo, Kelvin Mandela, Wisely Meli, Tikane Kasale, Leonard Mukanda, Francis Mbuvi, Rodgers Machuka, and Anchari Okerosi. The two still missing are Emmanuel Barasa and Nathan Bett.
Commenting on the terror attack, the governor of Mandera said, “I am deeply saddened to learn of the heinous bus attack near Kotulo, Wajir today around 5:00 p.m. where 10 passengers were killed [or are missing]. I am informed that the suspected al-Shabaab fighters cowardly segregated non-locals heading to Mandera from Nairobi. It is extremely sad and humanly disturbing to learn that, yet again, they segregated locals from non-locals before killing those they believed to be non-locals.”
The attack comes only a month after eight construction workers in Mandera escaped unharmed when the Somali-based militant group al-Shabaab ambushed the workers’ van along the Elwak-Kotulo road. It is common in northeastern Kenya for terrorists to target buses, separate passengers by religious identity, and kill the Christians.
In 2018, Fredrick Ngui Ngonde and Joshua Ooko Obila were killed in a similar manner for declining to recite the Islamic creed along the Garissa Masalani road.
In 2015, 148 students at Garissa University were killed by gunmen after the Muslim students were freed. In the same year, a Muslim teacher, Salah Farah, was shot for defending Christian passengers who were being separated for execution by al-Shabaab.
In 2014, 28 teachers traveling to Nairobi for the Christmas holiday were killed after being forced to recite the Islamic statement of faith.
Nathan Johnson, ICC’s Regional Manager for Africa, commented, “We pray for the families of the deceased and for peace to come to a region that has seen increased violence toward Christians who are just trying to survive. We hope that the government will take effective action to stop the senseless killing of so many Christians in Kenya at the hands of Islamic extremists like al-Shabaab. We praise God as the refuge and strong tower that He is for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ who continue to endure so much.”
According to a reliable source, the militants separated passengers into groups, targeting the non-locals. Nine of the passengers on the Mandera-bound bus who could not recite the Shahada were paraded out of the bus and shot dead at close range by those believed to be al-Shabaab militants. There are two passengers still missing who are believed to also be dead. The names of those confirmed as killed are Athanus Kiti, Enos Odhiambo, Kelvin Mandela, Wisely Meli, Tikane Kasale, Leonard Mukanda, Francis Mbuvi, Rodgers Machuka, and Anchari Okerosi. The two still missing are Emmanuel Barasa and Nathan Bett.
Commenting on the terror attack, the governor of Mandera said, “I am deeply saddened to learn of the heinous bus attack near Kotulo, Wajir today around 5:00 p.m. where 10 passengers were killed [or are missing]. I am informed that the suspected al-Shabaab fighters cowardly segregated non-locals heading to Mandera from Nairobi. It is extremely sad and humanly disturbing to learn that, yet again, they segregated locals from non-locals before killing those they believed to be non-locals.”
The attack comes only a month after eight construction workers in Mandera escaped unharmed when the Somali-based militant group al-Shabaab ambushed the workers’ van along the Elwak-Kotulo road. It is common in northeastern Kenya for terrorists to target buses, separate passengers by religious identity, and kill the Christians.
In 2018, Fredrick Ngui Ngonde and Joshua Ooko Obila were killed in a similar manner for declining to recite the Islamic creed along the Garissa Masalani road.
In 2015, 148 students at Garissa University were killed by gunmen after the Muslim students were freed. In the same year, a Muslim teacher, Salah Farah, was shot for defending Christian passengers who were being separated for execution by al-Shabaab.
In 2014, 28 teachers traveling to Nairobi for the Christmas holiday were killed after being forced to recite the Islamic statement of faith.
Nathan Johnson, ICC’s Regional Manager for Africa, commented, “We pray for the families of the deceased and for peace to come to a region that has seen increased violence toward Christians who are just trying to survive. We hope that the government will take effective action to stop the senseless killing of so many Christians in Kenya at the hands of Islamic extremists like al-Shabaab. We praise God as the refuge and strong tower that He is for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ who continue to endure so much.”
For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org.
About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world.
Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org
Phone: (301)-859-3842
International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world.
Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org
Phone: (301)-859-3842
International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org
Saturday, December 7, 2019
T.C.U.P.T. (Part 16) Reconciliation
For if, when we enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Romans 5:10 (KJV)
Mankind was under sin due to the original sin done by Adam. However, God reconciled mankind back to Himself by having His Son be the sacrifice for sin. That means that mankind is technically back in harmony with God. A person still has to believe in God in order to gain access into His kingdom.
The reconciliation also allows for a person to be saved. Since the Son of God was resurrected, then whoever believes will also be resurrected as well due to that harmony that God has already established with mankind. Whoever chooses to take advantage of what God has done will be saved.
Romans 5:10 (KJV)
Mankind was under sin due to the original sin done by Adam. However, God reconciled mankind back to Himself by having His Son be the sacrifice for sin. That means that mankind is technically back in harmony with God. A person still has to believe in God in order to gain access into His kingdom.
The reconciliation also allows for a person to be saved. Since the Son of God was resurrected, then whoever believes will also be resurrected as well due to that harmony that God has already established with mankind. Whoever chooses to take advantage of what God has done will be saved.
Numerical Expositions: Genesis 4:20
And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such that dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.
- Gen. 4:20 (KJV)
Jabal did not want to live in an enclosed place, so he became the first person from the descendants of Cain to live out of the open inside of a tent. Instead of keeping sheep, Jabal was the first person to herd cattle. Thus, he created the ancient Bedouin lifestyle. His existence gives you an idea where the land of Nod was located because the Bedouins were primarily from the area of Saudi Arabia. We know that Nod was east of Eden. Therefore, west of Saudi Arabia was the general area of the land of Eden. What's west of Saudi Arabia? Israel. This verse gives you a geographic reason as to why Israel was considered the land promised by God. Get high off of that.
Numerical Breakdown: (4) The name Jabal means "mountain." Walk in God's Word in order to advance to another level. (2) To follow after God's kingdom, dwell with Him. (6) To expose evil, use the resources that you have wisely.
- Gen. 4:20 (KJV)
Jabal did not want to live in an enclosed place, so he became the first person from the descendants of Cain to live out of the open inside of a tent. Instead of keeping sheep, Jabal was the first person to herd cattle. Thus, he created the ancient Bedouin lifestyle. His existence gives you an idea where the land of Nod was located because the Bedouins were primarily from the area of Saudi Arabia. We know that Nod was east of Eden. Therefore, west of Saudi Arabia was the general area of the land of Eden. What's west of Saudi Arabia? Israel. This verse gives you a geographic reason as to why Israel was considered the land promised by God. Get high off of that.
Numerical Breakdown: (4) The name Jabal means "mountain." Walk in God's Word in order to advance to another level. (2) To follow after God's kingdom, dwell with Him. (6) To expose evil, use the resources that you have wisely.
Wednesday, December 4, 2019
What is illegal business in China
International
Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that Qin Derfu, an elder from
Sichuan’s Early Rain Covenant Church (ERCC) who has been detained since
last December, was sentenced to four years in prison for “illegal
business” on November 29. The sentencing took place four days after his
trial at the Qingyang People’s Court.
The police promised Qin’s family that if they allowed the government to employ two assigned lawyers to replace Qin’s own assigned lawyer, Qin “would only need to appear at the court before he can be released.” However, the judge then slapped him with the four-year sentence for illegally printing and publishing publications without authorization from the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television.
According to Radio Free Asia, Qin’s wife received two passes to attend the trial. Qin’s own assigned lawyer was, however, unable to sit in, and Qin was left to be defended by the two state assigned lawyers. The court asked Qin to plead guilty to the aforementioned accusations, to which he refused.
The judge stated that “Qin’s criminal act was especially grave,” for he printed tens of thousands of Gospel pamphlets. An ERCC member told RFA that during the trial, the prosecutor never mentioned Qin’s church, or that he is a Christian and an elder, in a clear attempt to mark this case as non-religious and purely about running an illegal business.
After Qin was sentenced, he asked the police to tell his wife, Xiao Hongliu, that he cannot plead guilty simply to meet the police’s needs, because his consciousness does not allow him to do so. In his last statement, he said, “I am a Christian, and I serve at my church, according to my congregation’s needs. With the understanding of an ordinary citizen, I have done nothing illegal or contrary to law, I believe having [Christian] faith is not a crime.”
Zhang Peihong, the assigned lawyer of imprisoned pastor Wang Yi, commented on Facebook, “According to Pastor Wang Yi’s testimony, he actively took the main responsibilities for printing these evangelism materials. So based on this (Qin’s sentence), I sense that Wang will receive at least 10 years of imprisonment.”
While most of the victims of last year’s 1209 ERCC crackdown have been released, Pastor Wang Yi and elder Qin Derfu are the last two who remain behind bars.
Gina Goh, ICC’s Regional Manager for Southeast Asia, said, “We strongly condemn the Chinese government for the injustice that has been applied to a devout Christian, who has done nothing illegal and was solely punished for his faith and ministry. We also ask for prayers for the Early Rain Covenant Church, as they continue to face persecution from the government, exploited of their right to freely worship in China.”
The police promised Qin’s family that if they allowed the government to employ two assigned lawyers to replace Qin’s own assigned lawyer, Qin “would only need to appear at the court before he can be released.” However, the judge then slapped him with the four-year sentence for illegally printing and publishing publications without authorization from the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television.
According to Radio Free Asia, Qin’s wife received two passes to attend the trial. Qin’s own assigned lawyer was, however, unable to sit in, and Qin was left to be defended by the two state assigned lawyers. The court asked Qin to plead guilty to the aforementioned accusations, to which he refused.
The judge stated that “Qin’s criminal act was especially grave,” for he printed tens of thousands of Gospel pamphlets. An ERCC member told RFA that during the trial, the prosecutor never mentioned Qin’s church, or that he is a Christian and an elder, in a clear attempt to mark this case as non-religious and purely about running an illegal business.
After Qin was sentenced, he asked the police to tell his wife, Xiao Hongliu, that he cannot plead guilty simply to meet the police’s needs, because his consciousness does not allow him to do so. In his last statement, he said, “I am a Christian, and I serve at my church, according to my congregation’s needs. With the understanding of an ordinary citizen, I have done nothing illegal or contrary to law, I believe having [Christian] faith is not a crime.”
Zhang Peihong, the assigned lawyer of imprisoned pastor Wang Yi, commented on Facebook, “According to Pastor Wang Yi’s testimony, he actively took the main responsibilities for printing these evangelism materials. So based on this (Qin’s sentence), I sense that Wang will receive at least 10 years of imprisonment.”
While most of the victims of last year’s 1209 ERCC crackdown have been released, Pastor Wang Yi and elder Qin Derfu are the last two who remain behind bars.
Gina Goh, ICC’s Regional Manager for Southeast Asia, said, “We strongly condemn the Chinese government for the injustice that has been applied to a devout Christian, who has done nothing illegal and was solely punished for his faith and ministry. We also ask for prayers for the Early Rain Covenant Church, as they continue to face persecution from the government, exploited of their right to freely worship in China.”
For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org.
About ICC
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world.
Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org
Phone: (301)-859-3842
International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org
International Christian Concern is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization focused on human rights, religious freedom and assisting the persecuted Christian Church around the world.
Media Contact
Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator
E-mail: press@persecution.org
Phone: (301)-859-3842
International Christian Concern
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006
www.persecution.org | E-mail: icc@persecution.org
Sunday, December 1, 2019
T.C.U.P.T. (Part 15): Having vision
1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;
8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
Acts 10:1-8 (KJV)
Cornelius was not looking for a vision, but sent a vision to this certain centurion. Although Cornelius was afraid, he knew that the vision was from the Lord. The reason that Cornelius knew that this vision was from the Lord because the vision was revealed to Cornelius at the ninth hour of the day. Many scholars have concluded that Cornelius was the centurion that saw Jesus die on the Cross in Luke 23:44-47. In this text, Jesus died at the ninth hour on the day of His crucifixion.
In Acts 10:4, the angel explains to Cornelius why the vision was sent to him. The reason is that Cornelius prayed and gave to the poor. Many people are seeking to receive a vision from God without doing these two necessary things. Pray and give to the poor so that you can receive a vision from God.
2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.
7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;
8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
Acts 10:1-8 (KJV)
Cornelius was not looking for a vision, but sent a vision to this certain centurion. Although Cornelius was afraid, he knew that the vision was from the Lord. The reason that Cornelius knew that this vision was from the Lord because the vision was revealed to Cornelius at the ninth hour of the day. Many scholars have concluded that Cornelius was the centurion that saw Jesus die on the Cross in Luke 23:44-47. In this text, Jesus died at the ninth hour on the day of His crucifixion.
In Acts 10:4, the angel explains to Cornelius why the vision was sent to him. The reason is that Cornelius prayed and gave to the poor. Many people are seeking to receive a vision from God without doing these two necessary things. Pray and give to the poor so that you can receive a vision from God.
Numerical Expositions: Genesis 4:19
And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.
- Gen. 4:19 (KJV)
Lamech was the first bigamist mentioned in the Bible. God does not want men to marry more than one woman because God commanded for Adam to be married to Eve and not to any other woman. If God wanted for man to have more than one wife, then He would have commanded for Adam to have more than one wife.
Numerical Expositions: (4) To gain instruction, do not commit adultery. (1) The name Adah means "beautiful, ornament." Follow God in order to be adorned with beauty. (5) The name Zillah means "shade, shadow." Choose to walk in God's presence. (9) To overturn evil, choose to walk in God's presence.
- Gen. 4:19 (KJV)
Lamech was the first bigamist mentioned in the Bible. God does not want men to marry more than one woman because God commanded for Adam to be married to Eve and not to any other woman. If God wanted for man to have more than one wife, then He would have commanded for Adam to have more than one wife.
Numerical Expositions: (4) To gain instruction, do not commit adultery. (1) The name Adah means "beautiful, ornament." Follow God in order to be adorned with beauty. (5) The name Zillah means "shade, shadow." Choose to walk in God's presence. (9) To overturn evil, choose to walk in God's presence.
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