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February 14, 2007
FROM THE COUCH
From the Couch
One Body
If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it.
1 Corinthians 12:26
Sometimes I’m amazed at how busy life can be. It seems like I woke up just two weeks ago and it was Rally Day (that was in September!). So much has happened in our lives since then. As we look back over the past several months, most of us look back on a blur of activity. It’s easy to get so busy that we can only see what’s happening right in front of our noses. Recently I’ve been reminded that I’m intimately connected with people that are far away. These are people that I’ve never met, I don’t often think about or remember in prayer. Though I don’t know them, they are nonetheless a part of me. Today, in 40 countries around the world, thousands of these brothers and sisters are suffering simply because they belong to Christ. Because we are all members of Christ’s body, we suffer if one of them suffers. I’d like to use the rest of this space to tell some of their stories, and encourage you to pray for them. Each of these prayer updates come from an organization called Voice of The Martyrs. You can receive weekly updates from around the world by logging on to www.persecution.com. May the Lord honor and bless your committed prayers. Pastor Couch
UZBEKISTAN
Pastor Arrested by Secret Police in Uzbekistan - VOM Sources/ Compass Direct News A pastor was arrested by Uzbek secret police on January 21. During the raid of the Full Gospel Church in Andijan, secret service officers asked Pastor Dmitry Shestakov to step outside with them for five minutes. They then escorted him to the nearest police station. At last report, he was still in police custody. The pastor is accused of "incitement of national, racial and religious enmity," under Article 156 of Uzbekistan's penal code. He could face up to five years in prison if convicted of this charge. Pray God will give this Christian brother the right words to say when he stands before accusing authorities. Pray the Holy Spirit will bring his neighbors, friends and persecutors to Christ through his faithful witness. Romans 12:14, 21
CHINA
Christians Arrested in China - VOM Sources /China Aid Association. On January 22, 2007, three "Minority for Christ" workers were arrested in Guizhou province. Guizhou has one of the largest Hmong populations and is also one of the strongest Communist provinces in China. VOM sources also report that security police arrested 11 Korean Christians after visiting a local village in China. After extensive interrogation they were released. The group is helping a local village build a new church building. On January 26, 2007, Hua Huidi and his 76-year-old mother were attacked and wounded by seven police officers while walking near a 2008 Olympic hotel site in Beijing, China. According to China Aid Association (CAA), Hua, an active house-church member in Beijing, and his mother were kicked on the ground and later taken to the Olympic Police Station for questioning. "When Hua asked the police to release his sick mother and explain the legal ground for the detention, he was beaten repeatedly. While the temperature in Beijing was in the 20s, cold water was poured on him. He was later taken to a detention center," CAA said. Hua's family learned that he was sentenced to one month of criminal detention.
COLUMBIA
Teachers Forced to Deny Christ - VOM Sources. A VOM contact reports that three teachers working with a tribal group are being forced to deny Christ in order to be permitted to teach for the next year. All three teachers intend to stand firm. An effort is being made in some of the tribal areas to eliminate Christianity. Pray God gives these believers courage to stand against this persecution. Ask God to protect them and use their experiences to bring others to Christ.
1 Corinthians 16:13
Posted by Jennifer Herrmann at February 14, 2007 04:20 PM