Update: Iranian pastor's death sentence upheld

(Sources: Present Truth Ministries, VOM sources)

The death sentence of Youcef Nardarkhani, an Iranian pastor convicted of apostasy, has been upheld and confirmed by the Iranian Supreme Court. Pastor Youcef, a leader in the Full Gospel "Church of Iran" network, was arrested and imprisoned in October 2009 after protesting a decision by the government requiring that his son study the Qur'an (click here for more). In September, Iran's 11th Circuit Criminal Court of Appeals for the Gilan Province upheld Pastor Youcef's death sentence and conviction for apostasy. The delivery of the death sentence, however, was delayed. Many believe the delay was a means to pressure him to him to turn away from Christ in prison. With the sentence now upheld and confirmed, it is possible that the authorities will ask him to recant his faith and execute him without advance notice if he refuses -- a typical pattern of action taken by authorities in such cases. If Pastor Youcef is indeed executed, his would be the first judicial execution of a Christian in Iran in two decades. He is but one of several members of his church who have been arrested by Iranian officials, and his wife has also spent time in prison because of her faith in Christ.

Pray that God will continue to equip Pastor Youcef to stand firm in his faith. Pray that he will sense the love and support of all those praying for him and working on his behalf. Pray that the Iranian authorities involved will be convicted of their injustice and overturn the case. Pray for comfort to abound in the hearts and minds of Pastor Youcef's wife and children.

You can find out more about the trials facing Iranian Christians at the Iran Country Report.

Christians tortured and killed in South Sudan

(Source: Compass Direct)

These refugees have fled from the fighting in South Kordofan state Photo: Assist News

Government agents and Islamic militants recently launched deadly attacks on Christians in Sudan's South Kordofan state. On June 8, a Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) Intelligence unit detained a seminary student, Nimeri Philip Kalo, near the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) in the capital city of Kadugli. Nimeri and other Christians were fleeing the town after Muslim militias loyal to the SAF attacked and looted at least three local churches. The agents reportedly accused Nimeri of being a Christian and suspected he was therefore opposed to the Islamic government. The UNMIS's mandate is to support the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Government of Sudan and the country's Christian and animist south, which is scheduled to secede on July 9 (click here for more information). Nimeri was killed in front of several bystanders. "They shot him in front of our eyes and forced us not to cry, or else we would face the same fate," said one witness.

The same day, Islamic militants aligned with SAF killed a Christian bus driver, Adeeb Gismalla Aksam (33), by sword in the Kadugli Market. That afternoon, other armed militants attacked a Roman Catholic Church building where Christians were gathered for mass, firing guns and shouting "Allahu-akbar." No one was injured, but SAF agents arrested Reverend Abraham James Lual in front of his congregation. They accused Abraham of preaching that people should oppose the Islamic government and took him to an unknown location. He was tortured for two days before being released.

Pray for healing for Abraham. Pray for God's enduring comfort to reign in the hearts of the friends and family members of the martyred believers. Pray that their example of costly discipleship will enrich the witness of the Sudanese Church. Pray that Sudanese Christians will continue to trust in God's love and provision, even in times of instability, violence and loss.

To find out more about the persecution believers face in Sudan, go to the Sudan Country Report.

Pastor killed in Borno state, Nigeria

(Sources: Compass Direct)

Rev. David Usman and his wife at his 2009 ordination

Two Christians were recently killed by members of the Islamist sect Boko Haram in the northeastern town of Maiduguri, Nigeria. Pastor David Usman (45) and Hamman Andrew, the church secretary, were shot dead near the church in an area of Maiduguri called the Railway Quarters. In 2009, when the church was set on fire by militants, Pastor David had reportedly raised the problem of Boko Haram with his superiors and commented that the Government needed to do more to stop their aggression.

Boko Haram, a sect committed to extending strict Islamic or Sharia law across Nigeria, has been responsible for several recent attacks in the region, including deadly bombings. The violence has been widely interpreted as a protest against April's national elections, which returned Christian incumbent Goodluck Jonathan to power. The fighting has left many in the Christian community terrified for their lives. "We no longer feel free moving around the city and most churches no longer carry out worship services for fear of becoming targets of these unprovoked attacks," said one local pastor.

Thank the Lord for the life and faith of Pastor David and Hamman. Ask God to surround their grieving loved ones with his comfort. Pray that Nigerian Christians will be emboldened and sustained by the Holy Spirit as they serve the Lord in a climate of intense violence. Pray that those who persecute Christians in Nigeria will repent and embrace Christ as Lord.

For more information on suffering Christians in Nigeria, please visit the Nigeria Country Report.

Update: Harassment continues for Shouwang Church in Beijing, China

(Source: ChinaAid Association)

Shouwang Church members continue to face opposition Photo: ChinaAid

Members of the Shouwang Church in Beijing, China have been arrested and repeatedly harassed by authorities for their attempt to hold outdoor Sunday worship in recent months (click here for more information). In the latest such incident, 15 Christians were detained for gathering at the church's designated outdoor worship site on June 26. Several of the detained believers were visiting from other churches, including one woman who had traveled from Henan province to show her support. Police had reportedly stopped two other Christian women from another house church from leaving their home to visit the worship site. By 9:00 p.m. that evening, all of the believers were released.

In another development, pastors belonging to China's official Three-Self Patriotic Movement recently sought out Shouwang Church members for long sessions of "pastoral counseling" on the government's behalf. Three-Self representatives were also on hand a few weeks ago when police interrogated detained members of the Shouwang Church about the theological basis for the church's actions.

Thank the Lord for the faithful witness of these Christians. Pray that the Shouwang Church members will continue to look to God to keep them strong and vigorous in spirit. Pray they may be a challenging example of love and hope to those who oppose them. Pray that Christ will continue to equip Chinese Christians to follow His example of faithfulness amid persecution (2 Corinthians 1:8-9)

You can learn more about Chinese Christians standing firm in their faith at great cost at the China Country Report.

Uzbek Christian threatened by police

(Source: Forum 18)

A Christian man is facing threats and harassment from police in Tashkent, Uzbekistan for challenging a fine he received for his religious activity. In April, Anvar Rajapov was fined 80 times the minimum monthly wage after police raided his home and confiscated literature. In an attempt to stop Anvar from appealing against the police actions and court decisions, local police summoned him to the police station in late May. An officer then threatened Anvar with violence if he challenged the hefty fine. "I have prepared an axe for you, which will be flying after you, observing you, and if need be get you," the officer reportedly said. Anvar has since made written complaints about his treatment to President Islam Karimov, the Supreme Court, and other state agencies. Court officials have warned him that if he did not pay the fine by June 15 he would be fined again. At last report, Anvar had been summoned in writing to the bailiff's office.

Pray for endurance of faith for Anvar amid opposition. Pray that he will be a confident witness for the Lord (Matthew 10:19-20). Pray those in authority will recognize the lack of religious freedom in Uzbekistan and make changes accordingly.

To read more about trials facing Uzbek Christians, go to the Uzbekistan Country Report. You can post a prayer of solidarity with Anvar on our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.

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