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| Timeline - 2000's |
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From December 30, 1999-January 3, 2000 21 Christians are killed and dozens of the businesses destroyed by rampaging Muslims in the southern Egyptian village of El-Kosheh. In Kaduna, Nigeria an estimated 2000 Christians are killed in riots in February. VOM's office in Kaduna is destroyed. The Voice of the Martyrs expands its ministry into Egypt and Colombia. Pastoral training courses are held in Colombia and Sudan, responding to the need to equip leadership in restricted nations. VOM Canada sends out its first short-term work team to Romania, the homeland of our founders. Sabina Wurmbrand passes away on August 11, 2000
2001 Pastor Richard Wurmbrand passes away on February 17, 2001. The Voice of the Martyrs continues to carry out the vision of this dynamic man and his wife. We thank God for the legacy that they have left us. The events of September 11 in the United States tragically illustrate the increasing violence being done in the name of Islam; a violence Christians in Muslim countries have known by experience. On October 28 in Bahawalpur, Pakistan, 16 Christians were shot and killed as Muslim militants stormed the church service they were attending. VOMC launches a significant microloan program in Ethiopia especially for young people who have been driven from their homes to live in poverty because of their faith in Christ.
VOM Canada adopts an official policy of non-dependency, which marks a new direction in which the mission provides assistance to the persecuted church as we commit to partner is such a way as to not create unhealthy dependency on outside aid among those we work with in restricted nations. In May 2002, the government of Eritrea announced that all churches other than Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Lutheran were to be closed immediately. In the months that follow, hundreds of Christians are rounded and imprisoned. A favorite tactice is to detain them in shipping containers without adequate ventilation, food, or water. 2001
VOMC moves to new facilities at 7015 Ordan Drive in Mississauga, Ontario to accommodate the mission's continued growth. 2003 On March 12, the homes of 11 evangelical Christians were burned to the ground by a hostile mob in the town of Deneba, 150 kilometers northeast of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. VOM provides help to the families. Saudi Arabian Defense Minister, Prince Sultan informs the world that churches will never be allowed to be built in the birthplace of Islam. VOMC launches weekly radio programs directed to north Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Eritrea. 2004 VOMC staff teach courses on the biblical theology of persecution and discipleship in Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Canada and the United States. Persecution.TV, VOM's multimedia website is launched. 2007 Glenn Penner becomes the Chief Executive Officer of The Voice of the Martyrs in Canada. VOMC launches the Volunteer Ministries program. VOMC is instrumental in the founding of the Religious Liberty Partnership. VOMC staff teach courses on the biblical theology of persecution in Canada, China and India. 2010 After an ongoing battle with cancer, Glenn Penner requests that he be allowed to step aside as the Chief Executive Officer and assume a more specialized role in the mission that will enable him to continue to serve the Persecuted Church more in line with his health limitations. On January 4, 2010, Corey Odden becomes the Chief Executive Officer of The Voice of the Martyrs in Canada. History continues to be written, as God works in and through the lives of His people.... |
