FAITH THAT - '.And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.' ...
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May 2020
FAITH THAT
'.And we know that all things work together
for good to those who love God, to those who
are the called according to His purpose.’
Romans 8:28
May 2020 Cover
Silhoue e of man near trees
by Kilarov Zaneit
About Faith that Endures FAITH THAT
Bank Details
Faith That Endures showcases
the powerful stories of faith Bank Details:
of persecuted Chris ans, Martyrs for Christ
FNB Main Branch Windhoek
while showing how God is Cheque Acc No: 6224 240 2303
at work through the united Branch Code: 280 172
Body of Christ around the
Martyrs for Christ
world.
Bank Windhoek The Grove
Cheque Acc No: 800 447 3444
Branch Code: 483 871
for I was hungry and you gave
Me food; I was thirsty and you
gave Me drink; I was a stranger
and you took Me in; 36 I was
naked and you clothed Me; I was
sick and you visited Me; I was in
prison and you came to Me.’
Ma hew 25:35-36
EGYPT’S MINYA OPENS MUSEUM IN REMEMBRANCE
OF 21 CHRISTIANS KILLED BY ISIS IN LIBYA
B
ishop Bevnotious of Egypt's Minya Governorate has established a new museum that
commemorates the 21 Egyptian Christians who were taken hostage and beheaded by militants of
the Islamic State in Libya, five years after the video of their deaths shocked the world.
The museum includes 21 four-meter high statues dedicated as a memorial to each of the martyrs and
placed in front of a monument of Jesus Christ, which was designed to look like He is embracing the victims
of the 2015 massacre.
The new museum also features a documentary panorama showing in full detail the murder of the 21
Egyptians, who were abducted and killed by the Islamic State while residing in Sirte, Libya.
The museum is housed in a Cathedral built in 2018 with funds from the Egyptian government, also in
remembrance of the martyrs. Al-Aour village, which is the hometown of 13 of the victims and located in
Minya Governorate, was selected to be the new cathedral's home. The first mass held in the church was
attended by various officials alongside the families of those killed in the 2015 massacre.
ISIS had shocked the world with its gruesome footage of the 2015 be-headings, releasing a video that year
entitled "Message signed with blood, for the nation of the cross" that later spread on social media.
Egypt retaliated after the killings were broadcast by bombing dozens of sites that were believed to have
been used by the militants involved in the massacre.
Source
Christians Were Denied Food Aid
again
According to a video post on Facebook,
Christians were denied food aid on April 2 in a
village situated on the Raiwind road, near
Lahore. A local pastor, who wished to remained
unnamed, confirmed the incident when
contacted by ICC.
In the Facebook video, a young Christian man
claims that a local mosque committee distributed
foodstuffs on April 2 to deserving families.
However, the management asked the village's
Christians to leave the mosque compound
because the food aid was meant for only
Muslims.
"If this is the situation, then what are the
arrangements for Christians?" the Christian
asked in the Facebook video. "Who is going to
feed them? Are we not citizens of the same
country?"
"Denying food aid and discriminating among
citizens is a crime," Aftab Hayat, a Pakistani
NGO leader, told ICC. "Christians often face
discrimination and are victims of religious hatred.
However, the situation for Christians in the midst
of the COVID-19 crisis is alarming and becoming
worse. Therefore, the authorities must take note
of the developing situation."
Since March 21, most of Pakistan has been
placed on lockdown as authorities seek to slow
the spread of COVID-19. However, this national
lockdown has significantly affected the country's
poor and vulnerable communities. This includes
Pakistan's religious minorities.
Approximately 45% of Pakistan's total population
live below the poverty line, earning most of their
income through daily labor jobs. The national
lockdown has cut off many of these laborers from
earning daily wages and reports of starvation are
already circulating.
Project
DailyBREAD
Right now, our persecuted brothers and
sisters are facing a life-threatening fight
for survival. You can help Christians like him
to survive with life-saving relief.
Help persecuted Christians in countries In some places Christians are
like Pakistan, India, Nepal and not getting the aid they need
Bangladesh to survive this global from the government – because
of their faith in Christ.
coronavirus crisis.
Please respond to this urgent
The lockdown has made it almost need. Show your unity and
impossible for many believers to even support for our persecuted
brothers and sisters.
feed their families.
This is your chance to show
Christians are fighting to survive. They the love of Christ in a tangible
have no way to provide for their families. way – through food relief and
the Word of God – to let our
"Nobody help us, Nobody! My family are persecuted family know that
starving here. They are yearning for they are not alone!
simple bread". - Christian in Pakistan
“Nobody help us, Nobody! My family are starving here.
They are yearning for simple bread”. - Christian in Pakistan
These are the words we hear every day. The need is so great.
Project
DailyBREAD
The change that 350N$ can bring.
Jesus said to them, “I am the YOUR 350N$ can supply a family of
bread of life; he who comes to Me
will not hunger, and he who 4 in India, Pakistan, Nepal &
believes in Me will never thirst.” Bangladesh with a food parcel to
sustain them for a month. This food
parcel will not only contain food
items but also the most valuable
possession a Christian can own in a
persecuted country... a Bible.
YOUR 350N$ will not only provide
to their physical needs but also their
spiritual needs.
Even though our brothers and
sisters are struggling, they still use
this opportunity to evangelize and
bring their neighbors to Christ.
YOUR 350N$ Food Parcel
contains the following items:
Ÿ 5kg rice,
Ÿ 1ltr cooking oil,
Ÿ 1kg sugar,
Ÿ 1kg dal,
Ÿ 1kg salt, Your contribution today will help
Martyrs for Christ support even more
Ÿ 3kg potato, Christian families affected by the
Ÿ 5kg onions & veg, Covid-19 lockdown, poverty and
discrimination, not only in the Indian
Ÿ soap & masks and Subcontinent but also worldwide.
Ÿ most importantly, a Bible. All donations to be made w ith
reference "Project Daily Bread".
Project
DailyBREAD
“ Thank you for helping us”
Christian in Pakistan
Thank you for your response. We already distributed food and Bibles to 50 families
in Pakistan. Through your partnership, lives are being changed.
“Christian people in the villages are suffering. I tried to get food at a mosque food
distribution, but was rejected because I wouldn’t turn to Islam.”
Thank You for joining hands with us to help our persecuted brothers and sisters and
with your faithful support we would like to continue providing the Persecuted
Church with much needed food and Bibles.
Thank you for making a difference!
A l from the Pseced Ch
In this time of hardship and isolation, we are not always aware of what is
happening to our faithful Brothers and Sisters across the globe.
Christian persecution is a reality that must be overcome by many Christians in
spite of the limitations that is already being faced in these times.
Here is a letter that was written to Martyrs for Christ by Brother *Peter from India:
Dear MFC
Greetings and Peace.
Once again asking for your prayers.
One of our Church Planter Leader was
persecuted during this week.
His name is *Virat.
He was resting in the afternoon.
Suddenly someone set the house on
fire and ran away. By the time Virat
wakes up, the fire has damage many of
his cattle and also his belongings.
Our leader phoned the police. The
police came and inspected everything
but they didn’t assist Virat and his
family at all.
I just received this message from Virat
today.
Please keep him and his family and
also his House Church in your prayers.
God bless,
Bro. *Peter
Martyrs for Christ
BOOKSHOP
Bo
Bo of
of the
the we
we
Embark on a chilling journey inside one of the
world's darkest and most dangerous places: Evin,
the notorious Tehran prison. Here, prisoners are
routinely tor tured, abused, and violated.
Executions are frequent and sudden. But for two
women imprisoned for their Christian faith--
Maryam Rostampour and Marziyeh Amirizadeh--
this hell on earth was a place of unlikely grace as
they reflected God's love and compassion to their
fellow prisoners and guards. Against all odds, Evin
would become the only church many of them had
ever known.
In Captive in Iran, Maryam and Marziyeh recount
their 259 days in Evin. It's an amazing story of
unyielding faith--when denying God would have
meant freedom. Of incredible support from
strangers around the world who fought for the
women's release. And of bringing God's light into
one of the world's darkest places--giving hope to
those who had lost everything, and showing love to
those in despair
Shop from the comfort of your home
online at www.martyrsforchrist.org
Visit our bookshop in 27 Jordaan Street, Pionierspark
INSPIRED BY THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR
Day of the LIVES TO SHARE GOD'S SAVING GRACE
Christian June 29 2020 is the day many churches remember the
martyrdoms of the Apostles Peter and Paul.
Martyr
'Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You
are my friends, if you do what I command... The time is coming when anyone
who kills you will think they are offering a service to God. They will do such
things because they have not known the Father or me. I have told you this, so
that when their time comes, you will remember that I warned you about them.'
(John 15:13,14; John 16:2-4, NIV)
'Not all of us are called to die a martyr's death, but all of us are called to have the same
spirit of self-sacrifice and love to the very end as these martyrs had.' Richard Wurmbrand
What is a Martyr?
One who bears witness of the truth and
suffers death for the cause of Christ
(Acts 22:20;Revelation 2:13; 17:6). In
this sense Stephen was the first martyr.
The Greek word so rendered in all other
cases is translated 'witness'...
• In a court of justice (Matthew 18:16;
26:65; Acts 6:13; 7:58; Hebrews 10:28; 1
Timothy 5:19).
• As of one bearing testimony to the truth
of what he has seen or known (Luke
24:48; Acts 1:8; Acts 1:22; Romans 1:9; 1
Thessalonians 2:5 1; Thessalonians
2:10; 1 John 1:2).
The Apostle Paul passionately encouraged those who suffered for Christ. Remembering
the suffering of Christians today, can we say: 'I will not abandon them'?Some facts and figures about persecution and
Day of the martyrdom of Christians in the world today.
Christian
Martyr During the World Watch List 2020 reporting period
(November 1, 2018 to October 31, 2019) for the top
According to World Watch List 2020, an in- 50 countries where Christians are persecuted the
depth investigative report focusing on global most:
8 Christian persecution, 8 Christians die for
their faith every day. This figure relates to
those believers known for a fact to have been
• 1,266 churches or Christian buildings were
attacked.
christians killed. But the real figure might be higher • 2,625 Christians were detained without trial,
die per day given that we do not know what is happening arrested, sentenced and imprisoned.
to Christians in some countries such as North • 4,136 Christians were killed for faith-related
Korea where believers can just disappear. reasons. On average, that's 8 Christians killed
every day for their faith.
Countries where Christians
Extrapolating from World Watch List's are likely to experience the
figures, every month, on average: most severe persecution
North Korea
333 Christians are killed. Nigeria
Afghanistan
104 are abducted. Somalia
Libya
180 Christian women are raped, sexually
harassed or forced into marriage.
Pakistan
Sudan
Eritrea
66 churches are attacked.
Christians ar e detained
Yemen
Iran
India
218 without trial and imprisoned. Syria
Our Response Ÿ If so, does this lead us:
to pray for those who are persecuted, and
Is it our desire: for the families of martyrs?
Ÿ to see persecuted Christians strengthened Ÿ to give persecuted Christians the practical
and encouraged in their discipleship? and spiritual tools they need to survive and
Ÿ to see the gospel proclaimed - even in thrive in the
places of oppression and persecution? service of Christ?
Source: RI, 2020Prayercalendar
for the 30 most Persecuted Countries
DAY 1. North Korea DAY 8. Yemen
Pray that the country's rulers will come to The instability in Yemen has created a
know God, for the protection of the North humanitarian crisis. Ask God to help
Korean Church. provide food, clean water and safety to the
people of Yemen.
DAY 2. Afghanistan
Pray for Christian converts from Islam, who DAY 9. Iran
face strong pressure from family, friends For a Muslim family, it is a great disgrace
and neighbors to recant their Christian faith. when one of its members leaves Islam. Pray
for Christians who have been cursed and
DAY 3. Somalia disowned by their families for their faith.
Pray that the Lord will raise up bold
believers who share the gospel at great DAY 10. India
cost. Pray for God's protection over Christians as
they preach the gospel in dangerous
DAY 4. Libya places.
Pray that many would hear the gospel
through Arabic satellite and web DAY 11. Syria
broadcasts. Pray for the Syrian government and for
rebel leaders that they will turn to Jesus and
DAY 5. Pakistan experience the peace of God.
Pray for safety and protection for the DAY 12. Nigeria
Christian women and girls in Pakistan who Pray for comfort for the thousands of
must live under the threat of abduction, rape displaced Nigerian Christians and for
and forced marriage. wisdom.
DAY 6. Eritrea DAY 13. Saudi Arabia
Pray for God's abundant grace to those who Ask God to strengthen the Church and give
are filling the positions of imprisoned church leaders wisdom and boldness in the face of
leaders.
intense Islamic oppression.
DAY 7. Sudan
Pray for church leaders to stand strong in DAY 14. Maldives
the midst of pressure from Islamic Because the Bible is considered
extremists. contraband, access to Scripture is
restricted. Ask God to provide His Word to
secret believers in Maldives.DAY 15. Iraq DAY 23. China
Pray for priests and pastors ministering in Pray for Chinese Christians to stand strong
Iraq, that they might be living examples of amidst tightening religious restrictions and
Christ's presence. to engage in cross-cultural missions
effectively.
DAY 16. Egypt
Pray for Christian converts who are ousted DAY 24. Mauritania
from their homes for leaving Islam. Pray the Pray for illiterate believers of Mauritania as
Lord would provide for and comfort them. they seek God with limited access to
Scripture.
DAY 17. Algeria
Pray specifically that new believers who DAY 25. Central African Republic
enter the Church will stand strong in their Pray with Christians targeted by Fulani
faith. herdsmen and Muslim terrorists. Pray
persecutors’ eyes will be opened to Jesus.
DAY 18. Uzbekistan
Pray for change and for acceptance of DAY 26. Morocco
Christianity in Uzbekistan. Pray for widespread distribution of
evangelistic materials among the many
DAY 19. Myanmar unreached people groups.
Pray for increased religious freedom.
DAY 27. Qatar
DAY 20. Laos Pray that Qataris would be drawn to Christ
Pray that Christians in Laos would be able to in any way that God can use.
freely access Bibles and register churches.
DAY 28. Burkina Faso
DAY 21. Vietnam Pray for the Church to remain strong at this
Pray for proper discipleship of the many crucial time in Burkina Faso.
ethnic minorities coming to faith in rural
areas. DAY 29. Mali
Pray for Christians who have been
DAY 22. Turkmenistan displaced from their homes in northern Mali
Pray for believers from a Muslim by Islamic militants.
background who are fiercely pressured to
return to Islam. Pray for protection and DAY 30. Sri Lanka
endurance. Please intercede for Sri Lanka, that
acceptance for minorities in this country will
prevail.You can also read
