The Persecution Times » Archive
Chinese officials raid church members’ homes
By Michael Ireland Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service SHANGDONG PROVINCE, CHINA ANS — Public Security Bureau officials, along with an “anti-cult group,” on July 14, 2008 in Jining City, Shandong, investigated Lu Xiaoai, a member of pastor Zhang Zhongxins church. Pastor Zhang was sentenced to two years reeducation-through-labor on July 4. China Aid Association CAA says the policemen seized Bibles and Christian material from Lu. At the same time, policemen in Rencheng district broke into Brother Li Dali’s home and forcibly detained Christian books and a CD-ROM. According to CAA, police summoned another church member named Li Da, but were unable to obtain information from him due to a medical condition. Officials also investigated church member Lian Dehai. Lian was later taken to the City Public Security Bureau and was placed under criminal detention. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Assist News Service, China, Christian, Persecution
Hindu mob stones church that is meeting in a tent
By Michael Ireland Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service KERALA, INDIA ANS — A church that has attracted thousands of Hindu converts is now the target of strenuous Hindu opposition, says a Christian human rights group. The church, called Heavenly Feast, currently has nearly 15,000 members and is meeting in a tent in Kottayam, a city in the state of Kerala, India. According to the Washington-DC based human rights group, International Christian Concern ICC www.persecution.org , the Hindu SMBP group has their own Hindu prayer building close to the Heavenly Feast tent. In a media advisory, ICC says SMBP started growing concerned a few months ago after thousands of Hindus, including members of the SMBP, started converting to Christianity through the ministry of Heavenly Feast. In return, ICC says, the SMBP has been accusing Heavenly Feast of … Read entire article »
Filed under: Christian, HIndu, India, Persecution
The Alexander Video
The story of how God sustained Alexander in a freezing Soviet labor camp in response to the prayers of Christians. From Open Doors USA for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Christian, Persecution
Uzbekistan Christian Faces Possible 15-Year Prison Sentence for Reading “Prohibited” Christian Literature
By Jeremy Reynalds Correspondent for ASSIST News Service UZBEKISTAN (ANS) — A Protestant from the Karakalpakstan area of north-west Uzbekistan faces criminal trial later in July on charges of teaching religion without official approval, and establishing or participating in a state dubbed “religious extremist” organization. Uzbekistan is located in Central Asia, north of Afghanistan. According to a story by Forum 18′s Mushfig Bayram, the news service learned this from the investigator in the case Bahadur Jakbaev. One of the two charges Aimurat Khayburahmanov faces – establishing or participating in a “religious extremist” organization – carries a penalty of up to 15 years imprisonment. Jakbaev denied reports from local Protestants reaching Forum 18 that Khayburahmanov has been beaten in prison since his June 14 arrest. He claimed his health is “fine.” According to Forum 18, Karakalpakstan Region … Read entire article »
Filed under: Assist News Service, Christian, Muslim, Persecution, Uzbekistan
Missionary Attacked in India
By James Varghese Special to ASSIST News Service ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA ANS – Hindu radicals reportedly assaulted a missionary recently. The attack occurred on July 10 in Dandu Mylavaram village, Rangareddy district, Andhra Pradesh state. According to a story on www.persecution.in, Pastor Jayaraj, 40, of Vishwa Vani Mission was attacked by a group of 10 Hindu radicals. They barged into the minister’s house, grabbed his shirt, dragged him out and beat and kicked him. The website also reported that the radicals accused Jayaraj of forced conversion, and threatened him with dire consequences if he continued to preach in that village. The story gave the reason for the attack. Eighteen months prior, Jayaraj had applied to the Revenue Office for permission to build a church. The government gave land, and written permission to build the church. According … Read entire article »
Filed under: Assist News Service, Christian, HIndu, India, Persecution
