Saudi Arabia: House Church Christians jailed
Two Indian Christians, members of a thriving Pentecostal house church, in Saudi Arabia, have been moved from pre-trial detention to a prison in the Saudi capital Ryadh where they are ‘forbidden to pray or read the Bible’ and ‘suffer of a lack of food and medical attention,’ an elder of the church has told Worthy News and its news partner BosNewsLife. Vasantha Sekhar Vara, 28, and Nese Yohan, 31, who are members of the ‘Rejoice in the Church of the Lord’ congregation, were initially detained in January and received 45-days of ‘pre-trial detention’ on charges of ‘proselytizing’, said the church elder speaking from Riyadh in a telephone interview. ‘They were later moved from the police station to a notorious central jail in Ryadh without a trial,' he added. He said it was not known when and if the trial will start. Pray: for Yohan and Vara that God would strengthen them in their ordeal and pray for an early release. (2Ch.19:9a) More: http://www.worthynews.com/10176-saudi-arabia-jails-house-church-christians-exclusive
Lebanon church reaches all across Arab world
Amid political upheavals, protests, and the radical religiosity, the Gospel is moving forward in the Middle East, thanks in no small part to one devoted church. The Free Evangelical Church of Beirut has been shining brighter and brighter light into the Arab world since pastor Joseph took a job there in 1994. The church's first mission was to establish a home for girls whose parents were either killed or unable to care for them as a result of the 15-year civil war in Lebanon. Pastor Joseph felt that God was calling him to move forward with the Gospel not just in Beirut, Lebanon, but throughout the Middle East. An African man was the first to leave the FECB in order to minister to another nation. He ventured back to his home country with the support of the church. Another church member relocated to a nearby nation to teach theology and evangelize non-believers. Further members followed the trend in becoming Church planters.
Pray: that the influence of FECB would continue and lead to many more church plants. (Ex.15:17)
More: http://www.mnnonline.org/article/15612
China: Fear prompts China’s Easter crackdown
The days leading up to Easter are always a sombre time for Christians. But this year in Beijing, many believers have the added concern of not knowing if or where they’ll be allowed to celebrate the holiest day of the year on the Christian calendar. Nearly 50 members of one of Beijing’s largest Protestant house churches, including its two pastors, were detained and hundreds of police were deployed in a commercial district in the northwest of the city in order to prevent the congregation from holding an outdoor Palm Sunday service. The leaders of the Shouwang church said they would nonetheless try again next week – Easter Sunday – unless they are given permission to celebrate the Communion service indoors at their usual premises. The church, which has about 1,000 followers, said it was forced to hold the services outside after being evicted from the restaurant where they gathered every Sunday for more than a year. (See also Prayer Alert 14-2011) Pray: for the many millions of believers across China as they seek to celebrate Easter that they would be blessed to be a blessing. (Ps.145:7) More: http://www.chinaaid.org/2011/04/fears-of-uprisings-prompt-chinas-easter.html#more
Vietnam: Authorities in Hanoi thwart Easter celebrations
Authorities in Vietnam prevented much-anticipated public Easter celebrations in Hanoi planned for Friday and Saturday (April 15-16) after giving a verbal promise to organizers that the events would proceed. An inter-church organizing committee had submitted a request for permission well in advance and had made elaborate preparations for the special events featuring renowned evangelist Luis Palau. The organizers said they were disappointed but not entirely surprised by the Communist government’s action. ‘The authorities have clearly demonstrated to the world what we experience regularly – that their promises, whether verbal or written, cannot be trusted,’ said one church leader who requested anonymity. Asked to speculate on the reasons for the government’s ultimate refusal, another key church leader said, ‘I don’t know why, but it almost seems as if the government is deliberately damaging its own reputation.’
Pray: for the Church in Vietnam that despite the set-backs it will bring glory to God by its actions. (Ps.86:9)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/vietnam/article_110895.html
