totallylovedbygod65
Member
- Mar 12, 2024
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"If the heart is cleansed by the love
of Jesus Christ, and if the heart loves
Him, one can resist all tortures."
~ Rev. Richard Wurmbrand
of Jesus Christ, and if the heart loves
Him, one can resist all tortures."
~ Rev. Richard Wurmbrand
NIGERIA: Christians Targeted in Easter Monday Attack
Sources: International Christian Concern, Morning Star News, Vanguard, Daily Trust
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In a devastating attack on April 21st, six people were killed and as many as 30 injured when a truck rammed into a crowd of believers who had been taking part in an Easter procession along the streets of Billiri in Gombe state. Though initially reported as an unfortunate accident, a government-appointed committee has since determined that the incident was a deliberate attack on the Christians participating in this year's Easter celebrations.
As has been their tradition for more than 30 years, Christians in Billiri had gathered for an early morning procession of praise and worship through music and dance. During the celebration, a truck suddenly crashed into the crowd at around 7 a.m. Police initially believed that the vehicle had suffered a brake failure. However, further investigation determined that the driver made no effort to avoid the group of believers nor give them any warning. He also had no difficulties stopping the vehicle after ploughing into the group.
The driver, a 28-year-old man named Usman Muhammed, was arrested at the scene and subsequently charged with "reckless driving" and "dangerous driving causing death." For previously published reports on Christian persecution in Nigeria, including video interviews, go to our country profile.
As has been their tradition for more than 30 years, Christians in Billiri had gathered for an early morning procession of praise and worship through music and dance. During the celebration, a truck suddenly crashed into the crowd at around 7 a.m. Police initially believed that the vehicle had suffered a brake failure. However, further investigation determined that the driver made no effort to avoid the group of believers nor give them any warning. He also had no difficulties stopping the vehicle after ploughing into the group.
The driver, a 28-year-old man named Usman Muhammed, was arrested at the scene and subsequently charged with "reckless driving" and "dangerous driving causing death." For previously published reports on Christian persecution in Nigeria, including video interviews, go to our country profile.
- Prayerfully remember the families and friends of the six slain believers as they mourn their tragic loss, asking that God's peace, comfort and protection will be tangible realities in their lives.
- Pray that the Lord would also minister physical and emotional healing to those of our Nigerian Christian brothers and sisters who were injured and traumatized as a result of the Easter incident.
- May justice be served in this case, with hopes that the truck driver, Usman, will experience genuine heartfelt repentance and miraculous transformation.
CHINA: Young Children Detained for Participating in Bible Lesson
Sources: ChinaAid, Mohabat News
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A Bible lesson for young children that had taken place at a private home in Fuyang, Anhui, was raided by police on April 29th. In total, ten children between the ages of five and six, along with five adult teachers, were taken to the police station where they were detained for several hours. Some of the youngsters appeared to suffer severe emotional distress during the detention; and, throughout that time, the police only checked on them once.
The children were eventually released, along with three of the adults. The two others – Christian women by the names of Chen Fangfang and Wang Dandan – were verbally and physically assaulted before being transported to a detention centre. At the time of publishing this report, no further information was received regarding the whereabouts of these two believers.
The religious education of children is strongly opposed by China's governing authorities, who are determined to indoctrinate the minds of youth with Communist ideologies. To learn more about the persecution of Christians in China, go to our country report.
The children were eventually released, along with three of the adults. The two others – Christian women by the names of Chen Fangfang and Wang Dandan – were verbally and physically assaulted before being transported to a detention centre. At the time of publishing this report, no further information was received regarding the whereabouts of these two believers.
The religious education of children is strongly opposed by China's governing authorities, who are determined to indoctrinate the minds of youth with Communist ideologies. To learn more about the persecution of Christians in China, go to our country report.
- Prayerfully ask our "Good Shepherd" to surround these little children with His comforting presence, peace and safety, while also shielding them from any further harassment instigated by the country's governing officials.
- As Chen and Wang await their hopeful clearance of all charges and release from custody, pray that the Lord will divinely protect them from all harm and harassment as well.
- Continue to pray that a radical shift would take place in the hearts and minds of the country's authorities, urging them to ease their repressive restrictions on religious activities so that Christians of all ages may freely learn from God's Word.
REPORT UPDATE
CHINA: Christians Sentenced for Alleged Illegal Business Activities
Sources: ChinaAid, International Christian Concern, Bitter Winter
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During April 2021, Chinese authorities arrested ten Christians in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, for allegedly running an illegal business operation. In their efforts to get Bibles into the hands of as many people as possible, the believers had legally purchased copies of God's Word at a retail price and resold them for a fee well below the original cost. (For more information on the charges against these church members, go to this report.)
Four years later, the trial against the accused Christians finally came to a conclusion, resulting in nine of them receiving prison sentences and hefty fines. The convictions were based upon the contention that these followers of Jesus belonged to an unregistered church, and therefore they were not legally allowed to sell any Bibles, even though they had been offering them for a nominal fee.
Wang Honglan received the longest sentence, which consists of four years and ten months, along with a fine of 1,000,000 yuan (approximately $190,000 CAD). She is scheduled to be released from custody on February 14th, 2026. Two others, Wang Jiale and Liu Minna, who are to be set free on October 14th of this year, were fined 200,000 yuan each. Another believer, Yang Zhijun, is expected to be discharged on July 19th and forced to pay a fine of 150,000 yuan. The remaining Christians, including Wang Honglan's husband Ji Heying, were found guilty but had been released earlier, after completing their sentences.
Four years later, the trial against the accused Christians finally came to a conclusion, resulting in nine of them receiving prison sentences and hefty fines. The convictions were based upon the contention that these followers of Jesus belonged to an unregistered church, and therefore they were not legally allowed to sell any Bibles, even though they had been offering them for a nominal fee.
Wang Honglan received the longest sentence, which consists of four years and ten months, along with a fine of 1,000,000 yuan (approximately $190,000 CAD). She is scheduled to be released from custody on February 14th, 2026. Two others, Wang Jiale and Liu Minna, who are to be set free on October 14th of this year, were fined 200,000 yuan each. Another believer, Yang Zhijun, is expected to be discharged on July 19th and forced to pay a fine of 150,000 yuan. The remaining Christians, including Wang Honglan's husband Ji Heying, were found guilty but had been released earlier, after completing their sentences.
- Please intercede for each one of the church members presently remaining in custody, asking the Lord to give these believers the strength and grace they need to persevere.
- While awaiting vindication, may they continue to allow the Holy Spirit to work mightily in and through their lives, so they can serve as powerful witnesses of God's love, hope and truth among fellow prisoners – as well as the prison's wardens.
- Pray that those in China who are opposed to the "Good News" of the Gospel would come to personally know the reality of Jesus Christ and, as a result, turn to Him in repentance and saving faith.
