Report: Entire Families Coming to Christ in Saudi Arabia

Greg Kernaghan/OM International

We’re hearing of women and whole families coming to Christ, which is significant. Normally we would know of individual men but, as the culture places such importance on the family unit, this is a major step forward.

One girl is writing hymns and posting them on the Internet. That was where she learned of Christ and has “met” workers, although she has yet to meet other Christians face to face. Two of her sisters also believe in Christ. A Bahraini across the country is gifted in playing local Arabic instruments. He puts her hymns to music and posts them on YouTube.

Media Makes a Difference

Another young girl came to Christ through media. When her parents found out, they were incensed and made attempts to marry her to a fanatical Muslim. People began to pray for her, and their prayers were answered when the wedding to this man was canceled. The family’s emotional abuse ceased, and her sister, having seen her bear up under suffering, has come to Christ.

One brother, Yazid*, was introduced to Christ through visions and dreams. Bored, he was surfing the Internet at work when the Holy Spirit spoke clearly to him to read the Injil and learn about Christ. He downloaded it and began to read the Scriptures. Every time he returned to his desk, God told him to read more. At first it was like a dark cloud, as he began at Genesis, but he read through until the Gospels when the darkness lifted and he understood.

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How the lies of ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ continue to put the West in peril

Celebrated movie served as foundation for utterly false and baseless concepts leading to denial, destruction and death28 January 2014 – By Dr. Reuven Berko – Jewish World Review

Peter O’Toole, who was marvelous in “Lawrence of Arabia,” died recently. Many commentators and critics feel that Lawrence’s story and the movie about him influenced the actions of many European statesmen, politicians, and members of Western foreign ministries and security services. However, there is considerable argument as to whether and what, as a matter of historical fact, T. E. Lawrence contributed to the British war effort by collaborating with the Bedouin tribes of the Arabian Peninsula against the Ottoman Turks during the First World War. Not all historians agree to the truth of the glowing reports of his personality, moral stature and personal behavior.

Nevertheless, the enigmatic figure of Lawrence, an intelligence officer, became a role model for Western diplomats and statesmen, and he is revered as a master of mediating with the leaders of the Arab world. He seemed secretive and manipulative, with the rare ability and knowledge to exploit Arab ideology to achieve victory and foster the interests of the West, and to build inter-cultural cooperation and coexistence in a way that was both noble and romantic.

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Sri Lanka: Christians protest after attacks by Buddhist extremists

Sri LankaThursday 30 January 2014 – Christian Today

More than 2,000 Christians gathered in Colombo on Sunday to protest against a perceived lack of religious freedom in Sri Lanka, following recent attacks on Christian places of worship by Buddhist extremists.

Two churches and a Christian prayer centre were attacked on Jan. 12 by Buddhist mobs claiming they were illegal and aiming to take Buddhists away from their religion.

The prayer centre, belonging to the Church of the Foursquare Gospel in Pitipana, near Colombo, was set alight on the same day as attacks on the Assemblies of God Church and Calvary Free Church in the southern coastal town of Hikkaduwa.

The fire was quelled in Pitipana before the centre was completely destroyed. Release International reported that a note was left outside the building, threatening further violence. Both churches in Hikkaduwa suffered extensive damage, with windows and furniture smashed and Bibles burned.

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Street preacher arrested in Scotland for condemning homosexuality

Tony MianoDUNDEE, Scotland, January 29, 2014 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Tony Miano, an American evangelical street preacher and former policeman, must be getting used to being arrested for his beliefs in Britain. Miano was arrested January 8th, in Dundee, Scotland, and remanded in custody to appear before Dundee Sheriff Court the next day. Charged with a public order offence and held for nearly 30 hours, Miano was allowed to return to the US on the condition that he returns to the court in April.

A spokesman for the legal advocacy group Christian Concern told LifeSiteNews.com that the situation of street preachers being arrested is getting out of hand, with police making what are, essentially, arbitrary arrests.

Garry Selfridge, spokesman for Christian Concern said that the Dundee court “is being a little pathetic and backward” in allowing the proceedings to move forward.

“There is an overall blanket of political correctness that cloaks the whole establishment in the UK, so the police are not well advised or well trained to deal with such situations,” he said.

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Confirmed: The United States Is the Chief Facilitator of Christian Persecution

Raymond Ibrahim is author of Crucified Again Exposing Islam’s New War on Christians.The Christian Post – By Raymond Ibrahim, CP Op-Ed Contributor – January 21, 2014|

Prominent indicators confirm that the U.S. is the chief facilitator of the persecution of Christians around the world today.

According to the recently released 2014 World Watch List, which ranks the 50 nations where Christians are most persecuted, Syria is the third worst nation in the world in which to be Christian, Iraq is fourth, Afghanistan fifth, and Libya 13th. All four countries receive the strongest designation, “extreme persecution” (other designations are “severe,” “moderate,” and “sparse” persecution).

Aside from being so closely and harshly ranked, these four nations have something else in common: heavy U.S. involvement. Three-Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya-were “liberated” thanks to U.S. forces, while in the fourth, Syria, the U.S. is actively sponsoring “freedom fighters” against the regime, many of whom would be better labeled “terrorists.”

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How Can We Know Syrian Conversions to Christ are Real?

(Photo Syrian refugee via Christian Aid Mission)Amie Cotton (Feb 7, 2014)

“When they become followers of Jesus you can see a huge difference in their lives. The way they share their faith sometimes would help us determine how they are thinking. After all, God looks inside the heart and knows all the details. We also can determine [their heart] because last year we had more than 1,200 baptisms. Do you think a Muslim would get baptized just to get a food package?” -Christian Aid Mission worker in Lebanon

(Charlottesville, VA)—Are the conversions real?

That was the question posed by Cynthia Finley, president of Christian Aid Mission, after staff received another round of encouraging, if not glowing, reports from Middle East ministries that stated “thousands” of Syrians have committed their hearts to Jesus Christ.

Christian Aid Mission is a U.S. non-profit organization that assists hundreds of ministries overseas that have tens of thousands of indigenous missionaries in the field. These ministries are currently engaging more than 1,000 unreached people groups in over 100 countries around the world. Christian Aid Mission is a 60-year-old organization and one of the first to support native missionary ministries overseas.

Challenged to dig deeper, Christian Aid Mission staff contacted ministries they assist in the region, ministries that have invested wholeheartedly in outreach to war-weary Syrians through personal interaction.

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Report: 9 out of 10 Top Christian Persecution Countries Due to Islamic Extremism

Photo REUTERS Thaier Al-SudaniBy Michael Gryboski, Christian Post Reporter – January 9, 2014

WASHINGTON – Nine out of the ten countries ranked the most oppressive for Christians to live in were due to Islamic extremism, according to Open Doors’ annual World Watch List, which was released Wednesday.

With the exception of North Korea – ranked No. 1 for the 12th year in a row – every other country on the top 10 list had as its source of persecution, Islamic extremism. North Korea’s persecution of Christians was due to communist oppression and dictatorial paranoia, explained Open Doors in its 2014 World Watch List. According to the report, the countries with the most extreme persecution besides North Korea are: Somalia, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Maldives, Pakistan, Iran, and Yemen, respectively.

Open Doors announced the rankings for its 2014 World Watch List, which documented the 50 nations least tolerant of their Christian population, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The Christian persecution watchdog group’s methodology involved measuring the level of Christian freedom found in five spheres of life: private, family, community, national, and church. A sixth sphere regarding degree of violence also factors in to the rankings.

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Crying wolf? – Is free speech being suppressed in the UK?

Crying wolf – Is free speech being suppressed in the UK3 January 2014  |  David Robertson

It’s happened again. Another high profile case of a street preacher being arrested in the UK simply for seeking to spread the Word of God. As previously reported in Christian Today and numerous Christian websites, podcasts and American Christian radio shows, Tony Miano was arrested in the city of Dundee on 8 of January. (You can read the account here).

Unlike his previous arrest in London, this time he has been charged and the case will go to trial in April. The case is therefore Sub Judice and it would be inappropriate for me to go into detailed comment about what actually happened. But as a pastor based in the City of Dundee it would be wrong to leave this situation alone, especially as it has been reported all over the world as another example of how lunatic and intolerant the UK in general and Scotland in particular has become towards the Gospel.

One commentator declared: “It’s alarming that in a country such as the UK which helped spread Christianity to the world, we’re seeing police oppression of God’s word being preached in the streets of our towns and cities.” Another slightly more extreme Facebook poster excitedly observed “and you wonder why helicopters fall out of the sky in your country?!”

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Nepal: Christian homes and church in arson attack

A Nepalese man reads a newspaper as a woman walks in an alley of Katmandu, Nepal, Wednesday, Nov 27, 2013. AP Photo Niranjan ShresthaCHRISTIAN TODAY – 10 January 2014  |  Carey Lodge

A church building and the homes of four Christian converts in a Nepal village were set alight on December 23, according to Barnabas Fund.

It is thought that Hindu extremists, who see the growth of Christianity in Nepal as a threat, carried out the attacks which targeted the homes of Ganga Lama Tamang, Lama Bahadur Tamang, Lama Bokta and Bikram Lama.

Though some residents tried to prevent the violent attack, they were powerless to stop the nine arsonists who then went on to target the local church building.

Though physical attacks on Christians are generally an uncommon occurrence in Nepal, this violence follows the murder of a church leader last October. Debelal was killed by a Hindu man who tricked him into believing he wanted prayer before beating the Christian with an iron rod and slitting his throat.

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Evangelist Benny Hinn’s Return to India for Prayer Conference Sparks Protests, Allegations of ‘Hidden Agenda’

Evangelist Benny HinnBy Nicola Menzie , Christian Post Reporter – January 7, 2014|

Benny Hinn, controversial evangelist known for his “miracle healing crusades,” is one of the main speakers at a Christian Prayer Conference being held this month in Bangalore, India. As with his last visit in 2005, Hinn’s engagement has set off protests among locals concerned that the charismatic preacher will be flying into the country with “a hidden agenda.”

An estimated 2,000 Hindus gathered in Bangalore, in the State of Karnataka, on Friday, Jan. 3 to demand that government officials bar Hinn from attending the Christian Prayer Conference. The event, scheduled for Jan. 15-17, is being hosted by the local Bethel Assembly of God Church.

“Hinn is coming to Karnataka with a hidden agenda of converting Hindus to Christianity as he did when he visited Bangalore in 2005. Several organizations are secretly working for the success of the event,” representatives of protesting groups were quoted as saying.

Bethel Assembly of God Church organizers insist that the Christian Prayer Conference will not be a “healing crusade,” but that ministry participants will provide prayer for the sick, according to the Bangalore Mirror. The publication notes that the entry fee for the prayer meeting is $13 (850 Indian rupees), less than seven percent of the average monthly income in India.

When Hinn visited Bangalore in 2005 for a “Festival of Blessings” event, several court cases were reportedly filed against the evangelist with plaintiffs claiming his purpose for being in the country was to convert locals to Christianity. The U.S. evangelist’s presence was so disturbing to some that protesters reportedly set fires throughout the city, and 10,000 law enforcement officials were deployed at the Jakkur airfield where the crusade was attended by more than 7 million people.

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Is Angry Response Of Buddhists To Religious Conversions Justified?

Dear friends & family in Christ, You may click the following link to read an interesting article regarding the angry response of many Buddhists toward religious conversions, such as Christianity.…

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Christians prepare to face increasing persecution in India

Dalits are the group once known in India as untouchablesChristian Today -Published 29 November 2013

In national elections due in the next few months, observers warn that if a Hindu Nationalist government comes to power attacks on Christians in India will increase.

There has been a spate of attacks on Christians and Muslims in India in the last year. Mapping of the attacks on Christians and Muslims show that the worst affected areas are Gujarat and Orissa, where the upper-caste Brahmins hold significant economic power.

They use this power to enforce their ideology which is to reduce the “Dalits” – or lowest caste – and Christians and Muslims to be second class citizens.

In Kandhamal, Odisha, in 2008 attacks were carried out on “tribal” Christians and the agencies that helped them, with 38 Christians killed, 18,000 injured and 50,000 displaced.

World Vision, a Christian relief agency, was forced out of the area.

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Media Release – Aussies unite to pray in Melbourne on Australia Day weekend / Grand Opening of Catch the Fire Ministries in City of Casey

Praying on Australia DayFor immediate release

Aussies unite to pray in Melbourne on Australia Day weekend / Grand Opening of Catch the Fire Ministries in City of Casey

On Saturday January 25 from 10am – 1pm on Australia Day weekend, hundreds of patriotic Aussie’s from different churches, denominations, ethnicities, and states will gather in Melbourne to pray for Australia and to also celebrate the Grand Opening of Catch the Fire Ministries in the City of Casey.

“This National Prayer Day for Australia is a major opportunity for reconciliation and unity as different ethnicities, churches, and denominations, including Anglicans, Catholics, Presbyterians, Protestants, Pentecostals, Charismatics, Evangelicals, Salvation Army and others, come together to corporately pray for our nation’s Government, Armed Forces, Emergency Services, and protection over our country from bush fire & terrorism.

With special guest speaker Pastor Daniel Pandji from Indonesia (the largest Islamic country in the world with 250 million people). He will share with Aussie Christians on ‘How to take a stand as a Christian.’

Pastor Daniel Nalliah said today in Melbourne, “It is a day when everyone who calls Australia home, no matter which land they came from, can be proud to be a part of this great nation. I encourage all patriotic Australians to fly an Australian flag from their rooftops, windows, on their cars or in their front gardens, as a symbol of appreciation of all that Australia means to us.”

“The Australian flag, with its Union Jack, the Commonwealth Star and the five stars of the Southern Cross, is the flag under which our brave forefathers fought and died to keep this nation the free, independent, democracy that we all enjoy today.”

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Media Billionaire and Fox News Owner Rupert Murdoch Tells Christians to Pray for Middle East Counterparts

By Morgan Lee , ChRupert Murdochristian Post Reporter – December 24, 2013|

“Amid Xmas extravagance and festivities, Christians should pray for millions of fellow believers being killed and persecuted in Middle East,” tweeted the owner of News Corp, an American multinational media company which owns Fox News.

Although Murdoch has professed to be a Christian, his three divorces and the “sleaze, tabloid sex, scandal and nudity” promulgated by his publications have left some questioning his faith.

In 2004, however, while still married to his second and Catholic wife, Murdoch explained where he fell religiously.

“They say I’m a born-again Christian and a Catholic convert and so on. I’m certainly a practicing Christian, I go to church quite a bit, but not every Sunday and I tend to go to the Catholic church – because my wife is Catholic, I have not formally converted. And I get increasingly disenchanted with the C of E or Episcopalians as they call themselves here. But no, I’m not intensely religious as I’m sometimes described.”

Murdoch’s comments come at the end of a chaotic year for Middle Eastern Christians.

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Training Christian leaders in North Korea

Praying for the church in North KoreaBy Mark Ellis- December 20, 2013

He escaped from North Korea 15 years ago and became a Christian in South Korea. On a recent mission trip to North Korea’s Hamgyong province, he found young leaders well-trained in Christian theology, eager to build God’s underground church in one of the most repressive and isolated governments on earth.

“I taught three North Korean Christians,” says Jihoon *.  “All of them were from my hometown. It was really good to meet them. They had already studied theology and were trained very well.”

The men discussed the peculiar ideology that rules North Korea – “Juche” – which became a cult of personality centered around its founding proponent, Kim Il-sung, now considered the ‘eternal president’ of North Korea following his death in 1994. The Juche idea states that “man is the master of everything and decides everything.”

“I told them that Kim Il Sung’s parents were Christians and he also knew about the Bible so that Kim Il Sung made the Juche ideology based on the Bible,” Jihoon recounts. “Kim Il Sung twisted the truth of the Bible to establish his own idea.”

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