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2015-12-17

  • Father Clings to Faith Regarding Abducted Children


    Police recover the body of
    Ismail Kuloba in Komodo,
    eastern Uganda.
    Morning Star News

    Madengho Badir says he has not slept since his three children (aged five, seven and ten) were snatched from their family home in Kabuna, east Uganda, on December 9th. Madengho acknowledges that their kidnappers are trying to force him to return to Islam. "I know God will answer our prayers, and I will get back my three children, since my only hope is in Jesus," the concerned father expresses with heartfelt emotion.

    Meanwhile, about 12 miles away, in Komodo, friends and family are mourning the death of a Christian policeman known as Ismail Kuloba, who was shot dead the day before the reported kidnapping of the children. It seems that he, too, was targeted for leaving Islam to follow Jesus. Suspected extremists ambushed Ismail after summoning him on false pretences to deal with a "local land dispute." When Ismail arrived at the scene, there was no such dispute -- only a group of Islamist extremists planning to kill him.

    Please join us in praying with Madengho that his three children will soon be returned home safely. In the meantime, may God divinely protect these little ones from any fear or harm, surrounding them with His angels and blanketing them with great peace. And on behalf of Ismail's grieving family, ask that the Lord's comforting presence will be with them in special ways and His provision for their every need be fulfilled. Also intercede for the salvation of the perpetrators, in hopes that they will be convicted of wrongdoing and forever changed by God's saving grace and power. May the light of our Saviour and Lord Jesus shine brightly in this land so that all may behold His wonderful glory!
  • Missing Christian Girl Possibly Kidnapped

    In Lahore Cantt, a young Christian girl by the name of Agnes Shaukat has been missing since November 20th. The girl's family suspect that her employer is involved. According to a rickshaw driver whom the parents hired on a monthly basis to take their daughter to and from a boutique where she was employed, Agnes was dropped off as usual in the morning. However, when the driver went to pick her up in the evening, she never came out. CCTV footage shows Agnes entering the boutique but, unfortunately, the footage of her departure is missing.

    Agnes' father, accompanied by his son Samuel, took this urgent matter to the police. However, instead of registering a case against the missing daughter's employer, Uzma, who is reputed as being very influential in the community, they registered a case against some unknown people. Although the police seem cooperative, no actual efforts have been made to find Agnes. The missing girl's parents are understandably worried and suspect their daughter may have been kidnapped with the knowledge of her employer.

    Apparently, the police have not questioned Uzma about the situation. The parents also suspect that Agnes may have been made to convert to Islam and forced to married a militant Muslim man. In addition, they fear the possibility of never seeing her again, something that happens frequently in Pakistan. For a report on the abduction of Christian women and girls in this country, go to this page.

    Considering the lack of attention shown by authorities in their attempts to locate Agnes, may the Lord -- who knows exactly what happened and who is involved -- personally take up this case on behalf of the distraught family. With His divine intervention, may Agnes be freed by her abductors so she can be joyfully reunited with her family. In the interim, ask God to strengthen and comfort this young girl, providing her with a safe and sure way of escape. More generally, pray that the authorities in Pakistan will be diligent in upholding justice so all Christian girls can be protected from incidents of kidnapping and forceful conversion.
  • Churches Threatened to Convert to Islam


    In Turkey, 20 evangelical
    churches have received
    threatening messages
    from Islamic extremists.

    About 20 evangelical churches in Turkey have recently received threatening messages from the Turkish branch of the self-proclaimed Islamic State. The messages, which have been sent via Facebook, text and email, often include upsetting videos and pictures. The militants responsible for sending these messages state that they are tired of waiting for Christians to return to Islam, adding cruel comments such as, "Quranic commandments... urge us to slay the apostate like you." While the church leaders have reported the threats to authorities, we ask that you join us in praying for the protection of these churches and for God's guidance to be granted to their leaders.

    Although Turkey has been officially secular since 1924, nearly 97 percent of the overall population represents its Muslim majority. Religious minorities are often denied the right to provide religious education and maintain places of worship, despite a constitutional guarantee of religious freedom. In addition, Christians are frequently subjected to discrimination, slander, personal assault, and violent attacks against their churches. Although there has been great hostility demonstrated toward the followers of Christ in various areas of the Middle East, we are reminded through God's Word that He is able to transform the hearts and minds of the perpetrators...bringing them from the realm of darkness into His Kingdom of light and love. Information and reports addressing the persecution of Christians in Turkey are available at the Turkey Country Report.

    As these Turkish Christians earnestly seek God's wisdom and direction, in response to the threatening messages and other forms of persecution they've endured, may they clearly sense and heed His Holy Spirit's promptings -- always endeavouring to speak the truth in love. Ask the Lord to protect them as they continue boldly gathering together for times of worship and fellowship, while also reaching out to the non-believing members of their communities with His compassion and blessing. Finally, please pray for an increase of religious freedom in Turkey, and the empowerment of Christians to embrace that freedom for the furtherance of the Gospel and God's glory.