Sudan: Alarm over demolition of church
The World Council of Churches (WCC) and All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) have condemned the destruction of a church in Sudan. The Episcopal Parish Church of Saint John, Haj Yousif, in Khartoum was reportedly demolished on 18 June on the orders of Sudanese government officials. The WCC and AACC have denounced the action as the latest in a series of ‘calculated attacks’ on minority communities and Christians in particular. On 21 April, the Sudan Evangelical Church Bible School in Khartoum was destroyed and books including the Bible set on fire in full view of the police. Two days later, security forces occupied the premises of the Sudan Council of Churches and Sudan Aid in Nyala, Darfur, and confiscated property. The WCC and AACC warned that Christians of Muslim background were being targeted and dispossessed of their property and their spouses.
Pray: for God’s people in Sudan that they will be covered by the armour of God. (Eph.6:10-20)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/alarm.over.demolition.of.church.in.sudan/30144.htm
Nigeria: Security forces in Northern Nigeria warn more violence is coming
The grim report was confirmed by an e-mail released by the Boko Haram confirming their plans for the coming weeks. In Kaduna and Zaria where churches were bombed last week, a curfew is still in effect. Open Doors reported two thwarted bombings over the weekend. Open Doors President and CEO, Dr Carl Moeller, explains, 'Boko Haram concealed a bomb in a coffin, claiming that it was a corpse. Fortunately, soldiers at a checkpoint insisted on seeing what was inside, and there were bombs in there. The men were arrested.' In the second attempt, a man was arrested when he masqueraded as someone who was interested in learning about Jesus Christ. The pastor noticed a bag a few yards away, which the possible convert denied knowing anything about. However the police discovered that the bag was filled with explosives, and the would-be suicide bomber was arrested. Then, with Sunday came a prison break, a fire fight, and the escape of 40 inmates who are members of Boko Haram.
Pray: that any further plans by Boko Haram will be thwarted. (Is.8:10)
USA: Police chaplain told how to pray
In some places in the United States, it's getting more and more difficult for Americans to freely exercise their faith in Christ. Many places across the country are taking action against Christians for praying in public, or praying in Jesus' name, reports Mission Network News. Case in point - Pastor Terry Sartain. According to Fox News, he's been ministering to police officers in Charlotte, North Carolina for the past seven years. When he prayed at the request of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, he prayed in ‘the name of Jesus.’ But he can't do that anymore. Volunteer chaplains in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department will no longer be allowed to invoke the name of Jesus in prayers at public events held on government property. Major John Diggs heads up the chaplain programme. He says it respects people of all faiths. Sartain says he's sad that as a pastor he can't give the one thing he has to offer: the Life and Person of Christ.
Pray: that the prayers of the saints in the name of Christ will be effective and that those who are speaking against will be blessed. (Ps.33:12)
Azerbaijan: Appeals judge to decide fate of Church
A Christian congregation in Azerbaijan is waiting pensively to see if a judge will uphold a court order that banned its right to meet and could ‘liquidate’ the church. ‘They are upset, but at the same time they continue coming out hoping for the best,’ said Mechti Suleymanov, an elder at Greater Grace Church in Baku, Azerbaijan, which has been meeting for roughly 20 years. Judge Tahira Asadova of Baku’s Administrative Economic Court on April 25 ordered the Greater Grace Church to be ‘liquidated’ after the State Committee on Work with Religious Organizations (SCWRO) filed suit against it for failing to register with the committee. The liquidation rendered all activities of the church illegal. The church appealed against the decision on May 24 and is waiting for another ruling, scheduled for July 17, from a judge at the Baku Court of Appeals.
Pray: for the church in Baku that the Court of Appeal will reverse its thoughts on liquidation. (Pr.29:26)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/easterneuropeandeurasia/article_1610756.html
