Text 693, 170 rader
Skriven 2005-10-28 04:04:34 av Bob Hoffman (8:8/2)
Ärende: Preserved to Work's EndPreserved to Work's End
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From: "Bob Hoffman" <bhoffman@fmlynet.org>
Preserved to Work's End
Faith's Checkbook
October 28
Preserved to Work's End
"The LORD stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast
testified of Me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome" (Acts
23:11).
Are you a witness for the LORD, and are you just now in danger? Then remember
that you are immortal till your work is done. If the LORD has more witness for
you to bear, you will live to bear it. Who is he that can break the vessel
which the LORD intends again to use?
If there is no more work for you to do for your Master, it cannot distress you
that He is about to take you home and put you where you will be beyond the
reach of adversaries. Your witness bearing for Jesus is your chief concern, and
you cannot be stopped in it till it is finished: therefore, be at peace. Cruel
slander, wicked misrepresentation, desertion of friends, betrayal by the most
trusted one, and whatever else may come cannot hinder the LORD's purpose
concerning you. The LORD stands by you in the night of your sorrow, and He
says, "Thou must yet bear witness for me." Be calm; be filled with joy in the
LORD.
If you do not need this promise just now, you may very soon. Treasure it up.
Remember also to pray for missionaries and all persecuted ones, that the LORD
would preserve them even to the completion of their lifework.
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Nearly 50 Chinese House Church Leaders Arrested at Retreat and Released
October 21, 2005
The Voice of the Martyrs - Michael F. Haverluck
In a major Chinese central government crackdown on Christians at a house church
leader's retreat in Gougezhuang Village, Laishui County, Hebei Province on
October 20, police arrested nearly 50 key leaders of different independent
underground fellowships representing over 20 provinces at 4:00 p.m. Beijing
time. Some were beaten and interrogated while in custody. Because of increasing
international pressure, they were all set free after more than 25 hours of
house arrest. This is to the exclusion of renowned evangelist, Pastor Zhang
Mingxuan, who was released after his interrogation three hours later at 7:30
p.m. on October 21st.
China Aid Association's president Bob Fu was given an eyewitness report that
the independent house church leaders from over 20 provinces organized the
retreat to discuss how best to help the poor, orphaned, and migrant urban
populations. The Public Security Bureau (PSB) of the City of Baoding and the
city's officials of religious affairs raided this Christian fellowship and
arrested nearly 50 of them in the late afternoon.
Many of the leaders taken into custody saw the event as an open door to share
the Word of God. Pastor Zhang Mingxuan, the first Chinese to have the title
"evangelist" printed on a business card, preached the gospel to interrogators
without ceasing. At the end of the questioning, one of Zhang's exhausted
interrogators was quoted telling him, "Man, you preach too hard!" This pastor
was previously detained for his faith prior to President Bush's February 2002
trip to China. Zhang ran a nursing home in Beijing with two other Christians
earlier in his ministry.
While in custody, all leaders were forced to be fingerprinted, sign their names
and provide their ID numbers. Police confiscated a digital camera, cell phone
and cash from the arrested party without giving receipts for the items.
One church leader, 35-year-old law school graduate Ms. Dai Hong, was taken to a
room on the second floor and beaten by two male policemen because she demanded
that they show her their identification before divulging hers. Even though her
request was consistent with Chinese law, she was struck by Officer Tang, whose
badge number is either 042824 or 042829, as well as by his fellow officer. It
is also believed that Pastor Gong Shangliang's sister and a number of leaders
of the South China Church were among those seized in Gougezhang. Pastor Gong
has been in prison since May 2001, when he was the active leader of the
50,000-member SCC.
Nearly 60 PSB/Religious Affairs Bureau officials, along with their hired local
guards and 30 police vehicles, reluctantly and shamefully left the scene after
releasing the pastors. The bold Christian witnesses joyfully said farewell to
the guards with songs of praise and worship to the Lord! They had plenty to be
thankful for. After CAA's October 20 press release on the arrests, one of U.S.
Congressman Chris Smith's aids from the House International Relations Committee
contacted the State Department and urged them to take action in releasing the
church leaders.
This incident comes just before President George W. Bush's scheduled November
19 visit to China. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has just met with the
Chinese government in Beijing to examine its massive military buildup and
consider the international threat that it could pose. U.S. Treasury Secretary
John W. Snow was there at the time of this press release.
Appeals made to the White House and State Department to put pressure on Chinese
officials for the Christians' release, along with many prayers, have truly paid
off. In lieu of the recent persecution taking place in China, we urge the
international community and President Bush to insist that the Chinese
government protect its people's freedom of religion and other human rights.
Please consider writing letters, calling or faxing the Chinese Embassy in
appreciation for its role in the quick release of these bold leaders of China's
underground church. You can contact the embassy by using the information
provided below:
Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong
Embassy of the People's Republic of China 2300 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington,
D.C. 20008 Tel: (202) 328-2500 Fax: (202) 588-0032 Director of Religious
Affairs: (202) 328-2512
=====================================================
Family Forced to Leave Turkey for Iran and Face Persecution
October 20, 2005
The Voice of the Martyrs - Michael F. Haverluck
An Iranian family choosing to become Christians several years ago before being
baptized in a church in Tehran are now being ordered to repatriate from Turkey.
The family, consisting of widow Mrs. Zivar Khademian, her two grown sons
Hossein and Kazem Moini, and her 19-year-old daughter Fatemeh Moini, left Iran
and have lived in Turkey since January 2003. There, they applied for refugee
status through the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNHCR). After
reviewing their case several times, it was rejected in February 2005 and is not
subject to further appeal. On October 5th, the family was given 15 days by
Turkish authorities to voluntarily return to Iran. If they do not, they will be
forcibly deported to Iran.
Great concern has been given to this case because the Christian family faces
severe consequences upon their return to their native country, where they were
persecuted for their faith. While in Iran, Kazem was imprisoned for six months
after police raided his family's home and found Christian materials. His
release was granted on the condition that he divulge the names of those who
converted to Christianity. Meanwhile, his mother and sister suffered police
harassment and his brother went into hiding.
Because Zivar was charged with apostasy through an October 2004 Iranian court
summons, she could face the death penalty upon her return. Also, her daughter
Fatemeh could be forced to marry a member of the Islamic militia if she
repatriates because her now deceased father promised her betrothal.
With these serious ramifications, the UNHCR's Geneva headquarters has been
asked to take advocacy action by reopening the application. Please pray for a
reversal of their decision and for the Spirit of God to strengthen and
encourage this family.
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