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Persecuted Christians

2000-Year-Old Underground City Where Persecuted Christians Hid Was Discovered

by Rhoda Gayle May 21, 2022

A 2000-year-old underground city where persecuted Christians may have used as refuge was uncovered.

Underground city

An underground city in southeastern Turkey was recently discovered. It is believed to be the largest underground city and may have been used as a refuge for Christians persecuted by the Romans. It was initially uncovered in 2020 in the Midyat district of Mardin province.

The complex was discovered during a local cleaning and conservation operation. Only 3% of the entire site has been excavated, it’s still a mystery as to how big the entire area was. Researchers revealed that the complex includes a tunnel over 100 yards long and about 50 chambers.

Photo Courtesy: Halil Ibrahim Sincar

Persecuted Christians

It is believed that around 70,000 people lived in it, and most of those were believed to be Christians.

“Families and groups who accepted Christianity generally took shelter in underground cities to escape the persecution of Rome or formed an underground city,” Gani Tarkan, head of the excavation effort, said. “Possibly, the underground city of Midyat was one of the living spaces built for this purpose. It is an area where we estimate that at least 60-70,000 people lived underground.”

They were also able to discover spaces for worship in the complex. An apparent Christian church and a Jewish synagogue were found. On one of those large halls, a Star of David was on its walls. Other historical artifacts were also recovered from the excavation site. Some of those were Roman coins and oil lamps similar to those described in the Gospel.

Researchers also said that the underground city may have been built around 2,000 years ago.

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Reference: The Jerusalem Post https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-704928

May 21, 2022 0 comment

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Militants Came To Kill Missionaries But Ends Up Accepting Jesus

by Christel Berns February 3, 2022

written by Christel Berns

Armed militants came to the missionaries to kill them. But after displaying Christ’s selfless love, they gave their lives to Jesus instead.

Preaching The Gospel In Africa

The President of Afri-Mission and Evangelism Network, Oscar Amaechina, shared a powerful testimony in one encounter with African militants.

Along with other missionaries, Oscar is devoted to preaching the Gospel in African towns where people have never heard about Jesus. For the record, it is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a Christian. But despite the threats, they continue to risk their lives for the Gospel. And then, in one moment, indeed, they almost lost their lives.

Photo Courtesy | Afri-mission and Evangelism Network

Militants Came To Murder Missionaries

In an interview with The Christian Post, Oscar recounted the scary encounter with African militants. He recalled, “We were ministering to people, and some people came to kill us. They confessed that they were there to kill us. We saw them with their machetes, we saw them with their swords, and we believed that that was our last breath.”

Photo Courtesy | Faithwire – AP Photo/George Osodi file

At that point, Oscar and his team thought that was the end of their lives. They were certain they would face murder with these armed men. However, God did something incredible to win their hearts.

Accepting Jesus

Amid facing what could be the end, the missionaries decided to display Christ’s love toward the assailants. Instead of panicking and begging for their lives, they provided them with food and resources.

“We gave them rice, gave them spaghetti, gave them cream and soup … and they moved away from us,” the missionary told the outlet. “They returned, and one of their leaders spoke to us through an interpreter. And said, ‘We were here to kill you. Since we are poor, no one has ever given us gifts, but because of these gifts, we want to become Christians.'”

Hence, the Christian missionaries witnessed how God changed the armed militants’ hearts before their eyes. And Oscar couldn’t believe it.

“We led them to Christ. It was wonderful, it was awesome, and it was an eye-opener,” he said. “Since that day, we have never resisted showing kindness. There’s power in kindness and love. And that is what we believe in ministry.”

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While not every encounter with the militants ends up in such a way, this testimony reminds us of the importance of displaying God’s grace and love. Which is what Jesus commanded us to do, to “love God and love others.”

Let’s keep our fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord in our prayers, especially the missionaries who risk their lives every day for the Gospel.

Reference: Faithwire

February 3, 2022 0 comment

Articles

Here’s What We Need To Learn From Persecuted Christians

by Rhoda Gayle June 15, 2021

written by Rhoda Gayle

We are all aware that there are persecuted Christians serving the Lord from other parts of the world. Today, best-selling author Robby Dawkins reveals to us the things we need to learn from those who are being persecuted.

Persecuted Christians

Robby has met and ministered to people from persecuted churches around the world. One of the things that he shared that we need to learn from those persecuted is understanding God’s authority. We need to understand His authority in every season we are in, even in uncertainties and crises.

“We in the west have so much to learn in understanding God’s authority, of understanding God’s control in the midst of crisis. When things are not seemingly at peace, to have peace in spite of what the circumstance are around us.”

Lessons

As he equips leaders of the persecuted churches, Robby has also seen how God provided for all their needs. He testifies that if there’s a mission, there will surely be the provision.

“If you’ll seek to give away everything that God has placed on you, every gifting, every ability, if you seek to equip others to do the thing you want to do most, God will make sure you always have more. You’ll never lack, you’ll never be missing out, there’ll always be more,” he added.

Power of God

He then urged everyone to preach the Gospel not just in words but also in power. Let us win souls by showing them how powerful God is.

“We as the church have to have power if we are going to win those in the radical parts of the world,” Robby emphasized.

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Reference: YouTube | GOD TV

June 15, 2021 0 comment

Articles

Local Villagers Harass Church Saying, “Our Gods Leave Us, Stop Praying”

by MJ August 24, 2020

written by MJ

Pastor Khora runs a house church in the Badaguda village of Odisha. A group of radical nationalists attacked eight Christians here. They all suffered severe injuries. Along with the radical nationalists, the local villagers are also harassing the congregation. They say, “When you pray, our gods leave us, so you have to stop praying here or leave this village.”

Persecution In India

Christian persecution in India keeps surging year after year. Six recorded murders and 2067 hate crimes since 2015 show the extent of such crimes in the remote villages of India.

The more the persecution, the more intense the revival gets just like the Israelites who kept growing in number even during their bondage in Egypt. The kingdom of darkness trembles every time people gather in the name of Jesus somewhere in a remote village.

Unwavering Faith

In the face of opposition, the persecuted Christians stand firm in their faith and dedication. Despite the continuing threats, the church stands faithful and keeps thriving year after year. Souls are delivered and born again into the Kingdom of God. Revival bursts forth in the remote parts of rural India, especially in the north. But still, more territories need the touch of the Savior.

Apart from the recorded crimes, several hate crimes and murders remain hidden. But the continuing threats will not quench the spirit of the persecuted church. No matter how many more persecutors cry “Our gods leave us so stop praying”, the Church stands tall, calling the weary and heavy-laden to come and get rest at the foot of the cross!

Persecution Will Not End Faith

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35-39)

Reference: International Christian Concern

August 24, 2020 0 comment

Articles

Prison In Iran Turns Into A Church After 2 Persecuted Christians Were Arrested

by Christel Berns August 14, 2020

written by Christel Berns

Two persecuted Christian missionaries in Iran were imprisoned in one of the most notorious prison cells in the whole world for legally torturing prisoners. While there they witnessed how God turned the dark prison into a church.

Authorities in Iran had put Marziyeh Amirizadeh and Maryam Rostampour in jail for sharing their Christian faith. They locked them up in the Evin Prison, the prison in Iran known worldwide to legally torture and execute prisoners.

But as faithful followers of Jesus, these two women never allowed their unlikely situation to hinder God’s purposes in that dark prison cell. Both held on to God’s Word in Luke 9:23 when Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me.” So, that’s what they did.

Marziyeh Amirizadeh and Maryam Rostampour sharing their experience inside the Evin Prison

Bringing Jesus Into The Darkest Place

Marziyeh and Maryam brought the Light of the World inside that dark and cruel place. They kept praying every day and all the while sharing the Gospel with their co-prisoners. That’s when God started to change everything.

One day, both the faithful Christians realized how God turned that scary place into a place of hope. The Evin prison turned into a church as many prisoners gave their lives to Christ.

Every day, the prisoners could see God’s miracles and power through the life of Marziyeh and Maryam.

In one testimony that Marziyeh shared, the prisoners came to them after God answered their prayers immediately. Since then, all the prisoners started to respect them and listen to them. Everyone became interested in spending time with both of the missionaries.

Evin Prison Guards Touched By God

Moreover, some guards even came to apologize one day because of their behavior and asked for their prayers. Also, other guards became curious and asked about Jesus after reading the letters fellow Christians sent to the imprisoned missionaries.

Little by little, God changed the hearts of the people surrounding them. As a result, they never felt that their freedom was taken away from them.

After enduring nine months of interrogation, fear of life imprisonment, and the possibility of execution, Marziyeh and Maryam gained their freedom. However, both weren’t exactly rejoicing, because they knew they had to leave their friends behind. Thinking about the innocent people in that dark place suffering had put a burden on their hearts.

Sharing Their Story To The World

“We promised ourselves and we promised most of the women in that prison to be a voice for them. And to share their stories with the world. Because we feel that God had a purpose for putting us in that prison. We had seen many injustices and today we feel that God had put this burden on our hearts. We feel responsible for those people,” Maryam said.

Today, they are sharing their story all over the world to give hope to the persecuted. Both wanted to “highlight the plight of persecuted Christians and inspire people to pray and support their brothers and sisters in Christ who are being persecuted right now.”

Marziyeh and Maryam are encouraging Christians all over the world “not to take your freedom for granted.”

These persecuted Christians have one single request to every believer, according to one Christian who has visited these missionaries in dangerous countries. He said:

“They never ask for prayer that their persecution will cease. They never ask for prayer that their national leaders will be deposed, nothing like that at all. But what they say in every single instance is when you get back home, would you please get everybody to pray for us, that God will give us the strength and the courage to stand up for Jesus and never deny Him.”

Watch the full interview of Marziyeh and Maryam with GOD TV.

The Prison Became a Church | Captive in Iran Part 2

Watch this video on YouTube

ALSO READ: Persecuted Indian Christian Breathes Last Words To Family: “Never Give Up On Your Faith To Jesus

August 14, 2020 0 comment

News

China Destroys 3,000-Seat Christian Megachurch During Worship Service

by Christel Berns November 11, 2019

written by Christel Berns

China is one of the most dangerous places for Christians. Persecution is rampant in the nation which forces many Christian churches to have worship services underground. Recently, China Aid reported that Communist authorities have demolished another Christian church, a 3000-seat megachurch.

Last October, SWAT team members, and anti-riot police came and destroyed the church building. It happened while the church was in the middle of a worship service.

Formerly, China officially recognized the megachurch as a church network. That’s why the unfortunate happening surprised church members.

Photo | China Aid

Christians Begged Communist Authorities To Stop

There were never any legal papers to authorize a demolition thus the action taken against the church was illegal. Christians begged and knelt in front of the authorities to spare the building. Some fainted and had to be sent to the hospital. But no matter their plea, they still tore it down to rubble on Friday, October 18.

Photo | China Aid

Unfortunately, the church lost all of its property without a single compensation. A video from China Aid shows the excavator pulling the building apart.

The Communist authorities then purported that they were only renovating the area. They claimed they would rebuild the church in another region.

Detained Church Pastors

Geng Yimin and Sun Yongyao, the church’s pastors, were detained because of suspicion for “gathering a crowd to disturb social order.”

China recognizes some Christian bodies in the country. However, Christians still lack religious freedom. In the past, Communist officials have threatened them countless times. They did this through editing sermons, removing crosses, and banning Sunday Schools for children. The law also prohibits minors to convert. This resulted in millions of Christian churches going underground to worship.

Pastor Geng Yimin’s Detention Notice
Photo | China Aid

ChinaAid President Bob Fu said, “This is yet another clear example showing the escalation of religious persecution today by the Chinese Communist regime. The total disregard of religious freedom’s protection, as enshrined in the Communist Party’s own Constitution, tells the whole world President Xi is determined to continue his war against the peaceful Christian faithful. This campaign will surely fail in the end.”

Although this was the case today for our fellow brethren in Christ, let’s continue to pray for God’s strength and protection for them. Let’s pray, “God, let Your Kingdom come and let Your will be done in China.”

Christians, ‘The Most Persecuted Religious Group Today’ UK Government Says

by GOD TV July 10, 2019

written by GOD TV

Christian Persecution Review gives UK Govt teeth

Release International has welcomed recommendations published on July 8 that will give the government teeth to deal with Christian persecution.

The Bishop of Truro’s review makes a number of key recommendations to the British Government to tackle the growing problem – which includes the possibility of imposing sanctions.

The report was commissioned by the British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who has declared Christians to be ‘the most persecuted religious group in modern times’.

He called on the Bishop of Truro to look into Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) support for persecuted Christians and make recommendations. Release International was one of the key organizations invited to take part in that research.

Key recommendations of the Review

The Final Review by the Rt Rev Philip Mounstephen makes 22 important recommendations that would propel the plight of persecuted Christians to the forefront of Government policy. Along with the possibility of sanctions, it calls for:

The UK to aspire ‘to be the global leader in championing freedom of religion and belief’
Freedom of Religion and Belief to become ‘central to FCO operation and culture’
To clearly identify ‘Christian persecution and discrimination’
To establish a Special Envoy for Freedom and Belief ‘with appropriate resources and authority’
To establish a standard scale to measure persecution
To set up an early-warning mechanism to prevent genocide and atrocity
To work to reduce tension and resolve disputes
And to publicly condemn atrocities

The Chairman of the Release Board, David Armond, said: ‘Release welcomes the report and recommendations, which we hope will be adopted by the Government. We commend the Bishop of Truro and his team.

‘We were pleased to be included as a key NGO to support the research phase of this project, and thank Dr. Sara Afshari for taking the lead in that. We pray these recommendations will be taken up and will improve the lives of persecuted Christians worldwide.’

You can download a copy of the Bishop of Truro’s report at Christian Persecution Review.

This post was written by Andrew Boyd

July 10, 2019 1 comment