Aleksandr Kerker, a Baptist pastor in the town of Tayinsha, North Kazakhstan Region, is facing opposition from authorities for refusing to pay a fine for leading worship without state permission, according to a January 9 report from Forum 18. In early January, court bailiffs went to Pastor Kerker's employer and demanded he hand over part of Kerker's salary to pay the fine. The employer refused, but fired Kerker to avoid further confrontations. The court bailiffs have also threatened to confiscate Pastor Kerker's cow and his fridge and stove to cover the owed amount.
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Meanwhile, President Nursultan Nazarbaev has sent the draft religion law (click here for more information) to be reviewed by the Constitutional Council. The Council has one month to determine if the law conforms to the country's constitution. The repressive religion law proposes a ban of unregistered religious activity, stringent rules on who can spread their faith, and the censorship of religious literature.
Ask God to protect and provide for Pastor Kerker and his large family. Pray that the fine will be dismissed. Pray that Kazakhstan's leaders will reject this law.
To learn more about the plight of Kazakhstan's Christians, go to the Kazakhstan Country Report.
Government authorities have shut down relief camps in Orissa, India, forcing the thousands of Christians displaced by the wave of violence that began in August (
The Karnataka High Court has reopened approximately 12 churches that were closed down by the Deputy Commissioner of Davangere district, Karnataka, India in early September due to claims that forcible conversions were taking place. However, VOMC continues to receive reports of Christians facing threats and violent attacks from Hindu militants in the state.