Missionary Murdered in Suspected Setup

29 January 2003

A missionary working among minority groups in the Philippines was shot and killed on January 17. According to Missions Insider, a missionary was riding his motorbike on Mindanao Island when he accidentally hit a motorbike driven by a Muslim. On hearing about the accident, the other missionaries from the team came and police took the two drivers to their headquarters for questioning. A member of the team was wheeling the motorbike home when he was shot in the chest and killed. The killer has not been identified, but he is suspected to be a member of a militant Muslim sect. The other missionary is suspecting a setup, since they had previously received death threats.

Pray for the widow and their 2-year-old daughter as they grieve this loss. Pray for other missionaries working in high-risk areas of the Philippines.

Pakistan

Current Ministry Projects
VOMC partners to train Christian women in sewing skills throughout Pakistan to provide a sustainable source of income for their families and encourage them in their faith and witness for Christ.

Project Funds: Families of Martyrs, Women’s Ministry
Country Information
Population
247,653,551 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Punjabi (44.7), Pashtun [Pathan] (15.4), Sindhi (14.1), Saraiki (8.4) Muhajirs (7.6) Balochi (3.6), Other (6.3)

Religion (%)
Islam (96.5), Other - Christian and Hindu (3.5)

Leader
President Asif Ali Zardari (2024)

Government type
Federal parliamentary republic

Legal system
Common law system with Islamic law influence

Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Pakistan
Pray that amendments will be made to Pakistan's existing blasphemy laws so that the country's citizens – including its children – will be protected from injustice and abuse. May our Lord's mercy and justice prevail, not only in the judiciary system but also in the hearts of the country's militants. Ask Him to transform their "hearts of stone" into hearts that are receptive to His love, mercy and the workings of His Holy Spirit – not only for the purpose of protecting the Christian minority but also for the salvation of their own eternal souls.