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On July 15, Pastor Artur Suleimanov (49) was murdered by a gunman who shot him in the head as he was getting into his car to leave the Hosanna House of Prayer in Makhachkala, Dagestan -- a federal republic of Russia in the North Caucasus region. He passed away approximately an hour later in hospital. Pastor Suleimanov was well known as a dynamic leader of one of the largest Protestant churches in the republic. "Pastor Suleimanov was a wonderful Christian brother and his shocking death is a devastating loss for the Dagestan church," a coordinator with Barnabas Fund has said. "He and the Hosanna House of Prayer church were very active in ministry and outreach in particular. We see his murder as an attempt to put further pressure on Christian converts in Dagestan." Pastor Suleimanov leaves to mourn a wife and five children. (Source: Barnabas Fund)
Pray for Pastor Suleimanov's wife and children as they grieve his loss. Pray that the comfort of Christ will be more than enough for them (2 Corinthians 1:5). Ask God to change the heart and mind of the man behind this murder. Pray that God will embolden Christians in Russia to continue spreading the gospel in their nation amid opposition.
For more on the trials facing Christians in Russia, go to the Russia Country Report.
