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2016-07-21

• Arrests for Protesting Illegal Seizure

  Fourteen members and leaders of the Khartoum Bahri Evangelical Church were detained on July 7th for peacefully demonstrating against the illegal seizure of the church's training school. The property had been sold by a government-appointed "committee" not recognized by the church; a transaction of sale that was even ruled illegal by the Administrative Court.

  Police initially arrested 11 people who were released after intervention from the church's lawyer. However, when they returned to the church compound and continued with their objection regarding the illegal takeover, the police returned -- this time detaining 17 people in total. Three of the detained, after proving to be members of the government-appointed "committee," were released shortly afterwards. And although the prosecutor ordered the release (pending trial) of the remaining 14 detainees, the police refused to comply.

  On July 10th, all 14 of the detained church members were charged before the Bahri Criminal Court. The court sentenced 13 of them to a fine of 300 Sudanese pounds (approximately $65 Canadian) for obstructing police, and the other member to a fine of 500 Sudanese pounds (about $107) for obstructing police and disturbing the peace. They were released after paying the required fines.

  However, five of these Christians were also released pending trial, as they will be charged for a breach of signed commitment. During the first round of arrests on July 7th, they signed a statement stating they would not "disturb the peace" again. They were then re-arrested in the second round of arrests and accused of violating the conditions of their earlier release. No date has been set for their trial. To learn more about the challenges believers face in Sudan, review our country report.

  Please join us in praying for these Christians in Sudan who have been charged for protesting against the illegal sale of the church premises. May they handle this difficult situation wisely and in a manner that is pleasing to the Lord. Pray that the five church members involved in the upcoming trial will place their trust wholeheartedly in God, relying on His promise to work all things together for good to those who love Him... including this seemingly unjust takeover of property. May He encourage this congregation of believers through His infallible Word, granting them strength in the process and favour with the judicial leaders of the court. Ask the Lord to use this case as a strong witness for the Gospel in Sudan and beyond.

• Martyrs Survived by Grieving Families

  
  Eunice Elisha, one of the workers martyred
  Photo: World Watch Monitor

  Two church workers in Nigeria have recently been killed by militants in separate incidents. Eunice Elisha was murdered in the early hours of July 9th near Nigeria's capital of Abuja. The 42-year-old mother of seven had gone out to preach as usual, her husband Pastor Olawale told local media.

  Eunice is described by her surviving husband as a zealous Christian who "rarely missed a day in church." When asked how he felt about the attack, Olawale replied: "I see (Eunice) as a martyr who died for Christ. Whether the people are caught or not, they should be forgiven." Police have since arrested six suspects, and will be continuing with their investigation.

  Eunice's case represents only one of several attacks targeting Christians in recent weeks. Reverend Joseph Kura, a pastor of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Obi town (located within Nigeria's central State of Nasarawa), was killed on June 30th by suspected armed Fulani herdsmen.

  Rev. Joseph was accompanied by three other people when he went to his farm at about 7 p.m. to cut down trees for roofing wood. As the group arrived at the farm, two armed men suddenly appeared from behind them. Rev. Joseph's severely mutilated body was later recovered from the scene. He leaves behind a wife and seven children. Additional reports on persecution in Nigeria, along with informative video documentaries, are available here.

  May the families and friends of these 'good and faithful servants' be greatly comforted with God's promises of everlasting life: 1) the assurance that their loved ones have gone on to receive their eternal rewards, and 2) the anticipated hope of one day being reunited with them in the presence of our Lord Himself. In the meantime, pray that their grieving hearts will be sustained by the loving and cherished memories they've shared over the years and, most important of all, through the empowerment, love and peace of God through a relationship with our Risen Saviour, Jesus Christ. Intercede for the perpetrators that they may also come to personally know Him and His saving grace.

• Digital Media Broadcasts ''Good News''

  Evangelists in Sierra Leone are using digital media players to share the "Good News" of the Gospel with Muslims and other unreached people within the country. Because of illiteracy and poverty, many of them cannot access God's Word in their own language.

  With the use of high-quality speakers, the digital players enable evangelists to share Scripture, sermons and other Christian materials with as many as 300 people at a time. Please pray for the evangelists as they reach out to those who have never before heard God's Word, and for His blessings to be upon all the recipients.