For eleven straight years, North Korea has maintained its reprehensible reputation of being the nation most hostile to the Gospel. This Communist nation resists any form of religion except the state religion of Juche, which glorifies human self-sufficiency and results in the cult worship of Leader Kim Jong-Il (who died two years ago) and his son, the new Leader Kim Jong-Un. In recent days, two North Korean Christians were killed for the sake of the Gospel. One was shot at the border as he courageously returned to his country after receiving Bible training in China. The other believer died from torture in one of the despicable prison camps reserved for enemies of the state. An estimated 70,000 Christians of all ages have been interned in these harsh prison camps, where Communist doctors conduct poisonous experiments on them with chemical and biological weapons. In addition, this week Kenneth Bae, an American…
Over two billion people in the world have no access to the Gospel—no Bible, no church, no Christians, no hope. Since many of them live in countries closed to traditional missionaries, how will they hear the Good News? One way is that Christ is calling and equipping men and women with skills—professionals—to use their talents to reach people who are hard to get to. The Power of His Rising is an inside look at how this is unfolding in South Asia, where baristas and bakers, pilots and farmers are a force for the Gospel! It’s an amazing journey by land, sea and air—down crowded streets and remote rivers—to find light shining in darkness and persecuted believers singing because of Jesus! Dispatches from the Front opens yet another window to see Christ at work in the world through His endless life and relentless grace! The 6th episode of the Dispatches from the Front series, set in South…
2013 PASTORS’ CONFERENCE: VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA When: Friday, June 14, 2013, from 9 AM to 3:30 PM Where: Colonial Baptist Church, 2221 Centerville Turnpike, Virginia Beach, VA 23464 Download or Print the Invitation with Agenda: Registration: There is no charge for this conference, however we ask that you register to let us know of your plans to attend. You can do so by using the link in the above Agenda or by clicking the “Sign Up” button below. Attendees are responsible for their own meals and lodging. Coffee and snacks will be provided during the break. Recommended Hotels: The Founders Inn and Spa 5641 Indian River Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23464, 1.757.366.5700 or online Rates: use the rate code “FMI” to receive the discounted nightly rates for Colonial Queen or Two Queen Rooms below: Thursday, June 13: $105 per night + tax; Friday-Saturday, June 14- 15: $115 per night + tax (no booking deadline to get these…
The Arab Spring began in 2011 in Libya, where the official religion is Islam and any type of proselytizing or distribution of Christian literature is illegal. Simon of Cyrene was from Libya, but the small minority of Christians today numbers only about 200,000 people. Ezzat Hakin Atallah, a native Egyptian, had lived in Libya for ten years and was the owner of a cell phone repair shop. He was known as a Christian, but that had not caused any previous problems. However, on February 17, 2013, Atallah and three other believers were rounded up and imprisoned in Benghazi on charges of spreading Christianity. On March 10, Atallah died in prison. Repeated electrical shock torture likely exacerbated his heart ailment, leading to his death. Atallah left behind a wife, Ragaa Abdallah, and two children. Please pray for God’s comfort for this family and also for the minority Christian community in Libya…
Turkey has long been a secular Muslim nation, but fanatical Islamic factions continue to pursue efforts to drive out the Christian minority population. Pastor Emre Karaali has faithfully served as the pastor of Izmit Protestant Church for 13 years after his conversion from Islam. The small congregation of 20 Turkish believers is miniscule in a city of one million Muslim people, but they were targeted. Over a year ago, two Muslim Turks infiltrated the church, and one of them even submitted to baptism. This past January, the police uncovered a plot to assassinate Pastor Emre and his family, which was orchestrated by these two men plus four other Turks who had visited the church. The plot was discovered just a week before it was going to be carried out. Although Pastor Emre had received a death threat a year ago and now this definite plan to kill him, he has…
