Persecution in Nigeria | Suicide Bomber Targets Churches in Kaduna
Churches celebrating Easter services were targeted by a suicide bomber in Kaduna city in northern Nigeria.
38 People Killed in Suicide Bombing
On Sunday 8 April 2012, security personnel at one of the church buildings blocked the bomber who tried to force his way onto church grounds. He later detonated his explosives in the street at a nearby taxi stand. 38 people were killed and dozens injured.
The bombs damaged the buildings of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Good News church and the All Nations Christian Assembly. Nearby homes, hotels and vehicles were also damaged or destroyed.
Emergency rescue workers from the National Emergency Management Authority and the Red Cross removed bodies and evacuated the injured to four hospitals in Kaduna and Zaria.
The bomber is believed to belong to the Boko Haram Islamic radical group.
Boko Haram Seeking to Destroy Christianity
Boko Haram (literally “Forbidden Book,” translated as “Western education is forbidden”) has targeted state offices, law enforcement sites and some moderate mosques in its effort to destabilize the government and impose a strict version of sharia (Islamic law) on all of Nigeria, but Kaduna resident Stanley Yakubu said that Christians are one of its main targets.
The truth is that there is a deliberate effort to silence or eliminate the Christians in the north.
Another resident, Malachy Gwatiyap, said that attacks on Christians must stop.
Shall we continue to suffer in silence? Shall we continue to be the sacrificial lambs on the altar of bigotry of these Islamists? We have suffered enough.
Source: Compass Direct News
Please pray for Christians in Nigeria.
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Persecution in Nigeria | Suicide Bombers Attack Another Church
A suicide bomber has killed twelve people, including two boys and a pregnant woman, after detonating an explosive device just outside a church in Nigeria.
The car bomb was detonated outside the gate of St. Finbarr’s Catholic Church on 11 March 2012. It could be heard up to two kilometres away, shattering the glass in buildings within a 200-metre radius.
The Rev. Emmanuel Kundum told Compass Direct News that he heard the explosion at 10:30 AM.
I saw members of our church rushing out from the church – many were injured and others were dead.
The bombing has led to outbreaks of more violence, and some Nigerian health and police sources have reported unconfirmed ‘reprisal’ attacks against Muslims. Witnesses have also reported additional deaths of Christians at the hands of military personnel. Some sources said soldiers killed four Christians when they were confronted about how the car containing the bomb had made it past security.
It is believed the attacks are the work of Boko Haram, an Islamic extremist group that seeks to impose a strict version of Sharia (Islamic law) in Nigeria. This is the second such bombing in the Christian community of Jos in Plateau State in recent weeks.
An earlier bombing at a church in late February killed several people.
The Anglican Archbishop of Jos, Rt Rev Benjamin Kwashi, said,
A palpable terror is being unleashed on Christians so that Sunday is transformed from a day of worship into a day of fear. We are appealing to the church worldwide to pray without ceasing, and to members of the international community to speak up and take action on our behalf so that we are able to enjoy full religious freedom and worship God freely and without fear.
Sources: Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Compass Direct News
Prayer Points
- Pray that those mourning the loss of loved ones will find comfort in Christ.
- Pray that Christians will be peacemakers in the midst of conflict and violence.
- Pray that God will help Nigerian Christians to trust God to bring true justice (Romans 12:17-21).
Unashamed Photos & Event Highlights: Dapto
Thank you so much to our friends at Dapto Anglican Church for hosting our second Unashamed event on Friday 16 March. 212 youth from across the Illawarra came along to connect with persecuted Christians and help send Bibles to Colombia.
The volunteer team from Dapto Anglican did an incredible job serving on the night by helping with ushering, sound & media, MCing and our photobooth. They had a BBQ after the event and donated all the profits towards Bibles for Colombia. The church cafe also donated some of their takings on the night to Thirteen Three.
The volunteer team from Dapto Anglican Church.
Thank you so much for your generosity Dapto Anglican.
Bibles for Colombia
We raised $1623.95 – enough to send 1015 Bibles to Colombia. Praise the Lord!
Before the event, we were praying with the volunteers that we would raise enough to send 1000 Bibles. Towards the end of the night, we announced that we’d raised enough to send 778 Bibles and not long after, a guy came up to me and asked, “How many Bibles were you hoping to send to Colombia tonight?”
“1000,” I replied.
“This should help you get to 1000 Bibles.”
The donation brought the total number of Bibles up to 1015! Wow! I was blown away by this act of generosityto support our persecuted brothers and sisters. Each Bible you send to Colombia has the potential to impact many lives with the Gospel.
Thank you to everyone who supported this project!
Check out all the photos from the event on facebook.
Quotes
Here’s what people are saying about the event:
I loved that the gospel was proclaimed, and that it is the reconciliation of God, people and the world #unashamed2012. Paul Seville
What a great night! #prayforcolombia #unashamed2012 Thanks God for the blessing you have poured out on us
@John_Batten
had soooo much fun at #unashamed2012. It was an AWESOME night @AshleighBAY_BEE
Following Jesus is NOT safe. You don’t hear that very often. But we need to put our safety and comfort aside to serve #unashamed2012 @DJ_RiDLMEDIS
Thirteen Three is partnering with youth groups around Australia to put on a series of Unashamed events in 2012. Click here to find out more information about Unashamed, including locations and dates.
Bibles for Colombia: Russell Stendal’s Story
Russell Stendal is a missionary in Colombia who risks his life for the Gospel every day.
Kidnapped by Guerrilla Soldiers
When Russell was in his 20s, he was taken hostage by the FARC guerrillas (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia). During his captivity, God gave him a burning passion to reach out to the guerrillas with the Gospel.
After five grueling months deep in the Colombian jungle, Russell was released, traumatized and in ill-health, but determined to bring the Gospel to the guerrillas.
Dangerous Ministry in the Jungles of Colombia
One of the main ways Russell tries to reach the guerrillas today is through a radio ministry.
Russell broadcasts radio programs with Christian music and teaching into remote areas where there are very few churches, and where pastors and missionaries aren’t allowed to go. Russell flies his plane over some of the most isolated regions of Colombia and drops parachute packs over guerrilla camps and remote communities.
Each parachute pack has a solar-powered radio and a Bible. All the guerrillas own is what they can carry on them, so a small radio is a treasured possession. Many of them gather around the radios listening to the Bible being taught through songs and sermons.
So far, Russell has dropped over 100,000 parachute packs. Many from remote communities as well as FARC guerrillas have been led to the Lord through this ministry.
I definitely think it’s worth the risk, because we can place these parachutes very, very effectively. And just one parachute with one radio can have an effect on a whole group of men [FARC guerrillas], and we’re able to deliver hundreds of parachutes very, very precisely using this method.
Russell has had threats on his life – he’s been held at gunpoint and told never to return to certain areas controlled by the FARC. But he continues to be unashamed, risking his life to see the Gospel advance amongst the guerrillas.
Help Send Bibles to Colombia
This year, Thirteen Three is aiming to send 10,000 Bibles to Colombia to support Russell Stendal’s ministry. It is only $1.60 to send one Bible – this is such a simple and effective way to send the light of the Gospel into the darkness of the Colombian jungles.
You can be a part of it by coming along to one of our Unashamed events where you will hear the challenges of being a Christian in Colombia and be challenged in your faith to be unashamed of the Gospel.
Check out the highlights from our first event in Mittagong here.
Meet Bec Sparkes: Thirteen Three Ambassador
Meet Bec Sparkes. She has answered Thirteen Three’s call to be an Ambassador for the persecuted church.
In July 2012, she will be travelling with a small team to Vietnam with Thirteen Three to meet persecuted Christians, distribute Bibles to underground churches and see the reality of living under persecution firsthand.
Bec’s Story
Hi guys!
I am a 20 year-old student from Sydney currently studying Social Work/Arts at the University of Sydney.
My whole journey with the persecuted church really began when I was about 17 years old when I picked up a book called “Sister Freaks” by Rebecca St James. In it, the book carried stories of women from all around the world, young and old, rich and poor, well-educated to the underprivileged all sharing an uncompromising love and faith in Jesus.
I would read their stories of boldness and courage and reflect on how I wanted to live with that same passion.
Later on a Vietnamese pastor came to speak to my Christian campus group at Sydney Uni in my first year and I was just so encouraged to hear his stories of life as a Vietnamese Christian.
My hope and prayer as an ambassador for Thirteen Three is that Christians in Vietnam and around the world who are facing persecution can be encouraged by our support here in Oz, knowing that we care for them. Likewise, I pray that we here in Australia can be encouraged by our persecuted brothers and sisters to be bold in our witness and wholehearted Disciples of Christ.
Help Bec Support Persecuted Christians
Bec is aiming to raise $5,000 to support an underground Bible college in Vietnam. This will help Thirteen Three sponsor the students and build a new library for the college.
You can help her make a massive impact for the Gospel in Vietnam by investing in the next generation of Christian leaders in this restricted nation.
Click here to meet the rest of Thirteen Three’s Ambassador team.
Meet David Low: Thirteen Three Ambassador
Meet David Low. He has answered Thirteen Three’s call to be an Ambassador for the persecuted church.
In July 2012, he will be travelling with a small team to Vietnam with Thirteen Three to meet persecuted Christians, distribute Bibles to underground churches and see the reality of living under persecution firsthand.
David’s Story
Hi, my name is David Low, and I am 16 years old.
I have been homeschooled my whole life, and I am currently doing Year 11 this year. When I am not busy with schoolwork, I like to make movies.
I have grown up in a strong Christian home, and I have known about persecuted Christians basically for my whole life. My first contact with Thirteen Three was last year, when I decided to do a fundraiser for persecuted Christians, and that went really well.
I can’t wait for our team trip to Vietnam this year, since I am really looking forward to actually meeting with the persecuted Christians over there, and hearing from them what the persecution is like for them.
I think that in Australia, Christians don’t really understand what it’s like to surrender everything to God, since we don’t have to face any persecution for our faith, so I am just really excited to be able to see how the Vietnamese Christians continue to stand strong for God and live every day for Him.
Help David Support Persecuted Christians
David is aiming to raise $5,000 to support an underground Bible college in Vietnam. This will help Thirteen Three sponsor the students and build a new library for the college.
You can help him make a massive impact for the Gospel in Vietnam by investing in the next generation of Christian leaders in this restricted nation.
Click here to meet the rest of Thirteen Three’s Ambassador team.
Persecution in Nigeria | Boko Haram Plot To End Christianity in Northern Nigeria
The al-Qaeda-linked Nigerian terrorist group Boko Haram has declared it is plotting to ‘end the Christian presence’ in much of Northern Nigeria.
According to a spokesman, the group is preparing to launch a ‘war,’ a campaign of terror, against Christians through co-ordinated bombings and kidnapping Christian women. The women reportedly will be held for ransom and returned only to Christian families who leave the region.
The goal is to eradicate Christians completely so that a ‘proper Islamic state’ might be established.
The authorities say Boko Haram is well armed with sophisticated weaponry. This new threat against Christians is very direct and indicates very dangerous days lie ahead.
Source: Australian Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission
Prayer Points
- Pray that God will protect believers in Northern Nigeria.
- Pray that God will frustrate the plans of the enemy and those who plot against the church.
- Ask God to awaken many Muslims to the Gospel.
Meet Bron Mercer: Thirteen Three Ambassador
Meet Bron Mercer. She has answered Thirteen Three’s call to be an Ambassador for the persecuted church.
In July 2012, she will be travelling with a small team to Vietnam with Thirteen Three to meet persecuted Christians, distribute Bibles to underground churches and see the reality of living under persecution firsthand.
Bron’s Story
Hi, I’m Bron. I am 18, from the Blue Mountains and currently working full time as an IT trainee, while completing my Certificate III in IT.
My interests include art, technology and writing and I enjoy meeting people and experiencing new things.
I was first introduced to Thirteen Three through youth group at Lawson Baptist Church and subsequently attending some of the youth outreach events. Hearing stories directly from Vietnamese pastors confronted me about the harsh reality of the persecution in Vietnam and the incredible growth of the church in such circumstances.
The radical nature of the Christian faith, full reliance and passion for Jesus is reflected through the lives of Vietnamese Christians and inspires me to shamelessly put his love into action.
As an Ambassador, I am excited about this opportunity to meet with Vietnamese brothers and sisters in Christ; to encourage, be transformed and know the heart of God. I hope to share my experiences with the church in Australia to raise awareness and support for the persecuted church, bringing glory to God.
Help Bron Support Persecuted Christians
Bron is aiming to raise $5,000 to support an underground Bible college in Vietnam. This will help Thirteen Three sponsor the students and build a new library for the college.
You can help her make a massive impact for the Gospel in Vietnam by investing in the next generation of Christian leaders in this restricted nation.
Click here to meet the rest of Thirteen Three’s Ambassador team.
Meet Tadhg Parker: Thirteen Three Ambassador
Meet Tadhg Parker. He has answered Thirteen Three’s call to be an Ambassador for the persecuted church.
In July 2012, he will be travelling with a small team to Vietnam with Thirteen Three to meet persecuted Christians, distribute Bibles to underground churches and see the reality of living under persecution firsthand.
Tadhg’s Story
I’m 18 years old. I live in on the Northern Beaches. I enjoy skateboarding and the outdoors. My favourite band is Five Iron Frenzy, they’re rad.
I have a casual job working as a camp instructor at The Collaroy Centre. I am also doing a ministry internship at my church, St Faith’s Narrabeen.
I love JESUS, He is my KING.
I am constantly encouraged by my persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ.
I believe that there is much more that we, who live in an affluent and religiously free country can learn from those whose lives are literally on the line because of their love for Jesus. I think we often get complacent in out comfort. Christianity becomes a lifestyle choice rather than a radical life change to live not for ourselves but for Christ, the perfector of our faith.
I became a 13:3 ambassador for two reasons:
1: To challenge young punks everywhere to think about the reality of what Jesus actually did on the cross and what it really means to live for Christ.
2: To support our brothers and sisters of the faith, who constantly live boldly for Jesus no matter the cost, in prayer, provisions and presence.
“For to Me, To Live Is Christ and to Die is Gain” Philippians 1:21
Help Tadhg Support Persecuted Christians
Tadhg is aiming to raise $5,000 to support an underground Bible college in Vietnam. This will help Thirteen Three sponsor the students and build a new library for the college.
You can help him make a massive impact for the Gospel in Vietnam by investing in the next generation of Christian leaders in this restricted nation.
Click here to meet the rest of Thirteen Three’s Ambassador team.
Persecution in Nigeria | Suicide Bomber Kills Three Christians
A Boko Haram terrorist killed three Christians in a suicide bomb attack in Jos, Nigeria on Sunday 26 February 2012.
The suicide bomber drove a car packed with explosives into the Church of Christ in Nigeria compound shortly after the 7AM service began. The car bomb exploded in the parking area at about 7:20AM, killing church usher Grace Daniel, a baby that died later at the hospital and the bomber.
At least 38 others were injured in the bombing.
Following the attack, Christian youth took to the streets and killed two Muslims and burned down several Muslim-owned shops.
Claiming responsibility for the attack, a Boko Haram spokesman said, “We have just started.”
President Goodluck Jonathan condemned the attack by Boko Haram.
Those who seek to divide us by fear and terror will not succeed.
Boko Haram is a radical Muslim group that is fighting to establish an Islamic state in Nigeria, where a strict form of Sharia law would be applied. According to a report by Human Rights Watch, the group has killed 935 people since 2009.
Source: International Christian Concern and Voice of the Martyrs
Prayer Points
- Pray that the violence in Nigeria will end.
- Pray that those affected by the violence will have the strength needed to forgive their attackers.
- Pray that God will comfort those who are grieving.
- Pray the Lord will reach many with the truth of the Gospel so they may repent and believe.
