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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014
Pakistans Christians
Under pressure from all sides
IN THIS ISSUE
Pakistan
Its downtrodden and vulnerable Christians
1 Peter
Helping us prepare for persecution
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Front cover: A Christian boy protests against the killing of Christians in Pakistan To guard the safety of Christians in hostile environments, names may have been changed or omitted. Thank you for your understanding. Unless otherwise stated, Scripture quotations are taken from the New International Version. Every effort has been made to trace copyright holders and obtain permission for stories and images used in this publication. Barnabas Fund apologises for any errors or omissions and will be grateful for any further information regarding copyright. Barnabas Fund 2014
he martyrdom of Stephen (Acts 7:54 8:1) is marked in the calendar of the Western Church on 26 December, Boxing Day. For most people this is a day of celebration rather than a day for remembering an act of suffering and martyrdom. The martyrdom of Stephen raises an intriguing question for us today. In matters of religion and society, should there be a limit to tolerance? Is there a point at which intolerant behaviour should be deemed unacceptable? Or should we accept every form of intolerance towards others, either for the sake of tolerance, because of political correctness, or out of the desire to maintain good interfaith relations? Stephen was killed for blasphemy (Acts 6:11). The blasphemy law was and in some contexts remains one of the most brutal of laws. In ancient Judaism, blasphemy was a capital offence. Today, Islam continues to practise (or at least endorse) the tradition of punishing blasphemy with death. Aasia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian mother, was sentenced to death in 2010, having been found guilty under Pakistans blasphemy law. Although it is widely recognised that she did not blaspheme against the Muslims prophet and that the charge was trumped up by her fellow-labourers or a local Muslim cleric, she remains incarcerated in prison, on death row. The world is silent. Whilst the British and other governments have made appeals to the Pakistan government, some Pakistani politicians, judges and Muslim leaders have insisted that she must die. If Aasia is executed, supposedly tolerant societies as well as international bodies such as the UN will in effect have condoned a major act of intolerance. Even if she
only continues to live on death row for year after year, the intolerance still ies in the face of all justice and humanity. Young Malala Yousafzai has rightly gained international fame for her stance against the Taliban and for her defence of the education of girls in Pakistan. Books have been written; a lm is being considered; the possibility of a Nobel Peace Prize was mentioned. She has met Queen Elizabeth II and numerous world leaders. All have hailed her for her courage. Malala is a Muslim, and she well deserves this praise. But what of her compatriot Aasia Bibi, a Christian, a simple and uneducated woman, whose husband and children have been forced into hiding? Why is there no international outcry, no television programme, no offer of prizes and recognition? On Sunday 22 September 2013, All Saints Church in Peshawar, Pakistan, was attacked; over 100 Christians died and 200 were wounded. The Pakistani Taliban blamed the attack on American drone strikes killing Pakistani Muslims in Waziristan. They said that so long as America continues to kill Muslims they will continue to kill, attack and maim Christians. The cry of Pakistani Christians now, to their own government, to their institutions, and to countries such as the US that wage war on Pakistans soil, is: Stop killing us. There comes a time when intolerance must be rejected; true tolerance requires the courage to say no to intolerant attitudes and behaviour. If there is any lesson we can learn from the killing of Stephen, it is that in matters of religion there is a line that must never be crossed. However much we disagree with particular individuals, they must never be harmed, and if they are, then such an act must be exposed for what it is.
Contents
4
Compassion in Action Medical care for isolated Christians in South Sudan Country Prole Christians in Pakistan face discrimination and violence Preparing for Persecution Inspiration and guidance from 1 Peter
10
Child sponsorship Suffering Christian children in Syria need your help Newsdesk Murderous attacks against Christians in Egypt and Nigeria
11
In Touch Celebrating 20 years of Gods faithfulness Who we helped Statistics from our work in the past year
4 8
PULLOUT
11 12
16 18
COMPASSION IN ACTION
5,850 for food and basic needs for victims of violence in Nigeria (US$9,401; 6,834)
A missionary family from Kyrgyzstan is proving a great spiritual support to the Kyrgyz Christian community in Moscow. Some of the Kyrgyz believers moved to Russia to escape persecution, and many came to seek work and are living in overcrowded conditions. A thriving Kyrgyz church has grown up as a result of Marat and Ayguls outreach. Barnabas Fund contributes to the couples expenses, allowing them to devote themselves full-time to ministry. The church is showing the light of the Gospel to other vulnerable Kyrgyz expatriates. One man who visited the church became a Christian after seeing how the believers live and love each other. When he went back to Kyrgyzstan, his friends and relatives pressured him to renounce his new faith, but he stood rm and was baptised when he returned to Moscow.
Barnabas Funds support for Christian orphans in Syria is bringing much needed practical and spiritual help to young lives that have been shattered by violent conict. For example, Barnabas Fund is helping George (6), Fadi (4) and their mother, who were left displaced and destitute after their father was shot dead and their home destroyed. (In Syria, children who have lost one parent or two parents are equally regarded as orphans.) Barnabas Fund is making sure that many of the most vulnerable victims of conict and anti-Christian attacks are not left to struggle. We are providing extra nancial support to at least 278 Christian orphans, of whom dozens are the children of martyrs. Some have fathers who were kidnapped months ago, and no one knows whether they are dead or alive. We also recently funded a very successful workshop that trained 35 Christian leaders and volunteer family counsellors to provide trauma counselling to children.
You have proven to us that the body of Christ is one! A church leader expressed how much a desperately needed emergency relief programme has meant to traumatised Nigerian Christian communities. Barnabas-funded emergency kits containing rice, beans and ground cassava as well as clothing and bedding were distributed to 229 needy families who had been victims of violence. Over a hundred Christians were killed and thousands displaced when two areas of Plateau State were devastated by violent attacks in June and July 2013. Local Christian leaders believe the attacks were carried out by nomadic Muslims who aim to Islamise the area. Our partner described how the Christians who received the kits were full of praises to God for the gift items from their unseen Christian family.
i is helping
16,086 to construct a brick church building with a boundary wall in Bangladesh (US$25,851; 18,791)
COMPASSION IN ACTION
Thank you for standing with Barnabas Fund alongside our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. Your prayers mean so much to them, and your gifts, as well as blessing suffering Christians in practical ways, show them that their Christian family around the world loves them and cares for them. On the following pages you can read about those who have beneted recently from just a small selection of Barnabas Funds projects. Please pray as you read their stories. 7,790 to support the Institute of Theological Education by Extension in Nepal (US$12,523; 9,098)
4,608 to provide cows for converts from Islam in Burundi (US$7,408; 5,382)
The Abundant Light and Abundant Life course has been a great blessing to these Nepali Christians Giving a vulnerable convert a cow helps to ensure good harvests
I praise God that I have been given this cow. I am now able to fertilise my land. Moreover, I get two litres of milk every day and an income of 1,200 Burundi Francs (0.48; US$0.77; 0.56) from selling the remaining two litres of milk. Joselyne Hakizimana is one of twelve vulnerable converts from Islam in Burundi who were each given a cow paid for by Barnabas to help them to support themselves. The converts use the cows manure to fertilise their land, and thus improve their harvest. Four of the converts are impoverished young widows with large families, and the remaining eight have all returned to Burundi after having previously ed violence and unrest in the country. All have been marginalised by their Muslim neighbours since becoming Christians.
Barnabas Fund replaced this tin shed with a safe and secure brick church building
But thanks to their new brick building and boundary wall, the church can now meet in safety and comfort. One member said, We are praising God every day and remember Psalm 127: Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labour in vain.
ITEEN, which is supported by Barnabas, provides theological education to thousands of Christians each year in Nepal. Nepali believers are vulnerable to discrimination and hostility and to being ostracised by their communities.
A new, Barnabas-funded church building has brought much joy to a needy congregation in Bangladesh. Previously the believers, who sit on the oor during services, met in a tin-roofed building with a mud foundation. Their original building was unsuitable during the rainy season and unprotected from the churchs hostile Muslim neighbours. The church is just 500m from a mosque, and its windows have been broken in the past.
A Nepali pastor in an isolated district where ITEEN (Institute for Theological Education by Extension in Nepal) has been running courses had no hesitation in saying, Gods kingdom has reached this remote village! One course, entitled Abundant Life and Abundant Light, aims to help students to grow in their Christian life. The course has not only encouraged Christians in Pelma village to become involved in church activities and leadership; it has also inspired them to build a bridge leading out of their village. The students heart for their village is a witness for Christ to their neighbours, and ofcials have praised their work.
COMPASSION IN ACTION
bringing hope,
Focus on Pakistan
Education today; hope for tomorrow
Educating the next generation is vital if the vulnerable, impoverished Christian minority in Pakistan is to build a brighter future. A Barnabasfunded Christian school in Lahore is providing a loving, Christ-centred education to children from Christian families who might otherwise have had to attend an Islamic school or miss out on education altogether. The children live in a strongly Muslim-majority area, and the Muslim community controls most of the local schools. Muslims visit Christian families to offer their children free education, uniforms and books. At these schools, the children would be exposed to a heavily Islamic curriculum and would experience discrimination in the classroom. Now, needy Christian parents can be condent that their children are receiving a quality education and are being encouraged in their faith. Barnabas Fund pays the salaries of the teachers at the Christian school, enabling it to provide education either for free or at a minimal cost that families can afford. Christian father Zahid said, I was very disappointed when I was not in a position to pay my childrens school fees. My wife and I decided we would have to stop their education, but we are very thankful to the schools management, who encouraged and helped us. Now our children are going to school regularly. The school is helping to break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy in which many Pakistani Christian families are mired. And the employment it provides is also a great blessing. Ms Sadaf, a teacher at the school, said, It was very difcult for me to support my family I am very thankful for the support that my monthly salary brings.
Zahids daughter, along with her three siblings, can now attend school regularly again
600 to support a Christian school in Pakistan for six months (US$965; 701)
transforming lives
Vital medical care for isolated Christians in South Sudan
COMPASSION IN ACTION
he impoverished Christians in four isolated villages in South Sudan once had no access to medical care. Now, a Barnabasfunded mobile health clinic is bringing care and compassion to these deprived communities.
The need for healthcare in Yei County was desperate. South Sudan has the worlds highest maternal mortality rate; one in ve children die before their fth birthday; and malaria, a preventable disease, is a leading cause of death. The countrys infrastructure was ravaged by decades of civil war with its Islamic northern neighbour Sudan, as the mainly-Christian South tried to resist having sharia imposed on it by the North. The road system is minimal, and Yei Countys remote villages can be cut off completely during heavy rains. Now, weekly clinics held at local churches are helping needy believers to survive. As well as providing treatment, the team provides preventative measures such as child immunisations, health education and mosquito nets that prevent malaria. A total of 645 patients were treated between June and August 2013, the majority of whom were young children or pregnant and nursing mothers. As a result, the child death rate in the area is falling. One frantic father brought his undernourished baby son, Bade, to the clinic. His wife had been tragically drowned; it is thought she had a convulsion and fell unconscious into a shallow pool with three-week-old Bade strapped to her back. The child was thankfully unharmed, but his father had no satisfactory way to feed him. In
This Traditional Birth Attendant (left) spoke of how much she has gained from the training she is receiving from the mobile health clinic The mobile health clinic at one of the remote villages
desperation he gave Bade powdered cows milk, which is not recommended for young babies. Bades father will now regularly receive milk and vitamins for his son as well as help and support. A visiting doctor said, The relief on the fathers face that he was not alone in caring for his son was beautiful to see. With no midwives in the area, a high-risk pregnancy might once have been a death sentence. Now, pregnant women at risk of complications are taken for treatment at the Maternity Unit in Yei. The clinic is also training local Traditional Birth Attendants to recognise high-risk pregnancies.
The care the Christians receive at the clinic has also been a great blessing spiritually. Church leaders support the patients with prayer and teaching when they attend for treatment, and many believers are now praising God for the provision of the mobile clinic. 7,000 for mobile healthcare in remote villages in South Sudan (US$11,249; 8,176)
COUNTRY PROFILE
Pakistans Christians
Under pressure from all sides
he deadliest-ever attack on a Christian community in Pakistan targeted All Saints Church in Peshawar on 22 September 2013. More than 100 worshippers were killed or died later of their wounds when two suicide bombers blew themselves up at the end of a worship service. Many of those killed and injured were children, and some Christians who had gone to church with their entire immediate families returned with no-one. This devastating attack illustrates the pressure faced by persecuted Christians in Pakistan, pressure that is perhaps more intense now than ever before. Our brothers and sisters comprise a small minority (around 5 million or 3%) in a country that is 95% Muslim and endure harassment from the authorities, discrimination by the majority community and violence from radical Muslims.
COUNTRY PROFILE Even being young and vulnerable does not protect Christians from false accusations of blasphemy. Two teenagers, Rimsha Masih (whom doctors have said has an even younger mental age) and Ryan Stanten, were separately arrested for blasphemy in 2012. Widespread corruption and the inuence of rich and powerful local gures can often make it slow or dif cult for the falsely accused to obtain justice. Sajjad Masih Gill, a young Christian man, was beaten, tortured and sentenced to life imprisonment in July 2013 for sending blasphemous text messages, despite his accuser having withdrawn the accusation and there being no other evidence against him. Three Christians accused of blasphemy have recently been acquitted, however, raising hope for others awaiting appeal. The case against Rimsha Masih was thrown out after witnesses came forward with evidence that she had been framed by her accuser, the local imam. The imam was not punished, however, because the witnesses later retracted their statements following threats from Islamists. Two other Christians, Barkat Masih and Younis Masih, were also acquitted in 2013. Those accused of blasphemy continue to be in danger from Islamists despite being cleared; according to a recent report, 52 people accused of blasphemy were extra-judicially murdered between 1990 and 2012. Discrimination in state education is also very damaging to the Christian community. Although government schools cannot legally force Christian students to participate in Islamic religious education, no legal provision is made for Christians to be offered teaching in their own faith. And in the unlikely event of Christian students being able to attend school and complete their education, they may nd it very difcult to obtain a place at university without a qualication in Islam. For example, Haroon Arif achieved top grades in his exams but was nevertheless denied a place at a government medical school because he lacked the extra 20 marks awarded to Muslim students who had memorised the Quran. Haroons three certicates in Bible education were not considered to be a valid alternative. Christians in Pakistan also face pressure from the authorities when trying to build places of worship. For example, one church was nally opened in 1992 after being evicted from its rst two locations because of pressure from Islamist groups. A plaque was produced for the celebration ceremony at each location, and a display of all three plaques at the churchs nal Many Christians are trapped in crushing cycles of poverty and illiteracy: parents cannot afford to send their children to school, and so the next generation have no chance of improving their families condition. And even when Christian children can go to school, they are at risk of discrimination, harassment and even violence in the classroom. Some Muslims do not stop at marginalising the Christians in their midst and also attempt to drive them out. In March 2013, a rampaging, 3,000-strong Muslim mob destroyed 178 Christian homes and businesses in Joseph Colony, Lahore after a Christian resident was accused of blasphemy. In the ve months following this incident, there were three more mob attacks on Christian communities, each apparently sparked by the imsiest of pretexts.
The smallest of these four plaques reads, These three plaques were unveiled at different locations milestones in the eventful journey by which Almighty God enabled this church to be completed
location illustrates the story of the local hostility that it endured for a number of years. As well as actively discriminating against Christians, the Pakistani authorities often fail to provide justice and adequate protection for Christian victims of crime. Sometimes they are themselves the perpetrators of anti-Christian violence. Adnan Masih, a young Christian man falsely accused of being involved in the disappearance of a Muslim woman, died in police custody in June 2013 after allegedly being tortured. The ofcers involved were cleared of any wrongdoing.
COUNTRY PROFILE Individual Christians are also the targets of violence. For example, Younas Masih was gunned down as he made his way home from work in February 2013; his murder followed an argument with his co-workers in which he resisted their attempts to pressure him into converting to Islam. foreigners and non-Muslims until US drone attacks in Pakistan are stopped. The TTP is just one of many extremist groups active in Pakistan. Broadly, these groups are afliated with one of two ideological movements: one that aims to remove what it sees as superstitious practices from Sunni Islam, and one that aims to preserve the way Sunni Islam has traditionally been practised in Pakistan.
Perhaps a greater sign of hope is the more Islamist groups associated with the former Because Pakistan has proved fertile ground af rming attitude adopted by some Muslims ideology aim to Islamise the country and to for extremism, Christians are at risk not only of towards Christians. discrimination and Following the violence from their suicide bombing in hostile neighbours Following the suicide bombing in Peshawar, Muslims rushed Peshawar, Muslims but also from acts of to donate blood to help save wounded Christians, and many rushed to donate abuse and terrorism in spoke out against the atrocity blood to help save the name of Islam. wounded Christians, and many spoke out against the atrocity. spread an extreme and intolerant form of Islam. Pakistani Christian women and girls are Muslims also joined Christians in forming Groups such as Jamaat-e-Islami, Ahle Hadith particularly at risk. Some Muslim men believe human chains of protection around churches in and those afliated with the Deobandi movement it is a legitimate act to kidnap a Christian girl, (such as the TTP) all have violent jihadi wings that a show of solidarity. subject her to sexual abuse, forcibly convert have been responsible for numerous attacks on her to Islam and marry her against her will. It Meanwhile, it is feared that the withdrawal religious minorities, especially Shia Muslims and is estimated that 700 such cases occur each the Ahmadiyya. Christians in north-west Pakistan of US troops from Afghanistan in 2014 could year, and the police will often do little to help are particularly at risk from the TTP, which is able have a negative impact on Pakistans stability. the victims. Our brothers and sisters are also If the inevitably reduced capacity of the to eld some 40,000 ghters in the region. targets for terrorist attacks, partly because Afghan security forces to combat terrorism they are assumed to be loyal to the Christian leads to an increase in the strength of violent Groups associated with the latter ideological West rather than Pakistan, and so are made extremist groups such as the Taliban and scapegoats for its actions. The Jundullah branch movement (Barelvis) advocate strong veneration of Muhammad. These groups strongly oppose any al-Qaeda, more incursions by these groups of the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-e-Taliban into Pakistans tribal belt could follow, further reform of the blasphemy laws; Salman Taseer, a Pakistan (TTP), claimed responsibility for the endangering the countrys Christians. suicide bombing at All Saints Church, Peshawar, Muslim governor who spoke out on Aasia Bibis behalf, was assassinated by a Barelvi. and said that it would continue to target
LIVING IN BABYLON
Living in Babylon
The message of 1 Peter
he res of anti-Christian persecution rage on around the world. Through most of the Middle East, and in large parts of Africa and Asia, our brothers and sisters continue to suffer discrimination, ill-treatment or violence because of their love for Christ. Research by the Pew Forum and the World Evangelical Alliance has estimated that around 200 million Christians, some 10% of the global total, are socially disadvantaged, harassed or actively oppressed for their faith.
Compared to such acute pain and distress, the low-level contempt, prejudice and partiality currently experienced by some Christians in the West seems very insignicant. But the Western churches are facing increasingly serious challenges: from an aggressive and intolerant secularism, from a condent and determined Islamism (political Islam), and from legislation and law enforcement that threaten our traditional freedoms. Violent or statesponsored repression may still be only the remotest of prospects in the West, but social pressure to compromise or renounce our faith is already a reality, and for the foreseeable future it is likely only to intensify. So how are Christians to live under persecution, whether this is the intense ordeal endured by believers in other countries, or the social rejection and bullying that now threatens us in the West? And how are our faith and discipleship to be sustained in the face of such trials and the resulting temptation to give up? In this context (as in every other), the New Testament provides us with invaluable encouragement and guidance. A number of its writings are addressed to Christians who are experiencing persecution of different kinds, exhorting them to stand rm under it and advising them on how to do so. For example, the rst letter of Peter is written to churches that are facing social pressure quite similar in some respects to what contemporary Western society inicts upon Christians today. So in this issue of Barnabas Aid we are beginning a new series of pull-out supplements on 1 Peter, looking at how it inspires and directs us to persevere in the teeth of persecution.
LIVING IN BABYLON
Babylon in Revelation
In the book of Revelation, Babylon is a symbol of something worse than exile. It still stands for Rome, but Rome is here seen as demonic, claiming for itself and perhaps its emperor the worship that properly belongs to God alone, and ruthlessly persecuting those who refuse to offer it. So in Revelation, Babylon/ Rome is portrayed as the centre of wickedness and of the ill-treatment of Gods people. It is a place of confusion and chaos, of cruelty and corruption, a crucible of suffering for the saints (see chapters 17 and 18). The imagery emphasises the vulnerability of Christians to evil in general and state-sponsored persecution in particular. Some commentators believe that these more sinister associations also underlie the use of the term Babylon in 1 Peter, and that this therefore implies an ofcial form of persecution that is more intense than the social pressure described left. Others argue that the author has a generally positive view of Roman government (2:13-17) and does not challenge the legitimacy or present use of imperial authority. We can however say with condence that Babylon stands in 1 Peter for the place of exile for Gods people and for the contempt, rejection and pressure we experience there.
1 Peter 1
Introducing ourselves (1:1-2)
The letter begins with a solemn opening that follows the conventions of ancient letterwriting by identifying both the author and the readers and conveying a greeting. But each of these elements is expanded so as to lay a foundation for what follows in the rest of the letter and to identify its main subjects. The description of the readers is especially signicant for our theme. They are elect, a community chosen by God to share the privileges and responsibilities of His people. They are exiles, living in a strange land and not at home in their society, because their beliefs and behaviour do not reect its character; they live in one place (Pontus, Galatia etc.) but are
LIVING IN BABYLON citizens of another. They are dispersed, scattered throughout the world, but waiting to be joined in a single community under the reign of God. But they also have an exalted status resulting from Gods predetermined purpose and activity. They are set apart for God to live transformed lives in submission to His will, and enjoying the fruits of Christs sacricial death on their behalf. In order to endure persecution and sufferings in faithfulness to the Lord, Christians need to be encouraged by a clear understanding of who we are: of our character as Gods new people, which is created by the Father, redeemed by Christ and sanctied by the Spirit. But we must also recognise that this exalted status puts us out of step with the world that surrounds us and so makes us vulnerable to its criticism and hostility. The end of our exile, our homecoming from Babylon, still lies in the future, and while our status as foreigners persists, we have to suffer its consequences. The good news is that because of who we are and what we hope for, that hardship is well worthwhile, as the letter goes on to explain.
Sustained by hope
The Kachin, a mainly Christian ethnic minority, suffered an unremitting and brutal attack from the Burmese army for two years, including indiscriminate bombing, gas attacks and abuse of civilians. Christians were forced from their homes into the jungle, women abducted and raped, and children orphaned. Despite moves towards peace, raids, kidnappings and killings are continuing. Yet the faith of many Christians has been strengthened through their afictions, and a Barnabas Fund partner told us, Some have seen and experienced horric things and even now are living in uncomfortable circumstances but still they have hope and joy in the Lord.
In this section the subject-matter of the whole letter is introduced and developed in a preliminary way. In the form of a blessing of God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, it explains how God has created us as His new people and what the consequences are for us. Verses 3-5 tell us that God has begotten us all over again, and spell out the results: a living hope through Christs resurrection, an enduring inheritance through Gods power, and a salvation through Gods action in the end time. At the beginning of the letter we are immediately made aware of the great blessings that we can anticipate as members of Gods family. Our lives now are characterised by hope, because of Gods raising of Christ in the past, His protection of us in the present, and His revealing of His salvation to us for the future. That hope has the power to sustain our faithfulness in trials for Christs sake during our exile; it shows us what our homecoming will be like. This point is made more explicit in verses 6-9, which contrast the present testing of our faith with its future outcome. We rejoice in these blessings, even though right now we are grieved for a short time by various necessary trials. Why are they necessary? Because our testing by hostility and hardship is for a purpose: that our faith might be proved genuine and result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed at the last. So although we have not seen Christ yet, we love Him, and although we do not see Him now, we believe and rejoice greatly in Him, because even our trials are bringing us closer to the goal of our faith, our salvation. By setting our short-term persecutions and sufferings for Christ in the context of our long-term hope of return from exile, the letter throws them into a positive light and so equips us to withstand them more easily. But in verses 10-12 the letter also looks to the past as a source of strength for us. The Old Testament prophets were prompted by the Holy Spirit to search for and seek out this coming salvation. True, they were able to discern only its basic elements; a fuller revelation had to wait. But their search proved that our salvation was part of Gods foreordained plan: a plan that has now been fullled in the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow; a plan that has been made known by the Spirit in the proclamation of the Gospel. It is so wonderful that even angels long to look into it! Despite what we may have to suffer for Christ in the present, our salvation has been safe in Gods hands from long ago. Our sufferings will lead us to a glorious homecoming, as Christs sufferings led Him on to glory. So this section describes the great hope of salvation of return from our Babylonian exile that God has given to those who belong to His new family in Christ. It reveals that the testing of our faith through persecutions actually helps us to obtain that salvation. And it tells us that the salvation we await is guaranteed as part of Gods age-old purpose for us. In short, it sets our sufferings for Christ in their proper context to enable us to respond rightly to them. From a worldly perspective our circumstances may be difcult or even dire, but from the divine standpoint we are greatly blessed.
LIVING IN BABYLON Verses 13-16 call us to action, the act of setting our hope on the grace that will be given to us when Christ is revealed. In our former life, we knew nothing about this grace, and so our lives were governed and directed by various sinful passions. But now, as obedient children of our heavenly Father, we are no longer to conform ourselves to these; instead, because the God who called us to share this grace is holy, we are to adopt a holy lifestyle, in submission to His command in Scripture. In other words, if we truly hope for the inheritance that God has prepared for us, we must act in ways that are appropriate to His people. Persecution can put us under pressure to revert to our former practices; these verses warn us against doing so. In verses 17-21 the previous command is restated in terms of a life of reverence or godly fear and supported by an appeal to Gods nature as the impartial judge of all. These verses re-emphasise that we are exiles, people who are no longer at home in the world, and tell us that we have been set free through the sacrice of Christ from our futile way of life shaped by worldly values. And it again locates our salvation in the context of Gods eternal plan in Christ, which He has now fullled in Christs resurrection and exaltation, thus giving us grounds to believe and hope in Him. Given that we have rejected the norms of our society and so are in effect foreigners within it, some kind of hostility or persecution at its hands is only to be expected. But these verses give us plenty of reasons to maintain our new way of life. Finally, in verses 22-25 the letter directs us to love one another within the family of believers, deeply and from the heart. This kind of sincere sibling love is the proper outworking of our purity and obedience, and it follows from our new birth (literally begetting) through the word of God. A quote from the book of the prophet Isaiah (40:6b-8) is used to demonstrate the enduring nature of that life-giving word, which is identied with the Gospel that has been preached to us. Because that word abides for ever, it has been able to beget a whole new life within us; and so our relationships with one another must reect and express that life in mutual love. It is also imperative to maintain that love in the face of persecution, when it can be most under strain. Our mutual love encourages and strengthens us all to stand rm in the midst of trials.
Pressure to re-convert
A militant Islamist group slipped a note under the door of a church leader in northern Cameroon. It called on all Christian converts to return to Islam at the mosque on Friday or face Allahs wrath. A few days later the leaders house was searched by two turbaned men who threatened his safety. His family ed the village, and the other converts went into hiding. This incident is typical of the extreme pressure that is sometimes brought to bear on converts from Islam to abandon their Christian discipleship and revert to their old way of life.
Conclusion
We have seen that according to 1 Peter, Christians are exiles, living in a land that is not our own and facing hostility and pressure at its hands. The rst chapter of the letter helps Christians to live in this Babylon, and it does so in two different ways. First, the chapter sets our sufferings as Christians in the context of our new status as Gods people and the hope of salvation that we have been given through Christ. This perspective does not remove or lessen our trials, which are a necessary part of our Christian experience during the time of our exile. But it does enable us to understand and endure them. Indeed, it even shows us that those trials prove the quality of our faith and so help us to attain our goal of salvation, a homecoming to our heavenly land. Secondly, this chapter sets out the implications of our status and hope in terms of a lifestyle marked by personal holiness, reverence for God and love for one another. This new life involves the permanent renouncing of the sinful and futile practices of our pre-Christian past. This change makes us foreigners in our own society, which reacts by pressurising us to conform to its norms once again. But we have excellent reasons to persevere, and our mutual care and support can enable us to do so. As we shall see, in its following chapters 1 Peter will bring this exhortation down to earth in practical guidance for living in our Babylonian exile and facing whatever persecutions it may inict upon us.
iv
www.barnabasfund.org
SYRIA UPDATE
Aleppo: Rebels blockaded parts of Aleppo for months, restricting access, worsening shortages of food, fuel and other essentials (which had been scarce since heavy ghting began in the city in June 2012), and fuelling the already rampant ination. Water, electricity, phones and internet were cut off much of the time. The besieged area contained over 2 million people, including 400,000 Christians. Many became malnourished, especially children. Christians who
Could you spare just 18 per month to provide food and other basics for one persecuted Christian child?
You can reach out to a Christian child by making sure their basic needs are provided for. Barnabas Fund is still looking for sponsors for hundreds of needy children. Sponsors will receive a prayer card with the name and photograph of one Christian child; please pray for the child whose picture you receive.
NEWSDESK
Eshan and Naiher were both killed in the Peshawar church bombing
Two brothers in Chhattisgarh were beaten up and chased away from their village when they refused to deny their Christian faith
in the anti-Christian violence, and the authorities disregarded thousands of complaints. Yet the seven Christians were arrested only months later. Despite there apparently being no evidence against them, they then return to their villages knowing that their persecutors may still be at large. With so many churches destroyed and others closed, it is also difcult for them to meet for worship. But hostility against Indian
NEWSDESK
Islamists are campaigning against the appointment of Susan Jasmine Zulkii (Source: The Asian School of Change)
Christians elsewhere in Indonesia are also facing opposition from Islamic extremists. A church in Ciledug, Tangerang regency, Banten province, received a building permit on 11 September, enabling it to reopen after nine years. But as soon as Islamists found out, they launched a protest campaign, demanding that the place of worship be sealed up again. They took to the streets carrying signs, chanting and making threats. It is extremely difficult for churches to obtain a building permit in Indonesia; the process can take ve to ten years, and local ofcials often reject applications for unspecied reasons because of pressure from Islamic groups.
NEWSDESK
We shall come for you. You are friends with our enemies and you are polluting our religion
His aunt and uncle had previously been murdered by al-Shabaab. Christians in Somalia have to practise their faith in extreme secrecy. Those suspected of following Christ are targeted by al-Shabaab, which has vowed to rid Somalia of its underground church of converts from Islam.
The severe danger faced by the countrys Christian majority has been heightened
believed to have encouraged the coup, and its Janjaweed militia have reportedly crossed the border already. Other terrorist groups from Mali, Libya and Nigeria may also be active on the ground. An EU commissioner has warned that the country could turn into another Somalia.
NEWSDESK
Pastor Bakhytzhan Kashkumbayev has been detained again on new charges (Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty)
KAZAKHSTAN A court
ruled on 7 October 2013 that Pastor Bakhytzhan Kashkumbayev (67) should be transferred from prison to house arrest after ve months in detention. The following day, he was freed and reunited with his wife and other relatives, whom he had not seen since his arrest. But ofcials were waiting at the prison gate and immediately detained him again on extremism charges. His son, Askar, told Forum 18 News Service, These new accusations are complete rubbish. Theyre trying to turn my father into a terrorist. Pastor Kashkumbayevs family
are extremely concerned about the state of his health. As well as suffering physical ailments, he has been
He was freed and reunited with his wife and other relatives But ofcials were waiting at the prison gate and immediately detained him
subjected to abusive psychological examinations while in custody. Grace Church, which was led
by Pastor Kashkumbayev until his retirement in 2012, has been subjected to a long campaign of state harassment. It has been accused of numerous offences, and a new criminal investigation has now been launched against unnamed members of the church. Pastor Kashkumbayev was previously charged with inflicting serious harm to the health of a church member, Lyazzat Almenova. Her mother claimed that Lyazzat had suffered psychological harm after attending Grace Church, although Lyazzat herself has repeatedly insisted that she is psychiatrically healthy.
IN TOUCH
In
2013, Barnabas Fund celebrated 20 years of serving the persecuted Church. We are so grateful to everybody who helped us to mark this milestone. At events in several countries, we:
United Kingdom
In the UK, over 800 people attended four major events in Newcastleupon-Tyne, Bristol, Tamworth and Eastbourne. As well as offering reections on the last 20 years and the current challenges facing the persecuted Church in general, these events provided particular insights into the issues faced by Christians in Pakistan. One supporter said, I would like to pass on our heartfelt thanks to Barnabas Funds staff for the inspiring afternoon we all enjoyed together at Tamworth. Everything was so well organised and your staff were so welcoming and friendly. We at Barnabas Fund UK are very grateful to all those who made the journey to join with us in remembering our persecuted family and in giving God praise for the work He is doing through our ministry. Our thanks also go out to supporters who kindly joined us for Barnabas events in Scotland and Northern Ireland during our anniversary year.
Reected on the past 20 years of Barnabas Fund. We learned what led Patrick and Rosemary Sookhdeo to respond to the cries of Church leaders in Muslim-majority countries, and about how God enabled the work to expand into an international ministry Gave thanks to God for sustaining and blessing the work over two decades Considered examples of how our brothers and sisters are suffering for the Name of Christ, including how world events are currently impacting Christians in the Middle East, and of how Barnabas is helping them
Australia
Barnabas Fund Australia sends its thanks to all those who attended anniversary events. We are also very grateful to two denominations that formally embraced our cause during our 20th anniversary year. The Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Perth passed resolutions sending assurances of prayer support to Christians in Syria and Egypt, and proposing signicant nancial support towards Barnabas Funds work if funds permit. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria similarly resolved to assure suffering Christians in Syria and Egypt of their prayers and concern, and also encouraged its congregations to give generously to Barnabas Fund as a practical expression of our love and concern for our fellow Christians.
United States
A 20th anniversary reception held at the Barnabas ofce in McLean, Virginia on 7 September was well attended by supporters from Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C. Everyone was eager to meet International Directors Patrick Sookhdeo, Rosemary Sookhdeo and Caroline Kerslake, and to hear about the work of Barnabas Fund (which is known as Barnabas Aid in the US). A PowerPoint presentation given by Caroline, covering a range of projects from the past year, gave supporters a better understanding of the work and of how the gifts we receive are used. Then Patrick gave a very moving account of how the ministry began, sharing the vision and history of Barnabas from its inception through to its current work. Barnabas Aid would like to thank everyone who attended, and especially y those who travelled long distances to join with us in celebrating the past 20 years of Gods goodness to Barnabas.
New Zealand
In New Zealand, eight events took t place over six days in Auckland, Invercargill, Nelson, Dunedin, Christchurch and Timaru. At afternoon events our International Director, Patrick Sookhdeo, shared his vision and heart for Barnabas Funds work. At larger evening events, Patrick gave an insight into the after-effects of the Arab Spring. The Barnabas team was thrilled to talk with people who had travelled great distances to celebrate with us, some of whom have supported us for the last 20 years. We are grateful to all our supporters, who so faithfully pray for and give to the persecuted Church.
as part A concert was held in Melbourne, Australia, s ration celeb ersary anniv s of Barnabas Fund
helped guests Barbara Tarvid (right) eption in rec y sar ver nni h-a at a 20t A US McLean, Virginia,
IN TOUCH
is reaching out to a gifted young lady from Essex, UK, We were delighted to hear of how s of the world. needy Christian children in other part a concert in which ist and was able to raise 80 from Rebecca (14) is a very talented pian than herself, nate fortu Christian children who are less she took part. She wanted to help difference real a e mak nabas Fund. Her donation will and so she sent the proceeds to Bar and Bethlehem. to persecuted children in Pakistan istian children, and Rebecca for remembering needy Chr Barnabas Funds thanks go out to t us her donation. sen uted Church Prayer Group, who also to The Woodford Green Persec
at an irectors tional D ne Willett (far a rn te ds In by An r as Fun anised upporte Barnab vent org d dedicated s e ry a annivers ngstanding an lo right), a
The next Suffering Church Action Week will take place between 26 Octobe r and 2 November 2014, with the Barnabas Fund International Day of Prayer on Sat urday 1 November.
Is your New Years resolution to tidy up your nances? Are you thinking of updating the way that you give? We at Barnabas Fund are so grateful for all the gifts we receive, whatever form they take. But we always aim to keep our running costs down, so that as much as possible of the gifts we receive goes to help our persecuted brothers and sisters. One way to help us do this is by considering the way in which you give. Unfortunately, as a larger charity Barnabas Fund does not qualify for free banking. The bank charges we have to pay are as follows:
Credit card: up to 1% of your gift Cheque: 18p per gift Online bank transfer: 12p per gift Debit card: 12p per gift Direct Debit: 11p per gift
Ever thought that you would like to start a prayer meeting for the persecuted Church but feel unsure if you have the energy? Ruth Boulton from Adelaide, Australia, is an inspiration. God has given Ruth a heart for our suffering brothers and sisters, and in February this year she started a monthly prayer meeting at the age of 86. The photograph below shows Ruth at a Barnabas Fund event encouraging others to attend her prayer meeting.
As you can see, the most cost-effective method of giving is by Direct Debit. Once a Direct Debit is set up it is quick and easy f for us to process. This helps us to keep o our administrative costs down. Receipt of r regular direct donations also helps us to p plan for the future with more condence. T The most cost-effective methods of one-off g giving are by internet bank transfer or by d card. Again, these methods help us to debit keep our administrative costs down.
Thank you to all our supporters who purchased Christmas cards, and especially to those who included a donation with their purchase. Your support and gifts are very much appreciated.
HOW WE HELPED
In
2013 we gave thanks to the Lord for all that He has enabled Barnabas Fund to achieve through the rst 20 years of our life. I am also deeply grateful to Him for all our supporters, whose prayers and gifts have made our work possible during this time. Through your faithfulness and generosity God has graciously used us to bring spiritual hope and practical aid to the persecuted Church in many parts of the world.
The needs are great, and in some places they are growing rapidly, but with the Lords continued help we are expanding our work in response. On this page we present gures for the past year from many of our key project areas. Please join us in praise for all that has been achieved under God, and in prayer that He will continue to enable us to serve His suffering people. Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, International Director
31,911
More than 31,911 Christians who were victims of violence Leadership training for 12,585 Christian leaders in 20 countries Over 511 Christians with smallbusiness and income-generation projects Over 7,576 Christian children in Christian schools or educational programmes 438 pastors and evangelists
12,585
persecuted Christian converts in 13 countries
14 safe houses
16 wells
*Fi F gur gures s correc correc ct Octo c ber r 20 012 1 Octo Octo ctober ber 2 20 01 13 3
Other..........................................*(give reference number of project to be supported) HERE IS MY SINGLE GIFT OF ...................................................................................... I enclose a cheque/voucher payable to Barnabas Fund OR Please debit my American Express Card Number Maestro issue number Expiry Date / or issue date /
Mag 01/14
Visa
Signature .......................................................................
Please start on 1st/11th/21st of ........................................ and then every month/quarter/year (delete as applicable) until further notice. This Direct Debit is a new one/in addition to/replaces an earlier Standing Order/ Direct Debit in favour of Barnabas Fund. (delete as applicable). Mag 01/14
2 5 3 6 4 5
Reference (Barnabas Fund to complete) Instruction to your bank or building society: Please pay Barnabas Fund Direct Debits from the account detailed in this instruction subject to the safeguards assured to by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this instruction may remain with Barnabas Fund and, if so, details will be passed electronically to my bank/building society. DD18
Name(s) of account holder(s) Bank/building society account number Branch sort code
Signature(s) Date
Name of charity: Barnabas Fund Please treat as Gift Aid donations all qualifying gifts of money made: (Please tick all boxes you wish to apply) this gift only in the past 4 years in the future
A
A Gift of Love for the Persecuted Church
I confirm I have paid or will pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for each tax year (6 April to 5 April) that is at least equal to the amount of tax that all the charities or Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) that I donate to will reclaim on my gifts for that tax year. I understand that other taxes such as VAT and Council Tax do not qualify. I understand the charity will reclaim 25p of tax on every 1 that I give on or after 6 April 2009.
B
A Gift of Love for the Persecuted Church
D
A Gift of Love for the Persecuted Church
Please return this form to Barnabas Fund at your national office or to the UK office. Addresses are on the back cover. Barnabas Fund will not give your address, telephone number or email to anyone else. Supporters in Germany: please turn to back cover for how to send gifts to Barnabas Fund. Phone 0800 587 4006 or visit our website at www.barnabasfund.org to make a donation by Direct Debit, credit or debit card. From outside UK phone +44 1672 565031. *If the project chosen is sufficiently funded, we reserve the right to use designated gifts either for another project of a similar type or for another project in the same country. Registered Charity number 1092935 Company registered in England number 4029536
E
A Gift of Love for the Persecuted Church
THE DIRECT DEBIT GUARANTEE This Guarantee is offered by all Banks and Building Societies that accept instructions to pay Direct Debits. If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your Direct Debit Barnabas Fund will notify you 10 working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request Barnabas Fund to collect a payment, conrmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request. If an error is made in the payment of your Direct Debit by Barnabas Fund or your bank or building society, you are guaranteed a full and immediate refund of the amount paid from your bank or building society. If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when Barnabas Fund asks you to. You can cancel a Direct Debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society. Written conrmation may be required. Please also notify us.
Dont forget that Suffering Church Action Week events need not be held between the suggested dates - they can be held at any time that suits your church. Inspiration packs, containing everything you need for a Suffering Church Sunday church service, a prayer meeting or a fundraising event, are still available.
Christians in India pray for persecuted Christian children around the world as part of the Barnabas Fund International Day of Prayer
How to Find Us
UK 9 Priory Row, Coventry CV1 5EX Telephone 024 7623 1923 Fax 024 7683 4718 From outside the UK Telephone +44 24 7623 1923 Fax +44 24 7683 4718 Email info@barnabasfund.org Registered charity number 1092935 Company registered in England number 4029536 For a list of all trustees, please contact Barnabas Fund UK at the Coventry address above. Australia PO BOX 3527, LOGANHOLME, QLD 4129 Telephone (07) 3806 1076 or 1300 365 799 Fax (07) 3806 4076 Email bfaustralia@barnabasfund.org Germany German supporters may send gifts for Barnabas Fund via Hilfe fr Brder who will provide you with a tax-deductible receipt. Please mention that the donation is for SPC 20 Barnabas Fund. If you would like your donation to go to a specic project of Barnabas Fund, please inform the Barnabas Fund ofce in Pewsey, UK. Account holder: Hilfe fr Brder e.V. Account number: 415 600 Bank: Evang Kreditgenossenschaft Stuttgart Bankcode (BLZ): 520 604 10
International Headquarters The Old Rectory, River Street, Pewsey, Wiltshire SN9 5DB, UK Telephone 01672 564938 Fax 01672 565030 From outside UK: Telephone +44 1672 564938 Fax +44 1672 565030 Email info@barnabasfund.org
The Old Rectory, River Street, Pewsey, Wiltshire SN9 5DB, UK Telephone 01672 564938 Fax 01672 565030 From outside UK: Telephone +44 1672 564938 Fax +44 1672 565030 Email info@barnabasfund.org
www.barnabasfund.org
To donate by credit card, please visit the website or phone 0800 587 4006 (from outside the UK phone +44 1672 565031).