Compass Direct News – The 11th hearing of a case of alleged slander against two Turkish Christians closed just minutes after it opened this week, due to lack of any progress. Prosecutors produced no new evidence or witnesses against Hakan Tastan and Turan Topal since the last court session four months ago. Despite lack of any tangible reason to continue the stalled case, their lawyer said, the Silivri Criminal Court set still another hearing to be held on Oct. 14. “They are uselessly dragging this out,” defense lawyer Haydar Polat said moments after Judge Hayrettin Sevim closed the Tuesday (May 25) hearing. The two Protestant Christians were accused in October 2006 of slandering the Turkish nation and Islam under Article 301 of the Turkish criminal code. The prosecution has yet to provide any concrete evidence of the charges, which allegedly took place while the two men were involved in evangelistic activities in the town of Silivri. Turkish Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin this week criticized Turkish media for presenting Article 301 defendants as guilty when they were charged, before courts had heard their cases or issued verdicts. But for Tastan and Topal, Ergin’s comments were little comfort. “At this point, we are tired of this,” Tastan admitted. “If they can’t find these so-called witnesses, then the court needs to issue a verdict. After four years, it has become a joke!”
7. europa y oriente medio
Junio 29, 2010
TURKEY – TRIAL OVER ‘INSULTING TURKISHNESS’ AGAIN YIELDS NO EVIDENCE
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Junio 24, 2010
IRAN – TWO CHRISTIAN WOMEN ACQUITTED OF ALL CHARGES
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Compass Direct News – Nearly five months after releasing them from prison, an Iranian court has acquitted two women of all charges related to being Christians and engaging in Christian activities. Iranians Maryam Rostampour and Marzieh Amirizadeh Esmaeilabad were arrested on March 5, 2009 and detained on charges of “acting against state security,” “taking part in illegal gatherings” and “apostasy” (leaving Islam) under Iran’s Revolutionary Court system. After nearly eight months, on Nov. 18, 2009 authorities released them conditionally. Elam Ministries said the two women had fled Iran on Saturday (May 22) to an undisclosed location and were recovering. Another Iranian convert who was forced to flee his country said the court likely made a political decision. “The government would not want them to stay in the country as heroes,” said the source, who requested anonymity. “It would be better for the government if they left Iran and didn’t become a positive example for the rest of the Christian community in Iran. Otherwise they would create a precedent of [Christians] who have not denied their faith, who have been acquitted and still live as Christians inside the country.”
Mayo 19, 2010
EGYPT – COURT PROCRASTINATES ON CHANGES TO CONVERT’S ID CARD
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Barnabas Fund. An Egyptian court has suspended the case of Christian convert Mohamed Hegazy, aged 27, who has been trying for three years to have the religion that is listed on his national ID card changed from “Muslim” to “Christian”. Hegazy initially requested the change in August 2007 but this first request was refused. Although having one’s ID card amended is easy when converting to Islam from other religions, Egyptian authorities do not acknowledge the conversion of Muslims to any another religion. ID cards are vital in Egyptian society, and being considered legally as “Muslims” creates huge practical problems for Egyptian Christians from a Muslim background. Hegazy’s lawsuit was suspended on 27 April 2010 pending a ruling yet to be made in a 2009 case in the Constitutional Court, which has challenged the section of the Civil Code that allows citizens to change their name and religions on official documents. This postponement could leave him in limbo for years while the courts continue to evade making a decision. This is a key test case as approval could set an important precedent for Christians in Egypt.
• Pray for Mohamed Hegazy and his wife, who have been forced to live in hiding since 2007. Pray that they will find comfort and safety in the Lord as Mr Hegazy continues to fight for the right to be legally recognised as a Christian.
Mayo 14, 2010
IRAN – PRAISE AND PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN PRISONERS
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Barnabas Fund. A number of arrests and releases of Christian prisoners in Iran have caused mixed feelings among the Christian community, according to Farsi Christian News Network (FCNN). Three women (Maryam Jalali, Mitra Zahmati and Farzan Matin) were finally released on 17 March after being held for 80 days in Evin Prison, Tehran. They were arrested along with twelve other Christians on 24 December 2009 as they gathered at a private residence to celebrate Christmas. The others were released on 4 January 2010.
On 11 April Reza, an Azeri-speaking Christian, was released after spending 50 days in detention. He was arrested at his home in Tabriz and accused of “leading a home-based church, pastoral services given to members, teaching the Bible to converts” and other offences. Reports suggest that the judge from the Islamic court ordered the conditional release of Reza, but the family were unable to pay the extremely large sum; the court reduced the bail and released him, pending a future trial date. Reza has been banned from contacting his friends and fellow Christians. Maryam and Marzieh, who were released on 18 November 2009, were in court during the week of 13 April facing charges of propagating Christianity and apostasy. It is reported that both women have been in poor health since their release from prison. At the time of writing, there had been no further updates on the trial.
Despite these good news stories, FCNN have also reported on the continued imprisonment of Hamid Shafiee and Reyhaneh Aghajary, who have been held for 45 days without charge (see April Prayer Focus Update). Further bad news has included the recent detentions of Bahnam Irani, a Christian leader in Karaj arrested on 14 April, and 19-year-old Daniel Shahri, arrested at his home in Isfahan on 11 April. Thankfully, however, Daniel was released ten days later, but he still faces charges of blasphemy and spreading Christian propaganda.
• Continue to pray for Christians in prison in Iran. Pray that the Lord will be their comfort and protector during their detention. • Praise the Lord for the recent releases of a number of Iranian Christians. Pray that any charges against them will be dropped so that they will be free to continue worshipping the Lord without fear. • Pray for health and strength for Maryam and Marzieh, that they may know the presence of the Lord Jesus during their trial.
Mayo 13, 2010
Ventana 40/70
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aloultimodelatierra@hotmail.com
Entrando al corazón del problema
Lo que llamamos de Ventana 40/70 es un área geográfica imaginaria situada entre los grados 40 y 70 al norte de la línea ecuatorial. Se extiende de la punta occidental de Irlanda a la punta e Siberia. Cubre doce zonas de tiempo de la hora solar del meridiano desde Greenwich hasta el meridiano internacional de cambio de fecha. En un lado, las olas del Océano Atlántico pasan por la Bahía de Vizcaya y al otro lado las olas del Océano Pacífico ondulan por el Mar de Bering. Estoy adjuntando un mapa de la ventana 40/70 para que puedan obtener la perspectiva.
En la ventana 40/70 se encuentra Europa, Eurasia el Mediterráneo del norte, Rusia, Armenia, los Balcanes, Turquía, la llamada Zona Turca, los “Stanes” de la antigua Unión Soviética, el antiguo Camino de Seda que corre de Grecia a China, Mongolia, la Provincia Xinjiang de China, Corea del Norte, la isla Hokkaido de Japón, para nombrar algunas de las regiones geográficas increíblemente importantes.
Una ventaja que tenemos ahora que no teníamos hace 10 años, es que el Centro Mundial de Oración está bien preparado con la infraestructura técnica para servir como un foco sin precedente de comunicaciones para investigadores, intercesores, y líderes de oración. El Observatorio en el Centro mundial de Oración, bajo Derrick Trimble, está compilando una base de datos enorme para la cartografía espiritual y a lo largo de Operación Dominio de la Reina éste podrá proveer la información estratégica y una corriente que necesitamos para la intercesión informada con mucha más rapidez que antes. Por lo cual, nuestras oraciones serán dirigidas hacia blancos mucho más definidos.
Abril 26, 2010
Russia – Christian leader murdered in his church
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A prominent Russian church minister has been murdered in his church in Moscow. Danil, 34, was approached on the night of 19 November by a masked gunman who checked his name and then shot him in the head and chest. A choirmaster was also injured in the attack and is recovering in hospital. Danil had been active in evangelistic outreach to Muslims. In February 2008 he stated on a television programme that he had received threats via email that he would have his head cut off if he did not stop preaching to Muslims. Many people think that he may have been killed because of this ministry to Muslims. His widow Yulia commented that he “expected the death some years prior to its happening; he always wished to receive a martyr’s crown, and the Lord has given him this crown … He said that he would be killed.” There are 30 million Muslims in Russia, including a large Muslim population in Moscow, who currently enjoy much favour from the government. • Pray for those who mourn the loss of Danil, especially Yulia and their three children and his congregation, that they will find comfort in the Lord Jesus at this terrible time.
Abril 12, 2010
Día mundial de Oración por Turquía – Abril 18 del 2010
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Alianza de Iglesias en Turquía. Carta abierta a la iglesia alrededor del mundo. Del cuerpo de Cristo en Turquía a nuestros hermanos y hermanas en Cristo que están alrededor del mundo gracia y paz a vosotros de Dios nuestro Padre y de el Señor Jesucristo. Saludos de la iglesia en Turquía – Tierra de Noé, de Abraham , de Pablo, del monte Ararat y Harán, de Antioquia, Éfeso, Galacia, las siete iglesias del Apocalipsis……. Con una población de 72 millones de habitantes pero que interesante que el cuerpo cristiano en nuestra tierra actualmente es menor del 0.1 %. Estamos escribiendo en nombre de los líderes de la iglesia en Turquía para pedir sus oraciones. Desde luego oración es la necesidad esencial de todo cristiano en donde sea, así que ¿Por qué orar por Turquía en este tiempo? Porque el terreno es duro y la guerra espiritual es muy fuerte y en los años recientes hemos sentido una urgencia y una gran carga para orar por nuestra nación y sus iglesias. En el año 2009 pedimos al mundo que se uniera con nosotros cada año en el “Día de oración mundial por Turquía”, el día 18 de Abril ya que en el año 2007 tres de nuestros hermanos fueron torturados y asesinados brutalmente en el pueblo de Malatya.
Nosotros deseamos grandemente que ustedes se unan a las pequeñas congregaciones de Turquía junto con muchas iglesias alrededor del mundo para orar 2 ò 3 minutos por este país en sus iglesias el domingo 18 de Abril del 2010. Orar para que la iglesia en Turquía sea ungida y fortalecida con el Espíritu Santo para vivir para la gloria de Dios, para que los resultados de esto traigan esperanza y bendición a esta tierra y al pueblo de Turquía, para que los corazones se abran a Jesucristo y al reino de Dios. Hemos hecho esta carta en tres partes: a) Una explicación de introducción; b) Una pequeña carta que si tu quieres puedes leer a tu congregación el domingo 18 de Abril del 2010; c) Una pequeña lista de peticiones que les ayuden a empezar la oración.
Tu puedes encontrar más información de la iglesia en Turquía incluyendo mas temas de oración en los links de información en: www.prayforturkey.com . También tiene disponible 3 minutos en video para descargar desde el sitio Internet que te ayude a ti y a tu iglesia. Si deseas mas información por favor escribe a prayforturkey@gmail.com . Gracias por sus oraciones El Señor de paz sea con todos ustedes.
Abril 5, 2010
Global Day of Prayer for Turkey – April 18, 2010
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Association of Protestant Churches (Turkey) . Open letter to the church around the word. From the body of Christ in Turkey, to our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world, grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Greetings from the church in Turkey – from the land of Noah, of Abraham, of Paul, of Ararat and Harran, of Antioch, Ephesus, Galatia, of the Seven Churches of Revelation……… Yet today, the body of Christians in our land is less than 0.1% of the population of 72 million. We are writing to you on behalf of the leaders of the church in Turkey to ask for your prayers. Prayer is, of course, the essential need of all Christians everywhere, so why pray for Turkey at this time? For the ground is hard and the battle in the heavenlies is tough and in recent years we have felt an added urgency and burden for prayer for our nation and its churches. In 2009 we asked the world to join us each year for a ‘Global Day of Prayer for Turkey’ on April 18, the day in 2007 when 3 of our brothers were tortured and brutally murdered in the town of Malatya.
We greatly desire that you would join the small congregations of Turkey along with many churches worldwide to give 2-3 minutes to prayer for Turkey in your churches on Sunday April 18, 2010. To pray that the church in Turkey is anointed and strengthened in the Holy Spirit to live for the glory of God; pray that the outcome of this will bring hope and blessing to the land and people of Turkey as hearts and eyes are opened to Jesus Christ and to the Kingdom of God. In this brief time of prayer you will be joining millions all over the world.
We have composed this letter in three parts: (a) an explanatory introduction; (b) a short letter you may wish to read to your congregations on Sunday, April 18, 2010; (c) a short list of prayer topics to help get started. You can find information on the church in Turkey including more prayer topics along with links for further information at www.prayforturkey.com . Thank you so very much for your prayers. The God of peace be with you all.
Abril 2, 2010
IRAN – SENIOR CHURCH LEADER ARRESTED
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Barnabas Fund. The well-respected leader of a church in Iran has been arrested and held at an undisclosed location. The Rev. Wilson Issavi, the leader of a church in Karmanshah, was arrested on 2 February while visiting friends. Security forces entered the home of Issavi’s friend and took him away, along with the host couple and another visitor. Friends and family have found it virtually impossible to discover the whereabouts of the church leader or his state of health. One month before Issavi’s arrest, the church in Karmanshah had been sealed by a number of plain-clothes security agents, and they ordered the Christians not to re-open it. The church, a historic building and the only one in the west of the country, was used only for weekly Christian worship and was in dire need of repair.The Director of the Committee of Iranian Christians has condemned Issavi’s arrest, calling it a “deplorable act”, and has demanded his immediate release, especially “considering his age and state of health”. • Praise the Lord for Issavi’s humble and tireless service to the church in Iran. Pray that he will receive all the legal help that he needs in detention and that he will soon be released safely.
Marzo 17, 2010
España – Lideres cristianos hablan con el PP sobre aborto y casamiento entre homosexuales
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(NoticiaCristiana.com). Con una reunión, los evangelicos en España hablaron con el Partido popular de España, con el fin de que estos les puedan ayuidar a atender distintos asuntos que ellos aseguran están muy mal aplicados a la Sociedad. El centro de Justicia y Libertades Publicas del Partido popular en España, su coordinador Federico Trillo se reunió con el secretario generadle la Alianza Cristiana Evangélica Mundial, Geoff Tunnicliffe, este le dio a conocer sus molestias por la ley de Aborto, la libertad religiosa y así también el de dejar casarse a Homosexuales en España. Trillo durante la reunión, habló por el partido Popular en su nombre y se comprometió a que halla un “dialogo permanente” con la Alianza y trabajar siempre en conjunto contra estas preocupaciones.
Marzo 13, 2010
Babylon – A word about modern Iraq
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by Batzion de Jerusalem The word Babylon comes from the root word confusion. Babel, for extra information you may look at the Babel Tower in book of Genesis. I have been asked by people what is my opinion about what is going on in Iraq today, I had no answer in a concrete way till I came to these scriptures, in Jeremiah chapters 50 and 51. It is awesome to see how the living Word of God is applicable today and now for world history. The God of Israel is a Covenant God who has a plan for nations and a plan for Israel.
Babylon will be captured. A nation from the north will attack her and lay waste her land. No one will live in it. For I will stir up and bring against Babylon, Iraq, an alliance of great nations from the land of the north, they will take up their positions against her and from the north she will be captured, their arrows will be like skilled warriors, who do not return empty handed. So Iraq will be plundered all who plunder her will have their fill. Because of the Lord’s anger she will not be inhabited, but will be completely desolate. All who pass Babylon will be horrified and scoff because of all her wounds. Take up your positions around Babylon, all you who draw the bow. Shoot at her, spare no arrows, for she has sinned against the Lord. Shout against her on every side she surrenders, her towers fall, her walls are torn down, since this is the vengeance of the Lord. Take vengeance on her, do to her as she has done to others. This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel says, I will punish the king of Babylon “Hussein” and his land. The noise of battle is in the land, the noise of great destruction, come against her from afar. Encamp all around her, let no one escape. Repay her for her deeds, do to her as she has done, for she has defiled the Lord the Holy One of Israel. At the sound of Babylon’s capture, the earth will tremble, its cry will resound among the nations. Lift up a banner against the walls of Babylon, reinforce the guard, station the watchmen, prepare an ambush, the Lord will carry out his purpose his decree against the people of Babylon. The Lord Almighty has sworn by himself, I will surely fill you with men as with a swarm of locusts and they will shout in triumph over you. Babylon will be a heap of ruins a haunt of jackals an object of horror and scorn a place where no one lives. In those days, at that time, declares the Lord, the people of Israel and the people of Judah together will go in tears to seek the Lord their God. They will ask the way to Zion, “Jerusalem” and turn their faces toward it.
They will come and bind themselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant that will not be forgotten. Here we can see that a great salvation for which we are praying is on the way for the house of Israel when Messiah their helper is revealed to them. Yes, the time is now. For Israel and Judah have not been forsaken by their God. the Lord Almighty. Though their land is full of guilt before the Holy One of Israel.
Addition: Around 3000 BC, the Sumerian founded Mesopotamia. Abram, later known like Abraham around 1850 left this area, Ur of the Chaldean, Babylon. (this area is known as modern Iraq) and journeyed to Canaan, later known as Israel. After the Romans destroyed the second Temple on 70AD, this was predicted by Yeshua….again the Jews were dispersed and moved to Babylon, where a Jewish community had remained since the first exile. Also the Babylonian Talmud was written there. When reading Gen. 11:9 and Rev. 14:8 we see that this nation has become a perpetual opponent of God and Israel. Note: this addition was taken from a local news source plus some personal input.
Marzo 8, 2010
MOSUL, IRAK – IRAQI CHRISTIANS DISPLACED AND MURDERED
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Anti-Christian violence in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul has intensified alarmingly in recent months. In February eight Christians were murdered in the space of ten days. On Sunday 14 Rayan Salem Elias was killed outside his home by armed assailants, and the next day a Christian greengrocer, Fatukhi Munir, was gunned down in his shop in a drive-by shooting. Then on Tuesday 16 two Christian students, Zia Toma (21) and Ramsin Shmael (22), were on their way to the local university when gunmen opened fire on them. Zia was killed and Ramsin wounded. They had already been displaced from their homes in Baghdad, the Iraqi capital, by the instability there. On Wednesday 17 Wissam George (20), another student, went missing on his way to the institute where he was studying to be a teacher. His body was found in the street that afternoon, riddled with bullets. On Friday 19 Sabah Yacob Dahan was found murdered, having been abducted from his shop five days earlier. And on Wednesday 24 Aiechoa Metoka and his two sons, Mukhlos and Basem, were killed in their home by three gunmen. They were the father and brothers of a prominent Christian leader, who was himself kidnapped (and later released) two years ago. These attacks are only the latest in a long series of incidents that have spread terror among the Christian population of Mosul. They bring to twelve the number of Christians killed in the city since December, and seven bomb attacks on Christian targets have left many injured and property damaged. • Pray for peace and stability in Iraq as the country approaches the elections. Pray that the security forces will act to protect the Christian minority. • Pray that our Christian brothers and sisters will be able to live without fear of being targeted and that they will put their hope and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Marzo 7, 2010
España – Marcha por la vida 2010
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Bajo el lema Marcha por la Vida se lleva este domingo 7 de marzo, en plena Presidencia española de la UE, y motivado por la dolorosa aprobación del Senado al proyecto de ley del aborto. El éxito de la manifestación celebrada en París el pasado 16 de enero, con participación de ciudadanos de distintos países, entre ellos españoles, indica que la Opinión Pública europea es receptiva a la causa del derecho a la vida, lo que hace más fácil insertar la causa española en el foco de la agenda europea durante el semestre de José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero como presidente de turno de la Unión. El 29 de marzo de 2009 nació la Marcha por la Vida, coincidiendo con la iniciativa del Gobierno español para reformar la Ley del Aborto e introducir el aborto indiscriminado desde niñas de 16 años, restricciones a la objeción de conciencia del personal sanitario, la enseñanza del aborto en las escuelas y la introducción de las técnicas abortistas como asignatura en las facultades de Medicina. Este año, la Marcha por la Vida se celebrará simultáneamente, en cerca de un centenar de ciudades españolas, de Europa y de América del Norte y el Sur. El lema elegido este año es España Vida Sí, que sugiere dos sentidos: la proyección exterior de la causa por el derecho a la vida, en plena Presidencia española de la UE y, en segundo lugar, la afirmación de ese derecho por una clara mayoría de españoles que piden ser oídos y rechazan la recién aprobación de la ley del aborto por una mayoría parlamentaria sin escuchar a los ciudadanos.
Recorrido y movilizaciones – En Madrid, la Marcha por la Vida España Vida Sí se celebrará el domingo 7 de marzo a las 12 del mediodía, entre la Plaza de Cibeles y la Puerta del Sol. Tendrá, como la del año pasado, con presencia de líderes de opinión y celebridades en el escenario instalado en la Puerta del Sol, donde los convocantes esperan reunir entre 50.000 y 100.000 personas. Toda la informacion la encuentras en http://marchavida.derechoavivir.org/
Marzo 5, 2010
España, oramos por ti 2010
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(NoticiaCristiana.com).”Si dos se pusieren de acuerdo”. Pastores y líderes de España se preparan para la gran concentración de oración por España el día 6 de marzo. España, oramos por ti es una actividad que se ha llevado a cabo en España durante los últimos dos años, y el 2010 no será la excepción, sin embargo, este año será realizado de una forma un poco diferente, la convocatoria es para el día sábado 06 de marzo, fecha en la cual todos los cristianos de España están siendo llamados a unirse en oración por todo el país. La actividad este año no se desarrollará en un sólo punto como sucedió en los años anteriores, en esta oportunidad se darán cita en 25 puntos diferentes de España para que de esta manera, más cristianos puedan involucrarse, ya que se cree firmemente en el poder de ponerse de acuerdo “Si dos se puesieran de acuerdo…” El encuentro será transmitido en vivo por internet desde siete de los 25 puntos de encuentro, será un tiempo de alabanza pero sobretodo de oración unida. El Consejo Facilitador entiende que todos los países necesitan de oración y que Cristo es la única esperanza para las naciones, pero han escogido un día al año para no sólo orar por España sino congregarse en unidad para hacerlo. Se cuenta con la participación activa de unos 150 pastores y líderes que se han involucrado en la organización, y han entendido que con la ampliación de los puntos de encuentro más personas participarán y el impacto en el mundo sobrenatural será aún mayor que el impacto en el mundo natural. Mas información en www.espanaoramosporti.es
Febrero 10, 2010
Población cristiano evangélica crece en Galicia – España
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Noticia Cristiana. La iniciación de los cristianos evangélicos gallegos data de los años 1930 a 1936 (Guerra Civil Española) en donde se da comienzo a este movimiento religioso. Desde hace 25 años existían poco más de 35 Iglesias Evangélicas y actualmente existen alrededor de 150 con una membresía aproximada de 10.000 personas. Este fenómeno de crecimiento se debe en gran parte a la incorporación de gitanos e inmigrantes latinoamericanos a las iglesias evangélicas. Que en la actualidad, aproximadamente 2 años hasta el presente ha disminuido un poco, dado la crisis económica mundial. David Rego, secretario ejecutivo del Consello Evangélico de Galicia enfatiza que «Nos estamos normalizando, pero aún queda bastante camino», haciendo alusión a la invisibilidad y/o poca presencia del colectivo evangélico en Galicia. David Rego añade: «Nuestra asignatura pendiente es la visibilidad de lo que se hace en cada iglesia, de nuestra labor social». Como en todos los países del mundo los cristianos evangélicos hacen parte de una denominación particular, teniendo mayor participación la Asamblea de Hermanos, con 38 templos en Galicia. De todos modos los evangélicos gallegos y españoles se enfrentan al igual que los católicos a una sociedad altamente secularizada. El gobierno español brinda menos apoyo a las confesiones evangélicas con respecto a otras, pero hay avances positivos ya que de dos profesores de religión en los colegios públicos han pasado a cuarenta en los últimos diez años. Sigamos orando por el avivamiento que Dios esta dando a España, si quieres participar con tu iglesia en el movimiento de oración por España únete con tu iglesia, en la sección de Blogroll
Febrero 4, 2010
Iraq – More bombings in Baghdad and Mosul
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Barnabas Fund. Baghdad and Mosul have been gripped with fear in recent weeks as a number of bombs have been detonated across the cities. Last month, we reported that six bombs had exploded, including two outside Christian buildings. But since then there have been further attacks. On 12 December 2009 at least 127 people were killed and hundreds wounded in five powerful car bombings in Baghdad, including one in Dora, a Christian neighbourhood. One week later, further explosions rocked the country. Two early morning blasts in Baghdad killed at least eight people, while in Mosul two car bombs were detonated near churches, causing extensive damage, wounding nearby schoolchildren and killing at least three Christians. On 23 December another bomb was detonated outside a Mosul church killing at least three people. Iraqi Christians saw this latest attack as timed to coincide with the Christmas season. In addition, Christians in Basra were warned by Shia Muslims that they must not celebrate Christmas in any way apart from attending church. This is owing to the main Shia celebration during the Islamic month of Muharram, which in 2009 began on 18 December, with the climax celebration around 26-27 December.
The minister of one of the churches attacked on 16 December said “Words cannot describe what has happened … but we will pray in the streets, in homes, in shops. God is everywhere, not just in churches.” Barnabas Fund has sent help for the victims of the Mosul bombings. Pray for all those who lost loved ones in the recent bombings, that they may know the comforting hand of the Lord Jesus in their sorrow and that He will lift their spirits. Pray for Christians in Iraq. Such violence is often directed towards Christians at special times of celebration such as Christmas. Pray that peace will come to this country that has seen so much violence in recent years.• Pray that the angel of the Lord will encamp around His people to deliver them (Psalm 34:7).
Febrero 3, 2010
USA – Franklin Graham, “Predicar contra la práctica homosexual o el aborto podría llevar a la cárcel”
Posted by cesarcustodio under 3. tiempos actuales, 4. norteamerica, 5. centroamerica y el caribe, 6. sudamerica, 7. europa y oriente medio, 8. africa, 9. asia y oceania1 Comment
Como es conocido en los últimos meses del año 2009 se aprobó el casamiento entre homosexuales como en México, luego Argentina y hace poco en Portugal, las advertencias del evangelista Franklin Graham, son muy delicadas al profetizar que la predicación del evangelio será considerado como un discurso de odio. Graham analiza que los temas que la Biblia habla sobre el aborto y el homosexualismo lo prohibirán las “culturas políticamente correctas”. Agrega que los predicadores podrían ser encarcelados por cumplir las enseñanzas de la Biblia acerca del tema. “Ya está sucediendo en algunos países”, enfatiza el evangelista. El ministro Graham tomó valor y dijo: No tengo temor, ni me avergüenzo del evangelio. Proclamaremos el evangelio de Cristo, su muerte en sacrificio por el pecado y su resurrección triunfante, mientras tenga aliento”, afirmó enérgicamente. Como pueblo cristiano debemos unirnos en oración ya que cada día el hombre se aparta de la palabra de Dios creando leyes que afectan a toda una sociedad y van en contra de la palabra de Dios. Esta reflexión de Franklin Graham es algo que debería estar constantemente en nuestro tiempo de oración, a la vez es nuestra responsabilidad entender que es lo que dice Dios sobre estos temas.
Febrero 2, 2010
Switzerland – Swiss minaret ban, leads to threats against Christians
Posted by cesarcustodio under 7. europa y oriente medioLeave a Comment
Barnabas Fund. While Muslim leaders are criticizing the Swiss vote to ban the construction of minarets in Switzerland, Christians in some Muslim-majority countries face severe restrictions on the building and repair of churches. In countries such as Saudi Arabia and the Maldives there are no church buildings at all. In a number of other countries, there are church buildings for foreigners but none for the indigenous Christians themselves. The referendum decision on 29 November 2009 in Switzerland is beginning to have ramifications in other countries around the world. In Egypt there has been a huge outcry against the Swiss decision, which concerned only minarets, not mosques themselves. But Egypt is a country where it is normally extremely difficult for Christians to get permission to build new churches or even repair the existing ones. Christians are forced to travel long distances to worship or must meet in secret in their homes due to an insufficient number of church buildings. Furthermore, recent months have seen a spate of attacks on church buildings.
In Turkey, on 4 December 2009, the leader of a church with a bell tower was approached by three people who threatened him, saying “Switzerland is banning minarets and we will ban bell towers to you. You will demolish the bell tower by next Friday.” The police were informed of the incident and are now providing security for the church. A recent survey in Turkey has found that nearly 40% of the population has negative views of Christians, while over 50% of those surveyed said non-Muslims should not be allowed to hold open meetings where they can discuss their ideas and should not be allowed to publish literature that describes their faith. A recent review of prominent events posted on various Islamist terrorist internet forums in December 2009 highlighted the following comment, “Switzerland is a fragile country which has always kept away from the conflict arena, but now is like other heretic countries in Europe and is placing itself at the top of the list of the sheep to be slaughtered by the Mujahideen”.
Pray for all Christians who are living in countries where they are the minority faith and facing such prejudice against them. Pray that they may know the peace and guidance of the Lord Jesus. Pray that officials in Egypt and Turkey will act justly to uphold religious freedom for all and provide protection for local Christians and the buildings they need for worship and ministry.
Enero 29, 2010
Musulmanes en Europa – Parte II
Posted by cesarcustodio under 3. tiempos actuales, 7. europa y oriente medio[2] Comments
La innegable tendencia de crecimiento de la comunidad musulmana en Europa es ilustrada por Nabil Shabeeb, un escritor musulmán y analista que vive en Alemania, en el popular website Islam Online: “el porcentaje de musulmanes en la población de las países de la Unión Europea varia entre un 3.5% a un 5.5%, pero el porcentaje de jóvenes musulmanes(que son aproximadamente entre un 40% a un 50% de la población musulmana) en comparación con el porcentaje de jóvenes en la Unión Europea es del 20%. En otras palabras, en algunos años los musulmanes constituirán el 20% de la fuerza laboral europea, con la debida influencia en la política y la toma de decisiones. Debido a que la población musulmana es mucho mas joven que la población en general, la minoría musulmana continuara creciendo durante varias décadas y tomando terreno si la población en general no incrementa. Por ejemplo en Francia, los musulmanes representan el 30% de los menores de 20 años, aunque el porcentaje general de musulmanes en comparación con la población solo es el 10%. El respetado académico, Bernand Lewis dijo en el 2004 que los musulmanes serán una mayoría para finales del siglo XXI. Dice que los europeos han perdido mucho de su orgullo y sus tradiciones propias, y poco a poco se están rindiendo este proceso en un atmosfera de hacer “lo políticamente correcto” y en pro del multiculturalismo. Este no solo es un problema de Europa, ya que la influencia que este continente tiene en el mundo es grande. Debemos recordar que muchos de los pensadores que sentaron las bases de la doctrina de la iglesia estaban en Europa, es necesario orar por un toque de Dios en los corazones de los europeos y que aquel deseo que existió un día en el corazón de muchos por conocer de Dios se despierte para poder llevar la luz a muchos.
Enero 27, 2010
Musulmanes en Europa – Parte I
Posted by cesarcustodio under 3. tiempos actuales, 7. europa y oriente medio[2] Comments
Los musulmanes son por ahora una minoría en términos numéricos en Europa. Estudios demográficos, indican que la población musulmana esta creciendo mucho mas rápido que otras. Esto es debido a la continua inmigración, conversión al Islam y alta taza de natalidad dentro de este grupo. Toda Europa esta experimentando una drástica reducción en la taza de natalidad, mientras los musulmanes en Europa mantienen su tradición de tener familias numerosas. En 1900 había alrededor de 50,000 musulmanes en Europa, para 1970 el número creció a 4 millones y para el 2008 se estima que había alrededor de 25 millones. Si la presente tendencia continua se estima que en treinta años la población musulmana en Europa puede llegar alrededor de 60 millones según el estudio de The Cambridge Interfaith Programme. Durante el transcurso de los años numerosos líderes musulmanes han expresado su visión de una Europa Islámica en un futuro no lejano, muchos de ellos ven este futuro en base al crecimiento demográfico primordialmente. Ya en 1974 el presidente algeriano Houari Boumedienne dijo enfrente de la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas: “Un día millones de hombres dejaran el hemisferio sur del planeta (África) para plantarse en el hemisferio norte (Europa) y no lo harán como amigos, lo harán como conquistadores y conquistaran poblándolo con niños. La victoria vendrá a nosotros desde el vientre de nuestras mujeres”. El presidente Libio, Coronel Qaddafi dijo en el año 2006: “Tenemos 50 millones (según su estimación) de musulmanes en Europa, hay señales que Ala dará una gran victoria en Europa, sin espadas, sin armas, conquistaremos. Los 50 millones (según su estimación) de musulmanes cambiaran el continente europeo a un continente musulmán en unas cuantas décadas”. Fuente. Barnabas Fund. Esta es una realidad que todos aquellos que viven en Europa conocen, es importante que como pueblo de Dios estemos atentos y presentemos constantemente nuestras oraciones a Dios respecto a esta situación, oremos para que una visitación de Dios llegue al continente Europeo y que toque aquellos corazones adormecidos, pueblos que algún día conocieron y vivieron el evangelio regresen su corazón a Dios. Continuará.
