Former Iranian Guard Finds Christ | 308 | Report 25

Reza Kahlili (fictional name), a former Iranian Revolutionary Guard, has posted an article on his blog telling the world he has renounced Shia Islam to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

Khalil says: “Jesus came to me when I needed guidance. He came to me at a time when my faith in man and religion was totally shaken. His words and His love became the guiding light to set me free from sin and hopelessness. I found myself knowing there is goodness and kindness… and that it is only through His love that we will find peace and eternal life… After a long journey, I have finally found my God. I feel at home now. And as I continue my fight against the evil in Iran, I know in my heart that the Lord will guide me in that fight because He loves the people of Iran even more than I do. The Iranian people are desperate for their freedom, and Jesus says, “If you continue in my word, then you are truly disciples of mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free (John 8:31-32).”

Publicly professing one’s faith in Jesus Christ is a big step for anyone from Shia or Sunni Islam. Like many young Iranians today, Reza’s search for the true God was sparked by seeing the brutality of the abuses committed by the regime in the name of Allah. Many are finding Christ as they seek to find a God of love not one of vengeance and brutality.

Source: WorldNet Daily

BIBLE STUDY: John 8:31-32

PRAISE: God that Reza is typical of many Iranians. Pray for his protection and that many in Iran may be encouraged by his story to find Jesus.

Soldiers Find Christ in Afghanistan | 308 | Report 3

Front line deployment can focus the mind on the fragility of life and on eternal matters. A number of members of the Armed Forces have recently given their lives to Christ and been baptised giving their testimonies in front of their friends.

Padre Robin Richardson, deployed to Afghanistan with 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, writes on the British Army blog, “Last Monday night we heard that one of our soldiers had been badly injured in a blast and, separately, that a close member of another lad’s family had died… the Company OC asked if I would look after the Bible and Daily Reading notes I had given to the injured lad at the start of the tour. ‘His faith is important Padre… and whilst we’re on about that, one of the boys wants to be baptised today, with his friends around.’”

“I made my way across the compound to chat with Adam before his baptism. I did so aware of the heightened state of everyone’s mind and soul after the night before’s incident… We had a big blue plastic barrel and we had Adam’s friends, with whom he had discussed his decision, his desire to be baptised. And so as we stood next to the barrel I read the words that God had promised a faithful soldier thousands of years earlier: ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you…’ There was silence as I baptised Adam, until he stood and his mates clapped and stepped forward wide-armed to congratulate their friend… The pains of life had tried to define the day just 24 hours earlier. But that was not the only story at work that day because running through it all, and rising triumphant above it was hope, promise and faith…”

Source: The Official British Army Blog; Prayer Alert

BIBLE STUDY: Joshua 1:5-9

PRAISE: God that many soldiers are challenged to consider the claims of Christ. Pray that those who have been baptised may continue strong in faith.

Indian ‘Fly’ Prostitutes Turn to Christ | 307 | Report 14

According to an International Mission Board report, poor slums are not the only place to find prostitutes in India. The Indian middle-class has a disturbing supply of what are called “fly prostitutes.” These are middle-class housewives and students who sell their bodies to earn money to feed their children and pay the rent. Ajanta Gupta, was widowed while still in her early 20s. She had HIV, two small children, and no job.

When a friend introduced Gupta to prostitution, she accepted. It was a quick way to earn cash and feed her family. Her story is echoed by many other women. Others fall into prostitution from a lack of self-worth when husbands abuse them. Two Indian pastors met with Gupta several months ago and shared the Gospel with her, and a small group of believers began meeting regularly in her home. Within a few weeks, Gupta and her mother both prayed to receive Christ.

Gupta is now working as a teacher’s assistant at a small pre-school, and a local church supplements her salary. She boldly tells her friends about her relationship with Christ and urges them to leave prostitution as well. More and more women are leaving prostitution and fleeing to Christ as a result of the weekly small groups and Gupta’s care.

Source: Mission Network News; Christian Telegraph

BIBLE STUDY: Psalm 140:1-13

PRAY: That many more of these women will come to know the power of Christ to give life to the full. 

Mullahs Coming to Christ in Africa | 304 | Report 21

Hundreds of imams and mullahs from West Africa have been coming to Christ in the past decade, said a former Muslim who witnesses to Muslim scholars and clerics. Brother Daniel (last name withheld for security) told the Lausanne III Conference in South Africa that some 1,000 have come to Christ with 500 of them having completed discipleship training.
“The Muslims that are around us are sincere in their beliefs,” said Daniel. “[But] even though they are very sincere, they are sincerely wrong.” Daniel said Christians are “disobedient and fearful” to share the Gospel even though the Holy Spirit has worked in the hearts of Muslims and they are open and waiting to hear the Good News, Daniel remarked. He shared that he recently led a Sharia (Islamic law) court judge to Christ. After the conversion, the former Sharia judge lost his job and has faced “unbelievable persecution.” But despite the fierce obstacles, that former judge has alone led over 100 Muslims to Christ.
“We are constantly threatened, persecuted, attacked, and ambushed. We get a lot of calls, from Mecca, Medina, Iran, from the local Hezbollah. Yes, we are fearful. But you know what? We need to be obedient to the call of Christ and go.”
Another Conference delegate, Sam Yeghnazar, of Elam Ministries, shared, “Iran today is a closed land with countless open hearts. It is the most open nation to the Gospel in the entire world. Tens of thousands of Iranians are turning to Christ. Betrayed by the government, disillusioned with the religion, depressed by the
prospects of the future, Iranians when they come to know the Lord Jesus Christ are completely transformed,” he said. “Entire families are coming to Christ.”
Recently, two of Yeghnazar’s people were imprisoned and within a week they had brought six people to Christ.

Source: The Christian Post

BIBLE STUDY: Deuteronomy 31:6-8

PRAISE: God that Jesus is being glorified among Muslims. Pray for the floodgates to open wide.

2,000 Years of Resistance to the Gospel | 303 | Report 27

With over a billion people, India is the fastest growing nation on earth. It has more than 2,500 people groups, speaking 1,600 languages & dialects. Despite the economic growth of recent years, India remains a very needy country: 70% of the population cannot read or write; over 740 million Indians live in villages with no basic amenities; 35% of school-aged children are not attending school, while the centuries-old caste system condemns hundreds of millions of Indians to a life of degrading jobs and social invisibility.
But the greatest need of India is spiritual: with 330 million objects of worship, Indians are looking anywhere and everywhere for spiritual meaning and purpose; idol worship and superstition have an iron-like grip over many lives. But God is at work in India today, mainly through the efforts of thousands of indigenous Christian workers across all India. And India’s people are responding.
Sadavir is one example – he lived in fear for his life, ever since he heard that someone had cast a curse on him and his family. He stopped going to work, hardly ate any food, and he avoided his family during the day. Sadavir was terrified he would die or that some dreadful disease would be inflicted on his wife and their two children. Then a Mission India Church Planter named Kamya visited their house.
Kamya started visiting with Sadavir early every morning, praying for him and sharing the Word of God. Eventually, he accepted Christ into his heart! A change came over him – for the first time he realised that he didn’t have to be afraid of the powers of witchcraft as a child of God.
Sadavir went back to work – this time without fear. His wife is encouraged to see that her husband is not only back to his usual self, but that he is also full of a new joy! Now Sadavir attends church, and he was recently baptised. Stories like this are being repeated every day all over India.

Mission India; Revival Media

BIBLE STUDY: Isaiah 43:18-20

PRAISE: God for what He is doing through His people all over India. Pray for Christ’s light to shine!

The Fearless Nigerian Evangelist | 1st August 2010

Mindanao Muslim Rebels Find Jesus | 29th July 2010

In the predominantly Muslim island of Mindanao in southern Philippines, former Muslim rebels are veering away from violence as they discover Jesus. It was in 2008 when “Commander Spider” and other Mujahideen fighters heard the Gospel when Christian missionaries visited their training camp. And just recently, Spider underwent water baptism which signifies his total surrender to Jesus Christ. Because of his newfound faith, Spider is persuading Muslim rebel groups to lay down their arms and surrender to the government.
One of the Christian leaders said. “The most important thing for us isto share the Source of life – Jesus – not only as their Saviour but astheir Lord… They find meaning in life, peace and joy, loving even the Christians whom they deemed as enemies.”

Source: CBN News

BIBLE STUDY: Psalm 33:10-12

PRAISE: God that when He brings peace to the heart He also brings it to the community.

Moves of God in Turkey and Iran | 8th July 2010

In the capital of Iran, Teheran, thousands of Muslims are becoming Jesus followers. They gather illegally in house churches. This is reported by Iranian pastor Mahim Mousapour, living in exile in Germany. Jesus appears to them in dreams, drug addicts become free from their addiction, and sick people are healed surprisingly. More and more, these young Christians take courage and speak about their faith publicly. Mousapour estimates that, in Teheran alone, there are more than 100,000 of such Christians. Growth in the number of house churches is exponential.
Meanwhile, Turkey’s Christians are emboldened after the martyrdom – three years ago – of three Christians in Malatya: Tilman Geske, Necati Aydin and Ugur Yuksel were bound to their chairs, tortured, and stabbed at a Bible print shop in Malatya. The throats of the three house church leaders were slit. Many believed the murders would stop the Gospel in the Muslim nation.
But Pastor Carlos Madrigal, originally from Spain, says, “After the Malatya murders, we saw that people coming (to us) are considering seriously, what it means to become a Christian and it helps at some level to purify the church in Turkey.” Although Christians number only about 5,000 in a nation of 70 million people, Madrigal says, “I believe that the seeds planted through the martyrs will bring great fruit in this country.”

Source: CBN News

Bible STUDY: Isaiah 65:1

PRAISE: God that throughout the Muslim world the love ofJesus is compelling many to come to Him.

Mindanao Muslim Rebels Find Jesus | 29th June 2010

In the predominantly Muslim island of Mindanao in southern Philippines, former Muslim rebels are veering away from violence as they discover Jesus. It was in 2008 when “Commander Spider” and other Mujahideen fighters heard the Gospel when Christian missionaries visited their training camp. And just recently, Spider underwent water baptism which signifies his total surrender to Jesus Christ. Because of his newfound faith, Spider is persuading Muslim rebel groups to lay down their arms and surrender to the government.
One of the Christian leaders said. “The most important thing for us isto share the Source of life – Jesus – not only as their Saviour but astheir Lord… They find meaning in life, peace and joy, loving even the Christians whom they deemed as enemies.”

Source: CBN News

BIBLE STUDY: Psalm 33:10-12

PRAISE: God that when He brings peace to the heart He also brings it to the community.

Moves of God in Turkey and Iran | 8th June 2010

In the capital of Iran, Teheran, thousands of Muslims are becoming Jesus followers. They gather illegally in house churches. This is reported by Iranian pastor Mahim Mousapour, living in exile in Germany. Jesus appears to them in dreams, drug addicts become free from their addiction, and sick people are healed surprisingly. More and more, these young Christians take courage and speak about their faith publicly. Mousapour estimates that, in Teheran alone, there are more than 100,000 of such Christians. Growth in the number of house churches is exponential.
Meanwhile, Turkey’s Christians are emboldened after the martyrdom – three years ago – of three Christians in Malatya: Tilman Geske, Necati Aydin and Ugur Yuksel were bound to their chairs, tortured, and stabbed at a Bible print shop in Malatya. The throats of the three house church leaders were slit. Many believed the murders would stop the Gospel in the Muslim nation.
But Pastor Carlos Madrigal, originally from Spain, says, “After the Malatya murders, we saw that people coming (to us) are considering seriously, what it means to become a Christian and it helps at some level to purify the church in Turkey.” Although Christians number only about 5,000 in a nation of 70 million people, Madrigal says, “I believe that the seeds planted through the martyrs will bring great fruit in this country.”

Source: CBN News

Bible STUDY: Isaiah 65:1

PRAISE: God that throughout the Muslim world the love ofJesus is compelling many to come to Him.

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