A Time of Opportunity for Libya | 309 | Report 7 & 8

Will a new Libya respect human rights and religious freedom? How will Christians fare in the country? CBN News had a rare look at the church in Libya. Most Christians in Libya are foreign workers – most had come to work in the oil fields and other industries, many being Coptic, Catholic or Orthodox Christians. An Egyptian surgeon CBN News interviewed has worked in Libya for 15 years. He said though he is a Christian, the Muslim majority has treated him well. However, what might the future hold once Libya’s new government is in place?

Todd Nettleton is with the Voice of the Martyrs. “Ninety-seven percent of the people in Libya are Muslims. So even a government that is elected by the people could be a heavily Islamic government that wouldn’t necessarily be friendly to Christians and wouldn’t be friendly toward religious freedom,” he explained. Gadhafi – for the most part – expressed tolerance for foreign Christians if they remained in their churches. But Christians who shared their faith with Muslims were either jailed or expelled from the country.

Nettleton says there is a small indigenous church in Libya, even though few foreigners have met them. “They are meeting together. They are serving Christ. They are spreading their faith. But they obviously have to do that in very cautious and careful ways. CBN News witnessed the recent baptism of a Libyan convert. She wouldn’t allow it to be shown on television, but she explained that she had come to Christ after watching a Christian programme on satellite television. Nettleton says that’s not surprising: “One of the key factors in the growth of the church in Libya is satellite television. A lot of the evangelism – a lot of the discipleship activities that are happening are happening over satellite TV from outside the country, because it’s very difficult for Christians to gather together – particularly Muslim converts within the confines of Libya,” he explained.

And many of the secret Libyan Christians feel abandoned by the world and, though their numbers are small, maybe only several hundred, they desire recognition and prayer support. Nettleton says Libya’s Christians – both indigenous and foreign – will need a lot of prayer in the days ahead. These are also days of opportunity, he says: “As there is so much upheaval, there are also people who are asking questions of a spiritual nature, questions about eternity.”

“This can be a great time of planting the seeds of the Gospel and we need to pray for our brothers and sisters to have opportunities to do that and to have boldness to take advantage of those opportunities,” Nettleton added.

Source: CBN News

BIBLE STUDY: Luke 13:23-36

Report  7 – PRAISE: God for the small Church in Libya, and for the opportunities in times of uncertainty.

Report  8 – PRAY: That the seeds of the Gospel may be sown and that many Libyans may know the Saviour.

What Next for the Libyan Christians? | 308 | Report 13

David Innes, of Arab World Ministries, says that the events in Libya and across the Arab world reflected the desire of the young people to have more say in the governing of their countries. He appealed to Christians
to pray for the small number of believers in Libya to be strong during the period of uncertainty. Regardless of what transpires from the revolution, Mr Innes said the coming months would be challenging for Libya and
require substantial rebuilding as a result of the devastation left by the fighting.

As Libyans wake up to a different country, he said prayer was the most important thing. “Some Christians in North Africa see this as a God event and a chance to boldly declare their faith. Libya has very few known believers but we have seen Libyans coming to faith recently. One Christian there told us ‘Please remember me’.”

“They are small in number but we are praying that Arab believers will have authority in the Lord to disciple their nations to see the church grow there. We know numbers have never been an issue for the Lord and we are praying that the glory of God will be revealed and that we will see the church develop.”

Source: Arab World Ministries

BIBLE STUDY: Psalm 67:1-7

PRAY: That Libya may develop in a way that enables Christians to live and witness in peace, and that many Libyans may find Christ as they rebuild.

Amid Turmoil Libyans Hear of Christ | 306 | Report 3

In the midst of tragedy in Libya and North Africa, hope has broken through, thanks to Christian radio. HCJB Global’s Wayne Pederson says, “The satellite provider we have from Europe beaming into North Africa has been able to stay on the air. Other satellite signals have been blocked, but the Lord has enabled us, for our radio signal, to continue 24/7 into the households of North Africa and the Middle East at this time.”
And it’s a good thing, too. HCJB broadcasts are able to reach roughly 8 to 10 million people – across North Africa and the Middle East. In the midst of disarray, millions are being comforted by God’s promises. “We can continue to bring hope, and encouragement, and teaching to people who are wondering, ‘What in the world is going on?’ and ‘Is there hope?’ and ‘Is there love in this world amongst all the violence?’”
The region has been turned upside down in a day, but it has resulted in openness and opportunity. “We don’t know how this is going to end up, but we have a window of opportunity now for a few weeks, months – maybe years – that we can go in with the Gospel with this new-found freedom,” says Pederson. “However, we’ve gone from dictatorship to anarchy, and we don’t know where it’s going to end.”
The church is silently growing across North Africa and the Middle East. Believers are carrying the hope of Christ into the darkest of areas in times of deepest uncertainty, and people are responding. Pederson says the ministry receives text messages daily from people who say they have committed their lives to Christ.

Source: Charisma News

BIBLE STUDY: Matthew 11:28-30

PRAISE: God for this growth! Pray for an end to the turmoil, and that many may turn to Christ.

Libyan bomber row escalates, NHS told to cut staff, and debt charity expands

Weekly News Review from a Christian Viewpoint.  Patrick Woodward talks to Russ Bravo, (pictured) editor of Inspire Magazine, about the latest news from a Christian standpoint.

Today, the furore surrounding compassion granted to the Libyan bomber goes on, NHS told to cut doctors and nurses to save money, and recession prompts Christian debt agency to expand.

Story Links:

Libyan bomber:

timesonline.co.uk BP lobbied Jack Straw before he changed mind over Lockerbie bomber

bbc.co.uk Brown ‘opposed bomber jail death’

telegraph.co.uk  Special relationship at risk over bomber, Brown warned

NHS:

bbc.co.uk NHS workforce cuts plan rejected

guardian.co.uk Jobs at risk as NHS faces cuts to meet £15bn shortfall

Debt expansion:

inspiremagazine.co.uk Charity launches ‘Ultimate Challenge’ as recession takes hold

capuk.org.uk  Official site