The Christian Winter
December 18, 2010… the day a powerful revolution began in the small African country of Tunisia. By the time the people’s collective voice of protest finally fell to a hush, the political system as the nation once knew it had changed forever.
It was the beginning of a series of uprisings that, over the following 18 months, took place throughout many Middle Eastern and African nations, in a movement that would become known as the “Arab Spring.” From Sudan to Syria, millions of citizens dared to stand up and defy the age-old standards of oppression and tyranny in their respective countries, and in doing so altered the course of modern history.
Ironically, millions of Christians throughout Middle Eastern and Arabic nations continue to endure the bondage of persecution, many at the hands of Islamic oppressors. And though these Christians are suffering in record numbers, more than any other time in history, free Christians in the West — those who have the greatest ability to speak out on their behalf — have remained tragically silent about the injustice of persecution.
Christian Freedom International’s “Christian Winter” series is designed to educate, inform, and rally free Christians everywhere into action on behalf of persecuted believers in Middle Eastern countries like Egypt, Iran, and Pakistan. As we focus on the state of persecution in these regions of the world, we challenge you to prayerfully join us in helping to raise the church’s collective voice against the inhumanity of Christian persecution.
IRAN
PRAY FOR…
- The spread of the Gospel among Iran’s less-evangelized peoples;
- The growth of more evangelical house churches, as well as more training and development among their leaders;
- Increased Bible distribution, as copies of the Bible are in short supply and very high demand;
IMPRISIONED IN IRAN: THE CASE AGAINST PASTOR YOUCEF NADARKHANI
Youcef Nadarkhani, age 34, has been in trouble for years. He has been charged with the crime of apostasy…leaving Islam to become a Christian. Continue
THE STATE OF PERSECUTION IN IRAN…
Before the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Iran’s Christian population was an estimated 200-300 people. By 1992, however, the number of Iranian converts from Islam was approximately 6,700, despite growing persecution. Learn More
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD…
CFI encourages you, and those in your local church, to speak out on behalf of persecuted Iranian Christians: How You Can Help
QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY…
Discuss with friends or your Church group. Learn More
MEMORY VERSE…
“Blessed are the persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10
Donate today to help the persecuted church in Iran
PAKISTAN
A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE
When the 12-year-old Christian girl traveled into the town of Lahore with her friend one day last January, she had no idea that everything in her world was about to go terribly wrong. Continue
THE STATE OF PERSECUTION IN PAKISTAN…
Nazir Bhatti, president of the Pakistan Christian Congress, has stated that over 99.9 percent of rape cases involving Christian women go unreported. Learn More
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD…
CFI encourages you, and those in your local church, to speak out on behalf of persecuted Pakistani Christians: How You Can Help
QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY…
Discuss with friends or your Church group. Learn More
MEMORY VERSE…
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” Romans 8:35
Donate today to help the persecuted church in Pakistan
EGYPT
A MARTYER OF THE CROSS
Ayman Nabil Labib was 17 years old the day he was martyred. Learn More
THE STATE OF PERSECUTION IN EGYPT…
The surge in violence against Christians in Egypt — many of whom have fled the country for safer regions — has ignited concern and outrage throughout the international community. Learn More
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD…
CFI encourages you, and those in your local church, to speak out on behalf of persecuted Egyptian Christians: How You Can Help
QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY…
Discuss with friends or your Church group. Learn More
MEMORY VERSE…
“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted”
2 Timothy 3:12
Donate today to help the persecuted church in Egypt
AFGHANISTAN
NO PLACE OF REFUGE
The men held Ali down, while another smashed a pot of boiling water into the back of his head. Continue
THE STATE OF PERSECUTION IN AFGHANISTAN…
In Afghanistan, conversion from Islam to Christianity is considered a serious crime, punishable by death according to Islamic law. Abdul Latif, a Christian father, was brutally beheaded in June 2011 by four Islamic militants in the town of Enjeel for the “crime” of converting to Christianity. Learn More
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD…
CFI encourages you to contact appropriate representatives to express your concern about the crisis of persecution and the Christian exodus in Afghanistan: How You Can Help
QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY…
Discuss with friends or your Church group. Learn More
MEMORY VERSE…
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.”
Matthew 5:11
Donate today to help the persecuted church in Afghanistan
SAUDIA ARABIA
“I WILL DIE FOR HIM HERE”
…they were charged with proselytizing and given a 45-day prison sentence. Continue
THE STATE OF PERSECUTION IN AFGHANISTAN…
Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and the site of two of the religion’s holiest cities, Mecca and Medina. Saudi Arabia is officially an Islamic state, and its population is known as 100 percent Muslim. Because it has such strong roots in this country, Islam is fiercely guarded through the suppression of all other religions, including Christianity. Learn More
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD…
CFI encourages you to contact appropriate representatives to express your concern about overwhelming oppression and Christian persecution in Saudi Arabia: How You Can Help
QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY…
Discuss with friends or your Church group. Learn More
MEMORY VERSE…
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him”
James 1:12
Donate today to help the persecuted church in Saudi Arabia
IRAQ
SUFFER THE CHILDREN
Surush, an Iraqi Christian, has been abused for his faith more times than he’d care to remember. He is nine years old. Learn More
THE STATE OF PERSECUTION IN IRAQ…
Church bombings are also on the rise in Iraq. At least five incidents of attempted or actual bombings, including at the Protestant church where Nuria’s family worships, have occurred in the city of Kirkuk alone since August 2011. Learn More
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD…
CFI encourages you to contact appropriate representatives to express your concern about the crisis of persecution and the Christian exodus in Iraq: How You Can Help
QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY…
Discuss with friends or your Church group. Learn More
MEMORY VERSE…
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us”
Romans 8:16-18
Donate today to help the persecuted church in Iraq
SYRIA
“HOW DO YOU WANT TO DIE…?”
The most recent fighting has left over 50 Christians dead. Learn More
THE STATE OF PERSECUTION IN SYRIA…
Although the Syrian church has historically enjoyed peace and religious freedom under the Assad regime, the Arab Spring has destabilized that peace, as Christians are now typically perceived as supporters of the existing government. With help from fellow Muslims in Saudi Arabia, many Islamic fundamentalists are taking advantage of the opportunity to pursue their agenda in Syria, which has significantly increased the persecution of Christians. Learn More
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD…
CFI encourages you to contact appropriate representatives to express your concern about the crisis of persecution in Syria: How You Can Help
QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY…
Discuss with friends or your Church group. Learn More
MEMORY VERSE…
“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly live in Christ Jesus will be persecuted”
2 Timothy 3:12
Donate today to help the persecuted church in Syria
LEBANON
- PRAYER POINTS
- Safety for new converts
- The preservation of the church
- The spread of the Gospel
TORTURED FOR CHRIST
Then again, he knew, she could very well be killed anyway, even if she never did any of those things. It was just the new reality of life for Christians in Lebanon. Continue
THE STATE OF PERSECUTION IN LEBANON…
Many Christians continue to flee the region, the challenge of preserving the church in Lebanon remains a growing crisis. Learn More
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD…
CFI encourages you to contact appropriate representatives to express your concern about the crisis of persecution in Lebanon: How You Can Help
QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY…
Discuss with friends or your Church group. Learn More
MEMORY VERSE…
“Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Matthew 5:12
Donate today to help the persecuted church in Lebanon
TUNISIA
- PRAYER POINTS
- The spread of the Gospel
- Bible distribution
- Safety and encouragement for new Christians
“LORD, CAUSE THIS REVOLUTION TO TURN TUNISIA INTO THE ANTIOCH OF NORTH AFRICA…”
When he finally chose to convert and follow Jesus, it was a decision that cost him everything. Learn More
THE STATE OF PERSECUTION IN TUNISIA…
Muslims outnumber Christians by approximately 25,000 to 1 in Tunisia. Learn More
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD…
CFI encourages you to contact appropriate representatives to express your concern about the crisis of persecution in Tunisia: How You Can Help
QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY…
Discuss with friends or your Church group. Learn More
MEMORY VERSE…
“But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.” Jeremiah 20:11
Donate today to help the persecuted church in Tunisia