FAITH THAT

'.Andweknowthatallthingsworktogether

forgoodtothosewholoveGod,tothosewho

arethecalledaccordingtoHispurpose.’Romans8:28

May

20

20

About Faith that Endures

Faith That Endures showcases

the powerful stories of faith

of persecuted Chris�ans,

while showing how God is

at work through the united

Body of Christ around the

world.

May

20

20

Bank Details:Martyrs for ChristFNB Main Branch WindhoekCheque Acc No: 6224 240 2303Branch Code: 280 172

Martyrs for ChristBank Windhoek The GroveCheque Acc No: 800 447 3444Branch Code: 483 871

Bank Details

Cover

FAITH THAT

Silhoue�e of man near trees

by Kilarov Zaneit

for I was hungry and you gave

Me food; I was thirsty and you

gave Me drink; I was a stranger

and you took Me in; 36 I was

naked and you clothed Me; I was

sick and you visited Me; I was in

prison and you came to Me.’ Ma�hew 25:35-36

EGYPT’S MINYA OPENS MUSEUM IN REMEMBRANCE OF KILLED BY ISIS IN LIBYA21 CHRISTIANSEGYPT’S MINYA OPENS MUSEUM IN REMEMBRANCE OF KILLED BY ISIS IN LIBYA 21 CHRISTIANS

The museum includes 21 four-meter high statues dedicated as a memorial to each of the martyrs and

placed in front of a monument of Jesus Christ, which was designed to look like He is embracing the victims

of the 2015 massacre.

The new museum also features a documentary panorama showing in full detail the murder of the 21

Egyptians, who were abducted and killed by the Islamic State while residing in Sirte, Libya.

ISIS had shocked the world with its gruesome footage of the 2015 be-headings, releasing a video that year

entitled "Message signed with blood, for the nation of the cross" that later spread on social media.

ishop Bevnotious of Egypt's Minya Governorate has established a new museum that

Bcommemorates the 21 Egyptian Christians who were taken hostage and beheaded by militants of

the Islamic State in Libya, five years after the video of their deaths shocked the world.

The museum is housed in a Cathedral built in 2018 with funds from the Egyptian government, also in

remembrance of the martyrs. Al-Aour village, which is the hometown of 13 of the victims and located in

Minya Governorate, was selected to be the new cathedral's home. The first mass held in the church was

attended by various officials alongside the families of those killed in the 2015 massacre.

Egypt retaliated after the killings were broadcast by bombing dozens of sites that were believed to have

been used by the militants involved in the massacre.Source

According to a video post on Facebook, Christians were denied food aid on April 2 in a village situated on the Raiwind road, near Lahore. A local pastor, who wished to remained unnamed, confirmed the incident when contacted by ICC.

"If this is the situation, then what are the arrangements for Christians?" the Christian asked in the Facebook video. "Who is going to feed them? Are we not citizens of the same country?"

Since March 21, most of Pakistan has been placed on lockdown as authorities seek to slow the spread of COVID-19. However, this national lockdown has significantly affected the country's poor and vulnerable communities. This includes Pakistan's religious minorities.

In the Facebook video, a young Christian man claims that a local mosque committee distributed foodstuffs on April 2 to deserving families. However, the management asked the village's Christians to leave the mosque compound because the food aid was meant for only Muslims.

"Denying food aid and discriminating among citizens is a crime," Aftab Hayat, a Pakistani NGO leader, told ICC. "Christians often face discrimination and are victims of religious hatred. However, the situation for Christians in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis is alarming and becoming worse. Therefore, the authorities must take note of the developing situation."

Approximately 45% of Pakistan's total population live below the poverty line, earning most of their income through daily labor jobs. The national lockdown has cut off many of these laborers from earning daily wages and reports of starvation are already circulating.

Christians Were Denied Food Aid again

Project

DailyBREAD

You can help Christians like him to survive with life-saving relief.

In some places Christians are not getting the aid they need from the government – because of their faith in Christ.

This is your chance to show the love of Christ in a tangible way – through food relief andthe Word of God – to let our persecuted family know that they are not alone!

Please respond to this urgent need. Show your unity and support for our persecuted brothers and sisters.

Christians are fighting to survive. They have no way to provide for their families."Nobody help us, Nobody! My family are starving here. They are yearning for simple bread". - Christian in Pakistan

Right now, our persecuted brothers and sisters are facing a life-threatening fight for survival.

Help persecuted Christians in countries l ike Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bangladesh to survive this global coronavirus crisis.

The lockdown has made it almost impossible for many believers to even feed their families.

“Nobody help us, Nobody! My family are starving here. They are yearning for simple bread”. - Christian in Pakistan

These are the words we hear every day. The need is so great.

Project

DailyBREAD

Ÿ 5kg rice,

Ÿ 1kg dal,

Ÿ 3kg potato,

Ÿ soap & masks and

Ÿ 1ltr cooking oil,

Ÿ most importantly, a Bible.

YOUR 350N$ Food Parcel contains the following items:

Ÿ 1kg sugar,

Ÿ 1kg salt,

Ÿ 5kg onions & veg,

YOUR 350N$ will not only provide to their physical needs but also their spiritual needs.

The change that 350N$ can bring.

YOUR 350N$ can supply a family of 4 in India, Pakistan, Nepal & Bangladesh with a food parcel to sustain them for a month. This food parcel will not only contain food items but also the most valuable possession a Christian can own in a persecuted country... a Bible.

Even though our brothers and sisters are struggling, they still use this opportunity to evangelize and bring their neighbors to Christ.

Your contribution today will help Martyrs for Christ support even more Christian families affected by the Covid-19 lockdown, poverty and discrimination, not only in the Indian Subcontinent but also worldwide.

Al l donations to be made w ith reference "Project Daily Bread".

Jesus said to them, “I am thebreadoflife;hewhocomestoMewill not hunger, and he whobelievesinMewillneverthirst.”

Project

DailyBREAD

“Christian people in the villages are suffering. I tried to get food at a mosque food distribution, but was rejected because I wouldn’t turn to Islam.”

Christian in Pakistan

“ Thank you for helping us”

Thank You for joining hands with us to help our persecuted brothers and sisters and with your faithful support we would like to continue providing the Persecuted

Church with much needed food and Bibles.

Thank you for making a difference!

Thank you for your response. We already distributed food and Bibles to 50 families in Pakistan. Through your partnership, lives are being changed.

A l from the Pseced ChIn this time of hardship and isolation, we are not always aware of what is happening to our faithful Brothers and Sisters across the globe.

Here is a letter that was written to Martyrs for Christ by Brother *Peter from India:

Christian persecution is a reality that must be overcome by many Christians in spite of the limitations that is already being faced in these times.

A l from the Pseced ChA l from the Pseced ChA l from the Pseced Ch

Dear MFC

Greetings and Peace.

Once again asking for your prayers.

He was resting in the afternoon. Suddenly someone set the house on fire and ran away. By the time Virat wakes up, the fire has damage many of his cattle and also his belongings.

God bless,

Bro. *Peter

His name is *Virat.

Our leader phoned the police. The police came and inspected everything but they didn’t assist Virat and his family at all.

I just received this message from Virat today.

One of our Church Planter Leader was persecuted during this week.

Please keep him and his family and also his House Church in your prayers.

Martyrs for ChristBOOKSHOP

Shop from the comfort of your homeonline at www.martyrsforchrist.org

In Captive in Iran, Maryam and Marziyeh recount their 259 days in Evin. It's an amazing story of unyielding faith--when denying God would have meant freedom. Of incredible support from strangers around the world who fought for the women's release. And of bringing God's light into one of the world's darkest places--giving hope to those who had lost everything, and showing love to those in despair

Embark on a chilling journey inside one of the world's darkest and most dangerous places: Evin, the notorious Tehran prison. Here, prisoners are routinely tortured, abused, and violated. Executions are frequent and sudden. But for two women imprisoned for their Christian faith--Maryam Rostampour and Marziyeh Amirizadeh--this hell on earth was a place of unlikely grace as they reflected God's love and compassion to their fellow prisoners and guards. Against all odds, Evin would become the only church many of them had ever known.

Bo of the weBo of the weBo of the we

Visit our bookshop in 27 Jordaan Street, Pionierspark

INSPIRED BY THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES TO SHARE GOD'S SAVING GRACE

'Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends, if you do what I command... The time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. I have told you this, so that when their time comes, you will remember that I warned you about them.' (John 15:13,14; John 16:2-4, NIV)

June 29 is the day many churches remember the 2020 martyrdoms of the Apostles Peter and Paul.

One who bears witness of the truth and suffers death for the cause of Christ

(Acts 22:20;Revelation 2:13; 17:6). In this sense Stephen was the first martyr. The Greek word so rendered in all other

cases is translated ...'witness'

• (Matthew 18:16; In a court of justice26:65; Acts 6:13; 7:58; Hebrews 10:28; 1 Timothy 5:19).

• As of one bearing testimony to the truth of what he has seen or known (Luke 24:48; Acts 1:8; Acts 1:22; Romans 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 2:5 1; Thessalonians 2:10; 1 John 1:2).

Day of theChristian

Martyr

spirit of self-sacrifice and love to the very end as these martyrs had.' Richard Wurmbrand'Not all of us are called to die a martyr's death, but all of us are called to have the same

The Apostle Paul passionately encouraged those who suffered for Christ. Remembering the suffering of Christians today, can we say: ' '?I will not abandon them

What is a Martyr?

Some facts and figures about persecution and in the world today.martyrdom of Christians

8According to World Watch List 2020, an in-depth investigative report focusing on global Christian persecution, 8 Christians die for their faith every day. This figure relates to those believers known for a fact to have been killed. But the real figure might be higher given that we do not know what is happening to Christians in some countries such as North Korea where believers can just disappear.

During the reporting period World Watch List 2020(November 1, 2018 to October 31, 2019) for the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted the most:

• for faith-related 4,136 Christians were killedreasons. On average, that's 8 Christians killed every day for their faith.

• or Christian buildings were 1,266 churchesattacked.• without trial, 2,625 Christians were detainedarrested, sentenced and imprisoned.

christians die per day

333 Christians are killed.

104 are abducted.

180 Christian women are raped, sexually harassed or forced into marriage.

66churches are attacked.

218 Christians are detained without trial and imprisoned.

Countries where Christians are likely to experience the most severe persecution

North KoreaNigeria

AfghanistanSomalia

LibyaPakistanSudanEritreaYemen

IranIndiaSyria

Extrapolating from World Watch List's figures, every month, on average:

Is it our desire:

Ÿ to see the gospel proclaimed - even in places of oppression and persecution?

Ÿ to see persecuted Christians strengthened and encouraged in their discipleship?

Ÿ to give persecuted Christians the practical and spiritual tools they need to survive and thrive in the service of Christ?

Ÿ If so, does this lead us:to pray for those who are persecuted, and for the families of martyrs?

Our Response

Day of theChristian

Martyr

Source: RI, 2020

Persecuted Countriesfor the most30

Prayercalendar

DAY 12. Nigeria

DAY 14. Maldives

DAY 13. Saudi Arabia

Pray for comfort for the thousands of displaced Nigerian Christians and for wisdom.

Ask God to strengthen the Church and give leaders wisdom and boldness in the face of intense Islamic oppression.

Because the B ib le i s cons ide red contraband, access to Scripture is restricted. Ask God to provide His Word to secret believers in Maldives.

DAY 5. PakistanPray for safety and protection for the Christian women and girls in Pakistan who must live under the threat of abduction, rape and forced marriage.

Pray that many would hear the gospel th rough Arab ic sa te l l i t e and web broadcasts.

DAY 6. EritreaPray for God's abundant grace to those who are filling the positions of imprisoned church leaders.

DAY 7. SudanPray for church leaders to stand strong in the midst of pressure from Islamic extremists.

Pray for God's protection over Christians as they preach the gospel in dangerous places.

DAY 11. SyriaPray for the Syrian government and for rebel leaders that they will turn to Jesus and experience the peace of God.

The instability in Yemen has created a humanitarian crisis. Ask God to help provide food, clean water and safety to the people of Yemen.

DAY 8. Yemen

DAY 9. IranFor a Muslim family, it is a great disgrace when one of its members leaves Islam. Pray for Christians who have been cursed and disowned by their families for their faith.

DAY 10. India

DAY 4. Libya

DAY 1. North KoreaPray that the country's rulers will come to know God, for the protection of the North Korean Church.

DAY 2. AfghanistanPray for Christian converts from Islam, who face strong pressure from family, friends and neighbors to recant their Christian faith.

DAY 3. SomaliaPray that the Lord will raise up bold believers who share the gospel at great cost.

Pray for Christians who have been displaced from their homes in northern Mali by Islamic militants.

DAY 29. Mali

DAY 30. Sri Lanka

Pray for the Church to remain strong at this crucial time in Burkina Faso.

DAY 28. Burkina Faso

Please intercede for Sri Lanka, that acceptance for minorities in this country will prevail.

Pray for priests and pastors ministering in Iraq, that they might be living examples of Christ's presence.

DAY 22. Turkmenistan

DAY 16. Egypt

DAY 17. AlgeriaPray specifically that new believers who enter the Church will stand strong in their faith.

DAY 18. Uzbekistan

Pray for increased religious freedom.

DAY 15. Iraq

Pray for Christian converts who are ousted from their homes for leaving Islam. Pray the Lord would provide for and comfort them.

Pray for change and for acceptance of Christianity in Uzbekistan.

DAY 19. Myanmar

DAY 20. LaosPray that Christians in Laos would be able to freely access Bibles and register churches.

DAY 21. VietnamPray for proper discipleship of the many ethnic minorities coming to faith in rural areas.

Pray fo r be l ievers f rom a Mus l im background who are fiercely pressured to return to Islam. Pray for protection and endurance.

DAY 23. China Pray for Chinese Christians to stand strong amidst tightening religious restrictions and to engage in cross-cultural missions effectively.

Pray for illiterate believers of Mauritania as they seek God with limited access to Scripture.

DAY 25. Central African RepublicPray with Christians targeted by Fulani herdsmen and Muslim terrorists. Pray persecutors’ eyes will be opened to Jesus.

DAY 24. Mauritania

DAY 26. MoroccoPray for widespread distr ibution of evangelistic materials among the many unreached people groups.

DAY 27. QatarPray that Qataris would be drawn to Christ in any way that God can use.