barnabasaid

The magazine of Barnabas Fund HOPE AND AID FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007

• Suffering Church Sunday 2007: In His Name

• Free resources for your church inside this magazine
• Persecution Map, Original Drama, Small Group Bible Study and much more
 From the director
Running head Obeying the commandment
to love one another
A Muslim became a Christian
because of the love of a Christian
community. Although he was an
barnabasaid
immigrant, although he despised
Christianity, he was struck by the
immensity of the love that the
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007
Christians had for him. When he
Contents
To guard the safety of Christians in hostile environments
asked, “Why do you care for me
when I do not accept your Jesus?”
they would always answer, “We
names have often been changed or omitted. Thank you love you because Jesus loves you.”
for your understanding.
So he became a Christian. As a
3 Project News result he lost family and home.
But he also lost something else.
“Might have perished He lost his trust in the unfailing
without this aid” love of Christians. For in all the
period that he was homeless and
6 The Other Nine alone, the Christians who had so
loved him when he was a Muslim
Your family in Iraq offered him no meal and no bed;
they had no contact with him.
i) Suffering Church Sunday Their love seemed to have stopped
Resources the day he became a Christian.
Although they later confessed to
ii. Sermon Outline him they had kept praying for him
during his period of persecution,
iv. Small Group Bible Study there had been no tangible
v. Suggested songs manifestation of practical love.
According to John the test of true
vi. In His Name: Suffering for love is the willingness to lay down
Christ in 2007 one’s life for a brother or sister, to
share one’s material possessions,
ix. Persecution Map and not to shut one’s heart to
x. Drama him or her. “Let us not love with
words or tongue but with actions
xii. Prayer and in truth” (1 John 3:16-18).
Why was it that those Christians
7 Newsroom did not obey the command which
Prisoners freed, cases closed Jesus gave His disciples to love
one another (John 13:34)? Why
is it that as Christians we find it
8 Global Jihad so much easier to love those who
A new book by Patrick Sookhdeo are not Christians than to love our
own brothers and sisters? Could
9 In Touch it be that we are consumed with
a passion to see souls saved, but
Christmas Card Competition results have little realisation of the full
humanity of which the souls form
12 Harvest Supper a part?
A meal with a message Barnabas Fund is often criticised
Cover: The main picture shows an Iraqi for focusing on helping Christians
Christian boy called Akkad. Akkad and his only. “Surely you should help
family used to live in Baghdad, but he and his everyone?” Sometimes we
mother, Nour, have fled to Syria. The small are even accused of being un-
picture shows Nour and Akkad together. They
are some of the many thousands of Iraqi
Christian. This shows a sad lack
Christian refugees whom Barnabas Fund is of teaching in the Church about
helping to feed (see page 4.) Akkad’s father and the many Biblical commands
sister are now in northern Iraq. The family to love our fellow Christians.
got separated in the upheaval of the conflict in
Many sermons are preached on
their country. Barnabas Fund is also helping
to feed Iraqi Christians in Iraq. Turn to pages the parable of the sheep and the
4, 6, viii and 7 to read more about the plight of goats (Matthew 25:31-46) but
Iraqi Christians and what Barnabas Fund is how often is attention drawn to
doing to help.
the significance of words of the Lord
Jesus in verse 40?
“Just as you did it to one of
the least of these my brothers,
you did it to me.”
The parable is about helping other
members of the Lord’s family, that is,
our Christian brothers and sisters, our
fellow believers.
So why do we Christians find it so
hard to love one another? Why
do we find it easier to understand
this parable as teaching “Love
your neighbour” instead of the real
meaning: “Love your brothers and
sisters”?
But for John it is top of the list of
evidences for being a Christian. He
says that we know we have passed
from death to life because we love
one another (1 John 3:14). To love
other Christians (in a practical way, 1
John 3:17-18) is evidence of spiritual
rebirth.
But even when Christians agree that
they must help their fellow believers,
the question is sometimes asked: how
do we know who are true Christians
so that we can help them? John says
that those who obey God’s command
“to believe in the name of his Son,
Jesus Christ, and to love one another”
are those who live in Him (1 John
3:23-24). It is as simple as that.
I thank God for the increasing
awareness of many Christians of this
truth, and for their compassionate
and generous support for their
suffering brothers and sisters, as well
as, importantly, their prayers and
labour. They have not closed their
hearts to their brothers and sisters in
need.
In this magazine you will find
resources for Suffering Church
Sunday 2007. Please urge your
church leaders to take one Sunday
this November (or any other time)
to focus worship on the persecuted
Church. The resources are based on
the theme “in His Name”, the Name
of Christ which unites us. As John
says, we must believe in His name,
and we must love our fellow-believers.
Dr Patrick Sookhdeo
International Director

NORTHERN NIGERIA: NEW CHURCHES, NEW CHAIRS FOR CHRISTIAN VICTIMS
Building work progresses on the new churches in Challawa
In Northern Nigeria, Christians
are a minority, and in many states
they suffer from the imposition of
full shari‘a (Islamic law) which has
happened in recent years. Despite
promises that Christians would not
be affected by shari‘a, many have
found that they are. Furthermore,
the general attitude towards
Christians has become more hostile
in the shari‘a states, and they are
victimised in various ways.
In Kano State last year 13
congregations in Challawa were
given notice to quit the public
buildings in which they had been
worshipping. No Muslim will rent
property to them and there are
not enough church buildings. The
UGANDA: TRAINING FOR RURAL CHURCH LEADERSHIP
It is estimated that 80% of the
population of Uganda lives in rural
areas and small towns. Islam and
various cults are spreading fast,
and Christians need to be strongly
rooted in their faith so that they
can stand against these advances.
A good way to help Christians be
strong in their faith is to make
sure their church leaders are well
trained. A Ugandan ministry
runs a variety of part-time training
programmes. Many students
are farmers and have little Bible
training, yet hold responsible
positions in churches which are
often large.
Barnabas Fund is assisting with the
costs of running these leadership
training programmes. Our most
recent grant was £2,625 (US$5,250;
NZ$6,825; A$6,300; €3,938).
Reference 56-526
Project news
Anti-Christian rioting is a sadly
common occurrence in parts of
Nigeria. In September 2006 there
was rioting in Dutse, the capital
of Jigawa State, in which 14
church buildings were damaged
or destroyed. Eventually the
Christians will have to rebuild
elsewhere as they are only being
permitted to build temporary
structures on the sites where the old
churches were. In the meantime
they are in need of Bibles,
Christians therefore had no choice
hymnbooks and chairs to replace
but to worship under trees or in the
the ones which were burnt.
open.
Nigerian Christians across the
Six of the congregations managed country donated over 2,000 Bibles
to raise funds to buy a plot of land which were distributed to all 14
on which to build, but the actual churches. The six largest churches
construction costs were beyond have also received assistance from
their means. their mother-churches, but the
other eight could find no one within
Barnabas Fund is assisting them the country to help them with new
with a series of grants. The total chairs. So Barnabas Fund stepped
sent so far is £30,000 (US$60,000; in with a grant of £2,100 (US$4,200;
NZ$78,000; A$72,000; €45,000). NZ$5,460; A$5,040; €3,150) to
It is expected that the final cost provide 400 plastic chairs for the
per church will average £6,700 eight churches. The cost per chair
(US$13,400; NZ$17,420; A$16,080; is £5.25 (US$10.50; NZ$13.65;
€10,050). A$12.60; €7.88).
Reference 39-632 Reference 39-639
Training church leaders helps to strengthen the Church in Uganda
MarCH
sept/
/ AprIL
oct2007
2007 Barnabas
BarnabasAID
AID 55
 In Iraq being a Christian means…

…you live in daily fear of violence, kidnap, rape or even

death because of your faith.
What does ‘being a Christian’ mean to you?
For the people of Iraq it means a constant fear
of threats and violent abuse. Around the world
200 million of our brothers and sisters live in
areas where there is frequent discrimination,
oppression or persecution because of their love
for Jesus.
Most people in Iraq are living with the
destruction and conflict which has engulfed
their country. But Christians in Iraq, who make
up a small minority of the population, are
singled out for targeted abuse. There are many
in the country who are taking advantage of the
current lawlessness to try to “cleanse” Iraq of
all Christians. It is estimated that 75% of the
Iraqi Christian population have fled their homes
since 1990. Many of them are now refugees in
neighbouring countries.
To help the Christians of Iraq Barnabas Fund
has been providing monthly food parcels to the
neediest of families in Iraq and Iraqi refugees in
other countries. Barnabas Fund has also helped
in setting up new businesses, such as restocking
orchards and supplying set up costs for bee
farms, so these impoverished Christians can
begin to support themselves once again.
You can read more about how Barnabas Fund is
helping the Christians in Iraq by visiting
www.barnabasfund.org/projects or by
contacting your national Barnabas Fund office.
Through your gifts and prayers you can be there
for the Christians of Iraq as they battle to remain
true to Christ in a country where the Church is
facing extermination.

Pay, convert, leave – or die

Christians in the Dora area of Baghdad have
been given an ultimatum – pay the humiliating
jizya (an Islamic poll tax on non-Muslims),
or convert to Islam or leave their homes,
abandoning all their possessions and memories.
Or be killed. There is still a small remnant of the
Christian community in Iraq. Many remain only
because they cannot afford to leave. And many of
the Christians who have fled their homes to find

1in10 Christians live

refuge are living in desperate poverty with barely
any possessions and little hope for their futures.

Barnabas Fund exists to support our brothers with discrimination and

and sisters who live in places like Iraq - to make
sure they get the care and support they need. persecution
www.theothernine.org
A new Christian is baptised in West Africa. Growing up in areas of persecution can
mean that new believers who come from other faith backgrounds are particularly
targeted in an attempt to make them renounce Christianity

6 Barnabas AID sept/ oct 2007

 Resources for Suffering Church Sunday 2007

In His Name
In His Name we are saved. In His Name we suffer.
And in His Name we are to love one another.
That’s why this year the theme for Barnabas Fund’s
Suffering Church Sunday is In His Name. And to help
you and your church to remember persecuted Christians
we have produced all the resources you will need to hold
a Suffering Church Sunday service.
Choose any Sunday in November that suits your church
(or another month if your calendar is already fully
booked) and use the In His Name resources to explore
the topic of the family united by the Name of Christ.

Contents:
Page ii): Sermon outline
Page iv): Bible study notes – for use in small groups, homegroups or individual Bible study
Page v): Suggested songs
Page vi): Information file – focusing on converts, church leaders and Iraq
Page ix): World map of persecution in the Muslim world
Page x): Drama sketch “A terrible day for the Smiths”
Page xii): Prayer and response form

Further resources
To help you advertise your Suffering Church Sunday service, we have produced the A3-size
poster shown below right. Also available are Suffering Church Sunday prayer cards (A5-size)
designed to give to everyone attending your service to take home with them. See page xii for
a copy of the prayer and response form on the card. Please order as many posters and prayer
cards as you need. They are available free of charge from your national Barnabas Fund office or
the UK office.

Barnabas Fund has other resources which you may find useful, such as the free resource pack
for our ‘The Other Nine’ campaign shown below left. To order this or to find out about other
literature available, contact your national office or visit our website www.barnabasfund.org/
resources

Suffering Church Sunday Resources

sept/ oct 2007 Barnabas AID (ⅰ)
 Sermon Outline
Loving our brethren: the command and the context (1 John 3:10-24)
John’s message is that Christians must love one another. He repeats and re-emphasises
his message over and over again. He shows that obeying this command to love our
Christian sisters and brothers is central to our Christian walk; indeed it is prime evidence
of our salvation. There can be few passages in the Bible more serious than this. Yet most
contemporary commentators ignore the clear focus on the crucial importance of loving one’s
fellow believers or choose to reinterpret “brethren” to mean everyone in the world.
In 362 AD the Roman people through Moses (Exodus and he now develops this basic
Emperor Julian complained: 20). These “old” or “original” thought. Although he speaks of
“The Christians feed not only commandments were summarised “one another,” it is primarily love
their own poor, but ours as well, by the Lord in two commands of one’s Christian brothers which
while no one in need looks to to love: love God and love your he has in mind; this is where
the temples.” It is clear that the neighbour (Luke 10:27). He Christian love must start. ⅱ
fourth century Christians were also commanded His followers
obeying the command of 1 John to love their enemies (Matthew
3:11 (and Galatians 6:10), caring 5:44). Then, the last time He Love
firstly for each other and then was with the disciples before His Now that we know whom to love,
for non-Christians around them. crucifixion, He added the new we need to know what love itself
command to love one another. is (αγάπή). John explains this in
In 2007 many Christians have verses 16-17. Firstly, we know
reversed this, caring first for what love is by looking at Jesus
those around them and then, if Brethren who laid down His life for us. So
there is anything left, for their Who is it that John says we must we know that love is sacrificial and
Christian brothers and sisters. love? Our brethren (άδελφοί), or costly, perhaps even to the point of
in newer translations “brothers”, laying down our own lives. But for
The Command which of course includes sisters.
Westcott points out that there are
most Christians it is unlikely that
they will ever have an opportunity
The command to love fellow to make the supreme sacrifice of
four main terms used in the new
believers (v.11) is an absolute. dying for a fellow Christian. So
Testament to mean “Christians”.
It cannot be relativised or in the next verse John gives us a
These are “disciples”, “brothers”,
argued away. Nor can the further aspect of love, something
“saints” and “believers”. The
responsibility be passed on to which everyone will have the
earliest title used is “disciples”,
other Christians. opportunity to do, that is, to share
which was used during Christ’s
lifetime for those who followed their material possessions with
Background Him as master or teacher. The Christians in need. This should
John’s insistence on Christians first title given to his followers include not only those known
loving one another is based after the Ascension was “brothers” personally to us but also those who
on the words he heard Jesus (Acts 1:15, though translated are strangers to us (3 John 5).
ⅰ
say at the Last Supper; “A new “believers” in some versions). It
command I give you: Love one is interesting that many churches In 2007 a letter to Barnabas
another. As I have loved you, in contexts of persecution today Fund from a church leader in Gaza
so you must love one another.” follow the New Testament model speaks graphically of how practical
(John 13:34). Of all the and habitually refer to each other help from fellow Christians means
teaching John heard from Jesus’ as “brothers” and “sisters”. so much:
lips in three years of ministry
on earth, he selects this as one “Your continuous assistance
Even when the phrase “one
for a main focus of his letter. It another” is used, it is clear that to the Christian community
seems that it was a basic part in Gaza … reminds us that,
this refers to fellow Christians.
of the teaching given to first despite all the suffering our
First used in verse 11 of our
century Christians, as John says passage, Howard Marshall community is undergoing
to his readers that they have (the news only give a pale
explains that “the phrase means
heard it “from the beginning” and incomplete picture of all
exactly the same to love one’s
i.e. from the beginning of their the daily horrors our people
brother” (2:10; 3:10,14; 4:20-21).
Christian experience. come face to face with),
John has already made it clear
God is with us. When we
The background to Jesus’ that only those who love their
are almost at our last breath
new command was the ten brothers live in the light of God’s
and desperate for help, when
commandments given to God’s presence and revelation (2:10),
it seems that everyone has

Suffering Church Sunday Resources

(ⅱ) Barnabas AID SEPT/ OCT 2007

forgotten us and we can do
nothing to save our brothers
from doom, from perishing
in misery, our good Lord
inspires you, our brother,
and you stretch out your
hand and relieve our people’s
agony.”
But there is more to love than
just giving.
“Christian love is love
which gives to those in need,
and so long as we have, while
our brothers have little or
nothing, and we do nothing
to help them, we are lacking
in the love which is the
essential evidence that we are
truly children of God. Nor
is it simply a case of making
a payment out of our bank
balance and thinking no
more about it: John is talking
about a feeling of pity which
expresses itself in action.” ⅲ
The NIV’s use of the words “has
no pity on him” (v.17) is weak
compared to both the Authorised
Version and the Revised Standard
Version. AV renders the phrase
“shuts up his heart from him”
and RSV “closes his heart against
him”. According to Westcott, the
phrase appears to be unique. “It
expresses the interposition of a
barrier between the sufferer and
the tender feelings of his brother.”
It describes how “the destitute
brother can find no access”
to sympathy from his brother
Christian. ⅳ
Salvation
Loving other Christians is one
type of evidence for salvation.
“We know that we have passed
from death to life because we love
our brothers” (v.14). Someone
who does not love their brother or
sister in Christ cannot be a child
of God (v.10).
“It should be emphasised
that spiritual life does
not come from loving our
brothers. Love for our
brothers is the evidence, not
the basis, for the spiritual
life.” ⅴ
Suffering Church Sunday Resources
The Context
John’s letter was written
at a time when the Christian
community was already facing
marginalisation and persecution,
the persecution that Christians
must expect, which comes
because of the world’s hatred of
the righteous (v.13). Just as Cain
hated Abel because Abel was
righteous, so Christians will be
hated. In such a situation, mutual
care and support was a question
of survival, as well as a witness to
the love of God revealed in Christ.
Tertullian of Carthage wrote
in about 197AD of how the
Christians of his day cared for
each other, both the needy and the
persecuted.
“We do have our money-
box, contributed to by those
who wish, and who are able,
once a month. The money
is used, not for feasting and
drinking, but to help the
poor, orphaned children,
the old, the shipwrecked,
Christians sent to forced-
labour mines, or exiled in the
islands, or shut up in prison.
This is why people say of us,
‘See, how these Christians
love one another!’”
Conclusion
(1 John 3:21-24)
In verse 23 John summarises
what God commands: “To believe
in the name of his Son, Jesus
Christ, and to love one another as
he commanded us.” Obedience
to these two things, says John,
will please God, set our hearts at
rest, and give us confidence as we
approach Him, in prayer. When
we obey these two commands - to
believe in the Name of Christ and
to love our Christian brothers and
sisters - then we know what it is to
live in Him, and for Him - through
His Spirit - to live in us.
It is noteworthy how apt these
two commands are for our
brothers and sisters in the Muslim
world. Islam rejects Jesus as
the Son of God. Whilst they may
accept Jesus (Muslim Isa) as a
prophet and whilst they use the
term “Christ” to describe Him,
they utterly reject His deity. For
Christians in the Muslim world,
their suffering is borne out of
the fact that they trust in Jesus
Christ the second person of the
Trinity, which Islam regards as
blasphemous. They are indeed
hated (v.13) as Jesus was hated.
Just as Jesus was condemned
for blasphemy (Mark 14:61-64),
so Christians today experience
the pain of alienation and
rejection, even unto death.
The second command, to love
each other, is manifested in a
suffering community caring
for its own in their agony and
anguish.
For Christians in non-Muslim
countries equally, the call
comes to believe in His Name
and to love our brothers and
sisters as Christ has loved us.
Thus we join with our brothers
and sisters in affirming what
Westcott has described as a
“compressed creed” and to unite
our hearts in unending loyalty
to Jesus, faith in His Name,
the conviction that He is the
Son of God, our Messiah, King,
Lord and God. And so, with His
suffering people, we share their
pain as members of one body,
one family, one community.
ⅰ B.F. Westcott, The Epistles of St John, 3rd
edition, Cambridge and London, Macmillan,
1892, pp.128-9
ⅱ I.H. Marshall, The Epistles of John, Grand
Rapids, Eerdmans, 1978, p.189
ⅲ I.H. Marshall, The Epistles of John, Grand
Rapids, Eerdmans, 1978, p.195
ⅳ B.F. Westcott, The Epistles of St John, 3rd
edition, Cambridge and London, Macmillan,
1892, p.115
ⅴ I.H. Marshall, The Epistles of John, Grand
Rapids, Eerdmans, 1978, p.191
SEPT/ OCT 2007 Barnabas AID (ⅲ)
 Small Group Bible Study
Love One Another (1 John 3:10-24)
This study looks at the same passage as the sermon outline (pages ⅱ-ⅲ). It can be used
either before or after hearing the sermon to reinforce its message. But it also stands
alone and can be used quite separately, without the sermon. However, if the study is
being used without the sermon, it may be helpful for the group leader to read through
the sermon outline beforehand. The passage is very rich in meaning, and it might be
necessary to divide the study over two sessions. If you will not have time to tackle
all the questions, you may like to omit those marked with an asterisk; this leaves ten
questions to answer.
The study refers to other parts of these Suffering Church Sunday resources and
Barnabas Aid magazine, so it would be helpful if every member of the group had a copy.
You may make photocopies of the relevant pages (3-5, ⅲ, ⅵ-ⅸ) or order free copies of
the whole magazine from your national office.

Jesus
Begin the study by reading the whole passage.
It may be helpful for the leader to point out that
the Greek word often translated “brothers” or
“brethren” also includes sisters, as is made clear in
some modern translations.

The letter was written by the Apostle John and

many references in the letter are reminiscent of
words of Jesus which he recorded in his gospel.

1 John is writing about the importance of

Christians loving other Christians. How many
times in this passage does he refer to loving one
another or to loving our brothers and sisters? If
you have time you can read the rest of John’s
letter, looking for further references to loving one
another. (One way would be to divide up the rest
of the letter amongst the members of the group,
and let each one read a different section, then share
with the group any references they have found to
loving other Christians.) If you have even more
time, read John’s other two letters to see what they
say on the subject.
beginning” (v.11). This must mean the beginning of
2 There is a variety of words in the New their Christian experience. What does this say about
Testament used to mean “Christians”. Name as the importance which the early Christians attached
many as you can. Why do you think John chooses to this command? How much importance is given to
to keep using the term “brothers and sisters” in this this command in your church’s teaching e.g. Sunday
passage? School, sermons, baptism or confirmation classes,
discipleship courses?
3* The English word “love” can be confusing,
because it covers a vast array of meanings. In 5 What is the origin of this command? Turn to John
Greek (the language which John wrote in) there 13:34. Some denominations remember this day as
are at least four different words, meaning four “Maundy Thursday”, meaning “Mandate Thursday”
different kinds of love. What kind of love would i.e. “Commandment Thursday”. Many other very
John have meant in this passage? (If you want to important things were said and done by the Lord Jesus
do some research on this, the Greek word he used that day, but evidently this command was one that
here was “agape”.) stood out in the minds of the first Christians. What
were the circumstances in which Jesus was speaking,
4* John writes that “love one another” is a which may have made the early Church place so much
message which his readers had heard “from the emphasis on this command?

Suffering Church Sunday Resources

(ⅳ) Barnabas AID SEPT/ OCT 2007
6 Read on to John 13:35. This verse is used by the
eastern churches as their missionary mandate, in the
same way that western churches look to the Great
Commission in Matthew 28:19-20. How is this verse
related to Christian witness? Turn to page ⅲ to read
what non-Christians were saying about Christians
in 197 AD. Do you think non-Christians would ever
be surprised or attracted by observing the love of
Christians for each other in your church?
7* Jesus called the command to love one another a
“new” command or commandment. What were the
“old” or “original” commandments? What other
instructions did He give about whom to love? (Exodus
20:1-17; Matthew 22:36-40; Matthew 5:44).
8 Whom did Jesus mention as an example of someone Christians?
showing the kind of love which He meant His followers
to have for one another? At the time the disciples
heard Him say this, what would they have understood because of your Christian faith? What do you know
that kind of love to involve? Later they gained a fuller of the persecution experienced by Christians in some
and deeper understanding of what He had meant.
What else was involved in this kind of love?
9 John writes very clearly of this in 1 John 3:16
but goes straight on in verse 17 to give a contrasting
example of what love involves. Which do you find
easier? To be willing to make the extreme but unlikely
sacrifice of verse 16, or actually to live out daily the
behaviour of verse 17?
10* John writes about love as feelings, words and
actions (v.17-18). What does he say about each one?
How are they related to each other?
11 The Greek phrase at the end of verse 17 is
apparently unique and therefore very difficult to
translate into English. If members of the group are
using different Bible translations, let each read out
the wording used in their translation. Some of the
older translations are more powerful than some of
the modern ones. It seems that John was referring to
actively putting a barrier between the needy person
and the one who could have helped them. Discuss
what this means. Is it something that you ever do?
12 John says that loving one another is evidence of
what? (Verses 10,14,18-19). How does this compare
with what Paul writes in Ephesians 2:8-9? (Think
about the difference between cause and proof. The
cause of the car skidding was the driver braking too
sharply. The proof of the car skidding is the black tyre
marks on the road. The tyre marks did not make the
car skid, but they are evidence that it really did do so. )
See also 1 John 2:2.
13 We may feel that John’s words about what loving
one another proves are a challenge to us. But he
expected his first readers to find them an assurance.
He wanted them to feel confident in coming before
God (1 John 3:21). What two things did John say
were essential for such confidence? (v.23) What two
things did he say would result? (v.22,24) How does this
Suffering Church Sunday Resources
compare with Jesus’ words in John 15:7,10-12?
14* What does it mean to “remain” or “abide” or
“live” in the Lord Jesus? How is that linked with
having all our prayers answered? Who teaches us
what the Lord wants and makes our desires conform
to His (1 John 3:24 and John 14:26)?
15* So far we have been considering the subject
of love. But the passage also talks about hatred and
even murder. In 1 John 3:12 who is hating whom?
Had Abel done anything to make Cain hate him?
In verse 13 who is hating whom? Read what Jesus
said in John 15:18-25. Had Jesus done anything to
make them hate Him? How does this apply to us as
16* Have you experienced hatred or persecution
other countries? What would you find the hardest
to bear? (Some information is given on pages ⅵ-ⅸ.)
17* In 1 John 3:15 who is hating whom? Perhaps
we may be tempted to disagree when John says that
such hatred is equivalent to fratricide (murdering
your brother), but what do you think Jesus would
have said? (See what he said on a similar subject in
Matthew 5:21-22.)
18 Our love for fellow Christians should not be
limited to those members of the Christian family
whom we happen to know, or to members of our
own local church, or our own denomination. In his
third letter, John commends a Christian for showing
love to Christians who were previously strangers to
him (3 John 5). We can go even further by showing
love to Christians whom we shall not meet until
we are in heaven. (Turn to pages 3-5 to read about
some examples of this, channelled through Barnabas
Fund.) What can you personally and your local
church do to show love to other Christians in a
practical way – Christians whom you know and also
Christians whom you do not know?
Suggested songs
A new commandment I give unto you
Blest be the tie that binds
Brother, let me be your servant
Christ is made the sure foundation
Jesus taught us how to be a family
There is power in the name of Jesus
SEPT/ OCT 2007 Barnabas AID (ⅴ) i
 In His Name
As Christians we believe in and set our hope in the Name of Christ Jesus. As the popular
praise song goes, there is power in the Name of Jesus. But while we rejoice at each new
believer coming to faith in the Name which is above all other names, we should remember
that the decision can also bring struggles and sacrifices. Jesus taught His disciples that He
came to bring division, to set father against son and mother against daughter. In His Name
we are saved. In His Name we are to love others. And in His Name, many suffer for Him.

In His Name we are saved
We have been given the glorious promise that
everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will
be saved (Joel 2:32). Whether your conversion
was a sudden “Damascus road experience” or
a gradual coming to faith, when we are saved
in the Name of Jesus our lives are transformed.
However, for Christians from another faith
background, conversion to Christianity can
mean accepting a life of persecution and
discrimination, and sometimes even physical
danger.
later. Sometimes it may be a convert’s own family
who will betray or kill them, in order to “restore”
the family honour. Or Islamic extremist groups
may be prepared to take matters into their own
hands if the government is not seen to be enforcing
shari´a. In April 2007 a statement appeared on the
Internet signed by Al Qaeda in Iraq threatening to
kill Muslim youths who convert to another faith
in the northern town of Sulaimaniyah. “We are
hunting those who have converted to Christianity or
Zoroastrianism as we consider them renegades and
God’s punishment must be implemented by killing
them.”

Under Islam, traditional shari´a (Islamic

law) teaches that apostasy (leaving Islam) is
punishable by death. Many converts from Islam
are in very serious danger of their lives once their
conversion becomes known. The apostasy law is
only officially written into the law of a handful of
countries, for example Yemen. However shari´a
is either the main or partial source for the legal
system in many Muslim countries, and this
effectively makes it illegal to convert to another
faith. Even where the death penalty is not carried
out, converts often face other serious legal
consequences – for example, their marriage may
be dissolved and they may lose all their property
and inheritance rights.
Bangladesh
A group of ten Christian converts were savagely
beaten with bricks and wooden clubs by their
Muslim neighbours in June 2007. The angry mob
continued to threaten the Christians, giving the
converts 24 hours to leave the village or they
would return to beat them again and burn down
their homes.
While official state executions are rare, converts
from Islam still face violence and attacks on
their lives. There are many devout Muslims who
feel it is their duty to carry out Allah’s will if the
State will not, and so numerous converts have
mysteriously disappeared, their bodies discovered
Uganda
In May 2007 16-year-old Shamimu Muteteri was
led to faith in Christ through the son of a church
leader, and they made plans to marry. At a service
in her fiancé’s church she gave her testimony of
her conversion to Christianity. A month later her
father, a well-known radical Muslim, discovered
she had not been attending the mosque. When he
questioned her about it, she was unable to hide her
new faith from him.
The father, furious at her conversion, ordered her to
renounce her Christian faith and return to Islam, or
he would kill her. Shamimu made plans to escape
her father with the help of the church. However, on
July 1st 2007 her father attacked and killed her with
a hammer. He burnt her body with paraffin, then
buried her.
Her fiancé was arrested, and released a few days
later. Shamimu’s father was also arrested, but
wealthy local Muslims paid for him to be released,
believing that he had acted according to Allah’s will.
In many Muslim countries it is difficult or even
impossible for a convert to change their official
religious identity. A convert who cannot register
as a Christian will experience problems if trying
to marry a Christian, to register their children as
Christians, or even to be buried as a Christian. Even
going to church services could be prohibited.

Suffering Church Sunday Resources

(VI) (ⅵ) Barnabas AID SEPT/ OCT 2007

Malaysia
Lina Joy is a Malaysian convert from Islam to
Church leader in
Christianity who has been battling for six years to
have the word “Islam” removed from her identity
Uzbekistan given
card. Until her conversion is officially recognised
her marriage to a Christian background believer is
illegal. four-year sentence treatment and torture. In China, church leaders
Dmitri (David) Shestakov,
On 30th May 2007 Lina’s case came before
Malaysia’s Federal Court, the highest court in the
country. The court decided that only a Syariah
(shari´a) court could make the decision, which
effectively means Lina will never be allowed to
officially register as a Christian. The decision is
a blow both to Lina and many other Malaysian
Christians from a Muslim background who would
also want to officially register their new faith.
In His Name we love one another
As Christians we show our love by serving each
other, and one of the most important ways to
serve is as a leader - strengthening, teaching and
encouraging the Christian community in your care.
Gifted and spiritually equipped Christian leaders
are essential for the Church family for, without
them, any Christian community would struggle to
thrive.
Within the persecuted Church the ministry of
church leaders is not only especially vital, but is
often an act of sacrificial love. In 1 John 3:16 we are
told that “This is how we know what love is: Jesus
Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay
down our lives for our brothers.” Christian leaders
within the persecuted church know that they may
be targeted for extra harassment and oppression;
they also know that they may be called to make the
ultimate sacrifice of laying down their own life for
the sake of their brothers and sisters.
Iraq
On 3rd June 2006 Ragheed Ganni left his church
in Mosul after leading the Sunday evening service.
With him were three deacons, Basman Joseph,
Bassam and Ghassan. As they drove away, their
car was intercepted by another vehicle. Four men
got out of the second car and began firing on the
Christians. All four church leaders were killed.
One Iraqi church leader commented that those
who want to destroy the Christian presence in his
country are targeting its leaders, saying, “Kill the
priest, and it will kill the community.”
Suffering Church Sunday Resources
Local government officials also put pressure
on church leaders. They may use red tape and
legislation to try to stop Christian work; police
may arrest Christian workers, sometimes on the
slightest pretext, in an attempt to weaken the
Church. Many Christian leaders are imprisoned
across the world, often enduring harsh
are frequently arrested and detained on charges
such as “illegal business practices”. While in
detention they are often mistreated, perhaps
beaten or tortured, and consequently many
suffer from ill health.
Uzbekistan
In February 2007 a Christian pastor, Dmitri
(David) Shestakov, was arrested and in March
he was found guilty of “incitement to religious
hatred”. He was sentenced to four years in a
harsh labour camp. David had been very active
in outreach to Muslims in his community.
Christians in the area believe it was this that
made him a target for the authorities. They say
that state officials are trying to “stop Christian
preaching and, if that doesn’t work, drive out
those who continue to preach”. During his trial
the government appeared to be conducting a
smear campaign, posting false information
about him on the Internet.
Already while he was held in prison during his
trial David was twice punished with stays in
isolation cells, causing fear for what treatment
he may be given when transferred to the labour
camp.
The persecution which church leaders face
might not be in the form of violence. In 2006 the
village elders of a Hindu-majority village in Sri
Lanka refused to allow the 5-year-old daughter
of the local church leader to go to the only
school in the village. Now she must board at a
school that is two hours away by bus, in an area
controlled by the Sri Lankan government. The
church leader’s village is an area controlled by
the rebel fighting group, the Tamil Tigers. When
fighting breaks out the border between the two
is closed and this Christian is cut off from his
young daughter.
On top of this targeted persecution, there are
other challenges. One of the greatest of these is
the overwhelming poverty which engulfs many
sections of the persecuted Church. From such
poverty, where Christians struggle to feed and
look after themselves, they certainly are not
able to afford the cost of supporting a full-time
church leader. A Christian who obeys God’s call
to serve his fellow Christians by becoming a full-
time church leader is often accepting a life of
low income and poor living standards.
SEPT/ OCT 2007 Barnabas AID (ⅶ) (VII)
 For His Name we suffer
Up to 200 million Christians today are living
in situations where they face discrimination,
persecution or oppression because of their
faith in the Lord Jesus. That’s ten percent of the
worldwide Christian population. These brothers
and sisters are suffering for His Name. The
suffering they endure can take many forms, and
the intensity varies greatly. Their lives may be
lived in daily fear of violence, kidnap, or rape.
They may live in utter poverty, trapped by a
system which limits their opportunities to break
free. Many live under a social stigma which
affects how their community treats them, what
jobs they can get or even how their children are
treated in school.
However, if you suffer as a Christian, do
not be ashamed, but praise God that you
bear that name.
1 Peter 4:16
Focus: Iraq
Since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 life for
Iraqi citizens has been characterised by turmoil
and insecurity, leaving in its wake a daily fear of
violence, bombings, kidnappings and killings.
But Iraqi Christians, living as a small minority in
Iraq, have become a major target in the violence.
Iraqi militants are using the instability of Iraq as
an opportunity to try to drive Christians out of
the country in a form of religious “cleansing”.
While the number of Christians in Iraq has
dwindled – it is now estimated that 75% of
Iraqi Christians have fled their homes, living as
refugees in neighbouring Syria or in northern
Iraq – anti-Christian hostility and violence
continue unabated. Anti-Christian threats are
made, perhaps by circulated pamphlets or
letters, by text messages on mobile phones,
phone calls, door-to-door visits or statements
posted on websites. In recent years 30 churches
have been bombed, as well as Christian homes
and businesses; it is impossible to estimate the
number of Christians who have been kidnapped,
raped, tortured, beaten or killed.
Recent incidents of anti-Christian
violence in Iraq
THREATS IN MOSUL Christians in Mosul were given
three days to leave the city or they would be
beheaded. The threat was made in a public statement
on the internet on 5th July 2007.
Suffering Church Sunday Resources
(ⅷ) Barnabas AID SEPT/ OCT 2007
DEMANDS FOR JIZYA Islamic militants in the Dora region
of Baghdad have demanded that Christians pay the
traditional Islamic tax, jizya, a humiliating tax levied
on non-Muslims in return for protection, i.e. for being
allowed to live and continue in their non-Islamic
faith. Militants are claiming that, because Christians
are not fighting in the insurgency, they should pay
jizya. Christians in Dora have been told to pay the tax,
otherwise face the choice of converting to Islam or
leaving.
STUDENTS KIDNAPPED Six Christian university students
and two of their teachers were kidnapped on 20th June
2007. The Christians were on board a church-run bus
which was taking them from Mosul University to their
homes in Qaraqosh. The bus was stopped by armed
men who boarded the bus and took the hostages. The
abduction took place near a police station, but police
did not intervene.
The Christians were held for two days, during which
time they were subjected to torture. They were only
released after the families of the hostages paid a
ransom of US$250,000. A Christian leader in Qaraqosh
said “First of all they were kidnapped for money
and secondly they were kidnapped because they are
Christians.” He said that Christians were vulnerable
because they will not arm themselves.
HOSTAGES KILLED On 11th June 2007 two Christian men
were kidnapped in Iraq. The abductors demanded
US$20,000 for the return of Ramzi Yakou Shamasha
(50) and Ismael Azria Shamashal (48). However, even
though the families managed to raise funds for the
ransom, both men were killed on 13th June.
MURDERS IN BAGHDAD - The week previous to the shooting
in Mosul (see page 7) a Christian husband and wife had
been beheaded in Baghdad. A 19-year-old Christian man
was also shot dead, because he refused to convert to
Islam.
CHRISTIANS ORDERED TO WEAR VEIL Iraqi Christians
report that an undated letter addressed to Christians
in Baghdad from Muqtada al-Sadr’s Mahdi Army has
ordered that Christian women must wear the Islamic
headscarf just like Muslim women. The letter goes on
to say that special committees have been set up in order
to monitor Christians to see if they comply. The letter
threatens grave consequences for any woman who
refuses to wear the veil.
These Christians, who are suffering daily from
hardships that we can only imagine, are our family.
We are united with them as one family who share the
Name of Christ Jesus. Barnabas Fund exists to support
Christians such as these. But we can only do so with the
help of the wider Church, being willing to reach out in
love to their suffering brothers and sisters. Supporting
Barnabas Fund is one way in which you can “love one
another”.
Persecution in the Muslim World
This map is designed to give a general indication of the level of pressure facing
Christians in Muslim-majority contexts. It cannot be used as a definitive
categorisation, as conditions of persecution can vary greatly from place to place
within some individual countries.
1- Has most of, or all of the
following conditions
• Shari‘a main source of
law or significant legal restrictions on
Christians enshrined in law
• Church leaders, evangelists and
converts very likely to be imprisoned for
their faith*
• Christians, particularly converts, have
been killed for their faith*
• Widespread restrictions on worship
– both legal and social
• If Christian minorities are present
they suffer extreme difficulties and
persecution
• Total restriction on mission to
Muslims
(Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan,
Iran, Somalia, Sudan (North))
2 - Has most of, or all of the
following conditions
• Shari‘a a source of law
or restrictions on religious liberty
enshrined in law
• Church leaders, evangelists and
converts likely to be imprisoned*
Suffering Church Sunday Resources
• Christians, particularly converts, have
been killed for their faith*
• Restrictions on worship – either legal
or social
• If Christian minorities are present they
suffer difficulties and persecution
• Very strong restrictions on mission to
Muslims
(Egypt, Pakistan (particularly North
West Frontier Province and other parts),
Turkmenistan, Yemen, Iraq, Nigeria
(north), Indonesia (some parts), Malaysia,
Qatar, Libya, Maldives, Kuwait, UEA,
Comoros, Mauritania)
3 - Has most of, or all of the
following conditions
• Shari‘a or legal restrictions on
faith are present, but also some protection
of religious liberty enshrined in law
• Church leaders, evangelists and
converts have been imprisoned*
• Christians, particularly converts,
may have been killed for their faith (but
isolated cases)*
• If Christian minorities are present they
suffer some difficulties and persecution
• Some restriction on mission to
Muslims
(Morocco, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Niger,
Palestinian Territories, Chad, Turkey,
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Tanzania, Algeria,
Western Sahara, Djibouti)
4 - Has either relatively
tolerant legal structure,
but still significant social
persecution or is socially tolerant, but
still has some “top down” pressure on
Christians
(Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Azerbaijan,
Bangladesh, Jordan, Oman)
5 - Relatively tolerant “top
down” and socially
(Gambia, Tunisia, Senegal, Mali,
Syria, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau,
Burkina Faso, Guinea)
*This might be less important depending on
size of Christian population, and in particular,
number of converts from Islam.
sept/ oct 2007 Barnabas AID (ⅸ)
 Drama sketch “A terrible day for the Smiths”
Narrator
Dad – 50, works in the city
Mum – 48, teacher
Son – David, 22, works in the local shop
Daughter – Tina, 18, at university
Narrator
Welcome to the Smiths’ family tea
time. They’re a family not like any
other in their town. Their name
is something they’re proud of and
have been for generations. It’s where
they derive their strength and where
their values come from. But as we’re
about to see, they’ve each been
having a terrible day, some worse
than others. How do they react to
each other? Let’s find out.
Dad
Phew – glad that day’s over with!
Mum (wistfully)
Tough day in the office, dear?
Dad
The office and the motorway,
both were clogged up – one with
bureaucratic red tape which said
‘because there’s something wrong
with my username I can’t place an
order’ or something, and the other Mum (exasperated)
– more bloomin’ cones! They’ve been
digging up that road every day for a
decade!
Mum (distracted by cooking)
What’s that, dear?
Dad
I’ve had a terrible day!
Mum David enters (grumbles)
Ah well, remember what your dad
All right Mum? All right Dad?
always says: the Smith family name
(ⅹ) Barnabas AID sept/ oct 2007
will prevail through all nonsense
– you just carry on with the hard
work, stick with it - I’ll be thinking
of you.
Dad
Is that the best you can do?
Mum (continues cooking)
Aren’t you even going to ask me how
my day was?
Dad
When’s tea ready? – I’m starving.
Did you check the emails today? I’m
expecting one from the vicar about
Friday’s PCC… (wanders off)
Mum (talking to empty room)
Well, my morning was lovely – thank
you, dear, for caring – I had that nice
boy Sammy in my class. He’s so well
behaved. A real example to the rest
of the kids. Then this afternoon I
had a nightmare with Candice again
– that girl just won’t stop talking and
she chews gum in my face and then
when it came to washing her hands
after painting – well, let’s just say
I’m glad we use water soluble paints,
otherwise my skirt might never look
the same again. And then she turns
around and scratches me on the arm
– all because I tried to get her to sit
down for a quiet story. And the mum
just shrugged her shoulders when
I told her, muttered something like
‘well you are a Smith – what do you
expect?’ The cheek of it!
Dad (wanders back in)
What’s that, dear?
I’ve had a terrible day!
Dad
Ah well, the Smith family name will
prevail! You just carry on the hard
work. Stick with it. It’ll all be all
right in the end. What’s for tea and
where are my slippers? (wanders off,
presumably looking for slippers)
Suffering Church Sunday Resources
Mum (to Son)
David, at last, tea’s nearly ready. Did
you call Michelle? She asked if you
could pop round and fix her iPod
again – something about it playing
Kylie when it should be playing
Kasabian…
David
I got the sack today, Mum.
Mum
…Oh and pass the peas will you?
They’re in the bottom drawer of the
freezer…
David (passes peas, a bit louder)
I got the sack today. Mum.
Mum
The sack – what did you do?
David
Nuffink. The boss just came in and
said something about new working
directives from his boss and that for
him to get his bonus we had to make
more money – and the best way to
do it was for him to sack someone.
He said he picked me ‘cause he
didn’t like my surname.
Mum
Oooh, I nearly forgot the gravy – pop
the kettle on will you? So you got
the sack did you? I told you to polish
your shoes. But you wouldn’t listen.
Dad
What’s this about getting the sack?
Mum
It’s David, I told him to polish his
shoes. Now he’s got the sack.
David
It wasn’t like that Mum – I was
trying to say…
Dad
Now David, it’s nearly tea time – and
you’ve got to remember the Smith
family name will prevail. You just
polish your shoes and get down
the job centre tomorrow. We’ll be
thinking of you.
David
But Dad – how am I supposed to
get there? Can’t you give me a lift?
Dad
Son, I said I’d be thinking of you.
What more do you want?
(David stalks off, exasperated. Dad
wanders out the room again. Tina,
enters saying nothing, her coat is
torn and she looks upset)
Mum (notices Tina after a couple of
moments)
Tina, there you are, come and sit
up at the table, will you? Dinner’s
nearly burned – and your brother’s
got the sack because of his shoes.
And your father – well I don’t
know what planet your father’s
on. Really, this family! It’s a good
thing the Smith family name will
prevail…
Tina
I’ve had a terrible day today…
Mum (interrupting)
Tell me about it – have you seen my
skirt? It’s like a post-modern Van
Gogh, only he was on a bad day.
Tina
…Someone followed me from the
bus stop….
Mum (distracted)
You what? – David! Come back
here, your dinner’s nearly ready.
Tina
….He followed me and I didn’t
know what to do….
Mum
Don’t be so silly - Smiths always
know what to do in any situation…
Frank turn that bloomin’ computer
off – it’s tea time.
Tina (quietly)
…have you seen my coat?
Mum (fully distracted by loading up
plates)
I bet it isn’t as bad as my skirt. It
might well have been ruined by
that bloomin’ Candice child.
Suffering Church Sunday Resources
Tina (really quietly) upset. And just because Grandpa said
…and…he took my bag. He’d said on the name Smith will prevail – haven’t
the bus he liked my bag… we got a role to play in that?
Mum (still not listening)
Come on now love – you’re all right. Who else will care for us if our
True your coat’s torn and goodness own family doesn’t? And future
generations of Smiths won’t thank
knows where you’ve left your bag
us if we don’t stand together now.
– but you’ve still got your name.
Imagine how much worse it could
Everyone round here knows the
be for them if we don’t care more for
Smith family name stands tall –
always has, always will. And besides, each other today.
I’ve been thinking about you all day.
Tina Narrator
….He said it was because my name’s Today, as many as one in ten people
Smith - he must have seen it on my in the global Church live with
bag - he said that was reason enough. persecution. Persecution like the
sort encountered by the younger
(Dad wanders back in) members of the Smith family, and
much more besides.
Tina
He said Smiths are liars and cheats. Because they are called by the Name
He said we’re scum. of Christ, they are targeted for
unjust treatment, oppression and
even physical violence, torture and
Dad
What does he know? The Smith execution.
family name has stood for
Of course, the global Church of
generations. We’ll prevail – you’ll see.
Christ will never be overcome; but
Besides we’re all thinking of each
unless we care more for our brothers
other all the time, aren’t we? We all
stand for the same things, don’t we? and sisters in Christ now, in areas
where they are being oppressed,
We wouldn’t be a family if we didn’t.
we could witness the Church being
Tina wiped out from entire regions.
…Then can I have some money for By standing together, caring for each
the bus tomorrow? I think my pass other and providing for each other’s
was in my bag, and my purse. I’ve
needs, we can make sure that the
nothing left. He really frightened me, Church maintains a presence even in
Mum. the darkest valley of persecution. And
when we reach out to our hurting
Mum (beginning to get emotional)
brothers and sisters, we are carrying
Please, Tina, stop going on about out our God-given responsibility to
it. It really upsets me to hear of all care for everyone, especially those in
the horrible things happening in the the family of believers.
world, it’s just too painful. I don’t like
feeling sad. I’d just rather not know,
thank you very much.
Therefore, as we
Dad
Yeah, come on Tina, we’ve said we’ll
have opportunity,
be thinking about you, what more do let us do good
you want? Just drop it now, love. to all people,
David (coming back into the room)
especially to those
But Mum, Dad don’t we need to be
who belong to the
doing more than just thinking of family of believers.
each other? We can’t just ignore each
other’s problems because it makes us Galatians 6:10
sept/ oct 2007 Barnabas AID (ⅺ)
 This prayer with the accompanying response form is available as an A5 size card
for distribution to your congregation on Suffering Church Sunday. Please order
as many free copies as you need from your national Barnabas Fund office or
from the UK office (addresses below).

Prayer for the Suffering Church

Heavenly Father,

We thank You that by the sacrificial gift of Jesus we have been adopted as Your children, brothers and
sisters in one family.

We lift to You those in our family who today are suffering because they bear the Name of Your Son.
Please protect them and keep them. Father, please pour out Your peace upon them, that they may be
overwhelmed with the knowledge of Your love. May they remember that the sufferings in life are but
temporary, and that glorious life with You awaits them in eternity.

Lord God, help us to show our love and care for the hurting members of our Christian family. Let us never
forget them. Help us to use the freedom and resources we have to encourage and aid those who are living
with persecution today.

In the name of your Son we pray,

Amen

Your Response Jesus

We/I would like to receive regular news and prayer information
about the persecuted Church
Please find enclosed our/my gift of ________ for the persecuted Church to be used:

where it is most needed for Christians in Iraq

Name___________________________________________________________________________
(Rev/Mr/Mrs/Miss/Dr)
Address: _________________________________________________________________________

Post code: _________________________________ Email: ________________________________

Tel: ______________________ Name of church/fellowship: _______________________________

Barnabas Fund
UK: The Old Rectory, River Street, Pewsey, Wilts, SN9 5DB.
T:08700 603900. E: info@barnabasfund.org
“And this is his command: to
Australia: Postal Suite 107, 236 Hyperdome, Loganholme QLD believe in the name of his Son,
4129. T: (07) 3806 1076 E: bfaustralia@barnabasfund.org Jesus Christ, and to love one
New Zealand: PO Box 17404, Karori, Wellington 6147. another as he commanded us.”
T: 04-476-2517. E: barnabasfund@xtra.co.nz 1 John 3.23 (NIV)

USA: 6731 Curran St, McLean, VA 22101. T: (703) 288-1681.

E: bfusa@barnabasfund.org
www.barnabasfund.org
Suffering Church Sunday Resources
(ⅻ) Barnabas AID sept/ oct 2007

Mosul Christians killed
A Islamic group calling
itself the Islamic Emirate of
Mosul (IEM) has launched
an attack against Christians
in the Northern Iraqi city of
Mosul. In a public statement
on 5th July 2007 the IEM
threatened they would kidnap
or kill all Christians at Mosul
University, whether students or
staff, if they did not leave the
campus within three days. The
statement, posted on the streets
of Mosul, also threatened
to behead any Christians
remaining in the city after the
three days were up.
Iraqi Christians know that
this is no idle threat from the
IEM. Already the Islamic group
has killed seven Christians
Newsroom
in the city, from the al-Sa‘a,
al-Yarmook and Hamdaniya
districts.
The threats could trigger a
large wave of refugees fleeing
the city, which has the highest
proportion of Christians
amongst Iraqi cities. With
many thousands of Iraqi
Iraqi Christian refugees
Christians already living as
refugees in Syria and Jordan,
as well as in other parts of
northern Iraq, this would be a
situation of grave concern. A
sudden increase in numbers
could be disastrous, putting
grave pressure on the already
stretched resources. Barnabas
Fund is helping to feed
Christian refugees in Syria and
Jordan.

Indonesian Christians released early

On 8th June Dr Rebekka Zakaria,
Mrs Ratna Bangun and Mrs
Eti Pangesti were given early
release from their 3-year prison
sentences, having served two
years. The three women had
been jailed for allowing Muslim
children to attend their Christian
children’s club.
Their early release is an answer the cells, working in the garden
to much prayer, and Rebekka, and painting a room for use as a
Ratna and Eti are now reunited church. Because of her criminal
with their families. During their record Rebekka has lost her
time in prison, they openly licence to practise as a doctor.
witnessed to the other prisoners
and the prison staff. It is reported
that they “transformed” the
prison, cleaning and scrubbing

Case against pastors in Australia settled by mediation

The religious “vilification”
case against Pastors Daniel
Scot and Danny Nalliah was
settled on 22nd June after
mediation. The Victorian Civil
and Administrative Tribunal
met with the two pastors and
representatives of the Islamic
Council of Victoria (ICV), the
organisation which accused
Daniel and Danny, and Catch
the Fire Ministries, following
comments which were made
by the pastors in a Christian
meeting teaching on Islam. They
had previously been found guilty
and ordered to make public
apologies and also promise
never again to repeat similar
statements anywhere in Australia.
The Supreme Court, which heard
Daniel and Danny’s appeal against
this decision, found that while the
pastors had criticised some verses
in the Qur’an they had also urged
love for Muslims, not hate.
Following the meeting a media
release was issued which, among
other things, stated that both
parties affirmed and recognised
the rights of each other, their
communities and all persons “to
adhere to and express their own
religious beliefs” and “within the
limits provided for by the law, to
robustly debate religion, including
the right to criticise the religious
belief of another, in a free, open
and democratic society”.
The long legal battle has cost
many hundreds of thousands
of dollars, and has caused a
great deal of stress to both the
men and their families. Death
threats have been made against
the pastors and their families.
Furthermore, to add to Daniel
Scot’s stress, in May the 19-
year-old nephew of his wife was
abducted in Peshawar, Pakistan
and held for nine days before
being released.
sept/ oct 2007 Barnabas AID 7