June 2023 Persecution Magazine

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Contents
JUNE 2023
ON THE COVER
After an attack from Fulani militants
in Nigeria, Christians worship in the
ruins of their burned down church.
Read more on page 12.
Photo: International Christian Concern
FEATURES
08
12
16
18
FRONT LINES OF
FAITH
Equipping pastors to
share the gospel in the
most dangerous places
in the world
THE CHURCH WITH
NO ROOF
Believers continue to
worship at rural church
in Nigeria despite
hardships.
THE RISKY BUSINESS OF
TEACHING CHRISTIANITY
Two stories of Christians
facing intimidation and
discrimination at the hands
of radical Muslims.
BROKEN
CHAINS
Facing severe
consequences, ex-inmates
and converts choose to
follow Christ underground.
RECURRING
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06
07
“JUST AS A BODY, THOUGH ONE, HAS MANY PARTS, BUT ALL
ITS MANY PARTS FORM ONE BODY, SO IT IS WITH CHRIST.”
1 CORINTHIANS 12:12
ICC NEWSROOM
YOUR HANDS AND FEET
CROWNS OF COURAGE
Your Source for Persecution News
ICC Projects Made Possible by Supporters
Highlighting Those Who Have Sacrificed Everything For Christ
@persecuted @persecutionnews @internationalchristianconcern International Christian Concern
OUR MISSION: Since 1996, ICC has served the global
persecuted church through a three-pronged approach of
advocacy, awareness, and assistance. ICC exists to bandage
the wounds of persecuted Christians and to build the church
in the toughest parts of the world.
DONATIONS: International Christian Concern (ICC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) (all
donations tax-deductible). ICC makes every effort to honor donor wishes in regards to
their gifts. Occasionally, a situation will arise where a project is no longer viable. ICC
will redirect those donated funds to one of our other funds that is most similar to the
donor’s original wishes.
2
MEMBER
Persecution | JUNE 2023
© Copyright 2023 ICC, Washington, D.C., USA. All rights reserved.
Permission to reproduce all or part of this publication is granted
provided attribution is given to ICC as the source.
STAFF
Publisher Jeff King
Editor Mike Anderson
Designer Hannah Campbell

You Help Build Jesus’ Church
Munsi was a nonstop evangelist in India.
After he found the Light, he could not be stopped from
spreading it from person to person where he lived.
It was that determination, but also the effect he had on the lost,
that made the radical Hindus in his village hate him.
Munsi was tireless, but also effective at winning the lost to
Christ. He shared with the tribals and untouchables. They had
been taught that their lives were terrible because of their pastlife
sins, and they would pay for these sins for thousands of lifetimes
ahead.
Munsi brought a message from the King—that they were the
equal of any man, that God Himself loved them, and He wanted
to adopt them. You can imagine the effect of the gospel on
them!
For this, he was hated by the radical Hindus who led the village
who eventually killed him after he converted 20 families to
Christ.
This is the way of persecution!
But it won’t stop the gospel in his village. Why? Because all the
lost who were listening to and watching Munsi saw the Light in
him. They smelled the aroma of life around him.
They knew he was warned to stop sharing the gospel, and yet he
wouldn’t. His murder merely cemented in the minds that what
he said was the truth.
Some will live in fear after his murder, but some will take up the
baton he dropped and continue his race, spreading life to others.
The gates of hell will not overcome the church (Matthew 16:18)
is very real to me as I see this play out over and over.
This month we take a look at the Munsi’s of this world who are
serving at the front lines of the war that rages all across the
globe.
The Kingdom is unstoppable. Welcome to the front lines.
God bless you!
JEFF
Jeff King, President
International Christian Concern
Author: The Last Words of the Martyrs and
Islam Uncensored
PERSECUTION.ORG 3

ICC Newsroom
YOUR SOURCE FOR PERSECUTION NEWS
More than 8,000 Nigerian Christians Killed or Kidnapped
Last Year, According to New Report
The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law recently released
a report estimating that terrorist groups killed more than 5,000 Nigerian
Christians and kidnapped more than 3,000 in 2022.
The report came as religious freedom advocates call for world leaders to consider
the persecution of Christians in Nigeria genocide. The estimates in the report
were drawn from a variety of sources, including government reports, NGO
(non-governmental organization) statistics, media outlets, and estimates from
diplomats. The report went on to state these groups have killed 1,000 Christians
already in 2023.
According to the report, those carrying out these attacks and kidnappings are
members of radical Islamic terrorist groups, including Fulani militant groups,
Boko Haram, and ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province).
The Nigerian military responsible for some of the killings, the report shows.
Nigerian Christians have long been calling for the government to do more to stop
the killings and have even accused political leaders of encouraging the violence.
In 2022, ICC named Nigeria its worst persecuting country in the comprehensive
Persecutor of the Year report. ICC also advocated for the U.S. Dept. of State to
designate Nigeria as a CPC (Countries of Particular Concern).
USCIRF Releases Annual Findings on International Religious Freedom
The United States Commission on International
Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released its
annual report on May 1 documenting the
state of religious freedom around the world.
The report, published annually since 2006, is
widely cited in the human rights community
and regarded as a prime source of international
religious freedom information.
This year’s report followed a similar pattern as
previous years, recommending 17 countries to
include in the Dept. of State’s (DOS) Countries
of Particular Concern (CPC) list, and 11 for its
lower Special Watch List (SWL) designation.
Both designations carry the threat of penalties
and are used to advance religious freedom
conditions around the world.
New to the CPC recommendations this year
are Cuba and Nicaragua—which USCIRF had
previously recommended for the SWL in 2022.
Deteriorating conditions in those countries
prompted the escalated recommendation.
“This is an impressive body of work released
annually by USCIRF,” said International
Christian Concern (ICC) President Jeff King.
“We so appreciate USCIRF’s efforts to bring likeminded
agencies, groups, and governments
together to tackle religious persecution hot
spots globally. We are baffled at how bad state
actors such as India and Nigeria can escape
CPC designation by the State Department.
USCIRF’s well-documented report – and our
own reports and findings – highlights the
atrocities taking place in those countries.”
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Persecution | JUNE 2023

HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE, PERSECUTION.ORG, FOR THE LATEST NEWS
More Than 100 Christian College
Students Imprisoned in Eritrea
In April, Eritrean police raided a group
of Christian college students who had
gathered to worship and record video
clips for social media.
Release International reported that the
police arrested 103 Christians, mainly
students, in the crackdown. The raid
took place in the capital, Asmara, and
authorities took those arrested to Mai
Serwa prison.
There are now more than 500 Christian
prisoners detained indefinitely without
trial in the country. Mai Serwa prison
is notorious for its harsh conditions,
overcrowding, and poor treatment of
inmates.
Known as the worst governmental
violator of religious freedom in Africa,
Eritrea has long operated as a pariah
state for its blatant disregard for human
rights.
Libyan Security
Agency Arrests
Christians Accused
of Proselytizing
The Libyan Internal Security Agency
accused two American school
teachers of being “missionaries
inviting Muslim Libyans to convert
to Christianity.” The agency
detained and deported them to
Tunisia and reportedly also arrested
and condemned for apostasy two
Libyan Christians associated with
the Americans.
Such arrests have been common
in Libya for years with Gaddafiera
laws still in place prohibiting
Christian proselytizing and the
distribution or publication of
Christian literature.
Religious Leaders Call for an End to
Violence in Sudan
Amid the escalating violence currently
wracking Sudan, Catholic leaders from
both Sudan and South Sudan have
called for a cessation of hostilities and
dialogue between rival groups to stop
the loss of life and unite as a nation.
The Catholic bishops released a
statement saying, “We call for an end
to the fighting and a revert to dialogue
in order to preserve the unity of the
country and not to further the suffering
of the people.”
Their pleas came several days after
the fighting broke out between the
military units loyal to Gen. Abdel Fattah
al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid
Support Forces (RSF) headed by Gen.
Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
PERSECUTION.ORG 5

Your Hands and Feet
ICC PROJECTS MADE POSSIBLE BY SUPPORTERS
6
AFRICA
ICC Donors Stay the Course with Nancy
Nancy sat at her desk, clutching her pencil tightly. She couldn’t
believe that she was starting junior secondary school today. It
seemed like only yesterday that she was sitting in her hospital
bed, recovering from the injuries she sustained during the terror
attack that took her parents.
Right before Christmas 2021, when she was just 13 years old, she
witnessed a radical Muslim suicide bomber murder her parents
in the foyer of their home. Nancy survived the attack with serious
injuries, losing three fingers on her right hand and sustaining deep
cuts to her chest, back, and ear.
But as she looked around the classroom, she felt a sense of
gratitude wash over her. She wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t
for the support of the people who had been with her from that
day.
She thought of the staff at the orphanage center who had taken
her in when she had nowhere else to go. They had become her
family and had given her the love and support she needed to heal.
International Christian Concern (ICC) has been with Nancy every
Persecution | JUNE 2023
step of the way, from first hearing about the tragedy to funding
her education for a brighter future.
“You have been my best companions from the time I was going
through treatment after the terror attack that left my two parents
dead. You took up the duty of educating me in primary school,
and you have not stopped doing this,” Nancy said in a recent
visit. “Now you have supported me to begin my junior secondary
school education. I am very happy about the commitment you
have made to see me through my education. May the Lord bless
you.”
As she looked around the classroom again, she knew that she
had a bright future ahead of her. She knew that there would be
challenges along the way, but she was confident that with the
support of her companions, she would overcome them.
Nancy took a deep breath and began to write her first assignment.
She knew that her parents would be proud of her and that their
memory would live on through her education. And as she wrote,
she whispered a prayer of gratitude for the people who had
become her family and her best companions.

Crowns of Courage
It is our privilege to introduce you to a
new segment that we’ll be featuring
monthly in Persecution magazine: Crowns
of Courage: Inspiration from memorable
martyrs. Here, we will share the
incredible testimonies of both historical
and modern-day believers who have paid
the ultimate price for their faith.
This month, we are featuring the inspiring
Saint Polycarp of Smyrna, a Christian
leader in the second century, who was a
disciple of the apostle John. Through his
writings, he openly denounced various
heresies that had taken root in the church.
SOUTH ASIA
Hope in Times of Crisis
GOSPEL: BIBLES & BROADCASTS
Pastor Rohan had always been a devout man of God, serving his congregations
with utmost dedication and love. However, recently, things have been tough
for him and his family. The COVID-19 pandemic that devastated many rural
areas of India and the Hindu, radical-driven anti-conversion law have greatly
impacted his ministry operations.
The fear of persecution loomed large over the Christian community, and the
attendance in his congregations had dwindled significantly. As a result, Pastor
Rohan had been struggling to make ends meet and provide for his family.
He had been praying for a long time to start a small ready made cloth shop,
which he believed would not only contribute to his family’s survival but
also help him continue his ministry. However, financial constraints made
it impossible for him to start the business. That’s when ICC stepped in to
provide the necessary financial support to set up the small business he
prayed for.
With the income from the business, Pastor Rohan hopes to have a regular
and predictable source of income for his family’s survival and continue his
ministry. He is grateful for the assistance and believes that it is the Lord’s way
of providing for his family and his ministry.
After Polycarp’s many faithful years
of service in the church, the Roman
proconsul ordered him to renounce
his faith. Holding fast to the promise
of eternity, Polycarp clung to his faith,
knowing the brutal consequences to
come, by saying, “For eighty and six
years I have been His servant, and He has
done me no wrong. And how can I now
blaspheme my King who saved me?”
He offered up a prayer, and his captors
soon bound him, intending to burn him
alive. Yet, to their surprise, he would not
die. As Polycarp stood in the flames, the
scene was described “not as burning
flesh, but as bread that is being baked,
or as gold and silver being refined in
a furnace.” Eventually, an executioner
stabbed Polycarp with a dagger, which
ultimately brought about his death.
Following Polycarp’s martyrdom, a
group of believers gathered his scorched
bones in remembrance. In the years
that followed, on the anniversary of his
death, they gathered to remember what
they referred to as his “birthday.” Here,
they would rejoice over the legacy of his
enduring faithfulness, not yet knowing
that his testimony would be shared for
centuries to come.
PERSECUTION.ORG 7

Front Lines of Faith
EQUIPPING PASTORS AND EVANGELISTS TO SHARE THE
GOSPEL IN THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACES IN THE WORLD.
In this issue, we delve into the work of pastors and evangelists who are on the
front lines of sharing the gospel in some of the world’s most challenging places.
These courageous followers of Christ use various methods to share the gospel
and impact their communities.
From broadcasting the gospel in North Korea to supporting the underground
church in the Middle East, we are committed to building Christ’s church. Join us
as we shine a light on the important work of those who labor tirelessly to shed
the good news in the toughest parts of the world.
TURKEY
Genocide nearly eliminated Christianity from Turkey a century ago. To help rebuild
the church, ICC supports underground pastors throughout the country.
Syria
ICC donated 300 Arabic-language Bibles in war-torn Syria to young Christians who
did not have one.
Middle East
If Muslim-background believers (MBBs) declare their allegiance to Jesus publicly,
they face immediate violence and threats. The Muslim converts to Christianity
stand to lose their families, communities, and very lives.
ICC cares for more than 100 MBBs in the Middle East. Each new believer needs at
least six months of base-level care that includes a safe place to live, medical care,
food, job training, and a small business to provide financial support in their new
life.
Afghanistan
Khan fled to Iran following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. He converted
to Christianity shortly before the takeover after an Afghan pastor discipled him.
Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we’ve been rescuing Christian leaders
and getting them out of the country – at least the ones who want to escape. There
are many courageous Christians who remain and need our support in growing the
underground church in Afghanistan.
Uganda
ICC disciples and cares for Christian converts as they transition to their new life in
Christ.
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Persecution | JUNE 2023

“Repent and be baptized, every
one of you, in the name of Jesus
Christ for the forgiveness of
your sins. And you will receive
the gift of the Holy Spirit. The
promise is for you and your
children and for all who are
far off—for all whom the Lord
our God will call.”
- PETER PREACHING, ACTS 2:38-39
PERSECUTION.ORG 9

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to
obey everything I have commanded you. And surely
I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
- MATTHEW 28:19-20
Did You Know?
Through ICC’s Gospel fund, more
than 200,000 people heard
the gospel in 2022 worldwide
through ICC-sponsored Bible
distribution and radio broadcasts.
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Persecution | JUNE 2023

Nepal
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, ICC aided
thousands of Christians denied help because of their faith. In
Nepal, we supplied aid to 100 Christian families.
ICC kept in contact with those families and their communities.
In 2022, we distributed 1,000 New Testaments to hard-to-reach
Christians in the mountains of Nepal.
“These believers had to walk by foot for about an hour to
come to the church to receive the Bible,” said ICC’s Nepal
representative. “These Bibles have brought back their hope and
encouragement.”
India
Unstoppable Pastor V
After growing up in a strict Hindu household in India, Pastor V
loves sharing the love of Christ with those around him – but not
without a cost.
“I face oppression from the radical Hindu nationalists,” he
shares.
Pastor V has been sharing the gospel since 2000, but an increase
in anti-conversion laws inspired him to focus more on outreach.
International Christian Concern (ICC) supplied him with a
bike and a Bible to reach more people. He has consequently
established 10 house churches in the last two years.
Bikes and Bibles in India
Christians are not welcome in India by Prime Minister Narendra
Modi and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu
Nationalist group. The RSS stops at nothing to ensure that India
remains a Hindu nation.
To counter this, ICC trains and sends out church planters
throughout the country. We give them bikes and Bibles to cover
more ground and reach remote villages. From 2021 to 2022,
ICC trained and sent more than 100 evangelists and will train
another 100 this year.
Indonesia
ICC connected with a couple who God called seven
years ago to serve in ministry. They work tirelessly
to preach the gospel to children in their community
with little outside support for their ministry efforts.
Although more than 40 children regularly visit their
learning center to hear about Jesus, very few have
Bibles of their own.
North Korea
When North Korean defector and Christian Illyong
Ju told his story to ICC, it reinforced the need to
evangelize to the Hermit Kingdom. Illyong shared
how his family came to Christ by listening (discreetly)
to Bible broadcasts on their contraband radio. While
his immediate family escaped North Korea, relatives
continue to endure brutal conditions in prison labor
camps.
Because radio is a powerful tool for reaching North
Koreans, ICC broadcasts the gospel twice daily inside
North Korea.
Vietnam
There is an ongoing revival among the Hmong people
in Vietnam with many becoming believers. Being
ethnic, the Hmong people are subject to surveillance
and even persecution. The government sets up
roadblocks and checks on shipments to make sure
printed Bibles aren’t being smuggled.
Hmong believers in Vietnam live in remote mountains.
Many are illiterate or elderly with poor eyesight.
Therefore, they need audio Bibles to access the Word
of God.
ICC worked with staff on the ground to provide 600
audio Bibles for believers in this remote region in
Vietnam.
Malaysia
The Malay Bible is banned by the Malaysian
government, and for the Muslim-background believer
(MBB), it’s nearly impossible to obtain a copy of
any Bible. Malaysia restricts private ownership of
Christian materials. That means even having a copy
of God’s Word in their home can invite persecution.
Bibles are banned from being imported. MBBs who
have an electronic version of Scripture must be very
careful to avoid being caught and accused of spreading
apostasy, for they will be sent to a rehabilitation camp
for Muslims.
ICC partnered with 125 MBB house church leaders and
gave them 2,000 Bibles to courageously distribute.
ICC came alongside this growing ministry to provide
them with a supply of new Bibles that they can
distribute among the children.
PERSECUTION.ORG 11

BELIEVERS CONTINUE TO WORSHIP AT RURAL CHURCH
IN NIGERIA DESPITE HARDSHIPS.
Fulani militias swept through one rural community
in Plateau State, Nigeria, on Easter weekend in
2021 and 2022, burning hundreds of houses and
a church.
This Easter, an International Christian Concern (ICC)
staffer joined hundreds of worshipers at the same
burned church. Families sat on the ground, on
cinder blocks, or on plastic chairs that they brought
from home. They gazed up at the sky because the
church had no roof. “Sometimes we worship in the
rain,” said the pastor. “… I am passionate to preach
the gospel of Christ.”
Militants have attacked dozens of farming Christian
communities in the Rigwe chiefdom in Plateau in
recent years. They often attack villages at night or
ambush Christians in the day while they travel to
their farms or church.
We wanted to learn more about the courage and
faithfulness of the pastor and his community.
Below are questions we asked of him – we are
withholding his name and that of the church.
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Persecution | JUNE 2023

PERSECUTION.ORG 13

What led you to become a pastor,
knowing the path would be difficult?
Of course, since it is God’s call, I have no
regrets. Some people even advised me not
to be a pastor, but I went in fully and am
glad. I enjoy doing it, despite the suffering.
You and many of your worshipers have
lost everything and endured much. What
keeps you going?
What gives you hope? The Scriptures
tell us about this. We know that we are
living in the last days, and we cannot stop
worshiping God. That is why we have come
back and continued our work because it
is our land. Secondly, we know our God.
Thirdly, even if we die in the Lord, we have
no regret.
Your community was attacked over the
Easter weekends in 2021 and 2022. What
was your worship service like this year?
Many have come back, but there are still
more people that have not returned yet
… but many have returned fully. We have
returned because we know our God,
and we wish to reunite and continue our
worship, despite any suffering.
How did you see the Lord move in your
Church?
Attendance in Church service has reduced
due to the attacks because many are
still living far away from the area. We
have reduced in number but spiritually
and character-wise, we are stronger
as evidenced by our togetherness and
worship. We worship within the area of the
Church building, but due to the challenge
of heat, we have to schedule our Church
activities in the early hours of the day
before the heat of the sun becomes too
much … there is no roof, everything was
burnt, and not even a single chair was left.
How did you see the Lord move in your
church?
God is doing his work. The situation has
resulted in some people becoming more
committed. Those who were not born
again have drawn closer and committed
themselves to the Lord in repentance
and some people rededicated their lives.
People in the community who were not
attending Church have begun to come
to church. Even in the aspect of church
offerings, members are doing their best …
they are lacking food, but they are giving
offerings. So, I would say they are trying
harder than before the crisis.
How does fear affect those in your
congregation and community?
Due to fear, some people have relocated
from the community. However, most
people have returned, and we expect
those who relocated to return. Surely,
we all became afraid and fled, but we
have rekindled hope and returned to our
community fully. That is why the people
attend the Church.
Tell us about some of the local people
who inspire you.
There are many people that encourage me
so much here. Considering the unfortunate
situations that we have found ourselves in
here, they would say that I haven’t come at
a good time to enjoy their support as their
pastor … He who called me will see me
through to the end. They encourage me
so much, and I am thankful to them. But
there are also some of our people that are
not committed, they also are many.
What specific prayer needs do you and
your Church/community have?
Some members do not even have food,
because we couldn’t cultivate our lands
last year due to the Fulani attacks. Some
people have not been able to rebuild
their houses. See the Church building.
The main building of the pastor’s house
is still in ruins. Secondly, we need prayers
for this issue of Fulani attacks. Until now,
Satan is still controlling them. Presently
they are not attacking us here, but they
are attacking other places including some
neighboring communities. Our hope is that
these attacks will end. They should pray
for the lives of our members who have not
accepted Christ yet to come to the saving
knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
How difficult is it for you and your Church
to forgive the Fulani militants?
We have already forgiven them since we
are still together with Fulanis day and
night. Some of them are even saying it is
not their desire to see things happening
this way, but some of their relatives want
it that way. But as for us we have already
forgiven them.
You have forgiven them, and they have
returned to destroying farms again?
(Laughs) Well, there is nothing we can
do. Last night there were cows scattered
around the houses in this village around
3.00 am, but there was no problem.
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Persecution | JUNE 2023

Where do you see the Lord working in
your life, giving you strength and courage?
God is helping me greatly, and I am eager
to serve him. I have never gone without
food any day. I have no regrets. My family
is supportive. That’s great encouragement.
Perhaps, if I were in a better place than
this, I may not have been dedicated to
serve God as I am doing now. I am closer to
God because of this situation. I am happy
because God gives me strength. Even if I die
doing this work (as a pastor), I am happy.
God says in His Word that the gates of
Hades won’t prevail. Where do you see
hope in growth of believers and the church
in Nigeria?
My hope is just as the Scripture says. We
have no doubt and hope that the gates of
hell cannot prevail over the church. I hope
that someday, in this Church, everyone will
want to come and worship in it because
peace will return. Even those who are
attacking the church will accept Christ
and become believers. What is happening
is a challenge that the Lord God already
informed us would happen. By the time
they have tried again and again as they
have been doing and failed, and they see
the Church progressing, they will someday
repent and become believers. This is what I
look forward to.
What do you want Christians in the West
to know and understand about what is
happening here?
I think it is good that all believers
everywhere unite. All Christians in Nigeria
too should unite. If we unite as the letter
to the Corinthians says, I think whatever
request we make to God will be answered.
I believe that Christians in the West have
heard about our situation. If they unite
with us too in prayers to God, whatever we
ask God in unity will be answered.
If we Christians in Nigeria unite and inform
our brothers and sisters in the West about
the exact difficulties that we face, not the
requests of individuals for their selfish
purposes, they will also unite and rise to
support us in our predicaments. We will
progress and the world will be amazed.
Some NGOs from somewhere that we don’t
even know where they came from were
giving some support in many communities
that have been attacked. It shows that
Christians are united. May this kind of
support continue, and Christianity will
progress, and yes, we are progressing. The
troublemakers do what they do because
they don’t know God, but we will continue
to progress. Our desire is that fellow
believers in the West would support us.
“Sometimes we
worship in the rain.
I am passionate
to preach the
gospel of Christ.”
PERSECUTION.ORG 15

TH E RISKY
BUSINESS OF
TEACH I NG
CH RISTIAN ITY
MURAD’S MISSION TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL TO THE
NEXT GENERATION IN PAKISTAN
Meet Murad, a man born
Hindu from northern
Pakistan who chose
to leave Hinduism to
follow Christ a decade ago. His decision
to convert was not an easy one, but he
believed in the transformative power
of Christ after hearing the gospel. It was
irresistible to stay silent.
With courage and determination, he
shared the gospel with his family, and
they also converted. Twelve families soon
followed in his footsteps.
Murad’s commitment to Christ led him to
start a school where he teaches Christian
values to his students – but not all of his
students are Christians. Out of the 35
students he teaches, only 12 are from
Christian families while 23 are from a
Hindu background.
But Murad’s work is not without its dangers.
Islam is the dominant religion in Pakistan,
and Muslims use archaic blasphemy laws
to punish Christians trying to live out
their faith. They claim blasphemy against
their Christian neighbors, which results in
beatings, arrests, and in too many cases,
the death penalty.
Still, Christ is alive in Pakistan, working
through the dedicated followers who
spread His message of love and peace.
People like Murad risk persecution
to teach the next generation about
Christ, ultimately breaking the cycle of
persecution and expanding the church in
Pakistan.
Most Christians living in Pakistan work
lowly jobs like laying bricks and cleaning
sewers. They don’t make enough to
send their children to school, so they are
condemned to follow in their parent’s
footsteps. Education is the surest way to
break the cycle. If more Christian youth
enter the workforce with skills, it would
be difficult to keep them isolated without
also suffering from their absence of talent.
This starts with the youngest children.
Murad knows that the children need
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Persecution | JUNE 2023

literacy, basic math, and a community
of fellow believers to support them. For
this reason, he gathers the children of his
village to a shack near town. There they
learn the basics as well as about Christ.
Murad tells them that they are the future
and that through Christ, who loves them
unconditionally, they can do anything.
Murad and his family are constantly under
threat, and the school where he teaches
requires basic necessities like clean water,
Bibles and Christian teaching materials,
and book bags for the children.
Working with local partners, ICC provided
all these necessities for the children,
so they not only have a safe learning
environment but also one where they can
thrive spiritually and continue to learn
more about the Lord.
Working with pastors in Pakistan is
humbling. These children aren’t Murad’s,
and most of them aren’t from Christian
families, yet he risks everything to share
the Good News and give them a chance
when the rest of the country won’t.
As a young man himself, he knows the
importance of investing in the next
generation. He strives to give them the
skills and, more importantly, the faith to go
against the status quo and make positive
changes for the Christian community in a
nation hostile to it.
Despite the risks, Murad remains
committed to his mission. He understands
the danger he faces, but he also
understands the eternal reward that
awaits those who follow Christ. His
story testifies to the power of faith and
the courage of those willing to stand
up for their beliefs, even in the face of
persecution.
PHOTO: A man teaches children basic
math. Source: Creative_Stock/iStock
PERSECUTION.ORG 17

FACING SEVERE CONSEQUENCES, EX-INMATES AND CONVERTS
CHOOSE TO FOLLOW CHRIST UNDERGROUND
Christianity is no stranger to the
stale concrete walls of a prison
cell. Throughout the Bible, we
see the Lord reach down into the
prison cell and reveal Himself in
many mysterious ways.
A small prison ministry in Tanzania
has seen God move in those
miraculous ways through the
conversion of prominent Muslim
leaders to Christianity. However,
conversion often leads to severe
persecution, ostracization, and
even death. But despite the grave
consequences of leaving Islam,
these many brave souls, who we
call Muslim-background believers
(MBBs), have chosen to follow
Christ, risking everything for their
newfound faith.
Recently, a team from International
Christian Concern (ICC) visited a
group of MBBs in Tanzania who
had converted while in prison.
During their visit, the ICC team met
with a group of 14 ex-inmates who
had come to share their stories of
conversion.
“We are touched in our hearts by
your kindness and acceptance to
listen to our stories of conversion.
We come from Muslim backgrounds,
and we have been suffering for
leaving the teachings of Allah and
following Christ,” said the prison
ministry pastor. “Through the jail
and prisons ministry, we have found
hope and a reason to continue
believing in Christ. We believe that
with your prayers and support, we
shall continue to grow and reach
out to more inmates for Jesus.”
These converts are persecuted by
their families and communities
for leaving Islam, yet they remain
steadfast in their faith.
“He brought them out of darkness, the utter
darkness, and broke away their chains.”
- PSALM 107:14
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Persecution | JUNE 2023

The ICC team also met with five former Muslim leaders and
teachers in local mosques and Islamic institutions. After their
conversion to Christianity, they now live their faith in secret. They
risk their lives every day to follow Christ, knowing that if they are
discovered, they face severe consequences.
“We ask that you will continue praying for us to grow more
and more in the salvation of Jesus the Messiah. We would like
to thank you for the support you have given us, and it is a huge
gift to us and to our families as we navigate through the life of
underground believers,” said one of the former Sheikhs.
PERSECUTION.ORG 19

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