Book review: The Story of Richard Wurmbrand

Review by Brandi Tesreau, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

God’s Prisoner: The Story of Richard Wurmbrand
By The Voice of the Martyrs with Cheryl Odden

Before I'd even finished unpacking my box of new review products, my 9 year old son came in to inspect. The children's book, God's Prisoner: The Story of Richard Wurmbrand, piqued his interest. "Oh, written by The Voice of the Martyrs," he recognized. (That very morning he'd visited The Voice of the Martyr's website for a history assignment.) He grabbed the book, promptly sat on the couch, and read the whole thing!

God's Prisoner: The Story of Richard Wurmbrand is a 42-page, illustrated hardback written about the persecution of Richard Wurmbrand, the founder of The Voice of the Martyrs. It's quite an easy read for older elementary students and is a great read-aloud for younger children. The story is what is important about this book – not so much the reading level. My seventh grader and I enjoyed it, learned from it, and were encouraged by it, too.

Richard Wurmbrand's steadfast faith in the face of persecution in communist Romania will inspire children of all ages. His courage to stand up for Christ despite the consequences of prison and torture is contagious. He even puts Christ before the safety of his own family, completely trusting in God's will. His wife and son endure hardship as well – his wife is sentenced to hard labor and his son is kicked out of school for taking a stand for Christ.

You will surely want to find out what happens to this brave family. For $19.00 you can add this book to your children's library, and leave an impact that will last a lifetime. May we all be as bold as the Wurmbrands!

To order this book, visit our online catalogue or contact our office. For more resources designed specifically for kids, check out VOM’s children’s site, Kids of Courage.

Deadline looms for South Sudanese Christians to evacuate Sudan

These refugees fled their homes due to violence.
Hundreds of thousands of others may also
have to leave Sudan by April 8.
Photo: Assist News

(Sources: ENInews, VOM-USA)

South Sudanese Christians have just a couple of weeks to leave the north or risk mistreatment by the Islamic-majority Sudanese government.

Former citizens, known by the Sudanese government as "southerners," were stripped of nationality after South Sudan's January 2011 vote to secede. They now have until April 8 to leave or establish alien residency, though no residency terms have yet been established.

The ultimatum will impact between 500,000 and 700,000 people who are mainly Christians of southern origin that still live in the north.

Sudan amended its laws after the South's independence to say that Sudanese people automatically lose citizenship when they acquire by right or by other means the citizenship of South Sudan. Sudanese people in the north with any parents, grandparents or great grandparents born in South Sudan or belong to any southern ethnic group are considered South Sudan nationals.

Some church leaders fear increased persecution of Christians in the north or even forced repatriation for those who may want to stay.

Please join us in prayer. 

• Please pray that Christians in Sudan will be guided by the Lord during this difficult time. 
• Pray that the government will cease in its strategy to persecute Christians remaining in the north. 
• Pray that, in all things, Christians in Sudan and South Sudan will remain steadfast in their faith (1 Peter 5:8-10).

For more information on persecution in Sudan, visit the Sudan Country Report.

In mailboxes this week!

Look for the April issue of The Voice of the Martyrs newsletter in your mailbox this week!

• “Persecution: What would you do?” Many have wondered, If persecution came to Canada, what would I do? Ultimately, we wonder, Would my faith be strong enough to endure it? This article looks at recent situations Christians faced in Indonesia, Algeria and Vietnam, as well as one that happened almost 20 years ago in Iran. Each testimony reflects a question, asking what we would do if faced with persecution. Some of their responses may surprise you.
• From the CEO: On occasion, VOM receives letters and phone calls criticizing the “ugly” nature of the photos we print in our monthly newsletter. Such photos make us uncomfortable when confronted with the ugly truth of Christian persecution. But CEO Corey Odden shares how in reality, such photos teach us beautiful, eternal truths. 

• Christian Martyrs: The year was A.D. 304, and it was a dangerous time for Christians in the Roman Empire. Read how six of the eight men made a strong statement to show their readiness to die for Christ. 

• Iran Special Report: Reports of Christians being arrested in Iran have been numerous since the first of the year. This article will update you on the current situation and how VOM is getting the gospel and encouragement into the hostile nation of Iran.

• William Booth DVD: When William Booth and his followers set out to preach Christ in London’s East End, they meet a band of thugs armed with clubs and rocks who are determined to keep them out. But William and his “Salvation Army” are not dissuaded. Inspire your children to boldly evangelize with this new edition to the Torchlighters DVD series.

The Voice of the Martyrs newsletter is the flagship publication of The Voice of the Martyrs in Canada. Published monthly, it is available free of charge to anyone in Canada who requests it.

You can subscribe online here.

Church leader sentenced to prison in Egypt

Please keep Christians in Egypt
in your prayers. 

On March 4, a court sentenced Rev. Makarios Boulos to six months' imprisonment for a minor violation of buildings regulations, reports Middle East Concern.

Rev. Makarios is a church leader at St. George's Church in El Marinab, Aswan province. On September 30, the church building was badly damaged by a Muslim mob after false rumours spread that the church had failed to secure planning permission for renovation work.

No perpetrators of the arson attack have been brought to justice. In addition, although the ruling military council ordered in October that damage be repaired at government expense, the governor has so far failed to implement this.

Rev. Makarios' recent sentencing relates to a discrepancy between the terms of the building permit and actual work being undertaken. According to Compass Direct News, his lawyer has objected that, under Egyptian law, it is contractors and not property owners who are responsible for permit violations. Coptic activists also note that double standards are used when applying construction laws to churches. An appeal has been submitted.

Please pray!

• Pray that the church building in El Marinab will be rebuilt and reopened.
• Pray that the rights to a fair trial and to freedom of expression will be respected for all Egyptians. 
• Pray that all officials involved will love mercy, act justly, learn about Jesus and choose to follow Him.
• Pray that Egyptian Christians will exemplify the love of God through consistent love and prayer for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:43-48).

For more on the trials Christians face in Egypt, please visit our Egypt Country Report.

Extreme Turnaround

China: Chang Shen

Before his conversion, Chang Shen had been known as a gambler, womanizer, and thief. When he was stricken blind in midlife, neighbours said it was the judgement of the gods for his evildoings. 

In 1886, Chang travelled hundreds of miles to a missionary hospital where people were receiving sight. His eyesight was partially restored, and he also heard about Christ for the first time. "Never had we a patient who received the gospel with such joy," reported the doctor.

When Chang asked to be baptized, missionary James Webster replied, "Go home and tell your neighbours that you have changed. If you are still following Jesus, when I visit you later, then I will baptize you." Five months later, Webster arrived and found hundreds of believers. He baptized the new evangelist with great joy.

Later, a clumsy, native doctor robbed Chang of the partial eyesight he had, buy Chang continued his travels to different villages. Though some spat on him and rejected him, he still won hundreds more to Christ.

When the Boxer Rebellion arose, Christians led Chang to a cave in the mountains for safety. The Boxers rounded up fifty Christians for execution in a nearby town but promised to spare them all if Chang came forward. When news reached Chang, he said, "I'll gladly die for them."

Chang was beheaded three days later, and the remaining local Christians were spared.

The great exchange is the message of the great gospel. Jesus offers the opportunity to exchange our old life for a new start. Look how he changed Chang, from one living for self to a person sold out completely for Christ. No matter how much ruin we have caused in our former life, we can be restored to a right relationship with God. This is why our personal testimony is such a powerful witness. A changed life presents strong evidence for the fact of salvation. We don't talk like we used to talk. We don't walk like we used to walk. Who needs to hear about the difference Christ has made in your life?

Excerpted from Extreme Devotion, a book of 365 true accounts of men and women who totally sold out for Jesus. You can order a copy of this book from our online catalogue or by contacting our office.

"I don’t want my country to be emptied from Christianity"

In the past decade, Islamic militants in Iraq have stepped up their attacks against Christians. The most brutal attacks started in the south and moved north, causing a mass exodus of Christians. Half to two-thirds of the country's Christians have left Iraq since 2003.

However, as a team from The Voice of the Martyrs found out, many Christians are committed to staying in the country. Watch this 6-minute video to find out more.


For other videos about the persecuted Church, visit our multimedia site. To learn more about our brothers and sisters in Iraq, visit our Iraq Country Report.

The Overcomers: Sudan

A Bible school supported by Samaritan's Purse has been destroyed in the latest bombing raid to hit South Kordofan, a Sudanese province that borders the newly created independent country of South Sudan. Watch this one minute video to learn more.


For other videos like this one, click here. For more information on Sudan’s persecuted Church, please visit our Sudan Country Report.

MP promotes global awareness on religious freedom

On April 2, David Anderson, MP for Cypress Hills-Grasslands, will host the Second Parliamentary Forum on Religious Freedom and Governance.

With approximately one third of the world’s population living in countries where either government restrictions or social hostilities inhibit the free practice of religious beliefs, this event seeks to raise awareness of the religious persecution so many face around the world.

“As the exercise of freedom, the right to change religion, and the ability to practice faith freely becomes increasingly difficult, Canadians can provide leadership to protect this fundamental human right,” said Anderson.

Parliamentarians, faith and community leaders will participate. Presentations, panels and open discussions will deal with governance, the reality of religious restrictions, and ways in which Canadians can respond to this pressing global issue.

“As an MP, I have seen first-hand the positive effects of faith communities working together. Last year’s forum on religious persecution was well received and I expect we will have another lively discussion,” concluded Anderson.

The media and any concerned person are invited to attend this event. It will take place from 6 pm to 9 pm on April 2nd at the Government Conference Centre on 2 Rideau Street (55 Colonel By Dr) in Ottawa.

For further event information, please contact: 
Joycelin Ng
613-995-1616
david.anderson.a4@parl.gc.ca

Extremist group plots to 'end the Christian presence' in northern Nigeria

A recent bombing in Jos is part of an
effort to “end the Christian presence” in Nigeria.

The al-Qaeda linked Nigerian terrorist group Boko Haram has declared it is plotting to "end the Christian presence" in much of northern Nigeria, reports the Australian Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission.

According to a spokesman, the group is preparing to launch a campaign of terror against Christians through kidnapping Christian women and coordinated bombings. The women reportedly will be held for ransom and returned only to Christian families who leave the region. The goal is to eradicate Christians completely so that a "proper Islamic state" might be established.

The authorities say Boko Haram is well armed with sophisticated weaponry and munitions. This new threat against Christians is very direct and indicates very dangerous days lie ahead.

Please pray for Nigeria.

• Please pray the Lord will protect and deliver believers in northern Nigeria. 
• Pray He will frustrate the plans of the enemy and though His mercy bring many to repentance. 
• Pray that Christians in Nigeria will not be fearful but trust God (Revelation 2:10).

Visit our Nigeria Country Report for more information on Nigeria's persecuted Church.

Elderly Christian woman arrested in Iran

Giti was arrested and held for three days without reason.
Photo: Mohabat News

A 78-year-old member of the Church of Saint Luke in Esfahan, Iran, was recently arrested by police and held for three days, reports the Farsi Christian News Network.

Giti Hakimpour was seized from her home in the early hours of February 22. After persistent inquiries and repeated visits by church leaders, Giti was eventually allowed home on February 25.

No reason has yet been given for her arrest, nor is it at all clear what, if any, charges are to be brought against her. Since she was born in a Christian family, the possibility of an apostasy charge seems to be remote. It now appears that established and traditional churches across the city, not just house churches, have become targets of the authorities.

The tightening of Iran's oppressive grip against the Christian community in Esfahan has reached new levels since the official media reported the discovery of a truckload of Bibles on its way to the city.

Please pray!

• Pray that no charges will be brought against Giti. 
• Ask the Lord to help her to overcome this ordeal. 
• Pray that God will continue to work in Iran by growing His kingdom and preparing the hearts and minds of believers to stand firm at all times. 
• Pray that the Lord will provide Bibles for those seeking to read His Word in Iran.

To learn more about the trials Christians face in Iran, go to the Iran Country Report.

Islamists in Egypt use rumours to attack Christians

Tensions remain high in an Egyptian village where several thousand Muslims went on a rampage on February 12 over a false rumour that a church was holding a 14-year-old girl against her will in order to convert her back to Christianity, reports Compass Direct News.

Sources said that between 2,000 and 5,000 hard-line Muslims, most of them from the Salafi movement, harassed Christian villagers in Meet Bahsar in the Nile Delta, attacked a church building to "save" the girl, damaged a priest's house and then destroyed his car. The girl was not in the church.

The girl's father, an ethnic Copt who converted to Islam, had stirred the crowd up on the mistaken notions that his daughter had converted to Islam and that Christians had kidnapped her. It was unclear if the girl's father was merely mistaken about her location or if he intentionally misled villagers.

The Salafi movement is made up of extremely conservative Muslims increasingly known for their hateful rhetoric and attacks against churches in Egypt. The Salafis have used rumours of kidnappings or relationships between Christians and Muslims to incite other attacks against Christians.

Please join us in prayer.

• Please pray the Lord will use those in authority to protect Christians in Egypt. 
• Ask the Lord to strengthen the faith of believers during this time of unrest in Egypt. 
• Pray that Egyptian believers will rejoice in the opportunity to grow in Christlikeness through the ongoing opposition they face (James 1:2-4). 
• Pray that the Spirit will move in the hearts of this girl and her father.

For more on persecution in Egypt, click here.

“I learned to see God”

Young Girl
Mainland China
During the Red Guard Era, 1966 – 1969

A Chinese girl refused to betray the secrets of the underground church, even though she had been tortured again and again. She was asked how she could bear so much suffering.

“I was not hard,” she replied. “I had been taught by my pastor that the real torture lasts very little. For one minute of torture, there are ten minutes of glancing at the enraged faces and the implements of pain. I decided to keep my eyes closed the whole time. I did not see the stick before it hit me or afterward. The suffering was much reduced.

“I relied on the promise of Jesus: ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.’ I purified my heart of the fear of men, and I learned to see God. When the Communists became aware of my defense, they stuck my eyelids open with tape, but it was too late. My vision had already taken on a new aspect, and I had seen God as so many had seen Him before.”

Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him. – Paul the Apostle, 2 Corinthians 3:18

Excerpted from Jesus Freaks, a best-selling collection of worldwide testimonies targeting teens with the life-changing message of the Persecuted Church. You can order a copy of the book from our online catalogue or by contacting our office. 

He’s coming for me

The director of VOM’s youth ministry, Thirteen Three, recently posted the following music video on the Thirteen Three Facebook page. The music video, entitled “Coming for me,” includes video footage from Release International, VOM’s sister mission in the UK, and Open Doors.

Watch and share this music video about our persecuted brothers and sisters!



Thirteen Three is the youth and young adult initiative of The Voice of the Martyrs. To learn more about Thirteen Three and how you can get involved, visit our website or “like” us on Facebook. If you live in the Calgary area, come to the Thirteen Three launch event this April! For details, click here.

The Overcomers: Colombia

Members of the notorious guerrilla group Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) recently prevented a VOM evangelist, "Rolo," from entering La Macarena region in Colombia with radios, Bibles and Christian books. To find out more, watch this short video.


Visit VOM’s multimedia page to watch other Overcomers reports. For more on the persecuted Church in Colombia, go to our Colombia Country Report.

Doctors attempt to save eye of injured pastor in Uganda

Pray that Bishop Umar will retain sight in his left eye.
Photo: Compass Direct News

A church leader in Uganda who was targeted in an acid attack in December 2011 is currently receiving treatment in Israel to retain vision in his remaining eye, reports Compass Direct News.

Doctors at Sheba Hospital in Tel-Aviv are still not sure what chemicals Muslim extremists threw on Bishop Umar Mulinde, but they know that the acid is threatening the vision in his left eye. Mulinde said his left eye has been getting better under the specialized treatment he has been able to receive. However, Mulinde also said that "the damaged right eye is somehow affecting the left eye. The doctors are thinking of removing the right eye with hope of saving the left eye."

Mulinde said he was encouraged that ministry is continuing at his church in Namasuba, though his friend Zachariah Serwadda was ambushed on February 4 after an evangelistic outreach in the predominantly Muslim town of Mbale. "I only heard several voices as I dropped down when the windshield of my vehicle got broken," said Serwadda, who was unhurt in the attack. "It could be the same group. It seems it's the same network, because after attacking Bishop Mulinde they threw down letters at the ... threatening to attack other preachers like him."

Please pray!

• Pray that Mulinde will retain his sight. 
• Thank the Lord for the faithfulness of Mulinde and his friend Serwadda. 
• Pray that the Lord will bless their efforts to spread the gospel. 
• Pray that the perpetrators of these attacks will repent and come to know Jesus Christ. 
• Please pray that increased persecution in Uganda will result in increased boldness among believers (Acts 4:29-31).

To post a prayer of support and encouragement for Mulinde and Serwadda, visit our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.

MP raises voice for persecuted Christians

Have you ever written a letter to your MP, urging them to raise a voice for persecuted Christians?

David Sweet, the MP for Ancaster/Dundas/Flamborough/Westdale, recently spoke about Youcef Nadarkhani, an Iranian pastor who has been sentenced to death for apostasy. Mr. Sweet also mentioned the one year anniversary of the death of Shahbaz Bhatti, a Christian minister in Pakistan’s government who was murdered on March 2, 2011. Bhatti was a critic of Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws in relation to many cases of Christians being falsely accused of blaspheming Muhammad or the Qur’an, including the highly publicized case of Asia Bibi.

To hear David Sweet’s recent speech, watch this short video clip.

Consider contacting your MP about Pastor Youcef or another Christian who is facing persecution because of their faith. To get started, visit our website for helpful hints about writing government officials. For a sample letter you can send on behalf of Iranian Pastor Youcef, click here. To sign a petition calling for the release of Pakistani Christian Asia Bibi, click here.

Thank you for raising a voice!

Christians in Laos threatened to recant or leave their homes

Laos is a Communist-ruled South-east Asian state known for its abysmal human rights record, particularly its appalling prison conditions and systematic use of torture, reports the Australian Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission.

Christians in this poor, landlocked nation face intensive persecution. Generally the religious persecution occurs outside the main cities, targets the already marginalized and persecuted ethnic minorities, and is committed by belligerent and corrupt local officials. In Laos, religious liberty exists in theory but not in practice. Article 30 of the Laos Constitution states: “Lao citizens have the right and freedom to believe or not to believe in religions.” However, the Prime Minister's 2002 Decree on Religious Practice (Decree 92) renders religious liberty illusory by mandating that religious activities first be approved by the village, district and regional authorities.

On March 2, Khamla, the only known Christian in the whole of Viengphuka district in Luang Namtha Province, was summoned to meet with Lao officials at their headquarters. Khamla had recently converted to Christianity after being miraculously healed from a long-term disease in answer to the prayers of believers from another district. After rebuking and interrogating Khamla, the authorities gave him an ultimatum: recant or leave Dongvieng village by March 7. Local authorities are reportedly determined to keep Christianity out of Viengphuka district. No update on Khamla is available.

On February 18, local authorities in Pakoo district of Luangprabang Province issued an expulsion order against 10 Christian families. The families, comprising some 65 believers, were given until March 18 to either recant their faith or leave Hueygong village. Eight of the 10 families became Christian only three months ago, but without the permission of the Pakoo district chief, a district religious affairs official and the secretary of the Communist party's regional branch. The head of religious affairs of Luangprabang Province has reportedly intervened and is seeking a reversal of the expulsion order on the grounds that it is illegal as provincial religious affairs are supposed to be under his jurisdiction. Whether he is protesting injustice or procedural irregularity is unclear.

Please pray that God will...

• bless His faithful Church in Laos, protecting them wherever they are, meeting all their spiritual, emotional and physical needs.
• redeem this suffering, using the arising witness to fan flickers of faith into a revival that transforms communities: may there be a spiritual awakening in Laos that liberates tribal animists driven by fear of ancestral spirits; Lao Buddhists driven by fear into legalism and ritual; and spiritually empty Communists driven by atheism into meaninglessness, selfishness and cruelty.
• bring unity and solidarity to the body of Christ in Laos, so that registered (state-approved) religious groups will not be ashamed of those who are suffering on account of Christ's name. May they have strength and courage from the Holy Spirit to support their brothers and sisters who are suffering. “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35 ESV)

For more on persecution in Laos, please visit our Laos Country Report.

Coming up: Standing in the Fire Prayer Conference

This spring, please join us for our youth ministry launch and for our annual prayer conference!

Scheduled speakers include Gilbert and Joseph Hovsepian, Iranian brothers whose father, Haik, was martyred in 1994 (for more information about the Hovsepian's ministry, go to www.hovsepian.com).

Be sure to mark your calendar now for these special events in Calgary! If you plan to attend, please let us know via email (rsvp@vomcanada.org) or phone (1-888-298-6423).

Centre Street Church, West Campus

4120 Centre Street N

Calgary, AB  T2E 2Y7

Youth Ministry Launch 

Friday, April 13, 2012

7:15 - 10 p.m.

Standing in the Fire Prayer Conference

Saturday, April 14, 2012

9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

“If you tell others, people will kill you”

Excerpted from Jesus Freaks, a best-selling collection of worldwide testimonies targeting teens with the life-changing message of the Persecuted Church. 

Masih (This name has been changed to protect the individual)
Pakistan
1990s

Masih was an active Islamic student and argued with Christian students. He couldn’t understand their opinions. Eventually they humbly offered to help Masih learn more about Jesus. He had many questions about Him which they answered.

But Masih was not satisfied. He went to some Muslim clerics who were his friends. They said, “Christians told you this. Don’t be deceived by them.” Masih felt they were avoiding his questions and pressed them for specific answers. In the end, they gave the same answers that the Christians did.

Still, Masih needed more proof. He eventually went to another priest who was a friend and asked him the same questions about Jesus. The priest told him, “What Christians told you is true, but if you tell others, people will kill you.”

When Masih heard this, he went to a Christian pastor. The pastor told him about Jesus as Saviour by using both the Koran and the Bible. As he compared the texts, Masih slowly came to the realization that the Koran did not tell the whole story about Jesus. In his own heart he realized that Jesus was the truth and any sincere student of truth must follow the Jesus of the Bible, not of the Koran.

Masih told us in his own words what happened after he came to this realization.

“My family kicked me out. My brother returned from Germany and threatened to kill me; but if God is for me, who can be against me?

“My parents said I was kidnapped by Christians. They accused the Christian pastor. I gave court testimony for the pastor, clearing him. I then hid with Christians in another city and went to theological seminary.

“My brother from Jordon did not threaten me, but invited me to visit and told me: ‘Don’t tell Jordanians you are a Christian.’ When he heard I had become a pastor, he and his family didn’t want to see me.

“I am now an ordained pastor and I was married two months ago. I am happy in Jesus. Although I lost my physical family, I have my spiritual family.

“Now I help my Christian brothers and sisters to understand Muslims and lead them to Christ.”

You can order a copy of Jesus Freaks from our online catalogue or by contacting our office. 

Persecuted North Korean Christian starts new life

Some North Koreans have been able to escape from the country and its strict human rights violations. Kim Eun Jin is one of those survivors.

The 31-year-old was born in Pyongyang, North Korea. She was part of the nation's secret underground church. Please watch the video below, and share her story with a friend!


For more information on persecution in North Korea, please visit our website. For other videos like this one, go to our multimedia site.