Voice of the Martyrs Update

Oh how busy & crazy it has been this week. I'm so glad I got a chance to finish my Proverbs before this craziness started!

Today is the last day of my job. I have been training two new gals during the day, rushing around with a zillion projects after work & falling into bed at night. The end is in sight. After a very busy weekend, this Monday I will be able to take a deep breath & take stock on myself! Phew! I can't wait. First got to get through the weekend.

I apologize for being a bit anti-blog this week but I just have been go go go! So with that said, I'm grateful to give you a Voice of the Martyrs update today!

RUSSIA Church Risks Losing Property and Pastor Could Face Imprisonment - VOM SourcesOn May 31, 2007, a pastor in Russia was warned to leave the area where he is ministering, after authorities threatened they would confiscate his church property. According to The Voice of the Martyrs' contacts, the church has not violated any laws, but authorities have decided to start a criminal case against them, and have threatened the pastor with imprisonment. Authorities have interrogated members of the church and threatened to take away their children. A hearing in court is scheduled for June 6, 2007. Pray for this pastor and church members. Ask God to protect them and for a favorable outcome at the hearing. Psalm 68: 29, Psalm 91: 1-6

AZERBAIJAN Arrested Baptist Pastor to Face Three Years in Prison - Forum 18 NewsPolice have told members of the Baptist church in the remote village of Aliabad in north-western Azerbaijan that their pastor, Zau Balaev, is to face a criminal charge of "resisting government representatives," which carries a maximum three-year prison term. The authorities claim the pastor set a dog onto police who raided the church's Sunday service on May 20, 2007. According to Ilya Zenchenko, the head of the Baptist Union, the region around Aliabad is the worst in Azerbaijan for Baptists. "It is a place where officials insult our believers, won't allow them to gain legal status and deny birth certificates to their children," Zenchenko said. Pray for this pastor and his family. Ask God to protect them and other Christians in Azerbaijan. Pray God uses their testimony to draw non-believers into fellowship with Him. Psalm 32: 7, Psalm 91: 7-10

INDIA Missionary Threatened with Death - Gospel for AsiaAnti-Christian extremists in Utter Pradesh have threatened to kill Gospel for Asia missionary Daya Marandi, if he does not leave the area where he is ministering. The extremists have also made threats to harm more than 50 people who worship in Daya's church and are demanding believers in the church denounce Christianity. Pray for Pastor Daya, his family and believers in India who are facing escalating persecution. Pray God encourages them to stand steadfast in their faith despite the challenges they face. Romans 5:1-5, Psalm 91: 10-14