VOM rejoices with Pastor Bentar's family on his release. The Voice of the Martyrs featured Pastor Bentar on the Christian prisoner Web site, www.prisoneralert.com. According to VOM contacts,"Pastor Bentar's wife received more than 10,000 letters and photographs from families around the world who were praying for them. The family is thankful for the support they received and rejoice in the pastor's release."

On March 9, 2006 Pastor Bentar was visiting relatives in West Java when he was attacked by a group of Muslims who beat him severely. They rolled over his van and helped themselves to its contents, including the new clothing merchandise. As the melee continued they were joined by other Muslims and began shouting, "Burn him!" They set fire to his van before police arrived just in time to rescue him.

Originally, he was detained in the Tasikmalaya police station for security reasons, but was later charged with blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad. At his trial he was sentenced to 4 1/2 years and then transferred to the local prison in Tasikmalaya.

The Voice of the Martyrs encourages American Christians to continue praying for protection and wisdom for Pastor Bentar as he returns home to his family and congregation.

According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, "Pastor Vic and his wife, Beth, and Pastor Noli were having a conversation early that evening. They were talking about their plans to minister in a Muslim tribal area, when suddenly the killer came in and started firing at them."

VOM contacts added, "Pastor Vic got four gunshots, two at the upper part of the knees that went through his navel and two shots to the lower part of his knees, the bullets remained in his stomach. Beth, his wife, got two gunshots, one in her palm and one in her leg. Pastor Saturnino got one shot in his leg; the bullet went through his leg." Pastor Vic was killed, and Beth and Saturnino are being treated by doctors.

Even though VOM contacts could not confirm the reason for the attack, they reported that Pastor Vic lived among Muslims who wanted him to join Islam, but he refused. "Earlier in the week, my wife and I went to their [Pastor Vic's] house and talked about the ministry. Their house is surrounded by Muslim houses. I heard before that there were Muslims wanting Pastor Vic to join the Islam faith, but he refused. [At] this time we still don't know those responsible for his death, but some said that Muslims are responsible," a VOM contact said.

The Voice of the Martyrs encourages you to pray for believers in the Philippines who face persecution because of their faith. Pray especially for the family and congregation of Pastor Vicera, who have lost a father and pastor. Ask God to heal Pastor Vicera's wife, Beth, and Pastor Saturnino who were injured in the attack. Pray the testimonies of these faithful believers will draw their persecutors into fellowship with Christ.

CHINA -- China Aid Association reports that the Chinese Communist government recently launched a strategic campaign against house churches in Xinjiang Autonomous Region.

As a result of this campaign, 46 Christians were arrested by Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials on April 13, during a Bible class and worship service in Kashi city, Xinjiang province.

CAA reported, "Forty-six house church Christians were holding Bible class and worship in the home of Mr. Ding Zhichun, when PSB officials intruded into Ding's home and arrested all of them. Forty-four Christians were released after the trial day, following a 50 Yuan deposit to the PSB by the family members."

CAA added, "The Christians were mandated to confess their illegal Sunday worship activities and study the government's handbook on Religious Policy. They were also required to return and recite the policy to officials within one week."

The Voice of the Martyrs supports and stands with Christians in China and encourages you to pray for believers who are living under immense pressure. Ask God to encourage and minister to the two still being held by the police. Pray their testimony will draw nonbelievers into fellowship with Christ.

CAA released a letter from Heng expressing gratitude to believers around the world who prayed and cared for his family while he was in prison. "I heartfully thank you for the care and prayers for me during the time I was arrested and put in prison for receiving a shipment of Bibles. I thank you for the love and the help you offered for my family," Heng said.

He added, "I am now recuperating at home. Although I am physically weak, my heart is filled with peace and light from the Holy Spirit. Let us, in Christ, continue to focus on the Father's kingdom and righteousness. Let us thank, praise and worship the great, almighty and loving God."

Heng was arrested in August 2007, when he was collecting Bibles, reportedly donated by South Korean churches. The Bibles were intended for distribution to local believers free of charge. However, the Chinese government only allows officially sanctioned (state) churches to print and distribute a limited number of Bibles each year.

During his imprisonment, Heng was reportedly severely beaten by inmates and prison guards. The Voice of the Martyrs rejoices at Zhou Heng's release from prison and encourages believers to pray for Christians in China. VOM actively supports Christians in China through Christmas Care Packs and with Christian literature like the Gospel storybook, He lived Among Us. Pray for the Holy Spirit to encourage and protect believers as persecution increases in China.

According to The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) contacts, "We are still waiting for the police to arrive from Udom Sai to escort the prisoners to their home villages. Their families have been told they will be tried once they get home with a likely huge fine and imprisonment. We do not know what the charges will be, but we do know that Udom Sai is a real hot spot as far as persecution and has been increasing over the last 12 months."

Pastors Kham Chan Konekham, Kham La Namheng, Siphone Namheng, Khamnath Namheng, Serth Naphok, Khou Phouphone, Thong Soun Namtam, and Houng Mokbooc were arrested on March 18, when they entered Thailand and were followed by the Laos police. Two of them had Bibles when they were searched, and everything they were carrying was confiscated.

This is the latest arrest since 15 Hmong families were arrested in Bokeo Province on February 22. According to media reports, Laotian authorities arrived in Bai Sai Janrern village in Bokeo province with trucks and hauled away eight families. Seven other families were arrested from nearby Fai village. The arrested families make up a total of 58 Hmong Christians.

Through VOM's Families of Martyrs Fund, we help families of prisoners facing hardship because of persecution. VOM also funds Bible translations and distributes thousands of New Testaments, copies of Tortured for Christ and full-color Gospel storybooks entitled He Lived Among Us. Motorcycles and bicycles funded by VOM are used by evangelists to spread the gospel in Laos.

VOM encourages you to pray for these courageous believers and their families during this difficult time. Ask God to protect and encourage them. Pray they will love and forgive their persecutors.

Contact: Todd Nettleton

Director for Media Development

The Voice of the Martyrs

PO Box 443, Bartlesville

OK 74005

tnettleton@vom-usa.org

www.persecution.com

North Korean Students Arrested for Reading the Bible and Watching Bible Video CD

NORTH KOREA -- The Voice of the Martyrs is calling on the Communist North Korean government to immediately release 10 college students in Ham Kyung Book Do Chung, North Korea, who were investigated and arrested for reading a Bible and watching a video CD about the Bible.

According to Free North Korea Broadcasting, Mr. Jung, former vice-president of GumRung Company of the Rodong Dang Labor Organization Department, reported the case and has since escaped to China to avoid arrest by the National Security Agency (Bowiboo). "In March 2006, 200 Life Bibles and several hundred CDs were purchased in China and secretly placed in flour bags before being smuggled into North Korea. This huge Bible smuggling case was headed by GumRung Company employees who were influenced by Christianity in China and underground Christians in Nasun City. All the leaders have been arrested and are being severely tortured. If I am caught, I will be sent to a prison camp for political criminals. I didn't want to die in prison camp, so I escaped," Mr. Jung said.

In the Free North Korea Broadcasting report, Mr. Jung added that most of the arrested students attended ChungJin College. "These students shared the Bible and video CD with their friends. They also distributed the Bibles and video CDs to the other college towns," he said.

The Voice of the Martyrs stands with and supports Christians facing severe persecution in North Korea.

For Information: www.persecution.com

Contact: tnettletom@vom-usa.org

Phone: (918) 338-8442

Pastor Balaev was met outside the prison by his son, and Ilya Zenchenko, head of the Baptist Union. "When Balaev was released, journalists asked whether he was feeling grateful to Azerbaijan's president for his release, Zaur answered that he always in everything feels grateful to Jesus only and no one else. Journalists immediately quit shooting (footage) of him," VOM contacts said.

Pastor Zaur Balaev was arrested in May 2007, for "conducting an illegal religious meeting" in his home village in Aliabad, Azerbaijan. In August, he was sentenced to two years in prison under Article 315, Part 1, for violence against a state representative. The original charges accused him of holding "illegal" meetings under the guise of religious activity without concrete authority and registration. He was also accused of attracting young people to worship services and playing loud music at services. Azerbaijan's authorities later changed their accusations while Balaev was in custody, initially claiming that he set a dog on police during a raid on a Sunday service. After more than 50 people signed a written statement testifying to Balaev's innocence, the dog disappeared from the authorities' claims and Balaev was instead accused of attacking five policemen and damaging a police door.

The Voice of the Martyrs featured Pastor Balaev on the group's Christian prisoner web site, www.prisoneralert.com. Visitors to the site composed more than 3300 letters of encouragement to Balaev.

"We rejoice with Pastor Balaev and his family upon his release," said Todd Nettleton, spokesman for The Voice of the Martyrs. "We rejoice in his faithfulness, and we thank our readers who wrote letters of encouragement to him in prison. Our prayers and our letters do make a difference for persecuted Christians like Pastor Zaur!"

The Voice of the Martyrs encourages American Christians to continue praying for protection and wisdom for Pastor Balaev as he returns home to his family and congregation.

Note: Photos of Pastor Zaur Balayev after his release are available from The Voice of the Martyrs. Photos must be identified as "Photo used with permission from The Voice of the Martyrs / www.persecution.com"

According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts in Laos, "Two groups of pastors were coming into the country (Thailand) to attend meetings. The first group made it over the Meekong with no problems. The second group of eight was followed by the Laos police. They were searched and two of them had Bibles."

Everything the pastors had with them was confiscated, including a cell phone. "There has no contact with them since they were taken back into Laos," a VOM contact added.

Todd Nettleton, Director for Media Development said, "We pray for the safety of our brothers. Further, we call on the Lao government to provide freedom for people in that country to worship as they see fit."

The Voice of the Martyrs encourages you to pray for these pastors and their families during this difficult time. Ask God to protect and encourage them. Pray for their speedy release and that their testimonies will draw their captors into fellowship with Jesus Christ.

Compass reported, "The day before the sentencing, Laotian authorities arrived in Bai Sai Janrern village in Bokeo district with six trucks in which they hauled away eight Christian families. Authorities also arrested at least seven families from Fai village three miles away." The arrested families make up a total of 58 Hmong Christians.

A Christian source told Compass, "It seems they are rounding up all Hmong Christians from Vietnam to send them back to Vietnam. What will happen to them is greatly feared and unknown."

Compass added, officials have warned Hmong Christians they will return to the area to round up believers who have moved from other districts in Laos. "They have been told that the officials will be sending them back to their home districts. Many Hmong in Bokeo district have married Hmong from other districts, so this will create tremendous hardship for the families," the source told Compass.

According to the Compass report, the nine Christian leaders sentenced to 15 years in prison for Christian ministry were arrested in July 2007, during a police and military raid of suspected rebels that left 13 innocent Christians dead. The Voice of the Martyrs stands with believers in Laos and encourages you to pray for these believers who have been arrested because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Ask God to give them strength and courage to forgive their persecutors.

According to the Associated Press report, gunmen killed three people who were with Rahho at the time of the kidnapping. Archbishop Andreos Abouna told the Associated Press, "We pray for his release as soon as possible. This act of abduction against a Christian clergy member will increase our fears and worries about the situation of Christians in Iraq."

The report added, "Last year's International Religious Freedom Report from the U.S. State Department noted that Chaldean Catholics comprise a tiny minority of the Iraqi population, but are the largest group among the less than 1 million Christians in Iraq."

No one has taken responsibility for the kidnapping. Since 2003, Christian leaders, churches and businesses in Iraq have been targeted by Islamic extremists, and as a result many believers have fled.

The Voice of the Martyrs actively supports Christians in Iraq. The ministry has provided thousands of pieces of discipleship literature and Bibles to bold evangelists and persecuted believers throughout Iraq. Pray for the safe release of Archbishop Rahho, and for the safety of Christians in Iraq. Ask God to protect them in the midst of great danger. Pray their incredible testimonies will draw nonbelievers into fellowship with Christ.