Christians make up less than 1% of the population of Turkiye, which is 96% Sunni Muslim. When a Turkish Muslim chooses to follow Christ, they are often rejected by their families, a reality experienced by Mustafa and Basak. Mustafa grew up in a radical Islamic family but became a Christian as a teenager. His decision shocked his family, who have been pressuring him to renounce his new faith. Mustafa currently has no place to live, so a local church is housing him in their church building while he looks for work and more permanent housing. Basak was also raised in a devout Islamic home, but after she was invited to a Christian activity at her university and given a Bible, she trusted in Christ.
Read More20-year-old Mamata was the only Christian in her remote rural village. Her husband, Krishna, and other family members were strong Hindus, and they pressured her incessantly to leave the Christian faith. When she became pregnant, her pastor arranged for Mamata and Krishna to stay in a Christian guesthouse near the main district hospital when it came time for her to deliver the baby. During their two-week stay, the proprietors cared for Mamata and showed the love of God to her husband.
Read MoreSix Libyan Christians and two foreigners have been held in jail since an outbreak of religious persecution that occurred in 2022. The men have never been charged with a crime, but they are believed to be held for “being obedient to God’s Word and sharing it with others in the country,” a front-line worker said.
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Jesus told his followers, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). As a leader involved in discipleship in the Middle East, Mamdouh Lawendy sees many Muslims repenting of sin and putting their faith in Christ. Often this is happening through the witness and example of believers around them. Muslims ask questions. They are curious why Christians can serve them when they hate Christians. They want to know how Christians can still show love, even when Muslims persecute them. Local churches have an influential role in reaching the community for Christ. Mamdouh says that godly, biblical leaders need to be raised up in order for the church to stand amidst Christian persecution. Pastor Mamdouh, who was born in Egypt, is the founder and CEO of Together Network. Listen as he tells how he came to faith in Christ and how God called him to gospel work. He will also explain how his group works to disciple new believers. Mamdouh will encourage listeners to pursue gospel conversations with Muslims even when they can’t answer every question. “Muslim background believers are sincerely searching,” he says. “Jesus himself will replace us in answering their questions.” Pray for Pastor Mamdouh, his family and the ministry of Together Network training disciples in the Middle East. September 2024 will mark the ten-year anniversary of VOM Radio. Let us know how you’ve been encouraged and inspired by the testimonies and stories of our persecuted Christian family over the past 10 years. Never miss an episode of VOM Radio! Subscribe to the podcast. Or you can listen each week—and get daily reminders to pray for persecuted Christians—in the VOM App for your smartphone or tablet.
Read MoreOn the evening of July 23, 2024, Pastor Thongkham Philavanh, 40, died after an attack at his home in northwestern Laos. Two masked men approached him in his yard and spoke to him before shooting him several times. Thongkham’s wife rushed him to the hospital, but he died on arrival. Thongkham was a tribal Khmu leader and provincial head of the Lao Evangelical Church. He actively shared the gospel and trained other pastors throughout the province while leading a growing church. According to friends, Thongkham was closely monitored by authorities and had been warned to stop his Christian activities.
Read MorePastor Zanzhar has led a Kazakh church for more than 20 years, but the government “de-registered’ it nine years ago. When a church is de-registered, front-line workers report that it is impossible for that church to re-register, which forces congregations to either disband or operate in secret. Pastor Zanzhar’s church kept meeting even after being de-registered, but police raided one of their services last year and fined him. He appealed but lost the appeal and had to pay a large fee.
Read MoreMost countries in the Arabian Peninsula are majority-Muslim with severe restrictions for those who follow Christ, a reality experienced by three Christian men. Born into a Muslim family, Haroun moved to the Arabian Peninsula for employment and came to know Christ. After his conversion, Haroun would regularly read the Bible on his phone during work breaks. One day his Muslim boss saw what he was reading and fired him. He was later fired from another job for attending a church service instead of going to mosque. Haroun is struggling to find another job.
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