Why ISIS Attacks on Christians Should be Declared Genocide by United States

Some things are obvious–or at least they should be until political calculus and political correctness get in the way.

The rest of the world recognizes the brutal atrocities that Christians face in the middle east right now as Genocide at the hands of ISIS. Why can’t our government?

christians_persecutedHonestly, it is shameful that they haven’t. If you are not aware of what is going, please take the time to read and share this so people will know and reach out. There is support in Congress:

“The US House of Representatives has unanimously voted to declare the actions of ISIS against Middle Eastern Christians (and other minorities) officially “war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.” (Read the rest)

Hopefully (more…)

Interview with Wife of Jailed American Pastor Saeed Abedini in Iran

Praying and acting for our persecuted brothers and sisters is not optional. They need us. Please take some time to listen as my friend John Stonestreet interviews Naghmeh Abedini, wife of jailed American pastor Saeed Abedini, and Tiffany Barrans of the American Center for Law and Justice.

Be attentive to how the Lord might prompt you to respond to Pastor Saeed’s imprisonment (here are some ways you can help). Read more about this situation at Breakpoint This Week. Please take 2 minutes and watch this video of a recent letter that he wrote while in prison and consider sharing this story with others you know.

Learn more about the persecuted church here.

“Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” – Eph. 6:19-20

Activists Claim Christian Woman Has Been Executed in North Korea

As hard as it is for many of us in America to believe, persecution is very real. we need to pray…

(from story) Seoul, South Korea (AP) – North Korea publicly executed a Christian woman last month for distributing the Bible, which is banned in the communist nation, South Korean activists said Friday.

Ri Hyon Ok, 33, was also accused of spying for South Korea and the United States and organizing dissidents. She was executed in the northwestern city of Ryongchon near the border with China on June 16, according to a report from an alliance of several dozen anti-North Korea groups.

Ri’s parents, husband and three children were sent to a political prison camp in the northeastern city of Hoeryong the following day, the report said, citing unidentified documents it says were obtained from North Korea. It showed a copy of Ri’s North Korean…..more

Son of Hamas Leader Turns Back on Islam and Embraces Christianity

This is a remarkable story. As you read – and you simply must read this – look for how he highlights ideas and their consequences. Also, the need to examine your religion to see if it is actually true (whether that be Christianity or Islam). Finally, notice, this isn’t a game for him; he is not playing church.

Here is a teaser from the interview:

JONATHAN HUNT: Aren’t you terrified that somebody is going to try to kill you for saying these things — which would be approved of according to parts of the Koran?

MOSAB HASSAN YOUSEF: They got to kill my ideas first, (and) that’s it, they’re already out. So how are they going to kill my idea? How are they going to kill the opinions that I have? … They can kill my body, but they can’t kill my soul.

JONATHAN HUNT: You’re not afraid?

MOSAB HASSAN YOUSEF: As a human, you know, I can be very brave now, I’m not thinking about it at this moment and I feel that God is on my side. But if this will be the challenge, I ask God to give me enough strength.

JONATHAN HUNT: Have you been threatened?

MOSAB HASSAN YOUSEF: No, not really. Honestly, most Muslims and Muslim leaders here in the U.S. community, European communities, they are trying to get ahold of me. They are calling my famiily, my mother, and asking for my contacts. They are telling her, ‘We want to help him.’

JONATHAN HUNT: They think you need help?

MOSAB HASSAN YOUSEF: Yeah, they think that Christians took advantage of me, and this is completely wrong. I’ve been a Christian for a long time before they knew, or anyone knew. I love Jesus, I followed him for many years now. It wasn’t a secret for most of the time, and this time I just did it to glorify the name of God and praise him.

They’re not dealing with a regular Muslim. They know that I’m educated, they know that I studied, they know that I studied Islam and Christianity. When I made my decision, I didn’t make it because someone did magic on me or convinced me. It was completely my decision.

What a powerful illustration of courage in both thinking and life.