Sudan Opens Path toward Religious Freedom

In what appears to be a promising positive change, Sudan’s transitional government and a rebel group that fought against the Muslim-majority country’s longtime authoritarian leader Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted last year, have agreed to form an independent national commission for religious freedom that hopes to lesson religious persecution throughout the nation.

As part of the latest round of negotiations between Sudan’s transitional government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (Agar) under the Juba Peace Process, an agreement was reached “to establish a commission for religious freedom to address all issues relating to religious freedom in order to affirm the principle of peaceful coexistence in the country,” the Transitional Sovereign Council said on its Facebook page.

The SPLM-N armed group is based in Sudan’s predominantly Christian South Kordofan and Blue Nile states, which fought against al-Bashir. “Today we have agreed to establish the religious freedom commission because the two areas have a considerable number of Sudanese Christians, so this is an important issue that has been resolved,” the armed group’s Deputy Leader and chief negotiator Yasir Arman was quoted as saying by the U.K.-based group Christianity Solidarity Worldwide. The two parties have also agreed to create a Ministry for Peace and Human Rights.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has acknowledged improvements in the country’s religious and political atmosphere. After a visit to that country in February, the commission’s chair, Tony Perkins, expressed optimism. “We are grateful to Prime Minister Hamdok and other members of the country’s bold transitional leadership who met with USCIRF to convey their explicit desire to bring a new era of openness and inclusivity to their country that suffered for 30 years under brutal and autocratic religious repression,” he said, according to Crux. “At the same time, we understand that the country’s challenges are deeply-rooted, and we urge the leadership to move quickly to turn that optimism into tangible and meaningful reforms for all people across Sudan, such as acting to formally repeal Article 126 of the 1991 penal code, which outlaws apostasy,” he added.

Since 2010 and the separation of South Sudan, the persecution of Christians had “intensified with church land being confiscated by the state, church leaders facing trial for national security crimes and latterly misdemeanors,” CSW’s Kiri Kankhwende was quoted as saying. “General harassment of the Christian community, human rights defenders working on FoRB by the intelligence service; harassment of women and interference with the administration of churches and confiscation of private land owned by Christian businessmen.”

Nasreldin Mofreh, Sudan’s Minister of Religious Affairs, signed an order in March requiring the dissolution of church councils that international advocates said legitimized the former government’s confiscation of church properties. “We are pleased by the minister’s decree, given the role these illegitimate church councils played in the former regime’s persecution of Christians and the obstacles they continued to present to churches’ ability to represent their own interests to the government,” Perkins said in a statement.

Prime Minister Hamdok and other transitional government officials met with USCIRF in Washington, D.C., during a visit last December — the first time in three decades that Sudanese leaders had visited Washington, D.C. The officials also shared at the time how they planned to expand religious freedom in a country that is ranked as the seventh-worst in the world when it comes to Christian persecution, according to Open Doors USA’s World Watch List. Hopefully the nation will continue on this path and Christians that have been under intense persecution for many years.  

Pray- Pray that Sudan will continue on this path to enabling more religious freedom.

Christians Denied Food Aid During COVID-19 Pandemic

As the world goes through food security and financial crises due to the corona-virus pandemic, disadvantaged Christian communities in Asia, especially in Vietnam and Pakistan, are being hit the hardest as government and aid agencies discriminate against them due to their faith.

In the communist country of Vietnam in Southeast Asia, the government is denying food aid to more than 100 Christians, including children and the elderly, according to Open Doors, a ministry to persecuted Christians worldwide. “You are Christians and your God shall take care of your family!” authorities told 18 Christian families, comprising 107 people, in north Vietnam. “The government is not responsible for your families!”

A local partner of Open Doors, which was not identified due to security reasons, said, “They strive to put food on their tables, and they consume their rice little by little every day. When they learned that the government’s support was coming to their district, they were so happy — only to find out that they were not on the list because they are Christians.”

Christians often face ostracism, threats, torture and prison sentences in Vietnam, whose atheist government does not tolerate any faith or ideology other than communism.

Vietnam’s communist regime, which requires its officials to use a secret 600-page manual to repress religion, fears Christianity, which involves building a community of believers and promotes respect for human dignity. The government views citizens’ freedom to form associations as a threat to its power, according to the International Federation for Human Rights. Vietnam ranks as the 21st worst nation in the world when it comes to Christian persecution on Open Doors USA’s 2020 World Watch List.

“Estimates indicate that approximately 80 percent of the country’s Christians belong to the country’s ethnic minorities, like the Hmong, and face social exclusion, discrimination and attacks. Ethnic minority Christian children are discriminated against in schools; their medical needs also are often neglected. Some are not even allowed to attend school at all,” according to Open Doors.

In Pakistan, Muslim charities are excluding Christians from their distribution of food aid and emergency, according to Vatican News, which cited the international Catholic charity and foundation Aid to the Church in Need. ACN International Executive President Thomas Heine-Geldern said that many Christians earn the lowest wages, working as daily-wage laborers, domestic servants, cleaners, or kitchen staff.  “All these areas of employment are precisely the ones that have been most impacted by the economic shutdown,” he said after being briefed by Cecil Shane Chaudhry, executive director of the National Commission for Justice and Peace of the Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference. “Many Christian employees have been dismissed without notice by families for whom they have worked for years,” Heine-Geldern added.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom also took note of discrimination in aid distribution in Pakistan. “As COVID19 continues to spread, vulnerable communities within Pakistan are fighting hunger and to keep their families safe and healthy. Food aid must not be denied because of one’s faith,” Anurima Bhargava, a USCIRF commissioner said.

Open Doors USA’s 2020 World Watch List ranks Pakistan as the fifth worst nation in the world in persecuting Christians. “Although there have been no major bombing attacks against church buildings in the 2020 World Watch List reporting period, dozens of smaller ‘everyday attacks’ against churches and cemeteries occur,” the ministry says. Christians are often targeted both by Pakistan’s blasphemy laws meant to protect Islamic sensitivities and by hardliners who carry out violence and have killed scores of believers in the past several years.

Pray- Pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are facing severe persecution during this time of global pandemic.

The Great American Divide

America is in serious trouble! The social, political, and spiritual divide in our society is greater than it has ever been. Already ravaged by the corona-virus pandemic, now the streets of our nation are being taken over by a combination of peaceful demonstrations, extremist agitators, social anarchists, and opportunistic looters. The chaos playing out on television and social media has exposed the deep divide in the empty soul of the nation. America has been deliberately and progressively turning its back on God for the past 50 years. Now, it is more obvious than ever, and no one seems to really know what to do about it.

Twenty-seven centuries ago, the prophet Isaiah observed a similar problem in ancient Israel, which was on the brink of disaster because of a lack of leadership. When the spiritual and moral foundation of society erode, they expose a failure of spiritual and moral leadership. While the prophet spoke specifically to his own generation, his words have a stinging familiarity in our day as well.

Isaiah said: “For behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, takes away…the mighty man and the man of war, the judge and the prophet, and the diviner and the elder; the captain of fifty and the honorable man; the counselor and the skillful artisan…I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them. The people will be oppressed, everyone by another and everyone by his neighbor. The child will be insolent toward the elder, and the base toward the honorable” (Isaiah 3:1-5, NKJV).

Moral outrage over the unnecessary and tragic death of George Floyd, or anyone else for that matter, is certainly understandable. But turning that anger on innocent people who had nothing to do with his tragic death only compounds the problem further. It is still true that two wrongs do not make a right. Yes, we should speak out against racial injustice and call for serious correction in our law enforcement system when needed. But we cannot at the same time excuse the equally horrific acts of wanton injustice to innocent victims of that outrage, including those in law enforcement.

In a society that has largely forgotten God, the basic instincts of those on every side of the divide call out for revenge, retaliation, and destruction. Add to that the agenda of organizations like Antifa (anti-fascism) which is opposed to the ideologies, groups, and individuals of stable government. Its anarchist policies call for the abolition of law, order, police, military, and democratic governance in general. It is predominately a left-wing political activist group that promotes public protests, digital activism, property damage, harassment, and physical violence (check out their website). Then, toss into the mix passionate, angry, and frustrated young people and you can see the results for yourself on nightly television.

The truly prophetic voices in America have been warning for the past 50 years that unless there is genuine revival in our nation, this would be the inevitable result. Sincere believers have been praying for and calling for such a revival for an entire generation. That time has now come. Perhaps God has pulled back the curtain to reveal our deepest need for repentance, regeneration, and revival on every side.

America is strongest when we pull together and weakest when we pull apart.

More than ever we all need to pray for God’s intervention before it is too late. Believers -- black, white, rich, poor and everybody in between -- need to come together to pray, talk, act, and support one another. America needs healing and it must begin with the heart. Let it begin with you and me. Speaking for God, the prophet Jeremiah said,” Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me? (32:27). “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know” (33:3).

Jewish Holy Site Set on Fire

Earlier this month, reports emerged that the tomb of Esther and Mordechai had been set on fire. Located in Hamedan, Iran, the tomb was labeled a world heritage site in 2008. US-backed Radio Farda reports there was no major damage.

The tomb is traditionally believed to be the resting place of the Old Testament Queen Esther and her relative, Mordechai. Esther was the queen of the Persian King Ahasuerus. She is credited with helping save the Jewish people from being massacred. It is a popular pilgrimage site for Jews and Christians in Iran.

This is not the first time that the tomb has been desecrated. In February, members of Iranian Basij, a paramilitary unit, attempted to raid the historic site in an act of revenge against the Israeli Palestinian peace plan presented by President Donald Trump. And, Iranian authorities have threatened to destroy it and convert the site to a consular office for Palestine.

The Jerusalem Post reports US Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Elan Carr condemnation of the attack, “Iran’s regime is the world’s chief state sponsor of antisemitism.” He called on the Islamic Republic to “stop incitement” and “protect its Jewish community” and its other minorities.

Several sites in Syria and Iraq sacred to Christians and Jews have also been targeted over the years by radical Muslims. In 2014, the Islamic State destroyed the tomb of Jonah in Iraq. In the Muslim mindset, anything that occurred prior to the founding of Islam is not true history and is open for destruction, especially Jewish and Christian sites and relics.

Iran ranks as the ninth-worst country in the world for Christian persecution, according to Open Doors USA’s 2020 World Watch List. Religious minorities are regularly arrested for worshiping in house churches. Muslim converts to Christianity are severely persecuted.

PRAY: Pray the Islamic forces in control of Iran will stop persecuting Christians.

QUARANTINE FRENZY

     Tired of isolation? Americans aren’t used to being alone. It makes us restless. Most of us have been sequestered and isolated at home now for more than 10 weeks. Many are thinking, this is enough! Most are asking, when will this end?
     Believe it or not, isolation can be a good thing! It gives us time to think, pray, evaluate and plan for the future. Every time Jesus' ministry became busy and hectic, He withdrew alone to pray (Matthew 14:23).
     If anyone understood what it was like to feel isolated, it was Moses. He spent 40 years in the wilderness of Midian. In Psalm 90:12, 14, he wrote: "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom...that we may rejoice and be glad all our days." Forty years = 14,600 days! During all those days, Moses was being prepared in isolation for God's real purpose in his life—to lead Israel in the Exodus.
     Why has God virtually shut down the entire world? Is the government quarantine really God's "Time Out?" Why has He forced us to be isolated and sequestered away for a season? Is it not to remind us that the days of our lives are a gift from God? The ultimate question is: What are you doing with all this extra time to make a difference for eternity?
     Consider these biblical examples of God's people who were in a divinely-imposed "time out" prior to experiencing their greatest ministry and God's greatest blessings.

·JOSEPH was in prison in Egypt for several years before he became the Grand Viser to Pharaoh.

·MOSES was in the wilderness of Midian for 40 years before he became the leader of the exodus.

·GIDEON was hiding in a wine-press before he conquered the Midianites.

·ELIJAH was hiding in a cave before he called Elisha and trained hundreds of prophets to confront the culture.

·JONAH spent 3 days and nights in the belly of a great fish and emerged to preach again.

·JEREMIAH was imprisoned in a pit for several weeks before he was released to continue preaching.

·DANIEL spent the night alone in the lions’ den before he delivered his final prophecies.

·ESTHER was hiding her identity alone in the palace before she risked her life to save the Jews.

·PAUL was under house arrest in Rome for 2 years during which he wrote several of his epistles.

·JOHN was isolated on the island of Patmos for 1-2 years during which he wrote the Book of Revelation.

     Why does God have you isolated right now? What does He want you to be doing to better prepare to serve Him? All those times you said, “If I just had more time, I would... pray more, read God’s Word, share my faith, read a book, watch a Christian video, call or text my friends and relatives and speak a word of faith, hope and encouragement to them.”
     Well, you have the time! What are you going to do with it to make a difference for eternity? Lord, “teach us to number our days.”

Persecution Persists

INDIA:

Reports that Christians and non-Hindus are being denied government aid during this coronavirus pandemic are coming out of India. Persecution watchdog Open Doors warned the lives of thousands, if not millions, of persecuted Christians are at risk due to the lockdown.

India was given a $1 billion aid package for coronavirus testing and management. A letter from multi-faith representatives from 34 organizations and ministries send a letter to President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and World Bank Group President David Malpass calling for a committee to hold India’s leaders accountable and monitor use of this aid.

One of Open Doors local partners stated that he personally knows at “least 20 to 30 pastors who are starving because of the lockdown. We are receiving news of persecution incidents from many areas, even in this situation where people have been ordered to stay inside their homes. In fact, we believe that during this phase of lockdown, Christians are suffering even more than before, since most of them now have to combat economic problems as well as the opposition and hatred from the community.”

Open Doors ranks India 10th on its 2020 World Watch List of countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. Earlier this month, a mob in central India attached members of five families after they refused to renounce their faith in Christ. The Christians had denied used of their land to be used to perform tribal animist worship.

Animism is the belief that objects, places, and creatures all possess a distinct spiritual essence. Local village leaders told the Christians “You are not partaking in our tribal rituals, and so we cannot allow you to profit from your agricultural lands.”

Eight Christians were injured, including one man who was stoned and had to be admitted to a local hospital.

NIGERIA:

Despite coronavirus-related restrictions, violence against Christians in Nigeria continues. Armed herdsmen shot Anglican Rev. Canon Bayo James Famonure, his wife and two sons while they were praying at home. Famonure is the founder of Calvary Ministries (CAPRO), an international mission with operations in several countries. He is also the head of the Messiah College high school in Barkin Ladi County, where the attack occurred. Neighbors carried the family to the hospital and all are currently in stable condition.

April was particularly vicious month. Four people, including the pastor of a local ECWA church, were killed in Bassa County. A 30-year-old Christian farmer was fatally attacked at his home in Bokkos County. And, in central Kaduna, attacks on five villages left 13 Christians dead and another 13 kidnapped as herdsman burned down homes, vehicles, and food supplies.

Showing no regard for gender or age, mothers and fathers are killed along with their children. Dede Laugeson, executive director for the nonprofit Save the Persecuted Christians told The Christian Post, “I am perplexed by the state of humanity when children as young as six months are routinely hacked to death in Nigeria simply for being Christian, and the world ignores their plight. This must stop. The international community must intervene.”

The U.S. State Department lists Nigeria on its “special watch list” of countries that engage in or tolerate violations of religious freedom. Nigeria is 12th on Open Doors World Watch List.

PRAY: Pray for our Christian brothers and sisters who are attacked for their faith in Christ. Pray that the Lord would strengthen them and allow their faith to serve as a beacon to others. Pray for those who persecute Christians that they will be exposed to the truth of God and miraculously converted out of the web of deception in which they are entangled.

Iran Army Spokesman Warns US in Persian Gulf

A spokesman for the Iranian military said that the United States should be wary of any aggression in the Persian Gulf. His comments come in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump threatening to target Iranian IRGC fast boats that have harassed the U.S. Navy over the last month. The comments are the latest threats that continue between Tehran and Washington and have increased over the last year. Iran has launched attacks on ships and Saudi Arabia and has sent proxies to target U.S. forces in Iraq. The U.S. has responded with airstrikes. Both countries are wary of a war.

Brig. Gen. Abolfazi Shekarchi is a senior spokesman for the Iranian armed force. After hearing Trump’s comments, he went on a news program in Iran and described America’s threats as a kind of psychological war. “It is an attempt to gain points and public opinion in the upcoming US elections, and for the US President to escape from domestic problems, sometimes people say such things against us but we must say that in any case they are violating international law.”

He warned the Americans against making any mistakes. “They will receive a slap if they make a mistake and it will be a justifiable slap.” The Iranian armed forces are not usually leading the way in tensions with the US. Instead it is the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that tend to harass US ships in the Gulf and mastermind the attacks in Iraq. The IRGC also downed a US drone last year. As such the comments by the Iranian army may also be designed to show that it is relevant. It recently took delivery of numerous new Iranian drones.

“We constantly critique our enemies, the Americans, and ask what are they doing in this region and the Persian Gulf.” He said all countries have a right to 100% security in the Gulf and he wondered what the Americans are doing so far from home, what are they “looking for,” he asked. “Not only do they have no answer to that question, but they are also harassing us and violating international law.” He said free passage of the Persian Gulf was a right for all ships. He reiterated that if the US takes the slightest action against Iran in its waters they will “be slapped harder than before, because we do not joke when it comes to the defense of our country.”

The Iranian army is working hard to fight the coronavirus he asserted. The armed forces have assisted at 58 hospitals, providing more than 10,000 beds and 31,000 staff members, he says. “In addition to preparing and being ready for the enemy, we are engaged in the fight against the virus,” he noted.

Trump's tweet comes one week after the Navy announced that 11 Iranian vessels had conducted "dangerous and harassing" approaches of U.S. ships in the international waters of the northern Persian Gulf, coming as close as 10 yards to a Coast Guard cutter.

"The IRGCN's dangerous and provocative actions increased the risk of miscalculation and collision, were not in accordance," with international regulations, the Navy said at the time. The statement referred the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Navy.

The incident was the first provocative exchange between the two nations since early March, when U.S. and coalition aircraft struck Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia group locations in Iraq in retaliation for the deaths of two U.S. troops in a rocket attack a day earlier. While the coronavirus has dominated the news cycles, there is still strong tensions throughout the Middle East.

Pray- Pray for wisdom and guidance on both sides in order to avoid a massive escalation of hostilities.

The Gospel Changes Lives

“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”

Jim Elliot

On Tuesday, April 28, former Waodani warrior Mincaye passed away in his home village in Ecuador. Born into the violent tribal culture of the Amazon Rainforest, Mincaye converted to Christianity and became known for preaching to other tribes in the region as well as sharing his testimony throughout the world.

In 1956, five young missionaries: Nate Saint, Jim Elliot, Pete Fleming, Roger Youderian and Ed McCully moved to the jungle of Ecuador. Two days after they arrived, they were viciously martyred.

“People who do not know the Lord ask why in the world we waste our lives as missionaries. They forget that they too are expending their lives … and when the bubble has burst, they will have nothing of eternal significance to show for the years they have wasted,” said Nate Saint on his reason for going to Ecuador.

The Waodani had been described as the most violent people on record. Mincaye was one of six warriors who participated in spearing the missionaries. What happened next transformed the tribe.

Armed with forgiveness, Elisabeth Elliot (widow of Jim Elliot) and Rachel Saint (sister of Nate Saint), moved into the village to share the Gospel with those who took away their loved ones. The Waodani listened to the story of God’s Son speared for their sake, believed and then their lives were radically changed.

“We lived angry, hating and killing, ‘ononque’ (for no reason), until they brought us God’s markings. Now, those of us who walk God’s trail live happily and in peace,” Mincaye shared in his testimony.

Steve Saint, son of Nate Saint, called Mincaye one of his “dearest friends in the world. He killed my father, but he loved me and my family.”

Mincaye was between 88 and 91 years old. His life story is told in the book and film, End of the Spear. He is survived by his wife, Ompodae, 13 children, more than 50 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

Photo: Steve Saint and Mincaye

Global News Update

CHINA - Early Rain Covenant Church

On Easter Sunday, International Christian Concern -- a human rights organization that assists persecuted Christians -- reports that members from the Early Rain Covenant Church were once again targeted. During an online worship service, several members were arrested and removed from their homes.

Security officials entered the Christian’s homes, pretending to casually talk with them. As soon as the sermon from ERCC’s imprisoned pastor Wang Yi began, officials immediately shut it down. Zhang Jiangqing was warned by the police, “Don’t participate in already banned [religious] activities anymore! Don’t listen to Pastor [Wang]’s sermons anymore! If you do this again, we will deal with it seriously and take you away!”

Another member of ERCC said, “At the time I was also in the Zoom call, but there was a long period of time where I did not hear a thing. I thought it’s the network connection issue at first, but I soon heard a quarrel erupt. Our coworker Wang Jun was questioning some people, [saying], ‘Who are you to do this [to us]?’”

Wang and five other leaders were taken away. One member had the electricity to their home cut off and others received notice that the police were coming. Since 2018, local authorities have monitored and harassed ERCC members, trying to get the church to disband.

Located in Sichuan, ERCC has not been able to meet in person since the Chinese government cracked down on them in December 2018. Their pastor, Wang Yi, has been in prison since 2018 and subsequently had been sentenced to nine years for subversion of power and illegal business operations. He has lost all his political rights, was fined approximately $72,000 and his personal assets seized. (See our previous article on Pastor Wang Yi posted on January 2, 2020.)

Pray for Chinese Christians and the embattled Early Rain Covenant Church.

 ISRAEL – A United Government and COVID-19 Vaccine

After a year of political gridlock, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his opponent Benny Gantz announced this week a three-year power-sharing governing coalition. Over the course of many months, Israel has held three elections without any political party winning enough seats to form a government. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, it became necessary for leaders to form a cohesive unit to respond to the crisis.

Professor Jonathan Gershoni and his team of researchers from Tel Aviv University have successfully found a way to target the family of coronaviruses that could potentially lead to a vaccine against COVID-19. They have isolated the most vulnerable part of COVID-19’s protein structure – the Receptor Binding Motif (RBM) – which allows the virus to bind to cells within the body.

CBN News quotes Gershoni, “The discovery and production of a functional RBM for the new coronavirus is fundamental and critical for the production of the vaccine we propose. Our successful isolation and reconstruction of such a functional RBM will allow the industry to incorporate it into a vaccine, which will be produced by a pharmaceutical company.” A vaccine could be available within the next year to year and a half.

Pray for unity of leadership in Israel and for an end to this global coronavirus pandemic.

UNITED STATES – Pro-life Activist Arrested

Pro-life activist David Benham, along with seven others, was arrested earlier this month for violating North Carolina’s stay-at-home order because they were counseling women entering an abortion facility. In a video of the arrest, he was heard telling police “We are offering essential services to these mothers, and you know this. And we are practicing social distancing. We are doing everything well within the ordinance, well within the provisions.” He said that the officers were suppressing religious expression by selectively enforcing the order.

Benham, along with his twin brother Jason, are known for having a show based on their successful real estate business scrapped from HGTV because of their conservative Christian views.

It is important to note that throughout the United States, currently all non-essential and elective surgeries have been halted. Several states such as Ohio, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas have heroically sought to put a temporary ban on abortions during the coronavirus pandemic.

Pray for David Benham and the other pro-life activists who were arrested and pray for all states standing up for life!

Turkey and Russia Reach Ceasefire in Syria

Turkey and Russia have agreed to a ceasefire deal in Syria’s Idlib region according to their two leaders after talks in Moscow to contain a conflict which has displaced nearly a million people in three months. Russian President Vladimir Putin, standing next to his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan, said he hoped their agreement would lead to a halt of military action in Syria’s last major rebel stronghold in the northwest of the country. “I express hope that these agreements will serve as a good basis for a cessation of military activity in the Idlib de-escalation zone (and) stop the suffering of the peaceful population and the growing humanitarian crisis,” Putin said.

Russia and Turkey back opposing sides in Syria’s nine-year conflict, with Moscow supporting President Bashar al-Assad and Turkey backing some rebel groups. Several previous deals to end the fighting in Idlib have collapsed. The latest offensive in Idlib by Assad’s forces, backed by Russian air strikes, sparked what the United Nations says may be the worst humanitarian crisis yet in a war that has driven millions from their homes and killed hundreds of thousands.

The Russian military has, however, repeatedly played down any talk of a refugee crisis and accused Turkey of violating international law by pouring enough troops into Idlib to make up a mechanized division. Turkey, which has the second largest army in the transatlantic NATO alliance, has funneled troops and equipment into the region in recent weeks to resist the Syrian government advance and prevent a wave of refugees over its southern border. Russia also raced to reinforce its troops in Syria by sea and air before the Putin-Erdogan talks.

Assad himself has vowed to recapture “every inch” of Syrian territory, but his depleted military depends heavily on Moscow’s power and Iranian-backed militias on the ground. Iran was not a party to Thursday’s deal. Apart from Idlib, a large stretch of northern Syria remains outside Assad’s control, held by Turkey and its rebel partners, and by U.S.-backed Kurdish forces.

The Kremlin said the two leaders had spoken for three hours on their own before being joined by their officials. They agreed to establish a secure corridor near the M4 highway, which runs east to west through Idlib, and hold joint patrols along the road. In a joint statement, they said the corridor would stretch 6 km to the north and 6 km to the south of the M4 - effectively advancing Russia’s presence further north into Idlib.

The deal did not spell out - as Erdogan has repeatedly demanded - that Syrian forces withdraw to the edge of the Idlib “de-escalation zone”, around which Turkey has stationed a dozen military observation posts, most of them now surrounded by Russian-backed Syrian government forces. The fighting, which raised the prospect of a direct clash between Russia and Turkey, has killed around 60 Turkish troops in the region since last month. Two hours after the joint announcement Turkey’s defense ministry said two soldiers were killed after Syrian government forces opened fire in Idlib.

Ahead of the talks, at least 16 civilians were killed when Russian air strikes hit a gathering of displaced people near the town of Maarat Misrin in Idlib, according to civil defense workers helping clear the rubble and search for survivors. Russia denies targeting civilians. Turkey hosts some 3.6 million Syrian refugees and says it cannot handle more. Seeking to extract more funding and support from Europe over Idlib, Ankara said last week it would no longer abide by a 2016 deal in which it stopped migrants crossing into the European Union in return for billions of euros in aid. While this is certainly good news, the tension is still very tense and could escalate quickly.

Pray- Pray that the ceasefire would hold and that the refugees in the area would be safe.

Prophetic Warnings

The challenge of the global pandemic brought on by the coronavirus has the world on edge. Many are asking is this the end of the world? Are we already in the Tribulation Period? The immediate answer is NO! We are not in the Tribulation. The Rapture has not occurred and the Antichrist has not been revealed. This is not the end of the word!

But what is happening is serious. Thousands of people are being affected worldwide by this epidemic. I believe it is a precursor of things to come. It is a warning from God. As terrible as the current crisis is, it is but a glimpse of the king of global judgments that one day will come upon the whole world.

The Book of Revelation predicts a series of divine judgments that will occur in the future. Seven seals reveal the wrath of the Lamb (Christ) on the unbelieving world (6:1-8:1). From the seventh seal came forth seven trumpets of judgment (8:2-11:15) and finally seven bowls of judgment, also called the seven last plagues (15:1-16:17). In each series of judgment, the wrath of God is poured out on the unredeemed world that has been left behind at the Rapture.

For the born-again believers, Jesus’ word is clear and reassuring. In Matthew 24:42-46, He told us to 1. “Keep watching for you do not know what hour your Lord will come.” 2. “Be ready, for in such an hour as you think not the Son of Man will come.” 3. “Keep serving until he comes. “Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he comes will find so doing.”

In Luke 21:11, Jesus predicted “And great earthquakes shall be in many places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.” Then He added “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws night (Luke 21:25).

Practical Steps in Light of Bible Prophecy

What can we know for sure?

1.     Life in a fallen world is full of trouble (Job 14:1)

2.     Belief in the Rapture does not mean believers can always avoid trouble in this life (2 Timothy 3:12)

3.     The promise of the Rapture will deliver us from the wrath of God, not the wrath of man or nature (1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:9).

4.     God can overrule the worst of circumstances to bring about His ultimate good purpose (Romans 8:28).

5.     Our present suffering is temporary in light of our eternal glory (Romans 8:18).

6.     Until the Lord returns to call us home our main goal is to glorify God with our lives (1 Corinthians 6:20).

7.     In the meantime, pray for God’s grace, wisdom and protection on your family (Deuteronomy 4:30-31).

8.     Live each day in the will of God (Romans 12:2).

9.     Trust God to face each new day being led by His Spirit (John 14:16-18).

10.  Spread the Gospel of grace and hope to family, friends and acquaintances (Mark 16:15).

Use this time to pray more, read God’s Word more, search your soul, share your faith and live each day to God’s glory. God bless you and your family.

God is There in Tough Times

In his second letter to the Christians in Corinth, the Apostle Paul gave words of comfort in times of trouble. He reminded them as he reminds us of several important truths.

REALITY (2 Corinthians 1:3-5) Trouble is a part of life in a fallen world. We all deal with it time and again. Everybody has problems. Abraham lied. Moses fled. Elijah hid. Peter denied. Paul suffered. But despite his suffering, Paul reminds us God is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort (vs. 3). He comforts us in all our troubles (vs. 4), not from them. Suffering is part of God’s purifying work in our lives. The Apostle Peter tells us that believers are often called to suffer for the cause of Christ and the sake of the Gospel (1 Peter 1:19-21).

RESOLVE ( 2 Corinthians 1:6-7) Problems change us one way or the other. Peter’s failure led to his tears of repentance and his ultimate restoration (Luke 22:61-62; John 21:15-17). Judas’ betrayal led only to remorse and suicide (Matthew 27:5). In each case we learn there is a right way and a wrong way to deal with our problems and failures. Whatever we decide to do in the face of crisis we make us better or bitter. The choice is up to us. We must resolve to face each challenge with God’s help. So Paul could say whether we are afflicted or comforted we will receive the consolation and salvation of God Himself (v. 6-7).

RESOURCE (2 Corinthians 1:8-10) Our problems and suffering cause us to turn to God for help. Challenges like the coronavirus pandemic make us realize we cannot trust in ourselves alone for the answer. When we are in trouble…pressed beyond measure…despaired even of life, or like Paul, feel we have the sentence of death (v. 8-9), we can only trust in God who hath delivered us (in the past) and doth deliver us (in the present) and will yet deliver us in the future (v. 10). He alone is our ultimate resource in times of trouble.

RELATIONSHIPS (2 Corinthians 1:11-12) While God is our ultimate resource, He works through our relationships with other believers to encourage us. As Paul faced his own problems, he reminded the believers they had helped him in two significant ways to get through it all. First, he said ye (you all) also helping together by prayer. In times of trouble we need to know that other believers need to know that other believers are praying for us. We need your prayers and you need to know that we are praying for you. Second, Paul said that their gift bestowed on us helped him to carry on God’s work on their behalf (vs. 11).

What can we learn from 2 Corinthians 1:3-11?

1. Everybody has problems.

2. God is greater than our problems.

3. God can overrule our problems.

4. God can use our problems to His glory.

5. He will comfort us in all our troubles.

6. We must choose how we will respond when trouble comes.

7. God will ultimately deliver us from our problems.

A MESSAGE FROM DR. ED HINDSON 3-19-2020

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty…He shall deliver you…from the perilous pestilence. Psalm 91:1-3

The coronavirus pandemic of the past several weeks has the world on edge! Virtual shutdowns of schools, restaurants and even some airlines have shocked the world into facing the seriousness of a global disaster. As a result, government authorities stepped up to mandate restrictions in an attempt to control the spread of the virus and mitigate its potential deadly consequences.

Thousands of people around the world are dealing with everything from serious health issues to global financial markets, business, industry and even sports and entertainment challenges. Gary Hamrick, pastor of Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, VA said: “It feels apocalyptic!” He points out that pestilence (wide-spread disease) is a harbinger or precursor to the End Times. Luke 21:11 (KJV) states: “And there will be earthquakes in various places and famines and pestilence.

I believe God is using this natural catastrophe to warn us of worse things to come in the future. In fact, a whole series of natural disasters have occurred in recent years to get our attention- hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes have shaken our planet time and again. Imagine what our world will be like when the Rapture occurs and the Tribulation begins! Global panic will be out of control, resulting in the rise of a global leader who will immediately impose government sanctions on the global economy so that no one can buy or sell without the approval of his mark (Revelation 13:16).

Biblical prophecies that once seemed unimaginable to the unbelieving world now appear imminent and foreboding. Jesus warned there would be “signs” in the last days that would cause men’s hearts to fail for fear (Luke 21:25). He urged, “When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draws nigh” (Luke 21:28).

Serious students of Bible prophecy have long understood the dual principles of Rapture (believers) and Tribulation (unbelievers). Believers understand that God is in control of the details of our lives: whether we live or die, heaven is our destiny. At the Rapture, the dead in Christ will rise and the living will be “caught up” with them to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). Therefore, we live with confidence in the future because we know Who holds the future.

At the same time, our hearts go out to nonbelievers who will face being left behind in a world under the judgment of the wrath of God. The current crisis is but a glimpse of a far greater disaster that awaits the unbelieving world when multiplied millions will die (Revelation 6:8). In light of the recent events on our planet we are challenged to several biblical responses: 1. Trust the grace of God in the details of your life. 2. Pray for God to get the attention of unbelievers to draw them to Himself 3. Witness to family and friends who may be more open to the gospel than ever before.

The integrity of sincere and authentic Christianity speaks volumes to a lost world that is desperate for meaning, purpose and security. Do not underestimate the spiritual impact that your testimony has on those who have no answers to the overwhelming problems of life. When we live out our faith with authenticity and boldness, we capture the attention of the watching world. God bless you as you live for Him in the days ahead.

Ed Hindson

A MESSAGE FROM DR. ED HINDSON

The past month has been one of great challenge for many Americans dealing with the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. While there are certainly physical factors involved in the spread of this disease, we must also recognize God is warning us of even greater judgments to come in the future. This should be no surprise in light of America’s (indeed the worlds) continual rejection of God’s will and purposes for the human race.

I have often been asked: What will it take for America to have a spiritual awakening and revival of biblical truth? We have wandered so far away from God that ordinary calls for repentance often fall on deaf ears and hard hearts. I have often responded that it unfortunately will take: 1. A major war 2. Economic collapse 3. Biblical plague

God warned His people Israel that they would lose His blessing and experience “all these cursed will come upon you” (Deuteronomy 28:15), which include “consumption, fever, inflammation, etc. (28:22) America is not a covenant nation, nor theocracy as was Israel. Therefore, we are not automatically guaranteed God’s blessing or cursing as were they. 

Nevertheless, the basic spiritual principles of obedience and disobedience apply to all nations as the prophet Isaiah (34:1) declared: “Come near, ye nations, to hear and hearken ye people: let the earth hear and all that is therein; the world and all things that come forth of it.”

America cannot keep running away from God, rejecting His laws and moral principles and continue promoting an immoral lifestyle to the rest of the world and then expect God to come to our rescue in spite of ourselves! While many innocent people unfortunately suffer the consequences of such illnesses, we must take our national responsibility seriously.

Please stand with us as we call America to turn and seek the Lord. While we take every human precaution, He is the only One who ultimately can protect and deliver us. Please join with us in prayer for God’s grace, mercy and protection for believers everywhere. Pray also for His mercy toward unbelievers who need to come to faith now more than ever before while there is still time and opportunity to seek the Lord.

Fighting for Religious Freedom

Florida Cross Allowed to Stand

Earlier this week, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed itself and decided that the 34-foot cross at Bayview Park in Pensacola, Florida does not have to come down. The cross had been donated in 1949 by the Pensacola Junior Chamber of Commerce to honor one of its past presidents.

The lawsuit was brought by four atheists and made it to the U.S. Supreme Court which returned the case to the lower court for a second look. Upon review, the federal appeals court decided the cross did not violate the establishment clause in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Last summer we reported on the case American Legion v. American Humanist Association in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of a 40-foot memorial cross in Bladensburg, Maryland. Known as the Bladensburg Peace Cross, this monument was erected in 1925 to honor 49 local men who died in WWI.

Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Samuel Alito, Stephen Breyer, Brett Kavanaugh, Elena Kagen, Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas ruled that it is permissible for a monument in the shape of a Christian cross to be on public land. Alito argued for presuming that “longstanding monuments, symbols, and practices” are constitutional.

This latest decision by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is perhaps a positive movement towards less hostility from the courts toward religious expression in the public square.

Students Granted Right to Exercise Their First Amendment Rights

Four Wheaton College students were banned from evangelizing in Chicago’s Millennium Park. They are members of the Chicago Evangelism Team sponsored by the Wheaton College Office of Christian Outreach. This group meets on Friday nights to proclaim the Gospel “in the city of Chicago to whomever we find there.”

Last September, the students filed a lawsuit, arguing that the city government’s ban limited their ability to engage in “protected activity.” Federal Judge John Robert Blakey granted a temporary injunction and ruled that the students must be allowed to exercise their First Amendment rights until the legal dispute is resolved.

Pray for these students as this case moves forward. We are thankful that, for now, they can boldly proclaim the Gospel in Millennium Park. Pray their efforts will not be in vain.

All Life Is Precious

Earlier this week, the remains of 2,411 aborted babies were given a dignified burial. These remains were discovered by the family of Dr. Ulrich Klopfer after he passed away last September. Klopfer performed abortions in South Bend, Indiana where he left behind medically preserved aborted babies in his garage and in the trunk of his car.

Republican Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill promised that he would provide a proper and dignified burial for the babies. During the service, Attorney General Hill commented, “Each of these 2,411 was a life—a life that was terminated—and each deserve to be secure in a final resting place, with dignity and respect, as should be afforded all human beings. May each of the 2,411 buried here, now and forever, rest in peace.”

The Christian Post reports that “In the 43 years Klopfer worked as an abortionist, he’s said to have performed around 30,000 procedures before his medical license was indefinitely suspended in 2016 by the Indiana Medical Licensing Board.”

Mike Fitcher, president of Indiana Right to Life, said although Klopfer “cannot be punished because he is deceased,” he wants to know whether former employees were complicite and if the “bodies were being preserved to sell to universities or research facilities,” he told NBC affiliate WNDU at a news conference.

The abortion clinics in Illinois and Indiana where Klopfer operated in are now closed.

Virginia Lawmakers Repealing Laws that Protect Life

Notoriously pro-abortion Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, along with the Democratic majority in both houses of the state legislature are on a rampage to end most of the state’s protections for the unborn.

One such bill would remove the requirement for a woman to obtain an ultrasound or wait 24 hours before getting an abortion. “In less that two weeks’ time, we’ve watched the General Assembly rip away over 30 years of pro-life law,” said Olivia Gans Turner, president of the Virginia Society for Human Life. The bill passed the Senate and a similar bill also passed through the House. Gov. Northam is expected to sign it into law.

Last year, when defending a bill that would allow a pregnant woman to request an abortion even if she was moments away from giving birth, Gov. Northam in a radio interview supported a hypothetical situation in which an infant who was severely deformed or unable to survive after birth could be left to die.

Election News

Several Democratic candidates running for president have radically expressed that there is no room for pro-life Democrats within their party. During a forum in Vermont, MSNBC host Sephanie Ruhle asked Senator Bernie Sanders if he believed it was possible to be pro-life and a Democrat.

“By this time in history, I think when we talk about what a Democrat is, I think being pro-choice is an essential part of that,” stated Sanders.

Kristen Day, executive director of Democrats For Life of America, asked Pete Buttigieg at an Iowa town hall how his campaign would welcome pro-life Democrats.

Buttigieg responded, “Well, I respect where you’re coming from and I hope to earn your vote. But I’m not going to try to earn your vote by tricking you. I am pro-choice. And I believe a woman out to be able to make that decision.

Day wrote a column for USA Today in which she voiced her opinion that he did not properly answer her questions, “… instead [Buttigieg] focused on his unyielding support for abortion and did not really seem to want the vote from me or people who share my views.”

Turkey and Russia in Disagreement about Syria

As we have seen over the past few months, Turkey and Russia have been working together, alongside Iran, to push into Syria and grow Russia’s influence in the region. However, some cracks are starting to emerge in the Turkish/Russian agreements. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan recently has attacked Russia’s escalation on the Syrian border and their escalation of military force in the region. Erdogan said that Ankara [the capital of Turkey] was losing patience with the military assault in Syria’s Idlib region, adding that Russia is violating agreements aimed at stemming conflict. Renewed bombardments by Russia-back Syrian government forces on Idlib have raised concerns in Turkey of a new refugee wave from the area, which borders Turkey and is home to 3 million people. Turkey has already received a large flow of immigrants from Syria and does not want any new military action that would cause such a large group to flood north into their land as political refugees. They have threatened to send the refugees to Europe if Western Europe attempts to intervene against Turkey.  

Turkey and Russia, which support opposing sides in Syria, have recently been working together to create a demilitarized zone in Syria so that there would no longer be a need for refugees to continue to flee north into Turkey. And, they have proposed the possibility to create a zone where Turkey could resettle the refugees that have already entered their nation. Despite several ceasefire agreements, fighting continues in the last remaining rebel bastion in the country’s nearly nine-year war. Erdogan, speaking to reporters, said Turkey is building houses in northern Idlib to shelter civilians fleeing the bombing. He said he also told Russia they are running out of patience.

Turkey had hoped that their recent agreement with Russia and Iran would solve these types of issues, but Russia has also made agreements with Syria. Syria, with Russia’s backing, is not afraid to violate the cease-fire agreements because they know Turkey is unwilling to risk a future escalation with Russia. Syrian government forces recently entered a town in southern Idlib. However, Turkey, who has 12 observation posts around the city, warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad they would retaliate against any aggression. A Turkish military convey, consisting of 30 armored vehicles, was sent to the region and is expected to establish a new observation post to detect Syrian aggression.

Meanwhile, the third member of the alliance, Iran, has their own plans for the region and would like to have a greater influence into Syria in order to use the location as a base for a future strike into Israel. Consequently, all three players in the region, supposedly working together to demilitarize the region, also have their own reasons and goals in mind.

While Ezekiel 38-39 speaks of a future Russian, Turkish and Iranian alliance in the battle of Gog and Magog, this does not automatically mean that this event will occur soon or even in our lifetime. The three nations could easily overcome these challenges and work together to try to invade Israel as Ezekiel described or their alliance may break up to be recovered in the future. Ultimately, only God knows the timeline for these events, and we can only pray for peace and do our part to reach as many lost souls as we can in the meantime. God will ultimately bring these events to their conclusion when He chooses, and we must simply continue our work for God’s kingdom.

Pray- Pray for peace in the region. Pray for the refugees that have had their entire lives disrupted by this long civil war.