PODCAST: 1,400 Nigerian Christians murdered and over 2,000 abducted in the last 4 months (WHR 06.13.21)

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According to According to Baptist Press, Jihadists are blamed for killing 160 people in Burkina Faso in a prolonged weekend attack among the latest in violent religious persecution in Africa’s Sahel region. Government and nongovernmental leaders there blame the Islamic State regional affiliate, the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), for the attack, although no one has claimed responsibility. The attack is the deadliest in Burkina Faso’s history and spurred calls for increased international counterterrorism efforts in West Africa. Such attacks in the predominantly Muslim Sahel region, on the southern shore of the Sahara, are religiously motivated and target both Christians and moderate Muslims, according to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). “As violent Islamist groups gain ground in central Sahel, they are committing religious freedom violations in their areas of operation,” USCIRF said in a May factsheet. “Across parts of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, ISGS and Katiba Macina have imposed strict interpretations of Sharia law, restricted religious practice and executed individuals because of their beliefs.

According to Mission Network News, According to a human rights report, over 1,400 Nigerian Christians have been murdered and over 2,000 abducted in the last 4 months. These crimes have been carried out by the terrorist army Boko Haram, or by Muslim Fulani herdsmen. Not only that, but Greg Kelley of World Mission says extremists have targeted Christian schools. “And it’s caused terror to these children living in these schools that aren’t in any way protected. They’ll Identify a school that they feel is a soft target. To get what I mean by that, just imagine a huge open field with no walls around it, no security. And many of those schools have had to shut down.” World Mission has sent help to several schools, actually building walls around them to discourage attacks. It costs about 10,000 dollars to put a wall around a school. Be praying for young Nigerian Christians during this unprecedented violence. Pray the love and courage of Christians will transform Nigeria into a land of peace.

According to Assist News Service, Africa is partnering with a brand-new Christian satellite network to expand the reach of a popular music and commentary radio program across most of the African continent. Worship Connection, produced by the Africa branch of global media ministry TWR (also known as Trans World Radio), will air five days a week on the New Life Africa Satellite Network (NLASN) beginning June 28. The program, currently called 100% Worship and distributed on the internet as well as via satellite in South Africa and FM in Malawi, features TWR Africa hosts Unathi Sithole, Thulani Mdletshe and Marinus Geyser. With a new name and broader reach, the program’s unique blend of contemporary music and engaging talk will be geared to listeners interested in knowing more about Christianity. One listener from Malawi wrote, “I’m enjoying the 100% Worship program. I feel really good every time I tune in. All my neighbors have gathered in my house to listen to the show. Keep the fire burning! God bless you.” Motivated by the encouraging response from Malawi and elsewhere, the partnership strives to further the reach of 100% Worship to most of Africa through NLASN’s distribution channels: the internet, mobile apps and a direct-to-home satellite that beams signals to about 50 countries on the continent. The network also has 23 local FM affiliates in seven countries and makes its broadcasts available at no cost to any station that wishes to use them.

According to Mission Network News, Mystery suzrrounds “Brother A,” whose name is withheld for security purposes. Persecution watchdogs expected courts in Saudi Arabia to release a verdict on his case last week, but so far? Nothing. Todd Nettleton, spokesman for The Voice of the Martyrs USA, says the silence might not be a bad thing. “Sometimes, for the sake of justice and for the sake of the judge being free to make the right decision without pressure, it’s better if a case is sort of ‘under the radar’ of the international community,” he explains. Brother A stands accused of converting Muslims to Christianity. He was cleared of previous theft charges in April. “He has been flogged, he has been locked in prison, so he has already faced a great deal of pressure and persecution. And now, potentially, he’s on the cusp of being sent back to prison.” Brother A’s family is in danger, too. “His wife has been pressured to divorce him. Her family has taken her, at different points, away from Brother A. There is a prayer request for her and their son because what happens to Brother A will have a direct impact on them,” Nettleton says. Ask the Lord to comfort Brother A, give him peace, and protect his family. Pray Brother A will not receive the death penalty and that the Lord will also spare him from a severe prison sentence.

According to Wycliffe Associates, With local churches in the advancement of Bible translation, plans to establish a safe haven in countries for mother-tongue translators who are at risk of intense persecution, even death, because of their faith. The facility, which will be located across the border from an undisclosed country, will function as a “launchpad” for Bible translation projects in difficult and dangerous regions of the world that potentially will serve millions of people. “We need to stand with these believers,” says Tim Neu, Interim President/CEO of Wycliffe Associates, “especially seeing how much they have suffered and sacrificed for the cause of Christ.” Wycliffe Associates has partnered with someone who previously was imprisoned and tortured for his Christian faith. After his release and escape to a nearby country, he was able to purchase land.  His goal is to establish a facility for mother-tongue translators to safely work and collaborate. Wycliffe Associates is currently raising funds to build a facility on the land. “God is putting the pieces together,” says Neu. “We can be a part of providing them a safe place to translate the Bible!”

According to Mission Network News, Sammy Tippit Ministries has launched its new discipleship app. Watch an intro video here. This app is jam-packed with resources for Christians, including Sammy Tippit’s own daily devotion videos. Tippit says, “We have two more platforms that will help churches or groups that want to form discipleship groups using these daily devotions. It teaches people how to form and lead a small group. Then there’s another platform that’s 28 days of training people how to share their faith in Christ.” The app also includes a huge library of many different Christian writers and thinkers, such as R.A Tory, Paul Bunyan, and Charles Spurgeon. Tippit says, “Some of the great classical Christian authors have written on the subjects of prayer, renewal, evangelism, discipleship, all of these things that we’re emphasizing in the app.” You can download the app for free in the Apple Store or through Google Play. Just search “Sammy Tippit Discipleship”.

According to Charisma News, Times Square, synonymous with New York City, got a special visit from Metro World Child Sunday School Program on June 9, 2021. As part of celebrations for the reopening of New York City, the New York Police Department invited Metro World Child (Metro) to bring good fun and joy to the streets. Metro’s staff members dressed in bright neon T-shirts, distributed candies and fliers and had several highly engaging sessions from their iconic yellow Metro sidewalk truck at the center of Times Square. There were interactive games, Bible stories, prayer and raffles for a TV, a laptop and a hoverboard as part of the celebration. Several hundred children and adults from all over the world participated in their programs. Some former Metro kids joined the celebration. Veronica Jimenez, now a women’s conference speaker, who attended Metro’s program 40 years ago when she was 12 years old, said, “Attending Metro’s program was the only happy memory I had growing up in an abusive environment in Brooklyn. I can’t imagine how my life would have turned out without it. I am so thrilled to see Metro is still serving the city today after 40 years.” Quite a few locals came to the staff members to share their Metro stories from when they were children, including a security guard in Times Square. The Rev. Dr. Bill Wilson, founder of Metro World Child, told the crowd in his opening address with the NYPD, “Metro continued to serve New York City during the pandemic through food pantry and online children’s program. We are excited to celebrate the city reopening and ready to go back to the street to serve the kids!”

You can read these stories and more at Whytehousereport.com

In closing, remember, God loves you. He always has and He always will. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” If you don’t know Jesus as your Saviour, today is a good day to get to know Him. Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead for you. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart and He will. Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Thanks so much for listening and may God bless you.