Nations for Jesus is reaching the persecuted nations

Welcome to the latest edition of the Nations for Jesus E•Newsetter! This edition includes:

1. Increased persecution
2. Persecution in Turkey
3. Christian persecution in Pakistan
4. Challenged, but faithful

Increased persecution
As our efforts to proclaim the gospel increase, so does opposition from the enemy. Many of the friends and co-laborers in Christ I’ve written to you about—such as the Kurada family in Turkey and Naomi Sadiq in Pakistan—have endured incredible pressure and persecution in these past weeks. Their lives are in God’s hands as they serve Him in these tremendously difficult regions of the world, but I hope you will continue to remember them in your prayers.

News from Turkey

In June, I introduced you to Yuksel Kurada, a courageous man who is taking the gospel to the Muslims of Ephesus, Turkey. I received an email from his wife Dijle that is terribly sad and disturbing.

Please pray for us and especially for Yuksel’s parents. They live near the Black Sea…Usually the villages in that area are full of radical Muslims. Two times the Turkish army has visited them—their house has been searched and everything was turned upside down. The army found a Bible in the house and…told everyone in the village that they are Christians, which put them in a very difficult position. They are receiving threats from the army and the people around them—their life is in danger…They have also been threatening Yuksel by following and calling him. Our concern is the church members and our family. Four days ago one of our brothers was kidnapped and almost murdered. He is fine now—praise the Lord…We really need your prayers.

Yuksel also wrote to me saying, “Our car’s window was broken by some people and they left a note saying, ‘You are an Armenian dog…We will kill you and your family.’ The government officers and police, and they said they could not help us in anyway. Our lives are in danger here now.”

Yuksel, Dijle, and their children are being threatened with death because they are Christians preaching salvation to those around them. We cannot abandon them—or any believer in Turkey—now. We must kneel before the throne of grace on their behalf, asking God for their protection, strength, wisdom, and boldness as they continue to serve Him faithfully.

Prayers for Pakistani Christians

Then there is Naomi Sadiq, whom I told you about in July. She lives and serves in Pakistan—a nation that is 13th on the Open Doors World Watch List of the worst nations for the persecution of Christians. Perhaps you’ve seen the recent news reports of riots in Gojra and Korian. Thousands of Muslims raided and burned more than 100 homes and several churches—killing 14 Christians and injuring many more because of a false accusation of blasphemy.

This is not unusual. Because of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws—which do not require any evidence to prosecute—Muslims feel free to attack believers. Yet, it is in the midst of this chaos that Naomi bravely continues to reach out to those who are suffering.

My team and I visited Gojra…when we went to their burnt houses our team cried a lot because there is not one thing left there. The two churches there are fully burnt, along with all the Bibles and everything. The pastors were crying a lot. Schools were also burnt. These people don’t have any hope and are very afraid of the Muslims. These 100 families are now homeless—they are living in the streets because they don’t have anything.

She does not turn back from doing God’s work because of fear. Rather, she continues to serve Him out of faith—reaching out to the very people who persecute believers in the hope that they too will know Jesus as their Savior.

Challenged, but faithful
I remind you of Yuksel and Naomi today because I hope you will continue to pray for them. But also to remind you of the great responsibility we have in proclaiming the gospel to all the nations—and the courage many must exhibit in doing so. Like the apostle Paul, they say, “I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).

I pray this boldness and love would be found in you as well. Whenever you need courage to talk to others about Jesus, think about Yuksel and Naomi. Consider the pressure they are under, the grace that sustains them, and the difference they are making for eternity. Then remember that the same hand that protects them keeps you safe as well.

Sincerely,



Dr. Ratna Sajja
President
www.nationsforjesus.org


P.S. Thank you for your prayers and support for NFJ. With your help, we’re providing relief for persecuted believers and continue delivering evangelistic materials so that people throughout Pakistan and Turkey can be saved. May God bless your faithfulness.