There’s been a break in the Gaza Bible store manager murder

Gaza (MNN) — A senior Hamas militant is suspected of torturing and killing the manager of a Christian bookstore in the Gaza Strip who was found dead last month. That’s an alarming development, says Open Doors USA’s Carl Moeller, because Hamas has previously provided a certain degree of protection for the Christian community. “The most disappointing aspect of this discovery is that not only is this a Hamas person who committed this crime, apparently, but also that despite the assurances right after the murder that they had nothing to do with it, they haven’t distanced themselves from him and in fact have sent him on a pilgrimage to Mecca.” Moeller says Christians are asking prayer for boldness. “Believers who continue to promote their faith evangelistically, despite their commitment to the general welfare of Gaza, and their commitment to the people of Gaza to serve them, that there will be increasing threat against their existence in Gaza as a result of this.”

 

Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/10568

Christian bookstore worker martyred in Gaza

Gaza (MNN) — Gaza’s minority Christian community was badly shaken over the weekend after 29-year-old Rami Ayyad was found beaten, stabbed and shot to death. He was the director of the only Christian bookstore in Gaza, run by the Bible Society. He was also a member of Gaza Baptist Church. E3 Partners works with the church. E3’s Tom Doyle reports: “He was kidnapped Saturday after he had closed the Bible Society. He was taken away by a group, and the next morning his body was thrown out somewhere around the Bible Society. He had been killed.” The murder of Rami Ayyad came six months after the bookstore was bombed. Doyle thinks he knows why Christians are being targeted. “I do believe that some of these groups doing these things across the Middle East are responding to people’s interest in the Middle East. The same thing is happening in Iran. The young people are open to Jesus.” Ayyad is survived by his wife who is pregnant, and two sons. Find out how to help this family by going to our Web site.

Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/10440

Gazan believers essential to peace in wake of brutal murder

Gaza (MNN) — After the brutal murder of a prominent Christian book store manager this weekend, Gaza’s small Christian community is fearful. Many fled when they had opportunity, but Open Doors’ Carl Moeller says it’s essential that believers remain there as the solitary light in the dark. “In the midst of all of the fighting between radical Islam and Israel, the Christian community sits as a beacon of hope and peace. And if it gets squeezed out completely from that place, well, where will the peace come from?” Though investigations are underway, it is doubtful that answers will come quickly, if at all. Despite being in the spotlight of this tragedy, believers are committed to keeping the bookstore open. Besides book sales, the store offered reading and computer classes. Moeller says this weekend’s murder was a direct threat. “The reality is, it’s targeted at the Christian community, the most visible symbol of the Christian community there in Gaza, for a reason. They want the Christians to get the message and leave.” Moeller says Christians can pray that their brothers and sisters in Gaza do not succumb to fear.

Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/10442

Gaza Baptist Church seized by Fatah

Gaza (MNN) — Christians in Gaza are asking believers around the world to pray for them. Palestinian Authority police of the Fatah party have seized the six-story Gaza Baptist Church building. President of Open Doors USA Carl Moeller. “They’ve taken it over as a military out post in their gun battle with the Hamas. This situation is just terribly tragic because, for so many Christians that remain in Gaza, this was their only bright light. This was their hope.” Pastor of the Gaza Baptist Church Hanna Massad is devastated. Moeller says, “He’s seen the international restrictions on the economy (which) has affected everyone. He’s seen violence tear apart neighborhoods and the sad reality is that he’s reporting that this moment, as the church has been taken over, is really the worse situation he’s gone through in Gaza.” Moeller says despite all of the problems, they haven’t lost their vision, “to reach out with hope and healing and the love of Jesus Christ to their neighbors.”

Full story: http://www.MNNonline.org/article/9569

Hezbollah street protests hamper Christian work

Lebanon (MNN) — Mass protests in Lebanon are causing problems for Christian humanitarian groups working in the region. Gunfire between anti-government Shiites and pro-government Sunnis were an ominous sign that efforts by the Shia Hezbollah movement to bring down the Sunni-led government of Prime Minister Fouad Siniora (foo-AHD sehn-YOUR-ah) could rapidly devolve into all-out sectarian conflict.

The conflict is already affecting those helping the victims last summer’s Israel/Hezbollah conflict. TouchGlobal, the relief and development arm of the EFCA , has been affected.

Director of Touch Global Jim Snyder says their relationship with the Evangelical Free Church in Lebanon has grown dramatically. A medical team from the United States was supposed to travel to Lebanon to help the church with humanitarian efforts, says Snyder. “The medical team was canceled because of the intense political situation there. Our partners recommended we not show up.”

While the medical team’s work is temporarily on hold, the Lebanese church continues to reach out, Snyder says. “None of our partners are so dependant upon us that the work of the church can not continue. So, as we take a look at the situation right now in Lebanon, in many cases it’s providing opportunities for the local church that never before existed.”

Since Hezbollah and other Islamic groups haven’t stepped in to help with humanitarian aid, Snyder says many people have looked to Christians for help. “God has offered us opportunities to further our relationships with a number of families that has led to their beginning to come to either Bibles studies or to church planting situations there.”

While the internally displaced are now living with family members as they rebuild their homes, Snyder says there are needs. As winter approaches, victims are facing lack of heat and other winter related problems.

As Touch Global reaches out in Lebanon, opportunities are opening up in other countries as well. Pray for funding and calm as the church continues to be salt and light in a difficult situation.

Organizations featured in this article:

Evangelical Free Church of America 901 E. 78th Street Minneapolis MN 55420-1300

Phone: 800-745-2202 FAX: Email: danderson@efca.org URL: http://www.efca.org/international/

Prayer for Peace is needed in the Lebanon / Gaza, Israeli Conflict

We must continue to pray for Peace and not slow down. I think that we as Christian must not allow ourselves to develop a hatred towards Arabs & Muslims. It is our mandate to preach the Gospel to all the peoples of the world. Jesus said that if they hate me they will also hate you. I think that if we are not careful we will get caught up in taking sides, and can easily become anti-Arab.

I don’t agree nor do I condone any terrorist attack. I agree that all terrorist acts should be prosecuted by any country in which a terrorist attack would take place.

However, us as Christians must continue to proclaim the gospel to all people. It is our responsibility to reach out, to press forward, and to advance the Message of Jesus Christ. I believe that true change will only come about through the Truth of Jesus Christ. It is also our responsibility to continue to pray for Israel, and to see all Israeli’s come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ, the true way of Faith.

God bless,
Robert Jimenez