Prayer Update - 6/1/07

Dear Praying Friends,

I just love calling you "praying friends" and knowing you REALLY are praying for us! Today, I received two news bulletins from countries where EGM serves. I'm including a part of the news bulletin so you can be aware as you pray. It is a stark reminder of the need to regularly uplift the church leaders in these countries. We count it a privilege to stand with the children's ministry leaders in churches throughout Belarus and Egypt. After reading this information, would you be willing to pray for church leaders in these two countries, asking God to encourage and bless them even as they are facing opposition? Thanks for praying…

Joe


EGYPT
On May 11, a mob of Muslims attacked Christians in Bahma village south of Cairo after hearing rumors that a church was to be built in the village without government permission. Muslims left their Friday prayers and attacked the homes and shops of Christians, setting the buildings on fire. At least 10 Coptic Christians were injured in the attack. People from both faiths took up sticks and hatchets and began hurling bricks and firebombs at each other. At least 27 houses and shops were damaged by fire. At last report, 59 Muslims have been arrested on charges of arson and spreading sectarian strife.

BELARUS
Ten state officials raided the Pentecost service of John the Baptist Pentecostal Church in the capital Minsk yesterday (27 May). Pastor Antoni Bokun was arrested, held overnight at a police station and fined 20 times the minimum monthly wage today (28 May) for holding an "unsanctioned mass meeting". The church – which has state registration – has been refused permission to rent premises for public worship, so has to meet in a private home. Local lawyer Sergei Lukanin told Forum 18 that Pastor Bokun told the court he had broken the law only because it went against the law of God. Fellow church member Jaroslaw Lukasik, a Polish citizen married to a Belarusian, who faces deportation in early June, was also held for several hours. Although he did not preach at the service, he faces administrative charges on accusations of conducting unauthorized religious activity as a foreign citizen and hence violating laws on the presence of foreign citizens in Belarus.