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Open Doors60 years of serving persecuted Christians

SING FOR SYRIAInvite your Syrian family to church this Christmas

GOOD CHRISTIAN FRIENDS, REJOICE!How your support has changed lives in 2018

magazine

November 2018

HOPE AT CHRISTMASHow you are bringing new life to Iraq and Syria

INSIDE:

2 OPEN DOORS magazine November 2018 | www.opendoorsuk.org

Give a lifetime of hope to your persecuted family by prayerfully including a gift to Open Doors in your Will.

Find out more and order a pack at www.opendoorsuk.org/legacy or phone 01993 460015.

“Whatever you did for one of my brothers or sisters… you did for me.” Matthew 25:40

What’s your legacy?

GLASGOW10 November

IRELAND12/13/14

November

BIRMINGHAM17 November

BOOK NOW! LAST REMAINING TICKETS AVAILABLE.

You are invited to meet your extraordinary family from

North Korea, Egypt and India

NEW RESOURCES FOR YOUR CHURCH!

To order a pack and extra resources, go to

www.opendoorsuk.org or phone the Inspire team

on 01993 460015.

Can you believe it?Stories of Faith, Hope and Love from the persecuted church for

an all-age service.

Perfect for the International Day of Prayer (IDOP)

for the persecuted church!

Sunday 18 November

Sing for Syria Invite your Syrian family to your Christmas events and celebrate the good news of ‘God with us’.

3OPEN DOORS magazine November 2018 | www.opendoorsuk.org

pastors who’ve chosen to stay; churches serving those who’ve lost everything. For every evil intention of IS, there’s the redeeming power of the Holy Spirit working through people who’ve spotted an open door where light can get through.

A glimmer of light in the darkness. That’s what we celebrate at Christmas – and that’s what the church is. We can help that glimmer of light to grow. Jesus’ parables often describe an open door of opportunity – a midnight hour of decision – when, as His followers, we can choose to bring the kingdom in. As we pray, speak up for, and support the body of Christ, the door is held open. The church is strengthened with food, blankets, jobs and training. The future becomes more hopeful for all. So I want to say thank you for everything you’ve done this year to bring hope to Christians in the Middle East and around the world. Be encouraged as you read on - and don’t give up. For people like Pastor Abdalla in Aleppo and Shiveen in Homs, it is oil in their lamps that will keep them burning till the break of day.

Henrietta Blyth CEO, Open Doors UK&I

Open Doors is an international ministry serving persecuted Christians and churches worldwide. Open Doors supplies Bibles, leadership training, literacy programmes, livelihood support and advocacy services. We also mobilise the church in the UK & Ireland to serve Christians living under religious persecution.If you have any questions about the work of Open Doors, or would like to reprint any of the articles in this magazine, please do get in touch.

Open Doors UK & IRegistered as a Charity in England and Wales No.1125684, Scotland No. SC043710, Republic of Ireland 20140984 © Open Doors 2018

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What comes to mind when you think of Syria? For me, it’s changed over the years. In the summer of 2011, I bought my sister a Middle Eastern cookbook to commemorate the uprising in Egypt and what became known as the Arab Spring. The book is full of amazing photos and descriptions of food and life in cities like Damascus. It sounded a wonderful, vibrant place and we were hopeful that the region would see significant political change.

We were horrified, then, a year later when the UN declared Syria to be in a state of civil war – more so as we heard about the takeover of so-called Islamic State (IS). We prayed and wanted to help in whatever way we could. I told my husband that I was sure that Open Doors would be working through churches and partners in the country, and sure enough we were. That was the first time we gave money to Open Doors and it was the grim plight of Syrian Christians being persecuted by IS that first drew us into the ministry. Years later, I am hugely saddened that despite international efforts, the crisis has not been resolved. Worse still, that the world has moved on – Syria’s people forgotten. We cannot let this happen. Although IS fighters have now been driven out of the occupied cities, they are still active and persecuting the Christians who’ve remained.

There are stories, however, that fill me with hope: brave

Letter from Henrietta: Glimmer

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“Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning”

Traditional Christian hymn

Cover image: Daughter of a church relief worker in Aleppo, Syria.


Open Doors workers are working alongside local churches in Indonesia to provide relief aid and longterm support to Christians affected by the earthquake and tsunami which left over 1,750 people dead and over 70,000 displaced.

When Open Doors workers arrived in Palu, the city which was hardest hit, they found that many Christians were struggling to access government aid.

Victims said that they had been told to go to a regional military office to collect supplies, but they needed to travel by road to get there, and were queuing for hours

to get fuel in order to make the journey. “It is devastating to see them. We felt angry, sad and many unexplainable feelings mixed together,” said one of the Open Doors workers.

He continued, “One of the most devastated areas has a Christian community. We noticed that this part of the area has been neglected. The victims did not receive adequate support. Dead bodies have yet to be removed from the collapsed houses.”

Thanks to your prayers and support, Open Doors workers were able to respond immediately, providing tents, blankets and mats for distribution by nine

churches, and around 250 food packages. At the time of writing, our team is continuing to travel to affected areas to assess the situation and to strengthen the church as they face this crisis.

• For comfort and provision for all affected by the disaster

• For Open Doors workers and others bringing support to those who need it most

• That the light of Christ will shine through the church as it provides practical support to those in need.

WORLD WATCH NE W SINDONESIA: Your support provides aid for neglected believers following earthquake

PRAY

Open Doors distributed relief aid to believers affected by the earthquake in Palu, Indonesia


Despite being rejected by her family, 12-year-old Sari* from India won’t leave her faith in Jesus.

She came to faith after God healed her ears from an illness that kept her practically deaf from early childhood. Her parents were pleased with the healing, but banned her from going to church. Sari tried to go secretly, but whenever her brother found out, he beat her terribly.

Eventually, her family forced her from the house. She now lives with her aunt, who is also a Christian. Despite all of this, she still says of her family, “I love them so much.”

Open Doors partners were recently able to meet with Sari to pray with her and encourage her.

Sari represents thousands of Christians in India facing rejection and violence because of their faith in Jesus. Open Doors church partners estimate that almost 24,000 Christians were physically attacked in India last year.

• For comfort for Sari• That Sari’s brave witness

would draw her family to faith in Christ

• For Open Doors local church partners

bringing support and encouragement to believers like Sari.

*Name changed for security reasons

Christians in Sudan are giving thanks for answered prayers, which have seen Bibles released from customs and church buildings returned to their rightful owners.

The government returned ownership of 19 church properties to the Sudanese Church of Christ (SCOC) on 24 September, two years after they were confiscated. This followed a remarkable court ruling against the government, and the dropping of a case against five SCOC church leaders.

A few weeks later came another surprise when the

Sudanese government cleared a batch of Arabic Bibles which had been locked up in shipping containers for many years. Despite numerous appeals, officials had resolutely refused to clear the Bibles through customs – until this sudden turnaround.

The newly cleared Bibles have since been transported to Khartoum, to the great joy of Christians there.

Please join us in praising the Lord for this breakthrough. Pray that He will direct His Word to reach everyone who hungers and thirsts for it. Pray that its words will revive those who know the Lord, and bring

to life many who are still in darkness.

Please also continue to lift up Christians in Sudan in your prayers. These are promising signs, but there is a long way to go before our persecuted brothers and sisters in Sudan can worship freely.

• That these Bibles would bring strength and courage to Christians in Sudan

• That the government would protect freedom of religion in the country, which remains number 4 on the Open Doors World Watch List.

For the latest news and stories from the persecuted church visit www.opendoorsuk.org

INDIA: Twelve-year-old Sari refuses to deny Jesus despite beatings and rejection

SUDAN: Answered prayers bring joy to Christians

PRAY

PRAY

Sari with her aunt


When six-year-old Zeal wrote to Prime Minister Theresa May, there’s no way he could have known the impact his letter would have – not just on the Prime Minister, but also the potential for impact on persecuted Christians around the world.

Lord Ahmad, the Prime Minister’s new Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief, spoke about his new role at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)’s Human Rights and Democracy Report Launch in July, and shared some of the factors which led to its creation – including Zeal’s letter.

He said, “I assure you, ladies and gentlemen, that the Prime Minister remains committed to not only promoting tolerance, but also the understanding and protecting of freedoms to practise faith and belief at home and indeed overseas. So the letter she received from six-year-old Zeal Saunders from Devon must have particularly resonated with her. For he wrote, and I quote: ‘Dear Prime Minister, I have just learnt about people in prison in other countries simply because they are Christians. They should be as safe as us. Please do everything you can to help them. Thank you.’”

We asked Zeal’s father to explain how Zeal came to write his letter, and he told us: “Earlier this year, we were reading his Bible before bed and got to the story of Paul being in prison in Acts. Zeal mentioned how good it was that Christians aren’t being put in prison today. I explained that sadly they are still being persecuted and put in prison around the world, simply for following Jesus. I also showed Zeal the

Open Doors video for children. “He asked why we didn’t do something

about it, so we talked about things we could do to help, including writing to the Prime Minister. Zeal received a kind reply from the Prime Minister’s office and the FCO, but we didn’t think much more of it. We were so encouraged to think Zeal’s letter may have played a small part in the latest action the Prime Minister has taken.”

Well done Zeal! Thank you for writing to the Prime Minister to help make things better for our persecuted church family.

It is incredibly encouraging to hear how we can effect change for our persecuted brothers and sisters – no matter how young or old we are! Writing letters to politicians can sometimes feel like too small a way to get them to sit up and take notice of the issues we care about, but Lord Ahmad’s comments demonstrate that we have amazing opportunities here in the UK and Ireland to make a difference for the persecuted church.

‘DEAR PRIME MINISTER…’ Six-year-old Zeal’s letter about Christians in prison helps prompt change

Tackling religious persecution head-on is a strategic way to resolve many complex, global issues. The right to freedom of religion or belief is central to human experience. Where freedom of religion or belief is denied, further oppression follows – other rights are withheld such as freedom of expression, the right to a family life and a fair trial. Religious persecution further exacerbates existing vulnerabilities such as gender, ethnicity, class or age.

I therefore urge you to prioritise this year’s World Watch List launch on 16 January 2019, 4-5pm, hosted by Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP, in the Members’ Dining Room.Please attend to discover the 50 most dangerous countries in which to live as a Christian, to hear speakers from Nigeria and Malaysia share about religious persecution first-hand, and to find out how addressing religious persecution could help resolve many global issues. This truly is the issue of our time.

Mr Sample, 123 Sample Rd, Sample County, Sample City, Postcode

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www.opendoorsuk.org Registered Charity in England and Wales No. 1125684, Scotland SC043710, Republic of Ireland 20140984

Come and hear about the issue of our time

You are invitedReligious persecution is the issue of

our time. Addressing it will help resolve

many other global problems. Find out

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Vulnerable because of her faith and gender,

one of Esther’s three daughters was brutally

kidnapped by Boko Haram fighters.

INVITE YOUR MP TO THE 2019 PARLIAMENTARY LAUNCHInspired by Zeal’s story? Want to make a difference? Invite your MP to the Open Doors 2019 World Watch List Parliamentary Launch, where they’ll be able to hear from a female Nigerian speaker about the double vulnerability of Christian women who are persecuted for both their faith and their gender. Use the postcard included in this magazine, and make sure your MP receives it by 14 January 2019. Help wake up the world to persecution!

“It made me feel really happy that my letter has helped Christians in prison,” says Zeal


HOPE AT CHRISTMASHow you are bringing new life to Iraq and Syria

For the first time in five years, 12-year-old Noeh and his family will be able to celebrate Christmas in their own home in Karamles, Iraq, this year.

There was a time when going home for Christmas seemed impossible for this family. In August 2014, they had to flee their home to escape the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS). Their village, Karamles, was liberated from the extremists in October 2016, but when they returned to their home, it was completely burned out.

But they were determined not to give up on their home and their community. In August 2017, Noeh’s family came back to live in Karamles, staying in the house of an uncle and aunt.

In December last year, Noeh and his father, Haithem, travelled to New York to present the Hope for the Middle East petition to high level UN officials and Vice President of the USA Mike Pence – you can see a photo of Noeh in New York above! Noeh is just a young boy from a small village – and yet, your campaigning enabled his voice to be heard by some of the


HOPE AT CHRISTMAS: HOW YOU ARE BRINGING NEW LIFE TO IRAQ AND SYRIA

most powerful people in the worldAnd this year, Noeh and his family are back

in their own home.Noeh says, “I am very happy now that

our house is reconstructed well. I feel great happiness, because I am in the house I used to live in before ISIS.”

Noeh’s father Haithem says, “Honestly, the house was so damaged that I didn’t believe it would be possible to reconstruct it again. But I thank God, and everyone who helped us to rebuild it.”

YOU ARE GIVING THE GIFT OF HOPEFor many families in the Middle East, 2018 has been a year of new hope. Your support

Before and after photos of Noeh’s house in Iraq. It was destroyed by the self-proclaimed Islamic state, but his family were able to return this year!


and prayers have enabled Open Doors local church partners to repair 1,051 houses across the Nineveh Plain in Iraq – that’s 1,051 families like Noeh’s who will be home for Christmas this year. Thank you!

As the situation in Iraq improves, Open Doors local partners are now focusing less on providing food aid, and more on helping believers to start small businesses to give them the dignity of supporting themselves. Your support and prayers have helped them to start all kinds of businesses, including a plastics factory, a sweet factory, a metal factory, and various farms and shops.

But there are still huge challenges. In Iraq, Christians haven’t forgotten the terrifying days of the invasion of IS, and our brothers and sisters still have concerns for their security. Noeh says, “Whenever we are in the streets in Karamles and go somewhere, we still look for security. We are afraid every now and then.” Many are still traumatised, and receiving trauma care through Open Doors local partners. Our church family in Iraq still need our prayers and support as they continue to rebuild their homes and communities.

And in Syria, the crisis is far from over. While many areas have seen the violence come to an end, the fight for survival continues. Living costs have soared to ten times what they were before the war began, meaning that even those with an income struggle to make enough money for their basic needs. Those who have been left behind are often the most vulnerable – the

elderly, the sick, families who have lost their breadwinners and those who are simply too poor to flee.

But you are keeping hope alive for 12,000 families in Syria, who rely on Open Doors local church partners for vital aid such as food and medicines. Our partners are also running long-term projects such as providing trauma care and starting small businesses to provide families with work.

Pastor Abdalla, an Open Doors local church partner in Aleppo says, “I have a great hope. We have experienced God’s love and support and protection in this time. God supported us in this time, so he will continue.”

YOU SPOKE OUT, AND THE PRIME MINISTER LISTENEDThis year, Prime Minister Theresa May announced the appointment of Foreign Office Minister Lord Ahmad to a newly created role: Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief.

When speaking about his new role, Lord Ahmad shared some of the Prime Minister’s motivations as well as his own reflections – and we were very pleased to hear him mention Father Daniel, an Open Doors partner in Iraq.

Father Daniel presented the Hope for the Middle East petition to the Prime Minister in December 2017, and he also presented her with a Bible, covered in ash and with charred pages, that was saved from the wreckage of the church in Karamles which had been burned by IS.

12,000 families in Syria are receiving vital aid through Open Doors local church partners, thanks to your prayers and support


A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH: THE FAITH OF THE CHURCH IN INDIA HOPE AT CHRISTMAS: HOW YOU ARE BRINGING NEW LIFE TO IRAQ AND SYRIA

Lord Ahmad said, “Father Daniel from the Nineveh Plains in Iraq, who met our Prime Minister Theresa May – what did he do? He handed her a Bible, retrieved from a church burnt to the ground by Daesh (IS). That survival of the Holy Bible symbolised the hope that Christians in Iraq continue to hold in their hearts, that once again they will be allowed to freely practise their faith in safety in their homeland, in their country.”

The petition presented to the Prime Minister included 186,390 signatures from the UK and Ireland. You spoke out, and asked your friends and churches to speak out too – and the Prime Minister has listened. Thank you!

YOU ARE BRINGING HEALING TO THE TRAUMATISEDPresident of Open Doors UK & Ireland Eddie Lyle recently went to Iraq to visit Father Daniel, to see the trauma care centre that he runs in Erbil with your support. Eddie also took Welsh Assembly Member Darren Millar, who is hoping to meet with the Prime Minister to update her on the situation facing Father Daniel and his community.

Father Daniel was pleased to hear of the

changes that the Prime Minister has made following their meeting, but he says that more still needs to be done in order for Christians and other minorities to be treated as equals in Iraq. He says, “We feel that we don’t have any rights in our country. So we need the help of someone who has the power to make our voice heard in the Iraqi government. Whenever we have an issue, we go to the government, but there is no answer.”

He still has concerns for the future of the church in Iraq. “Today the existence of Christianity is threatened. It’s one of the oldest communities in Iraq. Christianity started from these places. It’s a great pity to find out today that Christians are shrinking from this country.”

While many displaced families like Noeh’s have been able to return to their homes in Iraq, Father Daniel still sees the need for trauma care. He says, “The first trauma that they have suffered is when IS have invaded their places. And now they have suffered another trauma when they went back home and they have observed their destroyed houses.”

He wants to thank all those who have prayed and given to support the trauma work in Iraq, especially the work he is doing with

children. He says, “I would like to thank them for the contribution they have made through the years. Because without them we couldn’t have done all this. You can see so many people have been healed and we’re still going. Whenever a child was very aggressive back in 2014, today they are having a peaceful life. We are trying to take

clockwise from top left Zoe Smith, Head of Advocacy for Open Doors UK & I, with Lord Ahmad; Father Daniel, an Open Doors partner in Iraq with Eddie Lyle, President of Open Doors UK & I; Father Daniel with displaced children in Erbil, Iraq; Father Daniel with the burnt Bible he presented to Prime Minister Theresa May.


all of the negative things from inside, and plant something positive in their heart.”

YOU ARE HELPING THE CHURCH TO BRING PEACE AND RECONCILIATIONPastor Abdalla is a local church partner of Open Doors in Aleppo, Syria. He has courageously stayed in his city throughout the war to lead his church and serve his community. “We are beginning to rebuild everything,” he says. “Even though the damage is big and huge, it is obvious to everyone there that life and reconciliation is coming back to Aleppo.”

At times it must have seemed impossible to imagine life coming back to Aleppo. He remembers, “Once a car exploded near me. Also my daughter had four bombs go off in her school and four children died.”

But his courage in the face of great danger is incredible. “Even though the bombs were falling around the building every day, we didn’t

stop.” When the war began the church was helping a few families, but this work grew, and thanks to the support and prayers of people like you they are now reaching thousands of families with practical support.

Pastor Abdalla is playing a key role in bringing reconciliation to his community, and heads up a reconciliation committee in Aleppo.

He says, “Real reconciliation is in the relationship. There are different parts of society and they all have unstable relationships with each other. So the church has the role to make these relationships stable. To bring all parties together. The church’s role is to make the conversation between them and make them have a good relationship. When you solve the relationship you have a stable society and that’s what we are doing.”

He says the church was able to build good relationships with different groups in society through the help they offered to

Pastor Abdalla’s church has kept hope alive for thousands of families throughout the war thanks to your support


HOPE AT CHRISTMAS: HOW YOU ARE BRINGING NEW LIFE TO IRAQ AND SYRIA

everyone throughout the crisis – Christians and non-Christians alike. “Before the crisis the community was split into Christian parts and non-Christian parts. During the crisis the non-Christians left their houses and came to the Christians and developed a close relationship with them.

“We decided we needed to help them as Jesus would have done. So we showed love to them and received them into our centre. If you enter our centre now you will see that the majority of the people there are not Christians. They came to receive support, food, medication – they had to rent new houses because their houses were destroyed.”

YOU ARE HELPING 12,000 FAMILIES IN SYRIA TO SURVIVEYour support and prayers are providing vital aid such as food and medicines for 12,000 of the most vulnerable families in Syria every month – thank you!

This support is still desperately needed. Many of those who remain in Syria are the elderly, those with chronic illnesses, families who have lost their breadwinners, and those who are simply too poor to afford to leave. Even those with an income are struggling to earn enough to cover their basic necessities, as the cost of living has gone up ten-fold since the start of the war.

Pastor Abdalla says, “The need still exists. Some organisations have reduced the amount that they give. But the need is still there and we don’t know how we can meet the need in the days to come.

“The number of families we help as a church is so big and the need is so big. A lady came to me and said that other organisations had

stopped helping her. She begged me, ‘Please don’t stop helping us.’ We need to help these people.”

Pastor Abdalla also sees the importance of helping people to find jobs, to give them the dignity of supporting their own families, at least partially. He hopes that eventually families with an income will be able to support themselves fully.

“We need to find people a job. Some people think that relief should be taken away and people should be helped to find jobs instead. But I think that both aims should go together for at least one year.”

Shiveen is an example of the problem Pastor Abdalla describes. Before the war, she ran a computer outlet. But she was forced to flee to escape the violence, and left behind everything she had worked so hard to build. She says, “After

top Pastor Abdalla shows photos of the community he serves in Aleppo, Syriabottom Shiveen has a job at a sewing workshop in Homs, Syria, supported by Open Doors


we fled to Homs I found some temporary work in a grocery shop. That was not good because I earned too little money. It wasn’t enough to buy what my family needed. I had to pay rent, and the food aid had stopped.”

Your support and prayers have enabled the church in Homs to start a sewing workshop, where Shiveen is able to earn a better income. She says, “I am excited about this job. We’re making something, and getting an income. It

is so good that we are producing here, that we can sell the products.

“This factory is a wonderful step for our future. We thank you so much for your help. I want to thank everyone who has contributed even just a penny to the benefit of the people who are in need. I want to thank everybody who has given. The projects are strengthening the people, and providing us with a new start.”

HELP THE CHURCH TO CONTINUE TO SHINE THIS CHRISTMAS

Your support and prayers are keeping hope alive for our brothers and sisters in Syria and Iraq, and helping the church to continue to shine as a light in the darkness. Pastor Abdalla says, “During the crisis we saw the church worldwide act like one family, supporting us, praying for us, helping us. That made a difference.”

Will you continue to stand with your church family in Syria this Christmas? Your gift could provide a winter relief pack to help a vulnerable Syrian family survive, and contribute towards setting up a small business to give a mother or father the dignity of providing for their own children.

could provide a monthly emergency relief pack for a family in Syria. This could include food, clothing, medicines, shelter, and heating during the freezing winter.

could provide counselling for a Syrian refugee, traumatised by years of war.

could provide training to help one person open a small business in Syria.

When asked how his community would be celebrating Christmas this year, Pastor Abdalla said that, as they put lights on their tree, they will be reminded of Jesus, the light of the world. “This light is still giving light in people’s lives during the crisis. It’s the same light that has been through the ages.”

As you put up your own Christmas decorations, please pray that the light of Christ will continue to shine through the church in Syria and Iraq. You can find specific prayer points for our church family in Iraq and Syria in the Prayer Diary.

“During the crisis we saw the church worldwide act like one family, supporting us, praying for us, helping us. That made a difference.”

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COULD YOUR CHURCH STAND WITH A CHURCH LIKE PASTOR ABDALLA’S THIS CHRISTMAS? Turn over to find out more about our free Christmas church pack.


WHO WILL YOU INVITE TO CHURCH THIS CHRISTMAS?

Worshippers at the bombed St Elias Cathedral in Aleppo used debris from the ruins to create a Christmas crib.

Christmas is a prime time for churches looking to share the light and life of Jesus – and the Syrian church is no different.

Pastor Abdalla from the Alliance Church in Aleppo says, “Before the crisis, we used to use Christmas to visit houses and sing. We’d take our instruments and sing in the buildings and in the streets. We’d go and visit people and celebrate with people. We did it like this because it was safe. During the crisis, due to the lack of safety, we stopped.” With the four-year battle of Aleppo causing devastation to 20 churches and cathedrals, normal life has had to be put on hold. St Elias Cathedral was bombed

at least three times and had to be abandoned until 25 December 2016, when it triumphantly celebrated Christmas amidst the ruins. It’s a picture of determination and hope – reflecting brave leadership within the Syrian church.

Amazingly, from the outset, youth leader Andreas* saw the Syrian conflict as a time for growth. He says: “This is a great opportunity God is offering to the church to get out of our church buildings and reach out to the people. In the past, we only had our choirs and our activities for the members of the church. Now I see churches reaching out and working together to make a difference to the country.”

INVITE YOUR SYRIAN FAMILY TO CHURCH THIS CHRISTMAS! Stand with your Syrian brothers and sisters, and be inspired by their faith, as you worship, pray and offer your gifts this season.Share the good news of ‘God with us’ with the Sing for Syria pack. It includes:• Sing for Syria song sheet with inspirational quotes – give out and give away!• A message from Pastor Abdalla (also available on film from our website)• Sing for Syria stickers.

Order the pack and as many song sheets and stickers as you need, using the response form. Alternatively, call Inspire

on 01993 460015 or go to www.opendoorsuk.org where you’ll find downloadables too:• Silent Night, filmed at Gas Street church with Josh

Gauton of Worship Central • A prayer for Syria from a Syrian pastor on film• Sing for Syria labels for collecting buckets and tins.

… AND PRAY WITH YOUR FAMILY FOR SYRIATurn your kitchen table into a place of prayer during Advent. Cut along the dotted lines then put this landscape of Aleppo round a nightlight jar. Tear off a number each day as you pray. Why not take a photo and tag us on social media to show your support for your persecuted family. A pastor in Damascus says: “We really want to thank you for your support. God gives us supernatural peace, this is really a gift to us. Your support to make the relief to the refugees possible – and your prayers – are very precious to us.” *name changed for security reasons


Christmas celebrations are just around the corner, and what better time to celebrate the changes your support has made to tens of thousands of Christians around the world in 2018? Your prayers and actions mean that believers are able to live out their faith in some of the most dangerous places in the world – North Korea, Egypt, and the Horn of Africa, to name just a few! We want to say a huge thank you – but we’ll let our persecuted church family speak for themselves in their own words…

NORTH KOREA: A HOPE TO HOLD ON TOIn January, we gave you six ways to survive as a Christian in North Korea. Do you remember number 5? “Hold onto hope.”

Thanks to your support, the persecuted church has hope to hold on to – you helped provide over 60,000 North Korean Christians with vital relief aid, including emergency food, medicines and clothes.

One believer said: “The prayer and support from you, and fellow workers, has not only encouraged North Korean believers but also strengthened our faith and hope in Christ, on the way to accomplish the Great Commission. [We] know that our worldly life is limited, but our heavenly life will be eternal with the promises of God. It is proved by the believers’ life history. Our church believers may give up their lives but never their faith, in any circumstances.”

EGYPT: EMPOWERING WOMEN IN THE EYE OF THE STORMThanks to your support, Open Doors local church partners have been able to encourage women in Egypt, like Nura*, who face harsh persecution for their faith. As Nura and her family are the only Christians in a Muslim-majority neighbourhood, they are pressured to pay protection money to their neighbours if they wish to stay. But they refused. An angry, Islamic extremist mob marched on their shop as a result.

Hala*, a biblical trainer supported by Open Doors partners, went to visit them to encourage them. The visit brought much hope and the possibility of a women’s Bible study class in the local Orthodox church. Your support is empowering women in Egypt to understand God’s Word for themselves and encourage others with the power of the gospel!

In 2018, every £20 sponsored a family in Egypt to attend a seminar to teach them how to protect vulnerable girls and build strong families. Thanks to your support, Open Doors local partners have provided this training to 2,580 people!

PAKISTAN: “I LONG FOR THE WHOLE WORLD TO KNOW JESUS.”Rehana and her family came under extreme pressure to convert to Islam before Rehana’s cousin, Hameed*, was able to help her to enrol on a three-year Bible course run by ALIVE, an Open Doors local church partner. “At college, I was able to get away from the

How your support has changed lives in 2018

GOOD CHRISTIAN FRIENDS, REJOICE!


problems of home and focus on studying God’s Word to deepen my relationship with Him, allowing Him to form me for future ministry,” Rehana says. “In college, I saw what it meant to be in love with Jesus and long for the whole world to know Him.” Rehana has now graduated and is working closely with Hameed and another ALIVE student to disciple young women from areas where all Christian activity is closely monitored and discouraged.

In 2018, every £35 provided literacy training for a persecuted believer in Pakistan. This year, 2,800 church leaders received that training – thank you!

HORN OF AFRICA: “I LEARNED HOW TO CONNECT WITH GOD.”Thanks to your support, believers in the Horn of Africa are growing in enthusiasm and boldness in sharing the gospel. Twenty-year-old Fistum* is a member of a secret church in the Horn of Africa which is supported by Open Doors. He says, “Here at the fellowship I learned how to connect with God, how to read the Bible and how to share the gospel with others. It has changed my life! I tell all my friends that God is our strength if we are His. I gave some of them Bibles and took them to church. A few received Jesus. I am so excited! What I learn here is certainly useful for me.”

In 2018 alone, you helped Open Doors partners provide Bibles for 4,000 believers in the Horn of Africa!

INDONESIA: TRINITY, ALVARO AND ANITA Thank you for walking alongside Trinity, Alvaro and Anita, as they recover from their ordeal after being caught up in a bomb attack in Samarinda, Indonesia. They have been doing amazingly well! Alvaro has just had his last surgery, which

means his scalp can now grow

hair normally. This is such a relief for his parents, who have travelled extensively

to get him the right

treatment. Novita, Alvaro’s

mum, said, “It was always stressful for me

to watch him go through all those procedures. I had once asked him whether he wanted to stop because I could not bear to see him suffer before, during and after the operation. But he is so much stronger than I am. He told me, ‘It’s alright, Mama. I am okay. I can bear the injections, as long as it takes us home to Samarinda, better and faster!’ He is such a brave and strong boy.”

Trinity’s condition is a bit more complicated, but her mum, Sarina, is trusting in God to show them the way forward. “I can never forget how God brought Open Doors to us since the very beginning. Your prayers have always been there to wipe away our tears during those difficult times. Please continue to pray for us,” she said.

You can see the impact you have had in this short video. Go to www.opendoorsuk.org/indonesia

YOU CAN KEEP MAKING CHANGE HAPPEN! As you can see, your support makes a real difference in the lives of persecuted Christians, enabling them to grow and shine as lights in the darkness, and continue to live out their faith. Why not consider committing to pray and give regularly? This will enable Open Doors to walk with persecuted believers for as long as they need us, and make a lasting impact on future generations of Christians and churches in the years ahead. You can help us keep hope alive!

Unless otherwise stated, all images have been used for illustrative purposes

Trinity


Today, courageous girls and women from the church in Nigeria are shining as heroines of the faith in the face of some of the most violent and extreme persecution. They follow the many courageous women in the Bible, like Esther, Ruth and Mary, the mother of Jesus, who refused to let go of their faith in God, despite uncertainty, difficult circumstances and even danger of death.

ESTHER: “IF I PERISH, I PERISH”When Esther* was only 17 years old, she was kidnapped by the militant group Boko Haram and badly abused, but she refused to renounce her faith. “If I perish, I perish,” she said, “but I will not become a Muslim.” She became pregnant while in captivity, and when the Nigerian military rescued her in 2016, she had a baby, Rebecca.

Unfortunately, her community did not receive her well. “They mocked me because I was pregnant,” Esther said. “Even my grandparents despised me and called me names. I cried many tears. I felt so lonely. What broke my heart even more was that they refused to call my daughter ‘Rebecca’. They referred to her as ‘Boko’.”

LEAH: “GOD IS SHOWING HIMSELF MIGHT Y”In February this year, 15-year-old Leah Sharibu, from Dapchi, was also taken by Boko Haram. They refused to let her go when she would not deny her faith in Jesus. In a message to her

mother, she said, “My God, whom we have been praying to with you, is showing Himself mighty in my trying moment… I am confident that one day I shall see your face again. If not here, then there at the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Leah has continued to face increasing threats; at the time of writing, she and two other women being held captive have been threatened with execution, unless the Nigerian government meets Boko Haram’s demands. The group recently released an audio recording of Leah asking for help from the president of Nigeria.

RASHIDA: “LET GOD AVENGE ME”Just a few months later, seven-year-old Rashida was shot in the leg when her village was attacked by Fulani herdsmen. She looked the leader of the group in the face and told him, “Let God avenge me.” He let her escape with her life. Rashida was already an orphan before the attack; she had been taken in by a Christian couple after her parents – both Muslims – died. During the attack on her village, Rashida witnessed the deaths of her friend and her aunty; she needs much care and trauma counselling.

DOUBLE VULNERABILIT YEsther, Leah and Rashida have faced some of the most brutal discrimination for being Christian, and yet their trust in Jesus has not been diminished. But their stories are just a few examples of the kinds of

Population:192 million(89 million Christians)

Leader: President Muhammadu Buhari

Main religion:Islam/Christianity

14

WORLD WATCH LIST

RAISING UP WOMEN OF FAITH AND COURAGE

NIGERIA


PRAY

• For Esther and Rashida, that God would strengthen them and bring healing; and that He would bring about Leah’s swift return to her family

• For an end to the violence in northern Nigeria, and that Jesus would reveal Himself to both Fulani herdsmen and members of Boko Haram

• For the work of Open Doors through local church partners, that they would be able to reach more Christians with vital care and training.

INVITE YOUR MP TO THE 2019 PARLIAMENTARY LAUNCHMake sure your MP is at the Open Doors 2019 World Watch List Launch in Parliament by inviting them using the postcard included with this magazine! A persecuted Christian woman from Nigeria will be speaking to MPs on the double vulnerability of Christian women, who suffer for both their faith and their gender. Please send the postcard direct to your MP by 14 January. Nearly 100 parliamentarians gathered together to hear the stories of the persecuted church at the 2018 launch and this was thanks to you!

double persecution Christian women face – persecution for their gender, and their faith.

Nigeria is currently number 14 on the Open Doors World Watch List, an annual ranking of the top 50 countries where it is most dangerous to be a Christian. Our church family in Nigeria has suffered from huge amounts of violence and unrest over the last few years, with Islamic militant groups, such as Boko Haram, as well as nomadic Fulani herdsmen, attacking Christian villages, schools and churches. Corruption within the Nigerian government has made it ill-equipped to protect Christians. Converts face rejection by their Muslim families and pressure to recant, and women who convert are particularly at risk of abduction, forced conversion and forced marriage.

Despite this, the church is growing – and through local church partners, Open Doors strengthens and equips persecuted believers in Nigeria through persecution survival training, discipleship training for new believers, community development projects, legal assistance, and emergency relief and trauma counselling for women – particularly for widows, and those who have suffered at the hands of Boko Haram.

At one such programme, around 30 sexual violence survivors gathered for a week of fellowship, prayer and healing. Women

who were excluded and discriminated against in their communities because of their suffering found freedom and inclusion.

By the end of the week, one of the participants, Hauwa, was even able to overcome the barrier of difficult feelings towards her son, to whom she gave birth in captivity. She says, “I realise that my son did not choose to come to me through Boko Haram. It’s not his fault I was violated… I promise I will love and take care of him with the help of God.”

*name changed for security reasons

Esther recently took part in a week-long trauma counselling programme.

Tackling religious persecution

head-on is a strategic way to resolve

many complex, global issues.

The right to freedom of religion or belief is

central to human experience. Where freedom of

religion or belief is denied, further oppression

follows – other rights are withheld such as

freedom of expression, the right to a family

life and a fair trial. Religious persecution

further exacerbates existing vulnerabilities

such as gender, ethnicity, class or age.

I therefore urge you to prioritise this year’s

World Watch List launch on 16 January

2019, 4-5pm, hosted by Rt Hon Theresa

Villiers MP, in the Members’ Dining Room.

Please attend to discover the 50 most

dangerous countries in which to live as a

Christian, to hear speakers from Nigeria

and Malaysia share about religious

persecution first-hand, and to find out

how addressing religious persecution

could help resolve many global issues.

This truly is the issue of our time.

Mr Sample, 123 Sample Rd, Sample County, Sample City, Postcode

SIGNATURE

DATE

MG1806 / (Const ID)

www.opendoorsuk.org Registered Charity in England and Wales No. 1125684, Scotland SC043710, Republic of Ireland 20140984

Come and hear about the issue of our timeYou are invitedReligious persecution is the issue of our time. Addressing it will help resolve

many other global problems. Find out how at the launch of Open Doors’ 2019 World Watch List.

16 January 20194pm-5pm Members’ Dining Room Houses of ParliamentLondon

SW1A 0AA

MP Name Here

PLEASE USE YOUR OWN STAMP OR ENCLOSE POSTCARD WITH YOUR GIFT. THANK YOU.

Vulnerable because of her faith and gender, one of Esther’s three daughters was brutally kidnapped by Boko Haram fighters.

HOPE FOR THE MIDDLE EAST

THE BATTLE FOR SURVIVAL IN SYRIA ISN’T OVER“Even though the bombs were falling around the building every day, we didn’t stop,” says Pastor Abdalla, an Open Doors partner in Syria. Your prayers and support have helped churches like his to continue to shine, even in the darkness of war.

But the crisis isn’t over. Open Doors partners are helping 12,000 of the most vulnerable families to survive with vital aid such as food and medicines, alongside long-term projects. The church in Syria isn’t giving up – and neither can we. Your gift could provide a relief pack to help a Syrian family survive the freezing winter, and contribute towards setting up a small business to give a mother or father the dignity of providing for their own children.

could provide a winter relief pack for a family in Syria for a month.

could provide training to help one person open a small business in Syria.

Please continue to pray, and give a Christmas gift.Use the response form, call 01993 460015 or visit www.opendoorsuk.org

£26

£238

60 years christians - open doors€¦ · september, two years after they were confiscated. this...

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