This is the theme our Evangelistic efforts should adopt this year. We need to renew our efforts and expand our endeavors to spread The Gospel of Jesus around the world. One way would be to provide support for our Brothers and Sisters in Christ, who are living in Islamic countries.

You say you’re tired? You’re tapped out? You’ve got to return or exchange the gifts you don’t like? You don’t know how you are going to pay the bills for all of the gifts you put on your credit card?

The war for Christianity and its efforts to spread The Gospel of Jesus has not stopped and is not waiting for us to feel like getting involved again. Did you know that our efforts are being defeated and are not being reported by the news media? I’ll share with you one item which has not been widely published.

The Iraqi Constitution states:

Article 2:

First: Islam is the official religion of the State and it is a fundamental source of legislation:

A. No law that contradicts the established provisions of Islam may be established.

B. No law that contradicts the principles of democracy may be established.

C. No law that contradicts the rights and basic freedoms stipulated in this constitution may be established.

Second: This Constitution guarantees the Islamic identity of the majority of the Iraqi people and guarantees the full religious rights of all individuals to freedom of religious belief and practice such as Christians, Yazedis, and Mandi Sabeans. (This “Second:” item can not be enforced because it contradicts Item A. Islam requires you to convert to Islam or be put to death.)

Christians in Iraq, which a couple of years ago was a booming success for Missionaries and Evangelists, are once again fearing for their lives. No matter what their Constitution says; once more, the open murder and destruction of Christians in Iraq is being accomplished openly, without fear of punishment. Here are some accounts as reported by Barnabas Fund, http://www.barnabasfund.org/. To read the article in its entirety go to: http://www.barnabasfund.org/archivenews/article.php?ID_news_items=233

Copyright © Barnabas Fund - 24th November 2006
IRAQ | Barnabas Fund Christmas Appeal: IRAQ - Fear and Hope

...Christians like the thousands of frightened Iraqis who face Christmas in the context of escalating anti-Christian violence. In the most shocking report from Iraq we have received, a toddler was kidnapped in Baghdad in October 2006. The mother could not afford to pay the ransom, and so the kidnappers killed the child. They returned the body to the mother. The little child had been beheaded, roasted and was served on a mound of rice. In another incident a 14-year-old Christian boy was held down by his limbs and beheaded, or, as Iraqi Christians have described it, “crucified”. His Muslim attackers called him a “dirty Christian sinner” and chanted “Allahu akbar” (Allah is great).

• On 10th October Paulos Iskander, an Iraqi church minister, was abducted in Mosul. His family attempted to meet the kidnappers’ demands - a $40,000 ransom, and a public repudiation by Iskander’s church of the remarks about Islam quoted by Pope Benedict XVI in September. They began arranging several loans, and thirty large posters were placed on churches in the city, distancing the Christians from the Pope’s words. However, Iskander’s decapitated body was discovered on 12th October, dumped in an outlying suburb of Mosul. His hands and legs had been severed, and his body showed signs of severe torture. On 19th November another church leader, Doglas Yousef Al Bazy (34) went missing; it is feared he has also been kidnapped and may suffer as Paulos did. The church community are anxiously waiting and praying for news and for his safe return.

A Source of Hope

The situation is grim. And yet we believe in a powerful and compassionate God who can and does rescue His people. As Barnabas Fund talks with senior Iraqi Church leaders, it is clear that the needs of Iraqi Christians are growing. Barnabas Fund is planning strategies of how we can work with Iraqi churches to help sustain the Christian community in Iraq, and how best to assist in relocating those who have fled. Barnabas Fund has been working in Iraq since 1999, supporting the beleaguered Christians, and the donations of our supporters have enabled Barnabas Fund to be a source of both hope and encouragement to Iraqi Christians.

• As the violence in Iraq continues and increases in intensity, there is a greater need for assistance for victims of these attacks. In such situations Barnabas Fund seeks to support the victims of violence in Iraq, whether by paying for medical costs, or funeral costs, or assisting the widows and children of those killed.

• The dwindling number of Christians in Iraq, many of whom are too fearful to leave their homes, are in desperate need. We are currently supporting approximately 1,445 families with food and other necessities. Food parcels go to the poorest Christian families; distribution is done by local churches to make sure the aid goes to those who need it most. Knowing that they will have a regular supply of food basics means that some of the stress of daily survival is lifted off their shoulders. They have more energy and hope to plan for their futures.

If you can help, please go to https://secure.barnabasfund.org to donate online using our secure server. (Please quote project reference 20-227 when you send your gift.) Within the United States:

Barnabas Fund
PO Box 6336
McLean, VA 22106-6336

Tel: 1-703-288-1681
bfusa@barnabasfund.org

As you can see these Christians can’t afford to be “tired, tapped out, busy returning unwanted gifts or charge excessive gifts on their credit cards.” They and others like them around the world are in dire need of our help just to survive and continue living a Life for Jesus Christ. How can we hope to spread The Gospel when we allow our Brothers and Sisters to suffer and die so needlessly throughout the year?

Rev. William H. Anderson, 12/26/06  
John 17: 15: I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

URL: http://www.healingthebody.net
Email: info@healingthebody.net

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