Afghanistan – Taliban Kills Christian Aid Worker

Taliban gunmen shot and killed 34-year-old Gayle Williams, a Christian aid worker in Kabul, as she was walking to work because she was "spreading her religion," The Associated Press (AP) reported. The Taliban claimed responsibility for shooting Williams, a South African – British national who worked with disabled Afghans.

"This woman came to Afghanistan to teach Christianity to the people of Afghanistan. Our leaders issued a decree to kill this woman. This morning our people killed her in Kabul," Zabiullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Taliban, told AP.

AP reported Williams was working for a Christian charity organization, SERVE (Serving Emergency Relief and Vocational Enterprises), which has worked with Afghan refugees in Pakistan since 1980. In a statement on its Web site, SERVE described Williams as "a person who always loved the Afghans and was dedicated to serving those who are disabled."

In August 2007, the Taliban kidnapped 23 South Korean aid workers from a church group. Two were killed and the rest were released a month later. In 2001, eight international aid workers were imprisoned and charged with preaching Christianity.

The Voice of the Martyrs supports Christians in Afghanistan by providing literature and other ministry tools to the indigenous house church leaders. VOM encourages you to pray for the family of Williams during this difficult time. Ask God to protect believers as they share the gospel under such challenging times. Pray Williams’ testimony will draw nonbelievers and Taliban members into fellowship with Him.

CHINA - Prominent House Church Leader's Sons Assaulted by Chinese Police

On October 16, Zhang Jian, the elder son of Pastor "Bike" Zhang Mingxuan, was severely beaten by Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials in Beijing, China Aid Association (CAA) reported.

Zhang Jian was at home with his mother, Xie Fenglan, when PSB officials entered their residence and secured the exits before severely beating him with iron bars for nearly half an hour. As Zhang lay bleeding profusely, his mother called the ambulance, but the receptionist told her that a higher government authority gave a directive not to dispatch an ambulance to rescue Zhang because he is related to Pastor Bike CAA reported. Xie Fenglan called her younger son, who rushed to the house and was also beaten by the same authorities, CAA added.

After some time a family friend took Zhang Jian to a local emergency room, where doctors said he may lose sight in his right eye as a result of the beating. The family has not been able to contact Pastor Bike, who was travelling at the time of the attacks, and they fear authorities have detained him. Pastor Bike is an outspoken evangelist. He traveled more than 10,000 miles across China’s 24 provinces passing out Christian literature and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. He has been arrested several times for his evangelistic activities.

In August, two days before the Olympics, Pastor Bike was arrested along with his wife and co-worker. The Voice of the Martyrs and China Aid Association launched an international petition drive advocating for the release of Pastor Bike, his wife and co-worker. More than 58,000 people signed the petition and it was delivered to the Chinese Ambassador, Zhou Wenzhong, in Washington D.C. Shortly after the petition began and the Olympics ended, all three were released.

Pray for Zhang Jian and his younger brother’s quick recovery from the attack. Ask God to protect Pastor Bike and his entirely family during this challenging time. Praise God for this family’s faithfulness to risk their all for the sake of the gospel.

Two Iranian Christians Released from Prison

The Voice of the Martyrs contacts report that on Sept. 25 two Christians, Mahmood Matin Azad and Arash Basirat, were released from prison in Shiraz.

"A reliable source reported the two men appeared before a local judge and they have been released. The families are very grateful for your prayer support. Please continue to pray for their recovery and safety," VOM contacts added.

Azad and Basirat were arrested on May 15 and charged with apostasy. Believers around the world had expressed concern for them because of the impending law in Iran that makes death the only punishment for apostasy. Praise God for Azad and Basirat’s release. VOM actively supports persecuted believers in Iran and provides resources for them to share the gospel and disciple new converts. Pray for the safety of Azad and Basirat and ask God to use their testimony to bring their persecutors into the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

North Korea - Christian Persecution Expected to Continue

The Voice of the Martyrs contacts working with North Korean Christians do not expect a change in the North Korean government’s policies and practices that persecute believers, despite reports the country’s dictator, Kim Jong Il, is acutely ill.

VOM contacts report that sometime in late August, Kim Jong Il suffered some kind of acute illness, quite possibly a stroke, that incapacitated him to some level but was neither fatal nor debilitating enough to prevent him from continuing to be aware and interactive with those around him. VOM contacts also report that five Chinese physicians are known to be in North Korea and it is assumed they are caring for him.

"It is also reasonably certain that no change in the North Korean power structure has occurred, and there are no signs that such a change is imminent," says a staff member who oversees VOM’s work in North Korea. In recent days, numerous media reports have suggested that Kim Jong Il’s stroke has created a chaotic power struggle for control of North Korea, also called the "Hermit Kingdom." "Kim Jong IL’s rise to power during the reign of [his father] Kim Il Sung occurred through the military, and his power continues to be exercised in this way. No line of succession has been publicly noted, though it is well established that the Chinese prefer Kim Jong Nam, Kim Jong Il’s eldest son, while the North Korean military prefers Kim Jong Chul, Kim's second son," a VOM North Korea insider said.

VOM has been working with persecuted believers in North Korea for decades, including launching thousands of scripture balloons across into the notoriously closed country. VOM encourages all believers to pray for the situation in North Korea. Pray for the protection of believers living under harsh conditions and those who have defected to China. Ask God to use their courageous testimonies to draw non believers into fellowship with Him.

To help you to effectively pray for North Korea, The Voice of the Martyrs has released a new book giving the history of the gospel and of persecution in that nation. Click here to purchase Restricted Nations: North Korea, the second book in VOM’s Restricted Nations series.