Asian Access - Persecution

South Asia (MNN) — The Church in South Asia faces increasing pressure from religious majority groups in various countries.

Joe Handley with Asian Access says sometimes the persecution comes from governments. Sometimes, the government looks the other way. “It’s happening to the degree that most of my colleagues are alarmed. They’re very worried about this. And they’re asking for help.

Handley says Christians who have suffered persecution often need counseling. “They need pastoral care and then equipping. How do you face these kinds of challenges? What do you do when the wife of somebody in your church has been burned? Or maybe their sister or their daughter?”

Handley spoke to one Christian who was tortured with literal salt in his wounds. His captors demanded he recant his Christian faith. In another country, the military captured a man and nailed his hand to a board, taunting him and asking him if Jesus would save him.

Many of these countries have some measure of religious freedom implemented in government documents.

Handley says in one country, “They did lessen the sentences. So if you lead somebody to Christ and baptize them, formerly you’d be in prison for seven years. They’ve taken it down to five years. You’re still in prison for a long time.”

Pray for these believers. Handley says, “Number two, be friends. Most of us now are connected somehow to somebody in China or to somebody in South Asia or other countries that are facing these. They are desperate for a touchpoint. So that could be a WhatsApp call. It could be a text message.”

Of course, many partners need extra security caution when talking to people outside the country. Handley says, “Some of my colleagues only operate on Signal because, for them, that’s the safest way to reach people.”

Listen to the broadcast (story starts at 1:39)

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Mission Network News exists to inform multitudes about stories that matter and empowers them to take action that changes lives. Join over 1 million radio and internet users each day. Hear stories of what God is doing around the world – and how you can be involved. Each MNN broadcast includes pray, give, or go opportunities that help you find your place in the story. Sign up at mnnonline.org to receive daily news in your inbox. Or check out MNN on social media and share them with others. MNN is a ministry of OneWay Ministries.

Indonesia (MNN) — The desperate search for survivors continues in West Java, Indonesia.

Monday’s 5.6-magnitude earthquake toppled entire buildings, and scores of people remain trapped in the debris. More than 160 have died, and the death toll will rise as responders uncover more victims. Last nightt, West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil told a press conference, “the majority of those who died were children.”

“The earthquake happened in Cianjur,” says Juserdi Purba, Country Director for Indonesia with Asian Access.

“This earthquake destroyed many houses, and hundreds of people were injured.”

Disaster agencies recorded 25 aftershocks in the first two hours following yesterday’s quake. Following initial reports of 48 casualties, the death toll rose by more than 100 in a matter of hours.

Churches in the Asian Access network mobilized quickly to send aid, working through a seminary near the quake zone.

“We try to collect the donation to help the people [by providing] food, [clean water], clothes,” Purba says.

“We want to show the love [of Christ] to them.”

Send help in the name of Christ through Asian Access here. Pray that the compassion of Jesus will be tangible as believers help earthquake survivors.

Indonesia sits on the so-called “ring of fire” in the Pacific. The country has a history of devastating earthquakes and tsunamis, with a 2018 quake killing more than 2,000 people.

“Many people do not know exactly when earthquakes will happen. The government tried to help the local people prepare themselves to face any earthquake,” Purba says.

Listen to the broadcast (top story)

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Mission Network News exists to inform multitudes about stories that matter and empowers them to take action that changes lives. Join over 1 million radio and internet users each day. Hear stories of what God is doing around the world – and how you can be involved. Each MNN broadcast includes pray, give, or go opportunities that help you find your place in the story. Sign up at mnnonline.org to receive daily news in your inbox. Or check out MNN on social media and share them with others. MNN is a ministry of OneWay Ministries.

China (MNN) —  Persecution in China filled the headlines in recent weeks. Authorities raided several house churches and arrested leaders within China and harassed Chinese believers seeking shelter in Thailand.

Joe Handley of Asian Access says these specific cases follow a broader trend. “Over the last few years, the government [has become] more concerned about the rise and influence of the underground church, sometimes called house churches,” he says.

“Those I’m talking to have mentioned people put under house arrest or some form of monitoring.”

The pandemic provided a brief respite from intensified persecution. “During COVID, life was chaotic, and the government focused on the health concern of the country. That gave new momentum to the underground church, and tons of people [were] joining online forms of church,” Handley says.

However, “as the pandemic started to wane, the government began to do much more review of these online formats.”

Asian Access equips Gospel workers who multiply churches. Although it does not operate in China for security reasons, leaders like Handley closely follow the latest developments.

“You have in-depth discipleship in many places,” Handley says.

Speaking of Chinese believers, he adds, “they’re not afraid of persecution; they’re not afraid of pressure. They’ve been through this before.”

Pray Chinese believers will find new strength and encouragement in the Lord. Pray also for wisdom and patience.

“Their (believers’) plan is Jesus. They want to see a better society by having people follow Christ and then improve their lives – have better marriages, families; have better commitments to their communities,” Handley says.

Listen to the broadcast (story starts at 1:31)

Direct Link: https://s3.amazonaws.com/a2-media/audio/4-5min-Oct20-2022.mp3

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Mission Network News exists to inform multitudes about stories that matter and empowers them to take action that changes lives. Join over 1 million radio and internet users each day. Hear stories of what God is doing around the world – and how you can be involved. Each MNN broadcast includes pray, give, or go opportunities that help you find your place in the story. Sign up at mnnonline.org to receive daily news in your inbox. Or check out MNN on social media and share them with others. MNN is a ministry of OneWay Ministries.

Laos (MNN) — In the landlocked, Southeast Asian country of Laos, Christians risk much to follow Jesus.

Joe Handley of Asian Access says dozens of Christian leaders have seen their homes and churches torn down. “I know some people that had to completely abandon the town they’re in and go to some nearby city or nearby area, or even into the forest, just to rebuild their lives. Others have spent time in prison for what they’ve done, and eventually get let out. And they go right back to business as usual, starting the church again.”

Laos has a state-sanctioned church, but the government keeps a tight rein on Gospel proclamation.

Asian Access works with other ministries, providing aid and even legal help to persecuted Christians. Handley says, “Please pray for these leaders facing this kind of persecution. And pray for those who are incarcerated. Sometimes they can serve terms of six months to five years or more. I’ve had both leaders from the sanctioned church and the underground churches begging us to come and help them with leadership training because they’re facing these things all the time.”

You can support this work by donating to Asian Access. Visit their website to learn more.

Listen to the broadcast (story starts at 2:55)

Direct Link: https://s3.amazonaws.com/a2-media/audio/4-5min-Sep02-2022.mp3

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Mission Network News exists to inform multitudes about stories that matter and empowers them to take action that changes lives. Join over 1 million radio and internet users each day. Hear stories of what God is doing around the world – and how you can be involved. Each MNN broadcast includes pray, give, or go opportunities that help you find your place in the story. Sign up at mnnonline.org to receive daily news in your inbox. Or check out MNN on social media and share them with others. MNN is a ministry of OneWay Ministries.

Turkey (MNN) — Since 2018, Turkey has forced nearly 200 Protestant clergy and their families to leave the country. Intelligence officials claim they pose a security risk but do not say how. The expulsions began after the U.S. sanctioned Turkey for imprisoning an American pastor.

Soner Tufan works with the Association of Protestant Churches in Turkey, a network of about 40 churches. He says 28 of those deported were Americans, with the rest from Britain, South Korea, Latin America, and other nations.

Tufan says this pattern has developed due to distrust and hatred of Christians in Turkey. “The first day I became Christian, my older brother broke my nose. Just because I became a Christian. That day, I accepted this kind of life.”

Additionally, Pastors in Turkey have no way of getting trained. Tufan says, “There is no Bible College. Also, we need to pray for the young generation. It’s really difficult to raise godly children in Turkey. I have three children. All of them went to school where they were the only Christians.”

When Christians try to register as Christian instead of Muslim, they have to take several extra steps. And when Christians die, it can be difficult to find a place available to bury them.

Tufan hopes to plant more churches in the future with the help of Asian Access. He has partnered with Asian Access for many years. “When we came together, we really clicked with each other. And we liked the philosophy of Asian Access. They have flexibility. They respect the local people’s identity, their culture, and their way of working.”

Ask God to protect Christians in Turkey and to grow the Church.

Listen to the broadcast (top story)

Direct Link: https://s3.amazonaws.com/a2-media/audio/4-5min-Mar25-2022.mp3

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Mission Network News exists to inform multitudes about stories that matter and empowers them to take action that changes lives. Join over 1 million radio and internet users each day. Hear stories of what God is doing around the world – and how you can be involved. Each MNN broadcast includes pray, give, or go opportunities that help you find your place in the story. Sign up at mnnonline.org to receive daily news in your inbox. Or check out MNN on social media and share them with others. MNN is a ministry of OneWay Ministries.

Bangladesh (MNN) — Christians make up just 0.3 percent of the population of Bangladesh. And it’s difficult for that number to grow.

Peter Mazumder is the national director of Asian Access in Bangladesh. He says sharing the Gospel is constitutionally protected in Bangladesh, but it still often brings persecution, especially from Muslim groups.

Police have watched many of these attacks but did nothing to stop them. “This is a common phenomenon,” Mazumder says. “When people come to the Lord out of the Muslim majority background, they are not welcomed. And they are just kicked out from their families.”

Asian Access also works among the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. Over 1 million people live in the Cox’s Bazar refugee camp. Mazumder says only 62 have been identified as Christians. “They like to worship in their camp, but it is really tough. Some people burned their camp houses.”

After people begin following Jesus, the work is not finished. Asian Access works to provide nurturing and discipleship after the baptism.

Mazumder says, “We train new believers from Hindu and Buddhist backgrounds, including their children. We do Sunday School. We teach them from the Bible. They memorize the stories and perform dramas.”

Pray many unreached people in Bangladesh would hear the good news of Jesus and His love for all people. Ask God to especially protect Christians who come out of Muslim families.

Listen to the broadcast (story starts at 2:56)

Direct Link: https://s3.amazonaws.com/a2-media/audio/4-5min-Mar04-2022.mp3

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Mission Network News exists to inform multitudes about stories that matter and empowers them to take action that changes lives. Join over 1 million radio and internet users each day. Hear stories of what God is doing around the world – and how you can be involved. Each MNN broadcast includes pray, give, or go opportunities that help you find your place in the story. Sign up at mnnonline.org to receive daily news in your inbox. Or check out MNN on social media and share them with others. MNN is a ministry of OneWay Ministries.

Asia (MNN) — The first COVID-19 case surfaced in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Several variants and a pandemic classification later, the battle seems never-ending.

Joe Handley, President of Asian Access, shares encouraging news: “We have seen remarkable results for the Gospel, despite the horrific conditions across India, Bangladesh, Indonesia; the list goes on,” he says.

“We have seen movements of God that are quite profound.”

Asian Access helps Christians in 18 countries develop leaders and build capacity. More about that here. “It’s just astounding to see what God’s doing,” Handley says.

“Some of my colleagues and friends in China were reporting revival-like conditions earlier in the year.”

Asian Access has been supporting partners in COVID-19 “hotspots” since the pandemic’s beginning.

“We have done several things to help. We had a monthly Zoom prayer session with our national directors and key working teams. That was very nice on the front end, but I’ve noticed ‘Zoom fatigue,’” Handley says.

“People are getting a little exhausted of that medium, so we’ve had to use other means of connecting points – prayer calls, one-on-one conversations – the last few months. [We are] even raising funds to help with relief situations where people are in really dire circumstances.”

Learn more about the COVID-19 Relief Fund here. Supporting the ministry’s efforts helps more than you know.

“We appreciate Mission Network News and all those out there that listen to us, pray for us, and support us,” Handley says.

“These are difficult seasons to run a ministry like ours. Every time you write [us] an email, we are super grateful. It lifts our spirits, so I want to say thank you.”

Ask the Lord to give Asian Access leaders wisdom. They’re considering adding a trauma counseling program after one leader’s experience in a country we cannot name for security purposes.

“What [that person] faced was horrible. It’s a PTSD-type scenario, but that can impact anybody who’s faced horrific conditions [created by] COVID,” Handley says.

Join our daily email list here, or follow MNN on social media to stay up-to-date. “There’s always a silver lining in the dark clouds. But there’s a lot to be praying about,” Handley says.

Listen to the broadcast (story starts at 1:31)

Direct Link: https://s3.amazonaws.com/a2-media/audio/4-5min-Dec23-2021.mp3

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Mission Network News exists to inform multitudes about stories that matter and empowers them to take action that changes lives. Join over 1 million radio and internet users each day. Hear stories of what God is doing around the world – and how you can be involved. Each MNN broadcast includes pray, give, or go opportunities that help you find your place in the story. Sign up at mnnonline.org to receive daily news in your inbox. Or check out MNN on social media and share them with others. MNN is a ministry of OneWay Ministries.