FF News Edition 1 of 2015

2015 Edition 1

PO BOX 74 NEWLANDS 7725 CAPE TOWN SOUTH AFRICA

NEWS

FRONTLINE FELLOWSHIP

ISSN-1018-151x

CHRISTIANS UNDER FIRE in AFRICA

While the world has been focused on the shocking terror attacks in Paris that left 17 dead, thousands of Christians have been murdered by Islamic Jihadists in Africa.

Carnage Against Christians The same week of the Paris attacks on Charlie Hebdo (a weekly magazine known for its irreverent and mocking articles and satirical cartoons against political and religious leaders), Amnesty International reported on a massacre of over 2,000 people in Northern Nigeria. Over Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th January, the town of Baga, on the border of Chad, was attacked by Boko Haram insurgents who fired Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) and assault rifles on church-goers and town residents.

Most of the victims were children, women and elderly people who could not run fast enough as they were mowed down by Muslim terrorists.

A Forgotten War While the Jihadist terror attack on journalists in France made front page news worldwide, the tens-of-thousands of Christian victims of Islamic Jihad in Africa barely get a mention, even in Christian media. In less than 5 years, over 1,000 churches have been destroyed in Northern Nigeria and over 16,000 Christians murdered

by Boko Haram Islamic terrorists.

Destruction and Displacement Between August and October 2014, over 200 Christian churches were destroyed by Boko Haram in the North

Eastern states of Borno and Adanawa. Maiduguri Diocese in Borno State reported 185 churches torched and over 190,000 people displaced by the Jihad against churches in their area, just in those 3 months.

Churches Targeted in Nigeria In 2011, 430 Christian churches were destroyed, or damaged, in Northern Nigeria by Boko Haram. In 2012, over 900 Christians were murdered and many churches destroyed. In 2013, 612 Christians were murdered and over 300 churches destroyed.

Gatestone Institute calculates that at least 1,000 Christian churches have been destroyed by Boko Haram Jihardists in Northern Nigeria since 2011.

Continued from page 1 Christians Under Fire in Africa

Satelite images processed, red indicating healthy vegetation.

Massacres in Nigeria Human Rights Watch reports that in 2014, Boko Haram murdered 2,053 people. Last year President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria reported that the Boko Haram terrorists had murdered over 13,000 Nigerians in the previous five years.

A Flood of Refugees The United Nations Humanitarian Office (OCHA) reported that approximately 650,000 Nigerians had been forced from their homes and were Internally Displaced Peoples (IDP) during 2014.

Persecution Worldwide The Centre for the Studies of Global Christianity reported in October last year that every year approximatly 100,000 Christians die for their religious beliefs, including in Nigeria, Cameroon, Sudan, Somalia, Central African Republic and Egypt.

Nuba Church Bombed In Sudan, Rev. Youhana Jaqoub, of the Episcopal Church of Sudan, reported four bombs being dropped by the Sudan Air Force on their church in the Nuba Mountains, “the bombs have completely destroyed our church compound in Tabolo.”

Convert From Islam Attacked Ibrahim Ismaeil, a 34 year old convert to Christianity from a Muslim background in Sudan, survived an attempt upon his life by Muslims who broke into his house at midnight and opened fire. Ibrahim and his family managed to escape and fled the nation.

Churches Demolished In Ethiopia, which is meant to be a majority Christian country, churches have been attacked in Muslim areas.

Heaven’s Light Church, which served some 100 Evangelical Christians in the Muslim majority city of Harar, was demolished 28 November by Muslim municipal officials. Although the church had stood and functioned in Harar for 5 years, the local majority Muslim population determined to eliminate the public presence of churches. This has been part of a pattern of forced closure, destruction and demolition of church buildings in Muslim controlled areas of Ethiopia. Numerous Christians have found notes on their doors, warning them to convert to Islam, leave the city, or face death.

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.” John 15:18-20 Coptic Woman Denied Justice In Egypt, Lisa Nosim Basari, a 28year old Coptic Christian woman has made a video describing the advances of a Muslim man who was intimidating her to convert to Islam and marry him. Wa-il Hassan Abdul Numin began stalking her whenever she left home, threatening her to convert to Islam and marry him. When she refused, he attacked and burned the grocery store in which she worked, tore her clothes and sexually assaulted her. When Lisa filed a formal report against him at the local police, the Egyptian police harassed her, imprisoned her and tortured her to force her to abandon her complaint against the Muslim man. In her video Lisa pleads for some authority in Egypt to intervene and protect her.

Abductions in Egypt Every year hundreds of Christian women in Egypt are abducted, forcibly converted to Islam and forced to marry Muslim men. Families regularly receive phone calls from the abductors telling them that if they ever want to see their daugh-

Coptic Christians Bombed Egyptian Coptic Churches are not only being fire-bombed and attacked in Egypt, but even a Coptic Christian Church in Berlin was attacked with a fire bomb last year.

Over 2000 people were massacred in Baga, Nigeria, 3rd and 4th January.

2

FRONTLINE FELLOWSHIP NEWS 2015

the massacres in Nigeria.” Numerous Nigerians asked how it was that even their own President, Goodluck Jonathan, expressed his condolences for the victims of terrorism in France, but remained silent on the Boko Haram attacks on 2,000 Christians in Baga. Others asked why American President, Barack Obama, seemed more concerned to promote Islam than to counter Islamic terrorism.

Egyptian Christians remember Martyrs who have been victims of Muslim Brotherhood Jihad.

ter alive again, they must ransom her for one quarter of a million Egyptian pounds. There are many reports of police refusing to investigate these kidnappings. As one police captain said: “So what if one Coptic girl is missing? Look at how many millions of Muslims are dying in Palestine and you bothering us about one girl?”

“Remember the prisoners as if chained with them - those who are mistreated - since you yourselves are in the Body also.” Hebrews 13:3 Muslim Mayhem in C.A.R. In the Central African Republic the Muslim Seleka Coalition have gone on a rampage of rape, pillage and mass murder, targeting Christians, attacking and plundering churches.

Bulldozed in Sudan In Khartoum, Sudan, the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church and the Nile Theological College were bulldozed down in November last year by National Intelligence and Security Services personnel and police. These demolitions were based on a court order demanding that the church leaders surrender their premises to Muslim businessman, Khalid Mustafa.

Threat to Democracy Nigerians are meant to have presidential elections this month. As more than 1.5 million Nigerians have been displaced by the Islamic Jihad in the three North Eastern states, it is questionable how many of them will even be able to vote in the polls under Nigeria’s current election rules.

Meanwhile Boko Haram is attempting to regionalise the conflict by threatening further attacks on neighbouring Cameroon and Chad.

Double Standards It seems disproportionate that 3.7 million people can march in France in protest against the Islamic terror attacks against Charlie Hebdo journalists (who have frequently published blasphemous attacks on Jesus Christ), but most media and government leaders worldwide remain silent about the ongoing genocide being perpetrated against Christians in Muslim lands throughout Africa and Asia.

A Deafening Silence Another commented: “It is shameful how the 2,000 people killed in Boko Haram’s massacre in Nigeria gets almost no media coverage.”

“How is this Boko Haram attack on Christians in Nigeria not the lead story in every single news network and every news feed worldwide right now!?”

“There are massacres and there are massacres. It would seem that Christian lives in Africa are not as valuable as those of journalists in France.”

Most Persecuted in the World According to Pew Research, Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the world. Of the 24 worst persecuting countries in the world, 20 are Islamic.

Selective Outrage As global leaders joined millions of people on the streets of France to march in a show of solidarity with the journalists murdered in Paris, Nigerians commented: “Very moving watching events in Paris – wish the world media felt equally outraged by

FRONTLINE FELLOWSHIP PO BOX 74 NEWLANDS 77725 CAPE TOWN SOUTH AFRICA

“Their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:15-18

Nigerians mourn victims of Islamic Jihad.

admin@frontline.org.za

www.frontline.org.za

3

How can we help our brethren who are suffering such intense and violent persecution?

This is first and foremost an information war, a battle for hearts and minds. We must be informed.

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge...” Hosea 4:6 Be Informed Encourage everyone you know who is concerned for the persecuted Church to be on the emailing list of Frontline Fellowship, to regularly visit www.frontline.org.za and www. idop-africa.org. You can also find Frontline Fellowship on Facebook, like, link and share it, as we seek to regularly place information from the Persecuted Church on it.

Publicity Provides Protection You will also find many articles under Country Reports on our Frontline Fellowship website, as well as links to audio lectures and sermons on our SermonAudio.com link and presentations concerning the Persecuted Church, Islam and Communism on our Slideshare link.

All of these are accessible through our www.frontline.org website.

In 5 years, over a thousand churches have been attacked in Nigeria.

Books on the Persecuted Resources on the Persecuted Church include: Slavery, Terrorism and Islam – The Historical Roots and Contemporary Threat; Faith Under Fire in Sudan; In the Killing Fields of Mozambique; Holocaust in Rwanda and Going Through.

Films on Persecution There are also some excellent films you can show to your congregation, school, or cell group, including: Islam Rising; Sudan - The Hidden Holocaust; Terrorism and Persecution – Understanding Islam Jihad. These and other resources are available from: Christian Liberty Books www.christianlibertybooks.co.za.

Be Involved We need to be informed, interceding and involved. There is always something we can do. Social media

is a great means of alerting others to what is going on. You can write letters to the Editor of your local newspaper, or favourite magazine, to highlight these issues and to speak up for those who are being targeted for their Faith. Print out posters from our website to place on your church, or school notice board to mobilise prayer and action.

Inform and Involve You can also consider inviting Missionary speakers to give presentations on the Persecuted Church at your local church, or work fellowship. Whatever you can do to inform and involve others in speaking up for our persecuted brethren, can make a difference and help save lives. “…inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” Matthew 25:40 Mobilise Prayer and Pressure You can also obtain Frontline News and other literature from us to distribute at your church, to mobilise more prayer and pressure for the Persecuted.

“And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the Body of Christ, and members individually.”

1 Corinthians 12:26-27 Dr. Peter Hammond www.frontline.org.za

4

FRONTLINE FELLOWSHIP NEWS 2015

NUBA CHRISTIANS THREATENED BY NEW OFFENSIVE Christians in the Nuba Mountains An island of Christianity in a sea of Islam are facing a renewed offensive

by Sudan government forces. On 6 January, a large force of Sudanese government fighters moved out of Talodi and began shelling the town of Kega, a stronghold of the SPLA-North.

Under Siege The Nuba Mountains experienced a cease fire after the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which led to South Sudan’s secession, 9 July 2011. As the Christians in the Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile found themselves on the wrong side of the newly drawn border, conflict broke out again as the Sudanese government sought to enforce their control over these rebel-controlled areas.

Under Fire The dictator of Sudan, Omar-alBashir, has vowed to end all resistance to Islamic rule in Sudan before April this year. In the last week, hundreds of artillery shells, mortars and rockets have hit the SPLA-North controlled areas of Talodi, Keya, Kega, and Kauda, which is the capital of rebel-controlled Nuba Mountains in South Kordofan.

Refugees Flee Artillery Barrages Thousands of Nuba civilians are within range of the government’s heavy weapons and are being caught in the crossfire and even targeted.

More than 250,000 Nuba have fled to neighbouring South Sudan and Ethiopia as fighting has intensified. There have been reports of Antinov bombers, MiG fighter bomber jets and of drones circling the Nuba Mountains.

Aerial Bombardment On the morning of 9 January, after days of sustained bombardment, the government forces launched an assault on Angartu, 20km East of Kauda. Aerial bombardment of civilian centres throughout the Nuba Mountains are being reported. Civilians are evacuating the areas around Mendi, Angartu and Kara, Jumous, as the SPLA-North digs in to resist the advance of the Sudanese government forces.

FRONTLINE FELLOWSHIP PO BOX 74 NEWLANDS 77725 CAPE TOWN SOUTH AFRICA

Resistance The SPLA-N reports that they have captured artillery and vehicles from the assault forces. Columns of military vehicles have been seen pouring out of Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan, and other assaults have been launched on Daloka and Um Serdiba. The SPLA-N claims to have repelled this attack.

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your Faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honour, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:6-7

admin@frontline.org.za

www.frontline.org.za

5

CHURCHES LOOTED AND BURNED IN NIGER Christian schools, colleges, homes and churches have been targeted for looting and destruction in Niger.

World Watch Monitor reports that more than 70 churches have been looted and burned by Muslim mobs in Niger.

Murder and Mayhem In Zinder, Muslim rioters went from house to house looting and burning the homes of Christians. The SIM (Society for International Missions) Mission compound in Gourd, the Good Samaritan orphanage run by the Assemblies of God and numerous other Christian schools and colleges were burned. Bodies of Christians have were also in burned out churches.

Mosques Mobilise Mobs This sudden hair-trigger anti-Christian riot erupted after Friday prayers in the mosques on 16 January, in Niger’s second largest city, Zinder.

Reportedly whipped up into a frenzy over reports of the satirical depiction of Muhammad on the cover of Charlie Hebdo (the notorious French magazine which has published many blasphemous attacks on God and The Lord Jesus Christ), Muslims in Niger chose to vent their rage on local Christians, who obviously could have had nothing to do with irreverent and blasphemous cartoons of French journalists in Paris!

Overwhelmed by Majority Reportedly Christians make up barely 0.33% of the total population in Niger. Muslims make up 97% of the population of Niger.

A Study in Contrasts Elizabeth Kendal of the Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin, points out

6

that these riots expose the key difference between Islam and Christianity.

From the Bible, Christians understand that human beings are fallen, inherently sinful, routinely arrogant, selfish, insensitive, uncaring, cruel and hurtful to others - until they are set free from their slavery to sin through spiritual transformation.

Christians therefore respond to the vile and offensive anti-Christian blasphemy in the humanist publications, such as Charlie Hebdo, through prayer and witness, working to transform society so that blasphemy will ultimately have no market.

A Political Agenda However, by way of contrast, Islam is a material and political religion where the goal is to control people and societies through the enforcement of Islamic Shari’a law. Thus for Islam the answer to blasphemy is Shari’a law: the blasphemer must die!

Apparently, those who have nothing to do with the blasphemy must also die for some reason.

A Clash of Civilisations While the Gospel targets hearts and FRONTLINE FELLOWSHIP NEWS 2015

seeks to renew minds, and working for transformed individuals and revitalised families, who will then act as Salt and Light to bless and Reform communities. Islam seeks to impose its laws through force and terror.

Transform Christianity works from the inside out, through freedom. Islam works from the outside in, through force. In this, Islam and Christianity are total opposites.

Conform The vicious explosion of antiChristian violence, looting, murder and mayhem unleased on Friday, 16 January, spread to the capital Niamey. Christians in Niger report that their community has been shattered by these ferocious attacks.

“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have Faith.” 2 Thess 3:1-2 www.frontline.org.za

SOLDIERS for CHRIST

Global Interaction 2014 Almost 600 military leaders from 100 countries worldwide attended a Global Conference in Cape Town.

These events are only held every 10 years and this was the first time AMCF gathered for their International convention in Africa. I participated in the AMCF 20 years ago in Virginia, USA. This has been the shortest distance I have ever had to travel for any conference!

Joshua Generation Bishop Henry Orombi of Uganda was the main conference speaker of the Global Interaction 2014, presenting Leadership Lessons from Joshua.

The Essence of the AMCF Global Interaction’s Vision and Mission is that the nations of the world may be spiritually transformed and lives and societies changed through the ministry of military Christians.

Shields and Stewards Soldiers are called to be the shield of their nation and also to stewardship, to protect freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom of speech, the right to life and the sanctity of marriage.

Truths that Transform Seminars dealt with witnessing in hostile environments, marriage as the Lord intended, healing the invisible wounds of war, persecution, purity and holiness, healing the land, and going deeper with God’s Word.

Loving One’s Enemies Some of the largest contingents at the AMCF Global Interaction were from South Korea and Brazil. Some historic enemies were seen fellowshipping together and having pictures taken with one another, including Russians and Ukrainians, representatives of the Israeli Defence Force and the Palestinian Authority, Republic of China and Red China, India and Pakistan.

variety of nationalities, language groups and military backgrounds.

Soldiers, seamen, airmen, marines, police, officers, NCOs, chaplains, medical, technical, infantry, paratroops, such a wide variety of skills, backgrounds and cultures, but with unity in Christ.

Military Ministry The small groups, regional focuses, seminars, meal times and tea times were vibrant with energetic discussions and exchange of contact details.

Heart rendering testimonies were shared of God’s grace in some of the most heart-breaking and broken situations.

Spiritual Ammunition Frontline Fellowship supplied hundreds of Bibles, New Testaments, Gospel booklets, Audio Visual materials, Digital Libraries and other resources, to empower Chaplains and Christian soldiers to Evangelise and Disciple their units effectively.

Fellowship Across the Lines It was an extraordinary experience to enjoy fellowship, worship and ministry together with such a wide

FRONTLINE FELLOWSHIP PO BOX 74 NEWLANDS 77725 CAPE TOWN SOUTH AFRICA

Dr. Peter Hammond www.frontline.org.za

admin@frontline.org.za

www.frontline.org.za

7

GREAT COMMISSION COURSE

8

FRONTLINE FELLOWSHIP NEWS 2015

FRONTLINE FELLOWSHIP PO BOX 74 NEWLANDS 77725 CAPE TOWN SOUTH AFRICA

admin@frontline.org.za

www.frontline.org.za

9

10

FRONTLINE FELLOWSHIP NEWS 2015

LITERATURE 4 AFRICA CONTAINER OFFLOADING RECORD by GCC PARTICIPANTS On the last day of the Great Commission Course a 20 foot container arrived at Livingstone House. The GCC participants responded enthusiastically to the challenge and off-loaded and sorted thoroughly, the 17 tones of Bibles, books, and Sunday School materials, in a record 2 hours and 25 minutes!

11

12

FRONTLINE FELLOWSHIP NEWS 2015

Serving the Suffering Churches throughout Africa are facing some of the most intense, sustained and violent threats in recent memory. With such a vast amount of Churches being targeted, attacked, looted, burned and bombed in Nigeria, Niger, Egypt, the Nuba Mountains of Sudan, Ethiopia, Central African Republic, Chad, Kenya and Tanzania, obviously something must done.

“But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the Faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

1Timothy 5:8 Soft Targets Need to be Hardened The Jihadists have had an open playing field with no other team on the field to prevent them scoring endless goals. Churches are seen as soft and easy targets for terrorism.

And it is not only Churches. Farmers in South Africa are facing ongoing terror attacks.

“Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses.” Nehemiah 4:14 Christian Security and Survival To assist vulnerable Christians in threatened areas, Frontline Fellowship is designing Security and Survival Workshops and Manuals.

We are developing a comprehensive strategy to help Churches set up security ministries and provide practical, hands-on, training for farmers, families, congregations, missions, ministries, Bible Colleges and vulnerable communities.

through these experiences, we are offering training for Christians to be able to withstand and resist Islamic terrorist attacks. For this we need all the help, practical support and intercessory prayer that you can offer.

Jesus said: “Assuredly, I say to you, in as much as you did it to one of the least of these brethren, you did it to Me.” Matthew 25:35-40 mission@frontline.org.za www.frontline.org.za

As a Mission of Christians from a military background, dedicated to serving persecuted Christians for over 33 years, we have experienced ambushes, attacks, aerial bombardments, rocket and artillery fire, thefts, terrorism, capture and imprisonment. Utilising lessons learned

FRONTLINE FELLOWSHIP PO BOX 74 NEWLANDS 77725 CAPE TOWN SOUTH AFRICA

admin@frontline.org.za

www.frontline.org.za

13

Back to the Bible Training College Dr. Peter Hammond conducted a Biblical Worldview Course at Back to the Bible Training College with 120 pastors in training, from 20 countries throughout Africa. He then had the privilege of presenting the Graduation sermon for the Third Year students who completed their studies. There were over 60 languages represented amongst the 120 students and 27 staff at BBTC, and we were able to entrust Digital Libraries and copies of Biblical Principles for Africa books in English, or French, to each of them.

14

FRONTLINE FELLOWSHIP NEWS 2015