ICC's December E-Newsletter, Annual Report

&

Sowing Reaping 2012 Annual Report

Table of Contents

1

Letter from the President

2

2012 at a Glance

4 Awareness 6 Assistance 8

Suffering Wives & Children

10

Underground Pastors

12

Community Rebuild

14

Bibles to the Persecuted

16

Kids Care

20

Broadcasting the Gospel

21

Legal Assistance

22

Save Our Sisters

23

Hand of Hope

24 Advocacy 26 Volunteer 27

ICC Trips

28 Finances 29 Distinctives

SEED-TIME AND HARVEST

The ventures of thy seed we cast, And trust to warmer sun and rain To swell the germs and fill the grain.

Who calls thy glorious service hard?

Who deems it not its own reward?

Who, for its trials, counts it less A cause of praise and thankfulness?

And were this life the utmost span, The only end and aim of man, Better the toil of fields like these Than waking dream and slothful ease.

But life, though falling like our grain, Like that revives and springs again; And, early called, how blest are they Who wait in heaven their harvest-day!

John Greenleaf Whittier

Dear Friend, The Whittier poem to the left is, I think, fitting for this issue of the newsletter as we look back at our work among the persecuted in 2012. This issue represents our “harvest day” where we look back at the harvested fields and give an account for our work this past year.

This labor of ours is hard; not hard in comparison with what the persecuted go through, but it can be hard to be exposed to so much cruelty and death day-in and day-out. That doesn’t just go for us at ICC—it goes for you, our partner in this work.

If you are like me, you have enough stress and negativity in your life. It takes a special person then to stand steadfast in partnership with the persecuted.

I assume you do this because you know it is the Lord’s body that is suffering. He feels their pain; or rather, it is His pain! Given that, we must bandage and build his persecuted Church. We are serving Jesus and that is “it’s own reward.”

As you read through this 2012 Annual Report, please view these accomplishments as your own.

Please don’t think that’s flattery, for we can do nothing without you. We are merely your hands and feet to bring your offered cup of cool water to your persecuted brother and sister.

Together we “toil in fields like these.”

Together we will serve the “refuse of the earth” as we wait for the ultimate harvest when they will be free and be rewarded for their troubles.

You will probably never meet them, but know that they are astounded that their brother and sister, thousands of miles away, takes note of their struggle and seeks to ease their discomfort.

Please know that as you give to your brother and sister via ICC, your donations will be spent ethically, efficiently, and effectively.

I promise!

Jeff King, President, International Christian Concern

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2012 AT A GLANCE

Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

Psalm 34:8 NLT

2 MILLION VISITORS viewed www.persecution.org

ICC SPONSORS

3 ORPHANAGES THAT NURTURE, FEED AND DISCIPLE

AS A RESULT OF OUR ADVOCACY EFFORTS

35 ETHIOPIAN CHRISTIANS WERE RELEASED FROM A SAUDI ARABIAN PRISON

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62 press releases issued 148 radio/print interviews given 2,721 news articles posted online

89 KIDS VICTIMIZED BY PERSECUTION

ICC WAS ACTIVE IN 45 COUNTRIES:

ICC TRAVELED TO

11 COUNTRIES IN 2012:

50

AFGHANISTAN BANGLADESH CHINA EGYPT INDONESIA IRAQ NIGERIA PAKISTAN SRI LANKA THAILAND VIETNAM

PASTORS WERE SUPPORTED MONTHLY

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awareness ICC contiunally works to increase awareness of persecution and our sphere of influence. The bigger our “bullhorn,” the more persecuting countries fear their deeds being exposed by us.

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.

Let the whole world know what he has done.

Psalm 105:1 NLT

NEWS ABOUT THE PERSECUTED CHURCH IN 2012

MEDIA INFLUENCE We have had interviews with or stories covered in leading media outlets, including:

58 ICC news articles written 62 press releases issued 148 radio/print interviews given 2,721 news articles posted online

SOCIAL MEDIA COMMUNITY GROWTH 200000 150000 100000

20% increase with Facebook followers

50000 4

0

54% increase with Twitter followers

2012 NEWSLETTER COVERS

2 MILLION PEOPLE visited www.persecution.org

5.5 MILLION CLICKS to pages on our site

WEB SITE VISITORS

As the world grows more and more viral, our Web site is our greatest tool to inform the Western church of the plight of the persecuted.

While the press represses news of persecution, we will work to make the West aware.

PERSECUTION MOBILE APP This year, ICC launched a moblile app, available for iPhone, iPad and Android phones, furthering our ability to make people aware of persecution.

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6

assistance

If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.

1 Corinthians 12:26 NLT

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Because of your donations: 81 FAMILIES WERE ASSISTED

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Suffering Wives Children

“ Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”

James 1:27 NLT

GOATS FOR WOMEN IN CAIRO A protest attended by hundreds of Christians from a poor garbage slum in Cairo took a turn for the worst in March 2011. Suddenly, gunfire could be heard from the home of Hania Magdi. Sama’an Nazmi, Hania’s husband, jumped off the couch. “Don’t go!” Hania yelled after Sama’an as he was running out the door. “I’m not afraid,” Sama’an responded. “I want to protect my church and my family.”

Hania ran after him and watched the protest unfold from atop a nearby hill. A moment later, Sama’an fell to the ground and Hania wailed a shriek of despair. “I couldn’t get to him, but when he fell, I knew he was dead. I knew there was nothing I could do,” she told ICC. Christians had gathered that day to denounce the destruction of a church by a Muslim mob a week earlier. At 4:00 p.m., the Egyptian army intervened by opening fire on the protestors. Nine Christians were killed.

More than a year after the demonstration, widows like Hania continue to struggle to make a livelihood that provides for their children. Each family of the nine men killed makes a meager income—less than $2.00 a day—collecting and recycling Cairo’s garbage.

15 FAMILIES

WERE SUPPORTED MONTHLY

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When visiting the families in May 2012, ICC packed a truck full with goats and delivered them to the widows. The goats livestock provide milk and eat organic waste. Moreover, the families are able to breed their goats to sell at the local market, which significantly increases their income.

“LIFE WAS SO DIFFICULT FOR US, BUT NOW I’M ABLE TO SUPPORT MY CHILDREN,” SAID HANIA, WHOSE HUSBAND WAS KILLED IN AN ANTI-CHRISTIAN ATTACK.

“Thank you ICC!” Hania said. “Life was so difficult for us, but now I’m able to support my children. We struggled so much after my husband’s death, but God is good to us.”

A FEW OF THE WIDOWS WE ASSISTED AROUND THE WORLD

A MARTYR’S WIDOW WIDOWS THAT ICC HAS ASSISTED POSE WITH CHURCH LEADERS

What started out as a normal day (sending her children to school, having breakfast and morning devotions with her husband) turned into a nightmare for Semsa. Though being the widow of a martyr was always a possibility, it was something Semsa hoped she would never have to face. Identifying her husband’s body in the morgue, tears streamed down her face as she recalled the brutal way he and two friends were killed—tied to chairs, tortured and gutted because they would not recant their faith in Christ. Five years later, Semsa is attempting to rebuild her life by seeking asylum in the U.S. ICC has sent her financial aid to cover basic needs for her and her two young children. It is widows like Semsa, left helpless with a family to raise, that the Bible commands us to care for (James 1:27 NIV).

In Nigeria, the Muslim-dominated town of Soba is a dangerous place for Christians. Radical Muslims destroyed churches and the homes of Christians, and many women became widows during the attack.

ASIBI is the widow of Musa. Musa was told to convert to Islam or die. However, when Musa refused, expressing that he himself was a Christian, his attackers proceeded to reward his refusal with the blades of their machetes. Musa and Asibi had seven children together.

ASABE’S husband, Mato, was attempting to protect his house when a Muslim mob descended on the Christian minority community in Kwasallo, Soba.

The mob set churches and houses on fire. Once they arrived to Mato’s house, they hacked Mato to death

with long curved knives and other gruesome objects. He has left behind Asabe and their children.

REBECCA and her two young children will have to go through life without their husband and father, Elisha. Elisha stayed with his father (Mato) to protect their home. When Elisha tried to escape after the mob descended on his father, he was shot in his leg. While still on the ground after collapsing, his attackers stabbed him until he bled to death.

ICC was able to provide assistance to eight widows and their families in Soba. We provided a male and female goat to each of the eight families as a source of sustainable income. The goats provide milk and will be bred to produce a growing yearly income.

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Because of your donations: 50 PASTORS WERE ASSISTED MONTHLY

Underground Pastors

“I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will guide you with knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:15 NLT

DEATH THREATS DO NOT STOP A PASTOR IN AFGHANISTAN “I am receiving threatening phone calls from an unknown number,” an ICC-supported pastor in Afghanistan wrote us in an urgent request for prayer in October. “The caller says he is from the Taliban and I am a Jesus follower and they will bomb my house.”

There is not likely a more difficult place to be a pastor than in Afghanistan. Once their faith is discovered, Christians have been sought out, killed, and even beheaded. Despite persecution, however, the Church is growing!

ICC’s supported pastor in Afghanistan is training Afghan Christians throughout the country to lead underground house churches. According to a recent report, the number of those being trained is up 50 percent from last year.

“Our number is increasing and we are thankful for God’s faithfulness in our lives and His work in this nation,” the pastor explained.

“We see how lives are transformed and glad that we are part of this exciting and amazing work of the Lord and impressed by His love for this nation.”

7 PASTORS

WERE ADDED THIS YEAR

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In addition to trainings, the pastor is also sharing the Gospel. “After talking to my wife, a lady accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior this week,” he said in August. “We had amazing opportunities of sharing His love and some made the decision to follow the Savior. We are working with them.”

Although the pastor is currently being threatened, he continues to

trust the Lord. “We thank God for His protection. When He is with us, no one can be against us. We know that we, His followers, are here to fight the darkness. We were reminded of His promises and purpose in our life. We know He has a plan for us here and we want to obey Him and serve His people.”

WITCH DOCTOR DELIVERED IN INDIA

ICC supports 25 church planters near Orissa, India.

In this area, a witch doctor served four different tribes, “freeing” people from the power of demons and meeting their medical needs. Everyone came to him with all their problems, seeking help. He was the most powerful man for miles around.

MINISTERING IN IRAN

SUPPORTING PASTORS IN IRAN More Iranians have come to Christ since the country’s Islamic revolution 33 years ago than ever before.

Though persecution has been relentless—more than 300 Christians were arrested for nothing more than following Christ and preaching the Gospel in the past two years alone—the church continues to see enormous growth.

ICC continues to be intimately involved in planting underground churches. We are currently supporting 10 full-time pastors who not only start house church fellowships, but also train and disciple new believers to lead the fellowship so they can move on, preaching the Gospel and planting churches in new regions.

“We’re moving forward and talking to people daily,” said an ICC-supported Iranian pastor. “This month alone, we had over 20 people come to Christ. Although people are very scared and timid to talk to strangers, God has given us a strategy to talk to many people about Him and people are responding!”

In just one quarter, your support enabled:

13 underground house churches planted, bringing the total to 385.

28 new underground house church attendees, bringing the total to 3,806.

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The church planters decided to pray for him and spent a week fasting for his salvation. During that week, the witch doctor told them he was tortured by demonic spirits and he was unable to free himself from their control. All his usual incantations, declarations and gods were to no avail. In desperation, he asked the church planters to help him.

They were nervous but sensed God’s timing had arrived and began praying for the witch doctor. The witch doctor said he felt the power of Jesus and fell to the ground.

His family thought he had died and began wailing, but he had merely fallen under the power of the Lord.

Suddenly, the witch doctor stood and said: “I have been set free! Jesus was the only God powerful enough to save me. I will now serve him. How do I do this?”

The missionaries shared the Gospel with him and his family. They all believed and were baptized. The witch doctor spent weeks being taught from the Bible and he is now telling his followers that Jesus is the true God.

cities in Iran now have at least one underground house church.

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Because of your donations: 6,953

Community Rebuild

“Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” Philippians 2:4 NLT

PASTORS BUILD A WELL IN BURMA

GIVING SIGHT TO THE BLIND

PEOPLE WERE ASSISTED

ICC HELPED RESTORE SIGHT TO 147 PEOPLE THIS PAST YEAR ALMOST 3,000 VILLAGERS HAVE BEEN BLESSED BY THE WELLS

In one country controlled by a government hostile to Christianity, the work of an underground pastor is never easy. Building relationships and earning the trust of villagers takes time and patience. On top of this is the ever-present danger of angering the local authorities or the monks in the area. That’s why in 2012, ICC helped sponsor an innovative, two-pronged approach to reach the villagers with the message of Jesus Christ.

3,609 PEOPLE WERE ASSISTED WITH SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS

= 100 PEOPLE 12

ICC donors funded the construction of ten water wells in remote villages across the country. These wells were presented to villagers by the church planter as a gesture of love and good will. The villagers no longer have to travel great distances for fresh water or suffer from illnesses after drinking bad water. The wells ICC constructed will supply fresh water to around 3,000 villagers.

ICC has long been involved in helping Christians in Southern Sudan. Following the country’s civil war, many Southerners do not have access to medical treatment and are forced to live with easily curable diseases like blindness due to cataracts.

In 2012, ICC funded two eye camps that restored sight to 147 people and treated an additional 462 patients.

“I was blind since 2009 with a lot of problems,” Deng Michael from Lomuku village told ICC during a camp in July. “But, now I can see and I really thank God and for making me see again! I had lost hope in life, but God is great. He brought back my sight and I give many thanks to ICC for encouraging us to be treated of sickness and eye problems. At first I was scared, but now I am so happy. Thank you ICC!”

MEETING THE NEEDS OF THOSE WITH THE “C-VIRUS” FISHERS OF MEN: BOATS TO INDIA Christians and Hindus used to coexist peacefully in a fishing village in India, but in 2012 the Christians began to be attacked by Hindu radicals.

The Christian believers were then denied access to the village’s communal boats (their only source of income) and their children were banned from attending school.

When the Hindus decided that the Christians were not allowed to use the boats, more than 75 people were left penniless. In desperation, the families were going to money-lenders when ICC stepped in.

ICC’s community gathered together and raised funds to buy not one, but five boats for the Christian community. This not only restored their source of income but increased the amount of money they were able to make each month, helping them to climb out of poverty. The families are grateful and cannot believe that Christians around the world are not only praying for them, but have stepped in to help them as well.

OVER 3,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ASSISTED BY THIS PROJECT

For decades, the stories of Burma’s warfare against mainly Christian tribes have made headlines around the world. Children are forced to be soldiers or human mine sweepers, churches are burned to the ground, and hundreds of thousands have been displaced from their homes.

Working with teams of ex-military professionals, teachers and doctors traveled deep into some of the hardest hit areas of Burma to deliver much needed medical assistance. One of their primary objectives was to reach children and to provide Bible lessons whenever possible.

Labeled by one government report as the “C-Virus,” Christianity has continued to grow among Burma’s ethnic groups, such as the Chin and Kachin. This has led to overt discrimination against Christians and, coupled with constant warfare, has made it very difficult for outsiders to reach into Burma with the Gospel.

For children who have suffered from the deprivations of constant warfare for most of their lives, the visits demonstrate the love of Christ in the best possible way.

Nevertheless, in 2011 and 2012, ICC, in partnership with another ministry, funded two outreaches to Burmese children.

Although the medicine they received will eventually run out and their new shirts they received will fade, these children will never forget the day a team of Christians came through a war zone to help them.

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Because of your donations:

Bibles to the Persecuted

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.” 2 Timothy 3:16 NLT

SPECIAL PROJECT: PRINTING BIBLES IN NATIVE DIALECT

MANY TENS OF THOUSANDS OF BIBLES WERE DELIVERED TO:

CHINA IRAN BURMA AFGHAN NATIONALS NORTH KOREA

KACHIN CHRISTIANS THANKING ICC DONORS FOR BIBLES IN THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE

What would it be like to be a Christian your entire life, but never be able to read the Bible for yourself because there were none available in your language? For the two million Kachin people of Northern Burma, 99 percent of whom are Christian, this is not uncommon, especially for speakers of the Lhaovo dialect.

Those who received a new Bible were very grateful. For most, it was the first time they had ever been able to read the Bible for themselves. They quickly asked if more would be coming and even dressed in traditional costumes before posing for photographs with the new Bibles.

So in 2012, ICC pursued a unique opportunity to deliver 960 newly printed and very rare Bibles in the Lhaovo dialect in Northern Burma.

One of the Christians who received a Bible, Mr. K, said “I’m really thankful to you and brothers and sister who helping us to get Holy Bible in our language. It is the most important thing that we have because by which we are going to the kingdom of God by reading and understanding the Bible. So I would like to express my heart felt gratitude to you… We have desired to get the Holy Bible in our native language since 1946…thank you so much.”

The Bibles had to first be smuggled across the border and then slipped through a war zone before they could be delivered. The fact that they managed to arrive safely in the right hands was no small miracle.

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RAINING DOWN BIBLES ON NORTH KOREA

TESTIMONIES FROM IRAN God is moving in Iran like never before and His Word is reaching thousands of Iranians! In response to this great need, ICC sent more than 9,500 Bibles to Iran in 2012.

HELIUM CARRIES BIBLE-FILLED BALLOONS OVER THE BOARD OF NORTH KOREA

For more than 40 years, the people of North Korea have lived under what many believe to be the world’s most totalitarian regime. To be a Christian is against the law. To speak about Christianity is against the law. To own a Bible is against the law. It is possible for a believer, their children, and their grandchildren to be sent indefinitely to a concentration camp simply for accepting Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Yet flickers of light remain in this dark part of the world as underground Christians quietly make handwritten copies of precious scraps of the Bible. They know it has the power to transform their nation, even as their rulers work to snuff out every last page.

For this reason, in 2012, ICC sent over 7,000 Bibles into North Korea via a very unique system of transport. Smuggling Bibles into the country by hand is extremely difficult and dangerous, so ICC attached packages of the Bibles to long, thin helium balloons in South Korea and sent them soaring over one of the world’s most treacherous borders.

After a few hours, a timing device released the balloons over North Korea. GPS devices were attached to the balloons, revealing the location of the drops and letting ICC know that the Bibles had indeed arrived in North Korea.

Due to the country’s restrictions, we are not able to document when Bibles are found; however, defectors who escape North Korea have reported that Bibles launched across the border are being found and read.

Muslims caught reading a Bible in Iran face tremendous pressure from their families and can be imprisoned.

However, that does not deter tens of thousands of Iranians from owning a copy of the Scriptures. An Iranian who was imprisoned for two years in Iran for his political activities told ICC, “The Bible is the most sought after book in all of Iran.” Those are not the words of a Christian, but of a self-declared atheist!

With each Bible that is distributed, an Iranian Christian evangelist shares the Gospel. In October, a Bible was handed to an Iranian Muslim mother and daughter. The evangelist shared the Gospel and asked the women to attend a church service that evening. A pastor at the service asked the daughter if she wanted to invite Jesus into her heart.

The daughter joyfully agreed and gave her life to the Lord!

Most new converts in Iran credit reading the Bible as having had a major impact on their decision to come to Christ. According to an ICC partner in the country, at least 15 percent of those who receive a copy of the Scriptures will eventually come to faith. Out of the

A WOMAN PRAYS FERVENTLY WHILE READING HER BIBLE

ICC HAS SENT MORE THAN 9,500 BIBLES TO IRAN THIS PAST YEAR

9,500 Bibles that ICC sent, that’s more than 1,400 new believers!

Thank you for your support of this critical ministry that is transforming the nation of Iran by leading thousands to Christ.

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Because of your donations: 344

Kids Care

“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” Psalm 127:3 NLT

RESCUING TRAFFICKED CHILDREN IN BANGLADESH In 2012, it came to our attention that children in Bangladesh were being taken from Christian families in poor tribal areas and sold to Islamic boarding schools. One of our contacts received several calls from desperate parents unable to locate their missing children. One man thought his sons were being taken to a Baptist hostel in the city where they would be provided a safe place to live and a quality Christian education.

CHILDREN WERE ASSISTED

In fact, his sons had been sold to an Islamic boarding school where they were imprisoned, forced to learn Arabic, pray to Allah and read the Koran eight hours a day. The children reported being beaten with live wires and rods, locked into closets, ridiculed and starved when they refused to read the Koran or pray.

ICC covered the cost of the rescue and rehabilitation of the first 11 children who are now housed in safe, Christian hostels and are receiving a quality education. They tell ICC that they want to be teachers, priests and doctors when they grow up. With another 150 or so children still unaccounted for, the number of children being recovered and in need of care is growing every month.

89 KIDS

ARE SUPPORTED FULL-TIME IN AN ICC ORPHANAGE

= 10 CHILDREN 16

REGIONAL MANAGER COREY BAILEY POSES WITH RESCUED, TRAFFICKED CHILDREN WHILE ON LOCATION IN BANGLADESH THE CHILDREN RECEIVE BASIC NECESSITIES, AS WELL AS SPIRITUAL EDUCATION

EACH BIRTHDAY PARTY INCLUDES DECORATIONS, A CAKE, PARTY FAVORS AND A PRESENT FOR THE BIRTHDAY BOY OR GIRL

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR ORPHANS IN INDIA!

When most of us think of childhood we think of our carefree days, playing outside, playing with our friends and going to birthday parties. For most of us, it was a happy, safe time. For the orphans at the ICC-sponsored orphanage in India, their childhood was marked by tragedy. All fourteen children are orphans because their parents were martyred for their faith in Christ in the Orissa persecution of 2008.

Now, the children have a roof over their heads, a quality education and a safe place to grow up. This year, ICC purchased a refrigerator for them so they can have fresher food and a cool place to store medicine. Also, this coming year, all the children will have their own birthday parties. Each child will get a birthday cake, a gift, a new outfit and a dinner celebration with the other children. None of the children had ever had a birthday party and many of them didn’t even know how old they were! The smiles on their faces as they see the refrigerator and experience their first birthday party warm our hearts.

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“TO BE VERY POOR IS TO HAVE NO DECISIONS. ICC IS OFFERING THESE KIDS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A DESICION,” SAID AN ICC MINISTRY PARTNER IN EGYPT

KIDS CARE IN EGYPT Victims of Egypt’s societal and Islamic oppression, entire Christian communities have been completely ostracized by the rest of the country. Thousands of Christians who dwell in Cairo’s garbage slums live off an income of less than $2.00 a day which they earn by collecting and recycling the city’s refuse. Apartments are damp and overcrowded, sewage overflows into the streets, and homes are often without water or electricity. These living conditions have led to disease and illness, especially among the slum’s children.

tion in a public school and the spiritual foundation needed so the children can discern between their faith and the Islamic doctrines that will be forced upon them in public school. They also receive routine medical and dental check-ups and new clothes and shoes. ICC firmly believes that a Christian education is the best strategy to end the cycle of poverty that has existed in the garbage slums for generations. Today, these children have an opportunity for a better life!

ICC has responded to one of the greatest needs of these communities by “Unless you give these kids a chance at something better, they too will collect garsending 100 of Egypt’s poorest Christian children to school. Children are bage,” said an ICC ministry partner in Egypt. “To be very poor is to have no provided with the academic foundation needed to continue their educa- decisions. ICC is offering these kids the opportunity to make a decision.”

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SPECIAL BLESSINGS TO THE CHILDREN OF THE PERSECUTED CHURCH Every year around Christmas, ICC presents our readers with the chance to give a “Special Blessing” to some of the most tragic victims of persecution: orphans. In March of this year, hundreds of items of clothing and toys traveled over 8,000 miles and were hand-delivered to kids at an ICC orphanage on the Thai/Burma border.

It was nothing short of miraculous to see children who have suffered unimaginable violence and hardship laugh out loud with joy as they received their presents. These children have suffered everything from the death of their parents, to stepping on land mines, to being forced into serving as child soldiers, yet their gratitude for these small gifts was lifechanging to witness. They expressed their gratitude over and over again as they sat down to draw “thank you” pictures for ICC donors. There were more than enough gifts for the kids so the rest were donated to another nearby orphanage.

According to the orphanage manager, the clothes were an especially timely blessing, as evidenced by the rips, tears, and holes in the children’s old clothing.

These children may not understand why the government of Burma has persecuted their families for decades or why their belief in Jesus makes them unwelcome in their homeland, but when out of nowhere toys and clothes arrived from donors they had never met, they understood that they were certainly loved.

ICC HAND-DELIVERED SPECIAL BLESSINGS TO CHILDREN OF OUR ORPHANAGE ON THE THAI/BURMA BORDER

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Throughout the Islamic world, Muslims are coming to Christ like never before. How? Through radio broadcasts and satellite television.

How does it work? Many Muslims respond to a Christian media broadcast by calling the number that is given at the end of the broadcast. They are then directed to an ICC partner who shares the Gospel with them. This critical ministry reaches Muslims in the most persecuted and hard to reach countries around the world.

Broadcasting the Gospel

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19 NLT

SPREADING THE GOSPEL IN THE ISLAMIC WORLD

ICC SUPPORTS EIGHT KEY INDIVIDUALS IN PARTNER MINISTRIES THAT ARE INVOLVED IN SPREADING THE GOSPEL

350,433

PEOPLE RESPONDED TO BROADCAST

587

FACE-TO-FACE CONVERSATIONS TOOK PLACE

20,199

328,133

PHONE CALLS TOOK PLACE

E-MAILS WERE RECEIVED

AT LEAST 200

CONVERSATIONS ABOUT CHRIST TOOK PLACE WITH MUSLIMS IN TOTAL:

1,002

PEOPLE PUBLICALLY DECLARED A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST!

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IN TOTAL, 1,002 PEOPLE HAVE PUBLICALLY DECLARED A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS

“I have now been set free from the bondages of Islam and from a prison I have been living in all my life,” Yasin, a new Moroccan believer, recently told an ICCsponsored representative. “Your broadcasts opened my eyes to the fallacy of Islam and I found unlimited and indefinite love in Jesus Christ. When I started hearing your broadcasts, I cursed you and was really annoyed and aggravated, but deep inside I felt the urge to keep listening. The more I listened the clearer the truth became. I am now a follower of Jesus and I am forever grateful to you for I was blind and now I see.”

“I started watching ICC-supported shows two years ago and I want to thank you for showing me the light,” Mohammad, a Palestinian Christian convert from Islam, told an ICC representative. “Because of your shows I was able to understand why Islam resembled darkness, hate and fear to me. As a Muslim, I was an angry, hateful man. Because of your shows I felt instant peace with Jesus that I never felt ever before with Islam. Jesus told me that he loved me and that he forgives all my sins. I learned that all I needed to get into God’s kingdom is to believe that Jesus is my Lord and Savior.”

Because of your donations: 20 PEOPLE WERE ASSISTED

Legal Assistance

“A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’” Luke 18:3 NLT

PROVIDING LEGAL REPRESENTATION Pastor Mounesh and seven members of his congregation met together daily in prayer, fasting and tears to ask God for the money to cover their bail. They had been arrested a month earlier when they reported to the authorities that radicals had come into their church meeting, beat them, destroyed their property and attempted to rape one of the women. The police responded; however the response was to arrest the victims, not the perpetrators.

The eight Christians had been released on bail; however, since they were extremely poor they could not afford bail and were given one month to come up with $100 USD per person (a seemingly impossible amount). They were discouraged and prepared to return to jail when ICC intervened. An ICC incountry staffer called the pastor and told him to take heart.

Mounesh could not believe his ears when he heard that the bail for all eight of them would be paid the day before it was

due! “We could not imagine that people from the other side of the world had heard of our hardship and wanted to help. Only God could have heard our prayers and helped us in this way!

Thank you!”

A Father in Need Ahmed,* raised as a Muslim, became a follower of Jesus Christ after he met an American missionary to Sudan who shared the Gospel with him.

10 PEOPLE

WERE SUPPORTED MONTHLY

Western country, but his wife’s family followed them and took Ahmed’s wife and children back to Sudan secretly.

When his family discovered his conversion, he was forced to leave the country by those closest to him. He returned after a few years, thinking the situation had cooled some, married and began a family. His wife began attending church with him, and as a result, her Muslim relatives forced them to leave the country as well!

Ahmed followed his family to Sudan but was refused the right to visit his children. His wife’s family turned her against him and now she has converted back to Islam. Ahmed is fighting in court for visitation rights to his children. ICC provided the money for his legal fees, so that our brother can be reunited with his children and they will have access to the Gospel through their father.

They traveled to Egypt, preparing to take asylum in a

*Name changed for security

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Because of your donations:

Save Our Sisters

“Remember those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.” Hebrews 13:3 NLT

3 WOMEN WERE ASSISTED

JOANNA, KIDNAPPED FOR BEING A CHRISTIAN

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FATIMA HOLDING HER CHECK FROM ICC

MARIA, THE VICTIM OF AN ACID ATTACK

FORCED TO “MARRY” HER CAPTORS

‘JESUS CAME TO ME IN A VISION’

CHRISTIAN CONVERT ATTACKED BY HUSBAND

Joanna* was only fifteen when she was kidnapped, gang-raped and forced to convert to Islam and marry an older Muslim man.

She was in a haze of misery for 10 days until she managed to get a message to one of our Bangladesh contacts who orchestrated her rescue. Once Joanna was free, she had to go through the courts to obtain a divorce and nullify the papers she had been forced to sign, saying she would convert to Islam. She then went home to her family for a little while to recover. ICC Regional Manager Corey Bailey met with Joanna in October and found her happy, healthy and interviewing for jobs. She is excited to start her life over and is grateful for the help of ICC in her rescue and rehabilitation.

Raised in a strict Muslim family in the United States, Fatima came to know Jesus when he appeared to her in a vision when she was twelve. She kept her decision to follow Christ a secret until she went to college. When she told her family, her father was so enraged that he beat her black and blue. He brought an imam to the house more than once in an attempt to convert her back to Islam and kept Fatima sequestered without freedom. Fearing for her life, Fatima planned an escape in conjunction with friends, a Christian ministry, her university and the police. ICC helped to relieve her financial burdens so that she would not be forced to move back home with her abusive family.

Maria Hussein, a Muslim convert to Christianity, suffered burns to her face and body after her Muslim husband doused her with a gasoline and set her ablaze in Kenya on July 2.

“I began screaming for help and do not know what happened from there. I just found myself in the hospital regaining consciousness.”

When ICC learned about her story, Maria was provided with the operation needed to alleviate her pain and provided her with a safe place to recover physically and spiritually. *Name changed for security

Because of your donations: 120 PEOPLE WERE ASSISTED

Hand of Hope

“ And his name will be the hope of all the world.” Matthew 12:21 NLT

BUSINESS FOR SOMALI CONVERTS IN KENYA As a Somali refugee living in a Muslim-dominated neighborhood in Nairobi, Kenya, Hasan’s greatest fear was that his Christian faith would be discovered. The 25-year-old was walking home when six Somalis pounced on him and beat him with iron rods and wooden clubs. Believing he was dead, the Somali Muslims left him bleeding and naked outside the gate of a Presbyterian church as a warning to other Christians.

“When I reached the scene of the attack, my son was lying in a pool of blood. The attackers had covered my son all over with dirt,” Hasan’s mother, Hadia, told ICC. It took days before Hasan regained consciousness at a local hospital; a long and arduous healing process awaited him.

ICC visited Hasan a month after the attack and funded his medication and dental surgery, moved the family into a safe neighborhood, and provided them with a shop to sell food and other goods.

Today, Hasan’s health has greatly improved and the family is safe from threats and abuse, living far away from the Muslims who attacked them. The small business has already provided a sustainable monthly income for the family which supports their monthly rent and food, and has even enabled some of Hasan’s younger siblings to enroll in a local school.

65 PEOPLE

WERE SUPPORTED MONTHLY

“I can’t express enough gratitude to ICC for rebuilding our lives,” Hadia exclaimed. “I thought I had lost my son and our home

HASAN AND HIS MOTHER, HADIA, POSE IN THEIR SMALL BUSINESS THAT ICC PROVIDED

after the attack. But now we are safe and we even have our own business. Thank you ICC!”

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advocacy

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.

Proverbs 31:8-9 NLT

PRISONERS SET FREE IN SAUDI ARABIA In December of 2011, 35 Christian men and women from Ethiopia gathered together in a private home for a prayer service in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. They were immigrant workers. Somehow the Saudi police learned they were having a Christian prayer meeting and showed up to arrest all 35.

The women in the group were then subjected to humiliating strip searches and some of the men were beaten during a violent interrogation. It soon became clear that the Saudi officials had no real reason for arresting the group other than the fact that they had held a prayer service.

ICC HELD THREE PROTESTS OUTSIDE THE SAUDI ARABIAN EMBASSY ON BEHALF OF WRONGLY IMPRISONED CHRISTIANS. OVER 100 PEOPLE ATTENDED EACH PROTEST.

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ICC jumped into action immediately and was the first to break the news of the case. After a month, the Saudi authorities had still not charged the Christians with any official crime, so ICC went another step further and contacted the U.S. State Department, asking them to put pressure on the Saudi government to abide by basic human rights standards. ICC then joined up with the Ethiopian community and held the first of three protests outside of the Saudi embassy, demanding that the prisoners be set free. ICC also delivered a petition, signed by over 3000 individuals from dozens of countries, to the embassy demanding the Christians be released.

After five months, with the Christians still languish-

ing in a Saudi prison and even being compelled to convert to Islam, ICC turned up the pressure by taking an underground pastor from Saudi Arabia to Capitol Hill. There, ICC held a series of 26 meetings with members of Congress, their staff, the State Department, and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, urging them to call the Saudi embassy and express their concern about the situation.

As a result, nearly a dozen congressional offices called the Saudi embassy, including the Saudi ambassador himself, asking for an explanation. Saudi Embassy staffers were also called to meet U.S. officials at the Capitol on four different occasions to answer questions regarding the prisoners face-to-face. We also learned from the State Department that the case had gone all the way up to the Secretary of State. We soon heard from the prisoners that pressure had “come from above� for their release. Finally, in July, all 35 men and women were released. The Saudi government never officially explained why they had been arrested in the first place, but the prisoners told ICC that our work in Washington D.C. had been instrumental in securing their freedom.

For ICC this case demonstrated once again the important role that advocacy can play in helping the persecuted.

PROTECTION FOR RELIGIOUS MINORITIES IN NIGERIA

Because of your support: 6

By July of 2012, Christians in Northern Nigeria were suffering from a nearly constant onslaught of deadly attacks at the hands of the radical Islamist group Boko Haram. Expressing its desire to drive all Christians out of Northern Nigeria and create an Islamic state, Boko Haram used an array of tactics, from shootings, to grenade attacks, to suicide car bombings, in an attempt to decimate the county’s Christians and stir up a potential civil war.

PETITIONS YIELDED OVER

14,000

ICC brought in a Nigerian Christian leader to tell U.S. legislators what was happening back home. With 60 years of first-hand experience in the region, he was able to explain clearly that the attacks were primarily and absolutely motivated by Islamic radicals with funding from the Saudis. Although this is known universally in Nigeria, it is downplayed and overlooked by major media outlets and the U.S. State Department.

SIGNATURES TO SPEAK UP ON BEHALF OF THE PERSECUTED CHURCH

On Capitol Hill, ICC then held a record 27 meetings with offices in the House, Senate, State Department and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. During the meetings, our visiting leader stressed the importance of acknowledging the religious nature of the conflict and the danger of Nigeria being split along Christian/Muslim lines.

ADVOCACY TOURS

PARTIALLY AS A RESULT OF THESE MEETINGS, 28 MEMBERS OF CONGRESS SENT A LETTER TO SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON ON JULY 27 ASKING THE STATE DEPARTMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE RELIGIOUS NATURE OF THE VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA. ICC ALSO PUSHED FOR MEMBERS TO SPONSOR LEGISLATION THAT WOULD OFFICIALLY DESIGNATE BOKO HARAM AS A FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATION, GIVING THE U.S. THE AUTHORITY TO CUT OFF FUNDING TO THE GROUP, AMONG OTHER THINGS. THIS LEGISLATION REMAINS PENDING.

ICC HELD

3 WHERE WE MET WITH

67 CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES

As a result: 35 TO ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF THE PERSECUTED CHURCH, ICC REGULARLY “TOURS” CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES WITH A MEMBER OF THE PERSECUTED CHURCH. PICTURED HERE IS A PASTOR FROM NOTHERN NIGERIA, WHO LIVES UNDER 24HOUR GUARD DUE TO DEATH THREATS. HE SHARED HIS STORY WITH LAWMAKERS OF HIS FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE WITH CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION.

ETHIOPIAN CHRISTIANS WERE RELEASED FROM A SAUDI ARABIAN PRISON

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volunteer VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

1 Peter 4:10 NLT

BANQUET FOR THE PERSECUTED

“PLEASE SEND OUR LOVE TO THE KIDS”

To apply, please fill out an application on www.persecution.org/how-you-can-help/ volunteer/

Burdened by the plight of the persecuted, two faithful supporters, Frank and Joan Testa, believed that they could offer more for the persecuted than simply their finances. They contacted ICC to put on a banquet for their community to help inform others of the reality of Christian persecution today.

Here are just two examples of some of our volunteers from this past year.

The banquet included 200 attendees, and raised over $13,000 for the persecuted Church.

We received this letter from little Chloe, a fiveyear-old girl who wanted to help persecuted children. This little girl helped her mom bake cookies and brownies, old enough to simply stir the dough. Then she helped her parents with a garage sale, probably parting with some of her own toys. At five years old, she gave all that she had to help relieve the suffering of a child whose parents are persecuted for their faith. Her letter reads: “Here is the money we made. Please send our love to the kids. Thank you.”

Every year, 200 million Christians face persecution. Only a fraction of their stories are reported and fewer reach the ears of the Church. Facing such an overwhelming number, ICC needs volunteers to assist us in our goal to make a difference in the lives of our suffering brothers and sisters in Christ.

No matter where you are in life, if you have a heart to serve the persecuted Church, we can find a place for you!

All we require is an application and a brief reference letter from your pastor (or a spiritual mentor) so that we know you will have a base of prayer support as you take part in this important ministry.

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icc trips

Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”

Isaiah 6:8 NLT

WHY WE GO

* Personally assess the level of

persecution and establish direct contact with the persecuted

*Personally evaluate projects and scout out new ones

*Find news sources

BANGLADESH AFGHANISTAN PAKISTAN CHINA

VIETNAM IRAQ SRI LANKA

NIGERIA

THAILAND INDONESIA

EGYPT 27

finances

The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

Haggai 2:8 NLT

An increasing number of individuals, churches, foundations and other ministry partners supported ICC during 2012 with record giving to our projects, and for general ministry support. ICC always seeks ways to wisely use the Lord’s money for ministry to the persecuted Church, and to maintain our administrative expenses at an absolute minimum.

Our general and administrative expenses and fundraising expenses as a percentage of income was 10.5% of our total income in 2011. A comparison of ICC’s financial results for the past five years follows:

ICC BOARD OF DIRECTORS James Schnabel, Chairman Dr. Frank T. Robb, Vice Chairman Jeffrey King, President Christopher Kirk Scott Streator Richard Tucker Ed Wormald

Fiscal Year Income Program Expenses* General & Admin.

Fundraising Total Expenses

2011 $ 1,234,958 $ 1,149,480 $ 96,193 $ 33,974 $ 1,279,647

2010 $ 2,031,076 $ 766,663 $ 78,767 $ 27,579 $ 873, 009

2009 $ 799,402 $ 756,772 $ 86,771 $ 30,248 $ 873, 786

2008 $ 853,307 $ 633,123 $ 72,043 $ 22,663 $ 727,829

2007 $ 689,389 $ 548,321 $ 66,616 $ 26,072 $ 641,009

*Program expenses are funds we are spending to do ministry. For instance, when we provide support for a persecuted pastor, that is considered a “program expense.” Other examples include support payments to the families of imprisoned pastors, and funds spent on training underground pastors.

ICC is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt corporation organized in 1995 in the state of Maryland. All gifts to ICC are fully tax deductible. Our latest IRS Form 990 is available on our Web site at www.persecution.org. Copies of the latest independent financial audit or IRS Form 990 are available for cost of reproduction and postage. Requests should be directed to us in writing at 2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006-1846.

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distinctives OUR DISTINCTIVES

SPECIAL FORCES: People often describe us as the Special Forces of the Christian world. We work in the toughest places, doing highly dangerous work, and we get there fast (we’re nimble).

HOLISTIC MINISTRY to the persecuted (Advocacy/Awareness/ Assistance) in response to the multi-faceted problem of persecution.

EFFICIENCY: We have low overhead and fundraising expenses.

In 2011, our General/Administrative/Fundraising expenses were only 10.5% of our income. We spend money on ministry—not fundraising.

REACTIVE AND PROACTIVE: We are reactive (we bandage

and heal), but we are also proactive (we build the Church) in the toughest places in the world.

So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen.

Do these things, and you will never fall away.

2 Peter 1:10 NLT

A MINISTRY YOU CAN TRUST LONGEVITY-TRACK RECORD 17 years in ministry.

LOW OVERHEAD, GENERAL & ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES We strive to keep G & A expenses around 10 percent. We are ministryfocused.

CONSISTENT GROWTH in expertise, impact, and finances.

TARGETED FUNDS Many non-profits only give you one “bucket” to donate to. ICC believes it is most ethical to give you the choice to target your giving to one of our nine funds. We spend your money where you want us to.

ADVOCACY: Our Washington, D.C. location gives us instant access to the levers of power that can be used to help victimized Christians.

SEGMENTED GIVING: Most organizations collect funds for a cause, but it goes into one big bucket. Large organizations typically collect far in excess of the need for the cases presented. Those extra funds can be used for whatever the organization wishes. ICC has nine different funds you can give to, assuring that your gift will only go to your designated cause.

FOUR-STAR RATING FROM CHARITY NAVIGATOR (the Web’s premier non-profit grading agency). Only 10% of all non-profits receive this rating.

ECFA COMPLIANCE We adhere to industry financial and ethical standards and we are audited by independent accountants to ensure our compliance.

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International Christian Concern exists to relieve the suffering of persecuted Christians around the world.

For more information, please visit: www.persecution.org 2020 Pennsylvania Ave NW #941, Washington, D.C. 20006 | 1-800-422-5441 | icc@persecution.org