SYRIA: Danger Increases for Aleppo Christians

Date of Bulletin: 14 May 2014

SYRIA

Believers in Aleppo have asked for continued prayer, as tensions between army officials and rebel forces  have increased since April 12. The city has been without electricity and water for days, and shortages of  gasoline and food have caused prices to skyrocket to as much as five times the normal rate.

A VOM contact said that while traveling to Aleppo, the bus he was in was stopped for five hours because of  the danger of sniper attacks. "I know that we are living under a daily danger of mortars, but waiting for a bullet to go through the bus window to kill you is something different!" he said.

Communion services leading to Easter were canceled as a result of the increased danger, but Good Friday and Easter services were held as planned.

Voice Of the Martyrs Sources
Photo: Syrian refugees

Please Pray!

• Pray for Believers in Aleppo.
• Pray for VOM contacts in Syria who continue to serve Christ faithfully there.
• Pray for their protection and for their families.
• Pray that the light of Christ will shine brightly in the darkness of war.

For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever;  I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.

- Psalm 61:3-4 -

Voice Of the Martyrs is assisting believers in Syria with encouragement and literature, and is also providing aid to Syrian Christian refugees.

#Syria #Aleppo #Pray #Christian #VOM #Pebbles4Christ

Save Syria

Open Doors has been active in Syria since before the war. They are helping the church in Syria to care for thousands of families in desperate need. "I believe the Lord has been preparing the church for this day," says Pastor Edward in Damascus. "Who else can give hope and really spread peace other than our Lord?"

The church in Syria is asking for your help. Please join other Christians to speak out, provide emergency relief and pray for our brothers and sisters in Syria.

 

 

The church in Syria is on its knees. Will you stand with them in their darkest hour?

Please sign the petition by visiting Open Doors.

https://www.opendoorsuk.org/campaign/savesyria/forms/signup.php?src=story3

Barnabas launches urgent petition on behalf of Christians in Syria

 

Barnabas launches urgent petition

on behalf of Christians in Syria

Syria

 

Barnabas Fund is today launching an urgent petition calling on Western governments to take action on behalf of Syria’s endangered Christian minority. We need your help to get as many signatures as soon as possible as the conflict escalates and their plight deepens.

Syrian Christians, who comprise around ten per cent of the country’s population, are increasingly vulnerable as the brutal civil war rages on. A siege over the last week at the Christian village of Maaloula – one of the most famous and historic centres of Christianity in the world – has magnified the stark threat to the minority community’s very survival in the country.

Al-Qaeda-linked rebels seized control of the village, where Aramaic, the ancient language spoken by Jesus, is still used; fighting against government forces is ongoing. The rebels have been attacking Christian homes and churches, destroying Christian symbols.

   

The bodies of Christians killed in the violent takeover have been left lying in the streets, and Christian residents have been threatened with beheading if they do not convert to Islam. Six young Christians have been taken captive.

Maaloula has been left a ghost town, as most of its population of around 3,000 has fled.

Many Christian communities in other parts of Syria have been ravaged in this horrific manner throughout the civil war. They are being deliberately targeted by Islamists among the opposition forces because of their faith.

The future of the Church in Syria, which dates back to New Testament times, is now hanging in the balance as Christians run out of safe havens. Around 600,000 have fled the country, and even more are internally displaced.

Barnabas Fund’s petition therefore calls on Western governments to take action to protect and help the vulnerable community.

Please sign the petition and forward it to others. You can download a copy to print and circulate in your church and community; paper copies can be obtained by contacting your nearest Barnabas Fund office. You are welcome to photocopy the sheet.

Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, International Director of Barnabas Fund, said:

When we see the distressing footage from Syria on our television screens, we want to do something to help but feel incredibly powerless. Signing and circulating our petition is something you can do to make a difference. We must work together to make the plight of Syria’s Christians known to those with the power to intervene and influence events.

SYRIA: Christians Growing Despondent in Aleppo

Date of Bulletin: 11 September 2013

Rebels have tightened the siege on Aleppo in retaliation for territory retaken by the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) in the south and centre. Sources report that Christians in Aleppo are growing despondent as they rapidly lose weight, health and hope. Those whose homes have been totally destroyed are now squatting in empty office buildings without amenities or food. Many fear that a rebel invasion is imminent.

Last week five busloads of Armenian Christians left Aleppo for the coast. Subsequently, rebels linked to the Syrian Islamic Front took control of the road to Aleppo, cutting SAA supply lines. Nobody knows what has happened to the Armenians.

A Protestant pastor in Aleppo tells how his young son recently asked him when the rebels will come and kill them for being Christians. He says the men of the church are preparing for a rebel invasion and for death.

Source: Religious Liberty News Bulletin

Please Pray!

Please pray for Syrian Christians caught in the middle of the conflict, particularly those in Aleppo. Pray that God will sustain them through this difficult time and deliver them from the hands of the wicked.

"Show Your marvelous loving-kindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You; from those who rise up against them. Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me under the shadow of Your wings." Ps. 17:7-8

Voice Of the Martyrs works with partners in Syria to bring Bibles into the country.

Christians Targeted for Destruction!

"Barnabas is using this black X as a symbol of solidarity with Christians who are being targeted for their faith in Egypt and Syria. The sign has been daubed on Christian properties by Islamists in Egypt to mark them out for attack.

We're encouraging people to adopt it as their profile image on Facebook to show their support for persecuted Christians.

Download it here: http://bit.ly/16SPqxS Barnabas is using this black X as a symbol of solidarity with Christians who are being targeted for their faith in Egypt and Syria. The sign has been daubed on Christian properties by Islamists in Egypt to mark them out for attack.

We're encouraging people to adopt it as their profile image on Facebook to show their support for persecuted Christians."

Download it here: http://bit.ly/16SPqxS