Many Egyptians Turning to Christ Despite Violence, Persecution
10:30AM EDT 10/29/2013
According to an I.N. Network worker we'll call David, these protests put his family at risk. David says protesters surrounded his home for 50 days a few months ago.
"They consider the area as a holy place, and they try to come back to the area again and again," he says. "So the police and the army surround the area. Every Friday there is a big group of the Muslim Brotherhood. They try to come back, and they fight with the army and police."
While David and his family have had to leave their home for a time, they are safe.
Since the Muslim Brotherhood took power, Christians have been the targets of violence. Once the government was sacked, Christians had hoped that would change. But, David says, it hasn't.
"They are still creating troubles and problems," he says. "The last two months, they've gotten very crazy. They want to destroy the country. They attack many churches. More than 80 churches have been burned. Many Christians have been killed."
David says that's why the I.N. Network has established an emergency fund to help survivors of the violence.
"Winter is approaching in Egypt," he says. "And many families -- especially in the south -- don't have enough clothes. They need blankets, so we're doing a project to distribute blankets."
While the violence has been difficult, David says there is good news.
"Churches are united together. And the spirit of prayer is happening in all the churches. People are praying all the time," he says.
The response to the violence against burned churches has also been remarkable. Christians posted signs on their burned-out churches that read, "You burned our church, but we love you."
David says, "It's a great message of forgiveness. This makes many Muslims discover the reality of Christianity, and many of them come to know Jesus."
While Muslims are turning, that's creating another problem.
"Until now, they find difficulty for security reasons to join local churches, so they meet underground in a secret way," David says. "They worship the Lord together, and they're growing."
As Muslims come to Christ, they're uniquely qualified to share the gospel. "The easiest way to reach Muslims is through converted Muslims," David says.
While David isn't praying for more persecution, he's excited about the Holy Spirit working.
"It's always like this," he says. "When there is pressure over the churches, the Holy Spirit is working, and many people are coming to know Jesus as Savior."
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Words Of Thanks
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy."
Proverbs 31: 8-9
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We wanted to thank all those who attended the lecture given by Fr. Mattias Nasr Mankarious. There was a great turn out. We also want to thank the following:
Fr. Isaac Tanios
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church, Palatine
Fr. Yohanna Nassif
St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church, Palatine
Fr. Wilbur David Ellsworth
Holy Transfiguration Antiochian Orthodox Church
Pastor Rev. Raouf Boulos
The Moody Church
We especially want to thank Fr. Mattias for being our speaker. Fr. Mattias was eager to go back to Egypt and, as he said, to be next to his children
in their time of need. We want to thank him for being a beam of light for Christianity and standing up for the preservation of Christianity in Egypt.
The Bible teaches us in the Book of Matthew: " ...let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who
is in heaven." (Matt 5:16).
Thank you Fr. Mattias for being the light for us to all see and for being the father teaching your children the love, peace, and mercy of Christ. We know
how hard it is for you to see your children murdered, but we know that you are consoled to know that in dying in the name of Christ, they will be saved.
These things I have spoken unto you,
that in Me ye might have peace.
In the world ye shall have tribulation,
but be of good cheer:
I have overcome the world.
(John 16:32-33)
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