Spirit of Martyrdom: News and Updates

January Newsletter 2012

By SOM News on January 17, 2012 5:56 PM | No Comments

Arab Summer Harvest?

Reported By David Witt

The majority of Muslims hope that a more pure Islamic state will solve the problems.

News of the turmoil and government transitions from the Arab Spring dominated the media this past year. The question for us kingdom-minded Christians is: "When does the Arab Summer Harvest of souls begin?" I just returned from visiting Muslim background believers in five North African nations. I am encouraged as I felt the Holy Spirit give me some insight regarding these matters.

My first observation is how the Arab Spring is fueling the power of Fundamental Islamic sects. Tunisia, Egypt, and Morocco all voted in Fundamental Muslim leaders. This transitional trend has included persecution of Christians along with conflict and violence of Muslims fighting other Muslim sects. Ali, an Algerian believer in Jesus was recently talking on the phone to Hussan, an Egyptian Christian leader and Ali asked Hussan, "How is the Arab Spring progressing in Egypt?" Hussan answered, "The Arab Spring has brought great difficulty; if Algeria has not entered into The Spring, then I suggest you stay in Winter."

Most Muslims of the Islamic world perceive corrupt politicians of the world as the problem. The majority of Muslims hope that a more pure Islamic state will solve the problems. They have not discovered the Truth of mankind as stated in the Scripture: The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9) Islam is a strict external system and cannot deal with the spiritual depravity of the heart. Until Muslims taste the fruit of pure Islam they will continue to have a false hope that Islam is the answer to human corruption. Isaiah 19:4 refers to a season when God will turn North Africans over to the hand of a hard master. Will Muslims seek answers in Christ, as they suffer under the hand of a Fundamental Islamic state?

Muslims now have access to information that they have never had in all of history and the "perfect" Islamic world is crumbling.

We are already seeing positive answers to this question. Iranians had their Fundamental Spring in 1979. Today, the biggest growth of Muslims converting to Christianity is in Iran. In the 1990s Fundamental Algerian Muslims fought against the secular Islamic state of Algeria. That civil war cost over 100,000 lives. Today Muslims in great numbers are becoming disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ in Algeria after 1000 years of no Christians.

My second observation is the greater access to information in the Islamic world. Ten years ago, most Islamic nations were run by totalitarian dictators and these nations had little to no freedom of press. Historically, no one has dared to question Islam publicly. Internet access and international language media sites, as well as satellite media stations, were underdeveloped. After the attack of September 11, 2001, and the beginning of the Afghanistan/Iraq wars, the West became more interested in the Islamic world and hired news correspondents in these regions of the world. At the same time, the internet has exploded in popularity and in access to the Islamic world. Lastly, more satellite media channels have been added. Christian programming to the Muslim world has bloomed on all these venues.

Muslims now have access to information that they have never had in all of history and the "perfect" Islamic world is crumbling. While I was dining at a restaurant, I was able to dialogue with my Muslim waiter about the Bible. I shared with him that the greatest command of the Bible is to love God and love others. "This is why I have come to this nation," I shared with him. He said, "I have seen other Christians come and help the poor and do good things for Muslims. I have not seen Muslims do this. And now Muslims are killing each other with the Arab Spring."

As I was praying for North Africa, I heard the Lord speak to my spirit, "I will draw these people to myself."

Earlier that day, I was standing in the court of one of the biggest mosques on earth. As I was praying for North Africa, I heard the Lord speak to my spirit, "I will draw these people to myself." With all this in mind, I am greatly encouraged that the opportunity for the good news of Jesus Christ in North Africa is greater now than ever. A Summer Harvest of righteousness is coming soon and the Arab Spring is preparing the crop.

In the blog space below tell us what you think

Thank you for your continued prayers, encouragement and gifts in partnering with us to serve the martyrs of love throughout North Africa.

Hope In Colombia: 2012

By SOM News on January 15, 2012 8:19 AM | No Comments

WITNESSING FEARLESS
HOPE IN COLOMBIA

Reported By David Witt

Ethan and Christian are willing to serve the Lord anywhere he leads.

Spirit of Martyrdom is delighted to join Russell Stendal in serving the Church-the Living Martyrs of Latin America. Russell courageously and faithfully shares the hope of Jesus Christ to the people of Colombia. He has been taken hostage by the Communist rebel guerrillas multiple times. The longest stay was five months tied to a tree in the early 1980's. He has been ambushed, shot at, chased through the jungle and threatened by every means. Yet in all these dangerous and precarious situations, God has supernaturally protected him. In a seemingly hopeless situation Russell sees Hope!

In the past decade, over two million Bibles and Christian books have been distributed, and over 100,000 solar paneled radios. Millions of Colombians have heard the Gospel through the sixteen radio stations, with two additionally stations under construction. The impact has been enormous! In the 1950's, it was estimated that fewer than two percent of Colombians had a personal relationship with Christ. Today that number has grown to twenty-five percent who consider themselves evangelical Christians. The path of ministry in Latin America is similar to the native landscape... lush, beautiful, green jungle with majestic peaks and valleys. The roads can be dangerous, rough, but the daily miracles are rewarding.

Russell distributes Gospel literature and broadcasts hope into hostile areas.

Russell estimated at one point in the 1980's there were 850 missionaries and 15 mission aviation planes working in Eastern Colombia, and another 15 planes working in Venezuela. By the mid-1990's, the plane count fell to zero, missionaries had to leave as violence continued to increase, and some of the missionaries were courageously martyred for their work. In March of 1996, Russell watched the last plane with the last missionary family leave Wycliffe's Colombian station of Loma Linda. Russell says that he cried as he saw that plane fly away. He thought, "This must be how the Vietnamese felt as the last United States helicopter left Saigon." He knew God was calling him to stay but he felt abandoned, lonely and overwhelmed by the task in front of him. This was a low point for Russell. He knew of only four missionaries still working in the jungle and ultimately aviation ministry outreach was obsolete.

God began to rebuild what the violence had destroyed. In early 2000, The Voice of the Martyrs, Galcom Radio, and Pan America ministries began to pour resources into Colombia. More radio stations were built, and Bibles and Christian materials were distributed by roads, mountain trails, and rivers. Finally an airplane was purchased, which enabled solar radios and Christian materials to be dropped by parachutes over hostile areas. With the growing impact of God's Word, more aviation ministry is now needed for Christian material distribution and serving the radio stations. At this point, Russell is the only experienced pilot able to fly in Colombia. The need for more planes and pilots is greater than ever before. This past June prayers were answered when Randy, a Christian, and professional pilot from Oklahoma, volunteered his time as a flight instructor to students willing to serve God. The only problem was having an affordable plane to use for training. Randy and Russell prayed that if God wanted our ministry to train more pilots, he would give us a Cessna 172. That week Bill, a missionary to an orphanage in Mexico, decided to donate to Spirit of Martyrdom his 2001 Cessna 172! Bill had never met Russell, but had just finished reading Russell's book, Rescue the Captors II and the Spirit of Martyrdom newsletter. Bill reported to SOM that, "the Holy Spirit moved me to give the ministry the plane." Bill had no idea of the prayer spoken by Russell just a couple of days before.

God is raising up a new generation of pilots. Pilots for South America must be a special breed. They need a deep integrity to avoid the temptations of money, pride and self-indulgence. They need a martyr's spirit of courage -- to apply faith over fear. Ethan DeLong and Christian McConnell are the first young men to heed this call. They said that they are willing to go and serve the Lord anywhere he leads. They are now training and maturing and honing their skills to join Russell in Latin America in the near future. (Please pray for these courageous young men.)

Rebel gun fire hits the plane as literature is distributed.

The opportunity before us is possibly the greatest in Colombian history. This past month the President of Colombia sent a general to Russell. He said, "the messages from the radio stations offer us the greatest hope to come against the violence in Colombia." He asked Russell if he would install FM stations throughout the nation. Russell told him that we already have fifteen FM stations and it has taken all these years to install them. In order to cover Colombia, we will need at least fifteen more stations which represent a vast amount of resources. Russell told the president, "We will pray that God grants us the ability and resources to construct fifteen more stations in 2012." Thank you for your prayers, support, and donations in serving the living martyrs in Colombia and Latin America, as they courageously risk their lives for the hope of peace in Jesus Christ.

Join us in prayer, gather helpful information or to support the living martyrs of Christ globally, please visit us on the web at:

www.SpiritofMartyrdom.com

October Newsletter 2011

By SOM News on October 12, 2011 3:00 PM | No Comments

AMERICAN PASTOR GONE BOLD

Reported By David Witt

Pastor Rob develops relationships

and shares the gospe

"We are His witnesses, God has called us to go," stated Pastor Rob Purdy from First Baptist Church, Seabrook, Texas. In 2006, Pastor Rob was not satisfied to simply expose his congregation to stories of outreach to Muslims and just send money. He wanted a direct witness. This is an active church in the Houston area of 200 members and Kingdom minded. He prayed for God to give him an unreached Muslim population that the church could adopt. God put a city in Senegal, Africa, upon his heart. Senegal is on the Northwest African Coast right below Mauritania. Ninety-four percent of the population is Muslim.

With his heart full of faith, Pastor Rob took an exploratory trip to a Muslim area where he knew no one. He prayed, "God let me meet a man of peace." God answered his prayer by having him meet a professional soccer player who introduced him to the Imams and civic leaders of the city. This began a ministry of building relationships of respect and love while courageously sharing the Gospel. Soon Muslims began to respond to the message of salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. With growing opportunity and vision, the church began leasing a humble home with a large courtyard for $500 dollars a month. The church sends a team to serve every other month. The city water is unreliable and often does not run during the day, so they dug a well to share with their neighbors. They began an educational and craft-making outreach to the women. Also they minister to the begging street children orphans (sometimes as young as 5 years old) and they give them showers, nurse their wounds, feed them a nutritious meal and then share a Gospel story. At 6:00 p.m. every evening as the sun sets and the

bats begin to take flight in pursuit of insects, men, women and children gather in the courtyard to hear Bible teaching under the expansive Mango fruit tree branches. The women sit peacefully on the straw mats; the children listen and then quietly play on the dusty ground, as the men sit in worn chairs. Part of this work is an adventure, yet it takes sacrifice and applied faith.

Seabrook FBC sponsors the
local city soccer team

How can these American Christians enter this different world and ultimately risk danger, heat, disease and discomfort to reach out to African Muslims? They joyfully reflect the Light of Jesus Christ! In our solar system, the moon reflects the sun's majesty. Psalm 89:36 refers to the allegory of the sun being a representation of the reign of Christ through the lineage of David. Verse 37 states, "Like the moon, it shall be established forever, a faithful witness in the skies." Selah (meaning to pause and ponder the message of the Lord.) Just as the moon cannot help but reflect the sun, as Christians we cannot help but reflect the Light of Christ in our lives.

As I think about my visit to these precious Christians in Senegal, three memories immediately rise to the top. First, is the hot lazy afternoons in the courtyard, drinking fresh brewed tea while exchanging stories, listening to Scriptures played on the MP3 player (SOM supplied MP3 Scripture players and other tools to the house churches in North Africa.) Also, sweet moments of no talking but pure contentment of the companionship of other Africans resting in the comfort of the courtyard.Pastor Rob develops relationships and shares the gospel.

Second, was the night I taught the evening Bible study and a local Imam visited. Pastor Rob had developed a relationship with the Imam over the past few years. That afternoon we visited his home and invited him to the evening Bible study. That evening the Imam listened intently as I was able to share the Gospel by starting in Genesis and the fall of man. I shared stories of Muslims coming to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ in Islamic nations around the world and much of the persecution they have endured because of sin. With more stories, I was able to share that Jesus was the only way of salvation and peace for all mankind. In the end, the Imam shared with the group. "What was shared tonight is important and I know that you love me because you came all the way from America and visited me in my home." That night, on the wall of the house, I showed the DVD "More than Dreams" which are dramatized testimonies of Muslims who had dreams of Jesus and became Christians.

Bible MP3 - Solar panel Galcom Mega Voices are supplied to home fellowships

Thirdly, it was the last day of our visit. Ismaili had accepted Christ recently and desired to be baptized, but was afraid. The major step of faith for Muslims is baptism. In Senegal they can face rejection from their families, friends, loss of employment, and homelessness for becoming a Christian. Baptism represents that total identification with Christ. Joyfully the Holy Spirit helped Ismaili overcome his fear and he was baptized with a swim in the ocean as I took pictures.

The Mission purpose of Spirit of Martyrdom is focused on emboldening the witness of Christ in the global Church. The donations and prayers of Christians in America have helped us supply thousands of dollars' worth of Christian materials to North Africa, Asia and South America. Pastor Rob is praying for more churches to partner with them in Senegal. Please pray with us for this need of networking more like-minded churches together. If you would like more information about this opportunity, please contact us. We want you to be encouraged in your faith by what God is doing around the world. The DVD, "More Than Dreams" is a gift to you for any donation amount. (Please just mention the title in the memo when donating.)

Join us in prayer, gather helpful information or to support the living martyrs of Christ globally, please visit us on the web at: www.SpiritofMartyrdom.com

September 2011 Newsletter

By SOM News on September 8, 2011 4:18 PM | No Comments

From Religious Confusion to Witness of Christ

By Russell Stendal, Latin America

Ana lost her mind to spiritual deception.
Today she has the mind of Christ.

South America is full of religious confusion from atheism to pseudo-christian sects. The scriptures warn of doctrines taught by demons that lead to bondage (I Timothy 4:1), yet today we are witnesses to the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ setting the captives free in hostile areas of Latin America. Spirit of Martyrdom supports the gospel witnesses.

Ana Tulia was a Jehovah Witness (JW). Ana was encouraged to work out her salvation by doing what her religious teachers told her. Although she tried to be a good JW she had no peace or assurance. Ana, with her husband and children moved into the jungle to start a small store. A self-proclaimed Pentecostal preacher came along and conned her family out of a lot of money. Consequently, they lost their store. Ana was taught that women could only be saved by childbirth, causing many unwanted pregnancies in her desperately poor community. Others came teaching that they were under a curse because they worshipped on Sunday or because they ate pork. Still another religious leader came and taught that they must tithe the proceeds from their coca fields to his ministry.

By this time Ana Tulia shares that she was struggling with demons, thoughts of suicide and murder. Pastor Julio tried without success to deliver her from these demons. Julio saw an opportunity with Ana in that everyone was terrified of her. He recruited Ana to go collect tithe monies from the drug farmers for his ministry. (In Latin America often the drug producers are very religious.)

Ana joyfully distributes Christian materials to
the Guerillas and others in her area.

Finally, in the midst of a huge crusade run by Pastor Julio, Ana Tulia became completely insane and wanted to kill everyone. During one of the meetings several other ladies became deranged and took off all their clothes as they ran through a barbed wire fence. Like the demonic in the Bible, Ana was out of her mind and wandered wildly. Finally she was captured, wrapped up in a sheet, and put in a strait jacket. The authorities took her to Villavicencio where she was put in a Roman Catholic asylum. They told her that her problems came because she did not have a patron saint and she had not prayed enough rosaries to the Virgin.

Ana standing with one of her daughters laughs with Russell.

Eventually she was released from the asylum and moved back to her remote home in the jungle. She still struggled with thoughts of murder. She did not want to leave a kitchen knife around in case she was tempted to kill one of her children while under the influence of a demonic attack. A pastor came by with our Galcom radios and offered to sell her one. (Which are supposed to be given away free of charge.) She had no money but gave the pastor two of her last chickens for the radio. She noticed that our message on the radio sounded very different from what she had been hearing from the local religious sects. She began to hope that God was real and intensely desired to meet me.

Ana's home is on the boundary area of where pastors are allowed to go by the guerrillas. Beyond this point, house meetings and pastors are prohibited. I came by on my way to meet with Eduardo, a guerrilla leader and Ana came running out to stop our vehicle. She also stopped me on my way back, but I had little time to speak with her. I gave her some more radios and some books, including Extreme Devotion by VOM. God began to deal directly with her. She devoured the materials, and soon she was completely delivered and filled with the true and living Holy Spirit.

The next time I visited, she shared her entire testimony and how God was using her as a true witness to the neighbors, the drug traffickers and the guerrillas. We began to place large amounts of relief materials, radios, books, Bibles and other supplies at her house. Outreach to all factions including the Colombian Army led to many other conversions. The local heretical pastor became enraged that the people were directly following God's Word and not obeying him or giving him their money. He began tracking down the Galcom radios and destroying them. The local top guerrilla commander warned him to stop. Ana Tulia told me afterwards; "I know that God really touched that commander because he did not even shoot the pastor!! He just told him to quit wreaking the radios." (Note: often the guerrillas are known to kill those that they do not like.)

Several major guerrilla commanders and many of their subordinates became converted including Eduardo. They began to distribute our materials all over the region to all their men and the farmers. The guerrilla high commander became concerned and ordered the transfer of some of these witnessing new believers to units far across the country. The transfer of these Christians failed to stop what God is doing and has merely aided the spread of the Gospel to new areas of Colombia.

Thank you for your partnership in serving the living martyrs in Latin America. Currently the AM station on Colombia transmits the gospel at 10,000 watts. This past spring a 50,000 watt AM transmitter was donated to the ministry for Latin America. This transmitter will reach a majority of South and Central America and greatly expand our outreach. Please join us in prayer for the transportation, installation and $70K to complete this project.

"For the Son of man is not come to lose
men's souls, but to save them." Luke 9:56

Join us in prayer, gather helpful information or to support the living martyrs of Christ globally.

Algerian Freedom - Final Week

By SOM News on August 22, 2011 1:35 PM | No Comments

Count our Blessings

Jesus w-children4.jpg This is the final week of our Algerian Freedom campaign. We are greatly encouraged by the past seven weeks. We introduced you to the growing church within Algeria: How over 100,000 Muslims have repented and trusted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior since 1985. How fundamental Muslims and secular Muslims in the government have been involved in persecuting Christians. How the Algerian ex-Muslim Christians have responded back with faith and courage. Why the government passed the unjust laws of Ordinance 06-03 in 2006. How they try to discourage the growth of Christianity and how those laws can land Christians in jail for up to five years for simply expressing their faith in Jesus Christ to a Muslim. How Pastor Siaghi Krimo gave the Jesus movie to a Muslim Neighbor in May of this year and was arrested, found guilty by the court and sentenced to five years in prison and a heavy fine. We also looked at some cultural aspects and the influence and practice of Ramadan. With all this information we asked you to pray for the freedoms of all Algerians and take action for Algerian Christians. (If you missed any of this information please go to www.SpiritofMartyrdom.com/news to read the past seven articles.) Many of you responded. Now we invite you to rejoice with us as we count our blessings. Here is some of the encouraging news we have received:

1. Pastor Krimo's lawyer was able to appeal the sentence and higher court judge has allowed Pastor Krimo to remain free during the appeal process.

2. Pastor Krimo and his family's lives were threatened by fundamental Muslims. Spirit of Martyrdom was able to pay for six months' rent as the Krimo family felt led to relocate to a safer location.

3. Pastor Krimo and his wife are flourishing in their new location. Immediately they have stepped into leadership with the local church. They both are boldly witnessing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

4. Pastor Krimo's wife specifically reports the blessing of feeling our prayers as she has a greater peace and feels more secure.

5. The government approved the first and only Christian school in Algeria. This is a very encouraging sign.

6. We received a report that two churches received permission to build a meeting place.

7. Many more Christians, civil and church leaders are aware of the situation in Algeria.

8. Funds were donated to Spirit of Martyrdom which helped us pay for the rent of Pastor Krimo and other needs.

Together we served the Church in Algeria. It reminds me of 1 Chronicles 29:9 which says, "Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the LORD." This scripture refers to the Israelites offering precious metals and stones for the building of the temple of God. As we have offered our precious stones of prayers and sacrifices of action, we have helped build the temple of God in Algeria.

With the end of this campaign, it is my hope that your prayers and advocacy will not end but you will continue to pray for the church growing throughout the Islamic world. Our desire is to be a consistent support to the bold witness of the Church - world wide. We must persevere until Christ returns. This morning I received an e-mail update from our Algerian contact regarding this past weekend. A Christian Brother named Yassin (29 years old) was killed by five fundamental Muslims near his village in Algeria. Also, in the same area, two girls and one boy (ages 7, 8 and 10) died of dehydration. The temperature was 120 degrees Fahrenheit and the children begged for water but the parents would not give them any water because it is Ramadan right now. Stories like this impassion me to continue to support the witnesses of Christ in difficult areas. If you would like to join us and become one of our monthly financial partners you can contact us for auto pay or click here to make an online donation.

Pastor David Witt

Chief Executive Officer

Spirit of Martyrdom

PRAY

Monday: Pray for Yassin's family and the Muslim family whose three children died.

Tuesday: Pray for Algerians to find freedom in Jesus Christ alone.

Wednesday: Pray for the leaders of Algeria to seek a true understanding of the Christian faith.

Thursday: Pray for Spirit of Martyrdom ministries, that we serve the witnesses of Algeria effectively.

Friday and Weekend: Pray for us Christians in America to grow in our courage and faith as we serve our brothers and sisters in Algeria.

Verse of the Week: 1 Chronicles 29:7-13 - "They gave for the service of the house of God 5,000 talents and 10,000 darics of gold, 10,000 talents of silver, 18,000 talents of bronze and 100,000 talents of iron. And whoever had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the house of the LORD, in the care of Jehiel the Gershonite. Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the LORD. David the King also rejoiced greatly. Therefore, David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: "Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name."

ACTION

Share the ministry of Spirit of Martyrdom with one other Christian leader this week. Ask him/her to keep informed by signing up for our newsletter and inviting David Witt to come speak at his/her organization.

Click here to contact the ministry to schedule a speaking engagement.

Algerian Freedom Week 7 of 8

By SOM News on August 15, 2011 1:27 PM | No Comments

Soccer - a Holy Sport?

Soccer is popular in Algeria and now to Christians soccer is a reminder of God's sovereign grace. It is the Lord God who saves. Acts 2:47 says,

(Above - Algeria vs UK )

"And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved." In recent history, God has added many Muslim background Algerians who have been saved by faith from their sins to inherit eternal life in Christ Jesus. Interestingly, soccer is an instrument God used in Algeria.

Before 1980, there were no Christians for 1200 years in Algeria. Saint Augustine and others were from this region of Africa, but by the 900s Islam wiped out Christianity. In 1981, a group of amateur soccer players from Switzerland vacationed to the Kabylie region, Algeria. The Swiss asked if their local soccer team wanted to play in a scrimmage. The team agreed but said their best player was really sick and asked if the Swiss had any medicine. The Swiss did not have medicine but offered to pray. When the Swiss prayed for the Algerian player, they asked that "our Father in heaven" heal him. The player was instantly healed. The rest of the Algerian soccer team was amazed and intrigued. "Who is this Father you pray to and how does he heal?" they asked. In the Qur'an there is no title of "Father" for Allah, so their curiosity caused them to further question what the Swiss were talking about. The Swiss explained to them the gospel. All 11 soccer players received faith in Christ and right away told others about their experience. The Algerian soccer players began to pray for the physical needs of others and many were healed. This event began the modern-day revival in Algeria which has grown to over 100,000 Christians in the past 26 years. The truly amazing miracle about all of this is that these men and women had no knowledge of Christ. It was two years later in 1987 that the first French Bible and then Arabic Bible were given to these new believers. This year marks the completion of the first Berber Bible in history (which is their native language.)

However, this enormous growth did not come without persecution. One of the soccer players tried to share his new faith with his family and they did not want to hear it. They beat him and his life was threatened. For 7 years, he was on the move until 1992 when his family asked him to come back to the village. The risk of visiting his home village was very high; but God had other plans for him. The village elders grilled him about his Christian faith. The wisdom of his answers impressed the elders and after their discussion the elders simply walked away. In due time, his family came to faith in Christ.

God is adding Muslims to faith in Christ like never before in history. God invites us to have a part of this work with prayers and a bold witness of faith. Every Muslim background believer is a persecuted believer. If the Algerian believers can be bold in their faith, we encourage you to be bold in your prayers and faith here in America. In these last two weeks of our Algerian Freedom campaign, we ask you to persevere in prayer and this week to share the situation of Christians in Algeria with one other person.

Travis Fowler

Travis@SpiritofMartyrdom.com

PRAY

Monday: Pray for Algerian Christians to continue to boldly share their testimonies of revival.

Tuesday: Pray for Algerians to find freedom and peace in Jesus Christ alone.

Wednesday: Pray for the leaders of Algeria to seek a true understanding of the Christian faith.

Thursday: Pray for Spirit of Martyrdom ministries, that we serve the witnesses of Algeria effectively.

Friday and Weekend: Pray for us Christians in America to grow in our courage and faith as we serve our brothers and sisters in Algeria.

Verse of the Week: Acts 2:36-47 - "Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation." So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

ACTION

Look for an opportunity to share the history and current situation with Christians in Algeria with one other person this week. (Maybe this will be a real banner week and you can find two people. )

Algerian Freedom - Week Six of Eight

By SOM News on August 4, 2011 9:08 PM | No Comments

Algerian Freedom
Week Six of Eight--Prayer and Action

The United States relationship with Algeria has been a roller coaster over the years. By 1800 The United States government was paying 20 percent of budget in ransom and tribute to the Muslim Barbary countries which included Algeria. President Jefferson decided that the US would no longer pay ransom from the Barbary Pirates and sent the Navy and Marines to attack. Later in 1815 United States attacked Algiers and forced a treaty. The treaty demanded the release of the American Christian hostages, discontinue tribute, and pay reparations for damage to US property.

In more recent years Algerians have fond memories of President Kennedy's support for their independence from France in 1962. Relations were strengthen by Algerian diplomacy in 1980 which became instrumental in the obtaining the release of US hostages from Iran.

In 1992 Algeria erupted into civil war as the democratic government fought the forces of fundamental Muslims who desired to topple the government and set up a pure Islamic Sharia Law State. The relationship with the United States went to an all-time low as the war ensued from 1992 to 2000 and costs nearly 200,000 Algerian lives. In July 2001 the relationship improved as President Bush met with President Bouteflika and they meet again in September, 2003. Algeria has participated in helping the U.S. in anti-terrorism since 2001. In 2010 U.S. aid totaled 2.7 million dollars. In 2007 U.S. direct investment into Algeria totaled 5.45 billion dollars which was mostly in the oil and gas industry.

Let us pray that God bless the Algerian Government to continue a path of positive relations with the United States. Let us pray that the United States policies, investment and aid, support the growth of freedom in Algeria. Please encourage your local representative and Senators to voice concern for the legal freedoms of the Christian minority in Algeria. Specifically, please pray that Algeria revokes the laws of Ordinance 06-03 and drops the five year prison sentence of Pastor Siaghi Krimo.

(Please see www.SpiritofMartyrdom.com/news for more information.)

David Witt

david@SpiritofMartyrdom.com

Please click here: www.spiritofmartyrdom.com/news/ to use our BLOG and share more of your thoughts and ideas. Tell us how you are praying and serving in this Algerian Campaign.

PRAY

Monday: Pray for Algerian Christians use wisdom in dealing with the government.

Tuesday: Pray for Algerians to desire more freedom for all and thirst for a peace with all nations.

Wednesday: Pray for Imams and the spiritual leaders of Algeria that God open their eyes and that the Holy Spirit give clear thinking and a hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Thursday: Pray for Spirit of Martyrdom ministries that we communicate this message effectively.

Friday and this weekend: Pray for Christians in America to love the freedom God has given us and share it with our brothers and sisters in Algeria.

Week Verse: 1 Peter 2:13-17 - Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

ACTION

1. Write your representative. You can find their e-mail address by clicking here:
  https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
2. Write your Senator. You can find their e-mail address by clicking here:
  http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
  
  Dear Honorable,
  
  I thank you for your hard work and leadership over our great country. I do pray for your strength and wisdom as you must administrate to many duties. The United States has been a great force for international freedom. I am asking that you would use your influence to speak up for the legal freedoms of the Christian minority in Algeria.
  
  Over 100,000 Muslims in Algeria have converted to Christianity in the past 20 years. According the Algerian Constitution, people have fundamental rights and freedoms. However, fundamental Muslims rallied to pass Ordinance 06-03 in 2006, which oppresses freedom of speech and religion by prohibiting any publication, video, audio, spoken and material that "shakes the faith of a Muslim." This law can also be used against the minority Algerian religious sects but has especially been targeted towards Christians.
  
  Pastor Siaghi Krimo on May 28th was sentence to 5 years in prison and $2,760,USD for simply giving a Christian CD away to his Muslim neighbor. Can you imagine a Muslim giving an educational CD in America to a Christian neighbor and then sentenced to five years in prison? Would you please use your leadership and do everything possible to influence the Algerian government to abolish the laws of Ordinance 06-03 and asked that the fine and prison sentence against Pastor Siaghi Krimo will be dropped.
  
  Respectfully Yours,

Algerian Freedom: Week Five of Eight--Prayer and Action

By SOM News on July 26, 2011 9:06 PM | No Comments

Algerian Freedom
Week Five of Eight--Prayer and Action

Each week of this campaign our goal is to provide knowledge and awareness of what is taking place regarding persecution of Christians in Algeria. Pastor Siaghi Krimo is an example of the abuse of freedom that Ordinance 06-03 enforces. (Read week 3 for more information.) He was arrested for sharing his faith with a Muslim neighbor and now he and his family are facing persecution.

Siaghi is married with a one year old baby. Siaghi was arrested April 14, 2011 for offering his Muslim neighbor a Christian CD. Siaghi was tried in court on May 4, 2011 and his prosecutor asked that Siaghi spend two years in prison with a bail of 50,000 dinars ($690) . The two year sentence the prosecutor asked for is the minimum sentence for anyone who "insults" Muhammad according to Article 144 of the Algerian Penal Code.

May 28, 2011 the trial concluded and the judge increased the fine to 200,000 dinars ($2,760) and five years in prison. Pastor Siaghi Krimo's lawyer immediately appealed the case. We have encouraging news that the higher court judge ruled Siaghi to be free until the appeal trial is complete. While it is good news that Siaghi gets to spend more time with his family, this freedom is not without concern. Siaghi received a threatening anonymous call that "he will pay the price for his actions." His Church congregation is concerned for his life, so they encouraged him to move to a safer location. (Spirit of Martyrdom ministries-- with the help of your donations is helping pay for one year's rent in a more secure location.) You can imagine the spiritual battle that the Krimo family faces. His wife must deal with the fear that her husband may go to prison, may be killed by Muslim fundamentalists, and the concern and care for their one year old baby.

Pastor Krimo is now unemployed and has to deal with the increased expenses from legal to living expenses as well as adjusting to a new unfamiliar living environment. Yet with all these challenges, Pastor Krimo and his wife live by faith and declare that they will continue to witness for Christ. He desires to be bold! Siaghi understands that they persecute him because of Christ. He is honored to bear the name of Christ.

This week, we ask you to write a letter of encouragement and pray for Pastor Siaghi Krimo and his family. He is a living martyr who needs the help of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ commands us in scripture to encourage him and suffer with him. Below is a list that may help Pastor Siaghi in spiritual and physical ways. Thank you all so much for the many ways that you are giving in this campaign. God is truly moving in this and it is our humble honor that we can be involved to make a difference. Always feel free to write with questions and concerns. God bless.

Travis F.

Travis@SpiritofMartyrdom.com

This is a wonderful opportunity for Christians to pray and fast for Muslims to find salvation in Jesus Christ and specifically for ex-Muslims in Algeria who suffer the persecution for their Christian faith like Pastor Krimo (see www.SpiritofMartyrdom.com/news for more info.) http://www.30-days.net/resources/download/ gives resources that you can download for daily prayers for the Muslim world.

David Witt

Leave a comment below and share your thoughts and ideas. Tell us how you are praying and serving in this Algerian Campaign.

PRAY

Monday: Pray for the protection of the Krimo family. Pray for peace and even joy as they walk through this trial.

Tuesday: Pray for Algerians to speak up for the injustice and oppression of the freedom of speech against Pastor Krimo and the Christian minority.

Wednesday: Pray for Imams and the spiritual leaders of Algeria that God open their eyes and that the Holy Spirit give clear thinking and a hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Thursday: Pray for Spirit of Martyrdom ministries that we serve Pastor Krimo and his family with spiritual encouragement and love.

Friday and this weekend: Pray for Christians in America to increase in prayer for the Siaghi Krimo and those like him.

Week Verse: John 15:20 Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.

ACTION

Write a love letter of encouragement to Pastor Siaghi Krimo and his wife. Please use the "Leave a Comment" section below. We will make sure these notes of encouragement get to Pastor Krimo. We believe your notes will also be a witness to others.
Donate to Spirit of Martyrdom ministries to help us serve Pastor Krimo's family and the needs of the Christian minority.

Algerian Freedom Week Four of Eight

By SOM News on July 21, 2011 8:36 PM | No Comments

Algerian Freedom
Week Four of Eight--Prayer and Action

This next Monday, August 1 officially starts the Islamic fast of Ramadan in Algeria. (Sunday Evening July 31st in North America) It will last until August 30th. Ramadan is required for all Muslims to fast during daylight hours by refraining from all liquids, food and sexual intimacy. When the sun goes down all these activities resume until the next morning sunrise. Culturally, this is a high point in Algeria for family interaction. For many families, this is the only time they eat together for dinner after sunset. Most Algerians sleep and limit activity during the day. People get all excited and lively in the evenings, tea and coffee shops are invaded, women and children are found strolling around eating ice-cream and all kinds of Ramadan sweets.

Religiously, this is a very zealous time. Muslims hope the religious duties of Ramadan will work off their sins. Muslims read through the Qur'an (The Qur'an is divided into 30 sections for daily Ramadan readings.) Day 27 is called the night of prayer. On this night, Muslims believe that Allah is most close and will hear their prayers and see their pious actions more than any other night. Eid celebrates the end of Ramadan with a big feast. Unfortunately, the religious piety stirred during Ramadan has historically inspired much persecution against Christians in Islamic countries. In 2010 two ex-Muslims Hocine Hocini and Salem Fellak were arrested during the month of Ramadan, after they were seen eating lunch on the building site where they worked in Kabylie, northern Algeria. The prosecution pursued a sentence of 3 years in prison. Human rights groups responded with an outcry of injustice. The Algerian judge stated that they had not broken the law and threw out the case. This incident was a good example of how our prayers and actions make a difference in the freedom of others.

This is a wonderful opportunity for Christians to pray and fast for Muslims to find salvation in Jesus Christ and specifically for ex-Muslims in Algeria who suffer the persecution for their Christian faith like Pastor Krimo (see www.SpiritofMartyrdom.com/news for more info.) http://www.30-days.net/resources/download/ gives resources that you can download for daily prayers for the Muslim world.

David Witt

Please click here: http://www.spiritofmartyrdom.com/news to use our BLOG and share more of your thoughts and ideas. Tell us how you are praying and serving in this Algerian Campaign.

PRAY

Monday: Pray for Algerian Christians to be a light of hope during Ramadan.

Tuesday: Pray for all Algerians that this Ramadan the Holy Spirit will reveal to them true freedom by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Wednesday: Pray for Imams and the spiritual leaders of Algeria that God open their eyes and that the Holy Spirit give clear thinking and a hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Thursday: Pray for Spirit of Martyrdom ministries that we serve the living martyrs of Christ in Algeria with spiritual encouragement and love.

Friday and this weekend: Pray for Christians in America to increase in prayer for the Muslim world during August.

Week Verse: Matthew 5:44-47 - But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

ACTION

ACTION

Share your ideas and opinions on our BLOG. www.SpiritofMartyrdom.com/news
Forward this e-mail to your church or Bible study prayer network and ask them to pray for the freedom of ex-Muslim Christians in Algeria and the reversal of the sentence of five years in prison for Pastor Krimo.
Join us for 15 minutes on the phone for prayer. Dial (916)233-2999 then enter access code - 242511# from 8:45am-9:00am Pacific Standard time Monday thru Thursday.
Join a Skype prayer group. Spirit of Martyrdom volunteer Ann B. has volunteered to coordinate this group. Prayer will be from 8pm-9pm PST Monday- Friday if interested please IM her at her Skype address: mrsbofaz
E-mail your local Imam in the nearest mosque to your city. To find the closest mosque use http://www.islamicity.com/orgs/ then copy the name of the Mosque and location and paste into a Google search. Then click on the home web page of the mosque. You should then find a contact location for an e-mail address.

Feel free to copy and paste this letter:

Dear Imam,

I know this is a holy time for you during Ramadan and I hope that you are blessed.
The Lord Jesus Christ has given me a love for Muslims and I am praying specifically for Algerians this month. I praise God for the freedoms we have in America for Muslims of all sects and people of different faiths to practice their religion. This is why I am contacting you. I am concerned about the religious freedom of Algerians. According the Algerian Constitution, people have fundamental rights and freedoms.

However, Ordinance 06-03 was passed in 2006 and continues to be used to discriminate against the growing Christian minority in Algeria. This law can also be used against the minority Algerian Muslim sects. Pastor Siaghi Krimo on May 28th was sentence to 5 years in prison and $2,760,USD for simply giving a Christian CD away to his Muslim neighbor.

Can you imagine a Muslim giving an educational CD in America to a Christian neighbor and then sentenced to five years in prison? During Ramadan would you please use your leadership and ask Muslims to pray and do everything possible to influence the Algerian government to abolish the laws of Ordinance 06-03 and that the fine and prison sentence against Pastor Siaghi Krimo will be dropped.

Respectfully Yours,

Algerian Freedom Week 3 of 8 Prayer and Action

By SOM News on July 18, 2011 12:30 PM | No Comments

Politics in a free state should mean just that - Freedom. We have a Constitution that promises us freedom to choose creed, speech, religion, politics etc. Since 1976, Algeria has claimed such freedoms. Their Constitution is very well written and mirrors some United States constitutional rights.

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika was voted into his position on April, 29, 1999 and won by 73.8% of the votes and then reelected April 8, 2004 by 83.5% and in 2006 appointed Abdelaziz Belkhadem as Prime Minister. Shortly after this he announced a change in the constitution allowing the president to remain in office indefinitely.

(Note: President Bouteflika won the election and re-election by a staggering amount; however it was not without discrepancies. Out of 47 candidates only 7 of those were allowed to run. Out of protest, 6 others withdrew giving the majority of the votes to Abdelaziz Bouteflika.) Let us pray for President Abdelaziz and his leadership.

Ordinance 06-03 passed in 2006 and was carried out largely by a man named Hamou Ahmed Touhami. President Bouteflika appointed this man as governor (Wali) of the Bejaia Provence. This Ordinance has been the most troublesome for the freedom of minority Christians.

Excerpts from Ordinance 06-03

Chapter III: Criminal Provisions

Article 10: The punishment is one (1) to three (3) years of imprisonment and a fine from 250.000 DA (approximately $5,000 USD) to 500.000 DA (approximately $7,000 USD) for anyone who by verbal or written or distributed discourse in structures where religious worship takes place or who utilizes any other audiovisual means, containing a provocation to resist the fulfillment of the laws or the decision of the public authority, or tending to incite a part of the citizens to rebellion, without prejudice of more serious penalties, if the provocation is followed by effects.

The penalty is imprisonment from three (3) to five (5) years and the fine is from 500.000 DA (approximately $7,000 USD) to 1,000,000 DA (approximately $ 14,000 USD) if the guilty person is a leader of a religious group.

Article 11: Without prejudice of more serious penalties, the punishment is imprisonment from two (2) to five (5) years and a fine from 500.000 DA to 1,000.000 for whomever: 1-incites, constrains or utilizes means of seduction tending to convert a Muslim to another religion, or by using to this end establishments for teaching, for education, for health, of a social or cultural nature, or training institutions or any other establishment, or distributes printed documents or audiovisual productions or by any other aid or means, which has as its goal to shake the faith of a Muslim.

I bring this news and information to the forefront not to offend, but rather to prepare us all. As we pray, as we write to government officials, or contact media, it will help us in our campaign by understanding the issues.

As always, we thank you for your time, thoughts, prayers, and actions. We will keep you updated on the website www.spiritofmartyrdom.com, Facebook and through email. Please feel free to contact us. God bless!

Travis F

travis@spiritofmartyrdom.com

Please click here: http://www.spiritofmartyrdom.com/news to use our BLOG and share more of your thoughts and ideas. Tell us how you are praying and serving in this Algerian Campaign.

PRAY

Monday: Pray for the boldness and wisdom of the Algerian Christians as they seek to be good citizens.

Tuesday: Pray for the understanding of all Algerians of God given freedom and the opportunities to share these principles.

Wednesday: Pray for President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to rule well and protect the freedom of all Algerians

Thursday: Pray for Spirit of Martyrdom ministries that we serve the living martyrs of Christ in Algeria with Spiritual encouragement and love.

Friday and this weekend: Pray for Christians in America to wake up and grow in prayer, compassion and understanding of the persecuted Christians in Algeria.

Week Verse: Psalm 94:20-23: Can wicked rulers be allied with you, those who frame injustice by statute? They band together against the life of the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. But the LORD has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge. He will bring back on them their iniquity and wipe them out for their wickedness; the LORD our God will wipe them out.

ACTION

This week please write the President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and then send the letter through the Embassy. Remember that Christ calls us to bless all people and honor those in authority.
Feel free to copy and paste this letter: In subject line: "Please Forward to President Abdelaziz Bouteflika"

Dear President Abdelaziz Bouteflika,

Thank you for your leadership in Algeria. God has given me a love for the Algerian people and I have prayed for God to give you wisdom.

This is why I am contacting you. I am concerned about the legal freedoms for all Algerians.

According to your Constitution, the Algerian people have fundamental rights and freedoms. However, Ordinance 06-03 continues to be used to discriminate against the growing Christian minority in Algeria. Pastor Siaghi Krimo on May 28th was sentence to 5 years in prison and $2,760,USD for simply giving a Christian CD away to his Muslim neighbor.

I am certain that you see that when one group of people are not free to express themselves then no group is truly free as the majority will oppress the minority with their world view. Please use your leadership to do everything possible to abolish the laws of Ordinance 06-07 and that the fine and prison sentence against Pastor Siaghi Krimo will be dropped.

Respectfully Yours,

EMBASSY OF THE PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ALGERIA
Attention: President Abdelaziz Bouteflika
2118 Kalorama Road NW - Washington DC 20008
Tel: (202) 265-2800
Fax: (202) 667-2174
Website: www.algeria-us.org
Email: mail@algeria-us.org
Email address: consular@algeria-us.org

January Newsletter 2012

Hope In Colombia: 2012

October Newsletter 2011

September 2011 Newsletter

Algerian Freedom - Final Week

Algerian Freedom Week 7 of 8

Algerian Freedom - Week Six of Eight

Algerian Freedom: Week Five of Eight--Prayer and Action

Algerian Freedom Week Four of Eight

Algerian Freedom Week 3 of 8 Prayer and Action

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