Pakistan (MNN) — This week, Pakistani believers commemorate a dark day in history. Seven years ago, two Taliban terrorists blew themselves up outside the All Saints Church as people left a worship service. The blast killed 100 believers and injured hundreds more.
“The wounds of losing three family members are still fresh for me. It is impossible to forget that bloody day that turned my life forever into sorrow,” one survivor told International Christian Concern.
The All Saints Church bombing was the single deadliest attack on Pakistan’s Christian community. “It was kind of unprecedented at that time,” TWR President Lauren Libby says.
“Since then, there’s been even more persecution for believers in Pakistan. But you know what? God is still moving in this country.”
Gospel work in Pakistan
Pakistan has one of the world’s largest Muslim populations and one of the highest rates of Christian persecution. More about persecution in Pakistan here.
(Photo courtesy of Voice of the Martyrs USA)
Even though believers face opposition, it doesn’t stop them from sharing Christ. “I am amazed at how courageous they are to live out their life around an extreme Islamic culture,” Libby says.
TWR’s broadcasts into Pakistan, Afghanistan, and North India (PANI) generate thousands of responses each year from people who want to know more about Jesus. Programs tell stories of Old Testament prophets, share believers’ testimonies, encourage healthy family relationships, and explain how to start a home church.
Radio plays a critical role in reaching Pakistani Muslims for Christ, especially during COVID-19 lockdowns. Life isn’t easy right now, Libby admits, but Gospel programs offer encouragement and hope. Local teams help meet physical needs. Learn more about the pandemic’s effect on Christians in Pakistan.
“It is a very, very hard time. We had to send financial resources for people who lead ministry groups to be able to eat and to [buy groceries and] distribute rice and beans and oil,” Libby says.
Find your place in the story
Now that you know, how will you respond? You can support TWR’s PANI broadcasts here, but most importantly, pray. Use the prompts listed alongside this article to guide your intercession.
“Pray for people in Pakistan, and that whole region, because I’m telling you these are serious times – economically, politically, and from a religious standpoint… We need to be global Christians,” Libby says.
“We’re part of the kingdom of God. We’re part of an eternal family, and that eternal family is affected by things going on in the world today.”
Header image courtesy of TWR.
