Pakistan (MNN) — Pakistan's Christians are caught between Islamic militant organizations that routinely target Christians for violence, and an Islamizing culture that makes Christians feel less and less a part of Pakistan.
A blasphemy law further isolates believers, since it is often used to settle personal vendettas against them. Many Pakistani Christians have been falsely accused under code that states blaspheming Islam (Law 295 a) and blaspheming the Qur'an (Law 295b) are both criminal offenses. Law 295c makes blaspheming Mohammed a crime punishable by death.
At the same time, the laws of Pakistan give Christians considerable freedom to run their churches; the Christian population is growing, and a steady trickle of Muslims are responding to the Gospel.
The bolder Christians are often unfazed by the risk they run when sharing the hope of Christ. In fact, Mawii Pudaite with Bibles For the World says one of their partners is boldly moving forward. "Next month, they're going to have a public festival. It's all the Christians working together, and they got permission from the government to hold this festival. In that festival, they are able to freely give out Bibles, New Testaments, and Gospels."
Pudaite shared a letter from that partner, whom we'll call "Brother Shahid." In it, he requests resources from them but makes no mention of harassment or persecution.
Some of that is simply caution. But Pudaite says this is who the body of Christ is, under pressure. She shares some of Brother Shahid's thoughts. "I would like to thank you all on behalf of the Christians in Pakistan for getting the gospel of John and New Testament printed and distributed free to the people who were unable to have them. Many precious souls are blessed and praise the Lord that their lives are totally changed."
Brother Shahid goes on to explain that because there are still many millions who need to hear about God and salvation through Christ, they have no intention of being silenced. "Christianity means change, and this change can only come through the Word of God because God's Word has the power to change lives."
Brother Shahid asks for copies of the Gospel of John, New Testaments and the Bible in preparation for a large festival that will be held next month.
Pudaite says the interest is stirring. "We have been receiving telephone calls and e-mails with urgent appeals for the Gospel of John and New Testaments in Urdu." She goes on to say that it costs a mere quarter for the Gospel of John and $2.25 for the Urdu New Testaments. "Will you join Dr. Ro and me, and our entire staff in prayer, asking the Lord to provide the resources necessary to give His Word for the people of Pakistan?"
She goes on to share another letter from one of the recipients of an Urdu copy of the Gospel of John.
My heart was filled with joy when I took my pen on paper to write you this letter. I hope everything is going on well with you and your ministry, since the Almighty God is still on His powerful throne.
I was once a Muslim, but now I am a Christian. My mother was seriously sick and was admitted at the hospital. She was dying and there was nothing the doctors could do. Many Muslims came there and did all that they could do to heal her, but they weren't able. Later, I asked some of our church members, including myself, to pray for her, but we were not allowed to enter her room. Later I went to see her without my father's knowledge and prayed for her. After praying, I gave her The Gospel of John to read. After two days, my mother got well and came back home. I encouraged her to keep reading the book. I invited her to church, and she got saved. She attended church with me, and then she went to my father and shared the Word of God with him and then prayed for him. He then declared that we are all Christians and got baptized. Praise the Almighty God! Still, the Muslims are trying to win us back, but we give them no chance, and we are still praying to God to help us. I'm pleading to you that you send us seven Bibles for my family and 1000 copies of the Gospel of John for other friends, which will make us grow spiritually in Christ. I would like to end here and take this opportunity to say a big "thank you" to you and your ministry.
May God richly bless you.
Yours in Christ,
Ayub
It is evident that the Christian population is growing, and a steady trickle of Muslims is joining these churches. Pray for more Gospel opportunities. We have a link to help provide Bibles at our Featured Links Section.
