​Just before dawn on Wednesday 13 April, Hutu soldiers of the Presidential Guard kicked in the doors of a church east of Kigali. Inside were hundreds of Tutsi Christians huddled together in prayer.

The Hutu soldiers tossed handgrenades into the packed congregation and opened fire with machine guns. They then systematically slaughtered the survivors with machetes, spears, bats and bullets. Before the sun rose, about 1,200 Tutsi church goers had been massacred. Most of the dead were children.

​25 June 2005 marked the 30 th anniversary of the revolution in Mozambique, and the 10 th anniversary of peace in Mozambique. In 1975, after being a Portuguese colony for 470 years, Mozambique was abandoned by the Portuguese and declared independent on 25 June 1975. Despite the existence of several political parties and numerous requests for a referendum or elections, the Portuguese abandoned the country to the Marxist revolutionaries, Frelimo – without any referendum or opportunity for elections. Frelimo’s leader, Samora Machel, declared Mozambique “the first truly Marxist-Leninist country in Africa!”

​The South African Constitution, whilst containing many positive provisions, guarantees every liberal freedom and so-called right currently being debated in the Western World. Constitutions of nations such as the United States are being reinterpreted by their judiciaries to allow for abortion and to open the debate surrounding issues such as 'sexual orientation'. But South Africa's Constitution explicitly guarantees all these 'rights'. All legislation passed since 1996 is measured against the secular humanistic values enshrined in the Constitution. South Africans have consequently seen a rising tide of immorality sweep the nation.

​The greatest revolutionary of all time lived as a second-class citizen of an oppressed nation, at the beginning of the first century A.D. Born into a Jewish Family of Galilee during the Roman occupation, he lived in a time of violence and clearly proclaimed a message of peace. Although the target of much hatred, he boldly taught and lived a life of love. He courageously showed the way to God, but the jealous religious leaders of that day arrested him and beat him, condemning him to death.

Volume 3 1990

Are you prepared for Persecution?
Are you praying for Revival?
Are you working for Reformation?
If not, why not?

PERSECUTION
Throughout the Bible, believers are warned that:

“All who desire to live a Godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
2 Timothy 3:12

“Then many will fall away, and betray one another, and hate one another.”
Matthew 24:10

The Apostles’ ministry included:

“Strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. 
‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said.”
Acts 14:22

The danger of persecution needs to be realistically faced and practically prepared for.

​Volume 4 1990

Napoleon observed that a good general: ‘Must not allow himself to be elated by good news, nor depressed by bad news.”

Many Christians are elated over the apparently momentous successes for faith and freedom in Eastern Europe and Nicaragua. Other concerned believers are depressed at the massacres and oppression of Red China, the hand-over of Namibia to the Marxist terrorists of SWAPO, and the moral collapse of the West.

Yet, no matter how the world may change — our task remains the same. The Christian priority is to love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind (Mark 12:30).

In the face of the many overwhelming crises the Christian strategy is to be obedient to God’s Word (Psalm 1).

In response to every issue and problem our response is to stand firm on the clear teachings of the Bible and “make disciples of all nations ... teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20).

​The next time animal rights and enviro-cranks get in your face about ancient trees or “endangered” fairy shrimp, ask them why they’re silent about this massive slaughter:

Those are the words of Dr. Peter Hammond, founder and director of Frontline Fellowship. His headquarters are in South Africa, but his Christian missionary work takes him across the continent.Vast herds of elephant and the endangered Black Rhino, cheetah, leopard and antelope have been snared, speared, shot or blown-up. Huge forests have been destroyed and entire game reserves have been devastated.Some of the greatest game reserves in Africa have been in Zimbabwe. Now these wildlife sanctuaries are the scenes of unprecedented slaughter.

​There is a growing worldwide war against Christianity. Last year, over 160,000 Christians were killed for their faith. Christians have been beaten, imprisoned and killed for the crime of being a Christian in Red China. In Sudan, Christians have been bombed, massacred and sold into slavery. In Indonesia, Muslim mobs have wiped out entire villages of Christians, burning down many hundreds of churches.

Christians have been targeted and assassinated in Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Missionaries in various parts of the world have been kidnapped, murdered and, in India, even burned alive by a mob of Hindu militants.

​Volume 3 1987

Testimony of Maria Mutango: In April 1986 at LUENA ir MOXICO province, ANGOLA over 40 women met for Bible study. We were surprised by the MPLA soldiers, who came and said, God does not exist. Your God grows out of your Bibles — So eat you Bibles.” They forced us to eat our own Bibles. We were crying and some refused They were shot. So we all started running into the bush. Many were shot. I escaped and was later captured and taken to th MPLA command post at Luena, where I was imprisoned for 2 months. The Cuban and MPLA beat us and violated us daily. In July I escaped and walked many days to Jamba, and safety.

“Remember the prisoners as if chained with them - those who are mistreated - since you yourselves are in the body also.” Hebrews 13:3

Sunday 13 November is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Every year, an average of 160,000 Christians worldwide die as martyrs for Christ.

This year Christian brothers and sisters have been persecuted for their faith in Christ: in Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bhutan, Burma, Red China, Cuba, Egypt, Eritrea, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Laos, Malaysia, Morocco, Nepal, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Philippines, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.