Dozens of people were killed when Islamist rebels besieged the Christian town of Sadad (northeast of Damascus). Thousands fled the violence, many with just the clothes on their backs. Those who took money, documents or other valuables were robbed. Homes, businesses, schools and other public buildings, including a hospital, were looted and destroyed; church buildings were attacked and graffitied with insults against Christianity.

Reportedly, government forces had recaptured Sadad on October 28th, enabling the citizens to return to their homes. However, the surviving victims of the attack arrived to a scene which was described as “catastrophic.” Almost 40 bodies had been dumped in mass graves and had to be dug up to be identified. About half of the buildings in Sadad had been destroyed; and there was no power, water or telephone connection. These suffering believers greatly need our prayers….

Members from an al-Qaeda-linked group stormed Sadad on October 21st shouting “Allahu Akhbar” (“Allah is great”). They set up sniper posts and launched a campaign of shelling, killing anyone they found on the streets. Children were crying in fear as the militants took over the town.

In the midst of so much devastation and loss, may the Christians of Sadad and other attacked Syrian communities be greatly comforted. Pray that God, who understands their plight, will intervene mightily on their behalf, providing all that is necessary to rebuild their lives and communities. On behalf of these Syrian believers, please also pray that the ‘Angel of the Lord’ would encamp around them (Psalm 34:7), protecting them and their loved ones from any further attacks while quieting their troubled hearts with the ‘peace that surpasses all understanding’ (Philippians 4:7).

To view a four-minute video clip on the attack of Maaloula, another neighbouring Christian town located near the city of Damascus, please go to: www.persecution.tv/syria1.

MEXICO: Evangelicals Beaten and Imprisoned by Local Authorities

Sources: Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Release International, Morningstar News

Four evangelical Christians were unjustly imprisoned and beaten by order of local authorities in Mexico’s south-western state of Oaxaca. On November 4th, the municipal president publicly called citizens to “demolish the temple; (and to) lynch, imprison and torture” members of the Pentecostal church in San Juan Ozolotepec. This provoked the abduction and incarceration of Rev. Leopoldo Alonso and three church members the following day.

Human rights officials say a mob of traditionalists, armed with pickaxes and sledgehammers, attacked the church building and severely beat four church members with rods and stones. With the backing of police, state officials intervened and the four Christian men were released and hospitalized for their injuries on November 8th.

The town has been a cauldron of religious discrimination for some time. Church members reported that in May, municipal president, Pedro Cruz González, threatened to burn them and throw their bodies into a canyon if they did not renounce their faith. The municipal leader also responded to the Protestants’ public appeal for state intervention by incarcerating a church member in July. The main issue at stake is the church’s refusal to join and fund local traditionalist festivals.

The National Commission for Human Rights has filed a complaint about the case in San Juan Ozolotepec. The Commission reports that cases of religious intolerance are on the rise in Mexico, particularly in rural areas and regions with a significant indigenous population. While religious freedoms are constitutionally enshrined in Mexico, state and federal reluctance to intervene has allowed intolerance to spread. To learn more about the challenges facing evangelical Christians in Mexico, go to www.persecution.net/mexico.htm.

We offer thanks to God for the release and medical care of Rev. Alonso and his three church members—Manuel Martínez Silva, Miguel Silva Reyes and Plácido Aragón. Please pray for their physical healing, and that courage and strength be granted to all who are being persecuted in this embattled town. May the municipal president, Pedro Cruz González, be confronted about his sin against God’s people, reminding him and all other governing authorities of the importance of serving with justice and truth. Lift up the country of Mexico in prayer, asking that the Light of the Gospel will shine brightly…even in areas of darkness where there is discrimination, hatred and social turmoil.

LAOS: Believers Falsely Accused for Villagers’ Deaths

Source: VOM Sources

A group of new Christians in a Laotian village have been blamed for the unrelated deaths of three men. When the deaths occurred shortly after the conversion of the believers, the rest of the community concluded that they had angered their ancestors.

In March 2013, two evangelists shared the Gospel in three remote villages of Laos. As a result, 178 people received Christ and 18 were baptized. Shortly afterward, three men from one of the villages died from unrelated causes. One was given the wrong medicine, one died in his sleep, and the third was accidentally electrocuted while trying to run a cable line.

The shaken community consulted a witch doctor who concluded that the strange new religion that was introduced to the community had angered their ancestors. “Those Christians have to renounce their faith or they have to leave the village!” he warned. “Otherwise, more people will die.”

The community leader became angry with the new Christians and called a meeting for the whole village; army and police officials were present. At the meeting, the village authorities ordered the believers to renounce their faith. They also forced the Christians to cover the travel expenses of the army and police officials, and to pay for the funeral costs of all three people who had died. Previously posted alerts of persecution in Laos are available at www.persecution.net/laos.htm.

Praise God for the great spiritual harvest that has taken place in Laos this year due to the evangelists’ ministry among the villagers. Pray for His protection to be upon these new believers so that the enemy of their souls will not be able to jeopardize or thwart the wonderful work that He has begun in each of their lives. Ask the Lord to encourage and strengthen them spiritually so they will be able to stand firmly in their faith despite opposition, knowing that He has also promised to be their Defender and Vindicator (Isaiah 54:17).