St.Francis Magazine

Religions and mission in the Arab world

FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK

Dear friends

As Christians, we believe in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When talking about the Trinity with other Christians, I have regularly detected a certain fatigue about the issue - as if it is problematic!

Well, maybe it is problematic, but could that be our own fault? The idea that we might have to think and study in order to comprehend even a fraction of who God is, seems hard to many Christians. In our cultures, we want everything easy, and we want it preferably now. Why would we expect truth about the very being of God to be easy to know and comprehend?

The articles in this issue 6:3 (June 2010) of St Francis Magazine have renewed my enthusiasm for our great God! Most of the articles are related to Trinitarian matters. You will enjoy reading them, I believe. And they might help you communicate this great Gospel to your Muslim friends.

I have often heard and read that we should avoid talking about the Trinity with Muslims as long as possible – as if we have to avoid the most beautiful part of our Christian faith! And as if Muslims do not know we believe in a Trinity.

The next issue, the one of August 2010, will focus on concepts related to community and mission in the Arab World. If you like to submit your article on issues like koinonia and ummah and how they relate to our mission work, please contact me as soon as possible! May our one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be with us all.

John Stringer
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PRAYER REQUEST: Update on BMBs detained in Iran

Posted on 23^rd February 2010

Greetings in the name of Jesus, Prince of Peace

On 15^th February we requested prayer for several situations involving the arrest of believers from a Muslim background (BMBs) in Iran.

We are pleased to report that two BMBs among the seven Christians arrested on 11^th January in the south-western city of Shiraz have been released on bail. Recall that release on bail had been offered but at a prohibitive level. The two released were offered lower bail terms than the other five. They were required to submit work contract documents detailing their salaries with the implied threat that and their salaries will be withheld or reduced if they are perceived to cause further trouble.

We regret to report that two additional incidents have occurred in February.

On 2^nd February the pastor of the Assyrian Evangelical Church in Kermanshah was arrested while visiting friends near Isfahan. He was arrested along with his host couple and another visiting lady. Security agents confiscated items from the home. The wife of the host has been released. However, the whereabouts of the pastor and the other two detained with him is unknown. These arrests came one month after security agents in Kermanshah searched the pastor’s home, in his absence, and confiscated personal items, before sealing the church building.

On Tuesday 16^th a husband and wife, both BMBs, were arrested in Karaj. The wife was released two days later, but the husband remains detained. It is understood that he is accused of proselytism.

There is no further news of the others in Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz and Rasht, for whom we requested prayer on 15^th February.

Christians supporting these believers request our prayers that:

a. Those detained will know the close presence of Jesus, and be strengthened in their faith

b. The purposes of the Father will be worked out in and through them

c. All still detained will be released and reunited with their families

d. Those released will not face charges or further court hearings

e. BMBs across Iran will be able to meet together without fear

f. All officials involved will act justly and mercifully, and make the same choice to follow Jesus

May be circulated to general mailing lists and quoted from freely citing "Middle East Concern" as the source of the information.

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