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: House church leader couple arrested on 28th February in Iran

Posted on 3rd March 2010

Greetings in the name of Jesus, Head of the Church

 

Iranian Christians have requested our prayers for a couple, both believers from a Muslim background, arrested on 28th February and for their two teenage sons.

 

Approximately 20 police offices went to the home of Hamid and Reyhaneh in Isfahan. Reyhaneh was arrested immediately. Hamid was arrested when he returned home one hour later. Reyhaneh was physically assaulted when she resisted arrest. Other believers present at the time were threatened but not detained, though one was also assaulted when he protested. The police officers confiscated computers, telephones and literature, including many Bibles.

 

On 1st March family members contacted the authorities and were told that their case will be referred to the Revolutionary Court once charges are finalised. They were told to make no further enquiries. Hamid and Reyhaneh’s current whereabouts are unknown.

 

Their two teenaged sons are being cared for by Reyhaneh's sister.

 

Hamid has regularly been summoned and questioned by the Information Ministry in recent years. The couple lead a house fellowship.

 

Iranian Christians supporting this family request our prayers that:

a.      Hamid and Reyhaneh will be released soon and reunited with their sons

b.      Hamid, Reyhaneh and their sons will know the presence and peace of Jesus

c.       Likewise for other Iranian believers currently detained for their faith

d.      Members of their house fellowship, together with all believers in Iran, will know the Spirit’s guiding wisdom at this time, and live without fear

e.      All officials involved will act justly, display mercy, and respond positively to the message of 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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