Saturday, May 07, 2011

The Crisis of Belief in Islamic Countries - Where Next?

"In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come." (Haggai 2:6-7)

I never imaged that I would live to see the Arab world fight so hard for freedom from their oppressive dictators. Fear had gripped people for decades, yet now they are being bold and courageous even though thousands have been killed in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Yemen, Syria, Bahrain and other countries. As revolution continues to rage throughout the Islamic Middle East, my prayer is that Muslims may see that the corrupt leaders, poverty, and a lack of freedom they are revolting against are all effects of an Islamic worldview.

I pray they experience a crisis of belief that would open them to hearing the Gospel. I believe this may already be happening!

With all this uncertainty, Christian chat lines in some Muslim countries are being flooded with seekers, and large numbers are watching the few Gospel-oriented television programs that are available. God is giving the church an open door to take the gospel to the tens of millions who have not heard it before. Are we ready to step up? When these countries open up, are there workers ready to go there?

Please pray for God to help Christian churches and agencies to mobilize and train missionaries. Pray that Arab Christians may be found and others believers who know Arabic who would be willing to go to these countries to share Christ.

(combined from two Christian prayer bulletins, April 2011)

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Taxing Churches in the U.S.

More early signs of persecution of the church, this time in the United States... A pastor from Pennsylvania asks, "In our nation, under our Constitution, churches and other religious entities are exempt from taxation. So why was our church targeted?"

21 Ripple Brook Rd, Centermoreland
Tunkhannock, PA 18657
570.333.5185
Pastor James Howell
Ian Bonthron, Youth


April, 2011

Dear Friends,

As the pastor of a small but vibrant church in Northeastern Pennsylvania, it has been my joy to serve my congregation and the Tunkhannock community for 28 years. We are a Bible-believing church, made up of people who love the Lord, and who are faithful, taxpaying citizens of the Commonwealth.

I am sure you can imagine my dismay when, to my surprise, I received a property tax bill from the county for a portion of our new church building. This was not right and so I went to the county commissioners to challenge this tax - to no avail.

As Christians, I understand that we are to "render unto Caesar what is Caesar's," but in our nation; under our Constitution; churches and other religious entities are exempt from taxation. So why was our church targeted?

I turned to a national legal ministry, but they were unable to help. Then someone told me about the Pennsylvania Family Institute and its Independence Law Center. I gave Attorney Randy Wenger a call, and he signed up to help us immediately. He tells me the law and precedent are on our side, and he has filed an appeal on our behalf.

I would ask you to pray for our case (which could ultimately impact many churches) and for the Pennsylvania Family Institute. We are benefiting from the hard work and expertise which I understand is made possible by generous gifts from people like you. Thank you, too, for helping!

I am grateful that the Independence Law Center was there when we needed them, and pray they continue to have the resources to help others facing similar challenges.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor James Howell

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