Faithful Steward Ministries and FSM Women's Outreach

Christian Newsline Our Faith in Today’s World

World’s largest Islamic organization drops legal category of “infidel” in historic decision
	Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the Indonesian Muslim political party and world’s largest moderate Muslim movement, has made a significant break with Islamic conservatism in an unprecedented decision to abolish the legal category of “infidel” (kafir) for non-Muslims. Read full article

Iranian convert on brink of prison prays, “may the persecution I endure glorify the name of Jesus Christ”
	“May the persecution and imprisonment that I endure glorify the name of Jesus Christ,” were the words spoken by Roksari Kanbari, an Iranian convert to Christianity, moments before she reported to the authorities to begin a one-year prison sentence on October 14. Read full article

Algerian authorities’ church building closure campaign escalates after peaceful protest
	Algerian authorities have escalated church closures with three churches sealed on October 15 – just days after the Algerian Protestant Church Association (EPA) on October 9 held a peaceful protest outside the provincial government offices. Read full article

Christian brings landmark case in Russia over right to worship in private homes
	A Christian woman brought a landmark case in the Russian Constitutional Court in St Petersburg on October 8 when she challenged a fine of 10,000 rubles ($155) imposed by the authorities for allowing her house to be used by her Protestant church for worship services. Read full article

Pray for the persecuted Church

• Give thanks for the historic new rulings of the Nahdlatul Ulama in Indonesia promoting peace and equality between Islam and other religions. Pray that the mindset of extremists will be influenced towards peaceful co-existence with Christians, and other minority communities, living alongside them. Ask that Muslim bodies worldwide will respect this call for the Muslim world to recognize all citizens as equals and to foster peace, especially in regions of conflict.
• Lift up Roksari Kanbari as she begins her jail sentence in Iran. Ask the Lord to comfort and strengthen her as she endures the harsh conditions. Pray that her faith and courage will act as a beacon to others, opening the eyes of inmates and guards alike to the love of Jesus Christ.
• Pray that the Lord will intervene and bring to a halt the church closures in Algeria and the authorities will hear the voices of the peaceful protesters. Ask that the building registrations will be granted and churches reopened for worship. Pray for strength for our brothers and sisters as they stand steadfast in their struggle to worship freely.
• Give thanks for the courage and diligence of Olga Glamozdinova as she challenges the authorities over the right to worship with others in her home. Ask that God will guide the judges to decide in her favor. Pray that, through her faith, God will move mountains to bring about greater religious freedoms in Russia.