KIRKUK, IRAQ
Ten elderly escapees describe life under ISIS as Iraqi Christians still held by Islamic State ‘against their will’
Michael Ireland, Senior Reporter, ASSIST reports:
More news has emerged about the situation of Christians who are still being detained in Islamic State (otherwise known as ISIS), after ten elderly Christians, some with disabilities, managed to escape. World Watch Monitor (WWM – www.worldwatchmonitor.org) says the group, eight men and two women, were ‘expelled’ by IS militants for refusing to convert to Islam. (more…)
Iraq
THE BUZZ
AUSTRALIA
Collective Shout
Koorong Blackburn’s Coralie Casey, regarded by many as a valuable employee, colleague and friend, leaves her busy Store Manager/ Relationship Development Manager dual role next month to join Collective Shout, a not-for-profit organisation that campaigns against the objectification of women and sexualisation of girls in popular culture. (more…)
THE BUZZ
CRISIS IN IRAQ
Crisis Response International (CRI) update
Founder/director Sean Malone reports that CRí Relief Operations continue in Iraq: Our team has recently located a large group of Yazidi refugees who escaped the genocide in the Mt Sinjar region, perpetrated by ISIS. We are currently meeting basic needs and distributing relief supplies to them. Thanks to Samaritan’s Purse, we also were able to give over 4000 pairs of shoes to victims who had traveled for weeks on foot to save their lives.
CRí now has the ability to distribute thousands of copies of the Bible to refugees, as we also continue to meet other life sustaining needs. In addition, our teams have ministered and provided medical care to Kurdish forces on the front lines who are fighting to push back ISIS and keep refugees safe. (more…)
THE BUZZ
EIGHT MILES PLAIN, QLD
Christian Adventure Series – Fantastic publications from Keystone Resources
Dr Denis Smith writes: ‘Thank you for the many good comments received on the launch of our website. Our goal is to use the website to support missionaries, churches, charities and individuals to reach their goals. This particular series has been used to assist new believers in their Christian walk and is a valuable asset to every church and minister’s ministry.’
Using all the Christian Adventure Studies, churches are investing $25 into the life of each person who makes a commitment to Christ. That’s a valuable investment on potentially eternal rewards. First Steps should be given to individuals (along with a Gospel of John or a Bible) who make their commitment to Christ and covers: (1) How to keep one’s life clean before God (2) How to relate to the family of God and (3) How to read and understand God’s word. This study guide can be completed in a group situation if there are sufficient numbers – but it should be commenced at least with their follow-up worker as soon as possible after their commitment to Jesus Christ. (more…)
MISSIONAL
TODAY’S PRIORITY – PRAYING IN AGREEMENT WITH FAITH FOR THE IRAQI WAR ZONE
Hope Flinchbaugh, Lift the Cross of Jesus!, writes with concern and love…
This is the horrifying notice that came from Sean Malone who leads Crisis Relief International (CRI, pronounced CRY. Links: http://criout.com / Email: info@criout.com ): ‘We lost the city of Queragosh. It fell to ISIS and they are beheading children systematically. This is the city we have been smuggling food to. ISIS has pushed back Peshmerga (Kurdish forces) and is within 10 minutes of where our CRI team is working. Thousands more fled into the city of Erbil last night. The UN evacuated its staff in Erbil. Our team is unmoved and will stay. Prayer cover needed!”
What can we do?
The news was appalling, beyond horrible. What could I possibly do to help them with their gun-toting adversaries ten minutes away? Sign a petition to the president? Call for an act of congress? A few of the more compassionate souls may send in a donation, but a petition, an act of congress, the president, and all the money in the world had no power to help Sean when ISIS soldiers wielding swords were ten minutes away. What to do? (more…)
IT’S TIME TO REALLY TRUST GOD!
Robert and Maureen McQuillan share:
Every day the news – whether TV, radio, emails or newspaper – hits hard with the latest bad reports from around the world, especially regarding the Middle East and Iraq in particular.
When current atrocities in Mosul were first announced a few weeks back we were extremely disappointed with the church we happened to be at that Sunday. Not one concerned prayer for Christians facing death by the sword unless they converted to Islam!
Yet the following week when we were ministering in an Assyrian church, prayer for the homeland was sincerely cried, God deeply worshipped and an offering taken up for Christians back in Iraq!
Aware that things were terrible back in the homeland and the future very uncertain for Christians, Jews and even some Muslims alike, we praised them for their prayers, especially for protection for Christians and ministers back there. (See The Buzz re ‘Bishop of Baghdad’ Canon Andrew White‘s refusal to leave despite personal danger and ISIS atrocities).
Thousands of Christians were forced to flee their homes leaving only an estimated 200 in the city. Even some Muslims are terrified – ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) is known for its harsh interpretation of Wahhabi Islam and its brutal violence directed at Shia Muslims and Christians in particular. (more…)
Connecting with You! 