Current

In recent years there has been quite a bit of talk about how God wants to use commerce and business to spread the Gospel. While we believe in this development and we believe there are enough historic precedents that confirm this notion, it's also important not to forget there are countries where even doing business as a Christian can put you in a dangerous position.

Global Harvest Ministries notified us few days ago of a situation involving one of Peter Wagner's students. The situation is somewhat connected with the recent unrest in Tibet and the crackdown of Chinese Communists on the protesters in Tibet.

This is how the Christian missions news agency Compass Direct reports the case:

"As China deals with the fallout of protests in Tibet and alleged protests in neighboring Xinjiang province, the family of a Uyghur Christian fears he may be sentenced to death this month after officials accused him of endangering national security. Officials closed Alimjan Yimit's business last September and accused him of using it as a cover for preaching Christianity among people of Uyghur ethnicity. When they detained him on January 12, they told his family only that the arrest was a matter of national security. In view of the recent crackdown on Tibetan protestors and an alleged protest in the Uyghur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang that reportedly saw 400 Uyghurs detained by late March, Yimit's family fear he may be branded a separatist, a crime punishable by death. Friends said a verdict is expected by the end of April. Alimjan's arrest followed that of another Uyghur Christian, Osman Imin, on November 19, 2007. Authorities placed Osman in criminal detention and accused him of assisting foreigners in illegal religious activities and revealing state secrets, according to China Aid Association. Compass sources said authorities have arrested at least one other Uyghur Christian in Urumqi, the provincial capital, and another in the city of Kashgar, since the beginning of the year."

Let's come together in prayer for these brave Christians and ask God for His intervention in this situation!