Website salemvoice.org suspended unnecessarily

Pastor Paul Ciniraj,

Salem Voice Ministries

Kottayam (India), 28 February, 2007: Our website salemvoice.org has been blocked unnecessarily by the webhosts named websuvidha.com. Our website was an upgraded website of websuvidha.com as Salem Voice - business plan and was renewed with full payment for 3 years, till 13 September, 2009.

The webmaster of websuvidha.com claims that somebody (1 person) complaint an abusement against salemvoice.org that we sent Unsolicited Bulk E-mails (UBE). They attached a UBE.txt (726 bytes) for the reference of the email with a subject "Millions of Muslims Converting to Christianity" sent by one George Hendrickson alias geohendrickson.

We neither sent out Unsolicitary Bulk E-mails, nor even any of the personal E-mails to anybody from the domain salemvoice.org since more than months. We always send out mails from different server, which doesn't have any connection with websuvidha.com.

And also I clearly checked my address list and found there is nobody in our whole address book by name George Hendrickson or by email ID geohendrickson. Certainly that complaint was a spam or a false abusement.

But I wonder, why websuvidha.com did not attempt to verify their server whether the complaint was right or wrong.

Also I don't understand why the websuvidha.com did not ask me an explanation about it before suspending our website salemvoice.org.

I am very much doubt that it is a funny trick made by websuvidha.com itself to block our website salemvoice.org because of the strong performance of the spreading of the Gospel and high-lighting the christian and persecution news.

The reason of websuvidha.com to block our website salemvoice.org is undoubtedly Christian persecution. Certainly they are persecuting us and our ministry against spreading the Gospel and high-lighting the christian and persecution news. They are violating our fundamental rights and humanitarian rights.

Also I suspect that they block our website now because they afraid the brutal murdership of Pastor Goda Israel, 29, who was found with stab wounds on February 20 in a canal in Krishna district of the southern state of Andhra Pradesh will be high-lighting as a news in our website. The headquarters of the websuvidha.com also is in Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh.

We will be forced to take the legal action immediately, if websuvidha.com doesn't say apology and retain our website salemvoice.org immediately.

We love India as our mother. And we love Jesus as our Saviour and Lord. So it is our duty to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and win our brothers and sisters unto the redeeming love of Jesus Christ. We don't convert anybody from one religion to another. But asking people to find out the love of Jesus Christ and change their hearts unto His love. His love gives us peace. His love can make our nation unity and integration. His love brings everybody unto the eternal salvation.

To present the love of Jesus Christ, we do charitable, rescue, rehabilitation and relief services among the poor, sick, illiterates, children and women.

Mahatma Gandhi followed His love, life and mission. Mother Teresa lived in His love, life and mission. All of the national and international leaders appreciated His love, life and mission. We too love to follow and live in His love, life and mission. We ask others to do the same.

It is an unoffensive law for any Indian Christians to live, pray and worship freely and peacefully in India. Nobody can deny our faith, believe and existence. If anybody violate this rights and persecute Christians, certainly we will condemn them against persecution. For India is our birth-right.

We are fully convinced and faithful to say that our ministries receive no financial aids or supports from any of the foreign missionary agencies and organisations. Certainly we do this ministry by faith alone. We never ask anybody to help us; but pray to God. Hardly, few of the individuals helping us voluntarily with prayers and assistance.

Under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, we, the Indians together raised our voice and attained freedom. Likewise against the Christian persecution, we will be crazing our noise and raising our voice for our religious freedom in India by the Spirit of our Lord Jesus. Neither any weapons, nor any form of harassments can stop our faith and ministry. We are ready to face any torturing with courage. For we believe that the Lord our God will be fighting for us.

And also the Bible says and we believe, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13).

Paul Ciniraj
Salem Voice Ministries,

Devalokam (P.O), Kottayam,

Kerala-686038, INDIA.

Boat drowned; 26 school children killed in Kerala

Paul Ciniraj,

SVM News Service

Cochin (India), SVM News, 20 February, 2007: Tourist boat has drowned and number of school students below 10 years of age were killed in Periyar river at the reservoir area of Bhoothathankettu Dam at Kothamangalom, which is around 20 miles away from Cochin in Kerala on Tuesday, the 20th of February at about 6.30 in the evening.

According the reports, 22 dead bodies were found including three teachers by 9.30 at night. Several children found missing.

Local people including the members of the Salem Voice Ministries, navy, fire service, police are involving in rescue operations under the District Colector of Ernakulam. Ministers and leaders of the Kerala Government are rushing to the spot.

Dead bodies are kept at Kothamangalom Baselios and Dharmagiri hospitals.

Students and teachers of the Elavoor St. Antony's Upper Primary School near Ankamali were on the excursion trip. More than hundred children and their teachers were going for the out trip in two buses. On the evening they were having boating at Thattekkad lake reservoir.

Read detailed news with pictures:

http://salemvoice.org/news144.html

Salem Voice Ministries,
Devalokam, Kottayam,
Kerala-686038, India
http://salemvoice.org/

Millions of Muslims Turning to Jesus

Joel C. Rosenberg, the author of the New York Times best selling political thrillers, THE LAST JIHAD (2002), THE LAST DAYS (2003), THE EZEKIEL OPTION (2005), and THE COPPER SCROLL (2006), with more than one million copies in print, who writes that, "More Muslims converted to faith in Jesus Christ over the past decade than at any other time in human history. A spiritual revolution is underway throughout North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. As a result, a record number of ex-Muslims are celebrating Christmas this year, despite intense persecution, assassinations, and widespread church bombings.

"Secular media rarely reports such advances of Christianity, especially those thrusts into Islamic territories. However, there are evangelical efforts that know daily of such progress. Finally, God knows and that is ultimately what makes all the difference", Rosenberg said.

He and his wife and kids were lived in the Mideast for three months. During that time, he had the privilege of interviewing more than three dozen Arab and Iranian pastors and evangelical leaders throughout the region. The picture they paint is one of Christianity being dramatically resurrected in the region of its birth.

“In December 2001, Sheikh Ahmad al Qataani, a leading Saudi cleric, appeared on a live interview on Aljazeera satellite television to confirm that, sure enough, Muslims were turning to Jesus in alarming numbers. ‘In every hour, 667 Muslims convert to Christianity,’ Al Qataani warned. ‘Every day, 16,000 Muslims convert to Christianity. Every year, 6 million Muslims convert to Christianity.

The American Daily reports in the article titled "Muslims turn to Christ" that one evangelistic agency alone, Salem Voice Ministries, reports that Muslims in India and many other Muslim nations have surrendered their souls to Christ. “There are about 500 evangelists ministering among Muslims in different African, Middle East and Asian countries. A vast number of Muslims finding the truth and attaining salvation of Jesus Christ day by day.

Read the full news story about "Millions of Muslims Converting to Christianity"
-- http://salemvoice.org/news117.html --

There itself you can read the related articles of: "Muslims turn to Christ" (article of the American Dailey), "Persecution Harder Among Muslims Who Convert to Christianity, But Saved Souls Bring Great Joy to Believers" (news story of Assist News Service), "India: Islamic Extremist Threatens Christian Convert" (news story of the Compass Direct News), "Persecution harder; but saved souls bring great joy" (news story of SVM News), "Gospel to Muslims" (article of SVM), "Rehabilitation Center for the Persecuted Christians" (article of SVM), "6 Million Muslims LEAVE Islam every year" (Interview of AL-Jazeera TV between Maher Abdallah and Shiekh Ahmed Katani).

Suspect Extremists Behind Stanley's Murder in Kerala

Thiruvanandapuram (India), SVM News, 15 February 2007: An innocent Christian, S. Stanley, 58, brutally murdered for his faith on Saturday afternoon, the 10th of February in Thiruvanandapuram, the capital city of Kerala in India.

Mr. Stanley and his family are members of Rev. & Mrs. Devasahayam Memorial C.S.I. (Church of South India) Church, Kalliyoor. They are one of the keys to spiritual activities and a very active member in the church. The entire congregation and their vicar Rev.Christudas are shocked at his brutal murder.

Stanley is commonly known as Samkutty. He was stabbed five times in both side of his necks, back and stomach by a strong cutting knife at his house, for which his wife Sisiletbai was witness.

Mr. Stanley (Samkutty) resided at Pavaloor near Kalliyoor in Thiruvanadapuram City. This places comes under Nemom Police Station. He and his wife Sisiletbhai were both retired binders of the Kerala Public Service Commission. They have two daughters Sherin and Celine who are married and are mothers for two children each.

Stanley’s wife, children, and their husbands are still shocked on the death of their loved one, and they have not recovered from it. When Pastor Paul Ciniraj, the Chairman of the Christian Ministers of the Churches in India (CMCI) and the co-ordinator of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) visited Mrs. Stanley at her resident, though she was on bed yet made it to meet Pastor Paul Ciniraj.

"We tend to think that our houses is the safest place and we do not have to be afraid, but it is hard for us when we know being killed by others at our own house is a great tragedy". Mrs. Stanley said.

She explained about the incident, which is shocking for all of us too. During the afternoon when they were taking rest after lunch, there were three youths who were all drunk, among which she knows two of them . One of them named Lalu (30) who is the son of V. Soman a retired police constable, and the other named Akhil (30) living in the neighboring houses came and stood in front of the house, and started using slang words (bad language) abusing them, and hit the gate with full force and anger.

Seeing this Mr. Stanley went out and politely asked them to go away from there. This made them even more angry and violent and they started using slang on Christ and started abusing Christians.

Mr. Stanley could not tolerate this and he went inside his house to telephone the police, immediately Lalu ran to his house and brought with him a strong cutting knife, and stabbed him to death.

Watching this Mrs. Stanley stopped Lalu and asked him “child, what enmity do we have with each other? Why do you want to kill us? He had no answer to the question, but he started beating Mrs. Stanley up and pushed her to one corner.

While she talks about the incident, she has her husband’s photo in her hand and weeps throughout the time.

The daughters of Mr. Stanley cried out loud and said that their Daddy fallen down near his scooter which was kept in the back room of the inside house. They saw his large and small intestines came out.

Jeyakumar the Son-in- law of Samkutty says that both Lalu and Akhil are professional rowdies. Few days ago when he was having a conversation with Lalu, he asked Lalu, how would he escape from the police after an attack or murder? This is what Lalu said, that they would hide themselves at the RSS - SHIVSENA office, as the police would never come there.

"There could be extremists behind the murder of my father-in-law, as we had no problems with the three youths or their families", Jeyakumar told to Pastor Ciniraj.

"It seems the cutting knife is strong and purposely made for the murder", Vincent, Stanley's another son-in-law said.

Pastor Ciniraj noticed a group a police camping at the area. He went up to them and asked why they were camping there even after four days of the incident. They said that the murdered man was from one religion and the murderer was from another, so as a precaution against other communal incidents they are there. When Pastor Paul Ciniraj asked them if they think it’s a case to do with persecution of Christians, they had no answer and they denied answering him.

Please remember the family in your prayers.

Read this news with 7 pictures at the original site:
http://salemvoice.org/news142.html

Salem Voice Ministries,
Devalokam (P.O), Kottayam,
Kerala-686038, India.
http://salemvoice.org

Indonesian Muslim Ulemas forcely close down home church

Paul Ciniraj,

Salem Voice Ministries

Bandung (Indonesia), SVM News, 13 February, 2007: A Muslim mob of the Anti-Proselytism Division of the Indonesian Muslim Ulemas Forum (FUUI) entered to a home church in Bandung regency in the Indonesian province and forcely stopped the worshipping service and closed the house on Sunday, the 11th of February.

Around 100 people of FUUI members and local residents involved to stop the Christian worship organised by the Group of Bethel Church International (GBI) at the house of Tayung in Padawulun village.

Tayuing's house was used on a weekly basis as a place for prayer and worship for the GBI. Almost all of the members of the church were present and they were forced to leave when the worshipping service was disrupted.

Some extremists of the local residents said that Tayung's house is situated near a mosque and it has been illegally converted into a church. "We complaint several times to GBI to stop their religious activities from that house. But we got no response". One of the leaders of the anti-Christian activities said to the SVM News Service.

It is not the first time such incidents have taken place in Bandung. Suryana Nurfatwa of the FUUI said Sunday's move was not prompted by hatred for Christians. "We are in favour of all legal churches but the GBI transformed a house into a church and this is against the law."

"One of the GBI members got drunk last week and shouted that no one can close the church", the village leader Omar Kamarudin said, "that time we decided to close their church".

It was a false accuse. Our members are not drunkards. They are saved from sin and inequities by the Saviour Jesus Christ and worshipping Him in the Spirit and the Truth", Almer, the minister of GBI told to SVM News Service.

"Getting a permit to build a place of worship in Indonesia is not easy", Almer said.

Salem Voice Ministries also having around 30 home churches like this in different parts of the country attending hundreds of muslim converts for the worship. The ministers and the believers are threatened by the fundamentalists very often. They request humble prayers from the children of God.

Read this news at the original site:
http://salemvoice.org/news141.html

------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. Paul Ciniraj is the founder-director of the Salem Voice Ministries. He is the Chairman of the Christian Ministers of the Churches in India (CMCI) and also one of the Co-ordinators of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC). He was a muslim by birth, accepted Lord Jesus Christ as his Personal Saviour and called for His ministry about 32 years ago. He is a well known Gospel Preacher and the author of many Christian books, literature and Gospel tracts. Several times he and his family were attempted to death and still facing persecutions. Around 500 missionaries of the Salem Voice Ministries spreading Gospel to the Muslim populated countries of Africa, Asia and Middle East.

Salem Voice Ministries,
Devalokam (P.O), Kottayam,
Kerala-686038, India.
http://salemvoice.org/

"Maramon Convention" Asia's Largest Gospel Gathering

Rev. Paul Ciniraj,

Salem Voice Ministries

Pathanamthitta (Kerala in India), SVM News, 12 February, 2007: Asia's largest eight days Gospel Convention called "Maramon Convention" began at the sandbed of the river Pampa at Maramon in Kerala in India on Sunday, the 11th of February afternoon.

It is held every year under the auspices of the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association, the missionary wing of the 900,000 strong Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar. It is the 112th annual Gospel Convention. It will be going on till 18th of Sunday afternoon.

Marthoma Syrian Church is an episcopal, protestant and Gospel spreading Church reformed from the Orthodox Syrian tradition.

The week-long event brings some 200,000 Christians to each session from all over the country and Diaspora Indians from other continents.

There are three public meetings everyday as per schedule. 9.30 to 12.00 in the morning, 2.00 to 4.00 in the afternoon and 6.30 to 8.30 in the evening. And also Bible classes everyday in the morning 7.30 to 8.30 and meetings for families in the evening 4.30 to 6.00. Friday and Saturday 7.30 to 10.00 in the morning is the dedication service.

Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma Metropolitan, the Supreme head of the Marthoma Church inagurated the convention. Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilos Saffragan Metropolitan of the Marthoma Church presided over the inaugural meeting. Bishop Robert M. Solomon of the Singapore Methodist Church delivered the keynote address.

Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) will be the chief guest and one of the main speakers.

Rev. Kobia will address the convention on two separate occasions. On 17 February, he will inaugurate the year-long celebrations of the Platinum Jubilee (75th anniversary) of the Mar Thoma Youth Association - The Mar Thoma Yuvajana Sakhyam- which has over 900 branches in India, the Middle East, Africa, North America and Europe. He will preach at the convention later the same day, and on 18 February will preach again at the convention's valedictory session.

Ann Graham Lotz, founder of AnGeL Ministries and daughter of world renowned evangelist Billy Graham also one of the speakers of the Convention this year.

The origin and growth of the convention can be traced to the revival movement started in the wake of reformation in the Syrian Churh in the state pioneered by Abraham Maplan, in the first quarter of 19th century. It is regarded as one of the oldest indigenous missionary movements in India.

With over 24 million Christians, comprising 2.3% of the country's population, Christianity is India's third-largest religion. The first Christians in India were converted by the apostle Thomas, who arrived on the Malabar Coast in Kerala in 52 AD; Christianity in India underwent major transformations during the colonial and post-independence periods. The two main regional concentrations of Christian population are in Kerala, South India, and in North-East Indian states.

Government departments of Kerala have made elaborate arrangements for the Maramon Convention.

Read the news and view pictures at the original site:
http://salemvoice.org/news140.html

Salem Voice Ministries,
Devalokam (P.O), Kottayam,
Kerala-686038, India.
http://salemvoice.org/

58 year old Christian brutally murdered in Kerala, India

Thiruvanandapuram (Kerala in India), SVM News, 11 February, 2007: A Christian house owner and a retired government employee S. Stanley, 58, was brutally murdered at his house in front of his wife by a group of youngmen on Saturday aternoon, the 10th of February at Kalliyoor, the border area of Thiruvanandapuram, the capital city of Kerala State in India.

Some alcoholic non-christian youngsters launched in front of Stanley's house, shouted with slang words against christians and christianity, hit the gate violently and stoned the house. Stanley and his wife came out of the house and asked them to go away from the front of their house without making nuisance. But they became more violent.

Then Stanley got into the house and telephoned the Police. While he was ringing to the Police, the attackers entered the house and stabbed him several times at his back, neck and stomach. He died on the spot. Attackers severely beaten and thrown out his wife Sisilet Bhai, who is also a retired government employee. Police authorities said to the SVM News Service.

Both husband and wife were retired binders of the Kerala Public Service Commission.

Paul Ciniraj, the Chairman of the Christian Ministers of the Churches in India (CMCI) and the Co-ordinator of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) condemned the incident. He asked the Government to find out whether there is any influence of any fanatic groups behind it.

A group of Police camping at the incident occured area under the leadership of V.C. Mohanan, the Assistant Commissioner of Fort in Thiruvanandapuram City Police and A.R. Prem Kumar, the Circle Inspector of Nemom.

The three youth, of which one was Lalu, 30, son of V. Soman fled the scene on a two-wheeler, which was later found, abandoned at Nedumcad near Karamana. Police said.

Stanley's daughters are Sherin and Celine and Jeyakumar and Vincent are son-in-laws.

Salem Voice Ministries,
Devalokam (P.O), Kottayam,
Kerala-686038, India.
http://salemvoice.org/

Pastor kidnapped, murdered and buried in South Africa

Limpopo (South Africa), SVM News, 9 February, 2007: A Pastor of the Good Soil Church was kidnapped, murdered and buried by a group of youngmen on Sunday, the 4th of February in Limpopo in South Africa.

Musa Maluleke was the Pastor kidnapped by the attackers at gunpoint from his recording studio and driven away in his own car and murdered.

Pastor's dead body found on Thursday. It was seen as buried in a shallow grave in the bushes at Thokgwaneng village in Lebowakgomo.

Police arrested two suspects aged 30 and 32 on Thursday and another suspect on Friday.

Pastor Maluleke's car, a Nissan Almera, and a revolver were also recovered by the Police.

Mohale Ramatseba, the Police Superintendent in Limpopo said to the SVM News Service that the arrested men will be sending before the court on Monday, the 12th of February on charges of murder and armed robbery . They will appear in the Polokwane Magistrate's Court in connection with the murder of Pastor Musa Maluleke. He said.

Pastor Paul Ciniraj, Director,
Salem Voice Ministries,
Devalokam (P.O), Kottayam,
Kerala-686038, India.
http://salemvoice.org

US Baptist and Methodist Missionaries Killed in Honduras

Pastor Paul Ciniraj,

Salem Voice Ministries

Olancho (Honduras), SVM News, 7 February, 2007: Three US missionaries of Baptist and Methodist Churches were killed and ten others injured on a road accident in Honduras on 6th of February.

A truck the Georgia-based missionaries was riding went off the road in flipped over in rugged terrain near the village of Mal Pais in eastern Olancho province near the border with Nicaragua, said Honduran police spokesman Jose Andino. It is seven hours from the capital city of Tegucigalpa.

Those killed and injured were part of a group of 28 adults on a charity mission to Honduras sponsored by four churches, Tabernacle Baptist in Cartersville, First United Methodist, First Baptist, and Cornerstone United Methodist of Newnan. The short-term trip was organized by Decatur-Ga.-based Honduras Outreach Inc.

Perry Goad, 45 and Richard Mason Jr., 58, are from the Tabernacle Baptist in Cartersville, and Martha Fuller, 66, from First United Methodist in Newnan were the dead.

Honduras Outreach chairman Jerry Eickhoff said, "We are devastated that this tragic accident occurred with the heartbreaking loss of three members of this outreach effort. Our hearts go out to the families of these individuals". He also said that about 10 others on the mission team were injured, "ranging from head injuries to a broken femur as well as other non life-threatening injuries. They were airlifted by the U.S. Army to a Honduran hospital."

"Members of these mission teams are here because they are dedicated to serving others," he said. Honduras Outreach sends about 1,100 people a year on short-term trips to bring fresh water to villages, build chimneys and concrete floors in Honduran homes and construct latrines.

Honduras Outreach describes itself as a non-denominational, Christian organization "dedicated to building life-changing relationships between the people of the Olancho province of Honduras and caring North Americans."

Ledy Pacheco, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Embassy in Honduras, told the Embassy would return the victim's bodies to Georgia as soon as possible, but she did not give an exact timeframe. The injured were rescued and taken to private hospitals by U.S. military helicopters stationed at the U.S.-owned base in Palmerola in central Honduras, she said.

"The men died doing what they loved to do. They epitomized the great mission of taking the good news of Jesus Christ around the world," said Dr. Don Hattaway, Pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church. "I believe that message of hope, peace, and salvation. So they in essence died the way they lived. So although we are grieving and we will miss these men, they were parts of our congregation and the ministry here, we know they are with the Lord and we will see them again." He also told, "The church is working with the funeral home and embassy in Honduras to bring the bodies back. Two other Tabernacle members, Carey Roth and David Apple, sustained minor injuries and are expected to return home in the next few days".

The flag at Tabernacle Baptist flew at half-staff Wednesday. The church, which has about 1,200 members, held a vigil Tuesday evening.

Wednesday, family and friends streamed into the Goads' ranch-style home in the rural woods of Barrow County.

"He was doing what he wanted to do," Sharon Goad said of her husband and the father of their three children. "There was no way you could stop him."

Perry Goad owned his own heating and air conditioning repair business and loved to work with his hands, family members said. "He was a fix-it person," said his brother, Danny Gibson, of Dalton. "That's why they liked to take him on mission trips. Perry has always been inspired by helping others." Gibson said Goad often described Honduras as "where my heart is."

This was Goad's third trip to Honduras. He paid for all the trips out of his own pocket.

His daughter, Kendra, a 20-year-old sophomore and basketball player at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in south Georgia, said her father had always been her coach. "It's going to be hard playing basketball and not having him there," Kendra Goad said.

Richard Mason was the executive director of The Etowah Foundation, a nonprofit that raises money for college scholarships for Bartow County students to stay in school and has awarded more than $2.3 million in scholarships.. This was his fifth trip to Honduras. DeeJay Jackson, program director at the foundation, said her boss often talked of his trips there. When he returned last year, he said some of the villagers had recognized him from previous trips.

LaDonna Jordan, chairwoman of the foundation, said Mason was involved in nearly every aspect of the Cartersville community, serving on boards and volunteering his time. Before coming to the foundation, he owned several restaurants in town. "You name it and he had either done it or was doing it currently," Jordan said. "That was his whole life: church, family and the community."

Mason's daughter, Joannah Mason Sadler, 27, said she accompanied her father on a 2004 mission trip to Honduras. He returned home a different man. "You can't go somewhere like that and it not give you perspective and change you," Sadler said.

Martha Fuller is a wife and mother of two grown children and five grandchildren, coordinated all mission trips for her church in Newnan. The trip was her seventh mission trip and her third to Honduras, but she had told the church she would retire from doing missions abroad after this trip.

Fuller was the only member of Newnan First United Methodist Church on the mission trip, according to church secretary Beth Zechiel.

"The church is in shock. The whole community's in shock," said the Rev. Med Roach, senior pastor of the 2,000-member congregation. He called Fuller "an inspiration to all of us." Roach told, "She believed in mission work and put her heart into it. Some people talk about faith, but she was living out her faith."

Read the news with pictures at the original site:
http://salemvoice.org/news137.html

----------------------------------------------------

Pastor Paul Ciniraj is the founder-director of the Salem Voice Ministries. He is the Chairman of the Christian Ministers of the Churches in India (CMCI) and also one of the Co-ordinators of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC). He was a muslim by birth, accepted Lord Jesus Christ as his Personal Saviour and called for His ministry about 32 years ago. He is a well known Gospel Preacher and the author of many Christian books, literature and Gospel tracts. Several times he and his family were attempted to death and still facing persecutions. Around 500 missionaries of the Salem Voice Ministries spreading Gospel to the Muslim populated countries of Africa, Asia and Middle East.

Salem Voice Ministries,
Devalokam (P.O), Kottayam,
Kerala-686038, India.
http://salemvoice.org

Lebanese Christian Leader Samir Geagea Is Attacked

Pastor Paul Ciniraj,

Salem Voice Ministries

Beirut (Lebanon), SVM News, 7 February, 2007: Lebanese Christian leader Dr. Samir Geagea was attacked by the unidentified assailants on Tuesday night, the 6th of February.

Samir Geagea is the current leader of the Lebanese Forces. Lebanese internal security forces have thwarted an attempt by unidentified assailants to open fire on his residence. An LF statement said on Wednesday. It said that while Geagea was appearing on LBCI's "Bi Koul Jour'a" talk show broadcast live from his Bzemmar residence Tuesday night, a vehicle approached the security dragnet and a gunman tried to open fire in the direction of the LF leader's house.

Security forces immediately opened fire at the red 'VW-Golf' which sped away to an undisclosed destination. Statement added.

Geagea waves to the crowds during a rally, scoffed at Hezbollah claims of victory in its conflict with Israel and avowals that it wanted a strong state in Lebanon.

Samir Geagea was born in Ain el-Rummanah in Beirut on 25 October 1952. While studying medicine at the American University of Beirut, he became an active member of the right-wing Phalangist Party, which became the main Christian fighting force upon the outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War in 1975.

He was the imprisoned leader of the Lebanese Forces (LF) militia. Geagea served what were to be several life sentences for crimes allegedly committed during the Lebanese Civil War of 1975-1990.

The Lebanese Parliament passed legislation on 18 July 2005 to free Geagea. Only the Hezbollah deputies abstained from voting. His party, the Lebanese Forces, held major celebrations throughout Lebanon.

Speaking to a delegation from the Lebanese Parliament's Human Rights Committee, which visited him in prison in November 2004, Geagea said, "I would prefer to remain in prison for another 20 years than bargain my beliefs for freedom."

Geagea was released from prison 26 July 2005 and left Lebanon for medical tests. "I have spent 11 horrific years in solitary confinement in a 6-square-meter dungeon three floors underground without sunlight or fresh air. But I endured my hardships because I was merely living my convictions," he was quoted saying upon his release. He returned on his birthday, the 25th of October, and currently lives in the cedars region in north Lebanon.

Meanwhile, in Southern Lebanon the rest home of the Beirut mayor, Abdel-Monem Aris lashed out at Hezbollah over the attack, "He who cannot control his supporters should not mobilize the streets and engage in scuffles," he added. "What happened is a clear message to the citizens of Beirut and the example of coexistence they give to all the Lebanese."

Aris then read from a note he said was left by those who burned down his business.

"To the agents of Israel, we warn you this land will not be cursed. To the followers of (MPs) Saad Hariri, Walid Jumblatt and (Lebanese Forces leader) Samir Geagea: We swear by the blood of the martyrs that if you step on this land one more time you won't get out of it alive," it read.

Read the news at the original site:
http://salemvoice.org/news136.html

Salem Voice Ministries,
Devalokam (P.O), Kottayam,
Kerala-686038, India.
http://salemvoice.org/

Palestinian Authority seized Gaza Baptist Church

Gaza (Israel), SVM News, 5 February, 2007: Newly built Gaza Baptist Church has been seized by the police of the Palestinian Authority (PA) on Friday, the 2nd of February.

Gaza fighting pits forces, including the police are controlled by the secular Fatah party is against of Hamas, the majority Islamic party. Palestinian Authority claims that the church seized as a watch point against militants supporting the governing Hamas movement.

Gaza Baptist Church is a six story building, dedicated on last November. The sanctuary of the Church, a Christian library of Gaza, a guest hostel and a mammogram clinic are in the houses of the new building.

Former location of the church was a rented house across from the Palestinian Parliament, Israeli attacks on nearby PA targets caved its ceiling several times. One time, years ago, fighting near Parliament forced cancellation of Sunday services.

Hanna Massad, pastor of Gaza Baptist Church said that Palestinian Authority (PA) police officers demanded the key of the six story building from the church's lone guard.

The guard, who had no key, informed church leaders, who refused to give the key to police. Police then broke into the building, taking up positions on the sixth floor. The guard called a church leader, who informed Pastor Massad.

Because of the battles raging on Gaza's streets, Pastor Massad has been unable to leave his house to check on the building. He said the situation is worst have ever gone through in Gaza.

A fresh cease-fire was declared Sunday evening, but there was no indication it would be any more successful than previous truces in recent weeks of factional fighting, reported the Associated Press (AP) on Sunday. Gaza Baptist Church leader Khader Khoury noted that nine cease-fire attempts have occurred in five days.

Even if police abandon the church building, gunfire flies on the streets as rival factions vie for control. Frightened Gazans remain in their homes. Massad told about the Sunday, the 4th of January, early morning worship had been cancelled because Gaza was not stable. It had a noisy morning Sunday. Some shooting here and there.

"It's a very dangerous situation. It's in God's hands," he said. "Nothing I can do, nothing anybody else can do can help the situation. He’s the one who protects."

Pastor questioned that should PA police fire at Hamas militants from the commandeered church, reprisal fire could severely damage the building as has happened before.

The Gaza Strip is one of the world's most densely populated areas, with 1.4 million people—some 900,000 of whom live in 12 different camps as refugees from the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Gaza City has some 400,000 citizens. The border, a coastal territory of 27 miles long and 5 miles deep has been closed. Food and other basics are running short. In their midst, the Gaza Baptist Church engage in a variety of evangelical ministries that bring God’s love to a long-suffering people while meeting basic human needs.

Pastor Hanna Massad has been the church's pastor since 1987. He was born in a Greek Orthodox family in Gaza city itself, but later started attending the Baptist church. Then he went U.S. in 1991, graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary and returned to Gaza in 1999 and became churche's first native Gazan pastor. While a student, he served as an American Baptist pastor and served the First Baptist Church of Azusa, California.

He also founded Christian Mission to Gaza (CMG), which provides food and medical care to needy people in Gaza City and in the nearby Beit Lahia refugee camp.

"We try not just to deliver the food, but to have a relationship with them, to express God's love. We usually even ask if we can pray for them and most of them allow us to do that", Pastor Massad said to SVM News Service.

He continued saying, "We minister to about 150 people throughout the week, plus 80-100 children and teenagers. We have two services on Sunday, plus women's, students and youth groups during the week- almost every day there is something going on. Most of our congregation are originally from Greek Orthodox or Catholic backgrounds. We also have a few from other faiths - such as Muslims - who like to come and listen".

A creative outreach of the Gaza Baptist Church is its Culture and Light Library. The library was established in 1968 and serves nearly 1,000 people every month. The oldest and largest public library in the Gaza Strip, it contains some 17,000 volumes, including Christian books. As the only Christian public library in the whole territory, Pastor Massad explains that it both strengthens the Christian community and provides an important service to the people of Gaza.

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Salem Voice Ministries,
Devalokam (P.O), Kottayam,
Kerala-686038, India.
http://salemvoice.org

Four Americans attend Christian conference attacked in India

Raipur (India), SVM News, 5 February, 2007: A Christian conference attacked by Hindu extremists on the 2nd February in Pandri in Raipur, the capital city of Chattisgarh State in India.

Number of pastors, evangelists, health and educational trainees and volunteers from different parts of India were attending the conference. The conference was discussing about the quick action against HIV/Aids from Indian villages and to propagate health and hygenic problems and leading a holy life among the villagers. Dr. Victor Choudheri, the former professor of the Ludhiana Medical College was organising the conference.

The alleged attack took place on Friday afternoon, after lunch -break, when the meeting convened again, a mob of Hindu Radical barged into the Meeting and attacked the participanats without any provocation.

Four American tourists and a local couple were also attacked on the conference.

Mr. Jack, Mr. Coli and Mr and Mrs Ted Olsen were the Amercian tourists, interested to listen the classes about Indian villages and its health and hygenic problems. But they were allegedly assaulted and looted by unidentified youths "for involving in religious conversion", police said on Saturday.

According to the complaint filed against the attackers at the Moa Police station in Pandri, Lodi Para, Raipur by Pastor Harish Patel and Sewa Sing, the hindu extremists, who were raising "Jai Sriram" slogans, dragged the foreigners a distance of 1 Km and beating them. The attackers took away their two laptops, digital cameras, mobile phones and Rs.5000.

A Young local Christian man Sakha Ram brutally beaten and suffers injuries all across his body. Women also mishandled by the attackers.

The extremists accused the gathering of involving in conversion activities and damaged some properties before escaping with the costly gadgets.

A case registered against unknown persons as the complainant has not named anyone in the FIR. Police said to the SVM News Service.

Rev. Paul Ciniraj, Chairman of the Christian Ministers of the Churches in India (CMCI) and the Director of the Salem Voice Ministries condemned the attack to the Christian educational health conference which was held in Raipur. The State government of Chattisgarh and the Central government of India quickly take action against the attackers of the American tourists who were interested for learning the Indian culture and enjoying with Indians, he said.

Following the incident, former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Ajit Jogi demanded arrest of those responsible for the incident. A delegation from Christian community called on Jogi on Saturday. Jogi spoke to B.S. Maravi, the Superindent of Police of Raipur and asked him take steps to check such incidents in future.

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http://salemvoice.org/news134.html

Salem Voice Ministries,
Devalokam (P.O), Kottayam,
Kerala-686038, India.
http://salemvoice.org

Indonesian Churches urge Government to Stop Persecution

Pastor Paul Ciniraj,
Salem Voice Ministries

Manado (Indonesia), SVM News, 3 February, 2007: Nationwide conference of the Protestant Churches urged the Indonesian government to stick on stopping the Christian persecution and solve the social problems very quickly.

A five days assembly of the communion of Churches in Indonesia called Persekutuan Gereja-Gereja di Indonesia (PGI) held in Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province on 22 to 26 January. There were 282 participants from 82 Protestant Churches from all over Indonesia along with foreign observers and partners attended the conference.

The leaders of the entire community made a statement at the end of the assembly, asked the government to stop Shari'a (Islamic law) inspired bylaws fairly from being enacted, solve killings in Poso and treat indigenous Papuan people.

Rev. Andreas Yewangoe, the chairman of the PGI told participants the Churches see that commitment to nation building has faded, with groups placing their own selfish interests over the common good. So it is very important that the government should refresh its commitment to the common good by acting on various issues threatening the country.

"It is because the Churches are an integral part of the nation, we decided to remind the government of the commitment to the common good," he added.

The Shari'a to be abrogated according local laws and regulations in secular Indonesia. Statement urged. Such bylaws create religious friction and worry for the country.

Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim population but is not an Islamic state, and the Christian leaders cautioned that implementation of Shari'a could divide the nation. Moreover, they maintained that some district heads and governors are enthusiastic about implementing Shari'a in order to strengthen their political standing.

Aceh is the only one of Indonesia's 33 provinces that is allowed to enact and enforce Shari'a law, by virtue of a special autonomy arrangement, but 22 district and municipal governments have adopted Shari'a-based bylaws. Statement said.

Many of the leaders strongly said in the conference that the Indonesian government must solve the legacy of violence in Poso quickly and amicably. The government must solve this case using persuasive ways and not by force.

On 22 January, anti-terrorist police in Poso, a coastal town in Central Sulawesi province, clashed with suspected militants. This resulted in the deaths of 14 people including a policeman. The police raid came after 29 suspects on a most wanted list failed to meet a police ultimatum to surrender by last November.

According SVM News Service, leaders told the suspected militants are accused of keeping weapons and being involved in the Christian-Muslim clashes that gripped Poso, southwest of Manado on Sulawesi Island, from 1998 until 2001. Periodic violence has continued since then. They are accused of burning homes and worship places, killing Protestant pastors and Christian girls, attacking policemen and bombing markets.

Predominantly Christian and tribal Papua province faces discrimination, and it called on the government to treat Papuans fairly by ensuring them equal opportunities in all fields.

An armed separatist movement has existed ever since Papua, formerly a Dutch colony, passed to Indonesian control in 1963. A special autonomy law that then-president Megawati Soekarnoputri ratified in 2001 gave Papuans hope that their social, economic and cultural rights would be fulfilled. There has been no real improvement, that Papuans are continually deprived of their rights and still experience injustice. Church leaders argued. SVM News reporting.

Rev. Yewangoe told media persons after the end of the assembly that PGI in 2007 will prioritize political education in Churches, so that congregations understand their rights and obligation as citizens of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.

Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla, who opened the assembly, credited the Protestant Churches with fostering interreligious harmony in Indonesia.

North Sulawesi Vice Governor Freddy Harry Sualang, a Protestant, said in his address that the PGI daring to reject Shari'a-inspired bylaws and regulations, is a prophetic voice that the government must hear.

Sacred Heart Bishop Josephus Suwatan of Manado attended the assembly's opening ceremony, told, "We praise the contribution of the Churches to improve the life of the nation and the state."

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Pastor Paul Ciniraj is the founder-director of the Salem Voice Ministries. He is the Chairman of the Christian Ministers of the Churches in India (CMCI) and also one of the Co-ordinators of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC). He was a muslim by birth, accepted Lord Jesus Christ as his Personal Saviour and called for His ministry about 32 years ago. He is a well known Gospel Preacher and the author of many Christian books, literature and Gospel tracts. Several times he and his family were attempted to death and still facing persecutions. Around 500 missionaries of the Salem Voice Ministries spreading Gospel to the Muslim populated countries of Africa, Asia and Middle East.

Salem Voice Ministries,
Devalokam (P.O), Kottayam,
Kerala-686038, India.
http://salemvoice.org