DPR TERRORISTS ABDUCT, TORTURE, AND THREATEN DONBASS BELIEVERS

Donbass Region [also known as the Donetsk Basin] – Insurgents from the terrorist organization the Donetsk People's Republic are systematically implementing the provisions of their "constitution," which has no room for religious freedom. This is what the Institute for Religious Freedom reports after analyzing data on violations of the rights of believers in the Donestsk region by DNR insurgents. On April 15, 2014, unknown men in masks with the Russian flag posted anti-Semitic leaflets near the Donetsk synagogue on behalf of DNR "people's governor" Denis Pushilin. "All citizens of Jewish nationality over 16 years of age residing in the territory of the sovereign Donetsk Republic are required to report to the Acting Commissioner for Nationalities in the building of the Donetsk Regional Administration to rm. 514 for registration. The cost for registering is $50 USD," were the contents of the leaflet.   On May 9, at a checkpoint in Kostyantynivka, the terrorists shot dead Pavel Zhuchenko, a local priest in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) and the rector of the parish in Alekseevo-Druzhkovka.  According to media reports, the priest tried to reason with the militants, who turned out to be from the Caucasus, and they opened fire. On May 15,  the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kiev Patriarchate issued a special statement saying that there were "numerous incidents of threats to the life and health of the clergy and faithful of the UOC KP, and the obstruction of Church activities in the eastern regions of Ukraine by the terrorist and separatist forces controlled and abetted by Russia." According to the statement, armed men broke into the churches of the Kiev Patriarchate demanding the clergy immediately be placed under the authority of the Moscow Patriarchate. The terrorists also "sentenced to death" the priests of the Kiev Patriarchate, which, given the current situation, suggests a real threat to the life of the clergy and faithful of the UOC KP in the Donetsk and Lugansk areas. On May 16 in Slovyansk, terrorists kidnapped the bishop of the Ukrainian Church of God evangelical association, Alexey Demidovich, and held him for about 7 hours in the basement of the local station of the  Security Service of Ukraine (SSU). Moreover,  DNR terrorists repeatedly encroached upon the house of worship of the Good News religious association in Slovyansk, whose senior pastor is A. Demidovich, so that their snipers could use it as a point from which to fire their weapons. On May 23 at lunch time in the center of Donetsk, about 15 fighters with insignia of the DNR and with St. George ribbons stormed the interfaith prayer tent on Constitution Square. Two church workers were in the tent when it was overrun. The terrorists seized equipment, the storage battery, speakers and the microphone, and threw the banner and torn tent into the Kalmius River. The militants also levied the following threat: "If believers gather here in the evening for worship, then they will all be shot."     Immediately after this, on his own initiative, Pastor Sergey Kosyak of the Assembly of God religious community, who is one of the organizers of the prayer tent, set out to negotiate with the terrorists in the quarters of the Donetsk Regional State Administration. He was detained and released 4 hours later after first being severly beaten. On May 25, the DNR militants decided to "nationalize" the Protestant house of worship in the city of Horlivka [Gorlovka]. The building which previously housed The Church of Christ religious community and the Bear Valley Bible Institute is where the invaders set up their headquarters and turned the believers out onto the street.   On May 27 at noon, a Polish Catholic priest, Fr. Pavel Vitek, was abducted by pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk during street prayers. He came to the city to participate in an ecumenical prayer service in Constitution Square, where a daily prayer for peace in Ukraine is held. Yan Sobilo, the Auxiliary Bishop of the diocese of Kharkiv-Zaporizhia, and Jakub Volonsevich, the General Consul of Poland in Donetsk, went to secure the release of the priest. The negotiations concluded with the DNR terrorists releasing  Fr. Pavel Vitek after he had spent almost 24 hours in the basement of the SSU, in the captivity of the militants. On May 27, Bishop Yan Sobilo told Vatican Radio that due to separatist activities, the status of religious freedom in Donbass was worsening day by day. "With every day, the situation is increasingly troublesome. Rebels and separatists have paralyzed the city. In Kramatorsk a few days ago, they fired from a machine gun at the chapel. The windows are shattered, and the believers are afraid to attend the Divine Service.  Even if the believers could meet for worship, the priest isn't able to, because this part of the city is surrounded. The same situation is being played out in Lugansk, Donetsk, Slovyansk, and Horlivka," said the Catholic bishop. Considering these facts, it should be noted that on May 16, the self-proclaimed "People's Republic of Donetsk" adopted the text of its own "constitution." Article 9 of this document specifies that in the DNR, the "original and dominant faith is the Orthodox faith..., propagated by the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate).    The so-called "constitution" of the DNR also specifies: "The historical experience and role of the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) are recognized and respected, including as the core pillars of the Russian World." Let us also recall that on May 12, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that the results of the separatist "referendum" that was held in Donbass must be implemented within the framework of a dialogue between Kiev, Donetsk and Lugansk. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry responded to the Russian statement, stressing that such comments by the Kremlin directly encourage the illegitimate activities of the separatists.  In this regard, on May 16, the General Prosecutor of Ukraine officially designated the self-proclaimed "People's Republic of Donetsk" and "People's Republic of Luhansk" as terrorist organizations.

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Donetsk: Pastor was beaten. Prayer took place nevetherless

DONETSK UPDATE: Pastor Sergey Kosyak writes about the events of 23 May 2014, "Friends, today was a tough day, but for me very difficult. To begin with, representatives of Donetsk People’s Republic destroyed our tent, and then there was the following story.

Several times I have gone to the city administration building to talk with the leaders of the so called "Donetsk People’s Republic" (separatists), so I went once again. I didn't find the person I had talked with earlier there but happened to see someone who attended my church. I was glad when I saw him, but he didn't seem too glad we met. He began to yell that I was manipulating the people and things like that. In short, the negotiations failed, in the eyes of these people I had become the enemy. You tend to have short conversations with your enemy. 

People are very angry, because, first of all, their hearts are empty and not filled with God. I told them that God loves them, I harbored no anger or hatred towards them in my heart, even when they beat me. I will not describe the very beating, but that I am still alive, just the grace of God. 

Among them were people who knew about our prayer tent, they cursed the others for what they did to me. After that, they gave me my things back and my money, then asked for forgiveness from me and that I would not be offended. 

Before they started beating me I told them about Christ, called them to turn their hearts to God, and while they beat me I just prayed. I couldn't make it to the prayer meeting in the evening because I had to go to the hospital.

Dark times have come to our region, people hate each other, they’re ready to kill, beat for a preposterous idea, and to die for those ideas. And they can not see Him for Whom it is really worth living and dying. God save the people, turn their attention to yourself.

It hurts not physically but morally that Ukraine is wallowing in sin, and instead of people fighting together against the enemy they are pointing their weapons at each other." (translation thanks to Caleb Suko)

Video bellow: 

Very courageous prayer. Group of separatists promised to shoot them if they will come to pray, nevertheless people have come to pray. You can see from the video that even during the prayer there is an alarm in their hearts: they are praying and looking aside from time to time. 

Post by Алена Руденко.

Armed Terrorists Storm a Prayer Tent in Donetsk: they threatened to shoot everybody

New development form Tania Oleksenko: 
Pray for pastor Sergey Kosyak, who went today to separatist's camp after Praying tend was torn down by them to speak and ask for peace and now is badly beaten, his car is taken.

Today, at 1:30 PM, 15 armed terrorists sporting Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) logos and St. George ribbons stormed the prayer tent in Donetsk where two church workers were keeping watch.

This news comes to us from Tsenzor.NET, citing Novosti Donbassa. 

The terrorists seized equipment, the storage battery, speakers and microphone, and threw the banner and torn tent into the Kalmius River. 

The attackers threatened worshippers, saying that "if believers congregate here in the evening for worship, they will all be shot."

"Dear journalists, international observers, residents and visitors! Tonight, just as in the previous 77 days, we shall pray. Recall that tomorrow on May 24, an interfaith prayer is slated to be held from 12 PM to 1 PM on Constitution Square. In these troubled times in our country, people of diverse faiths throughout Ukraine join together in prayer that God will heal our country and send us peace. We pray that instead of killing and hatred, may there be love and reconciliation. 

The interfaith prayer will take place in all the local centers of Ukraine, at one and the same time. Donetsk, too, will join in our communal prayer.  If you love God, the people, and the homeland, we invite you to join us in our hour of standing in prayer. This event is purely religious, and so we ask you to please refrain from political statements and rhetoric. We invite the public and the media to take part in this interfaith prayer for Ukraine," wrote Pastor Sergey Kosyak on Facebook.

Pastor Sergey Kosyak on the photo. 

PRAYERS AND SUPPORT NEEDED FOR PERSECUTED SWW STUDENTS IN UZBEKISTAN

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Evangelism has long been considered terrorism in the Central Asian country of Uzbekistan, where criminal charges are brought regularly against evangelical churches and their leaders. That’s why Russian Ministries trains Next Generation leaders to equip and support the church there through our School Without Walls (SWW) nonformal training program, that must function almost entirely underground. Today, increasing persecution only emphasizes the need to equip more young believers through SWW with the training, tools and confidence required to lead their churches, families, and communities to eternal hope in Christ. It is critical now that we, as believers— Unite in prayer for the safety of persecuted men, women, children, and entire families. Rush additional Scripture and ministry resources to replace those that have been confiscated. Continue to train and equip Next Generation leaders through SWW because they are the best hope for advancing the Kingdom of Christ in Uzbekistan and throughout the FSU/Eurasia. We ask for your urgent prayers and generous gifts in support of our SWW students’ faithful work in Uzbekistan and other countries of Central Asia, where persecution is on the rise. PRAYER POINTS: Pray for the safety and success of SWW Students—Your support has already trained nearly 300 students in Uzbekistan and each of these hearts is actively making more disciples throughout the country. Pray for Christians in Uzbekistan—It is not uncommon for undercover police officers to stop young people and search their cellphones for sermons or Christian music. Pray that believers receive the faith and courage they need during these difficult times. Pray that God will provide the financial resources to train more SWW students and to replenish Bibles and other ministry resources in Uzbekistan—As Philippians 4:19 assures us, “…my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus,” ESV. To help support the work of our SWW students in Uzbekistan and other locations of the former Soviet Union/Eurasia, where persecution is on the rise, please click here to Donate and choose School Without Walls from the drop-down menu. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. Gratefully in Him, Sergey Rakhuba President Russian Ministries www.russian-ministries.org One SWW Student’s Story of Persecution in Uzbekistan: “My name is Oltingul,* and my husband I study at SWW. School Without Walls [has] changed me a lot and has helped me discover that evangelism is my spiritual gift. As part of my ministry outreach, I began traveling to villages, sharing the Good News with people who had never heard before. By God’s grace, I have been able to share the gospel with more than 200 people, and 26 people have come to Christ. This all changed when security services forced their way into my home, confiscating an Uzbek Bible and other Christian literature. They then filed charges against me and interrogated me for 16 hours. I had to walk [to the interrogation] with my 11-month-old child in freezing weather. As a result, my child got sick. Because we couldn’t afford the right medication, his illness developed into second-degree pneumonia, but our fellow SWW students generously raised enough funds to pay for my child’s treatment. The investigation lasted three months, and then the case went to court. I was found guilty of criminal Statute 240-241, “Missions and proselytism,” and was fined $1500.** Despite these difficulties, I am relying on God to continue studying through SWW because I desire to continue sharing the gospel. At the moment I am discipling six former Muslims who are now believers, and in September they will begin studying through SWW as well. SWW is laying a firm foundation for the spiritual growth of people in three churches in town. Through the work of just one class of students, four new home groups were started. Thank you all for providing this valuable training and praying for my family.” *This individual’s name has been changed to prevent further persecution and endangerment of their family. ** This amount is more than my family earns in an entire year. Footer Text

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Trip report for Kazakh goverment

Russian Ministries’ representative Wade Kusack and other members of the International Religious Freedom Roundtable (Washington, D.C.) delegation to Kazakhstan have sent their trip report to the Kazakh government.  The report contains practical recommendations designed to help the nation improve its law on religion, increase security nationwide, and begin to rehabilitate its image in the West.

As a reminder, a five-member delegation from the roundtable visited Kazakhstan on 1-6 December 2013 at the invitation of the Kazakh ambassador to the United States.  The purpose of their trip was to continue dialogue with the Kazakh government regarding the state of religious freedom in the nation.

This dialogue began at a breakfast on 8 May 2013 at the Kazakh Embassy in Washington, D.C., which was hosted by the ambassador and attended by officials from the Agency for Religious Affairs (ARA), and 15 representatives from the roundtable.  After hearing their views regarding the 2011 law on religion, the ambassador encouraged these participants to visit Kazakhstan and increase their understanding of this complex and important issue by talking with Kazakh government officials and grassroots leaders.

In addition to meeting with Kazakh officials, members of the delegation met freely with anyone they chose in Astana and Almaty, where they participated as observers in an international conference on religion, security and citizenship.

Russian Ministries also organized a seminar on religious freedom in one of the evangelical churches in Astana. Wade Kusack highlighted the importance of prayer for those in prison, and he emphasized the importance of aiding those in need because of religious persecution. Russian Ministries’ involvement in the development of religious freedom in Kazakhstan is not only theoretical, but also very practical. During his visit, Wade advocated for imprisoned pastor Bakhtzhan Kashkumbaev and also assisted the pastor’s relatives.

Russian Ministries continues its relations with evangelical churches and engages in dialogue with the government of Kazakhstan. “Our approach to helping our brothers and sisters in Kazakhstan is very strategic,” said Wade. “We are not only helping the persecuted families, which is very important, but we are also training the Next Generation of Christian leaders how to serve Christ most effectively in their own communities, how to connect with the international community of religious freedom advocates, and how to maintain a sober dialogue with their own governments. We should not forget that promoting and procuring religious freedom lays an important foundation for national stability and security, and increases the capability of sharing the gospel.”

You can find report here