Source:  www.assistnews.net

Date:  2008-11-18

Christ Even Loves the Taliban

By Wolfgang Polzer
Special to ASSIST News Service

MARBURG (ANS) -- Faced with persecution, hardship and danger many Christians are continuing to live in countries like Iraq in order to win their neighbors for Christ.

They are in urgent need of intercession, said the founder of the international agency Open Doors, "Brother Andrew", at an Open-Doors-Day in Marburg, Germany, November 15.

The 80-year-old Anne van der Bijl, whose cover name as a Bible smuggler was Brother Andrew, told the 1,500 participants, persecuted Christians needed the assurance that they are remembered and supported in their efforts to reach out with the Gospel even to their enemies.

Brother Andrew encouraged Christians to pray also for those who persecute their brethren: "Our perception changes when we see them through the eyes of Jesus and start to pray for them".

Christ's love does not stop short of the radical and militant Taliban in Afghanistan. Brother Andrew has personally baptized former Taliban. He has also met with leaders of radical Islamic groups like Hamas and Hezbollah and brought them the Gospel.

A 26-year-old Christian woman from Pakistan, who appeared veiled for security reasons, informed the conference participants about the si tuation of Muslim women. She has repeatedly been threatened with death for her social ministry.

Women, who have converted from Islam, are often kept like prisoners, she said. They could also face forced marriage with a Muslim. These women were often forgotten.

The speaker is about to return to Pakistan with her husband to minister to female converts. Open Doors assists persecuted and discriminated Christians in 50 countries.