The Voice of the Martyrs - I am n : inspiring stories of Christians facing Islamic extremist

There is no doubt that radical Islam is one of the greatest challenges facing the church today. These inspiring accounts of the persecuted church will move you to tears and then drive you to your knees. We all have a scriptural responsibility to stand up for and stand with our brothers and sisters who are going through the fire. Dont let the horrors described here intimidate you, because fear is a terrorists greatest weapon. Instead, be stirred up to pray that the Holy Spirit may give you boldness to speak out, to take action, to get involved. Similarly, dont let these indescribable crimes fill you with hate for Muslims. Many Muslims would join us in condemning these atrocities. We are called to follow our Savior in loving our enemies, serving their needs, and having compassion on their blindness. The sacrificial faith of the suffering saints described in this book show us all how we are to respond at this time of crisis, courageously daring to love Muslims with the love of Christ.

Julyan Lidstone

Operation Mobilization (OM)

VOMs I Am N is a challenging mosaic of stories that remind us of normal Christianity, faith that is lived out in persecution. There are a lot of reminders within the pages of this book. We are reminded that there are no such entities as a free church or a persecuted church; there is simply one church , always persecuted and free. The church in persecution teaches us how to pray, not that their persecution might end but that they might be obedient through their sufferings. This is a prayer that prays both halves of the prayer of Jesus. It is always appropriate to pray for let this cup pass while never forgetting to pray to the Father that thy will be done.

Nik Ripken

International Mission Board (IMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention

Author of The Insanity of God and The Insanity of Obedience

Islamic terrorism is often the lead news story of the day, but Jesus promised to build his church and that the gates of hell would not prevail against it. So although terrorism grabs the headlines, Jesuss followers are flourishing right in the heart of the danger. I Am N was written to tell the stories of brave believers on the front lines of todays raging spiritual battle. Their courage will inspire you to think differently, live differently, and your heart will be refreshed as you get to know them. I believe they have become the new face of Christianity and we can learn much from them. The word retreat is foreign to the gospel. Brothers and sisters who live in harms way today are in no way waving white flags. Instead, theyre yelling Charge and taking the gospel to the ends of the earth even if it costs them their lives.

Tom Doyle

e3 Partners

Author of Killing Christians: Living the Faith Where Its Not Safe to Believe

Instability is our new normal. The gospel must ever be preached under pressure, and we must give up the idea that we can truly stand up for Jesus anywhere in the world without suffering for him. The only people in the world who can avoid the equal and opposite errors of Islamophobia and naive accommodation are the followers of Jesus who love Jesus enough to share in his sufferings and who love Muslims enough to suffer and die for them.

Dick Brogden

Assemblies of God World Missions

Author of Live Dead Joy: 365 Days of Living and Dying with Jesus

The further we are removed from the suffering of others, the easier it is to do nothing. We must not allow ourselves that option. Through these stories, please allow yourself to draw near to our persecuted brothers and sisters. In my role as a leader of a missions agency reaching out to Muslim people, Ive been pulled into the suffering. Personal friends have been beaten, imprisoned, tortured, or killed. My tears, sleepless nights, and prayers didnt seem enough. I am extremely grateful for a partnership we now have with The Voice of the Martyrs. In practical ways they are helping us deal with the persecution and showing us how to get back up and press on with the good news of Gods love through Jesus. This book will help us all respond in compassion.

Kevin

Missions executive with more than thirty years of service in restricted and least-reached nations

It has been our honor and privilege to pray, weep, and serve alongside brothers and sisters who have suffered for Christ at the hands of their families, neighbors, and governments. As we recall their faces and tell their stories, we join the apostle Paul in saying, I thank my God every time I remember you I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now (Philippians 1:35). God is at work in extraordinary ways in the midst of the worst possible terror, oppression, and violence. The Christians you will meet in this book reveal a hope and strength that is both supernatural and eternal. These family members have completely abandoned their personal agendas and are learning to trust God absolutely. We have much to learn from their example.

Cole, Cheryl, and Jason

The Voice of the Martyrs

Executive editors, I Am N

I AM N

Published by David C Cook

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David C Cook U.K., Kingsway Communications

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All rights reserved. Except for brief excerpts for review purposes,

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without written permission from the publisher.

The website addresses recommended throughout this book are offered as a resource to you. These websites are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement on the part of David C Cook, nor do we vouch for their content.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. (Public Domain); and NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Details in some stories have been changed to protect the identities of the persons involved.

LCCN 2015956834

ISBN 978-1-4347-0987-5

eISBN 978-1-4347-0997-4

2016 The Voice of the Martyrs, Inc.

First Edition 2016

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

121715

Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

Hebrews 13:3 KJV