Petition to Free Youcef Nadarkhani

via ACLJ,

“Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani faces the death penalty in Iran because of his Christian beliefs and his refusal to embrace Islam. The ACLJ has been working in this country and abroad to secure his freedom; our Tweet for Youcef campaign is daily reaching 1.9 million Twitter accounts around the world.

The U.S. House of Representatives has unanimously passed a resolution calling for Pastor Youcef’s release, and now we are asking the Senate to do the same. Join the call for his freedom; please sign our petition now.”

Read full article and sign petition here.

Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani Sees His Family

via ACLJ,

“Last week Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani spent his 35th birthday in prison in Iran, illegally detained and facing execution for his faith.  What we were unable to tell you last week is a rare piece of good news for the persecuted pastor.

Our sources in Iran have confirmed to the ACLJ that Pastor Youcef was allowed to see his entire family on his birthday. This was a rare family reunion in the jail where he has been held for more than two and a half years since he was arrested for questioning the Muslim indoctrination of his children and later charged and convicted of apostasy.”

Read the entire story here.

Violent Islamist Takeover in Mali Forces Christians to Flee

via Crosswalk.com

“Christians in Mali are in a ‘desperate plight’ following last month’s military coup, which caused government forces in the country’s three northern regions to collapse and allowed Islamist rebel groups to seize control, Christian Today reports. One of the Islamist groups, Ansar Dine, has links to al Qaeda and wants to turn Mali into an Islamic state by imposing sharia law. Around 215,000 people have been displaced from their homes, many of them fleeing to Burkina Faso and Mauritania. Many Christians have sought safety in Mali’s capital, Bamako, where churches are feeding and sheltering them. According to aid organization Barnabas Fund, churches in the towns of Gao and Timbuktu were destroyed in the Islamic takeover, forcing the congregations to abandon their homes and flee south. ‘Horrible crimes have been made against the population — massacres, rape of women, obligation to wear the veil, chasing Christians,’ a Barnabas Fund source reported.”

Read the entire article here.

Free Asia Bibi

Asia Bibi is one of the many prisoners profiled on prisoneralert.com .  In addition to prayer and letter-writing on her behalf, you may also sign a petition demanding her release.

Also, take some time to visit the Voice of the Martyrs site and sign up for their weekly prayer updates via email.

2012 Summer Camp Cancellation

Dear Bereans,

The Church Council has decided, after much thought, prayer and discussion, that it would be wise to cancel Berean Youth Clubs Summer Camp this year. This was a difficult decision. Upon reviewing all the factors involving staff, facilities, finances and equipment,  it seemed to be the only feasible one. 

Thanks to all who have served graciously in this ministry.  Full refunds will be made to parents who have made payments.

In His Service,

Pastor Leon Adkins

Pictures From the 2012 Student Art Exhibit

Some pictures are available from the BCA 2012 Student Art Exhibit, held last Friday.  We apologize for the quality of the phone-camera pictures in the low overhead light inside the Academy library.

View the photo collection here.

2012 Student Art Exhibit Tonight

Please join us tonight from 6PM to 7:30PM in the Academy library for the 2012 Berean Academy student art exhibit. Light refreshments will be served.

If you can not make the exhibition, student art projects will be on display during school hours the following week.  Thank you.

Iranian Christians Await Verdicts After Easter Sunday Trial

via Fox News,

“Twelve Christians stood trial Easter Sunday in Iran, where they were called ‘apostates’ in a courtroom and tried on multiple charges, according to sources close to Iran’s Christian community.

The Christians had been acquitted on the same charges, including ‘crimes against the order,’ a year ago in Bandar Anzali, a city on the Caspian Sea. The group was first arrested when authorities found them drinking wine while taking communion, according to sources.”

Read the complete article here.

Bike For Bibles

Once again, Jim Duncan will participate in the Bike For Bibles event in August.  This year’s approximately 450-mile route promises to be extremely challenging.

Mr. Duncan has created a one-page brochure (PDF) that you may print as a prayer sheet.  Please feel free to duplicate and distribute the document at your church.  Mr. Duncan can also use more sponsors, so please visit his sponsor page and email the link to others.  You may make a direct donation by clicking on the ‘Sponsor Me’ button on the page.

You may also be interested in a small sample of photos from Mr. Duncan’s prior bike-for-Bibles events.  Some of these photos include pictures of churches that serve as stops along the route.  Thank you very much for your prayers and support.

Voice of the Martyrs Mobile Apps

Voice of the Martyrs is a leading proponent of the plight of prisoners imprisoned worldwide for their Christian beliefs.  They operate a great blog, PersecutionBlog.com , and even have several useful apps to support the important task of constant prayer for imprisoned Christians.  Their available apps even include a digital version of their newsletter.  Very impressive!

VOM apps are available for both iOS and Android.  You can read more about it here.  Please bookmark their blog and visit regularly.

Academy Calendar Updated For April

The Berean Academy calendar of events is now online.  Sorry for the delay.  Our pathetic excuse for a webmaster moved and lost the printed copy.  What a slacker

Combined Easter/Banquet Service

The Berean Spring banquet will follow the April 8 evening service.  Please bring food if you are able.

Thank you.