The Chairman’s Report for March

In this issue of the newsletter
Update: Christians continue to flee new Islamist government of Syria
Update: Conditions worsen for Christians in the birthplace of Jesus
Update: Pastors murdered in Nigeria as attacks on Christians continue
Update: Construction begins to add second floor to orphanage building in Jos

Terrorist murderer Abu al-Golani now a friend to USA!

Biden sent top official to Damascus

Did Biden pardon a terrorist killer: Muhammad Al-Jawlani was the war name of the leader of the Sunni Muslim branch of al-Qaeda known as HTS. As the new “president” of Syria, he uses his birth name of Alwed al-Sharaa.

As soon as al-Sharaa’s forces took over Damascus Joe Biden dropped the ten-million-dollar reward for him that was posted because of the attacks on Americans and killings of American service personnel.

Biden then sent Barbara Leaf, top Middle East diplomat at the State Department, to Damascus to have a sit down with al-Sharaa whom she declared was “pragmatic.”

How moderate is the HTS in Syria? There are frequent incidents of violence by Sunni Muslims targeting Christians, secularists, and Shiite Muslims.

Since the inauguration of President Donald Trump, the talk about dropping the terrorist designation of HTS has stopped. But friendship is being offered to HTS by various European leaders who just cannot understand Jihad regardless of how many of their citizens are murdered.

In France alone hundreds have died since the year 2000 including a theater attack in 2015 that left ninety dead and scores wounded. The key European leaders are godless. Because they lack faith in anything but themselves, they cannot understand the dogma behind Islam.

Publicly European leaders call Islam a “religion of peace” and state that it is no different than Christianity or Judaism. Lying to themselves will not make them safe.

Europeans’ lack of concern about terrorism is allowing even more terror. In February alone there were terror attacks in Austria, Germany and Greece. In January a crusader against Islam was murdered in Sweden as well. There was no front-page reporting of the attack.

So how moderate is the newly minted leader of Syria al-Sharaa (al-Jawlani or al-Jolani ?)

Already Christians and churches are being attacked and ancient artifacts in places such as Palmyra are being destroyed. There are six U.N. World Heritage sites in Syria and all of them have suffered damage or have been completely destroyed by Islamic fanatics.

The estimated Cost to rebuild Syria is $400 billion if the battles between the various Islamic factions would stop now … but the fighting will continue.

Meanwhile Christians continue to flee. At last count only 300,000 remain in Syria. Just 20 years ago there were 1.5 million. With a Jihadist running the Syrian nation, it is doubtful Christians will return — and more will leave.

The murders committed by al-Sharaa, including the deaths of American service personnel, are apparently either forgotten or forgiven.

BETHLEHEM

Slowly Hamas is returning hostages to Israel, some alive, some dead. Israel is releasing Palestinian prisoners in return.

No official ratio has been given but from reading various sources it appears that Israel is releasing well over 100 prisoners for each Israeli hostage held by Hamas.

In just one exchange, Israel released 369 prisoners for 3 hostages. The “cease-fire” may not last longer than the exchanges of those held by both sides.

Many of the Palestinian suspects released were not arrested in Gaza during Israeli military operations, but rather inside the “West Bank” which officially includes Bethlehem.

None of these actions or exchanges change anything for the Christians in the Bethlehem area who are suffering from near 90% unemployment.

Christians who worked in Israel prior to the October, 2023 terror attack are still not back to work. Because of bus bombings in Tel Aviv it is unlikely that any Palestinians will be allowed back in Israel to work in the near future.

Tourism to Israel and the holy sites in the West Bank has completely shut down. Several Christian tour agencies have shut down entirely. Many of the unemployed worked in hotels and restaurants used by tourists and pilgrims.

Prime Minister Netanyaho stated at the beginning of military operations in Gaza that the final goal was the removal of Hamas from power. After nearly 18 months of fighting, rather than being removed from power, Israel is now dealing directly with Hamas during the cease-fire.

Hamas has not surrendered and their terror will continue.

Our work in Bethlehem: At great cost Heart for the Persecuted Church continues to distribute adult diapers and food packages to the poorest Christian families in the most need.

Food packages vary depending upon the size of the family and what is available. We only purchase supplies from Christian businesses. Wholesale food comes from Jordan and other Islamic nations and the orders of the Muslim businesses are filled first.

The goal is to supply goods such as flour, cornmeal, sugar, and rice. Canned goods are also supplied as we can obtain them.

The food we supply helps those who were unemployed or elderly, or whose families cannot assist them because of the unemployment.

The Palestinian Authority, which is run by Muslims, controls all aspects of civil life. The Palestinian Authority designates who gets aid that arrives from other nations.

Christians are last in line to get anything –if they receive anything at all. They need our help!

To do more, I must reach more people with the news of the condition of Christians in the Holy Land.

In March we began posting strategic online advertising on various social media sites including Facebook and Instagram. Ads are also placed at specific Christian Internet sites.

The online ads direct readers to go to a specific Internet page describing the situation in the Holy Land. You can learn more by visiting the Internet page at www.H4PCholyland.org.

The impact of the advertising is more important than any revenue the ministry receives. Tens of thousands of Christians who view the ads will be made aware of the conditions facing Christians in the birthplace of our Lord. American Christians must be alerted to the dire state of Christians in the Holy Land.

Prayer is needed! Please pray for the Christians remaining in the Holy Land. Pray for the elderly and disabled Christians who need medical care. Pray for those in need of the adult diapers.

Please pray for the children and elderly who suffer from hunger.

NIGERIA

Killings on the rise: Benue State, to the southwest of Plateau State, has recently become a hot bed of attacks on Christian farmers by Fulani Sunni Muslims. In mid-February, 19 farmers were killed and 16 of their bodies thrown into the Katsina-Ala River.

The farmers were returning to their community as a group when they were ambushed along the Kashimbila road and killed, according to sources I could find.

What is disturbing is the lack of media sources. It appears the only local outlet in Nigeria that published a major story was PunchNG. A few Christian organizations in the United States and the U.K. that report on the persecution of Christians also highlighted the event at their Internet sites.

Mainstream media in the West simply does not report on the massacre of Christians in Nigeria, or the murders of Christian clergy. Even attacks in France and Germany go unreported.

Above are the photos of three pastors who were murdered by Islamists in February of this year. ECWA stands for Evangelical Church Winning All. The ECWA is a major denomination in Nigeria. Cathlolic priests have to share the danger as well. Father Tobias Chukwujekwu Okonkwo was reportedly murdered on Dec. 26th last year.

Often the Catholic priests are kidnaped by Islamists who demand ransom money to use for jihad. Father Cornelius Manzak Damulak of the Catholic Diocese in Plateau State was kidnapped in the early hours of Thursday, February 6th this year. He miraculously escaped his captors a few days later. Police found him on a highway after he managed to flee.

Construction begins at orphanage

Second floor to be added: Thanks to a very generous donation from a supporter of the Religious Freedom Coalition, a second story is being added to a building we constructed at the Jos Christian Refuge for Children last year.

The addition will house a library, science lab and computer lab.

The Jos Christian Refuge for Children has become an example of how a Christian orphanage can make a real difference in the lives of children.

Please continue to pray for our work in Nigeria.