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Christmas is Not Only a Time to Celebrate It’s a Time to Pray for the Persecuted Church Around the World

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Salam Christian Fellowship in Chicago, Illinois and Peace Lutheran Church in Lombard, Illinois hosted a Christmas Prayer Service for the persecuted church around the world. In attendance were people of nine different nationalities. Many who have come as immigrants and refugees from Middle Eastern countries, African countries, the Philippines.

Before the service there was a presentation from Dr. Roy Oksnevad, the director of the Muslim Ministry Program at Wheaton College through the Billy Graham Center. Roy shared with everyone the latest news and circumstances of the persecuted church around the world. He encouraged everyone to pray for strength, courage and boldness of the Christians in these countries.

As everyone prayed, scriptures and hymns were read and sung in Arabic, Farsi and English. A special thank you to Heidi, a refugee from Iran and member of the Salam Christian Fellowship, Rich and Kay Fick from Cyrus Ministries, Wasco, IL (members of Faith Lutheran in Geneva, IL), and Roy Oksnevad of the Muslim Ministry Program at Wheaton College.

Hesham Shehab

Hicham [pronounced HESHAAM] grew up in a world of bitter animosity between Muslims and Christians, which he experienced personally in a physical attack when only about 7. By age 13 he was recruited by an extremist Muslim group and later fought against Christians in the 1975 war in Lebanon. He was preparing to become a Muslim Preacher (Imam) when a car accident laid him up for a year. In 1980, in his first semester in college, his brother was killed by Christian militia. Hicham's response was to study by day, and by night take out his revenge in attacks on Christians. However, hearing the Sermon on the Mount, in a course of cultural studies (in college), brought him to faith. Later, Hicham earned an M.A. in the history of the Arabs and did Ph.D studies in the history of Islam. Hicham finished his pastoral education at Concordia, Fort Wayne, IN, and is currently in the Ph. D program there. Presently, Hicham, and ordained LCMS minister, pastors Salam Christian Fellowship and works as a missionary to the Muslims with the Lutheran Church in Illinois.

One Comment

  1. Heidi Rasooli

    we can change the world by the most strongest power of Holy sprite in His holy son’s name .Jesus Christ . Amen

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