A pastor in Tajikistan has been arrested on charges of 'extremism' for having a book by a well-known US Christian author.Bakhrom Kholmatov is a pastor in the Sunmin Sunbogym (Good News of Grace) Protestant Church, whose congregations have been raided by secret police. He was arrested at his Khujand church in April.
The church is an officially registered congregation. However, according to the Forum 18 news service, authorities put pressure on the congregation in an attempt to close it. 'Officers insulted the believers by shouting and swearing at them. They demanded that they renounce their faith and leave the Church,' members of the congregation said.
They claimed some were beaten and others forced out of their jobs.
According to Forum 18, officers of the secret police told members that the words of hymns and Christian books, including More Than A Carpenter by American author Josh McDowell, were 'extremist'.
Please pray for Pastor Bakhrom Kholmatov and his church. As we remember him in our prayers, let us not forgot the others who are persecuted for their faith.
But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! ~Matthew 5:44
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