Mariam Ibraheem’s story made headlines in the year 2014. The Sudanese mother was pregnant with her daughter when she was sent to prison along with her son. She was charged with apostasy and sentenced to death for marrying her husband, who was a Christian and American citizen.
Ibrahim, whose mother was a Christian, was released after a few months of being imprisoned, but not before she gave birth while in chains. Testifying in front of around 250 people, Ibrahim relates that her story did not begin when she was sentenced or sent to prison. Her story is like so many Christians in predominantly Islam countries, who, because of their faith, face being beheaded, lashing or even death.
There were others who gave their testimony for the night. One is Pastor Freddy Thomas, who pastors Philadelphia House Worship Community Church. He also heads Redemption Christian Ministries, which aims to plant churches in the nation of India. He claimed that despite the rise of Christian persecution in India, more people are still coming to the saving knowledge of Christ.
He talks about persecution in Kandhamal, where he received news of Christians running to the house of their pastor. Their houses and livelihood have been burned, and the clothes on their bodies were their only possessions. Thomas was afraid that the persecution they suffered would cause them to deny their newfound faith, but none of them went back to Hinduism. After that outbreak of persecution, more people in Kandhamal were being saved. …read more