For the past six weeks, a radical Islamic group which calls itself From Frontiers of Jihad against America has been distributing pamphlets threatening Pakistani Christians who they say are blaspheming God.  Pastor Wilson was singled out in the pamphlet that was distributed in Quetta and since the beginning of this year, he has received threatening phone calls and letters.

Miraculous Escape!

Forty hours after his abduction, Pastor Fazal escaped! His captors were moving him to another city and traveling at a high rate of speed when the Pakistani police began to give chase. The driver of the vehicle left the main road and as he slowed to negotiate a turn, Pastor Fazal was able to take advantage of the confusion and jump from the vehicle. He was injured but not seriously and was able to find bus transportation to Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan.

Pastor Fazal was severely beaten by his captors, subjected to electric shock, stabbed through the tongue and threatened with death if he refused to convert to Islam. His hair and mustache were shaved. He was shown photographs of Christian leaders in Quetta and diagrams of various Christian institutions. The implications were clear that more attacks are planned. Six other Christian leaders in the Quetta area have received similar threats and all are now in hiding. Pastor Fazal has been reunited with his family and they are hiding in a safe house provided by the ministry they work with, Pakistan Gospel Assemblies.

I have not met Pastor Fazal but will have the opportunity to minister to him this fall when I travel to Pakistan to teach a seminar with my leaders. One of my twelve is the senior pastor over Pakistan Gospel Assemblies and Pastor Fazal is in his group of twelve. Though it is sobering to know that one of our own has experienced persecution at this level first hand, at the same time it is a wonderful privilege to know that I will have an opportunity to be a blessing to his life.

So far, with your help, we have been able to plant twenty-six new churches in Pakistan through men like Pastor Fazal. Thanks for all you are doing to help us penetrate one of the world’s most difficult areas.