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Interview with Pastor Severino Mission ONE 15th Anniversary Banquet October 27 in Arizona Marriage retreat in Kenya, June 12-17 Church planting and equipping to serve peresecuted believers in southeast Asia Persecuted bishop returns home Pray for persecuted church in Laos Report from India: One year after the tsunami of December 26, 2004 Operation WorldView is video training for 750 “short-termers”
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Threatened and attacked by an Al-Qaeda mob. Kidnapped and beaten across his back and legs with ropes and bamboo rods. Forgiving his attackers because “He who forgives ends the quarrel.” Having fled his community, he is now back home again. Four reports are listed below: 25 November, 26 November, 3 January and 8 February. These reports are written by either Bob Schindler or Werner Mischke. 25 November 2005 Mission ONE has partnered with Bishop Inayat Masih Bhatti (in Karachi, Pakistan) and his group of about 40 Pakistani pastors for several years. He is our friend and a key leader. He has been in my home; I and Bob Schindler have been in his. He is a wise and gracious man of God who loves His Word, and who boldly gives witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in his homeland of Pakistan. It was his dear wife Martha who was killed by Muslim extremists just a few years ago, only months before their 50th wedding anniversary. Brother Bhatti had baptized seven Muslim-background women (secretly, at night, in the ocean) over the past several months, and some had married Christian men. During the past few weeks, he has told us about a mob of Al Queada-led Muslims who, out of revenge, have tried to chase him and his family (a total of 32 children and grand-children) from their home and neighborhood. They have wanted to attack "the Bishop." A week ago, the mob came into their 6-room cinder block home, beat his oldest son, took many valuables they had, and scattered Brother Bhatti's many books all over the ground. To be safer, Bro. Bhatti has been sleeping at night in the local jail, thinking his attackers would leave his family alone if he was there at night. This morning, I received a message on my cell phone from Bishop Inayat Masih Bhatti. I listened to his message over and over again to understand his words, spoken in broken English. This is his message:
26 November 2006 Bro. Bhatti and his family have lived in his neighborhood in Karachi for 25 years. He has many friends, among whom are Muslims. The Muslims who have known him a long time in his neighborhood were very sympathetic and drove out the people who were the attackers. He said, "This is a good fishing time for me. Many come to hear me; Muslims and Christians. I tell them, Be calm. I forgive because it is written that he who forgives ends the quarrel. It is very good testimony for Lord Jesus Christ." Bob asked if the police had released his attackers. Bro. Bhatti said, "Yes. I forgave them, but they wanted it in writing. So I did."
Bro. Bhatti began crying a little when he shared about missing his wife Martha. "It is good for me to weep. Today, I wept twice for her." Bob talked about "The fellowship of Christ's suffering" and Bro. Bhatti shared, "The Lord Jesus hung on the cross for me for six hours. Iron symbolizes sin, and iron pierced his body by the nails and spear." "Thank you for calling me. This morning I prayed with pastors for all of Mission ONE. Bob, Werner, Ken, Margaret [then he named former staff] Jerry and Sarah. He said greet Sister Werner (my wife Daphne) and told me to ask Andrew and Eric to pray for him. We prayed together and told him it is a privilege to know him and that many are praying for him. 3 January 2006 On December 23rd, a bishop and his wife were killed in Karachi. The man was shot and the woman cut with a knife. These were good friends of Brother Bhatti. In fact, he was the first one that the family notified of the tragedy. He and his family ministered to the surviving family members. Also, on Christmas Day, several churches were harassed and some were prevented from holding Christmas services. Brother Bhatti said that many of his friends are encouraging him to move from Karachi to a safer place. In two subsequent calls (one from his friend and one this morning from Brother Bhatti himself), we learned Brother Bhatti has been in hiding due to serious threats and the extremely tense environment. He has decided (in agreement with the advice of a multitude of counselors) that he should again leave Karachi for an extended time. He told me this morning that he will be going to northern Pakistan and minister among the many victims of the devastating earthquake there. Brother Bhatti has friends in the area dating back to when he was a young man and spent seven years in the army in the same location. He feels that he will be safe there and will have the opportunity for effective and strategic ministry. Regarding his health, I asked if he was feeling well enough to travel that great distance. He said that he is doing fairly well now, though still in some pain. Two people will accompany him for the majority of the journey on a bus. FYI...Several days ago, we received a doctor's report which confirmed the nature and seriousness of his injuries. Please continue praying for his full recovery. On a positive note, Brother Bhatti has received several good comments about his Christmas message which was shown on television. Brother Bhatti is an incredible servant of God. He has such a strong, encouraging spirit. He reminds me of what a modern day Apostle Paul would probably be like. Thank you for your intercessions for him. 8 February 2006 After he was attacked in December, he was treated in Karachi by a compassionate Muslim doctor and was strongly advised to go to a part of Pakistan where it is safer for Christians. He then traveled to the north. After a short time in the cold climate, he got pneumonia. A Pakistani Christian paid for and accompanied Bro. Bhatti back to Karachi where it is much warmer, and where Bro. Bhatti was able to get some medicine. Now he is feeling better. Some quotes from today's conversation:
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Persecuted bishop returns home