Iranian secret police have arrested and held Iranian Christian Ali Kaboli, 51, for the past three weeks. Kaboli, a carpenter by trade, converted to Christianity 33 years ago and has held house church meetings in his home for many years. Despite threats, arrests, interrogations, and arson in his home, he continues to travel the Caspian Sea coast to spread the gospel. Members of Kaboli’s house church have been called to the police station and questioned one-by-one. Kaboli’s wife and five grown children have had no contact with him except one short phone call. No charges have been filed against Kaboli, but the possibilities range from holding "illegal" religious meetings to apostasy calling for the death penalty under Iranian law. Hamid Pourmand, another long-time Iranian convert to Christianity, is currently serving a three-year jail sentence for "concealing" his conversion from the military. (Compass Direct)

40 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR IRAN CAMPAIGN BEGINS TOMORROW

Slated to coincide with Ascension Day, the "Pray for Iran" campaign beginning tomorrow Friday, May 25, has already gained a great deal of support. Started in response to the current Iranian crisis, the 40-days of prayer will focus on the persecuted church in Iran, for revival in Iran, and for God to intervene in the political situation. Only first conceived on April 21, the campaign’s website says, "Because it is important, the idea has gathered pace. Because it is urgent, we cannot wait." More than 120 Iranian church leaders have committed to 40 days of prayer and intermittent fasting for the salvation of Iran, issuing a global call for others to join them in prayer. More information and a daily prayer guide can be found at. www.prayforiran.com. (Mission Network News/Pray for Iran)

CHINESE BIBLE EXHIBIT CALLED PROPAGANDA CAMPAIGN

The China Aid Association (CAA) is calling the Chinese Bible Ministry Exhibition a Chinese propaganda campaign to cover up the nation’s religious persecution image in the US. Being held at a church in Northeast Atlanta, Georgia through May 24, the exhibition contains fourth century Chinese bibles, carved murals and Christian artifacts. CAA President Rev. Bob Fu claims, "It's rather ironical that Beijing House Church pastor Cai Zhuohua is serving for three years sentence in the Chinese prison for printing Bibles in China since last year while the propaganda message of this Bible exhibition is that there is freedom to print Bibles in China." CAA also notes that exhibit speaker Mr. Ye Xiaowen is directly responsible for the arrests of hundreds of house church leaders and other persecution to religious groups. (CIC Persecution News)

PRAYER WALK OPENS EVANGELISTIC CAMPAIGN IN HAITI

Prior to the beginning of a new evangelistic campaign in Plaine-du-Nord, Haiti, missionaries have organized a prayer walk to claim the city for Christ. Plaine-du-Nord is considered the capital of voodoo in Haiti and has been challenging to evangelistic efforts. On May 25, Men for Missions, the laymen’s voice of OMS International, will begin the prayer walk "to claim that land for Christ and clear that land of all the problems the enemy would attempt to throw up in our way," according to Men for Missions’ Bill Evans. (Mission Network News)

DOWNLOADABLE ‘PODBIBLE’ CHAPTERS GAINING POPULARITY

A website originally set up to be the first live reading of the entire Bible over the Internet now provides downloadable audio versions of the original event. Last year’s event, set up by Auckland, New Zealand’s Balmoral Baptist Church, coordinated between 200-300 people of varied ages who took turns reading the bible live while concurrently broadcasting over the Internet. In response to participant’s desire to maintain the "Biblecast," organizers provided chapters that can be downloaded to iPods and other audio MP3 players from www.podbible.com. The growing site is now estimated to be providing around 1000 chapters per day to listeners. Church elder Tim Bulkeley says, "The Bible was, after all, written to be heard and we believe that we are returning it to what it was. That young guy with the earplugs you saw on the bus on the way to work might not have been listening to the latest rock music, but doing his 'quiet time'." (Assist News Service)

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