Germany Tells Turkey to Take Action Against Brutal Christian Killings

Article by Daniel Blake
The German Chancellor Angela Merkel has told Turkey it must take action against “unacceptable intolerance” in the country, after three Christian Bible publishers were brutally murdered in a religious-motivated attack last week. Merkel called on the Turkish authorities to take measures to combat the “climate in which such terrible murders are possible”.

Among the three murdered Christians, one was a German national. The three were found with their throats slit on 18 April in Malatya, south-eastern Turkey. On Sunday, four men and a woman were brought before a Turkish court charged with the murders. The 18-year-old woman was accused of aiding a terrorist group. Six other young men who had been held by authorities were ordered to be released by the court, although they will await later trials for alleged lesser roles in the murders, according to media reports.
The murders are being regarded as a direct attack on the Christian minority living in Turkey. Nationalists had previously protested at the publishing house where the three worked, accusing it of involvement in missionary activities.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to bring those responsible to justice and described the attack as "savagery". Eddie Lyle, CEO of Open Doors UK, said “This tragic incident is the latest example of a worsening trend of persecution against Christians in Turkey, that we cannot ignore any longer. Christians in Turkey are constantly under attack. They are crying out for help and they need our prayers to strengthen them. We can, and must, answer that call,” he said.
The World Evangelical Alliance has sent a representative to Turkey to comfort the families of the three Christian workers. Johan Candelin of Finland travelled to Turkey last Friday. She said, “Something very dangerous is happening in Turkey at this time. The country is knocking at Europe's door and far from everyone is happy about it. At the same time the nation is about to choose a new president and tension between Islamists and nationalists is growing stronger everyday. I ask all Christians to pray for families of the victims, for the protection of the Christian minority and for Turkey.”

Survivors, Mourners Turn to God in US Massacre Aftermath

Source: ChristianityToday

In the aftermath of the worst university massacre in US history, survivors and families in grieving have turned to God for comfort and support.
With scores of prayer vigils ongoing throughout churches in Virginia, US, students have come forward with a clear message that God is with those in need at this difficult time. Megan Martin, 24, was with two-dozen fellow students travelling to a prayer vigil on campus when she told reporters, “God cares about Virginia Tech." Many others in the devastated university carried placards saying ‘Jesus loves you’, ‘God knows and He cares’, and ‘Can we pray with you?’
A memorial service took place Tuesday with US President George Bush telling those hurting to unite in prayer. He urged students to persevere in hope, and to comfort one another with prayers as they struggled to come to terms with the shocking events. Offering comfort in a biblical message to the residents of Blacksburg, a Bible Belt town in southwest Virginia, President Bush stated: “As the scripture tells us, don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
On a day when a clearer picture of what had happened developed rapidly, the community was left in disbelief as they found out it was a fellow student that had carried out the atrocities. South Korean-born Cho Seung-Hui (aka Seung Cho), 23, and English literature student, was named as the only known shooter in the tragedy which killed 33 students, including Cho himself. Students have attempted to deal with their grief by creating a number of memorials throughout the campus area in remembrance of the dead. One memorial left for victim Jarrett Lane, an engineering student read: “God bless you Jarrett, your family, friends, and all of the victims and those around you. Enjoy the Lord's kingdom.” At the same memorial another note left a quote from the Bible: "Be strong and courageous, Do not be terrified; for the Lord God is with you wherever you go.”
The reaction from the churches around the shattered community has been one of compassion, with churches all over Blacksburg leaving their doors open welcoming those in need of refuge, prayer and comfort. Following a prayer vigil at St Francis Anglican Church 22-year-old Adam Henry testified: “You've got to keep your focus on faith.”