Tributes To Steve from Ministry Partners Around the World, Page 2

Tributes To Steve from Ministry Partners Around the World

Steve visits Indonesian refugees

Indonesia

"In January 2001, Steve Snyder contacted me after hearing of the fate of the persecuted and captured Christians of the Maluku islands. He immediately dispatched aid to assist in the rescue and care of these suffering saints and booked his tickets to come and see for himself exactly what progress was taking place. Despite the dangers, he insisted that we go and visit some of those rescued. He was greatly moved by what he saw. He prayed with them, wept with them and hugged them.

The city of Tobelo we visited in North Halmahera was in ruins. The people had been traumatized but Steve wanted to get out and meet the people. He wanted them to know that they had not been forgotten, the Body of Christ cared. While in Tobelo, the Governor of North Maluku ordered our arrest. We were placed into the back of an army truck for a 6 hour journey and taken into dangerous territory, the city of Ternate, a jihad stronghold.

We were interrogated for a further 6 hours by the police and sometime after midnight were escorted to our rooms and warned not to open the door for anyone except for our military guards. It was a long tense night. We prayed together and committed ourselves into the hands of the Lord. I learned a lot about Steve in this pressure cooker situation. His courage, faith, love and compassion even for those who imprisoned us. He was deeply moved by the tragedy of Duma and the brutal massacre inflicted on these people. As he embraced and loved them he vowed his commitment to them to be a voice for the voiceless.

I also traveled with Steve to Poso, Central Sulawesi at a particularly dangerous time. Christians were being dragged from passing cars and being slain, but Steve said that if we did not go and get documentary evidence, our reports would not be believed. This was the courage, determination, faith, love and commitment of a man who loved and served Christ with passion and compassion. It is sad to lose a kindred spirit. Our loss is heaven's gain. Farewell Steve, we love you and will miss you. To the persecuted church he was a hero. Let the remembrance of his life be an inspiration to you all."

Saudi Arabia

"The world has lost a great man of God. I am grieved to hear the sad news about the death of Steve my respected brother. I just cannot tell you how sorry and sad I am. Brother Steve was a faithful person in this world, but especially for us in Saudi Arabia he was a good person. At the time we were in prison for Christ's sake, Steve tirelessly went to the media, different organizations, and the government to seek our release. After our release he supported us financially and advised us. He was a person who stood with us. Since I've known Steve he was a person who had a good vision. He was a humble person and he was a person who fought for the cause of the persecuted Christians in the world. Especially he was a person who wanted the Gospel of Christ to be spread throughout the Middle East. This is the reason I say the world has lost a great man of God. Steve goes to his Father, but his spirit is still with us. I pray that the LORD will fulfill the vision of ICC and give you all a special anointing of power and strength."

Pakistan

"It was deeply shocking for me when I heard about the sad demise of my dear brother Steve Snyder. This sorrowful death has saddened us all in Pakistan. In his death, we have lost our kindest and most loving brother who had a great burden for the persecuted Christians of Pakistan. He always supported us and encouraged us in our struggle to liberate the down trodden and oppressed Christians of Pakistan who are socially subjugated, economically deprived and religiously discriminated in Islamic Pakistan. Many of our oppressed people, on hearing about the sorrowful death of their benefactor, are shedding tears with deep remorse on this great loss. I, personally, feel deeply grieved and sad on my brother's death who was always caring and loving-who always shared our grief-who always supported us and prayed for the persecuted church in Pakistan.

Brother Steve had deep concern for the oppressed Christian Community of Pakistan. So on behalf of the Victims of blasphemy law who are incarcenated in jails, also on behalf of Christian girls and women who are abducted and raped and on behalf of all those who are victimized because of their Christian faith in Islamic Pakistan, I convey deep condolences. Once when Brother Steve came to know that I might be damaged by Islamic militants or arrested in Pakistan, he wrote and said "My dear brother don't feel discouraged and alone. If anything adverse happens with you in Pakistan, I shall come there immediately to rescue You". I have vowed that I and the members of my ministry shall not deviate from the path of our genuine struggle for which Brother Steve supported us morally and materially."

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POSTED:  December 9, 2002