ICC Note:
A group of young Christians, inspired by words from the Bible, have formed a group to protect churches in Pakistan. Churches and other places of worship for minority religions in Pakistan have recently become the targets of terrorist groups operating in Pakistan. In March 2015, two churches in a predominately Christian neighborhood of Lahore were attacked by suicide bombers. In September 2013, suicide bombers also attacked All Saints Church in Peshawar. Christians in Pakistan have responded to this trend by setting up informal security groups, mostly volunteers coming from church congregations. Please pray for Christians in Pakistan as they seek to practice their faith freely and securely.
7/13/2015 Pakistan (Christian Today) – Inspired by words from the Bible, young Christian men in Pakistan have formed a group to defend their churches, after Christian congregations recently became the targets of terrorist attacks in the predominantly Muslim country.
Sixteen Christians from different walks of life—bankers, musicians, civil society workers, teachers and computer technicians—banded together with a commitment to protect their places of worship.
They took inspiration from these words from Luke 11:21: “”When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe.”
At first, the group started protecting the Shalom Presbyterian Church in Bahar Colony, Lahore, the cultural capital and one of the most densely populated areas of the country.
Since then, the young Christian men have expanded their mission, now providing protection and security to at least six more churches in nearby areas.
In Pakistan, only 2 percent of the population are Christians. They have been victims of terrorist attacks, like the bombing outside a Peshawar church in 2013.
Waqar Peter Gill, the team’s spokesman, said the group wants to help protect more churches in the future.
“We are more blessed and strengthened in God day by day and we are looking forward to reach more and more churches in Lahore and other parts of the country, irrespective of the denomination,” Gill said.
To be able to do this, Gill encouraged young Christians in Pakistan like them to join their team.
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