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On March 17, the Protestant International Church in Islama-bad, Pakistan, suffered a violent grenade attack. Jim Killgore, president of ACMC, an organization that helps mobilize churches for missions, had pastored the church for five years. After the bombing, he returned to minister to the congregation.

“Dear Brother Jim, I hope you and your family are doing well. I am okay but with a million problems. I was arrested Sunday night. The police gave me a chance to help myself by asking for money. I had none. Instead I was in jail and treated as a criminal with chains. They knew I was a Christian, and I thought I was a dead man, but God protected me. They took my money, identification papers, church office keys and mobile phone. Since I didn’t have any more money, they took me to the border and kicked me out of the country. God provides! I found a friend who has taken me in. Okay, my dear brother, I hope you will keep praying for me. I cannot say, ‘I hope to see you again’ because I am not sure what will happen to me.”

David, who wrote this note, was my office manager at the Protestant International Church in Islamabad, Pakistan. His story is indicative of the sufferings that Christians face in this difficult land. It is not an isolated case.

Christians in Pakistan do not have the same rights as Muslims-by Constitution. They truly are second-class citizens. A charge brought against a Christian can bring a conviction based on the testimony of one Muslim. For every one Muslim who testifies, two Christians are required to equal the Muslim testimony. In the case of a woman, the number is even greater. In the case of rape, it would take the testimony of four Christian women to equal the testimony of the accused Muslim man. And those women would have all had to witness the act.

Operation World states that there are more than 3.5 million Christians in Pakistan. Unofficial estimates put it as high as twice that number. Though Pakistan has had several official censuses, the official count has not been released. The concern appears to be related to the reapportioning of elected representatives in parliament. Since Christians are a recognized minority, they are represented via elected parliament officials based on the percentage of the country’s total population. If their numbers are increasing, that means the number of Muslim held seats would have to decrease. This potential shift in the balance of power is untenable in an Islamic republic.

Pakistan has recently enacted a blasphemy law that forbids criticism of the Prophet Mohammed. Violation results in imprisonment or death. The vast majority of cases have been brought against Christians. Rasheed and Saleem Masih were sentenced to thirty-five years in prison. A Muslim ice cream vendor had refused to sell to the Christians. An argument ensued. The Muslim vendor then accused the Christian men of insulting Islam. They were arrested on blasphemy charges.

The Protestant International Church was bombed during the morning worship service on March 17. Georgina and her sister, Janet, were singing the worship chorus, “We Are Standing on Holy Ground.” Georgina is a woman of strength and character. As a Christian woman, she is on the lowest rung of the social ladder, yet she has an important position where numbers of men report to her. She is known by her deeds of love and kindness to the poorest of the poor. Janet wanted to come to church that day.

Janet is mentally retarded. The blow of the blasts knocked her to the ground. Both Georgina and Janet had numerous shrapnel wounds ranging from face to feet. Georgina, in shock, stood up. Janet gently pulled on Georgina’s red and gold shalvar chemise saying, “Sister, sit down.” Janet instinctively covered Georgina’s body as more grenades went off, taking the blows of the blasts in her body.

In their bloodied condition, Georgina drove to the hospital. Upon arrival, the police seized Georgina and Janet, refusing them medical treatment. The police pummeled them with questions-“Why were you there?” “Why did you plan this attack?” For the next several days, people tried to visit the ladies, but Georgina and Janet weren’t allowed to look on the faces of their family or other believers. They cried-more from the pain of emotional abandonment than from the searing pain of their wounds. They prayed-not for relief from pain, but for their harassers.

Christians in Pakistan are often beaten, raped and unjustly accused. Women are forced to marry Muslim men. Educated men with masters degrees are given menial jobs because it is considered “not right” to have a Christian in a position of influence over Muslims. Christians live in fear and anger.

As we pray for Pakistan, pray for President Musharaff to make decisions that are equitable and sensitive. Pray that Christians would be vessels of love and not anger when they are severely persecuted. Pray, too, for their oppressors-that the light of the gospel would shine upon them.

September 6, 2002