For Immediate Release

For Immediate Release

Christians Caught In Bombings

Pray For Marginalized Christian Community In Gaza

SANTA ANA, Calif. (Dec. 29, 2008) – The small Christian community in Gaza is drawing strength from its faith in God during three days of an Israeli offensive against Hamas’s rule over the Gaza Strip. Israeli bombs, in response to Hamas rocket launches into Israel, have left over 300 dead and 1400 injured.

According to reliable reports, the Gaza Baptist Church building is still standing but has had some of its windows shattered by the bombings. A police station across from the church building was bombed, resulting in approximately 40 deaths.

Also, some Christian families left Gaza for Bethlehem over the holidays and are now separated from their loved ones with the border sealed.

Many of the hospitals, already lacking basic medicines and medical equipment, are overwhelmed with the casualties and often are without power.

“Even before the recent end to the ceasefire (December 19) and the bombings, Christians in Gaza, which we estimate to be around 3,000, have been living in fear due to threats from Islamic militants,” says Open Doors USA President/CEO Carl Moeller. “We are still grieving after the murder of Christian bookstore manager Rami Ayyad over a year ago.

“Please join me in prayer for the plight of the Christians in Gaza in the wake of this new outbreak of violence. Pray for peace and a new ceasefire to be put into place quickly. Pray that Christian families will be reunited. Pray that the Gaza Baptist Church building will be spared from the bombs.”

Earlier this year one believer in Gaza stated: “Seventy percent of the Christians want to leave Gaza because they are very afraid. But we love Gaza. It’s our country, we have roots here, our homes are here. We will not know anyone if we go somewhere else.”

An estimated 100 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with millions more facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world’s most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers. To partner with Open Doors USA, call toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (888-524-2535) or go to our Website at www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.

(For more information or to set up an interview, contact Jerry Dykstra at 616-915-4117 or email jerryd@odusa.org).