From Compass Direct: Young Muslims Murder Three Christians

Two Turkish believers and a German believer were martyred in the Turkish city of Malatya on Thursday this week (18-Apr). They were tied up and tortured with knives for 3 hours before the police arrived. The 5 youths killed their prisoners as soon as they realized the police were breaking in.

It is somewhat unsettling to me to realize that this happened on the same day that I was praying for Turkey for boldness in witness for the church and for the Word of God to have power on it. Tertullian said the blood of the martyrs is seed, and Jesus said that "unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain." (John 12:24) So, praise God.

It's really hard to go through the process, though! :(

Again, we'd better get used to this kind of thing - we're going to need the grace to go through that process a lot more before the end comes.

Please pray for the families of the victims, and for continued boldness in the Turkish Church. (Acts 4:29-31, 2 Thes 3:1-2)

More information:

Three killed at Turkish publisher

(WARNING: graphic details)

Turkish doctor details torture of victims at publishing house