Through the pages of Killing Christians I have heard the command of Jesus reverberating through the martyrs’ voices, “Deny yourself. Take up your cross. Follow Me.” The men and women who have answered that summons—whose gripping stories Tom Doyle so movingly and powerfully shares in these pages— are my role models. They are authentic disciples. Their thrilling testimonies have put tears on my face, praise in my heart, fervency in my prayers, and renewed vigor to my steps as I, too, seek to follow Him. —ANNE GRAHAM LOTZ DAUGHTER OF BILLY GRAHAM WWW.ANNEGRAHAMLOTZ.ORG Killing Christians tells real-life stories of faith in action. These spiritual headlines from the persecuted church demonstrate there’s another, deeper story unfolding behind the news of our day. —CHRIS MITCHELL CBN MIDDLE EAST BUREAU CHIEF AND AUTHOR OF DATELINE JERUSALEM It turns out that the “cloud of witnesses” mentioned in the book of Hebrews apparently have some kindred spirits modeling faithfulness right before our eyes today. If you are looking to be encouraged, challenged, and spurred on in your own life of faith pick up this book. —TODD WAGNER PASTOR OF WATERMARK CHURCH, DALLAS, TX When I saw the title Killing Christians my heart sank and I wished that this book never had to be written. But then I read it. I felt like I was reading accounts from the Book of Acts. This is not about doom and despair, but about the “special grace” that Jesus gives to our brothers and sisters in the midst of suffering. You will be strengthened and blessed as you are moved to join hands with these strong followers of Jesus who stand for Him even in the face of prison or even death. —ARTHUR BLESSITT GUINNESS WORLD RECORD FOR CARRYING THE CROSS IN EVERY NATION OF THE WORLD As the twenty-first century unfolds, it is looking much like the first century for Christians. Persecution is everywhere. But, there are modern-day heroes of the faith who are showing us how we may all live hopefully and triumphantly for Christ even in the midst of extreme danger. Killing Christians will bless you and you will be encouraged to stand stronger in your own journey with Christ. —CURTIS HAIL, PRESIDENT & CEO E3 PARTNERS & I AM SECOND Killing Christians is a penetrating look at what’s happening on the front lines of the Church’s greatest spiritual battle today. As in the first century, Christians are experiencing widespread persecution for their faith in Christ. Yet, the true stories in Killing Christians are miraculous accounts of God’s faithfulness as believers live in the midst of ISIS, Hamas, The Brotherhood, and other terrorist regimes. Their stories will inspire you and refresh your faith! —DR. CHARLIE DYER PROFESSOR-AT-LARGE OF BIBLE AND HOST OF THE LAND AND THE BOOK RADIO PROGRAM Though today’s headlines look grim, the resolve of the believers you meet in Killing Christians will inspire you and warm your heart. These true-life accounts take you to the front lines of the war that has been declared on Jesus’ church. Yet in the midst of this war, the saints are shining brightly and their stories will thrill you! This book is awesome. —RAY BENTLEY PASTOR OF MARANATHA CHAPEL, SAN DIEGO, CA, AND AUTHOR OF THE HOLY LAND KEY There are more Christian martyrs today than at any other time in human history, which has been largely ignored by the press until recently. I am grateful that Tom has made known these remarkable stories of courage and conviction. —DR. NEIL T. ANDERSON FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF FREEDOM IN CHRIST AND AUTHOR OF THE BONDAGE BREAKER © 2015 by Tom Doyle All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by W Publishing Group, an imprint of Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fund-raising, or sales promotional use. For information, please e-mail [email protected]. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™ Scripture quotations marked are HCSB taken from the HOLMAN CHRISTIAN STANDARD BIBLE. © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Broadman and Holman Publishers. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION. © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ISBN 978-0-7180-3069-8 (eBook) Library of Congress Control Number: 2014957694 ISBN 978-0-7180-3068-1 08 09 10 11 12 RRD 6 5 4 3 2 1 To believers in prison, persecution, or danger CONTENTS Preface Introduction · Persecution, the New Normal CHAPTER ONE The Pirates of Somalia CHAPTER TWO The Only Empty Graveyard in Syria CHAPTER THREE Syrian Refugee, but Not Forgotten CHAPTER FOUR Get Your Bible at the Mosul Mosque CHAPTER FIVE The Joy of a Baghdad Beating CHAPTER SIX A Bodyguard in Saudi Arabia CHAPTER SEVEN When the Brotherhood Has a Knife at Your Throat CHAPTER EIGHT The Gaza Strip Infiltrators Conclusion About the Authors PREFACE THE PEOPLE WHOSE stories you are about to read have endured the unendurable. Their suffering is so profound and their lives so worthy of respect that we want to be sure there is no mistaking the validity of what you read in these pages. In keeping with the gravity of the circumstances and with what the survivors still face, we’ve had to make a few changes. The stories are not fiction. These are real people. While some stories involve the actual locations, others do not. But with every miracle, every answered prayer, every miraculous escape, as well as every bomb blast, each torture session, and each painful death, all occurred as recounted in these stories. The narrative remains true to actual events, although we’ve at times modified such components as dialogue and physical descriptions. Each concluding message from a persecuted believer is presented in “writer’s English” rather than in his or her own words, so nothing is lost in the translation. Finally, as you read, please join us and pray for these new friends you are about to meet. Their lives are worthy of recognition, and their only request is that none of the glory would go to them as servants. That honor, of course, is reserved for their King alone. Tom Doyle