North Korean / Chinese Pastor Killed for His Faith.

Voice of Matyrs are reporting that one of their partners, Pastor Han Chung-Ryeol, age 49, was brutally murdered on Saturday, April 30th, in Changbai, China.

Born in China, he pastored a Three-Self Church near the North Korean border and helped countless North Koreans come to know Christ. He leaves behind a wife, a son and a daughter.

Pastor Han reportedly left his church building in Changbai at 2 pm on April 30th. His body, mangled beyond recognition, was discovered at 8 pm. He had been repeatedly stabbed in his stomach and his head had been hacked with an axe. All of his personal belongings, including his cell phone, were stolen.

He is believed to have been killed by North Koreans, who likely returned to North Korea following the attack.

In February, the North Korean government issued an order for Pastor Han to be kidnapped, brought to North Korea and interrogated. Despite the threat, Pastor Han continued his work in Changbai.

Pastor Han was known for helping anyone who crossed into China from North Korea. He would help in practical ways, such as giving food or clothing, and introduce each person to the gospel. Then he would send them back to share Christ inside North Korea and help their families.

Since planting his church in 1993, Pastor Han helped orphans, sex-trafficked women, soldiers and the famine-starved, among many others.

North Koreans often said they could “see his heart,” which helped them trust him as he nurtured them spiritually.

• Pray for Pastor Han’s family and those inside North Korea whom he has helped. Many of these people have reportedly been rounded up for questioning. Pray for protection over them, for the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit to fill them and surround them, and for peace in the midst of their grief.
• Pray for those who killed Pastor Han, for the conviction of the Holy Spirit to give themselves up, and that they will encounter Christ Jesus and come to know for themselves the truth and life if His Gospel.
• Pray for those who have come to faith and returned to North Korea. Pray that they will continue to grow in faith, and be encouraged to share the Gospel with their families.
• Pray that Pastor Han’s death will not be in vain, but the eternal heritage of his faith and ministry will go on to produce much fruit for the Kingdom and bring glory to God.

Matthew 5 vs 44: “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

Source: http://www.persecution.com/public