“Some of the newly baptized members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Chittagong Hill Tracts area of East Bangladesh are being persecuted for their faith,” says Gary Krause, communication director for the Adventist Church’s Global Mission program.

“According to information received by Isaac Bairagee, director for Global Mission in Bangladesh, some new Adventist young people have been tied with ropes and severely beaten,” Krause reports. “Others had their heads shaved. These new believers have also been pressured by a local group of religious extremists to sign a statement that they will stop sharing their faith.”

Adventists are encouraged not to antagonize others, says Krause. They simply wish to be able to follow their conscience and exercise their religious freedom.

“In the past few years the number of Adventist church members in Bangladesh has more than doubled largely due to the work of Global Mission pioneers and the support of Maranatha Volunteers International, an Adventist lay organization that assists with the construction of churches and schools,” Krause continues. “Although pioneers are trained to be ‘wise as serpents, and harmless as doves,’ even a sensitive presentation of the gospel often conflicts with local vested interests.”

Krause passes on the plea from Bairagee for spiritual support from the Adventist Church worldwide. “Please tell our world believers and request prayer for our new church members in Chittagong Hill Tracts. We trust that in spite of persecution, the Lord’s work will continue to flourish.”