"JESUS" with his wife and four children, Christian broadcaster Mission Network News (MNN) reported Friday, April 9, citing a leading human rights organization
MNN qouted the Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) as saying that the attack happened last week, April 2, when Pastor George Masih’s, wife Aniata opened the door to go outside after the movie finished.
"Two masked attackers burst in, one grabbed Aniata while the other shot George in the face and then hit him with the butt of the gun," MNN said, citing VOM sources.
"Masih had been a Christian for seven years and was active in ministering for the Lord" as pastor of a small church in Manawala, near Lahore, MNN reported.
ACTIVE CHURCH
He began the church two years ago in Manawala, which MNN said "drew the anger of a Muslim neighbor, Shokat Ali." The neighbor reportedly urged the landlord to evict the Masih family and had threatened to kill Masih if he continued preaching. It was not clear if any suspects have been arrested.
About three hundred people gathered for the funeral, including many Muslims who had been blessed by Masih’s ministry, MNN said. Aniata has urged Christians around the world to pray for her family. "I need the prayers of my brothers and sisters that I may be strengthened by the Lord our God to bear this loss," she reportedly said.
CHILDREN
Aniata has four children, ages eight, four, two and one. MNN said Christians should "pray for Aniata and the children as they deal with this terrible loss. Pray that the ministry begun in Manawala will continue and that many will come to faith in Jesus Christ, despite this tragedy."
There have been several deadly attacks against the Christian minority throughout Pakistan as well as foreign missionary workers. Muslim militants have often linked them to America and its ongoing war on terrorism. At least 97 percent of Pakistanis over 135 million people are believed to be Muslims.
