Pastor Killed by Gunmen in Dagestan

July 19, 2010 – 6:45 pm

Via baranabasaid:

A dynamic Christian pastor has died after being shot in the head as he was leaving church, in what is being seen as a bid to intimidate converts from Islam in the strongly Islamic republic of Dagestan [federal subject of Russia located in the northern Caucasus region].

Artur Suleimanov (49), himself a convert from Islam, was murdered by a gunman who approached and opened fire as the pastor got into a car outside Hosanna House of Prayer in the capital, Makhachkala, on Thursday 15 July. He died from his wounds in hospital around an hour later. Nobody else was injured in the attack. Pastor Suleimanov leaves behind a wife, Zina, and five children, the youngest of whom is twelve years old.

Barnabasaid also gives several aspects believers can pray to God about regarding this situation:

• That God will comfort and uphold Pastor Suleimanov’s family, and their large church family, in their distress and grief.
• That the murderer and all those behind this horrendous incident will be brought to justice, and that they will come to faith in the Lord Jesus.
• For protection over those attending Pastor Suleimanov’s funeral as well as the wider Church in Dagestan.
• That Christians will not be intimidated by this act of violence.