YOUTH MINISTRY LEADERS HELP VICTIMS OF PERSECUTION

YOUTH MINISTRY LEADERS are mourning the deaths of two participants in their program, killed in one of the recent outbreaks of violence against Christians.

A 15-year-old boy who regularly took part in Youth With A Mission's King's Kids youth activities died after being beaten by members of a Muslim mob that stormed a local church gathering in Ambon province. A volunteer staff member at many King's Kids events was beheaded in the same incident.

The teenager died after refusing to deny his faith, said Lisa Fields, King's Kids' regional spokesman. "Another boy, aged 13, was about to be set on fire when one of the attackers recognized him, so they set him free," she added. "Houses were burned to the ground, leaving people with only the clothes on their back."

Donations from King's Kids and Youth With A Mission centers in Thailand, Korea and the United States have been sent to the King's Kids leaders in the Ambon area to help the families bereaved and left homeless by the attack.

The King's Kids work in the area began two years ago, since when its numbers have grown to more than 70 children and teenagers. They meet regularly in discipleship groups and share their faith with their families and friends. Nationwide, several hundred young people take part in various King's Kids programs.

More members of the Ambon King's Kids group were due to have been at the retreat center when the killings occurred, said Fields. "Our leader was asked if King's Kids would be willing to be a part of the church retreat, but she didn't feel a peace about it, so they didn't go."

Since the incident - just one of several violent attacks on Christians in the country in the past few months - King's Kids leaders in the area have been trying to help some of the families most affected. "The neighborhood in which they live was threatened - all the houses except theirs were burned down. They are glad to be able to use it as a place from which to help those who have been left homeless," said Fields.

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