Christianity in the Middle East is being wiped out. How can this be? Isn’t the Middle East the birth place of the faith we so dearly hold to?

Terror attacks in Egypt last Sunday (Palm Sunday) were no random occurrence. There is a determined, systematic strategy to wipe Christianity off the map in this part of the world.

My Coptic friends are distraught. The bombing of churches in Tanta (just north of Cairo) and then in Alexandria killed 44 worshippers and maimed many more. The future is grim. Further attacks are planned.

Have you ever walked into a church that has been bombed? To see the effects of shrapnel fragments sprayed across the walls, pews burnt and images of Christ defaced is a harrowing experience. Its desecration at its worst.

But what’s actually much worse is the slaughter of innocent Christians as they gather to worship God. The case of a young female minister who was shot dead by an extremist one evening as she preached the sermon in a church in Sulawesi, Indonesia, continues to disturb me.

I remember worshipping in a church on the outskirts of the Indonesian city of Ambon some 15 years ago. It had been blown apart by mortars. Many had died. Now the congregation gathered defiantly, refusing to be intimidated or driven out.

But for many Christians in the Middle East there is no option. Beheadings, crucifixions and the selling off of women and children into sexual slavery is driving people out of the birth place of their faith.

Since the year 1910 the percentage of Christians in the Middle East has dropped from 14 per cent to 3 percent. It continues to decline.

Easter is a time for joy and celebration. But how can it be when one part of the Church suffers in this brutal, tragic way?

None of us really fear for our lives this morning as we gather for worship. But for many Christians in the Middle East, Africa, Pakistan and many other parts of the world, gathering to celebrate Easter means putting your life on the line. It means becoming yet another target for the terrorists.

Do remember those who are vulnerable. As you celebrate Easter pray for people around the world who are under real threat today.