September 2, 2004

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. - The Baptist World Alliance, in contact with Sandor Szenczy of Hungarian Baptist Aid, reports that at least eight children taken hostage in Beslan, Russia, on Wednesday are from families of Baptist clergy or lay leaders.

More than a dozen heavily-armed insurgents took over a middle school in the town, which lies close to Chechnya border, shortly after the first day of school began. As many as 350 children, parents and other adults were forced to remain in the building. The militants told authorities they would kill 50 children for each hostage-taker killed, although the specific demands of the group are not known. Late-breaking news confirms that more than 30 children and women have been set free by their captors.

Evgeny Zhigulin, leader of Mission Vera (a Hungarian Baptist Aid local partner), reported that three children of local Baptist pastor Sergei Totjev and five children of church elder Tajmurat Totjev are among the hostages stuck in the school building. Evgeny said that the gunmen have no food or drink to supply the children with. Mission Vera and Hungarian Baptist Aid are following the crisis and are ready to send food items into the building should there be any opportunities.

"We would like to ask and encourage the Baptist family worldwide to pray for the Baptists in Beslan at this time of crisis," Szenczy said.

American Baptist News Service