The Persecuted Church

Over the weekend I attended the Voice Of The Martyrs conference that we assisted in bringing to Green Bay, which First Assembly graciously hosted. Thank you First Assembly and Pastor Pat & Diane Green! To say the conference, it's speakers, and their message was life-changing is a complete understatement. In one day I heard stories of persecution from Ethiopia, Pakistan, China, and Israel. Everyday around the world our brother's and sister's in Christ are threatened, attacked, and murdered for their faith.

As American Christians we don't think about this much and we especially have a hard time associating with the thought of having our lives taken from us because of our faith in Jesus Christ. We tend to believe that the rest of the world lives the same way we do. But the truth is it doesn't! As Christians in America we are BLESSED!!! We have freedoms only imagined by others around the world. One young lady from China who spent 6 years in prison simply because she was a Christian made a statement that challenged me. She said that after being released from prison she came to the U.S. and while here went to a church service at a large church. After sitting in the service for just a few moments she leaned over to the pastor and said, "Is this heaven? This is what I imagined it would be like." She marveled at the freedom to worship in the open with no fear of attack or death.

I encourage you to remember persecuted Christians around the world. They are our spiritual family. And one day we will spend eternity in heaven together with them. Let's pray that God will lead, guide, direct, provide, and protect them as they stand for their faith in the face of real and imminent persecution.

For more information about the persecuted church and those who have lived to tell their story, visit the website for Voice Of The Martyrs as well as sign up for their newsletter to stay updated.