a voice for the persecuted
#DoTellTuesday (It's been a while!) — What is something you could talk about for a long time and with much passion?? For me, a few things come to mind — Disney World, fonts (both good and bad ones), and one I'll share more on here today — my Persecuted Church family.
Though hard/heartbreaking to talk about sometimes because of what these brothers and sisters experience on a regular basis, often even at the hands of their own family members after they leave their national religions — violence, job loss, harassment, denial of home or land, imprisonment, and/or death, just because they choose to follow Christ(!) — I am thankful to know, thankful to pray, thankful to share . . . in hopes that others will care, know, pray, and share, and the Lord would intervene to provide each one with what they need for today and that those who persecute them will come to know the saving and transforming love of Christ themselves.
From Voice of the Martyrs: Naadir (center with the green shirt) and his daughter (held by a neighbor) watched family members murder his wife because of her faith. See more here.
where to get started
There are two great organizations Mark and I support regularly, that I would encourage you to check out and learn more about how they are helping children, widows, pastors, families, and communities: Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) and Open Doors International.
Each year, Open Doors publishes the World Watch List, which breaks down the top 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian and offers ways to pray and support believers in those countries. At this link, you can:
View each country’s report online
Request a Free Copy (digital/print)
Watch a Video about the List
Through Voice of the Martyrs, we have learned so much, and you can too! So many resources are available and/or can be requested:
Free monthly magazine (Really is free, but don’t be surprised if you want to give!)
icommittopray: Prayer for Persecuted Christians
VOM Radio, weekly podcasts (so enlightening!)
Attend a VOM conference near you
Volunteer, Apps, & Day of Prayer
In both organizations, you can sign up to volunteer and be an advocate for those whose stories need to be heard and whose lives need our prayers and support.
Also, each have great apps I’d encourage you to check out on your app store!
Lastly, this Sunday, November 3, is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP). Check out the VOM link (^) to learn more and be involved!
And if you have a few more minutes, check out their IDOP video on YouTube. It’s a good one. It was filmed on the Korean Peninsula and shares the true story of Pastor Han, who was assassinated by North Korean agents in China because of his effective gospel work among North Koreans.
