Persecution Blog

A Hostage for Bibles

ENGLAND: BILL AND JOHN

"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." Romans 10:17

Bill and John were near the docks in southern England when they saw the Romanian flag hanging from the stern of a ship. It was during the years of Romania’s hard-line Communist rule.

With little conversation, they recognized the mission field before them, untied their cases of Bibles and went aboard. They stepped into the mess room where the ship’s entire thirty-five-man crew was gathered. Bill and John explained why they had come and began to pull out the Romanian Bibles. The crew immediately gave the two their undivided attention. Most of them had never before heard about God and his Son, Jesus.

When Bill and John discovered that they didn’t have enough Romanian Bibles, two burly seamen grabbed Bill by the arms and gently but firmly sat him in a chair. They explained apologetically in broken English that Bill would stay there until John came back with Bibles for all of them.

A hostage for Bibles—John didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but it was the only way the Romanians could make sure that John would return. Living in a Communist country full of broken promises, they didn’t trust anyone.

John rushed to the office and packed his case full of Romanian Bibles. Within an hour, he was back in the mess room, where the crew gratefully received the Bibles and released their “hostage.”

Get the word out. That’s what Jesus said to do about his gospel message. However we can, wherever we go, whatever we do, we must be about the business of spreading the word about Christ. Our commitment may take us to the docks or simply to the breakfast table of our unbelieving neighbors next door. Either way, we must be prepared to share God’s Word with those who are spiritually perishing. Are you driven to get the word out about Christ? Are you conscious of the limited time you may have to complete your mission? Don’t waste another moment, thinking someone else will do your part. What can you do today to spread the Good News?

This is one of the readings from the book, Extreme Devotion, available from VOM’s online bookstore. You can also receive devotional thoughts daily via email. Sign up here.

Anticipation of Coming Persecution

I am not an alarmist, nor am I a prophet. But as I listen to and read a cross-section of materials emanating from the Western (primarily American) church I am aware that there are those who recognize a trend toward the persecution of Christians in the West. The form of the persecution will be different perhaps than other parts of the world. At some point it may converge with global persecution and take on more violent forms.

In the premier issue of the Journal of Lutheran Mission are papers and responses from a Summit on Lutheran Missions held in San Antonio, Texas on November 2013. In an article titled “What will Happen to Missouri [referring to the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod]?” The Rev. Randall L. Golter, executive director of the LCMS Office of International Mission, comments regarding the possible coming persecution: “Headed our way may very well be the cleansing and purifying by the Lord Himself, so that the idols fabricated every day by the church are exposed and she remains useful for His purpose of making Christians.”

It is a rather sobering and, I believe, realistic statement. Would God allow persecution to come upon Western churches to purify the church? God allows persecution as a means of fulfilling His mission in the world. Persecution has many purposes, in fact, and purification is one of them. The question is, can we clean-up our act now and avoid persecution (something like Nineveh after the preaching of Jonah)? This is preferable to Israel and Judah’s response that led them into captivity. Perhaps we should purify and cleanse ourselves and the church so when persecution comes we will be better prepared for it. Whatever the question and whatever the future, it is always appropriate to search our hearts and practices and allow God to cleanse and purify us now. Even a non-prophet like me can see the wisdom of that. Has not the time come?

Rather than being entirely focused on the possibilities of persecution for the West in the future, it seems wise to consider seriously standing with those who are already being persecuted. There is an attitude that says that if it does not affect me, then it is not my problem. As Christians, one body that is global in scope, persecution that produces pain in one part should be felt by the rest of the body (I Cor. 12:26). If we feel no pain, are we truly connected to the body of Christ? Is there a spiritual numbness that doesn’t allow the pain to be felt?

A recent news story from my own denomination told about an attack on one of our churches in India on July 16^th. Suspects entered the church around 2:30 p.m. during a youth service, ransacked the church, physically harmed the pastor and several of the youth, and broke the steeple and other church furniture. They then threatened church personnel with "dire consequences” if the church did not close down. I wonder how many around the world felt their pain upon hearing that news?

Someday, perhaps not as far down the road as we may think, their pain will be our pain and the word will go out to them to pray for us. In the meantime, it seems reasonable and fair that we pray for them.

YOUR TURN: Do you believe persecution will come to American Christians? What are you doing now to prepare yourself to stand strong in your faith when and if persecution does come?

Roy Stults, PhD, is the Online Workshop Coordinator and Educational Services Coordinator for The Voice of the Martyrs. He graduated from Olivet Nazarene University (BA and MA), Nazarene Theological Seminary (M.Div.), Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Doctor of Missiology), and The University of Manchester (England) with a PhD (theology). A Vietnam veteran, Dr. Stults served as a missionary for 19 years and pastored U.S. churches for eight years. Prior to joining VOM, he was a Professor of Religion at Oklahoma Wesleyan University.

5 Reasons Christian Persecution Matters to Millennials

As the Youth and Young Adult Coordinator for The Voice of the Martyrs, I have spent a good amount of time researching the trends and values among young adults. As a Millennial (people born from 1980 to 2000) myself, it is easy for me to see how I fit smack dab into the stereotypes and statistics about this generation. Thanks to technology, the Millennial generation is more aware of need than any before it; we get a Twitter update on our smartphones the moment something happens.  This is part of the reason why social justice issues have exploded with Millennial involvement.

Where does Christian persecution fit into the values of Millennials? There are many different reasons why I’m passionate about this but I’ll give you five of the main reasons why we care: 

1.     We are inspired by big vision.

We are inspired by the stories of persecuted Christians who take a courageous stand for the sake of the gospel. Most Millennials don’t believe they have to wait until they receive a certain degree or reach a certain age to do something significant. We see the stories of other young people who, against all odds, stood strong in the face of challenges, and we endeavor to do the same.

2.     We are unwilling to accept the status quo.

Millennials don’t accept doing things just because that’s always how they’ve been done. The answer “because I told you so” doesn’t work for this age group.  We are motivated by our beliefs and our passions, not by rules or systems. Our brothers and sisters who are persecuted challenge the status quo every day when they break the law by reading their Bibles or have an illegal underground church gathering. They are motivated by their belief and passion to live for Jesus.

3.     We are looking for something deeper.

Many Millennials feel starved for the living, active, risk-taking faith we read about in scripture. We want more than the American dream; we aren’t satisfied with traditional church or traditional Christianity.  We are not alarmed by the danger, the stories of blood and persecution; we are tired of apathy and know that just being ‘good people’ isn’t enough.  We want to live lives radically sold out to the cause of Christ. Millennials want to take risks for something that impacts eternity, such as the risk to share the gospel with a Muslim or Hindu extremist.

4.     We value authentic community.

Community is one of the highest values of Millennials; this is why coffee shops are so popular and why we are so influenced by our peers. Connecting with our persecuted family provides Millennials with more than meeting a need; it provides us with community, with fellowship with our brothers and sisters living in some of the most difficult places in the world.

5.     We want to make a difference and believe we can change the world.

People accuse Millennials of being too optimistic. But we serve a God who can do big things and who can use anyone that is willing to submit themselves to Him. Who would guess that Iran has the fastest growing church in the world, in a country where it’s illegal to convert to Christianity? Millennials don’t view their cultural challenges as a threat from the world, but as an opportunity to reach the world for Christ.

YOUR TURN: Are you a Millennial too? What would you add to this list? Share your thoughts in a comment on this post, as well as your ideas about how VOM can best communicate the testimonies of persecuted believers to people in your age group.

Brooke Parks serves on the staff of VOM as youth & young adult coordinator. She was first introduced to the ministry of VOM by her parents and grandparents, who received the VOM newsletter, and through the VOM book Jesus Freaks. She has served in 12 different countries and is passionate about helping expand God’s Kingdom throughout the nations of the world.

You Won’t Find Christians Here

On a recent trip to Nepal, I joined a small team of staff members to do Bible distribution and take part in a pastor’s conference located in the central region of the country..  After several hours of driving, we came to a residential area of colorful but otherwise run-down houses. Most homes didn’t appear to have indoor plumbing as I saw people collecting water and washing their clothes at well-fed water taps residing on each block. From my western point-of-view, these were poor low-income families. Our Nepali VOM staff informed us that these people were part of the upper caste in the area and were all Hindus.  Christians are treated as the lowest caste.  One of the VOM staff told us in a matter-of-fact voice, “you won’t find Christians here.” 

After a few more minutes of driving, the scenery dramatically changed as the rows of colorful old homes became rows of huts made from sticks coated with mud.  The roads were dirt and the water taps had disappeared. My definition of poor had been rewritten. Our Nepali staff informed us that this is where the Christians live.

We arrived at a small, humble one-room church expecting the people to look worn and defeated because they had been ostracized by neighbors for being Christians.  To our surprise, we found incredible faith and joy.  When they sang, they didn’t worry about who would hear them or if they were talented enough.  They sang loudly and boldly.  When they prayed, everyone prayed aloud and the room became alive with shouts of praise and gratitude. 

My former youth pastor once told us the last words of wisdom his dying father spoke, “You don’t realize that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.”  For these church members, there is no healthcare system if they become sick. There is no 401k being built for retirement.  There isn’t even assurance of a next meal, yet they are grateful for a Savior who has set them free and given them lasting hope. Jesus is all they have and that is enough.

Steven Davis serves on VOM's staff as a Web Developer in the Global Technology Services department.  Before coming to VOM,  he worked at a marketing agency in Dallas, Texas and volunteered as the youth pastor at his church.  Steven, his wife Anne Marie and son Alex learned about VOM through Randy Alcorn’s book Safely Home and then quickly began receiving the newsletter, sponsoring a pastor and seeking opportunities to serve persecuted Christians.

Good news for Two Christian Prisoners

Within the past 48 hours VOM workers have received good news about two of the prisoners that have been listed on www.PrisonerAlert.com.

First, we heard that Chhedar Bhote was released from prison last week in Nepal. On July 17, a court declared Chhedar not guilty on the charge of eating beef (remember that Nepal is a mostly-Hindu country).

Then, this morning, we learned that Meriam Ibrahim and her family had landed safely in Rome, Italy, after finally being allowed to leave Sudan. They are on their way to the United States, where Meriam’s husband, Daniel Wani, is a naturalized citizen.

We praise God for these victories! And we are thankful for all those who logged on to Prisoner Alert and wrote letters to the Christians in prison, as well as to government officials in their countries asking for their release.

This is truly a day to praise the Lord! It is also a day to remember those still being held captive for their faith. May the great, positive outcomes of these two cases remind us to keep praying and keep writing and keep speaking out on behalf of those still in prison.

“Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.” Hebrews 13:3

What “Taking up our Cross” Really Means

When Jesus said “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24), he had a specific thing in mind but Christians over the centuries have broadened it to the point where it has lost its original meaning and intent. Christians tend to think of any trial or difficulty as “their cross.” Usually this means that life has thrown them a curve and they are suffering because of it. For some, being mildly discomforted is to bear their cross!

What Jesus was referring to was the intentional acceptance of some difficulty or likely suffering to fulfill the mission God has called us to do. In other words, we choose to do something that has not been thrust upon us by life, but we intentionally choose to accept it because it is our calling. Immediately the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer comes to mind. He was in the United States teaching when things were deteriorating in pre-World War II Germany. He could have stayed—safe and secure in his teaching job and no one (at least Americans) would have questioned his wisdom. But, he chose to go back to Germany to suffer with the church during very difficult years. As a result of that choice, he died as a prisoner in a concentration camp.

One of the prisoners in VOM’s Prisoner Profiles (www.PrisonerAlert.com) is Gao Zhisheng, the human rights lawyer who intentionally takes on cases on behalf of Chinese Christians. He has suffered greatly and intensely for his choice. Still, in spite of all his imprisonments and beatings and deprivation, he continues his campaign. He says: “Not only is it now extremely difficult for me to make my voice heard, but it is also extremely dangerous.” So why doesn’t he back off and be quiet? Because he has chosen to take on this mission and the consequences of it are part of his commitment. He has truly taken up his cross.

I once overheard a church official speak disparagingly of a decision of a pastor of a large and successful church resigning to begin a ministry in the inner city. The pastor was a great success and his life was safe and secure. Why, the official thought out loud, would a person give up such a great ministry for an extremely difficult and perhaps dangerous one? The pastor intentionally followed God’s will for him even when it seemed (to observers) to be a bad career move! He took up his cross and followed Jesus. In God’s sight, a bad career move is not following Him!

I wonder what mission does God wish you to intentionally take on? 

YOUR TURN: In the comments to this post share a time you chose to sacrifice something or take a difficult path to answer God's call or take on a special mission for His Kingdom.

Roy Stults, PhD, is the Online Workshop Coordinator and Educational Services Coordinator for The Voice of the Martyrs. He graduated from Olivet Nazarene University (BA and MA), Nazarene Theological Seminary (M.Div.), Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Doctor of Missiology), and The University of Manchester (England) with a PhD (theology). A Vietnam veteran, Dr. Stults served as a missionary for 19 years and pastored U.S. churches for eight years. Prior to joining VOM, he was a Professor of Religion at Oklahoma Wesleyan University.

"Hearts were Changed..."

Volunteers sort VOM newsletters for mailing.

Each week numerous people come as volunteers to serve persecuted believers by serving at VOM. Some come for a few hours or a few days; some stay for a year as a long-term volunteer.

Recently young people from a church in Iowa took a missions trip to serve at VOM. One of the leaders of the group, Jo F., sent the following note after they had returned home, and we asked her permission to share it on the blog:

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!  What an experience!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our kids were so excited and pumped about the mission trip. They shared in church yesterday and wanted more time, so they are working up a presentation for the Sunday School hour next week. 

Would you again please thank all the staff at VOM? Hearts were changed and perceptions changed….God is so incredibly good. 

The kids were asking when we were going to come back next year and if we could stay longer…..the team will be discussing it…

Thank you for the speaker on Wednesday, the kids were blessed and I think it gave them a great insight to the on-site VOM activities.  Shawn was fabulous and was very patient with our group in answering our questions after the talk.  We are all praying for his trip to Nepal and for Justin who the kids worked with in the mail room and will also be leaving this week.

The accommodations were more than what we expected and very usable and comfortable. What a fringe benefit for serving; we were blessed.

Many of the kids’ highlight was the opportunity of the prayer walk. Several mornings the kids and adults took advantage of the pond and walkway to experience what God had for them. Many had eye-openingand life-changing moments.  It truly is amazing what God has for us if we just ask, and then allow Him to speak and we listen.   AGAIN, God is good.

Jo sent a follow-up note with a final comment:

I was just talking this morning with a parent of one of the kids who went. She said, “I don’t know what all happened, but my daughter has been changed.”  We know it is all God, but [VOM] provided the venue and we were blessed.

THANK YOU to Jo for sharing, and to all of the volunteers who come and serve alongside VOM’s staff. We are blessed by the thousands of hours volunteered each year, and these hours mean that more of the money donated to VOM can go directly to meet needs in hostile and restricted nations.

If you’d like to volunteer or bring a group to serve at VOM, you can learn how at www.VOMVolunteer.com, including filling out the online VOM Volunteer Application. Volunteer housing is available at the VOM ministry center, as well as camp-sites with RV hook-ups.

Inside North Korea: a View from an “Admitted”

Recently Pastor Eric Foley, President of Seoul-USA and a key coordinator for VOM’s work to support the church in North Korea, recommended a couple of books to help me better understand life in North Korea. I finished the first book this week, and was blown away by the story of a top-level North Korean who lost faith in the Kim family and chose to flee his nation.

The book is “DEAR LEADER: Poet, Spy, Escapee—A Look Inside North Korea” by Jang Jin-Sung. Mr. Jang was a part of “The Admitted,” a tiny circle of elite North Koreans whose presence Kim Jong-Il personally requested and who have spent more than twenty minutes with him behind closed doors.

There is much in its pages that is eye-opening about life in North Korea, but in particular I want to share a section about religion inside the country, and especially the “Christians” we see in pictures and on TV whenever a big-name church leader is welcomed into the country.

Here are Mr. Jang’s insights:

As a former member of the UFD (United Front Department, which oversees inter-Korean espionage, policy-making and diplomacy), I thought I knew all about religion. Even in North Korea, there is such a thing. More specifically, North Korea has a number of religious institutions that are controlled by the United Front Department. But in practice, North Korea is a one-religion state, where only the worship of the Kim cult is allowed. The UFD’s religious institutions exist in order that North Korea may claim that it is a pluralistic society, and thereby appear to comply with the values of those who wish to give it aid or engage with the North through Track II or “informal” channels.

All of North Korea’s religious institutions are staffed by UFD “Track II Diplomacy” operatives and include the Chosun Buddhist Association, the Chosun Christian Association, The Chosun Catholic Association, and the Chosun Catholic Central Committee. I was aware that, in dealing with the outside world, the UFD used the names of the different religious institutions. Internally, it was illegal to use these, so they were referred to by numbers. Although a cadre might be a monk or priest as far as the outside world was concerned, in the UFD they were all faithful worshippers of the Kim cult.

If you are in Pyongyang and go to Jangchun-dong in Dongdae-won Area, or Palgol-dong in the Mangyongdae area, you will see buildings with crosses on their roofs. The priests who worship in these buildings sing authentic Christian hymns, in the same way that people outside North Korea do in ordinary churches. But the congregations are composed exclusively of UFD operatives and their family members, who are obliged to attend out of duty to the party. No ordinary North Korean could even begin to consider worshipping in these buildings, as they are in operational zones where entry is restricted to UFD personnel and foreigners.

But, in 2000, the following incident occurred. Once, in order to welcome an international religious organization to North Korea, the UFD conspicuously opened the doors of the Jangchun church in Pyongyang to the public. An old man in his eighties walked in carrying a Bible that he had kept hidden all his life. He said that he had believed in Jesus before the Korean war, but after losing his family to an American bombardment, he had converted and become instead a fervent believer in the Supreme Leader, Kim Il-sung. He even explained that at his age, old memories became important, and he had come to the church because he’d been delighted to hear hymns from his childhood. Theold man was reported by the UFD operative in priestly garb and arrested on the spot by secret police.

That cadre was subsequently awarded a First Class medal, reserved for the most loyal to Kim, for the achievement of exposing a religious element who had succeeded in keeping his subversive beliefs secret until now. I was there sitting in the audience, applauding as the cadre received his medal. The old man was sent to a prison camp, and the very same Bible is used to this day by the UFD as a prop to baost about the history of North Korea’s religious tolerance.

These religious activities only helped UFD cadres enjoy more luxuries not available to ordinary North Koreans. North Korea is technically still at war with the United States, so internally, all humanitarian aid from outside is referred to as “spoils of war.” Because the North Koran system associates itself with the ideology of “Juche,” it prohibits the word “aid,” as this is regarded as a threat to “self-reliance.” As a result, gifts received every month by employees of the UFD included “spoils of war” donated by various South Korean and international religious organizations as humanitarian aid.

In spite of the fake Christians you may have seen in TV news reports or photos, VOM knows there are also real, genuine followers of Christ in the “Hermit Kingdom.” And we know they are paying a high price: of an estimated 100,000 Christians in North Korea, it is believed that 30,000 are currently held in the political-prisoner camps of the regime.

It is in honor of these brothers and sisters that VOM launched the Letter of Confession last month: an effort to get one million Christians to “confess” that they know what is happening to our spiritual family in North Korea, and further that they are praying for that nation. If you haven’t yet signed a letter of confession, do so today. And if you have already signed, make sure to share this effort with your Christian friends, your pastor and the members of your Sunday School class or small-group Bible study. You may also choose to give online to support VOM's ministry work to support the North Korean church.

I strongly encourage you to read “Dear Leader.” It will help you to better understand the North Korean regime, and pray more effectively for that nation.

Todd Nettleton has served with The Voice of the Martyrs for 16 years. He’s travelled to more than 20 restricted and hostile nations and interviewed hundreds of believers who’ve faced persecution for their Christian witness. As VOM’s principle media spokesperson, Todd has done more than 2,000 interviews with media outlets ranging from Moody Radio to the BBC and The Los Angeles Times. He is the principle author of Restricted Nations: North Korea and was part of the writing team for four other VOM books.

Disclosure: VOM is part of the Amazon Associates program. If you click on the links in this post and purchase the book from Amazon, VOM will receive a very small percentage of your purchase as a referral fee.

This Day In History: The Martyrs of Scilli

The northern shores of Africa teemed with Christians during the second century, but all were at risk. In 180 seven men and five women were captured carrying “the sacred books, and the letters of Paul, a just man.” On July 17, 180 they appeared before the Roman proconsul Saturninus in Carthage. Charges against them were read: “Whereas Speratus, Nartzalus, Cittinus, Donata, Vestia, Secunda, and the rest have confessed they live in accordance with the religious rites of the Christians, and when an opportunity was given them of returning to the usage of the Romans they persevered in their obstinacy, it is our pleasure they should suffer the sword.”

Speratus, hearing the charges, shouted, “Thanks be to God!”

Nartzalus said, “Today we are martyrs in heaven. Thanks be to God!”

The proconsul was bewildered by their reaction and by their claim that Christianity was the only true religion. “We too have a religion,” he said, “and ours is a simple one. We swear by the fortune of the emperor. You should do the same.”

Speratus replied, “I do not recognize an empire in this world. I serve that God whom no man has seen or can see. The Lord I acknowledge is the Emperor of all kings and all nations.”

Donata added, “Honor to Caesar, but reverence to God alone.”

“We reverence no one except our God in heaven,” said another.

Saturninus, still perplexed, asked, “Would you like time to think it over?”

“What is the use?” replied Speratus. “The matter is as plain as can be.”

And it was. The early Christians expected persecution. The Savior had died on the cross, the Twelve had suffered for their faith, and no generation since had escaped pain and bloodshed. In 95 Domitian executed his own family members who espoused Christianity. In 107 Simeon, Bishop of Jerusalem, was killed. In 110 Ignatius died. Polycarp was martyred in 155. In 165 Justin Martyr was scourged and killed. In 177, 48 Christian perished in France.

And in 180 the twelve from Scilli were marched out and beheaded.

“As it is written: ‘For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:36-37

Story excerpted from “On This Day in Christian History: 365 Amazing and Inspiring Stories about Saints, Martyrs and Heroes” by Robert J. Morgan. 

Disclosure: VOM is part of the Amazon Associates program. If you click on the links in this post and purchase the book from Amazon, VOM will receive a very small percentage of your purchase as a referral fee.

What Battle Are You Fighting?

Sometimes it’s easy to get our battles twisted. What are we really fighting for? What are we really fighting against? Christians in Nepal reminded me of the answer.

During the first part of a recent trip to Nepal I helped distribute VOM’s Christmas Care and Village Outreach packs. VOM readers give to provide these packs each year around Christmas time. Nepal was a recipient of these packs last year.

During the distributions in the churches I got to meet many Nepali believers. I was astounded by their faith in spite of the odds their society stacks against them. Christians are only 1.3% of the population in this majority-Hindu nation.  One pastor I met served in a radical Hindu community where they have been repeatedly threatened and told to leave. Three years ago, his home was broken into by the radicals and he and his wife were beaten nearly unconscious and then had every item they owned stolen or destroyed. I asked this pastor why he continued to stay in the village and pastor even after that traumatic experience. This is what he told me:

“To needy people my church has become a house of hope. I see people dying, crying, how Jesus gives them hope. I have seen rapists and drug addicts changed by the love of God. This gives me courage. I am convinced there is no better job in the world then to serve God this way.”

This pastor’s powerful testimony was one of many I heard in Nepal. On the last day of my trip, our contacts took us to see the largest Hindu temple in Nepal. As I walked in I could smell the awful stench of burning flesh. Hindus believe that if their loved ones are burned on altars in this temple after they die they have a better chance of being reincarnated into something noble. We saw temple prostitutes and Hindu priests who cover themselves in the ashes of the dead bodies. And we saw people wailing and sobbing over all the burning bodies.

I know I have painted an ugly picture, but this was a reminder for what life is like without Jesus in Nepal. It was devoid of hope. I started to understand better what the pastor was talking about. It brought home for me the power of Christ’s church and what it means that God’s people are the hope of the world.

Sometimes it’s easy for us to lose sight of the real battle. When I was in that Hindu temple, I was reminded of the real battle. The primary battle of believers in Nepal is not fighting against persecution or trying to stay safe. Their primary battle is fighting to rescue peoples’ souls from the deepest darkness. They recognize that Jesus is the only answer. That darkness can reveal itself in different ways, whether it’s Hinduism in Nepal, Islam in the Middle East, or Juche in North Korea. Christians in these countries are, as we say, on the ‘frontlines’ of the battle to lead people to Jesus.

The scripture says “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12, NKJV). It’s important to remember this battle is the same for us in the United States. No matter what your trial is, your ultimate battle is not a political battle, a financial battle or a battle with your boss or your spouse. You are called in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) to a different fight. God has asked us to join Him in his endeavor to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). Save your energy to fight in the battle that impacts eternity. And the best part is that you can count on victory in the end (John 16:33, Galatians 6:9, 1 Corinthians 15:57). 

Brooke Parks serves on the staff of VOM as the youth & young adult coordinator. She was first introduced to the ministry of VOM by her parents and grandparents, who received the VOM newsletter, and through the VOM book Jesus Freaks. She has served in 12 different countries and is passionate about helping expand God’s Kingdom throughout the nations of the world.