WEAR THE CROWN: North Korea

We cannot imagine the hardship in North Korea, yet our brother who works with North Koreans tells us that the church there is growing.

"If you don't feel the pain of the brothers in North Korea, in Colombia, in Iran...if you don't feel their pain, then maybe you aren't really a part of their Body."

The average sentence for someone convicted of being a Christian is 15 years, but the life expectancy in a North Korean prison camp is less than five years. The North Korean government calls Christians 'Heaven People,' because they worship the God who made the heavens and the earth. Sometimes parents are hesitant to tell their own children of their faith, for fear their children will be executed or will let it slip to a teacher or friend that their family is Christian.

The spiritual oppression is severe in North Korea; Christians visiting often feel the oppression as soon as they set foot on North Korean soil.

"God is not dead in North Korea. He is alive, and well, and working with His people today."

A North Korean Christian sang in jail the old hymn, ending: "Moment by moment, oh Lord I am Thine."

Pray that North Korean Christians will stand firm in the faith, that they will not bow to a godless system, in spite of the pressure and persecution they face.

"They (Christians in North Korea) don't need your money. They need your prayer."