The Joy of the Persecuted Church

Yesterday I had the opportunity to share with my church about the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church that many churches have participated in this month, and all I can say is it was amazing!

I am especially thankful for my pastor who was willing to let me share about the persecuted church, but even more cool is the response that I received from many in my church who don't know much about our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ.

One friend asked me if I would be willing to teach her junior high class that she teaches during the week.  And of course I said Yes!  What an awesome opportunity to share with the younger generation not only what persecuted Christians go through, but also about The Voice of the Martyrs Kids of Courage program.  It really is amazing.

But here's the other thing I told my church.  The persecuted church is JOYFUL and we need not mourn or weep for them because they have a joy that we here in America, can't even come close to.  I shared that the two things the persecuted request all the time are prayer and bibles.  Which to most of us seems so simple, and yet, for those who are suffering in Communist countries or under Islamic governments, it could be their very lives.

After I shared I had a number of people ask me how they can send bibles to the persecuted church.  And once again I told them about VOM's awesome Bibles Unbound program.

And what did I learn about all of this today.....simple - Christians in America care about our suffering brothers and sisters, but someone has to educate them.  I want to encourage those of you who do know and love the persecuted and joyful church, to share that with those who don't yet have the blessing of this  ministry.