“When I say goodbye to my family in the morning to go to work at the ministry, I know that there is a real possibility I may not return home due to the high risk associated with Christian ministry in my country”.
These are the words I heard from a co-worker at our annual EHC leadership conference in September. Sadly, it’s the reality for a number of our dedicated EHC staff and volunteers in other nations.
The brother I quoted above gives leadership to EHC’s work in a nation that considers itself part of the modern world. For us this would imply freedom of speech and of conscience. However, in this nation, a growing number of Christians and pastors are being physically attacked, beaten, and kidnapped while homes and churches are burned to the ground.
Our brother also shared that he has been “tagged” by his government as being “a threat to national security” because of his faith in Christ and his role in the spread of the gospel. This looms over him continually.
Listening to him was almost overwhelming. His comments were heartbreaking, but his voice tone and his countenance were gentle, peaceful, and fully committed. He has counted the cost…
In 2 Corinthians 6 the apostle Paul describes the hardship he and many others have endured in ministry with these words.
“ …as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.”
The advance of the early church often involved brutal opposition as a result of the spiritual battle that exists in this world. It will be this way until Jesus comes again. But the church is advancing!
Despite threats and brutality, the power of the gospel is breaking through barriers everywhere. There are astounding testimonies of people thirsting for life and responding to the good news of Christ as they encounter his salvation message. In some of the most dangerous places literally thousands of people are turning to Christ.
This November, as in previous years, we draw attention to the Persecuted Church. Let’s all take time to pray for Christians who suffer for their faith and join millions of believers across the world who will also pray for our dear brothers and sisters.
Many of the 171 nations where EHC is active today are on the World Watch List of 50 nations where it is most dangerous to be a Christian.
The most common requests that we hear from our co-workers are these: “Pray for us that we be courageous and not lose the vision of reaching people with the gospel”, and “Pray that God’s Word will run swiftly and be honoured through the nation”.
Let’s pray for them often, especially during this month of focus on the Persecuted Church.