Persecution
Humble Beginnings. Profound Impact. Brother Andrew, known as ‘God’s Smuggler’ has been responsible for bringing Christ to the Persecuted Church… CHEREEN MOREAU
I
n 1955 a young Dutch missionary discovered that Christians behind the Iron Curtain desperately needed the Word of God so he began to transport suitcases full of Christian literature to them. In the late 1960s Brother Andrew, the young missionary, came to be known as ‘God’s Smuggler’ after the title of his best-selling biography which is now available in 27 languages. This one book has helped to redefine the boundaries of modern missionary endeavour and has aroused millions to an awareness of the suffering church in areas of limited access. This one-man operation, formed in humble beginnings, has now become a profound, life changing and giving worldwide ministry by the name of Open Doors. Now, over 50 years later, Open Doors has gone where most Western Christians dare not go. With Brother Andrew still leading the way, his underground network of indigenous Christians has aided in the secret distribution of millions of Bibles each year worldwide, trains thousands of pastors and church leaders, provides spiritual and legal support for Christian prisoners and brings economic relief for their families and the families of martyrs. The reach of Open Doors is also expanding in Central Asia, where 12,500 people received training in 2010, up from less than 3,000 in 2009. And it’s because of the prayers and support of Open Doors friends, prayer and financial partners, that persecuted believers can say, “Through this discipleship training,
we’ve been so encouraged to know that people all over the world know about us and pray for us.” In 2010, Open Doors put 3.4 million Bibles and training materials into the hands of suffering believers in almost 50 countries worldwide. One distributor came back saying, “We have seen people weep out loud when they receive their Bible.” Today Open Doors has many co-workers in over 50 highrisk countries. As persecution increases, Open Doors will continue to go where faith costs the most, to equip and encourage Christians who are suffering for their faith.
Open Doors NZ works as part of a global effort to strengthen the Persecuted Church and to advance the Kingdom of God and this can only continue through the prayer and support of vital partners. As for Brother Andrew - he’s now in his 80s and lives in Holland with his wife Corrie. They have five children and four grandchildren. He still travels extensively with that same passion for making Christ known. His ministry has brought him into regular meetings with Yasser Arafat and with leaders of the Hamas and Hezbollah, and also with various armed groups in Latin America. With the support of friends here in NZ we can come alongside the most persecuted people in their gravest hour of need. From our humble beginnings we’ve been able to have a profound impact worldwide.
Chereen Moreau Projects Manager Open Doors
NEW OPPORTUNITIES SCHOOL CHAPLAINS SU QLD, a Christian interchurch youth and children’s agency, invites applications for full-time and parttime State School Chaplaincy positions across Queensland. Due to the release of NSCSWP funding, a range of new positions are available in both primary and secondary schools. Applicants need to demonstrate their suitability to provide support and care to young people. There is significant need for Chaplains in rural and remote communities of Queensland. More information and apply online at
apply.su-chaplain.com
32 | Find a Christian Mission Magazine December 2011
If you would like to know more about Open Doors NZ, please visit us www.opendoors.org.nz