Americans called to pray for persecuted church

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Bae’s family pleas for release

Kenneth Bae, an American Christian imprisoned in North Korea since 2012, feels “abandoned” by the U S government, a pro-North Korea newspaper reported in July Bae was arrested in 2012 for “hostile acts” against the government and sentenced to 15 years of hard labor

“With Kenneth’s health continuing to deteriorate, we cannot afford to wait any longer,” Bae’s family said in a statement “Please do whatever it takes to bring Kenneth home It is long past time This is our desperate plea ” Bae, who had organized several tours to North Korea prior to his arrest, has been referred to as a missionary in some of the news coverage about his imprisonment

Ibrahim freed, returns to U.S.

Meriam Ibrahim arrived in New Hampshire with her husband and children on July 31, after several months of imprisonment in Sudan The 27-year-old who refused to recant her Christian faith was convicted of apostasy, sentenced to death, and forced to give birth in prison with her legs in chains Her baby, Maya, survived, but it’s unknown what effects the circumstances might have on her future. “I don’t know in the future whether she’ll need support to walk or not,” Ibrahim told CNN

Abedini’s children speak out

The family of Pastor Saeed Abedini released a video from his children in August, asking President Obama to help bring their dad home “I don’t want him to miss another birthday or Christmas or Father ’s Day,” says Jacob Abedini “Please help bring him home,” adds his sister, Rebekka Abedini, an American citizen, has been held captive in Iran since 2012

Sudan famine ‘worst in the world’

The food shortage in South Sudan is now the worst such situation in the world, the United Nations Security Council said in July Tim Cearley, a senior International Mission Board strategy leader, said missions personnel must balance meeting physical needs and meeting spiritual needs “Pray that the South Sudanese followers of Jesus would be faithful to share their faith and ready to show His love as the church tries to respond to the hunger that will come ”

Leaders see hope at border

In July, Southern Baptist leaders visited facilities on the U S /Mexico border helping the tens of thousands of unaccompanied children detained while trying to cross into the United States

“I was struck as we were walking through the facility with two things: a sense of fear and a sense of hope,” said Russell Moore, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission “A sense of fear when I asked the kids why they made the trek up to the United States. And a sense of hope: I saw many crosses and Bibles Many people are desperately hoping for an end to the violence where they come from ”

Christianity from Mosul, the center of Iraq’s Christian community for 2,000 years Mosul is located on the site of the ancient city of Nineveh

In June, militants with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) extended an offer to let Christians in Mosul practice their Christian faith behind closed doors, after they paid a hefty tax and agreed not to proselytize However, multiple sources in the region said that offer was later withdrawn and all Christians were told to leave or face execution

Members of Assyrian Christian and Chaldean Catholic groups left empty handed, Shea said Militants confiscated all of their possessions, including homes, cars, clothes “and even their wedding rings, sometimes with the finger attached if it would not come off ”

Christians aren’t the only religious minority targeted by ISIS. On August 3, militants seized the city of Sinjar, forcing the Yazidi Kurdish population to flee Many escaped to the nearby Sinjar Mountains, a barren heap of rock where daytime temperatures can top 120 degrees

More than 150 Yazidi immigrants rallied in front of the north lawn of the White House August 7 to plead for American involvement in the growing crisis (President Obama announced that evening he had authorized military airstrikes on Iraq ) The protestors came from across the U S to rally on behalf of the Yazidis, who do not practice Islam but instead follow an ancient religion ISIS equates to “devil worship ”

Christians and religious minorities in other nations also have faced recent persecution due to war and religious hostilities:

Syria: The recently released International Religious Freedom Report included a daunting sentence about the country that shares Iraq’s northwestern border: “In Syria, as in much of the Middle East, the Christian presence is becoming a shadow of its former self.”

A three-year-old civil war has resulted in millions of refugees and increasingly persecuted religious minorities, including Christians caught between the regime currently in power and militants fighting against it The report, released annually by the U S State Department as a picture of the state of international religious freedom the previous year, found that in the city of Homs, only 1,000 Christians remain There were approximately 160,000 Christians there before the war

Nigeria: Approximately 1,505 Nigerian Christians have been killed for their faith this year, as the Boko Haram terrorist group and other extremists continue their campaign of religionbased violence in the West African nation Boko Haram and other groups have killed nearly as many Nigerian Christians in the first seven months of this year as were killed in all of 2013, the advocacy group Jubilee Campaign reported July 29 Christians killed to date include seven fathers of the 223 Chibok school girls still missing after Boko Haram kidnapped more than 300 students in mid-April (Boko Haram is dedicated to fighting the influence of Western education ) The fathers were killed July 20 when Boko Haram attacked the city of Damboa and hoisted their flag there, the Associated Press reported

Response from the West

David Curry is president and CEO of Open Doors USA, which offers assistance to persecuted Christians around the world and lobbies repressive governments to cease religious persecution In July, he called the plight of Christians in Mosul and the remainder of northern Iraq “unprecedented in modern times ”

“This latest forced exodus of Christians further shows why Western governments and the people in the West need to cry out in support for religious freedom in the Middle East and elsewhere,” Curry said in a statement “If this does not

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Continued from page 2 move us concerning the near extinction of Christianity in the Middle East, it’s likely nothing else can ”

Since the United States invaded Iraq in 2003 to overthrow Saddam Hussein, nearly one million Christians have fled the country for safer surroundings

In an August editorial for The Christian Post, Curry expressed doubt that the persecution of Christians would ever be treated as “a major humanitarian crisis” by governments and secular media. “However, we should be able to count on our own family,” he wrote

ILLINOIS BAPTIST

“The persecution of Jesus followers should be preached from every pulpit and prayed for at every kitchen table One day soon it may be your faith that is under attack and you will be hoping that others will be praying for you or even notice that it is happening ”

The International Mission Board and its ministry partner Baptist Global Response are coordinating relief efforts among Iraqi refugees For more information about how to help, go to www IMB org

From Baptist Press and IMB reports

Pew Research measured the percentage of countries in each world region where religious groups were harassed for their faith, including Christians (numbers below):

Scripture’s encouragement for the persecuted church

As a missionary with the Southern Baptist International Mission Board, I served among people groups in which genuine Christ-followers made up a very low percentage of the population, and where governments did not support evangelical churches or the public proclamation of the gospel The level of persecution, while not extremely severe, was certainly more intense than what the majority of evangelical churches in America are facing Still, it doesn’t take much of a spiritual barometer to sense the cultural storm building towards those who preach and apply Scriptural standards

At a recent meeting of pastors and Christian leaders in our area, we discussed how many politicians and governing bodies in our nation and state are taking a strong stance against Christian values – such as biblical marriage The pastors and ministry leaders did not express fear or panic at the awareness of growing persecution, but there was concern that we must be better prepared to respond correctly to mounting attack darker in our society, but if we are “blameless and innocent” we have the opportunity to “shine as lights” (Phil 2:14-15) The distinctions of our Christian worldview, values and morals certainly draw attack, yet this persecution will result in a purer church God does his best work through clean vessels

In seasons of persecution, it is vital that genuine believers and true churches draw closer together and be in partnership (Phil 1:6) Persecution will sadly reveal that the majority of members on church rolls are phony professors Likewise, persecution will expose the startling number of false prophets currently serving as church leaders

When it costs everything to follow Christ, many will deny the gospel and join the ranks in assailing the saints As church attendance wanes and income falls, it will be imperative to pool our resources and draw encouragement from one another

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In countries, heads of state must have a particular religious affiliation

Pew Research, 2014

Pew Research, 2014

Authentic followers of Christ Jesus that “desire to live a godly life” will be persecuted for their faith (2 Tim 3:12) Since the New Testament was written to believers and local churches in a sensual society similar to that of modern America, we can appreciate the relevance of the Word in an era of mounting persecution:

First, we should be prepared Jesus forewarned of persecution by saying that his disciples would be “delivered up” by their relatives and close friends (Luke 21:12-16). So, let us “not be surprised” at the fiery trials that come our way, and we should “rejoice and be glad” to suffer for the name of Christ (1 Peter 4:12-16)

As Christians facing inevitable persecution, we also should be prayerful. Our human nature is to desire revenge and retaliation, but Jesus commands that we “pray for those who persecute you” (Matt 5:44-45)

Remember that the weapons at our disposal are “not of the world” (2 Cor 10:4) Trials develop spiritual maturity in intercession Suffering for the faith increases our empathy and specifies our prayer

Christ has set us free; and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” —GALATIANS 5:1—

It is important that we be proactive. We need to sharpen our skills in strategically and fearlessly going on the offense with the gospel Churches are feeling threatened by the rapidly changing culture There will be a temptation for churches to react with a “fort” mentality and seek safety behind closed doors

However, similar to the Christians in pagan Rome, we must take the initiative in “blessing those who persecute you” (Rom 12:14) Just like the Father sent the Son into the world, we are sent into the world as salt and light (John 17:18; Matt 5:13-16)

As children of God, we are to be pure. Granted, wickedness is getting

An average of at least Christians are killed every month because of their faith – Open Doors USA, 2013

180 of Middle Eastern and North African countries criminalize blasphemy, and criminalize apostasy

70% 60%

Pew Research, 2012

May we Christians also be positive. The apocalyptic literature in the Bible is there to encourage us Read it and rejoice because God wins in the end! Jesus actually said we are considered “blessed” to be persecuted and that you will receive the “kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:10-11) Even if we “suffer for righteousness’ sake” we should not be fearful or troubled as we positively defend our hope with “gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:14-15)

Finally, we should persevere in the surpassing power of our Savior If we remain “steadfast under trial” and “faithful unto death” we will receive the “crown of life” (James 1:12; Rev 2:10) As Paul wrote, “When persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat” (1 Cor. 4:11-13).

The first waves of persecution are only beginning to wash across our country Even though the price of proclaiming truth will prove enormous, may we go with our Savior “outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured” (Heb 13:12-15)

Chip Faulkner is pastor of First Baptist Church in Bethalto, and chairman of the IBSA Board of Directors

Nate Adams