ADVERTISING
We thank God and celebrate the growth of our readership in the last 12 months.
The WEA encourages Christians and local churches to get involved in the International Days of Prayer for the Persecuted Church on November, 11.
The WEA calls Christians worldwide to pray for the persecuted church on November 11. / IDOP
One out of every twelve Christians around the world is persecuted everyday. In other words, 215 million people put their lives at risk because of their faith in Jesus Christ.
Following the scriptural command in Hebrews 13:3, to not only remember those who suffer, but also to identify with them in their suffering, the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) created the International Days of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP).
“Over the years, the IDOP has served as a platform to highlight the stories of persecuted Christians and mobilise the global Church to respond to their plight”, says Godfrey Yogarajah, Executive Director of the WEA Religious Liberty Commission.
IDOP 2018: LISTEN TO THEIR CRY
This year, the IDOP is on 4th and 11th November, and the WEA invites Christians and local churches to “pray that, in spite of the pressure and persecution, our suffering brothers and sisters, wherever they may be in the world, would stand firm in their faith, hold fast to the promises of God, and live victoriously in Christ”.
The IDOP website provides resources “designed to help you pray effectively for the persecuted”, because “in order to pray for these suffering brothers and sisters, we must first listen to their stories. In other words, we must hear their cry”.
NOT SPECTATORS, BUT PARTICIPANTS
“This year we focus on the difference between praying for the persecuted church and praying with the persecuted church”, explained Ted Blake, director of Open Doors Spain and head of the Religious Liberty Commission of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance.
“It is not the same to be a spectator than a participant. We pray with those who are suffering persecution, so they can have the strength to move forward”, he told Spanish news website Protestante Digital.
Cases like that of Andrew Brunson and Asia Bibi become well known, but these are only the tip of the iceberg. “Thousands of Christians are imprisoned; expelled and accused by their neighbors. These situations often go unnoticed and we are not aware”, said Blake.
“CRYING OUT TO GOD MOVES US TO ACT”
“Although all this may seem far away, to cry out to God for the persecuted brothers moves us to act. God seeks people who can supply the need of the persecuted”, the Director of Open Doors Spain pointed out.
The aim of the event is to see “evangelicals who are able to pray, get involved, donate, write a letter”, because that “will strengthen the people who suffer persecution”.
“Sometimes we think we can not do anything. But I encourage you to think differently, however little it may seem, each person who gets involved helps to support and strengthen Christians who suffer persecution”.
We who follow Jesus Christ have also been made priests (Revelation 1:6).
The bird is famous for its dances, and its up to five-metre leaps in air when they gather in small groups, in a sort of social recognition ritual.
Julia Doxat-Purser: 25 years of EEA office in Brussels
An interview with the socio-political representative of the European Evangelical Alliance about how evangelical Christians work at the heart of the European Union.
Ruth Valerio: A lifestyle that cares about creation
Are Christians called to make a difference in environmental care? What has creation care to do with "loving our neighbours"? An interview with the Global Advocacy and Influencing Director of Tearfund.
Lars Dahle: Nominal Christianity, a mission field for the church
An interview with Lars Dahle, of the Steering Committee of the Lausanne Movement Global Consultation on Nominal Christianity held in Rome.
Testimony: Wildfires near Athens
Nico Spies, a Christian worker in Athens, gives details about the wildfires in Greece.
Photos: Students at ‘Revive Europe’
Photos of the student conference that brought together 3,000 European Christians in Germany. ‘Revive our hearts, revive our universities, revive Europe’.
Min19: Childhood, family and the church
The first evangelical congress on childhood and family was held in Madrid. Pictures of the event, November 1-2.
IFES World Assembly: ‘Messengers of Hope’
Students, graduates and staff of the global evangelical student movement reflected together on how the books of Luke and Acts apply to today's universities.
Christians at work - the missing link in fulfilling the Great Commission
Photos of the Lausanne Movement Global Workplace Forum, celebrated in Manila.
Christian candidacies in Taiwan increased by 40% in 2020 election
Many hope their effort will inspire a new generation of political representatives with a strong Christian faith. “God has a long-term plan”.
Why does the Roman Catholic Church mandate that priests remain celibate?
“There is no biblical reason for the imposition of celibacy as the status of pastors or priests”, says Vatican expert and evangelical theologian Leonardo De Chirico.
Video: Highlights of ‘Revive Europe’
A video summary of the student conference that gathered 3,000 in Karlsruhe, Germany. 6 days in 6 minutes.
Families forced to leave homes in Chiapas
Requests for government intervention were ignored, and nearby churches are providing the displaced believers with emergency supplies and lodging.
‘There’s a dragon in my nativity’
“At this nativity, arose another player. The baby wrapped in swaddling cloths — He was a dragon slayer”. A Christmas story by Speak Life.
World Evangelical Alliance General Assembly highlights
The World Evangelical Alliance's General Assembly 2019 in Jakarta, Indonesia, brought together 800 evangelicals from 92 countries to pray, worship and cast vision for the new decade of holistic discipleship.
Opinions expressed are those of their respective contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of Evangelical Focus.
If you want to comment, or