"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me" (Matthew. 5:11)
"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me" (Matthew 24:9)
"If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also" (John 15:20b)
"In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God" (John 16:2b)
We recognize that being persecuted for faith in Jesus as Messiah, Savior, Son of God, and returning King is a given. We also know we are called to forgive our persecuters and enemies (cf. Matt. 5:44). So as part of the global Church, we are compelled to "Keep on loving each other as brothers...Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering" (Hebrews 13:1,3).
We recognize that being persecuted for faith in Jesus as Messiah, Savior, Son of God, and returning King is a given. We also know we are called to forgive our persecuters and enemies (cf. Matt. 5:44). So as part of the global Church, we are compelled to "Keep on loving each other as brothers...Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering" (Hebrews 13:1,3).Therefore, every year in November we participate in the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. We also acknowledge those who have suffered for their faith in Christ through our "Witness" Drama every Easter. If you would like to learn more about the nearly 200 million Christians who regularly face persecution worldwide, go to the following websites. Please pray for the persecuted Church and their persecutors:
Voice of the Martyrs: www.persecution.com
Open Doors USA: www.opendoorsusa.org
International Christian Concern: www.persecution.org