Persecution of Christians Continues Around the World

Last Sunday, many of us worshippers heard our Lord Jesus tell us through the Gospel lesson that we would be persecuted as we go out into the world around us to share the good news of Christ's salvation. 

"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. ... Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. - Jhn 15:18, 20-21 ESV 

They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. - Jhn 16:2-3 ESV

In the 20th century Christians were driven from their homes and churches and even murdered by the millions. The past 100 years saw more Christians killed than in any previous. 

Here's an article from SHARING, the 2009 Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod's World Relief and Human Care newsletter, providing information on how local churches care and protect persecuted Christians who have fled for their lives.

Van K’Pa*, 10, and his family are Montagnard refugees who came to the U.S. in 2005 traumatized from years of persecution for their Christian faith. Like thousands of other “mountain people” from hill tribes of Vietnam, they resettled in North Carolina, making it the largest Montagnard population outside of Vietnam.  

“They have lost a child, relatives, friends, homeland, culture, and almost all worldly possessions,” wrote Sheila Eichert, Neighborhood Outreach Director for Resurrection Lutheran Church, Charlotte, N.C. Van is one of about 120 refugee children who live within walking distance of outreach centers operated by the church

Following is also one of numerous articles on the website: Persecution.org - International Christian Concern - Your Bridge to the Persecuted Church - The site offers information and opportunities to file petitions for related issues in various countries. There are also opportunities to support families, children, women, and pastors, as well as to help rebuild communities devastated by persecution.

China Orders Closure of House Church in Inner Mongolia  Persecution News:

China Orders Closure of House Church in Inner Mongolia ICC Note: Yet another house church has been forcibly closed by the Religious Affairs Bureau in China. It's possible this closure is part of a larger plan by the Bureau to eradicate house churches across China over the next ten years. The Communist Party requires all churches to join the government controlled "three-self" church. Christians who continue to worship in unregistered churches are technically involved in illegal activity and may be arrested or fined. 

05/11/2013 China (ChinaAid) -Local religious affairs authorities in Inner Mongolia have banned a house church, giving it a deadline to shut down and to register with the local government-sanctioned Three-Self church to participate in its activities.

These and numerous other organizations encourage us to pray for our fellow Christians and support efforts to rescue and support them. The links above will get you started. There are many others offered on the Internet.