THANKFULNESS // HELEN BERHANE

If you were to wake up tomorrow, with only the things you thanked God for today, what would you have? Helen Berhane was locked up in a shipping container for sharing the gospel, you can get her full story here.

My friend Mike Gore is a brilliant story teller. As well as the Thankfulness video above, you can see him in Risk-taking Christianity and Radical Faith – Hea Woo.

He works for Open Doors. They serve the persecuted church in the darkest places and stand alongside Christians who suffer for their faith and serve those suffering for the gospel.

Web // opendoorsyouth.org.au
Facebook // facebook.com/opendoorsyouthau

Sharing Your Faith in a Dangerous Place

I’m so encouraged by the work of Thirteen Three. They’re the youth arm of Voice of the Martyrs Australia. (You can see some of my previous posts related to 13:3 under the ‘persecution’ tag). Brad Konemann is doing an amazing job at encouraging youth ministries to stand with and be encouraged by our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. I’m personally looking forward to working closely with Brad on some upcoming projects. More info coming soon.

In the meantime, I want to encourage any youth ministers within an achievable distance of Western Sydney or Sutherland Shire to take your group along to Thirteen Three’s two upcoming June events. I’m guessing you’re finalising your term 2 program now – so make sure you leave some room for this event!! I believe that under God it will have a profound impact on your youth community.

Here’s some deets:

Thirteen Three is bringing out Pastor Victor, an international youth speaker and frontline evangelist with a dangerous, covert ministry to Muslims in Malaysia!

Are you nervous about sharing your faith?

This event is for you! Thirteen Three is helping to equip Australian youth to share their faith in their local communities. Learn from ordinary Christians who speak up for Jesus even if it means being beaten or going to jail and be BOUND WITH THEM as an everyday part of following Jesus.

Save these dates now!

Western Sydney
7PM Friday 17 June 2011
MBM Rooty Hill
20 Westminster Street
Rooty Hill NSW

The Shire
7PM Friday 24 June 2011
Menai Anglican Church
Broughton Place
Barden Ridge NSW

You don’t want to miss this unique opportunity to meet a persecuted Christian firsthand and to be challenged to live out Hebrews 13:3!

Check out the website for more details and some resources to help you promote the event.

Also, see below the jump for highlights vid from last year’s event:

Continue reading “Sharing Your Faith in a Dangerous Place”

An Open Letter from the Afghan Christian Community to the Body of Christ

Check out Hebrews 13:3 – “Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” (NIV) Christians have a responsibility to know what is happening to our brothers and sisters around the world. Our brothers and sisters who are part of the Afghan Christian Community are currently copping lots of crap because they follow Jesus.

If you are a Christian, go read about our family who are suffering because they wear the name of Jesus. Then pray for them as if you were their fellow prisoner, as if you yourselves were suffering.

Preparing God’s People for Suffering

The following video will help you to be prepared for suffering; not if it comes, but when it comes. It’s from a Pastor’s conference, Together For the Gospel, and features Matt Chandler, CJ Mahaney and John Piper. Filled with gospel-centred goodness.

Here are some other resources on the subject: