Tag: persecution

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// PREPARE TO PACK YOUR BAGS // Egypt Travel Blog 01

“Dave, prepare to pack your bags; we’re heading out on a field trip.”

These were the words left ringing in my ears from Gabe – my new boss – by the end of my third day on the job.

Passport + Backpack + Hand Sanitiser

I was immediately a little nervous about the trip. I’ve read the stories. I know the risks. Risks for our team travelling, but even more so – risks for the persecuted believers on the ground that we would be visiting.

And yet, this felt like the right time. The right time to lean in further, listen more, learn more, and love more.

But let’s rewind a little.

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// NO MATTER THE COST

“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10 ESV)

Learning from and praying for the persecuted church has significantly encouraged my Christian life. Approximately 1 in 7 Christians (~360million) are persecuted for following Jesus. Seeing the faithfulness of my sisters and brothers – even unto death – gives me the courage to keep following Jesus no matter the cost.

Open Doors is an incredible organisation that exists to strengthen the persecuted church through their suffering. Many of you would know that I’ve been a big supporter of Open Doors, so I’m grateful to share with you that I’ve recently joined the team as a Relationship Manager. I’m working to strengthen and build new relationships with pastors and churches in Queensland and Western Australia.

The team at Open Doors are the real deal. I’ve been blown away by the gospel-fuelled, other person-centred, and grace-filled culture of the team in Australia and New Zealand. It’s a gift to learn from CEO Mike Gore and the rest of the team during this season. God is good.

If there are any Aussie/Kiwi Pastors and Church Leaders reading this – hit me up if you’re interested in learning more about how Open Doors are “Helping people follow Jesus all over the world, no matter the cost.”

davem[at]od.org.au

opendoors.org.au

ps – it’s 8 years to the day since I published this persecuted church blog post that went viral: WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH THE ARABIC LETTER IN FACEBOOK PROFILE PICS? (Almost 1 million hits!)

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HOW MUCH IS JESUS WORTH TO YOU?

How much is Jesus worth to you?

For Peter, He was worth being locked underground for 6 months… and that’s only the beginning.

Peter was imprisoned for 6 years because of his faith, enduring torture beyond anything you could ever imagine. Through it all he remained passionate for God. This is a story of courage and strength, about what it truly costs to follow Jesus in one of the harshest countries for Christians, Eritrea.

Stand with us and support those who share our faith, but not our freedom.

opendoors.org.au // facebook.com/OpenDoorsAustralia

Mike Gore – now the CEO of Open Doors Australia – is such a powerful story teller. I’m always inspired by these videos and refreshed by his ministry. See more of Mike’s videos here:

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BRINGING HOPE IN IRAQ // UPDATE FROM OPEN DOORS #WeAreN

On 10 June 2014, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS – now known as Islamic State) seize Iraq’s second largest city, Mosul.

An estimated half a million residents join a mass exodus out of the city, many heading east to Qaraqosh or north to places like Dohuk and Erbil.

For more than 30 years, Open Doors has supported Christians in the Middle East – including 20 years in Iraq.

Take a look around one of the churches Open Doors supports in Erbil, Iraq and see what life is like for those taking refuge at the church.

For more information about Open Doors and how you can pray for the situation in the Middle East visit www.opendoors.org.au

Find out more about Father Douglas and the work Open Doors is doing in the Middle East, visit our blog: http://opendoorsblog.org.au/2014/09/26/bringing-hope-in-iraq/

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TELL THE STORY OF PERSECUTED IRAQI CHRISTIANS #WeAreN

prayforiraq_webbanner_19962

What is happening to Christians in Iraq at the moment is truly horrifying (see my previous posts: here, here and here). I understand from Iraqi Christians, including some that have got in touch with me, that they are encouraged by the support from Christians around the world – through the financial support and also something simple like changing your social media profile picture. According to Open Doors, support raised is saving the lives of persecuted Christians.

I’ve been encouraged to see the ‘N’ letter become a symbol among 1000s of Christians in the West. Persecution isn’t something new. Followers of Jesus have suffered greatly for the last 2000 years. There are some 200 million Christians in our world who live under the constant threat of persecution because they belong to Jesus. So I think it’s a good thing that more Christians in the West are more aware of persecution so that they can stand with other believers, support them financially and pray that they would persevere. I also pray that it would help me examine more seriously my own discipleship and willingness to live for Jesus no matter the cost.

Open Doors have a new blog post suggesting 4 WAYS YOU CAN HELP CHRISTIANS IN IRAQ. One of their suggestions is to “TELL THEIR STORY” – they have just launched a t-shirt to help tell the story of persecuted believers. Here is part of the story behind the picture on the shirt:

The town on the shirt is Alqosh, a small Christian-majority town in Iraq.

Alqosh, like many parts of Iraq, has had Christians living in it for well over 1300 years. It is also the biblical town of the prophet Nahum. Mosul was initially taken over by IS in June. But since the ultimatum, there are now no Christians there for the first time in 1600 years. Places like Alqosh and Qaraqosh had become places of refuge for Christians, but in early August, Qaraqosh was also taken over by IS, and about 50,000 Christians were once again forced to flee.

Tens of thousands of Christians are on the move in Iraq, as IS continues to spread throughout villages and cities.

The shirt comes with 1 Corinthians 12:26 printed on the right sleeve.
“ If one part suffers, every part suffers with it”

Read the rest of the story, buy a shirt and keep telling their story.

Also check out the Open Doors blog post for information about upcoming prayer days.

See my other posts tagged ‘persecution’

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A PRAYER FOR IRAQI CHRISTIANS #WeAreN

#WeAreN

Islamic State (formerly known as ISIS) continue to advance throughout Iraq and Syria on a rampage that is now being called genocide. I’m horrified to hear about what is happening to Christians and other minorities. Canon Andrew White, the Vicar of Baghdad, has been sharing heart-breaking stories and suggests that Christians should pray and give money.

Keen to give money? Voice of the Martyrs, Bible Society and Anglican Aid.

Keen to pray? Canon White continues to suggest to pray for 3 things: protection; provision; and perseverance. Below is a prayer I have written to use in church around this three fold structure. Feel free to share, use and adapt:

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SUPPORT IRAQI CHRISTIANS #WeAreN

We-Are-N

My post on persecuted Christians in Iraq continues to be shared around the world. I’m encouraged to see many Christians standing in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Iraq. However, it is distressing and horrifying to see that things have been getting even worse under the cruel hand of Islamic State. I have a more detailed follow-up post on the way, but in the meantime here is another way that you can support Christians who have been displaced.

Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) in Australia have contacts on the ground in Iraq through VOM USA. They have already raised over $75K to put towards emergency relief packs. It’s only cost $25 for each #WeAreN pack. See below for a link to donate:

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