Mission ONE Partners Report Increasing Persecution and Fruitfulness
After Stephen's martyrdom, as recorded in the book of Acts, the
Scripture says, “And at that time there was a great persecution
against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered
abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria…They that
were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the Word. Then Philip
went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ to them. And
the people with one accord gave heed to those things which Philip
spoke…" (Acts 8:1,4-6)
There seems to be a common thread that runs through church history—when
the church is persecuted, it multiplies. Today is no exception.
I have just returned, along with several other Mission ONE staff
members, from another incredible mission trip. We visited our national
missionary partners and
participated in various training conferences, partnership meetings,
and fellowships in Kenya, Ethiopia, India, and Thailand. Over and
over again, we heard our partners tell about hardship, resistance,
and persecution. Yet, at the same time, they reported God's blessing
and a steady advancement and growing acceptance of the gospel of
Christ.
Laotian believers testify of joy in Christ despite suffering
in prison
One of the most inspiring stories from this trip came out of a
conference with one of our partner ministries in Southeast Asia.
Attending the meetings were several national missionaries from Laos,
one of the few remaining communist countries in the world. Not surprisingly,
there has been intense persecution and imprisonment of Christian
leaders in various parts of Laos.
Our team had the opportunity to meet with and hear the testimonies
of some of these leaders who had been recently released from prison.
Their faith and commitment look like something out of the book of
Acts.
Every one of these church leaders demonstrated an unwavering allegiance
to Christ, and even exhibited a joyful spirit in spite of intense
suffering. One man told that since he had been released from prison
the Lord has used him to start five new churches. The whole experience
reminded me of the first century apostles who were arrested, beaten
by the authorities, and told not to preach Christ again. But in
Acts 5:41-42, it says they departed “rejoicing that they were
counted worthy to suffer shame for His name, and daily in the temple
and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”
I felt deeply honored to be in the presence of such men of God.
Vibrant church growth despite suffering and persecution
More stories of persecution came while visiting other countries.
Our partners in India confirmed that it has become illegal in many
of their states to publicly preach the gospel. The pro-Hindu nationalist
government has created an environment of intolerance and even violence
toward Christian ministries.
One Indian partner said that his organization's teams of evangelists
regularly endure threats, beatings, and the burning of their vehicles.
Yet he also reported that on November 2nd he baptized about 200
Hindu converts who have joined the churches he oversees.
In Thailand, another of our partners reported strong opposition
from the Buddhists that are entrenched in his area. We heard about
verbal threats, thrown stones, the attempted confiscation of property,
and the planting of a bomb not far from their main compound where
they have a church, school, and Bible training center. Yet the church
is flourishing, the overall ministry is expanding, and they are
making significant inroads into a large unreached people group.
On the continent of Africa, in Kenya and Ethiopia, Mission ONE
partners told of resistance at the hands of nomadic tribes, the
Orthodox Church, and various Muslim groups. We were informed of
thefts, beatings, and death threats. Yet the gospel is taking root
in many of these hardest and least reached areas. Many are receptive
to the gospel and new cell groups and churches are being planted.
For the last 2000 years, Satan and his kingdom of darkness have
tried to destroy the church altogether or, at least, greatly impede
its growth. However, the church today is stronger and more vibrant
worldwide than ever before. Jesus promised, “I will build my
church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”
(Matthew 16:18). The lives and ministries of our national missionary
partners in Africa and Asia are a loud and clear testimony of this
truth. They are living in the hard places, enduring “hardness”
as good soldiers of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3), and bearing spiritual
fruit for the glory of God that will last for all of eternity.
What a privilege we have to stand with these dear brothers and
sisters in Christ and to let them know that they are not forgotten.
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