First Christian Church Guidepost

International Initiatives For November

Praying for the Persecuted Church - Concert of Prayer
Led by Knofel Staton
November 16, 6:30-8 pm
In the Worship Center for Adults
In Kidz Zone for grades 1-5
Child care for nursery through kindergarten

FCC prays for Christians persecuted for their faith continually, but each November there is a special emphasis. We are aware that, in more than 60 countries, Christians are being abused, arrested, tortured, and even executed. More people have died for their faith in Christ in the last 100 years than in all the rest of recorded history combined. It is estimated that 160,000 Christians were killed for their faith in 2007.

The Greek word, "martus," from which we get martyr, is translated in the New Testament as "witness." So when we read in Acts 1:8 that Jesus said, "You will be my witnesses," that could mean going out into the world as a martyr. That is sobering. Although the slaying of Christians has greatly increased in the last century, it has always been a part of our heritage. Jesus told his disciples, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first... If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also." (John 15:18, 20)

Of those 12 disciples, 11 were martyred. G.K. Chesterton summed it up this way: "Jesus promised His disciples three things--that they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy, and in constant trouble."

The Roman Empire treated Christ's followers horrifically. Emperor Nero used them as human candles to light his garden. Yet, as early as 197 A.D., church leader Tertullian believed that the church grew because of those slain for their faith. A paraphrase of his words have become a popular saying, "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church."

That seed is still being planted. During a youth retreat in an Islamic country, fanatical Muslims slashed off the arms and head of a young boy who claimed, "I am a soldier of Christ." Four sisters were abducted by slave traders in Southern Sudan for refusing to follow Islam. Just recently churches have been burned and Christians killed in the Indian state of Orissa. These are not stories from history. They are happening today to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

The book of Hebrews tells us that supporting the persecuted church is not an option: "Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." (Hebrews 13:3)

     A man named Alex in Colombia was beaten and shot in the face by guerrillas. Today, many of these men are in prison. Is Alex bitter toward them? No. Even though their bullets left him completely blind, he visits them in prison.
     We tend to view persecuted Christians as downtrodden victims, but if you read Foxe's Book of Martyrs, it is filled with stories of gruesome deaths. In accounts of Christians tied to stakes and burned alive, it was often recorded that they had kissed the stake. Today, that would be like kissing the machine gun pointed at one's head.
     When we think of those believers kissing the stake, we realize that today's martyrs are made of the same "stuff" as the ones recorded in Foxe's book. There are many things we can do to support and encourage them. But they especially want our prayers that they will finish well--as victors.

Reception for Dr. & Mrs. Stanley Muntunga, Founder
and Paul Mutendwa, Kenya Director of Tumaini Ministries
Saturday, November 8, 2-4 p.m.
Shrader Home, 2253 E. 25th Pl.

Ministry to International Students from AWC--
Will You Invite a Guest to Thanksgiving Dinner?
     In partnership with Twenty4/7, as their community outreach, we will be asking members of FCC to adopt an international student. This can be a one-time invitation to Thanksgiving Dinner, or committing to spend time with a student once a week or once a month. Someone will be at the kiosk across from the Involvement Center Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings to answer questions and take your name if you are interested in a guest for Thanksgiving. You may also call me at the Church Office for more information.
     Today, Christians have a splendid opportunity to practice hospitality as a Christian virtue (1 Timothy 3:2, Romans 12:13) and at the same time extend the frontiers of the kingdom of God. There are, in the United States today, over 400,000 international students. They come from every continent in the world and some from countries that are closed to Christian witness.
     Young people are the leaders of tomorrow, and when they return home they will fill important positions in the political, professional, and business worlds. If they are befriended by citizens of the U.S. they will return to their homes as ambassadors of goodwill.
     Students from other countries are interested in everything we have to offer; they are especially appreciative of the chance to visit in our homes. To be invited for a meal or a weekend is something they will cherish. Probably the most difficult time for these visiting students is holidays. U.S. students leave for home, but for international students, home is thousands of miles away.
     Entertaining these students is not always easy. It takes time, patience, tact, understanding, and sensitivity for the students to really feel at home. A Hindu should not be served beef and a Muslim should not be expected to eat pork. Both will be embarrassed if served alcoholic drinks. But the fact that you know this and respect their beliefs will be the beginning of a relationship.

National Missionary Convention of Christian Churches
November 20-23 in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Alan and Kari Dyson, Cynthia Shrader, and I will be attending the NMC this year. On November 18, I will be in a day-long meeting with about 40 other Mission Ministers. This is a chance for "iron to sharpen iron." On Thursday, Alan and I will attend the annual meeting of the North Burma Christian Mission Board. On Friday afternoon, as a member of the continuation committee, I will take part in planning next year's convention. During the convention itself we will benefit from workshops, worship services, fellowship, and inspirational speakers. In one of these workshops, three other Mission Ministers and I will also be taking part in a panel discussion to benefit those who oversee mission programs in local churches.

Because He Lives, Laretta K. Shrader