By Craig L. BachellerBy Craig L. Bacheller
QUEENS, New York--About half of the members of the Queens congregation participated in a prayer vigil during the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church beginning Saturday evening, Nov. 14, and ending early Sunday.
The evening was divided into different services where members would pray, give testimonials, read scripture and view videos on the plight of Christians in other nations. During each service, members would set aside time to pray in groups.
The evening was set aside to focus on the plight of Christians around the world, especially in the 10-40 Window. This is an area 10 degrees south to 40 degrees north latitude that extends from North Africa eastward through the Middle East, on into Russia, India and China.
In these nations many Christians live in fear that the government or their neighbors might have them arrested and tortured for their faith.
In these nations, unlike in the United States, Christians are in the minority.
Persecution in the 10-40 Window is so intense that the 20th century will witness more martyrs for the name of Jesus than all the other centuries combined, says James and Marti Hefley, authors of Their Blood Cries Out.
Brutal beatings, imprisonment, social ostracizing and death do not stop the spread of Christianity. Not unlike the book of Acts, persecution is simply a way that the gospel is spread.
The educational videos, provided by Jeff Kolsch, a Queens WCG member who works for The Bible League, raised the awareness of those in attendance about worldwide persecution.
Some Christians in China assemble in secret in house churches, like the first century Christians. Here they recite and memorize scriptures not knowing if the police might burst in and arrest all in attendance.
Furthermore, most of these services cannot afford the luxury of singing praises to God for fear of being overheard and reported to authorities.
In Queens, men, women and children gathered into circles of prayer to intercede on behalf of the persecuted church. Tears began to flow as the Holy Spirit touched the hearts of those engaged in prayer. Everyone present experienced the power, presence and person of Jesus.
Sue Buchholtz commented: "I am so thankful I came here tonight. My eyes have been opened to what is happening to our brethren in far-off lands."
Many commented that such an event was so powerful that it was not something that could be confined to a single event, but something that should be done on a regular basis.
"We came to ask a blessing for the persecuted church and received one as well," said Mary Bacheller.
INTERCESSORY PRAYER--Maria Rojas prays with her grandchildren during prayer vigil.
In Pasadena, two WCG
congregations: the Pasadena Sunday church and the Filipino New Life Fellowship church
combined for a prayer service Nov. 15.
Mervin Walton, director of prayer ministry, spoke on persecuted churches in Asia. Pastor Dee Bulante spoke on a Christian's attitude toward persecution. Sister Yasmine, who lives in a Persian Gulf nation, spoke firsthand about persecution in the region.
For more information about persecuted Christians around the world, visit the World Evangelical Fellowship Internet web site at http://www.WorldEvangelical.org
It is hoped that this will not just be an annual event but that Christians will pray daily for persecuted Christians around the world.
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1998