This year, one of ILI’s leaders from another part of the world is having to leave his homeland and seek refuge in another country. Because of his work on behalf of God’s Kingdom, including his volunteer service with ILI, this leader feels like his home country is no longer safe. Religiously motivated violence and tension in the region where he lives is high. As a high-profile Christian leader, his family has become likely targets for kidnapping and even worse violent acts. After much prayer and consideration, they finally decided it was time to leave.
Anonymous
For obvious reasons, we cannot publish our leader’s name or the country where he is from at this time. He is not the only one in this situation. Several of ILI’s best leaders have to remain anonymous because revealing their names or sharing about their work would immediately put their lives and ministry at risk.
Persecution is Increasing
Sectarian and religious violence is on the rise in today’s world, and Christians are the most persecuted group. According to the international organization, Open Doors:
4,305 Christians were killed for their faith in 2018.
3,150 believers were detained without trial, arrested, sentenced, or put in prison in the same year.
During the same period, 1,847 churches or other Christian buildings suffered some form of attack.
245 million Christians in the world face high levels of Christian persecution. This represents one in every nine followers of Jesus Christ who are living in places where our faith is restricted or forbidden.
A Privilege
Should we be surprised or upset that our friend is having to make a life-changing decision because of the work he does for Christ? If we take the Biblical teaching seriously, we should actually consider religious persecution to be a badge of honor. Here is what Paul wrote about it to the Christians in Philippi, from inside a Roman prison.
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.
-Philippians 1:29
Yes, suffering any form of persecution for Christ is considered a privilege and an honor. And while our leader’s life is being disrupted, God is honored by his efforts to accelerate the spread of the Gospel and will continue to bless him wherever he has to go.
It Could Happen to Us
You and I already live in a time of growing opposition to our Christian faith. As our world continues to change, the day may come when you and I will also face persecution for our allegiance to Christ. We can (and should) be ready when it comes. This is why I am sharing our leader’s story this week. We should consider the possibility and strengthen our faith so that, if and when persecution comes, we will be ready to endure and consider it a privilege.
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