MOVING FORWARD: SUFFERING FOR THE FAITH
Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! 1 Peter 4: 12-16
This month we are raising funds for Open Doors projects in India and Nepal.
India is the world's largest democracy and the second most populous country (following China). This past year, Christians in India have experienced an attack every 24 hours, a dramatic increase from past years which has led to India entering the top 10 (for the first time) on the 2019 World Watch List of Persecuted Churches. The state anti-conversion laws have long been used against pastors, church planters and evangelists. Government informants live in nearly every village and report on the activities of Christians, resulting in attacks and arrests. Churches have been demolished and burned, worship gatherings disrupted, crosses in graveyards vandalized, Bibles and other Christian literature confiscated and burned, and pastors beaten, jailed or killed.
In Nepal, most Christian persecution stems from radical groups who want to turn the country into a complete Hindu state again. In 2015 a new constitution was adopted, limiting freedom of religion, and on October 16, 2017, the Nepalese parliament passed anti-conversion laws. There is no legal recognition of churches and Christianity in Nepal.
TLC family, please remember to pray daily for our brothers and sisters who are suffering for their faith in India and Nepal.
• For converts who experience persecution from their family and community
• For discernment to know when and where to share their faith
• For God’s provision and protection against the anti-conversion law as the
gospel is shared.
• For governments to support freedom of religion and religious liberty.
Love and blessings,
Pastor Sabrina