|
Nearing 80, Brother Andrew Continues His Lifelong Passion:
Serving Persecuted Christians WorldwideOn May 11, 2008, Brother Andrew, the founder of Open Doors International, will celebrate his 80th birthday. He continues his challenge for believers to care for the persecuted members of Christ’s Body:
As I celebrate my 80th birthday, I have been looking back over my life and a great many things have changed. To begin with the smallest and most insignificant: I myself have changed!
But just as if it was yesterday, I remember my very first trip to a communist country. I can hardly believe it was over 50 years ago! There, in a crowded church, they let me speak to the congregation. I remember clearly the promise I made that day: We will pray for you!
At the close of the long and lively service, I stood up again and asked if they would also please pray for us. Then the pastor walked up to me and said: “Andrew, your being here means more than 10 of the best sermons.”
Well, I could not preach, certainly not a good sermon (and there’s one thing that hasn’t changed much!), but I can be there. So I made it a priority: to be there with our brothers and sisters. It’s simple. Everyone can do it.
Of course, the world has changed too. When Open Doors began, the world shuddered under the weight of godless communism. In half the world the Church was persecuted, and there seemed no end to the revolutionary conquest.
No one knew how many Christians were driven out of their homes, imprisoned, or even killed. And I ask, did we have an answer to the bold and stupid proclamation: “There is no God”? History tells us that we did not. Instead we resorted mainly to military means, resulting in the Cold War.
After some 70 years, the communist revolution had run its course, and as an ideology, it died because it could not change people. Then another worldwide revolution started. Loud and clear their message still comes through: “Islam is the answer.”
Their challenge to the West: “Who is God?” Until now, we Christians have failed to give an answer, weak and divided as we are among ourselves. They claim, “We have heard from God, our God!” Can we match that?
We easily say that we have the Truth from God. But do we dare to proclaim Him to the world… and to the Muslims? Or is our only response again, as it was with communism, military power?
The result? A persecution fiercer than we have ever seen. Not so many prisoners taken but many more martyred for their faith in Jesus. More countries with basically no Church, and more pressure upon individuals to deny their faith in Jesus or go into total hiding.
Yet, this is the time for bold proclamation. The doors are wide open and we can still go, if we have heard from God and if we are not afraid to die.
Yes, the doors are still open… and it is your prayers and support which enable our teams to keep stepping through these doors to stand alongside our persecuted brothers and sisters!
Return to Your News Source page |
