05/13/2021 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern) – What would happen if someone knocked down the doors of your church with the intent to harm? As the congregation turns its gaze toward the unwelcome visitors, a wave of fear casts its net over the room.

But after the violence, no matter how severe the carnage is, the church comes together.

We’ve seen this happen time and time again in the persecuted Church. When Christians are exiled, attacked, or martyred for their faith, the body of believers, both locally and globally, comes together to bring aid and restoration.

It seems like every week another church in India is attacked or church members are targeted for violence. Even as the government rolls out anti-conversion laws against Christians and other religious minorities, the Church perseveres. Why? Because those who have committed their life to Christ have made the pledge that, no matter what, Jesus is worth following.

Great Is Your Reward in Heaven

An Indian pastor was publicly bound and beaten in March 2021 for refusing to contribute funds to the ritual worship of tribal deities.

“When they tied me and started kicking me, I was not at all angry,” Pastor Oraon said. “The Lord reminded me of the verse in Matthew 5:11-12. I received great strength from these words. There was a smile on my face all through.”

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” – Matthew 5:11-12 (NIV)

In the face of persecution, it may seem easy to turn away when the threat of violence is inevitable. Many seek comfort, yet God never promised us comfort in this life. He is the great Comforter, so in trials and persecution, we may be comforted by Him. Acts of bravery like Pastor Oraon’s show the depth of the persecuted Church’s commitment to follow Christ at any cost.

An Empty Seat at the Table

In northeastern Kenya, more than 20 armed gunmen stopped Kevin’s bus as he was returning home from an extended work trip. After refusing to convert to Islam, Kevin was killed for his faith. He left behind his pregnant wife and two young sons.

With the help of local partners, ICC has been able to aid Kevin’s wife Velma as she raises their boys. We were able to provide some items that Velma will need to care for her new son and the rest of her family.

“Through well-wishers, we have been able to sustain ourselves until now. As a matter of fact, we have rent and food enough for the next four months. We also received financial assistance to shop for the newborn baby,” said Velma. “My worry is about the future of bringing up these three boys. They will need education, medical care, clothing, and shelter. I pray that the Lord would bless us with a monthly source of income to help us sail through.”

One Body, Many Members

Paul expresses in 1 Corinthians that just as the body is one and has many members, all of the members of the Church, though many, are one Body in Christ. We see this exemplified when a member suffers greatly. The rest of the Body compiles its resources to send aid.

Crossgate Church in Mississippi is an example of the power that believers have when they come together.

Before the pandemic began, ICC asked Crossgate Church if they would be interested in sponsoring children at Hope House.

“On a Sunday morning, we did a sermon that focused on persecution in general, and then did a specific highlight of Hope House sponsorships as a practical way for church members to engage with the persecuted,” said Scott Ross, Crossgate’s Missions Pastor. “ICC provided sponsorship cards for children, and it was exciting to see every child sponsored that was given to us.”

A single church member could not have sponsored all of the children in Hope House. But when the body of believers came together, they were able to provide children in Egypt with an escape from generational poverty and persecution.

“Over the past several years, the Lord has provided the funds to help with [Hope House] expenses, and it has been a joy to see that investment used in such valuable ways,” said Scott.

The Body of Christ is fundamental. It serves as a means to encourage and uplift one another. The Body of believers is unified—bonded over the blood of Christ. The Body serves to provide aid to those who are suffering.

The Body of believers works better together than as individual members. A single link in chain link armor is no match for a sword, but when linked together, they are life-saving. That’s the power of the Body of Christ—we are stronger together than we are individually

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