Teach Us about Persecution!

New Barna Report Indicates that Most Christians Are Interested In Hearing about Christian Persecution from their Pastors


OPEN DOORS USA
Jerry Dykstra, Media Relations Director



SANTA ANA, CA (ANS) -- A new Barna Research Group report indicates that 74 percent of Christians are interested in hearing about the worldwide persecution of Christians, though only 48 percent of pastors want to introduce the topic in their churches.


“This gap in interest shows that many Christians in America have a desire to hear more about persecution around the world, but have not been introduced to the topic in their churches,” says Dr. Carl Moeller, President/CEO of Open Doors USA. “The Bible says so much about persecution. The early church faced widespread persecution. It is still prevalent today. Only 10 days ago a suicide bomber detonated eight pipe bombs outside a church building in Solo, Central Java, Indonesia which wounded 20 church members. We cannot ignore what is happening to our suffering fellow believers.

“One With Them is a perfect way to introduce Christians in America to the topic of persecution. Open Doors USA is offering some excellent tools to help us stand in the gap for our brothers and sisters in Christ.”

One With Them is a campaign designed for Christians to stand in solidarity with persecuted Christians around the globe who share their faith but not their freedom. One With Them wristbands serve as a reminder to stand united with persecuted Christians. Wearing the black, flexible silicone wristband that looks like barbed wire is a great conversation starter. The wristbands provide an opportunity to explain to others about the plight of persecuted believers. More than 40,000 wristbands have been sent out to churches, church leaders, small groups and individuals.

To order the wristbands, visit www.OneWithThem.com. Two of them will be free of charge – one extra to share with a friend. Additional wristbands can be ordered for a fee with 100 percent of the funds going to support persecuted Christians.

In addition to the wristbands, the One With Them website www.OneWithThem.com offers numerous free downloadable materials for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP), which will be observed Sunday, Nov. 13, in the United States. During IDOP churches across the world will unite in prayer for those who are persecuted for their faith. The materials, available at the One With Them website, provide guidance and content for IDOP. Materials include bulletin inserts, a pastor’s guide, videos, prayer points, testimonies from persecuted Christians, Bible passages on persecution and lessons learned from suffering believers.

On Sept. 28 Open Doors USA hosted a webinar for pastors and church leaders to prepare for IDOP. The webinar was recorded and is available to view at www.OneWithThem.com/askcarl.

An estimated 100 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with millions more facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world's most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers. To partner with Open Doors USA, call toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (888-524-2535) or go to our Website at www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.

(For more information or to set up an interview, contact Jerry Dykstra at 616-915-4117 or email jerryd@odusa.org )