The Church in the West needs to ‘shut up and learn’

Dan Wooding tells a group of Christian writers that the persecuted church can teach us so much, but we first need to listen 

For Immediate Release

ESTES PARK, COLORADO (ANS) -- ANS founder, Dan Wooding, has told a group of American Christian writers that the church in the West, including America, needs to “shut up and learn.”

Dan Wooding speaking

He added, “The persecuted Christians of the world can teach us so much, but we first need to listen.”

Wooding, 71, was speaking on Thursday, May 17, 2012, at the annual Colorado Christian Writers Conference (CCWC) being held in the magnificent grounds of YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado.

“I have met some of the most incredible Christians in the world during my many visits to restricted countries,” he said. “They are an inspiration to me and I believe that we in the West need to learn from them.

“I get so disgusted to see Christians in America and other so-called developed countries, all fighting each over things like the color of the carpet and the so-called ‘noisy’ sound of the band, yet while this pettiness is going on, these persecuted Christians literally risk their lives each week as they go to church, knowing them could be killed at any moment.

“It is now time for the American church to keep quiet for a while and learn from these believers who daily lay their lives on the line for Jesus Christ. We don’t have anything really to teach them and they have a lot to teach us especially about surviving real persecution."

Wooding also challenged the writers to get involved in publicizing the situation of the persecuted Christians and added, “Let them know that you care and will use your writing skills to tell their stories.”

Part of the audience

In his keynote address, Dan Wooding, who recently returned from a reporting trip to Indonesia and then, after the conferences, travels to Kenya, also told the attendees about his extraordinary story of working for two of Britain’s most scandalous tabloids and how, after a spiritual turn-around in his life, he co-authored a book called Uganda Holocaust with Ray Barnett and then began writing stories about the Suffering Church, instead of “silly Hollywood stars who had really nothing to say to the world.”

Dan Wooding worked for seven years as a writer for Brother Andrew’s ministry, Open Doors, and started ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times) in 1988.

The CCWC is taking place May 16th through the 19th, 2012, at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park (northwest of Denver).

The faculty is made up of a diverse group from all parts of the country. Keynote speakers include Dr. Ted Baehr (chairman of the Christian Film & Television Commission™ -www.movieguide.org), Craig von Buseck (Director of Ministries at CBN.com also www.vonbuseck.com), Lissa Halls Johnson (Author – www.lisshallsjohnson.com), Tim Shoemaker (Author and Speaker – www.timshoemakersmashedtomatoes.com), and Dan Wooding (founder and chief editor of the ASSIST News Service --www.assistnews.net ).

Marlene Bagnull has been the director of the CCWC since 1997. She is passionate about encouraging and equipping Christians to write about a God who is real, who is reachable, and who changes lives. Again this year, CCWC will challenge Christians to “write His answer,” the conference theme from Habakkuk 2:2.

YMCA of the Rockies

CCWC not only equips writers in all genres and at all levels with the skills needed to be effective, it also provides the opportunity to talk one-on-one with the “gatekeepers” of Christian publishing – the agents and editors who are able to open the doors to publication.

This year’s faculty has included 8 literary agents, 13 book editors, and 15 periodical editors who represent over two dozen periodicals. Those who attend the entire conference get four free 15-minute appointments with the faculty of their choice (based on availability).

In addition to eight continuing sessions and 60 workshops, Rick Marschall, who writes a weekly column for the ASSIST News Service, leads “A Culture in Peril” forum on Saturday May 19, from 10:30 – 4:00. 

What can one Christian do in the face of our nation’s spiritual crisis? Rick has addressed this before. So have others. And so have you . . . perhaps in frustration! What can you, as one person, do in the face of society’s crises? This forum offers a new approach. Rather than a traditional lecture, or seminar, or workshop, this will be a creative blend of all these modes. There will be free-wheeling discussion on topics from biblical traditions, to our American heritage, to dilemmas Christians face living in today’s world.

You may contact Marlene Bagnull at mbagnull@aol.com.

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