Help us DOUBLE the Impact
"Physical persecution for faith is something our refugee brothers and sisters have recently come to grips with.”
Persecution for faith is hard to fathom here in the States. It's not something we're typically faced with. At least persecution on a physical level. We certainly may be judged, or even ridiculed…but beaten? Not likely.
Yet, physical persecution for faith is something our refugee brothers and sisters in the Mediterranean Rim (MedRim) have recently come to grips with. A few weeks back, we received urgent word from one of the teams in Thessaloniki that a group of refugees was brutally beaten. All because of following Jesus.
Can you imagine what it must be like to flee your home country due to political unrest for safety and security, only to land in a new country and be faced with persecution for embracing Jesus?
Immediately, we sent word out to our faithful prayer partners to start praying. You may have received that urgent email. (Thank you for standing in the gap.) Fortunately, one of our own staff members happened to be visiting Greece that week and was able to assist the team.
The team knew immediate action had to be taken. If the group stayed any longer, they would be beaten again, and quite possibly killed. They began working with other missionaries to orchestrate a transfer to a different camp. And when I say "group," I don't mean five to ten people. I'm talking about 38 individuals, including men, women, and children. That's no small task.
Part of the beautiful story God is writing in the MedRim involves bridges being built with other workers in different refugee camps. The movement that is happening isn't isolated to one location. It's happening all across the MedRim. And God is using people from all over the world to go and serve.
This is just one of the many reasons why we need your help to raise up even more workers in 2020.
After working through a variety of channels, the team was able to orchestrate a transfer to a refugee camp 300 miles away. But to make matters worse, when the group arrived, a mob of 80 was waiting to beat them again. While technology was beneficial in helping extricate them to a new location. That same technology was used by extremists to send pictures of their faces to other radicals in the new camp.
Thankfully, the group was protected and immediately moved to yet another refugee camp outside of Athens where they are safe and protected. They continue to meet as a group and study the Bible together. But the assistance didn't stop there. Our friends and teams on the ground are continuing to work together to make sure these people remain safe. They are committed to discipling and caring for them long-term.
When we are challenged by God to "make disciples"—that doesn't mean baptizing them and leaving them to fend for themselves. That means praying WITH them, caring FOR them, and showing the love of God in TANGIBLE ways.
Just because men and women are rescued from the Muslim faith doesn't mean they are free. Yes, their souls have been set free and they have tasted and seen the goodness of God. BUT…in some ways, by becoming disciples of Jesus, life has been made more difficult, at least socially.
For some, they are viewed as traitors by their other family members and friends. And forced to fend for themselves. For others, they are viewed as a threat that must be taken out.
BUT, in this situation, God turned what the enemy meant for evil into good.
In fact, several of the refugee brothers said that they expected that many of their loved ones would want to be baptized because of the love and care that was shown to them. Praise God!
It's hard enough to be persecuted. But when you're brand-new in your faith, it can rock you to your core. Will you pray that these beautiful people will hold onto their new faith and that their testimony will draw many to Jesus?
Genesis 50:20 says it beautifully: You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
The Kingdom is coming, even in the midst of persecution.
Now more than ever, we are committed to doing our part for the Kingdom. God continues to confirm that we are right where we are supposed to be. He is moving in the MedRim in powerful ways. But we MUST train and equip more workers to go. And we must provide more care for workers and new Muslim background believers who are facing massive trauma and challenges every day. Our brothers and sisters need our help.
God is calling us to an even greater level of impact around the world in 2020. And we want you to join us in this united pursuit for the Kingdom of God.
I just received word that a friend of MRN's has agreed to match any gift that comes in before the end of the year dollar for dollar up to $40,000! That means your gift today will instantly be DOUBLED to make an even greater impact.
Will you partner with us? Will you help bring the Gospel to the unreached and under-served people groups of the world? Because of your generous gift, we will be able to train more workers in 2020 to help make disciples, as well as send tangible resources to those already serving.
Friend, we can't do what do without you. God is on the move and we want you to come be a part of the beautiful story He is writing. Your gift today will help change lives.
Grace and peace,
Dan Bouchelle