A Future Worth Fighting For

Our family lived many years in one of the most dangerous countries in the world. Even though we were there loving and helping people, the government saw us as a political threat because we serve a higher King. They followed us, opened our mail, tapped our phones, sometimes searched our rooms. At any moment, weContinue reading “A Future Worth Fighting For”

Christians Tortured, Killed in Ukraine and Russia

In the midst of war and persecution, hearts hungry for hope are turning to Jesus. Release International reports that in areas of Russian-occupied Ukraine, churches have been forcibly closed, and several Christian leaders openly praying for Ukraine have disappeared or faced abduction, torture and death. In Russia, priests have been arrested, imprisoned or otherwise silencedContinue reading “Christians Tortured, Killed in Ukraine and Russia”

Day 29: Caribbean

30 Days of Prayer for Global Awakening Verses for contemplation: Matthew 13:45-46 The first explorers to Latin America landed on the shores of the Dominican Republic in 1492, and subsequent ships brought both Catholic clergy from Europe and slaves from Africa. In 1783, a manumitted slave from the US served as a Baptist missionary toContinue reading “Day 29: Caribbean”

Day 27: Central America

30 Days of Prayer for Global Awakening Verses for contemplation: Habakkuk 2:4-14 Christianity arrived in Central America during the 16th century, along with explorers and colonialists who mistreated and enslaved the native people. Juan de Zumarraga, appointed Protector of Indians, is one of many brave missionaries who fought for their rights and eventually helped establishContinue reading “Day 27: Central America”

Day 25: America

30 Days of Prayer for Global Awakening Verses for contemplation: Isaiah 42:10-35 Today, all of the countries in the Americas and Caribbean are considered majority Christian and enjoy greater religious freedom than many parts of the world. While the Catholic Church dominates Central and South America, evangelical churches have seen tremendous growth over the pastContinue reading “Day 25: America”

Day 23: Southeast Asia

30 Days of Prayer for Global Awakening Verses for contemplation: Matthew 22:25-28 Southeast Asia is home to nearly 700 unreached people groups. In addition, six of these countries (the most violent of which is Myanmar) are on Open Doors’ World Watchlist of nations persecuting Christians. Christians and seekers of Christ face extreme pressure to conformContinue reading “Day 23: Southeast Asia”

Day 22: South Asia

30 Days of Prayer for Global Awakening Verses for contemplation: Isaiah 44 Tradition says the Apostle Bartholomew took the Gospel to Pakistan, and Thomas to India, where he was martyred in AD 72. Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier, who ministered to India’s lower classes in 1542, baptized 30,000 Paravar people. William Carey, instrumental in evangelical missionsContinue reading “Day 22: South Asia”

Day 21: East Asia

30 Days of Prayer for Global Awakening Verses for contemplation: Isaiah 55 The Silk Road opened the way in AD 645 for Nestorian Christians to arrive in China, where they sought converts until suppressed 150 years later. In the 16th century, Jesuits brought the next wave of Christian influence to China, while Portuguese Catholics arrivedContinue reading “Day 21: East Asia”

Day 20: Central Asia

30 Days of Prayer for Global Awakening Verses for contemplation: Psalm 95 Acts 2 suggests the Parthians who heard the Gospel at Pentecost would have carried it back to Southern Turkmenistan, among other areas. As Christianity spread farther in the first centuries, several cities along the Silk Road became strong centers for Christian culture andContinue reading “Day 20: Central Asia”

Day 19: North Asia

30 Days of Prayer for Global Awakening As we pray for Russia today, let’s remember the families of the more than 140 who died in the massive terrorist attack at a concert in Moscow last week. Verses for contemplation: 1 John 4 Greek missionaries from the Byzantine Empire introduced Christianity to Kievan Rus in theContinue reading “Day 19: North Asia”