Sunday, November 6, 2022 is the International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians, a call to pray specifically throughout the entire month of November.
Here is this year’s video presentation from the Voice of the Martyrs, as we continue to implore all to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ … around the globe … every day
Category: PRAY FOR THE PERSECUTED
Obeying the charge to “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them” (Hebrews 13:3).
2021 “Day of the Christian Martyr”
June 29th is Day of the Christian Martyr.
This year, the witness, testimony, and example of Rocio Pino will be honored.
“Knowing the risks, she and her husband chose to live and share the Gospel in a
dangerous area …”
We share this year’s “Day of the Christian Martyr” video so that we may be inspired by those who came before us. We ask that we pray for all of our Christian Brothers and Sisters serving Christ faithfully in places where they experience a daily threat of public humiliation, opposition, and violence.
The first request these courageous men and women ask is for us to pray that they will love their enemies and remain faithful to God’s call to be a witness for Christ to those who hate them.
And, let’s pray for our own commitment to Christ, that we may be a bold and faithful witness no matter the opposition we face.
Maybe it’s because I was in South America a couple of years ago, and saw just a glimpse of what it is like “over there;” maybe it’s because Rocio was murdered on my birthday; maybe it was knowing that this happened in front of her husband and children. Maybe it’s a combination of all this, but I just can’t get Rocio’s story out of my mind.
Maybe … I never should.
I hope I never do.
“Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body” (Hebrews 13:3).
I think about how I take so much for granted … think about what I had to worry about today … And, then, I think of Rocio’s family. And, so many other families that aren’t blessed to live in the United States.
Let us always … as we survey what is happening “over here” … not forget what has been happening for so long, and continues to happen to our Brothers and Sisters, “over there” …
We combined resources supplied by The Voice of the Martyrs (https://www.persecution.com/) to present this video:
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Day of the Christian Martyr (“Witness”)
Monday, June 29th is Day of the Christian Martyr.
This year, Pastor Jean-Paul Sankagui will be honored.
Pastor Sankagui “knew the danger … He knew that his safety was at risk … and, yet he also knew the call of God … He decided, in his heart, that answering that call was worth any risk.”
We share this year’s “Day of the Christian Martyr” video so that we may be inspired by those who came before us. We ask that we all pray for pastors and church leaders serving in places where they experience a daily threat of public humiliation, opposition, and violence. They ask us to pray that they will love their enemies and remain faithful to God’s call to be a witness for Christ to those who hate them.
As always, let’s all pray for our own commitment to Christ, that we may be a bold and faithful witness no matter the opposition we face.
“Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body” (Hebrews 13:3).
Let us also … as we survey what is happening “over here” … not forget what has been happening for so long, and continues to happen to our Brothers and Sisters, “over there” …
We combined resources supplied by The Voice of the Martyrs (https://www.persecution.com/) to present this video:
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2019 International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
The 2019 International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is Sunday, November 3rd.
Here is this year’s slide presentation from the event’s sponsor,
Voice of the Martyrs.
We’ve added music to the presentation, and hope you will join us in praying … every day … for the safety and protection of our Christian Brothers and Sisters around the world who are suffering for their faith … every day.
Remember:
Same family.
Different neighborhood.
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June 29: “Day of the Christian Martyr” and the Groenewald Family
Saturday, June 29, 2019 has been designated as “Day of the Christian Martyr,” to honor the legacy of those who have sacrificed their lives for the advancement of the Gospel. June 29th is believed by church historians to be the day that the Apostle Paul was executed, on the Appian Way, in Rome. This year, Christians around the world will take time on Saturday and throughout the weekend to honor believers, like Paul, who sacrificed their lives for the gospel message and the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom.
This year, Werner, Rodé and Jean-Pierre Groenewald’s names will be inscribed onto the Martyrs Memorial in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, at the worldwide headquarters of “Voice of the Martyrs.”
In 2014, Werner, Jean-Pierre and Rodé Groenewald were killed when Taliban fighters attacked their home.
In 2003, Werner and his wife, Hannelie Groenewald, left their comfortable life in South Africa, when God called them to Afghanistan. Along with their two children, Rodé and Jean-Pierre, they served the Afghan people; Hannelie as a doctor, and Werner in discipleship and leadership development.
It wasn’t a popular decision. Some in their own families argued that God would never call them to take their children to such a war-torn and dangerous place. But, they accepted God’s calling. In addition to being a wife and mother, Hannelie became known as a teacher, doctor, and cook in a country not known for welcoming foreigners-especially women.
It was November 29, 2014: At about 3:30 in the afternoon, three Islamists broke into their apartment and shot to death Werner, Jean-Pierre and Rodé. After a two-hour standoff with police, one of the attackers detonated a bomb inside the building, killing himself and others, while the other two attackers were killed in an ensuing skirmish.
Hannelie’s life was spared because she wasn’t there: She had been called to the site of a U.N. meeting to provide medical care in case of an attack … which was anticipated … but, no one knew where the attack would take place …
We’d like to share these links with you, in addition to Hannelie’s own testimony via this video from Voice of the Martyrs:
First, here’s a link where you can read the full story of the Groenewalds.
In addition, you can view this video, and, also, there will be a link to enable you to hear the MARTYRS MEMORIAL INDUCTION CEREMONY, beginning at 9 a.m. CDT on Saturday, via Facebook Live, or you will be able to hear the recording of the ceremony beginning at 10 a.m.
Here’s the link:
MARTYRS MEMORIAL INDUCTION CEREMONY
Another link I’d like to share:
This is a direct link to VOM Radio (Voice of the Martyrs weekly radio program), where you can hear Hannelie Groenewald sharing the heartbreak of losing her family, and her testimony of the goodness of God to sustain her through her grief:
VOM Radio
Now, we share the video. We are honored to support the efforts of Voice of the Martyrs:
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Sunday, Nov. 4: International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
Sunday, Nov. 4, is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP).
Here is this year’s slide presentation from The Voice of the Martyrs.
You can find out more at their website, https://www.persecution.com/
We went in and added music, and encourage you to:
Pray.
Every Day.
Every Day.
Pray.
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“Tortured for Christ:” Watch the Movie Online for Free
What a great opportunity this is!
The Voice of the Martyrs is partnering with Faithlife TV to offer an exclusive online viewing of the Tortured for Christ movie. Just use the link we have below to register with your email address, and you will receive a link to watch the Tortured for Christ movie on Oct. 22-23 for FREE.
This is the same movie that gained national attention last March, showing in over 550 theaters, many sold out.
This is the dramatic presentation of the bestselling book by the same name, featuring the testimony of The Voice of the Martyrs’ founder, Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, who spent 14 years in Communist prisons because of his work in the underground church. The book and movie tell the story of his stand for Christ and subsequent persecution in communist Romania.
Filmed in Romania, including in the very prison where Pastor Wurmbrand endured torture and solitary confinement, this powerful film uniquely presents the story in a live action format. The dialogue is presented in English, Romanian, and Russian (with English subtitles) to hold to the authenticity of this true story.
Just click on the link below, to register now for this special online event, and view the Tortured for Christ movie for free.
After you register, you will have the opportunity to receive a FREE digital copy of the Tortured for Christ book.
Here’s the link to register:
“Tortured for Christ” Movie
Now, we share the movie trailers.
Here’s the one we originally share with you, prior to the movie theater opening:
Here’s another trailer to share:
Again, here’s the link to watch the movie for free, online:
“Tortured for Christ” Movie for Free Online
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Gilbert Hovsepian: “I Forgive You”
“My son,
Trust in the Lord at all times, and always be ready to forgive as you have been forgiven.”
Life is full of hard, difficult choices.
One of the most life-changing choices we can make is to forgive someone who has harmed us.
To forgive is a choice.
In this circumstance, when we have been harmed, especially unjustly, it is especially hard, especially difficult, to forgive those who have harmed us.
It’s a choice Jesus made.
It’s a choice we must make, in order to be like Him.
It is something we can choose to do, but we can only make this choice with His help.
There is a tremendous power in forgiveness.
There is tremendous freedom in forgiveness.
To forgive is powerful.
To forgive sets us free.
In January, 1994, Bishop Haik Hovsepian was faithfully serving God in Iran.
He was brutally murdered “for his Christian faith and ministry.”
His son, Gilbert Hovsepian, wrote and recorded this song, “I Forgive You,” which speaks of how Gilbert forgave his father’s murderers. Gilbert now ministers in Iran … the same country, and to the same people, which his father had ministered to …
“I choose to do what Jesus did for me …
I forgive you for all you have done …
I forgive you for all the pain you caused …”
Here’s a link to the Hovsepian family website, where the family of Haik Hovsepian continues his legacy, vision, and passion for the people of Iran:
As we continue toward Sunday, Nov. 4, the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, let’s remember our Brothers and Sisters in Christ, serving in Hostile and Restricted Countries around the world.
Every day.
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International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church 2018
Sunday, Nov. 4, is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP).
Here is this year’s video presentation from The Voice of the Martyrs.
You can find out more at their website, https://www.persecution.com/
“While our country has turned its back on us, God has not … it is not easy … So, please remember to pray for us …”
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Tortured for Christ [The Movie] – Official Trailer
We share this from “The Voice of the Martyrs:”
Visit their website at https://www.persecution.com/
The Voice of the Martyrs presents the inspiring new movie, Tortured for Christ, a cinematic retelling of the testimony of VOM founder Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, as written in his international
bestseller “Tortured for Christ.” This movie was produced to honor the 50th anniversary of the book’s 1967 release.
Filmed entirely in Romania, including in the very prison where Pastor Wurmbrand endured torture and solitary confinement, this powerful film uniquely presents the story with live action rather than interviews. The dialogue is presented in English, Romanian and Russian (with English subtitles) to hold to the authenticity of this true story.
The movie opens in theaters on March 5, 2018.
Advance tickets can be purchased at www.TorturedforChrist.com.
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