It was perhaps during my senior year of high school that I first became really aware of the persecuted Christian church worldwide. Of course, I was familiar with the persecution undergone by early first-century believers, and coming from a Mennonite background, I could hardly escape hearing stories of my martyred Anabaptist forefathers. Hearing that more Christians were currently being persecuted and even killed around the world today than were under the harsh rules of cruel Roman empires is shocking. Knowing that thousands of my Christian brothers and sisters worldwide were suffering for my faith taught me to better appreciate the wonderful gift of religious freedom I've been able to experience all my life and also view my own personal faith in a more serious light - after all, others were dying for Christ. Was my own faith that serious?
After I began college, I decided I would not let myself be solely consumed with my own petty little existence at college. In an effort to remain informed with the outside world, I subscribed to The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) monthly newsletter, a non-profit organization that works with aiding the persecuted church and spreading awareness of the unjust situations many live in. Reading this has inspired me to take action. Though I attempt to pray daily for suffering Christian believers, which I believe is the most powerful tool, I also have lent my voice in their support in other ways.
I have written letters to imprisoned Christians in places like Pakistan and Iran. Though this is primarily to let these dear people know they are in the thoughts and prayers of fellow Christians, receiving letters also alerts the prison officials to the fact that these believers' suffering is not going unnoticed by the rest of the world.
VOM does an excellent job of informing people about individuals undergoing persecution worldwide through their Prisoner Alert website. It was here, for example, that I learned about the arrest and torture of Chinese human rights attorney, Gao Zhisheng this past February. A committed Christian, Gao had dedicated himself to speaking up against injustice in the Chinese courts, angering the government. He has not been seen in public since his arrest and he has left behind a wife and two children. There is a currently a petition being signed, letting the Chinese government know that we are aware of the inhumane way they are treating this man, whose only crime was to speak up for those being unjustly treated, and asking them to give account for what they are doing. I have signed this petition and strongly encourage anyone reading this to do so as well! Though it is tempting to think I am incapable of making any difference in the world, I know better. There is always prayer, and I am fortunate enough to live in a country where I can write and sign, making my voice heard as well.
For more information on Gao Zhisheng, go either to China Aid or Amnesty International, or simply http://www.freegao.com.
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