Burned
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12
The Orality Institute has begun working in several new countries where the people have faced persecution for their Christian faith. In three of those countries the leaders have said, “We are ready to preach the gospel until our last breath.” That statement is becoming a reality.
On August 3-4, our first oral training was held in Pakistan. There were 15 master trainers who studied four stories so that they could teach their 150 students throughout the month of August.
On August 16th, several angry Muslim mobs began burning Christian churches, homes, and displacing families because of a suspected desecration of one Quran. At this time, 36 churches have been burned, 180 homes burned to the ground, and 300 families have been displaced. 145 Muslims have been arrested, but great damage has been done.
The Orality Institute will be sending a financial gift to our trusted leader in Pakistan. Their need is great and urgent. Prayerfully consider supporting these persecuted brothers and sisters, through the Orality Institute with the designation “Pakistan Relief”.
Jesus said, “‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.”
Blazing
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16
Umukoro Gideon is a Pastor and spiritual leader in Nigeria. He wants to introduce the Orality Institute to his country because it is an easy way for the rural people to understand the Word of God and the gospel of Jesus.
During a Zoom call this spring, Gideon stated that the day before our call, 64 people had been buried because of attacks against the Christians. The Boko Haram and the Fulani tribesmen have moved south into central Nigeria with their attacks against Christians.
On July 2nd, Gideon needed encouragement because the country was falling into a financial collapse, petroleum had doubled and tripled in cost, and those who were able evacuated the country. He said, I cannot leave because I am their spiritual leader and the people look to me and my faith in God.
We are working with a leader in north central India who knows the danger of sharing the gospel among the Hindu communities. Yet he and his friends are ready to go to remote areas trained with an oral strategy to share the hope that Jesus gives.
Our Ugandan team just returned from South Sudan. Among their students were those who had fought in the war and now want to become teachers of God’s Word. They had a deep hunger for truth of what Jesus had done for them and the hope the gospel offered. Our world can be a hostile place to share Jesus, yet we have been given the light of the world to shine into every corner. Let’s stand together with our brothers and sisters as they shine in dark places.
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