The cost of claiming Christianity

Editor’s note — The following guest editorial is an example of just one of the practical ways we as students can live out truths we learned over Missions Emphasis Week.

Imagine it is a Monday night and you have just finished eating dinner with your family. You are cleaning up after the meal and getting ready to settle in for the night. Suddenly you hear your doorbell ring. Your mom and dad look at each other and simultaneously ask, “Are you expecting anyone?”

They reply to one another with a no on their lips and a strange look in their eyes. Your dad goes to answer the door as your mother stands up to greet the person that might be a guest or a visitor to your home. Your dad answers the door only to find a single package on the doorstep. As he brings it into the living room, the package explodes – killing your entire family.

That’s exactly what happened to a Christian family in Iraq on January 3rd of this year. Attackers planted a bomb on the doorstep of their home, rang the door bell and fled the scene just before the bomb exploded. This was just one of at least seven known attacks against Christians in the first weeks of the New Year. The Christian community of Iraq is dwindling to nothing as wide spread persecution of Christians has become the new societal norm.

Persecution of this nature happens all over the world each and every day. Americans do not have to worry about answering the door and being faced with a bomb or being brutally beaten to death because of our faith. Persecution is almost unheard of here but just because you don’t hear of it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. When persecution becomes known, we have but one option: stand against it. Remember that when you are made aware, you are made to act.

Ever since I was a little boy, my family has prophesied over me and proclaimed that I would be a pastor or evangelist or something of that profession.

In recent years, my heart has become ever burdened for imprisoned Christ followers. As I am preparing to graduate, I know that the Lord has called me to stand up for those who are being abused and tortured around the world.

I am going to take a stand for Christianity around the world and fight for them, no longer will I turn a blind eye nor have deaf ears to the needs of the persecuted church. I am but a servant trying to live my life worthy of my calling for I have been called by Christ. (Eph 4:1) The call is clear fight for what is right. Stand for those who are hurting and cannot stand for themselves.

I am willing to take a stand and start meeting with those who want to fight for the persecuted church. Be looking out for the International Christian Concern coming to campus so you can learn how to fight the injustices of this world.

To find out more about the different types of persecution that are going on around the world visit www.persecution.org to understand what you can do to act out against this.