Open Doors: Field Report Webinar

So I just got off a webinar which was by Open Doors, an organization dedicated to keeping a watch on our Persecuted Brethren everywhere. This webinar was to be a field report on what was happening with our brethren in Christ located in the Middle East, Central Asia, Iran and Iraq. At first, the reporter (his name is William), told the audience about his story about working in areas like the Middle East where persecution is high. He also went to what life is like for our brethren in Christ living those areas as of today. He mentioned government-funded churches where they are forbidden from evangelizing people of other faiths (and if they do evangelize they do it very secretly by sending someone who is seeking to a side-door of sorts). He also mentioned underground churches where people are more open to doing evangelism (albeit cautiously), but are forbidden by the government. Then lastly, there were many questions that were answered by William and the CEO David.

I took many things from this webinar:
1. God’s Providence- William mentioned how God told him to leave Iraq after living there for 16 years and then when He wanted him to return, the doors were open and he was provided with what he needed (and at times, what he wanted). When God wants you somewhere He will open the doors for you.

2. God’s Will- Something the field reporter said was that there is no safer place to be than the will of God. This is pretty much a no-brainer. When one is doing the will of God, a hedge of protection usually (but not always) follows and many people have been protected while witnessing to others at the risk of their lives. And if one gets killed, no bother, they’ll be with the Savior forever.

3. The benefits of persecution-
    A. The field reporter mentioned that some people have been blessed by having to flee as a result of persecution. He mentioned on girl who was a nominal Christian with life that consisted of coming to church, now after having to flee due to her faith in Christ, she now lives a Christian life 24/7. Persecution can cause people to become more devoted to following the living Savior beforehand.
    B.  The field reporter also mentioned how virtually everyone facing heavy persecution has lots of PTSD. As a result they have to lean on and help each other deal with the PTSD. Persecution can drive  people to help each other and draw each other close. It also can cause people to love each other more deeply.


In the end, the field reporter said that what our persecuted brethren in Christ need more than anything else was to experience God. It would help them get through th daily hell they endure. I pray that this happens for them.

This was an amazing Webinar. I learned much and got some more tips on how to help my persecuted brethren in Christ.

Praise Report

As all of you know, in late June 2015, gay marriage was scene as morally legitimate in America. A lot of fear grew in me because I felt that with this would come the loss of religious freedom and free speech. I feared that many more of my brethren in Christ who were photographers and makers of marriage cakes would lose their jobs for refusing to do things for gay couples.

And then a ray of hope came in the form of this article:

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday in favor of a Colorado baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. But the 7-to-2 decision was on the narrowest of grounds and left unresolved whether business owners have a free speech right to refuse to sell goods and services to same-sex couples.

The case began when a same-sex couple in Colorado — Charlie Craig and Dave Mullins — filed a complaint with the state civil-rights commission after baker Jack Phillips told them that he did not design custom cakes for gay couples. Colorado, like most states, has a state anti-discrimination law for businesses that are open to the public. Twenty-one states, including Colorado, have laws that bar discrimination based on sexual orientation, in addition to barring discrimination based on race, religion and gender.

Acting on the complaint filed by Craig and Mullins, the Colorado Civil Rights Commission ruled in favor of the couple, as did the state Supreme Court. Phillips appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. As he put it last December, "It is hard for me to believe the government is forcing me to choose between providing for my family ... and violating my relationship with God(Continue reading)."

This gives me hope. It shows that this country and the people in it still have some moral sanity and that I can hold on to my freedoms much more longer. It shows that the leaders of this country still have a conscience. My prayer is that Yahweh will continue to guide these leaders and help them make decisions that will protect everyone’s religious liberties.