The fight to be faithful
When Priya heard about Jesus from an American woman who
came to her Indian village, she wept because she knew it was
the truth. That day, she believed and gave her life to Christ,
but she unknowingly became an enemy in her own husband’s
eyes in that same moment.
In her excitement, Priya told her husband what she learned
from the American woman … that there was a man named
Jesus who could forgive them for everything and give them a
place in heaven. But her husband responded in anger. He beat
her that evening.
Priya would not turn from her newfound
Savior and prayed for her husband each day.
The next evening when he arrived home, he beat her again.
This continued every day for weeks, but Priya would not turn
from her newfound Savior and prayed for her husband each
day.
One day, the beating began once more. Priya was on the floor,
and her husband began to lift his leg to kick her. But at that
moment, his leg wouldn’t move. It was paralyzed.
Somehow he knew that this was her God’s doing. He
knew this God must be powerful and care about his
wife. Priya’s husband wanted to know more about her
God. With joy, Priya shared the Good News about Jesus
that changed her life. And there—on the floor in their
small hut—her husband let the gospel change his life
too.
Though Priya’s husband attempted to put an end to her
belief in God through his persecution, God used Priya’s
endurance as a powerful witness to draw her husband to
Christ.
The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
–ISAIAH 9:2
A closer look at persecution
DATE: January 2013
LOCATION: Myanmar (Burma)
PARTIES INVOLVED: East-West church planter, local church members, and Buddhist
monks
BACKGROUND: In Myanmar, Buddhists make up the great majority of the population.
Their high status in society results in preferential treatment, making it difficult for Christians
and even Muslims to find government jobs, which are often the most financially successful.
National and international news have recently reported many incidents of Buddhist monks
fighting Muslims in Myanmar. However, the tension between Buddhists and Christians has
been rising—leading to an increase in persecution of believers in the area. They see these
religions as a threat to the security and purity of their culture.
The choice to follow Jesus
It was a day like any other. At least that’s how it must have looked from
the outside, but inside Jamil knew something had changed forever. He
could not go back to Islam … not after meeting “the real Jesus.”
The joy was overwhelming. Jamil knew he had to go home and tell his
family and friends about the grace of God that just set him free. But his
family wasn’t as excited as he was to hear the truth about Jesus.
Clearly upset, Jamil’s father yelled, “How can you say these things? This
is not what you have learned from us!” Jamil told his father about the
Christian that sat with him that afternoon and explained the truth about
Jesus to him.
With boldness Jamil explained, “I have never
regretted choosing Jesus that day. I will follow Him
and tell others about Him for the rest of my life.”
As a result of these realities, the one thing believers fear more than being taken to jail is being
left at the Buddhist temple to receive beatings by the monks.
Jamil wanted to make his life count
for Christ. He received training
from an East-West trainer, and
today he works relentlessly to
spread the gospel throughout his
nation of Kenya. He now looks to
his Heavenly Father for love and
strength to carry out his calling.
With boldness Jamil explained, “I
have never regretted choosing Jesus
that day. I will follow Him and tell
others about Him for the rest of my
life.”
PRAY
After hearing this, his father became angrier and presented Jamil with a
choice … return to Islam and remain part of the family or follow Jesus
and leave.
Jamil was in tears. How could this great news result in such a terrible
choice? He clung to the truth of the Cross and said goodbye to his
family—leaving his home forever.
Pray for believers like Jamil to
continue to be emboldened in the midst
of persecution as they work to multiply
God’s Kingdom.
INCIDENT REPORT: After completing his two-year, modular training in church planting,
one East-West national partner eagerly set out eagerly to plant his first church. The church
gathered in his home—around fifteen people began to worship through singing, teaching,
and fellowship.
As praise to the Lord began, a group of Buddhist monks arrived on bicycles and motorcycles
to beat the believers. With sticks and stones, they heaped their abuse onto the members of the
church, leaving them bloody, bruised, and broken … but their faith remained unshaken.
RESULT: The believers in this village continue to share the gospel and many people are
turning to faith—even knowing that accepting Christ will likely mean accepting persecution
at the hands of their neighbors. Today, followers of Jesus make up more than 50% of the
village population … allowing it to be declared a Christian village. To God be the glory!
HOW CAN YOU HELP? You can support our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world in one
or more of the following ways:
PRAY for their strength, safety, and boldness as they preach the gospel.
GIVE to support their work of evangelism, training, and church planting in difficult regions.
GO on a short-term mission trip with East-West to come alongside and encourage these believers!
Purpose in Persecution
You are from God, dear children, and have overcome them; because greater
is He who is in you than he who is in the world.—1 John 4:4
Nearly two thousand years ago, persecution from their own
countrymen drove the disciples out of Jerusalem and into Samaria
… and eventually to the uttermost parts of the world. Persecution
was the catalyst for the advance of the gospel and the expansion
of the church. Even today, God continues to use persecution to
accomplish His purposes.
Our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world cling to the
promise in 1 John 4, and they claim the triumph they have already
been given in Christ despite their present circumstances … whether
they are a new believer like Priya, a bold witness like Jamil, or a
church planter working in Myanmar.
These believers understand that their suffering serves a greater
purpose. They know that the Kingdom they serve is unshakable and
that the King they serve treasures them. These promises compel
them to stand firm in their faith and to fight for the salvation of
their people.
Thank you for your faithful
partnership and for your continued
dedication to help penetrate the
kingdom of darkness by advancing the
Kingdom of Light!
Abiding in His Grace,
Kurt Nelson
President & CEO
*All East-West print materials are printed for free by a
generous ministry partner.
East-West Ministries
2001 W. Plano Parkway, Suite 3000
Plano, TX 75075
972.941.4500
www.eastwest.org