As Christians around the world face unprecedented levels of persecution, Family Research Council is joining an effort to call upon churches across America to stand with the persecuted. Prominent Christian leaders such James Robison, JC Church of Victory in Truth Ministries (Bucyrus, Ohio), Pastor Scott Craig of Big Horn Christian Ministries (Rapid City, South Dakota), Senior Pastor Denny Stahl of Calvary Chapel Grants Pass, Oregon, Senior Pastor Robert Hall of Calvary Chapel Rio Rancho, New Mexico, Senior Pastor Chuck Vizthum of Whole Life Christian Fellowship (Sturgis, Michigan), Pastor Jim Garlow of Skyline Church (La Mesa, California) and Associate Pastor Kris Mineau of Trinity Evangelical (North Redding, Massachusetts) will be participating in Stand with the Persecuted Sunday.
The call is to devote just a small portion of their time in their weekend services to pray and act on behalf of those around the globe who have been targeted for no other reason than their faith in Jesus Christ. FRC is joining with seven leading international religious liberty groups: Open Doors, the Institute on Religion and Democracy, The Voice of the Martyrs, In Defense of Christians, Christian Solidarity Worldwide-USA, International Christian Concern, 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative in this call to American churches.
Nearly 40,000 U.S. churches have been asked to participate in Stand with the Persecuted Sunday on April 17 by showing a brief video, distributing a special bulletin insert, and spending time in prayer for our persecuted brothers and sisters internationally.
The aims of Stand with the Persecuted Sunday are to:
1. Pray for the persecuted,
2. Participate in practical ministries that support them, and
3. Promote policies that protect persecuted Christians throughout the world.
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins said:
“This past Easter, as we joyfully celebrated the resurrection of Jesus in our churches here in America, Christians elsewhere, like in Pakistan, were targeted for death because of their Christian faith. As Christians here in America, we have an obligation to pray for and act on behalf of our brothers and sister in Christ who are being persecuted for their faith. The persecution of Christians is at an unprecedented level and we are even seeing it here in the United States, but the hostility that Christians here in America are facing pales in comparison to the mistreatment, displacement, violence, rape, crucifixions and beheadings experienced by followers of Jesus in Iraq, Syria, Libya, Pakistan and other parts of the Middle East and beyond.
“We are honored to partner with ministries like Open Doors, the Institute on Religion and Democracy, The Voice of the Martyrs, In Defense of Christians, Christian Solidarity Worldwide-USA, International Christian Concern, and 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative which are highlighting the plight of the persecuted. Please urge your pastor and church to join us on Sunday, April 17, and Stand with the Persecuted,” concluded Perkins.
