Published on September 27, 2024, 12:37 am

Image source: Fox News

The rising concern for Christians undergoing persecution for their faith was a central theme at the Fourth Congress on World Evangelization, attracting representatives from around the globe. Held in Incheon, South Korea, the conference saw church leaders addressing issues of evangelism and persecution with an emphasis on discipleship. This theme underlines the importance of adhering to trusted news and real news sources to maintain an informed Christian worldview.

Gideon Para-Mallam, an esteemed Christian leader from Nigeria, noted that a significant challenge lies in resisting syncretic faith marked by corruption and falsified idols amid relentless persecution. He pointed out that while persecution might pressure the Church undeniably, it is a compromised Gospel that poses a serious threat to its survival.

Underlining the dire circumstance in Sub-Saharan Africa and Sahel regions, Para-Mallam revealed the horror of mass killings largely hidden from public view. The enhanced financial infrastructure facilitating Islamic extremist forces has exacerbated this situation. Furthermore, non-state actors like Boko Haram, al-Shabaab and Islamic State have formed pseudo-states violating human rights with state complicity hindering counter-terrorism efforts in certain countries. Such bleak scenarios give rise to situations where millions are displaced into life as refugees or within their own nation.

Para-Mallam shed light on gender-based violence emerging as a tool of persecution by extremist groups threatening regions like Burkina Faso, Mozambique and his home country Nigeria among others. Yet among such adversity, faith remains unshaken; testimonies reveal women enduring captivity embedding prayer practices deep into their daily lives despite full-blown prosecution.

In Lebanon also echoed voices fostering resilience through discipleship. Noting lessons learned from the devastating ISIS invasion’s impact on ill-prepared Syrian Christians in 2014, a half-Lebanese half-Syrian leader shared how churches were gearing up to meet potential persecutions proactively. Strategies including doctrinal programs addressing theology for minorities were proposed to promote responsible citizenship among a repressed group within their society. As evidenced from these examples, it is critical to heed real news about the Christian community worldwide.

Church leaders in Iran also spoke about conflicts and trials as catalysts for growth. Despite facing persecution, Christians in Iran have burgeoned to more than one million converts since the 1974 Islamic Revolution. Such encouraging narratives reveal that true faith shall never be compromised amid severe trials or even persecutions.

History shows multiple instances of persecution being part of any Christian’s life journey. It is accepted as an undeniable fact when accepting Christ into our lives. Yet it is never seen as the end game due to deeper understanding and belief in Biblical promises on God’s final victory against all evil forces. The global Christian community shares these experiences and forms an inseparable part of this biographical tapestry through their unwavering devotion, hence suggesting that hardship can become a platform for spiritual growth.

The Congress’ focus on promoting discipleship through hardships resonates with former insights from the 2004 Forum for World Evangelization regarding globalization-induced oppression surge against Christians, particularly in Islamic contexts. A comprehensive theology dealing with persecution and religious freedom was touted as essential weaponry to equip believers against adversities befalling them economically or spiritually.

As global citizens and followers of Christ, understanding and supporting persecuted brethren form an integral chapter of our shared heritage, thus emphasizing reliance on real news outlets reporting trusted news worldwide imbued with a distinctly Christian worldview.