International Ministry's Youth Arm Raises Awareness of Christian Persecution
by Allie Martin
December 8, 2003
(AgapePress) - The reality of what life is like for persecuted Christians is being brought home to American students thanks to a California-based ministry.The Underground, the youth division of Open Doors International, presents a program called "Night of Persecution" at colleges, churches, and youth retreats. The program involves role playing and other activities that allow students to learn first-hand some of the stresses and pressures persecuted Christians face daily.
Jeff Shreve, coordinator for the Night of Persecution, says the program has been an eye-opener for him as well as for the young people who participate. "The biggest surprise to me, whenever we take our programs on the road or go to a youth group or a college meeting," Shreve says, "is just how unaware people are -- even kids with a desire for the mission field and people who have been on short-term mission trips and everything -- of what's going on throughout the world with persecuted Christians."
The Underground also offers students information about persecuted Christians around the world as well as specific ways youth can become involved in supporting the persecuted Church. Shreve points out this is based on the scriptural truth that "faith without works is dead."
"Knowing something is good; but if we're not doing anything about it, there's not really any point," the program coordinator says, "so we encourage [the young people]. We give them several opportunities and ways to get involved, be that through prayer, through going to visit the persecuted Church, through a letter-writing campaign (if they're not old enough to travel), [and] also, of course, financially."
An estimated 200 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest, and even death for their faith in Christ. The purpose of Open Doors International's ministry is to raise awareness of the plight of persecuted Christians everywhere, and to encourage prayer, assistance, and support for the persecuted Church.
