Quick Jump: Click here for Campaign Links The Persecuted Church Every year, thousands upon thousand of Christians are killed for their
faith. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ; let’s do something
to help them by supporting the work of the good charities below. You
could either give financially to a charity or write letters of
complaint to the authorities [that] are ultimately responsible for these
abuses. The charities concerned will provide all the information you
need. Campaigning to help persecuted Christians is required in the
Bible. As Scripture says, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves...defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:8,9). Scripture also says, “Keep on loving each other as brothers. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow-prisoners, and those who are ill-treated as if you yourselves were suffering.” (Hebrews 13:1,3). Other Campaign Issues How about when non-Christians are suffering in some way? Well, we should love all people. Our neighbour is whoever we find who is in need. Even though we do not come across starving people in the Western world, we can do something to help them by giving to charities. It is also very
productive and important for us to campaign for more justice for poor
countries, for example, by campaigning for the cancellation of third
world debt. The motivation for us giving money or campaigning should be
our love for God and our desire to be obedient to Him. We show loves
to others practically because we love God, it is not merely an act of duty.
What is essential is that we make sure, wherever possible, that we
also bring the Gospel to people who are in physical need, as well as
bringing them practical help. To bring the message of salvation which we
have in Jesus is essential - for that is how people can be saved. We
must bring the Gospel “in words” to everyone we can, but where we have
the opportunity, we should also demonstrate the Gospel through our
benevolent and generous actions. We get tired of “Christian“ charities
[that] manage the practical part, but fail to do all that they can to
share with people the message of salvation that is the true Gospel. It
is our conviction that we should in some sense prioritise our giving and
support to Christian charities that do their best to share the Gospel
in words with people who do not know Christ.
Writing letters of complaint to governments and other bodies of
authority can be very effective. It makes them realise that people are
aware of that issue of oppression or injustice, exposing them on the
international stage and often bringing political pressure on them. We
can support campaigns in various ways - by sending money to Christian
charities, writing campaign letters, or changing the way that we shop
and spend. An example of a campaign issue to write to your national
government about might be the issue of creating greater economic justice
and opportunity for Third World countries. In several countries (for
example the UK), members of government have responded positively to
sustained campaigns about issues related to global economic justice. Persecuted Church Contacts and Links Open Doors International - www.od.org. Open Doors UK - www.od.org/oduk. The Voice of the Martrys - www.persecution.com. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (UK) - www.csw.org.uk. www.hometown.aol.com/brskeeper/index.htm - links and resources. The Barnabas Fund - www.barnabasfund.org. www.persecution.org - lots of links. Charity and Campaign Sites and Directories Charity Directories - www.caritasdata.co.uk. www.charityslist.org Campaign Directory - www.oneworld.org (huge campaigns resources and links). Campaigns - www.thehungersite.com (campaigning about hunger), www.therainforestsite.com (campaigning about the rainforest), www.eia.org (Environment Investigation Agency). Christian Charity Links Evangelical Alliance (UK) - www.eauk.org (Christian Campaigning), www.speak.org.uk (Christian campaigning). Tear Fund - www.tearfund.org (campaigns and helping the poor). CARE - www.care.org.uk (UK Christian campaigning and political action). www.cafod.org.uk/agencies.htm - lots of links, including Christian, on campaigns and social awareness issues. www.cbmuk.org.uk - Christian Blind Mission. www.global-focus.org.uk - Christian thought and action on Kingdom involvment in global issues and structures. WARP TO TOP! |
