Giving them the ‘TOOLS’ they need to live for Jesus Christ
Release International delivers the international aspects of its ministry by working in-country through local churches or organisations, with whom we have established formal partnerships.
Where possible these Partners are indigenous to the area in which our Ministry operates, but sometimes the work is carried out through Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) where they are well connected with the local church.
These partnerships form the main connections between Release International and persecuted Christian communities. The very nature of this work makes it difficult to report on it without endangering those being served. However, we can share some stories that demonstrate what we’ve being doing to benefit persecuted Christians overseas.
History has shown that persecution comes and goes around the world. There are a variety of different types of persecutors who have varied reasons for persecuting. No matter who, when or where, the intensity of persecution in the Christian life could be likened to the radio frequency spectrum (see diagram below); at one end, Christians face a high frequency of terrible persecution, at the other occurrences are rare and Christians pay little or no cost for following Christ.
Persecution Spectrum
Our international work is focused on the high frequency end of the persecution spectrum. Our own Taxonomy of Persecution is used to ensure the Ministry remains in the right place for the foreseeable future. From the elements of the Taxonomy come four clear areas of ministry: Families of Christian martyrs; Prisoners of faith and their families; Christians suffering oppression and violence, and Christians forced to flee.
Having ministered to and with Christians at this high end of the persecution spectrum, Release International is able to continue presenting the first-person VOICE of persecution to those at the lower end of the spectrum, with the hope and prayer that they will become engaged with those suffering and be better prepared when it becomes their turn! (2 Tim 3:12).