‘When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.’ (Psalm 126:1-3)
Special appeal for prayer and funds for Release International
My colleague Jack and I have just returned from Egypt, where we had the privilege of meeting our ministry partners in and around the sprawling city of Cairo.
On a previous visit Jack had met Zaid*, a Muslim refugee from Sudan. Zaid had fled after his best friend had been killed when government forces opened fire, during a protest they were both taking part in. Zaid said he began to despair as this did not represent the Islam he believed in.
He had begun searching for what Christianity had to say, and had downloaded more than one digital Bible on to his phone. At the time Jack told Zaid he was sorry to hear of the death of his friend, but believed God had spared his life so he would have the opportunity to come to know Jesus Christ. On that note they said goodbye.
In September Jack showed our partners a picture of Zaid and asked if he had stayed in contact with them. They said he had – and that Zaid had become a believer a few months ago!
Release International’s ministry is to love and serve persecuted Christians around the world – but we are also passionate about the gospel!
I am writing to you today to make a special appeal to you to help us in our unrestricted general ministry funds.
The Lord has greatly blessed this ministry over the last 56 years – including through the pandemic and more recently in times of economic pressure and financial hardship. Typically the stories we share with you and the appeals we make are to support our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. But it has become apparent that we need to increase our general, unrestricted funds, in order to remain on course and to be sustainable for the future.
We have made a number of painful cost savings in 2024 and we continue to seek the Lord to make further savings.
In the light of these challenges, please can you prayerfully consider increasing your regular giving or making a one-off gift today?
Our primary concern will always be our persecuted brothers and sisters. Therefore, the first £45,000 raised in this autumn appeal will help us meet commitments to fund overseas projects – helping Christians who are in desperate need, and who face oppression and violence for their faith in Christ. All funds raised over and above that £45,000 from this particular appeal will go to our unrestricted fund, which supports the UK-side of our ministry: enabling us to be the voice of persecuted Christians in churches and with individual Christians.
We rarely make a special request like this, but we believe it is right at this time to ask you to pray and to give generously. Any help you are able to provide would be a great blessing.
Grace and peace be with you always,
Paul Robinson
CEO, Release International
* Name has been changed to protect the persecuted Christians we serve.
Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev.
Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.’
(Psalm 126:4-6)
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