Page 2 - Voice of the Persecuted Christians Jan-Mar-2024-125

Welcome
by Paul Robinson, CEO
Learning from
Christians
forced to flee
Many of us at this point in the calendar take
the opportunity to reflect on the past 12
months and to look forward to the coming
year. There will have been highs and lows
for all of us and no doubt will be again but
it’s unlikely we will experience the sort of
dramatic events that Dmitry underwent
(see pages 6-9).
This brave Ukrainian pastor was captured and
interrogated by Russian invaders then forced
from his homeland yet has continued to serve
the persecuted faithful believers still living
there. His dedication and perseverance are great
examples for us to follow in our own lives and as
we go through our own trials.
One of the aims of Release International is to
help UK Christians learn from the persecuted
part of the church. I believe that stories such
as Dmitry’s provide precisely the lessons we
need to hear in the UK. In the midst of his
interrogation, Dmitry said he ‘had no fear’ but
experienced a supernatural peace. We may
wonder how we will get through challenges that
may sometimes seem to overwhelm us but let’s
draw comfort and inspiration from knowing that
that same peace and freedom from fear is ours
too. If God is able to provide peace and freedom
from fear in a very tangible way in very difficult
circumstances in Ukraine then He is able to do
so in the UK.
TRENDS 2024
At the start of every year we publish a survey
undertaken with partners detailing current
persecution and the trends reflected therein.
In this year’s report (pages 12-18) we have
again included prayers for our brothers
and sisters in each of the specific countries
highlighted. After reading each section please
do take time to pray for our persecuted family.
We may not see immediate results but we know
that prayer changes situations. We hope that
by providing this key information from our
partners it will enable you not only to pray with
far greater understanding of ongoing events
but also to pray pre-emptively, knowing what
could be on the horizon for already persecuted
believers.
CAN YOUR CHURCH HOST DRAMA?
We have been hugely encouraged by the
growing response in the UK to the Artless
Theatre Company production of Petr Jasek’s
story of imprisonment in Sudan (see page 21).
The tour is now entering its third calendar
year and reaching fresh audiences. Premier
Christianity magazine described it as a
‘production bursting with artistic imagination
on a level I have rarely experienced before’.
If you haven’t had a chance yet to attend a
performance of If Prison Walls Could Speak may
I encourage you to do so. It will not be wasted
time. May I also encourage you to think about
hosting a performance at your own church.
I believe it has had a profound impact on
audiences, challenging and inspiring Christians
to go deeper in their faith. Think what it might
do for those in your congregation and beyond.
Cover photo: Pastor Dmitry © Release International 2024