Page 21 - Voice-of-the-Persecuted-Christians-Oct-Dec-2023-124

21
‘God gave me life; to give Him my
life is a small thing.’ That was
the remarkable testimony of
Twen Theodros, who spent 16 years
imprisoned in barbaric conditions in
Eritrea for her faith in Christ.
Having been arrested at a prayer
vigil on New Year’s Eve in 2004 at the
age of just 21, Twen endured nearly
three years locked away in a shipping
container – suffering unbearable
heat in the daytime and freezing
temperatures at night. Among her
fellow detainees was the gospel singer
Helen Berhane, who became a close
friend.
At the beginning of this year we were
finally able to tell Twen’s inspiring
story – a testimony to God’s grace
and your prayers – in Voice magazine.
Now she will be sharing something
of her harrowing – but victorious
– experience as part of this year’s
International Day of Prayer for the
persecuted church (IDOP).
As we have done the past few years,
we will again be joining with the
Ex-prisoner in special
day of intercession
November sees the annual and long-
established International Day of Prayer
for the persecuted church (IDOP)
Twen Theodros
will be sharing
her story for
IDOP
Evangelical Alliance, Open Doors
and CSW to present a special online
event to mark this year’s IDOP. This
will take place on Sunday, November 5
at 7.30 pm.
We recently spoke to Twen again
and filmed her for IDOP. Dr Berhane
Asmelash, our partner for Eritrea,
will also feature in the IDOP film,
while Release International CEO Paul
Robinson will be appearing in the
online event.
‘While we would want Christians
and churches to be praying for their
persecuted brothers and sisters
throughout the year, this annual
date in the calendar is a great way
of reminding one another of issues
of persecution and of introducing
Christian friends to the realities of
persecution for Christ in our world
today,’ said Paul. ‘Please do join us on
November 5.’
First launched in 1996 by the World
Evangelical Alliance, IDOP is now a
well-established date in the Christian
calendar. For countless Christians
and churches around the world it is an
annual reminder of the vital need to be
praying regularly for those who suffer
for Christ and the gospel today.
As well as registering to watch the
online event, you can encourage your
church to mark IDOP this year. Maybe
you could organise an IDOP service,
or devote part of a Sunday service
in November to speak about Release
International’s ministry and to lead
your congregation in prayer? Each
year we provide fresh resources that
you can download from our website to
help you with this. More information
will be at woocommerce-1195296-4229685.cloudwaysapps.com/
IDOP.
You can register to join the online
event on the Evangelical Alliance
website (eauk.org).