MINISTRY PARTNER
MINISTRY PARTNER
By DAVID Watterson
AT times , I have shared about what our most requested item is from the persecuted . If you remember , it β s not for money , or Bibles , or safehouses , or anything else that β s physical . It is for prayer . Like many of us , the persecuted are left looking and seeking the simplest things from their God and Creator . Likewise , the most expressed idea from the persecuted to us is thankfulness .
Once again , our brothers and sisters in CMA have shown themselves to follow the admonishment of James 1:22 , ( NIV ). β Do not merely listen to the word , and so deceive yourselves . Do what it says .β The needs of the persecuted have reached an elevated volume as instances of persecution have not only grown , but also as media coverage has started to wane . Their cries are not for them to be safe , or removed , or otherwise made ineffective ; they are for strength , courage , and grace as they remain in their home countries to act as beacons on very dark hills .
I remember as a child , that I awoke one night , absolutely terrified . I had awoken from a nightmare and although I don β t remember the dream , I remember the fear . I remember my mouth being dry and being unable to cry out for my parents . I remember not being able to breath . But strangely , I do remember that it wasn β t the dream that left me terrified , it was the absence of presence . I was terrified because I was alone , not because I thought the dream was real . I was scared because I felt isolated since my voice would not allow me to call out to my parents . I didn β t really believe there were monsters under my bed , or in my closet , or in the hall . tens of thousands of Bibles into the Because I couldn β t call out to my parents ( my voice wouldn β t make any by those who oppose them , and they
hands of people who are surrounded
sound at all !) I had to call on what have peace , because you did what the was at hand . And it wasn β t my
Bible says .
Crossman BB gun ! It was the first
CMA , thank you . Thank you for phrase that popped into my head as a standing with your brothers and sisters around the world . Thank you for child , Psalm 56:3 , ( KJV ) says , β What time I am afraid , I will trust in thee .β your commitment to stand with them Now , I was a young boy that had and to stand by them as they face been raised in church , but to this day , persecution of all kinds and from all scripture memorization is not my directions . Thank you for being obedient to what God has called you to do . strong suite . I have zero short term memory , so as a child , I have no idea Thank you for being humble servants why I remembered that verse at that that are willing to give up your time , time . I have no idea why it came to your energy , and your resources . mind , and I have no idea how young I Thank you for showing the persecuted exactly what the church is sup- was when I memorized that short sentence from Psalm , but I still call on posed to look like . it . And it still brings me peace when Hebrews 13:3 , ( ESV ) tells us to , I β m amidst chaos . And yeah , I do β Remember those who are in prison , know why I remembered it , and why I as though in prison with them , and called on it ; its because it β s God β s those who are mistreated , since you Word . also are in the body .β At Global
Now imagine not having that Christian Relief ( GCR ), we describe Word . Imagine not having that peace , ourselves as a β presence β ministry that opportunity to study God β s Word , because we try to fulfil the need of that chance to recall God β s promises remembering the persecuted while or to find solace in the comfort He showing them that they are not brings . You , CMA , give those opportunities to millions around the world direct communication , phone calls ,
alone . This is hard to do because through Run for the Son . emails , and texts can all do far more Today , tonight , tomorrow ; millions damage than good . We can β t hug will call on God β s Word for peace , for their necks , pray with them with one strength , for comfort , for guidance . hand on their shoulder or send them Millions will lean on it and dig it out of a verse or a prayer that might their souls during their most harrowing times . Millions will depend on it we can do is to send them a copy of
encourage them . However , one thing
like an invisible lifeline that ties them God β s Word with the simple , often directly to the heart of God . And millions of them would not have that alone . You are not forgotten . God is
unstated message of ; You are not ability , that opportunity , that beautiful , graceful chance to call on God if it And when you are afraid , trust in
with you . His Word is in you .
were not for you . You have put over Him . GCR David Watterson and David Curry for Global Christian Relief ( GCR ).
11βͺSEPTEMBER 2023βͺwww . cmausa . org