A number of years ago, I was traveling with some missionaries to northern China to meet Christians from North Korea who had escaped across the Tumen River.
We stopped at a safe house where a small group of North Korean Christians were hiding. During our time of prayer and fellowship, one of my traveling companions quietly asked me, “Before coming on the trip, someone gave me a cross necklace and asked me to pray about who I should give it to. Should I give it to this group of courageous Christians?”
“Someone gave me a cross necklace and asked me to pray about who I should give it to.”
As he removed the cross necklace from his pocket and showed it to me, I replied, “No way. It is way too dangerous for them to have this in their possession.”
One of the North Korean Christians, a young man in his late teens or early twenties, was watching us intently. While he didn’t speak English, he seemed to know what we were discussing. “I would like that cross,” he said to our interpreter.
Again, I said “No.” it was very dangerous for him to wear the cross. I have known more than one Christian in North Korea who had gone to prison and had been tortured simply for wearing a cross.
However, he insisted. And, after going back and forth, he finally said, “I know the risks, and I am willing to wear the cross.”
“I know the risks, and I am willing to wear the cross.”
While I did not want to put the young man at risk, I agreed to give him the cross necklace. He immediately put it on and smiled wide.
A few weeks after we visited the safe house, it was raided by the Chinese communist police. The Christians, including this young man, have never been heard from since. I can’t help but wonder what wearing that cross cost him.
Just this week, I committed to help produce and release a documentary about children in a South Korean church who, after learning about the persecution of Christians in North Korea, wanted to learn how to have that same faith—faith to withstand persecution, and even faith to give their lives if necessary.
Scenes from the documentary about withstanding persecution, created by children in South Korea.
These children made a short film that went on to win several international awards. They are not teenagers—they are elementary school children. They are about the same age as the students killed this week in Nashville. In making the film, they were not aspiring to be filmmakers, they were inspiring others to be faithful to Jesus no matter the cost.
Persecution of Christians is on the rise, and I have met dozens of Christians who have been imprisoned or have lost a loved one because of their faith. We read their stories and are encouraged by their testimonies of faith. Now we see the persecution creeping into America, and young children are included among the targets and the victims. My heart breaks beyond description for the victims and I cannot even imagine an attack like this happening at the Christian school that my two granddaughters attend.
Persecution of Christians is on the rise, and I have met dozens of Christians who have been imprisoned or have lost a loved one because of their faith. We read their stories and are encouraged by their testimonies of faith.
Someone recently asked me if I believe that God is going to punish America for turning our backs on Him. I answered that I believe His punishment is already here. But He is not “punishing” us in the traditional sense. Rather, He is lifting His hand away from our nation and leaving us to our own devices.
The Bible teaches that the followers of Christ will be persecuted. If people hate Christ, they will also hate us—those who follow Him. And, unfortunately, we see more hatred for Jesus and the Word of God now than at any other time in American history.
My heart goes out to the children and adults martyred last Monday morning at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee. The victims’ names are Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney, who were all 9-year-old students at the school (pictured below left-to-right on the bottom row), as well as Katherine Koonce (60), Mike Hill (61), and Cynthia Peak (61), who were all working at the school (pictured below left-to-right on the top row). I honestly do not know how to comfort their families and friends or even what to say. I can only pray.
We honor the memory of the victims of The Covenant School shooting.
I believe that times will get more difficult, and I believe persecution will increase. I know this is not popular for me to say when so many are praying for revival in America. However, it is just my opinion. Perhaps I have witnessed so much overseas that I fail to see how God will rescue America when we, who have been so blessed, continue to turn our backs on Him.
As our own society sees growing persecution of Christians, I am reminded of everything my spiritual mentor, Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, and his wife, Sabina, taught me in relation to the persecution they themselves faced. They are not easy lessons; however, each is uniquely filled with the love of Christ!
I do know that we are not called to live happy, or even safe, lives. We are called to serve and worship our Heavenly Father, stand strong in our faith, win the lost, and preach the message of Jesus Christ. This is all I know we are called to do.
I am so thankful for all who faithfully support the ministry of RevelationMedia. We know that there are many good ministries and projects to give to, and we are honored you have entrusted us with your contributions.
Our team has committed to equally share all contributions that come in today through the donation link below with The Covenant School in Nashville.
Debra and I will also add a personal contribution, and we will send them to the school with our heartfelt condolences and let them know that the RevelationMedia family is praying for them.
If you would prefer to give directly to the school, you can use this link.
Thank you for being part of the RevelationMedia family.
Help Support The Covenant School in Nashville with Your Donation to RevelationMedia
We are thankful for all those who support RevelationMedia. Any donations made through the links in this email will be equally shared with The Covenant School in Nashville to help care for the victims, staff, and families who were affected by the tragic shooting that happened on March 27, 2023. Please join us in prayer for this community
—for comfort, and for enduring hope amid this tragedy. May God grant them a peace which passes all understanding.
