Let's Begin...To CELEBRATE! Or NOT?

Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prioner, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. - Hebrews 13:3 NIV

China Detains Christians at Banned Easter Service - MSNBC

China Detains Christians at Banned Easter Service - SRN News

Easter has always been the same for me each year. Bunnies, candy, flowers, news outfits, the whole nine yards. But this Easter was a bit hectic for me. Working with kids and celebrating that Jesus has Risen for the Dead takes a lot out of you.

But it doesn't stop there. My dear friend, Sara, who has a heart for the persecuted church, like me, came up to me during the service with some news. An underground church was arrested for holding a "banned" Easter Service. My heart sank with pain and sorrow.

China is one of forty restricted nations in the world. China is a Communist Party Nation, or a One Party Nation, which means that the government tells you what to do, what your belief is, and what your future holds. You have no Freedom.

Now China allows some Christianity, but only a select few. Their church location is provided by the government and they are not allowed to fellowship with one another. The underground church is growing and fast! There aren't even enough Bibles to be passed around. Estimates say that average from 40 to 80 million Christians in China, in the underground church.

These men, women, and children risk their lives everyday just so they could learn about Christ. Sometimes I’m happy and glad that I live here in America. But then I feel like a cowered because I don’t face the battles that my brothers and sisters face day after day.

The only thing we can do right now is pray for them. Pray for their safety and their freedom for their religious faith.

Let's Begin...To UNDERSTAND.

Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.” - Luke 9:23-27


Since I was a little girl I never really thought about the persecuted church. I thought everyone went to church and believed in God just like me and my family. The older I got, the more I realized the truth of religion. I was always up for a challenge and I sure did get one. In June of  2010, I received a Kingdom Worker's Card at CIY. The card said to study about the persecuted church and to share the information, and find a way to help the persecuted.


I was up for the challenge. As word went around of my challenge, people were backing me up and supporting me. The more I studied through scripture, reading stories, and searching the internet; I find myself loving, and caring, more and more everyday. Wanting to help them in every way possible!


I organized a day of prayer on the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church at the youth service, and I organized a fundraiser for care packages for the child and missionaries in India during the Christmas season. We raised over $300 and was 1 of 8,286 donors in the US. God rocks!


Now I am working on another possible fundraiser for Bibles and Christian Literature in China. But today, my heart is saddened for the Christians in China who could not celebrate and worship on Easter Sunday (more info in my next coming blog).


Until next time, may God bless you and your family; and please keep our brothers and sisters in your prayers, for they are keeping us in their's.