As we step into a new year, it makes me think of Calendars. In 2025, I had a calendar with pictures of old pickup trucks, and another with pictures of Blue Heeler dogs. This year, It’s Blue Heelers again, but instead of old pickups, I’ll have WWI aircraft on the wall.
Those early airplanes were simply amazing. Made mostly of wood and cloth, painted with “dope” (Lacquer) that tightened and stiffened the fabric and made the “skin” airtight and weatherproof. With wooden propellors, metal wires helping hold things together, small engines that were prone to fail, wings that might tear off when pulling out of a dive, and landing gear looked more like wheels off an old bicycle, they were dangerous. But considering that the Wright brothers made their first powered flight in 1903, these machines were nothing short of amazing! And the pilots? Also amazing! Flying in an open cockpit, in freezing cold, scanning the sky for people who would kill you, while taking fire from the ground, hoping your plane didn’t fail, in a time when, pilots had no parachutes and you have some very brave pilots.
In the first century, Christians had to be brave too! In the early days of the Church, waves of persecution came and went. Over 300 years Roman Emperors instigated nine persecutions. Some were worse than others, but during them all, being a Christian meant being brave!
Persecution isn’t some relic of ancient history. We in the U.S. are not persecuted. This, however, is not the case for many of our Brothers & Sisters in the rest of the world.
The following information is from globalchristianrelief.org.
Christians in North Korea are classified as “hostile” by their government. They have less access to food, school and jobs. They live under constant threat of labor camp or death sentence.
In Somalia, Christians face persecution from the Islamic majority. Most Somali Christians are converts from Islam. Nowhere is safe for believers. Violence increases.
Christians in Libya are spied on, not only by the government, but fellow citizens as well. This has created a climate of deep mistrust and led to terrible persecution.
In Eritrea, all independent churches are considered “enemies of the state.” There are thousands of persecuted Christians in the jungle, sealed off from the rest of the world.
Christians In Yemen distribute aid to others. But Yemeni law mandates death penalty for apostasy, (leaving Islam) so some Christians have been tortured and murdered.
In Nigeria Christians have it the worst. The number of Christians killed by extremist groups in Nigeria is more than the rest of the world combined.
In Pakistan, violence against Christians grows. Believers are treated as second-class citizens and can be accused of blasphemy. This can lead to death. Churches are often bombed.
Sudan’s civil war has killed and displaced many. Churches are frequent targets of destruction and violence. Christians also fear violence from their communities.
In Iran, there is no religious freedom for Christians. An estimated 10,000 Christians leave Iran each year. The state persecutes in the cities, In rural areas, persecution comes local people.
Christians in Afghanistan have always been in danger. Since the return of the Taliban in 2021, it is even worse. Converts to Christianity can be locked up, tortured, or sentenced to death.
What can we do about all this? PRAY! I would suggest three things to pray for. #1. A prayer of thanks that we are free from this. #2. A prayer that these countries discontinue their attacks on our Brothers and Sisters in Christ. #3. We should pray that our Brothers and Sisters have the courage to stand firm, no matter what kind of hostile treatment comes their way.
Praying right along side of you,
John
