HIGHER CALLING
Yet from the testimony of these believers comes a truth that is uncomfortable for us to hear in the West: persecution of these faithful brothers and sisters in Christ is not a ‘mistake’ – but part of a special and higher calling from the Lord. God Himself has not been ‘caught out’ – these believers have not been forgotten, or abandoned. In fact the reverse.
In Tortured for Christ, the mind-wrenching account of his own imprisonment and torture by the Romanian secret police in the 1950s and 1960s, Richard Wurmbrand said this:
‘The life, the self-sacrifice, the blood that believers are ready to shed for their faith, is the greatest argument for Christianity presented by the underground church. It forms what the renowned missionary in Africa, Albert Schweitzer, called “the sacred fellowship of those who have the mark of pain”—the fellowship to which Jesus, the Man of Sorrows, belonged.’
Mysteriously, the persecuted church teaches the whole Christian church, and shows the wider world, that there is more to this world, and this life, than meets the eye. They have discovered something so precious, so valuable, and so life-enhancing in Christ, that they will not let go – even to the point of death.
ORDINARY PEOPLE
As part of my work at RI, I have met many persecuted believers, men and women, young and old, rich and poor. These are not ‘super-Christians’, but ordinary people, like you and me, in whom God has however done something extraordinary.
Often these believers choose, with God’s grace, to forgive those who have hurt them and their loved ones - even in the most excruciating and unbearable circumstances. This too is proof of the ultimate power of the gospel to transform lives.
Having received forgiveness in Christ themselves, these precious believers are able to extend mercy to even the perpetrators of the worst violence possible, just as Jesus Himself was able to do on the Cross of Calvary.
THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS
This profound truth of reconciliation and forgiveness, which lies at the heart of the Christian gospel, is also at the heart of RI’s ministry.
That’s why we’re delighted to present a remarkable and innovative dramatic presentation about the life of Jesus as part of this very special Pentecost Festival in London.
HIS STORY CELEBRATES THE GOSPEL
His Story is a unique multimedia musical, with a distinctively Asian feel. A cast of 50, the acclaimed Indian Christian musicians Anil and Reena Kant, bollywood-style dancers, and a 19-piece soul band combine to tell the gospel story through music, song, dance and multi-media.
It promises to be a vibrant visual and cultural experience. What’s more, before the performance you will be welcomed with a sumptuous Asian-style buffet. Don’t miss out!
Andy Dipper is CEO of Release International (www.releaseinternational.org).
Tickets for His Story cost £15 plus booking fee, and include an Asian-style buffet before the performance. His Story takes place in Westminster Central Hall on Friday May 9 (6pm) and Saturday May 10 (1pm and 6pm). Find out more at www.pentecostfestival.co.uk/release.
