Indianapolis, Indiana - November 14, 2010 - Reverend Neil Bell, Lead Pastor of Parc-Way Assembly of God, is spending seven days and nights outside his Southside church in a make-shift prison to bring attention to the plight of the persecuted church.
"Each year I look for an innovaitive way to lead our church in rememberance of the suffering some believers face on a daily basis. Our brothers and sisters in bonds aren't just pastors and leaders, they are the elderly, the single, the moms and dads, aunts and uncles, and in some cases, even children."
It is estimated that over 165,000 Christians around the world are martyred each year. They also are arrested or abducted, maimed, burned, beaten, or raped because of their faith in Christ. In synch with the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP), Rev. Bell asks for, "folks to not only donate, but that they would make this cause a part of their personal prayer life. There are people depending on our support both monetarily and spiritually."
R. Brandon with Voice of the Martyrs Ministry says of Reverend Bell's efforts, "This seems like an effective tool as far as making people aware of the realities of Christian persecution taking place around the world."
All proceeds will go to The Voice of the Martyrs, a non-profit, inter-demoninational Christian organization dedicated to assisting the persecuted church worldwide.
I was taken into custody this morning at 11:50am. The charges brought against me were, but not limited to, preaching the Gospel, supporting Christian ministries worldwide, and encouraging others to do the same.
Today in service when our Pastor was arrested, I was in complete shock, I felt like crying. I know that as a Christian we are persecuted daily, but I have not been in a situation where somebody I cared for was arrested, beaten, or killed for their belief in Christ. I have prayed so many times for the people around the world that are persecuted for their belief; but knowing that our Pastor would be outside our church for seven days and nights gave me a little taste of what families all over the world go through when their love ones are separated from their families, arrested, mistreated and even killed for their belief in Jesus Christ.
In dedication of the persecuted church, my pastor was arrested and placed in a prison cell in front of our church. He will spend seven days and nights there. You know we as Americans are more blessed than what we feel at times. We are free to love God and serve him without fear of arrest. We can tell our friends, relatives and neighbors about the fact that Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and died on the cross to pay the price for our sins. Not only did he die, but he conquered death, hell, and the grave and rose again. I pray that we as the Church of America shake ourselves awake. That we do not take our freedoms for granted. I pray that we soften our hearts towards those who live in fear daily because they love and serve the One True God.
It was gut wrenching to see our Pastor cuffed and escorted out of church. I'm sure there is a much more convenient way to raise awareness for the persecuted church. I am so thankful for a pastor who is not a Pastor of convenience but of sacrifice.
Are these in America or elsewhere? What were the actual charges? As a family personally impacted by sexual abuse by a person in authority,I know firsthand that what the arrested person SAYS they are being arrested for is not always what they are being charged with. I pray for all the prisoners, but also recognize that sin is present in the Body of Christ on earth. We can love the sinners, but still must hate the sin.
Wendy: Please check out "The Voice of the Martyrs". This act of sacrifice our pastor is making is in dedication to those Christians who are arrested, beaten, and killed simply because they are Christians. They live in countries across the world that are not free to believe in God. There are pastors, missionaries, christian villages, etc that are attacked for no reason except for the fact that they proclaim the Name of Jesus Christ.
This is so cool. I applaud your efforts in bringing attention to this subject. Many in America overlook the fact that in many areas of the world, many people are jailed and even killed for trying to bring Jesus message of love to the world. Way to stand up!
Although the world doesnt see itself as we see it they will soon enough and this courageous act is just another step closer. Stay in your faith and the LORD will show you the purpose of this act :) .
Today in service when our Pastor was arrested, I was in complete shock, I felt like crying. I know that as a Christian we are persecuted daily, but I have not been in a situation where somebody I cared for was arrested, beaten, or killed for their belief in Christ. I have prayed so many times for the people around the world that are persecuted for their belief; but knowing that our Pastor would be outside our church for seven days and nights gave me a little taste of what families all over the world go through when their love ones are separated from their families, arrested, mistreated and even killed for their belief in Jesus Christ.
ReplyDeleteIn dedication of the persecuted church, my pastor was arrested and placed in a prison cell in front of our church. He will spend seven days and nights there. You know we as Americans are more blessed than what we feel at times. We are free to love God and serve him without fear of arrest. We can tell our friends, relatives and neighbors about the fact that Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and died on the cross to pay the price for our sins. Not only did he die, but he conquered death, hell, and the grave and rose again.
ReplyDeleteI pray that we as the Church of America shake ourselves awake. That we do not take our freedoms for granted. I pray that we soften our hearts towards those who live in fear daily because they love and serve the One True God.
It was gut wrenching to see our Pastor cuffed and escorted out of church. I'm sure there is a much more convenient way to raise awareness for the persecuted church. I am so thankful for a pastor who is not a Pastor of convenience but of sacrifice.
ReplyDeleteFREE PASTOR!!!
ReplyDeleteAre these in America or elsewhere? What were the actual charges? As a family personally impacted by sexual abuse by a person in authority,I know firsthand that what the arrested person SAYS they are being arrested for is not always what they are being charged with. I pray for all the prisoners, but also recognize that sin is present in the Body of Christ on earth. We can love the sinners, but still must hate the sin.
ReplyDeleteWendy:
ReplyDeletePlease check out "The Voice of the Martyrs". This act of sacrifice our pastor is making is in dedication to those Christians who are arrested, beaten, and killed simply because they are Christians. They live in countries across the world that are not free to believe in God.
There are pastors, missionaries, christian villages, etc that are attacked for no reason except for the fact that they proclaim the Name of Jesus Christ.
This is so cool. I applaud your efforts in bringing attention to this subject. Many in America overlook the fact that in many areas of the world, many people are jailed and even killed for trying to bring Jesus message of love to the world. Way to stand up!
ReplyDeleteAlthough the world doesnt see itself as we see it they will soon enough and this courageous act is just another step closer. Stay in your faith and the LORD will show you the purpose of this act :) .
ReplyDelete