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What
if the word “God” was illegal?
Continuing our look at
suffering in the world, ALOVE spoke to 32-year-old
Communications Manager for charity Christian
Solidarity Worldwide, Richard Chilvers. He
explained something of the key work they do
in reaching out to suffering Christians around
the globe and offered some insight into how
life would be for you if you lived in an anti-Christian
land.
Can you tell us
a bit about CSW, the work they do and your
role within the company.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide campaigns on
behalf of persecuted Christians around the
world. CSW gathers first-hand information
from people who are attacked for being Christians,
then works with them to raise their concerns
with the UK Foreign Office, the European Union
and the United Nations. We also know that
perhaps our most important advocacy tool is
prayer, so we produce a prayer diary and hold
prayer days to focus supporters’ prayers
where they are most needed.
What inspired
you to work for CSW?
I wanted to do a job that makes a positive
difference for people around the world. I
was a journalist on a regional newspaper in
Brighton, but decided I wanted to work more
directly in trying to change the world for
the better. It was when I heard for myself
from people who were living victorious lives
in the midst of really dangerous persecution,
that I decided I could no longer stand on
the sidelines and watch. I had to get involved.
Why is there still so much suffering for the
Church worldwide? Have we not progressed past
this?
Jesus promised his followers trouble if they
chose to follow him, so suffering should come
as no surprise today. There are of course
many reasons why people are persecuted for
their faith, ranging from extremist expressions
of Buddhism and Islam, to totalitarian regimes
and Communism. All of these ideologies at
their worst make being a Christian in such
countries extremely difficult. As long as
Christians around the world live truly in
the footsteps of their Saviour, suffering
will never be far away.
Which countries
treat Christian most badly at this point in
time?
North Korea is probably the worst place to
be a Christian today. Christians are persecuted
by a ruthless state, where even the word “God”
is banned. In some Islamic countries such
as Saudi Arabia, extremists persecute Iran
or Pakistan Christians if they convert from
Islam or attempt to convert others. Other
countries such as Laos, China and Vietnam
persecute Christians because the state is
Communist and denies the existence of God.
Christians are perceived to be a threat to
the stability of the country and are seen
as agents of the West.
What suffering
would a young Christian expect to undergo
if they were living in these countries at
the moment?
In some such countries, a young Christian
could be killed if they converted from one
religion to another. There are also extremists
from other religions that resent having any
Christians in their country at all. However,
in many such countries, Christians find they
are not killed for their faith, but suffer
much harassment, either at the hands of the
state, or from extremists. For example, meeting
together can be extremely difficult and has
to be done infrequently and in conditions
of secrecy. In some such places, getting hold
of a Bible or attending a prayer meeting can
lead to imprisonment and torture.
How is it possible
for us to be a “voice for the voiceless”?
Probably the best thing to do is to start
praying. That way you will get to know about
the situation in a country and will be beginning
to make a real difference. CSW is one of several
agencies which helps persecuted Christians
and we all produce prayer diaries. You might
then begin to focus on just one or two particular
countries that are especially on your heart.
You might start giving to a charity that works
in that country and maybe even visit it. You
will then be much more motivated to pray and
maybe write a protest letter on behalf of
the Christians in that country. CSW has an
email list that you can join to get the latest
urgent actions you can take on behalf of persecuted
Christians around the world.
Often young people
can feel completely powerless to help the
suffering Church worldwide. Is this the case
and, if not, then what can they do?
Young people have a power and an energy that
world-weary 32-year-olds like me only dimly
remember! Why not use some of that creativity
and enthusiasm to raise awareness in your
church or college or school. A Sunday school
class in Eritrea was arrested recently and
perhaps you could write to them and encourage
them to stand strong at this time of testing.
Perhaps you could raise money to provide Bibles
for young Christians in China or Vietnam.
There is much young people can do to get involved
in supporting the persecuted church today!
Why should Young
people get involved with CSW over any of the
other charities that are vying for our attention?
I think it’s important to find charities
whose aims you agree with and then, when you’ve
decided you really care about an issue, to
commit to giving them your support in a long-term
way. It’s a great way of feeling less
defeated by the many problems around the world.
If the persecution of Christians bothers you,
then CSW is one of the best charities that
actually campaigns to get the laws changed
that actually cause such persecution. We work
with the Christians on the ground to really
make a long-term difference. It would be great
to have you join us and really get stuck in!
How can young
people pray intelligently about suffering
around the world?
Probably the best way is to focus on just
one or two countries and really get to know
them. You could also take a prayer diary (perhaps
even from CSW) or sign up to receive email
alerts on things that urgently need your prayers.
It can be hard staying motivated, so why not
start a persecuted church prayer group at
your church or youth group – you need
only meet for half an hour a month or something
– but what a difference you could make!
If you could say
just one thing to young people about suffering
around the world what would it be?
The people I have met from the persecuted
church around have a deeper joy than me, because
their circumstances have forced them to know
Jesus so much better. When I meet them and
can help them, I feel a spiritual link with
their joy because I am fulfilling God’s
command to be part of one body, the church,
which has many members. If you want to grow
and be challenged in your faith, then joining
with the persecuted church can give your faith
a real jump-start about the persecution of
Christians?
For more information and ways to get involved
with CSW campaigns and prayer action, visit:
www.csw.org.uk |
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