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Tribune Content Agency
Is it true that Christianity has been a force in overcoming injustices in the world?Oct 12, 2018 |
| From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham
Q: Is it true that Christianity has been a force in overcoming injustices in the world? — I.M. A There are many examples of how Christian revival paved the way for better conditions around the world. John Wesley, for instance, began preaching in the fields, churches, barns, on hillsides, in the rain, in the scorching sun — at any place people would gather to hear God’s word proclaimed. Then he took up his pen and wrote against the evils of his day. He denounced the cruel violations of God’s law. He pointed out immorality which opposed God’s holiness and undermined the morals of mankind. He pointed out the abuses of labor. He opposed everything which he found to be contrary to the commandments of God. From the heart of this great man had come a message that meant new life to the common man. Indeed, the foundations of the western way of life had begun to bear fruit and a new consciousness under his ministry. It was the great revival under Wesley which set in motion forces that eventually destroyed slavery around the world. The conditions in the early to mid-18th century find a parallel in society today. The lawlessness, the crime, the immorality that is a stench to the nostrils of God is hastening God’s judgment upon this land. This could be changed and transformed by another great spiritual revival. The ills, divisions, troubles and difficulties that beset our nation could be turned around if its people would humble themselves before God in repentance. Pray that God will raise up a generation that will speak God’s truth and pray that hearts and ears will be open to His call. “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3). ======== (This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.) (c)2018 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC. |
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PTL!!!!!
Trump meets with freed American pastor Andrew Brunson in Oval Office
Fox News
President Trump will meet with freed American pastor Andrew Brunson in the Oval Office Saturday afternoon — and said that there was “no deal” made with Turkey for Brunson’s release. Read the full story
Shared from Apple News
FGGAM NEWS just received this news release! PTL!!!
Welcome Home, Pastor Brunson:
From Victim to Leader on Behalf of Persecuted Christians Worldwide
Pastor’s Release Demonstrates the Effectiveness of America Holding Persecutors Accountable
WASHINGTON—The Save the Persecuted Christians (STPC) Coalition rejoices in the freeing and safe return home of Pastor Andrew Brunson, an exemplary Christian brutally persecuted for his faith. Now that his torture and suffering at the hands of the government of Turkey is at an end, the STPC Coalition believes that he will become an even more important example of, and leader among, those working to end such oppression and to advance religious liberty.
President Trump is to be commended for having demonstrated his profound conviction and commitment to freedom of religion and the imperative of protecting it through all available means.
In particular, the STPC Coalition applauds President Trump for putting into practice on behalf of Pastor Brunson, and thereby proving the effectiveness of, two techniques the STPC Coalition was formed to promote: 1) Holding persecutors accountable, 2) Imposing real costs for their crimes against humanity.
The Trump Administration should continue to use these techniques until the Turkish government frees other imprisoned Christians and ceases its persecution of members of that faith.
The STPC Coalition joins President Trump in welcoming Pastor Andrew Brunson back to the land of the free and the home of the brave. We look forward to working with both of them in bravely advancing the cause of freedom, especially for persecuted Christians everywhere.
“This has been a long road of persecution for Pastor Andrew Brunson,” said founding Coalition member and Save the Persecuted Christians Director Dede Laugesen. “We are joyful and so thankful for Pastor Brunson’s long-awaited freedom. We praise God for this wonderful turn of events and thank the many people who worked on his behalf, including President Trump himself and high-ranking officials within his administration as well as influential and committed attorneys. Despite the joy we feel today, we must never forget there are millions of Christians who are not free to believe in Christ. Many remain jailed, persecuted in their own communities or even shunned in their own homes. We pray all will someday experience the freedom Andrew Brunson is savoring today.”
The STPC Coalition, which advocates on behalf of 215 million Christians facing heavy persecution worldwide, continues to work diligently to disseminate actionable information about ways in which the American people can help those like Pastor Brunson who are being persecuted for their faith.
Especially in light of headlines surrounding Pastor Brunson’s release, raising awareness about Christian persecution is crucial, as violence toward and imprisonment of Christians occurs so routinely it rarely makes the news. For example, according to Open Doors, 255 Christians are killed worldwide every month. 104 Christians are abducted. 180 Christian women are raped, sexually assaulted or forced into marriage. 160 Christians are detained or imprisoned without trial. And 66 churches are attacked. Every month.
With such staggering statistics, and the knowledge that most of these crimes are not covered in the media, the STPC Coalition developed a special news aggregator—www.ChristianPersecutionNews.com—to capture current instances of persecution that do make the news and to provide readers an easy way to share these heartbreaking stories with others.
One of the simple and economical ways Americans can render support is by encouraging their pastors and faith leaders to visit www.SaveThePersecutedChristians.org and to order a free banner to display in front of their houses of worship. These simple banners feature a graphic “Save Us” plea with a cross and the coalition’s website where Americans can learn about the global persecution of Christians and find out more about what they can do to help stop it.
With so much of the world’s population attacked, imprisoned or exiled for their beliefs, the time is fitting for the work of the STPC Coalition. The Coalition is building a movement like one in the 1970s that helped free another population suffering from heavy persecution—Soviet Jews—so as to impel policy changes that will hold the persecutors accountable and increase the costs for their crimes against humanity. Building such a movement is necessary to provide American policymakers the leverage needed to influence change worldwide and to alleviate the suffering of those who are being persecuted merely because of their faith in Jesus Christ