Youth Group: Going Deep

Tonight was a awesome youth group. We played games as usual, hung out and had fun. However tonights lesson was really impacting, and i think the kids got a lot out of it. I talked about the freedom we have in this country and what Christians in other countries go through to worship Jesus Christ. The kids really listened and were shocked about Modern Day Martyrs. It really hit home for a lot of them, understanding how blessed they are to live here. And to be free to worship God when and where they want to. They were suprised to know that people around the world can't meet together like we do ever week or live in fear that they may be arrested or killed for going to church. I really wanted them to understand what the Persecuted Church goes through and how many people are willing to risk their lives for their faith in Jesus Christ.

Some Facts I found on the internet:

* Over 200 million Christians in 80 different countries will be persecuted because of their faith in Jesus Christ.
* 465 Christians are killed daily for worshiping their Savior. (average)
* 170,000 lives are lost every year, because of Christian persecution.
* Countries that have little or NO religious Freedom, and have know Human Rights Violations because of persecution or severe discrimination against Christians.
       Egypt, Ertrea, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Sudan, Morocco, Algeria, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China, Laos, Korea, North Korea, Bhutan, Maldives, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Yemen,  and Cuba.
* Also check out the World Watch List. It lists the countries in order of severity. Print it out and put it some place you can see it. So it can remind you to pray for these countries and the Christians who live there.

These numbers are unbelievable. And truly struck my heart. I have done nothing to deserve the safety that i have by living in the USA. I praise God for His blessing, and I pray that i shine for Christ everyday, and that i never forget the people around the world who are living in fear because of what may happen to them if they worship Christ. Please take some time tonight to pray for the millions of Christians around the world who are being persecuted. Also never forget that our freedom is a blessing.