On today's blog we are going to do something a little different. To go along with this week's video on persecution, I have asked Dr. Breck Merkle to write a guest post on the subject. Breck is the Director and CEO of The Glory Project, an organization that seeks to build up and support the church in Southeast Asia. He has previously served as a missionary in Southeast Asia and knows a lot about the persecution that Christians face in that part of the world. I appreciate his contribution to this blog, and I know you're going to be challenged and encouraged by what he has to share:

Christmas is here! Everywhere you go Christmas songs are being played, decorations are in every store, and lights are on every house. This year people are once again having Christmas parties with family and friends. This week we had a fun Christmas party for the staff of our church. However, in the middle of cooking everything our hot water heater broke. We had no more water for cooking, preparing the dishes, for cleaning up afterwards, or a way to bathe comfortably in the days ahead. 

Years ago this would have thrown me into a frantic panic attack, but when I found out it was broke, I simply told my wife, “Well… how’s that for first world problems?” You may have said these same words before. But, what does the phrase “First World Problems” mean? I love how the urban dictionary defines it. It says, first world problems happen “from living in a wealthy, industrialized nation that third worldlers would probably roll their eyes at.” Wow! For those of us who live in the modern world, with all its amenities, we specialize in making mountains out of mole hills. Our first world problems too easily overwhelm us. As a result, we forget that there truly are monumental problems that the church faces across the world. 

Meet Peter, a front-line worker with The Glory Project. He came to faith in Christ over 10 years ago and shortly after surrendered his life to full-time ministry in a country that is predominantly Buddhist. Persecution followed quickly. His parents no longer accepted him into the house or his village. He had no financial support. No means to eat. No place to live. God then providently brought Peter to a missions conference where I met with him and saw God’s calling upon his life. I was able to help Peter attend a local Bible school for further ministry preparation. 

After finishing, Peter moved to an unreached area of the country where there was no gospel witness. Hardships continued. He was turned down a license to run a boarding school because he was a Christian. Peter was also not welcomed into many villages because of his faith. Other people refused to sell him food or supplies for his family. However, after a few years of faithfully loving the people and persevering through the rejection, relationships were built. Peter was welcomed into villages to share the love of Christ. God was opening doors everywhere and new churches were being started, when all of a sudden, this year (2021) the military swept into the capital city and took over the country. 

Mass attacks against the church and Christians followed. Peter was targeted. For three months, he was on the run in the jungles fleeing village-to-village. Every day I was sent a message that said, “Good Morning,” - code that he was still alive. After three months he returned home for a short time. The military found him again. His entire family then fled even further into the jungle living there for a month. The military though made their way to where they were to arrest and attack anyone under 40. They fled again. Peter and his family are still not home. For 6 months they have been on the run. His prayer is simply this; “Pray for God’s continued protection over us so that we can return home to continue our ministry.” 

When you hear the story of someone like Peter, how should you respond as a Christian who only experiences first world problems? 1 Corinthians 12:26 says, “If one member suffers, all suffer together.” We must stand with persecuted Christians all across the world. Although many of us cannot even picture this happening to us, we must watch out for each other. In the last year there have been 4,761 Christians killed for their faith. 4,488 churches and other Christian buildings attacked. 4,277 believers detained without trial, arrested, sentenced or imprisoned.[1] You can watch over these persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ in two primary ways. First, pray for them. Pray they remain faithful in being a living testimony of Christ’s redemptive work. Second, get involved. Share their stories with others and also discover ways you can support them through ministries like The Glory Project. But also do not forget that what trials you’re experiencing as a Christian in the first world, is consider persecution and you must bear witness to Christ daily. 

There is a broader understanding of persecution as seen in the Bible. 2 Tim 3:12 says, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” John 15:20 explains that we will be persecuted just like our Master Jesus. The point is clear: while martyrdom and intense persecution is a special category set aside for a select number of Christians (Rev. 6:8-11), persecution is the normal experience of Christians everywhere. Even first-world Christians – if you really are a Christian – will have crosses to carry. And I believe the crosses you carry now are heavier than before and will continue to be.

So, as a first-world Christian, I challenge you to respond like the persecuted church to the crosses you carry. Have the attitude of James 1:2-4: “Consider it pure joy when you face trails and difficulties.” The next time you say “first world problems,” pause for a moment. Remember your persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray for their faithfulness. Consider it a blessing that for a moment you experienced a small part of what they face every day. Then find ways to support them. At The Glory Project we come alongside frontline workers, like Peter, encouraging them to continue to advance the kingdom of God in the hardest places of the world. Should you want to join us in what we are doing visit us at thegloryproject.net. Don’t forget those who are suffering for Christ all across the world this Christmas season. 

Dr. Breckenridge Merkle 

Director @ The Glory Project

[1] 2021 World Watch List reporting period for Open Doors