From the Voice of the Martyrs President:
Cole Richards

Like the Old Testament prophet Elijah, today’s persecuted Christians often face powerful persecutors alone. Elijah denounced Israel’s wicked King Ahab, after the king and his wife, Jezebel, led the Israelites to worship the false god Baal. In a dramatic confrontation on Mount Carmel, Elijah stood alone against hundreds of Baal’s prophets. “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord,” Elijah pronounced, “but Baal’s prophets are 450 men” (1 Kings 18:22).

Not one Israelite came to Elijah’s aid. Persecution is and always has been a regular occurrence for many in the body of Christ. But if it is normal in church history, why is responding to persecution exceptional? The issue is not whether faithful witnesses for Christ in places like Burkina Faso will face severe opposition but whether they will become discouraged by having to do so alone.

Christians living in the world’s most difficult and dangerous places for our faith are, with us, members of one body — the body of our Lord. The suffering of any member of Christ’s body must always be our concern. Leaving them without help discourages them and dishonors Christ. Scripture teaches that there should be “no division in the body” because its members care for one another: “If one member suffers, all suffer together” (1 Corinthians 12:25–26).

“The correct response when a family member is being attacked is to do everything we can for them without hesitation.”

Cole Richards – VOM President

We must be resolved to rush to their aid. The correct response when a family member is being attacked is to do everything we can for them without hesitation. We immediately pray, go and help in whatever way possible. Persecuted Christians like Jamila, a Christian convert from Islam trapped in an abusive marriage, are not a statistic to discuss, a theoretical problem to solve, or a cause to be championed. Jamila is our precious sister for eternity. If we understand what God intends for the members of His family, we will hear the cry of persecuted Christians: “How long must we stand and suffer alone?” And our immediate response will be, “Not long! We are on our way.”

I have found that many sincere Christians in our nation have no knowledge of the
persecuted members of our eternal family. And among those who know about the persecuted, most are unaware of the powerful ways we can support and encourage them. Our prayers matter: Persecuted Christians are greatly encouraged by knowing that we understand their plight and lift them up in prayer. Our gifts matter: They provide food, clothing, shelter, and Bibles to our Christian family members in their time of greatest need. And our voices matter: Please consider the name of this magazine a task that you can take upon yourself. Will you be the voice of the martyrs?