The Conversation
Recently I was privy to this email conversation between an American pastor and a national pastor in a restricted country. The American was going to train a handful of pastors; the national pastor was coordinating the event at great personal risk. Because of the risks involved I can only share with you a portion of the conversation.
We have to change your itinerary. – National Pastor
Why? – American
The government is asking questions. – National Pastor
You know the original itinerary was bogus. – American
Yes, and the next ones will be also. – National Pastor
What happens if we are caught? – American
You will be thrown out of the country and never allowed back. I will not be allowed to work at my job, I will be beaten, and I will be thrown in prison for a while. – National Pastor
Should we cancel? – American
No, come on. – National Pastor
What Happened?
Two Americans went, but the event never occurred, the pastors were not trained or equipped. At a check point the police found our national pastor with our training materials. He was detained, forced to stand at attention for several hours, berated for his faith, cursed, and mocked. His cell phone was searched, but he had already deleted everything that would connect him to the Americans. The materials were confiscated. Eventually he was released.
As soon as he was away from the station he called the Americans and the pastors who were to be trained. He warned them not show up at training location. Shortly afterward he was called back to the police station and interrogated again. He stood firm, refusing to deny Christ and refusing to name the pastors. He was again released. The Americans slipped quietly out of the country and worked their way back home.
As far as we know today neither that man, nor the pastors who were hoping to be trained have been arrested.
Later in a conversation with another person on our staff the national pastor said
We are writing the history of faith with our lives!
When the history of faith is written there will be a chapter about that country, and there in that chapter you will read of a man who took up his cross daily, died to himself, and fearlessly followed Christ.
Something to Think About
When the history of faith is written and your name is mentioned, what will the author of history say about you?
Did you serve faithfully, fearlessly?
Or, is safety and self-first the terms the author would use to describe your faith?