Today’s Haiku

A witness for Christ

 

I will love my enemies

 

I will shine God’s light

 

 

Growing Together

  

Do you know the Voice of the Martyrs ministry? If not, I encourage you to check them out at https://www.persecution.com/.

 

Do you know why June 29 is an important day for all Christians?

 

June 29 has been declaredDay of the Christian Martyr because the Apostle Paul’s martyrdom is commemorated on this day. The word translated as “martyr” found in our English language Bibles comes from a Greek word that means “witness.” Martyrs witness for Jesus Christ no matter the cost, including their lives. Faith that comes at a cost has infinite value.

 

The Voice of the Martyrs is honoring Pastor Jean-Paul Sankagui of the Central African Republic. He is this year’s inductee of the Martyr Memorial for Day of the Christian Martyr. Here is information about Pastor Jean-Paul Sankagui, courtesy of The Voice of the Martyrs Ministry:

  

Pastor Jean-Paul Sankagui planted a church in a Muslim neighborhood outside Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic, in 1993. He maintained good relations with the community for years.

 

But civil war between Seleka rebels, government forces and anti-balaka militias changed everything. Most of the pastor’s church members fled the area as hostility increased toward Christians. And even the pastor’s wife, Mary, urged him to leave the area and work someplace safer. But Pastor Jean-Paul stayed in obedience to what he believed God had called him to do.

 

On Feb. 7, 2017, Islamists shot Pastor Jean-Paul to death outside his church in Ramandji before looting and burning his house and church. Mary said they killed her husband because the community no longer wanted Christians in the area. She and Pastor Sankagui had been married 48 years and had 11 children and 17 grandchildren. After losing not only her husband but also her home and all her possessions, Mary had no choice but to leave the area.

 

Five other evangelical pastors in the region also were killed in the first five weeks of 2017. Pastor Jean-Paul knew the risks, counted the cost and willingly stayed to shepherd his small congregation and serve as a witness for Christ in the neighborhood.

 

How do you feel now that you know Pastor Sankagui’s story?

 

What are you thinking right now?

 

What do you think you would have done if you had been in his place?

 

Let us review his story:

I felt sadness as I read his story and watched a video about what happened. I feel sadness because Pastor Sankagui was killed. I feel sadness because the church building was looted. I feel sadness because the church building was destroyed. I feel sadness for his widow and their children and grandchildren. I feel sadness because the congregation had to flee. I do not know how many returned.

 

But I have hope. I hope those who fled share Jesus Christ through their actions. I have hope people they meet will see the Light of God shining in them and will ask about it. I have hope people will taste the salt the congregants carry and then the people will ask for a drink of Living Water to quench that thirst.

 

I will close this Growing Together section with words from VOM USA:

 

 What does Pastor Jean-Paul’s martyrdom inspire?

 

Those who have given their lives for the advance of the gospel did so as the next step in their journey of discipleship. They did not simply wake up one day, living a marginal Christian experience and decide, “Today I’ll give my life for my faith.” No one is born as an exemplary biblical disciple (quite the opposite — we are all born into sin in a fallen world). Each of us must intentionally learn, obey, and grow to become more and more Christlike throughout the entirety of our lives.

 

Each of us can be inspired to live faithfully for Christ by observing the transformative power of Christ in those who have paid the ultimate price. Drawing from their example, we can take the next step of obedience in our journey as a follower of Jesus. Always taking our next step is the mark of a maturing believer.

 

To be inspired by Christians who are persecuted for their faith today, visit persecution.com and sign up for The Voice of the Martyrs’ free monthly magazine.