BIRMINGHAM, England (ABP) – Yanis Smits, bishop of the Latvian Baptist Union, said his countrymen encounter “difficulties” spreading the gospel within his home nation. Those troubles would be regular pressure from groups that are out to halt the work of Latvian Baptists.
His story was the norm from a panel discussion during a Baptist World Centenary Congress seminar July 28, where Baptist leaders around the globe shared stories of being persecuted for their faith.
Believers reported incidents of violence in the Middle East, church burnings in South Asia and refugee Christian converts who are being deported from Western Europe only to face persecution in their home countries. The causes of the violence varied, but each leader shared his or her pain during the session, which was primarily closed to the media.
Persecuted Christians worldwide need the support of other believers, Smits said. He urged churches to pray regularly for those suffering because of their faith. God will support them through their trials.
Meeting and getting to know persecuted believers through organizations like the Baptist World Alliance can encourage congregations to reach out through prayer, Smits said. Baptists on the opposite side of the world can know the needs of others through e-mail and mail. Prayer petitions can be specific. People are more likely to pray for people they care about.
For certain regions such as Latvia, publicizing the issues may be helpful, Smits added. Media can expose the injustices that are happening. Writing government agencies may accelerate change in a region.
“Those countries are afraid of publicity because that shines light,” Smits said. “Light is a blow to darkness.”
However, Christians must share other information carefully, the bishop noted. Public exposure to specific problems could make groups of believers targets of violence.