Hello and welcome to our podcast here at Elim church in Swanley, your joining myself, Reverend Benjamin Leonard Cooper this morning as we are looking into the world of the persecuted church, as we always do once a week with a recap. And we have Sandra with us this morning that is, has a wealth of information in front row this morning, Sandra, we welcome you here this morning. Thank God for your life and everything that's going on. Thank you so much for coming in today, as we record this podcast, and it's lovely to see you. How are you sir? Yeah, I'm doing all right. Thank you. Oh, well, is it? Yeah, yeah. carrying on with things and yes, David. Okay. Yes, he's getting on with his work. He's got quite a big workload. Yeah. He's very busy at the moment. That's Yeah. And we just thank God for your life. Sandow. The more we've been looking into this over the last few weeks, the more I'm realizing how could I say, is it the right word to say how blessed we are in the UK at this moment? Yes, we have the amount of freedom that we have, at this very moment in time. And I must say, we continue to pray for the world of the persecuted church, the suffering church. And we lift them up right now at this very moment in time in the name of Jesus. And we're going to start with a bit of a recap this morning. Is that correct? Sir? Yes, that's right, just a bit of a peruse through. So where are we? Where are we going to kick off from this morning?
Sandra Robson:Well, we were looking at things that has happened in 2020, we were looking at certain situations that had happened around the Christmas time, from particular countries. And we looked at China and Hong Kong and Malaysia and North Korea. And we looked a little bit at Pakistan and Iran, and just sort of wanted to backtrack a little bit on China. There's just some things I was reading, after the last podcast, and thinking about that journalist who's who's been jailed, and we're still waiting to hear the outcome, whether she made an appeal or not. And I was just thinking, you know what she actually did, it says, you know, that she just posted videos and articles about the virus outbreak on social media. And that should have been a simple thing to do as a reporter. All she wants to do was share the truth and share the facts to make, you know, because a lot of people had stories and things that they thought and so she felt to go there. And she felt God wanted her to go there to to share the facts. And then she decided to share those facts. Why more widely, and, you know, so that other people would find out what was going on. And but the Chinese authorities didn't want her to do that. And, as you know, really well, it is concerning, as they've said it raise serious concerns about the media freedom in China. And I think what I was thinking last week was that China is getting more and more secretive and getting more like North Korea. And she wasn't preaching the gospel or anything. she happened to be a Christian, doing her job. And, you know, because we think about it all being about preaching the gospel. Oh, yeah, that actually, this isn't anything to do with that. And I think that's what I suddenly thought about. And I was thinking that, you know, she knew the risks. And I just to give you a bit of background when I was reading about all this, and it said that some friends who've been praying with, they warned her not to go, and but she believed that she was to go, and she did what she did. And there should have been no risk of her being arrested for doing this fact gathering. And because she spoke to eyewitnesses, and you know, because she wants it to build up a correct picture, which she thought would be helpful. But obviously, it was seen as sharing facts they didn't want, you know, other people to know or, you know, going out before they wanted it. And so yes, it's been interesting. We'll have to see what happens this year. Yeah. So China, and so
Reverend Ben Cooper:just backtracking a little bit there. Sandra. So this is you could say a workplace issue. Yeah. She's She's in China. She's a news reporter. Yeah. She's just going into an area just to report the news. Yeah, she would normally do. Yeah, she just so happens to be a Christian. Yeah. And now they've arrested her. They've got a under law. So she's in the hands of the government. Yeah. Simply because just simply because she's going to deliver news. Yes, we do not want to deliver. Yes. So there must be something hidden. somewhere. There's something else going on. Yeah, but the media is so powerful. Yes. The media only lets you hear what they want you to hear. Yeah. And that's what we're starting to see in stories springing out. Yeah, well only release. So if if she's gone into release something that is going against what they want the world to see what we are really up to will tighten the screws.
Sandra Robson:Yes. Because they want to give this pretty different impression.
Reverend Ben Cooper:On the garden. Yes. And we don't let you know. But really, there's thorns. Yes. There's something else going on? Yeah, we are controlling. Yeah, we are bringing the law down. There is a situation we don't want the world to see. Yeah. on general main stream news. Yes. So we will stop anybody. Yeah. From photographs, social media. We know how powerful social media is. Now you can take a picture of the other side of the world. And within, within a blink of an eye it The news is so travels so fast. So they will have to start operating harder and quicker. Because it's that device in front of us in it how quick that is. So we must pray for her. We pray for her. So it's just a journalist do her job.
Sandra Robson:Yeah, she's just doing her job. And there's a couple of others as well, who have also this, you know, they have tried to find out about what's happened to them.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Can I just ask if it had nothing to do with Christianity? No.
Sandra Robson:So that you know, when afterwards after I'd spoken to you I was thinking, yeah, she just went as a Journalist, she happened to be a Christian. And obviously, when we do our jobs, like I do my job as a teacher, because I'm a Christian, I will pray about my children about the day and honoring the Lord in what I did. But I'm doing my job. I'm going, I'm going to the workplace to do my job and her job. And she was doing her job.
Reverend Ben Cooper:And her job was to deliver news. Yes. And it wasn't the news that the government wanted to deliver. So this is where we are.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. So. So yes. It's very interesting. Because again, I was thinking how that applies the bowl foo. And how they don't they want to suppress him. Yeah, because he's bringing out this other news, or they don't want others to hear. But it's not just happening there. It's happening is starting to happen in other places,
Reverend Ben Cooper:even in this nation. The news that we see on our screens, yeah, not necessarily the news, which is really relevant to us as human beings. And as believers, we never see anything on the BBC on the sky on on any mainstream news channels about Christians being persecuted.
Sandra Robson:Yes. And that's me. Yes. That's right. And so you never see that. Yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:we never see anything on mainstream news. Very rarely, I'd Sondra i would i would go, I would even step back more than that. I cannot remember when I've heard anything on news. Regarding Christians around the world being persecuted for their faith, the news that we have today is controlled around the globe. Yes. Politics at the moment. Look at what we've been fed. Yeah. Isn't it true? As the scripture says, we gotta be careful what feeds us? Yeah, what we see of our eyes, will take care of areas will affect us there is control. One world governments anyway, come on. Well,
Sandra Robson:yes. So thank the Lord, that we can do this. These organizations are fighting for free to the real no, yes. You know, and that we, you know, you can look back on things, I mean, like CSW, you can look up the UN things that they've done. I mean, this is real, this is real. So it's not, you know, and that's the thing, these are, these are facts, and I'm very careful when I look at things to double check. And, you know, because some reports do come out. And, for example, like some, you know, in because, like you're saying, you know, news happened so quickly. In Nigeria, there was a report that a pastor had been released. Apparently, that's not true. And that's been
Reverend Ben Cooper:just the news that governments want the message to hear.
Sandra Robson:Yeah, so now they've released it, you know, I think it's released international have released a statement saying, they've now looked into this, and that was incorrect. And so when things you know, are put out, sometimes they come out very quickly, and then they have to be investigated. So that's why sometimes I might not I will wait a while to find out this. These things are definite because they might say, Oh, you know, there is going to be something. So we have to be careful in that respect. Right. So we've done that. So
Reverend Ben Cooper:keep praying. Yes.
Sandra Robson:We looked at all those. And I just wanted to pick up on Iran, we didn't do much on Iran, we might look at around another time, obviously, we did look at it from the point of view of what's going on there. Yeah. And I just happened to see last week that Abraham was one of my prayer points. And it's a point for praise and a point for prayer as well. And I mean, this goes back to September, this incident happened, that he was summoned again, to face new charges, which would have led to another six years in prison. But this time, the charges against him was speedily dismissed. So praise God for that. Thank you, Lord. So that's interesting, because I think I was talking about him around that time, September, October, so that you know, so he was in real need of prayer at that time, which I didn't, we didn't know. And, but on the other on the other side, and I'm praying that Lord has, you know, done something to help him in this, or his mobile phone and laptop were confiscated from him. So he can't do his theological studies. But that, you know, God is in control here. And we thank the Lord. So it is like a spiteful thing, okay. We couldn't get you back in prison that will do this playground stuff, almost do this instead. But I do pray for favor where he is like saying, and the Lord will just move through this situation and just, you know, lift him up, and others that are there, Lord, me know, because he he didn't talk about the suffering, did he? Oh, he didn't. He was so much for desire and love for the for the people of Iran. And, you know, and he has gone through personal tragedy, because apparently, while he was in prison, his mother died of cancer. And you wouldn't have known that, you know, either that's happened, as he you know, while he was in prison, or in this exile, but it says that his health suffered greatly, and his mother died of cancer during his during this time. And he's 33. Now, apparently, but we just thank the Lord for His walk, and that God has a great mission for him. Praise God, a great mission. Great. Because why did I say that? Because the Lord has stepped in again, again, remove these charges, and just put him back in that exile, which got him in that place. Yeah, although we don't understand it. He doesn't want him in prison. That moment. He wants him in that place.
Reverend Ben Cooper:It's really interesting that all the way through the Bible, you see God's strength and people in the trouble. And the situation and the storm that you're in the storm never gets removed to that degree. What he does, he strengthens us in the situation. And he makes a way in a situation, you know, times I pleaded with the Lord, take this away from me, but he said, No, My grace is sufficient for you. My power is made perfect in weakness. So that's really important. So just, I'm just laboring on the fact that Sandra has this article circled. Yeah. And for all our listeners, it's really important that we subscribe to these different organizations and the different ministries, Barnabas prayer,
Sandra Robson:Barnabas prayer, and that's on prayer. So as last,
Reverend Ben Cooper:as we've been saying, My prayers are always on point. That's what what I come back to. Yeah. How important it is for our sentencing type focus prayer. Yeah, on that one thing. Yeah, I've got one which where there is agreement as the scripture said, where there is agreement and alignment in the Word of God? That's when prison doors excuse the pun prison doors open? Yeah. How often have we seen this? Look in the book, where the church was praying for the disciple in prison, the Lord sent an angel opened the doors, got him out of jail. Yeah. So God did not remove the jail but what God done he opened the doors of opportunity, he will take you from where you are. So everybody listening it's really, really important prayer. That's so critical. Yeah. To get into Barnabas open doors. CSW listen to Transworld radio release international to get these bullet points these quick five prayers Yes, cuz where there's agreement impress brothers and sisters, whoever you are listening, the power of prayer. We don't need to be in that situation. And we can easily think to ourselves, I'm not very helpful. But prayer.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. And as we are in this lockdown, you know, there's so much opportunity, because it's so easy to start thinking about yourself and the situation and what's this happening and where's that going and all that and have to say, No, stop, you know, this time. I could be spending in prayer, you know, or even as I'm doing my, my household chores I'm paying. I'm talking to the Lord about different things. There's so many opportunities and just to be so thankful for what we have here as well. And so we're going to Nigeria, and sadly, a lot of things happened in around, you know, December. I mean, it was awful time, violence Singh can do in a state. And just too many, I mean, I've got about five different things that happened here. And there abductions 17th of December 10 people were killed at and how homes burnt down. And, you know, somewhere else. On the same day, people men riding on on motorcycles attacked a village and and killed an elderly man and looted the village and attacked others and other people are missing. And it's got their names here. And I do pray for them. And you don't because they're important people at data bulus who was 55 Peter Tango 43, Buddha, Yakubu 51 Emma Delta 38. And we don't know whether they have been found. We pray that they have. And this was released by CSW and they said we offer our condolences to those who have lost loved ones in this month of attacks in their state. And those who are missing an injured, injured at the urgent and deteriorating situation can do now must not be forgotten. Nor must the religious element to these attacks be brushed aside the authorities must develop a comprehensive security plan that considers the different dimensions to this security crisis amid signs that violence is not only continuing, but it's also spread to other areas. So that concern that is spreading to other areas of the North. It's it you know, it's Yeah, it's getting greater. So that the the boys who were abducted not only from Christian Schools, but also from another type of you know, there's different Muslim groups. And even in that, you know, some Muslim boys, we're also these call them has sua Muslims, which are different from the Fulani. And so they were also abducted, but then they were released, just a whole genre.
Reverend Ben Cooper:So where have you got this information from?
Sandra Robson:This is from CSW, and this is from the press releases.
Reverend Ben Cooper:So this is how important this is. We just been talking about knows. Yeah. And these these pointers that you're bringing, we haven't heard anything whatsoever across the news channels. What's happening. This is how important it is to look at Christianity and to really see that the news channels are just delivering stuff that is quite irrelevant. If you're a believer in Christ Jesus, this is what we should be hearing. If this was to come out across the airwaves, how would this change their situations? But same again, the news is controlled. The information is controlled to what is released, but we thank God for CSW. Yeah, so how if I came to you, Sandra, and I said, Sandra, I'm interested in finding out some news about the persecuted Christian in Nigeria. I would just go to CSW website. Yeah, I'd go on there. And I'd go to their bullet points. Yeah. Press release, press release, rather.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. So get put in Nigeria, and then press releases, and then oh, come up with all the different events, all the different, you know, incidents that have happened that have been reported. And then if you wanted to look at what they've done in the UN, regarding those things, then there's UN reports as well.
Reverend Ben Cooper:So not so not only is the first piece of information, but there is a link to more information of what has what the UN has done regarding Yeah, so that situation or what is going on my way is the saying that is news. That is news when you're hearing children are being kidnapped. Yeah, and everything that goes on with that. So this is what we're talking about. The news is controlled. Social media is controlled what you can put out, especially Christianity, everything else comes out everything else. So this is really important. You know, everyone that's listening wherever you are around the world. We need to surprised that we're getting real news because we are being funded with just so much junk for the news. And it's so much about COVID. So much about COVID. Nothing else was going on. Things are great things happening. Yeah, we want to hear some good stuff to say, well, this isn't good. But this is this is scripture. Yeah, this is lining up with what we're talking about. And it's coming back to the fact that you look up the majority of the governments and the system of controlling the nations and they are controlling information coming out. But we have got to give God the glory for CSW, and all these other guys and girls that are delivering this this information,
Sandra Robson:all those people on the ground?
Reverend Ben Cooper:How much How can I know to get this information extracted safely? And this is this is massive? Yes.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. So pray for their protection as well. And you know, that their ability to get this news? And yeah, cuz, you know, they're putting themselves at risk. So, on a more positive note, and so not that, big of saying that, you know, there's reasons, as we said, there's reasons why this is happening, it's terrible about the killings, and everything, but the gospel is advancing. That's correct. So that's what we need to remember. And as I said, you know, when I've been part of these online conference things, online, catch ups with the different organizations, they've explained what's actually going on, and how Christians are engaging, and how they are encouraging their youth not to get involved in the violence and, and how the Lord has shown them, their shortcomings because of all this, and now they are now developing programs and support for this sort of thing, and how other people who might, as I say, would not have known or thought about the gospel, and you know, that Muslims who have been brought up that, you know, in that way, and not, and not really known who Jesus was, and being given a particular idea of Jesus, or are now meeting THE REAL JESUS, because of what because, you know, like, we say, in Acts, you know, the scattering, I mean, so many of, you know, the village has been burned, so people have been scattered, you've got lots of people going in different places, and God is using that in the camps, you know, because it's not just Christians are in these camps, there be Muslims there as well. And it's all mixed. And all in all these situations of refugees, and those that are displaced people, you get an A different mix of people. And, you know, and also the churches are finding they're engaging and different. So this is what we got to remember that, yes, there are these killings going on, and it's terrible. And and, you know, we need to pray that the government will do you think things and they won't just turn a blind eye to what's going on in the north, because they are concerned, it could come into the other part of Nigeria. And you know, that it's on the border now. And so, yes, but you know, it's a very tricky situation. But, again, God is at work. And we know this, the small stories are important as well, like this one about the professor who's been released on bail because he was looking after all these orphans. So Professor Richard Solomon, Moosa tuffa was the co founder of an orphanage for unwanted Christian children in Nigeria's can do and can do in a state where there's sponsz being going on. And he's been released on bail after nearly a year in pretrial detention. And they're praying that all that his charges will be dropped, and that they were false allegations. And he was initially informed his detention was due to operating in an orphanage illegally. But the charges were subsequently changed to criminal abduction of minors after his wife produced documents proving the orphanage was duly registered with several government bodies. Wow. So, you know, so they're praying that, you know, that will, when it's looked at, that they see that that isn't the case. And we pray for the children who are involved, because they've been, you know, scattered and placed other places. And it's a very important work he was doing because obviously, that sadly, there are orphans, because their parents have been killed in these, you know, things that have been going on. And also they die of other diseases and, you know, other things. So, yeah, so that's something so praise God that he is on bail, but we want it to go further. We want to see it further than that. And again CSW welcome Since the release of Professor Richard, and it is unacceptable that he has spent nearly an entire year in pre trial detention owing to excessive bail requirements, they will say it is the cost and repeated delays in the judicial system. And they call on the authorities to drop all charges, and bring an end to this concerning chapter of harassment and injustice. They also call on the government to end the trauma experienced by the 17 children as a matter of urgency by returning them to the only parents they have ever known, which is this couple of days Why. So that's, that's what's going on in Nigeria. And we continue to pray for the situation for wisdom for the churches, and courage. And to continue. Now we go to India is another big this is another big thing coming. And so over the year, intolerance towards Christianity, Christianity has increased and 80% of Indian Christians were denied food by the government during the COVID crisis. 80% 80% Yes, when they went to visit the homes of Christians and asked had they had any any food from anybody else? They they were told no. And out of Yes, only 20% of those Christians said that they had received aid 80% and this is in India, and that's in India, and that's through open doors information.
Reverend Ben Cooper:This is nose This is real nose, not what we're hearing across the UK.
Sandra Robson:So Christmas, Merry Christmas, Christians received a letter and in and it's due to this increasing in different states because remember, there are different states in India. And this has to do with the anti conversion laws and more states are taking that on. So Christians in India are increasingly getting harassed and attacked and anti conversion laws, even the things like celebrating Christmas, or having a prayer meeting, this letter appeared in a local newspaper sent by Hindu extremists so I read what they put. And this was to the magistrate office and Gucci Murata. Not to give permission to unauthorized people to celebrate Christmas Day says, greetings to you. Here we would like to bring to your attention that in the tribal area of goo terracotta people are publicly breaking the rules and regulations of anti conversion bill. There is no one who is Christian on paper yet they are practicing Christianity, and they are also promoting others to do the same. If they are Christians, why do they not write themselves Christians in the paper? their documents do not show they are Christians? If we haven't received permission to celebrate a Hindu festival, which is a festival of the goddess? Why do you give permission to these people to celebrate a foreign religion called Christmas? Here heartily, we are requesting on you not to give permission to these people to celebrate Christmas. If anyone comes to you to get that permission, kindly ask them for a four on paper I'm reading exactly as it is for on paper, Christian religion certificate. If you will not take any action regarding this, then anti national activity in this area will increase and the responsibility will be yours. It was signed by representatives of a local extremist Hindu group.
Reverend Ben Cooper:The squash of Christmas that reminds me of an Old Testament text very clearly where Moses goes to Pharaoh. And he said we want to go in releases for free days to go and worship and have a festival which says a festival for free days where we can worship and sacrifice to our garden. And Pharaoh said Who is your God? Who is this God? I do not know this God? No. So look at that clear letter. Yeah. Clear letter of No, do not allow these Christians to worship. Yeah, we want Christmas pushed away. And we're saying that in many other places around the world, where COVID-19 is being used as the vehicle to close worship, to push Easter out to push Christmas and to try and push everything out. It's very interesting of how this is being used. Yeah, to drive. Christmas and Easter is a spiritual attack on Christianity and we will see it A lot more of a press over, it'd be interesting to see what happens at this Easter time here in the UK.
Sandra Robson:And with this, it's like, also, you know, threatening Hindus that, you know, if you go to even, or you're curious what Christmas is because apparently at Christmas Hindus would go to churches because they would, it would just be because it's part of a festival. Yeah. And they would just go to look, you know, and, and but they're saying you can't even even to do that even as an observer they do you know. So they say that local extremist groups have sent all sorts of letters to authorities, purporting to have concerns about Christians, forcibly converting others. In reality, these believers are simply celebrating Christmas or holding prayer meetings. And recently, there's a new anti conversion law came into one of the states, and for people who were giving out eight have been arrested. And one of them was given out as one of them as a North Korean lady who ended up having to stay there because of COVID. She couldn't, she couldn't go up. And she was with some Christians. And they decided, well, while we're here, we will give our aid. And they said that, in doing that, because they were Christian, they were then trying to convert. So in giving food, yeah, because it was coming from a Christian, it was that you were then getting this food to promote the gospel. And they said that, you know, obviously, there's representation going on moments, as they will know that they were just giving out food that, you know, distributing food, and they weren't. They were just doing it to Christians and not a non Christians. Because they were in need. So yeah, so that's something Yeah, sad. And it's ongoing. And, you know, yeah, it's very sad. But his real nose. Yeah, real stuff. And it just go go back to the Pharisees, isn't it? Sort of like, No, you must inhale because you know, you can't, because it's against our guns. So this person's has to suffer. Because you're, you know, Jesus, carried on and did it. So I pray for those people who got the food, that they will think about this and think those people put themselves at risk to give me this food they'd been arrested. And, Lord, you know about that situation, and you're dealing with it. And I pray for my brothers and sisters who are caught up in that. And I pray that, you know, you look after them, comfort them. And they will soon be released, as we haven't heard what's happened. And yeah, so we've covered that now. And now. Yes. So those are the things that were going on. And, and then what the organizations have done is they've looked at what has been, like, achieved through the things to praise God for so we will go into that now.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Excellent, excellent.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. So here's how you made a difference in 2020. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you that despite the incredible challenges of 2020, you have not forgotten your persecuted brothers and sisters, your prayers and support have continued to strengthen the persecuted church around the world. Here's just a handful of examples of the impact you're having, and a huge difference you are making for those who are following Jesus no matter the cost. And that was a thank you from open doors team that I give to everybody listening. And so there was a campaign and see change which has to do with women and persecution of women. And this is a thank you from Abigail in Nigeria. She was widowed in April, when her husband was killed in a raid by militant Fulani herdsmen, and she says, I am very happy. She said, I usually have sleepless nights thinking where my next meal and money for fertilizer would come from. Then God made a way I received it today. My heart is filled with joy. I am grateful to the people of God used to provide for me. May He open more doors for them. May God bless them.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Excellent. Good news. Yes, good stuff.
Sandra Robson:Yes. And then this is thank you for your prayers and gifts. More than a quarter of a million persecuted Christians received vital COVID-19 Food an aid in Asia,
Reverend Ben Cooper:a quarter of a million to
Sandra Robson:283,000 believers have been shown love by the Worldwide Church and the number is increasing. And there is still great need and open doors partners are continuing to distribute packages of food, soap, medicine, hygiene products and other essentials. A large number of these Christians are deliberately neglected when local authorities to distribute aid because of their faith, even though they lost their jobs in the lockdown. And without your support. Your brothers and sisters would go hungry. And so saying that a great risk and partners, the Christians in those countries are taking this aid. And one of the field workers has said we have lost many contacts due to COVID. Yes, we continue. They can they continue to take the risk and supply food and emergency case of 1000s of Christians in that areas. So it's really important that we pray for the field workers. Yeah, the contact combating some of them have contracted contracted the virus so they've got to be with the Lord. Wow. This aid is being distributed across Asia with believers in India, Bangladesh, my Ummah, Philippines, Nepal, Indonesia, Vietnam, Central Asia, and more able to give thanks for the last revision. And, and yeah, many more.
Reverend Ben Cooper:So this is practical help now. Yeah, this is practical, practical help, food aid distribution of COVID-19 stuff that goes along with that we thank God that the doors are really interesting, good. gnosis is really good.
Sandra Robson:So we have also a little thank you from Vietnam, from a church leader in central Vietnam. And he says on behalf of all Christians here, I'd like to thank you all, for your for your help. We are so grateful for your help, and your remembering to pray and helpers. May God continue to bless you and use your lives for his kingdom. And we have another one. And this has to do with North Africa and the Middle East. And a believer who particularly felt to do something and during this pandemic to help people and Christians and people who might have questions so the believers from a Muslim background in North Africa and Middle East know where to turn for with questions about the Christian faith or discipleship is difficult. Many have asked, asking their questions online, and your presence support or enabling Christians like Miriam to reach them with the answers they're looking for. In the spring, together with her team, and the support of open doors partners, she started a series of daily devotionals, addressing different fears related to COVID-19, such as that of losing a loved one, or the fear of isolation, to helping believers understand the situation with proper theology of loving God. Miriam says, We have already been in touch with around 100 people having deep conversations. And so far, nearly 3000 people from several Arab countries of sub crops subscribed to this theory.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Excellent.
Sandra Robson:So thank the Lord, for that. And this is again, this creativity, you know, when there's a crisis, then we you know, you say you pray, and you say, Lord, here I am. And he shows us what to do and the skills that we have, and out of a tiny thing. Look, it's that tree again, isn't it that grows from that little seed, and you place something in God's hands, and it grows.
Reverend Ben Cooper:I think it's very, very important. Especially this last story here that all stories really that when you look at what's happening through what we're looking at this morning, it makes you realize that we don't actually need the building as much as we think we need the building. Because it's happening outside the building is great understanding we need to come together for the strengthening encouragement and as the scripture says, but also we need to be focused on the outside to be creativity and be creative, sorry, rather, and to use what we got at the time. And now it's a time of going by faith trying and exploring different ways of getting the same gospel over even though the doors might be locked in the UK but how can we touch our communities? Yeah, a different way. Yeah, way of worshipping. Yeah. A different way of speaking a different get get is getting us to get out to get out the church without water. What cliche that one is, I think that's what it is. Now we're really seeing a church with, with with no walls we are out and what you hear about this using what you've got in front of you because it's the person in front of you. It's the bread and officious it's the one to one. It's the quick fire stuff, not the gathering together in, in mass numbers where you can lose so much in that but but on the streets on the street corner, a quick encouragement, a quick prayer. This is this is really good stuff to see this is. And isn't it interesting. So under the old we've been looking over and among that number of months now. The persecuted church don't have buildings? No, not very, very, very, very, very rare, isn't it? Yeah, very rare. But they're there on street corners, they're gathering in houses. There might be sitting in a field, they might be in a prison, they might be in a in a lockdown situation where they have no church as we know it as in the building, but God is moving powerfully. within communities. Yes, yeah. Yeah. Within the villages. Within the little provinces, these these, these conversations, these are stuff that's going on? It is not in the buildings.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. No, it's interesting. I mean, I was looking at two things that I get a CD from open doors, which gives you videos of testimonies and things again, to pray about. And that's another wonderful resource, if you have a group where you can do zoom and, and use this. I mean, it is, it's really encouraging, I find it really encouraging. And because it goes behind some of these stories, like, you know, I'm just looking at information on a page, but when you see it, and they're, you know, they're talking to the person that, okay, they might have to do things for security, then, you know, with us, yeah, they're speaking and things like that, they, they will show the situation. So it's visual, it's visual, yes. And so that was one where an open doors worker, was gone to this village, and they were taken to this location. And, and it was a deserted, rundown farm. And but there was a little shelter, and you could hear the singing, and it was all the all these, all these, you know, believers that come together to worship gods in a shelter. And, you know, and in this time of COVID, that they had, you know, they had they desire to be together, and, you know, and unguarded, gathered them in this place. And that was the church, and they were just praising God freely, you know, in this little huts in this shelter in this, you know, and it was just beautiful, you know, I don't know how they knew each other how they got there, they didn't say, but they said, these are people, you know, that God had gathered together in this small place, and then they would disperse, they would disappear. And that would be, you know, I don't know how often they would they would meet like that. But, you know, that was, yeah, that was was quite something. And they were just so joy, you know, just so joyous, and just, you know, really giving their heart in worship. So that was in a village. Yeah, it was all they said it was, you know, an outskirts of the village. You know, yeah. Just used building out like, was a farm or something. He said.
Reverend Ben Cooper:So what was how different is that to the church in the West? No screens, no technology? No, no, nothing. What the trappings of what we got materialism in church, they just worshiped? Yeah, freely. There must be so much freedom. Yeah, they were to go to a farm building. Yeah. Just to stand and to praise God and have no trappings of materialism in the church. Well, we've got to have the sound right. We've got to have instruments. We got to have this. We got to have that. There. We have a beautiful story of believers just to gather together. Yeah, just to price garden. Yeah. So it just shows you again, how the building isn't important with the technology and everything. Yeah, we got it here. But we probably put too much weight on that, rather than than we do on our God. Yeah. And this is good news.
Sandra Robson:And the fact that these leaders came together and they could. And no, we're not the only one not to go then to the village and encouraged, yeah, to be charged. Yeah. To be filled. Yeah, to be refreshed, and thank the Lord for those times when people can come together, safely come together. And then the other thing I was thinking was about social media, and how many things I I say, I mean, I, I don't, I don't do Facebook, but Dave does, and all the different things he says about how people put a lot of things up to try and get you to go with their points of view and things like that. And I was thinking, well, this is my thing that when I put where if I put something up, I want it to be encouraging. And what we've said today, you know, think about that, think about what you're putting out and and they let us think of things that will edify the body of Christ. Yes, sometimes, okay, is good to put out information and that sort of try and think outside COVID and, and put things out there are going to bless and encourage and strengthen and like this, you know, that we can tell people about this podcast, and bless others. And so that, you know, they will be more informed and encouraged and, and so, yeah, like, we need to think about what what we we put out, yeah, what we use social media for, and like, I was looking at Transworld radio, as well. And what they're doing in Bangladesh is is really super. And they've been also, and because of connections, they've also been giving out food and doing aid work as well, through their partners, even though they're a radio station, because they saw the need. And so it's very interesting, the stories and, you know, people are coming to Christ through that through the ministry through the, you know, hearing on the radio. And But yeah, I think Lord's saying, you know, give out the good news stories, the good news, there is good news. And we need to remember that good news. We aren't to be like we are had in the clouds and not think, you know, there are difficult issues, and we need to bring those before the Lord and he says, cast our burdens onto him and cast these issues, but then to say, look up and we say Yes, Lord, is the day of salvation. pass on the message, strengthen my brother strengthen the weak, you know, those feeble feet and the hands that the you know, the says limbs? The there's a scripture, isn't it about you know, when we feel weak, and when we're feeling down and unable that knowing God we are more than conquerors in Christ. And so I thank you for this opportunity of bringing this round up and, and, and sharing these things. And I pray that you've been encouraged and that you now know the thanks of many brothers and sisters that you will never meet. But you are Touching Lives. You are touching hearts, and you're making a difference. And I thank the Lord that we have this opportunity to do this. Thank you, Lord in Jesus name and may it continue and Lord, show us more and more how we can bring your light and your love and your good news. In this world of darkness, Lord, that your light shines ever brighter. In Jesus name, amen.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen. Sandra, we thank you for this morning. Certainly good news. There's good news in Jesus Christ. So we want to thank everybody for listening. Please share everything that we do here in the world of Elim church, we thank you so much you've been listening to Sondra and myself Reverend Ben Cooper here at Elim Church in Swanley. And we just pray that you will continue to press on in Christ and Never give up. Never give up. Please go on to the platforms that we are on and listen to these podcasts. Regarding the suffering church, the persecuted church. It has been good news it has been great to have Sondra with us today. And we will catch you next week as we come with more updates of what's happening in the persecuted and the suffering church around the world. May God bless you and strengthen you in the wonderful name of Jesus Christ. Have a great day and we thank you so much for listening and sharing everything. May God bless you and strengthen you. Amen. Amen.