Hello and welcome to Elim church swanley, you're joining myself, Reverend Ben Cooper for today's podcast. Thank you so much for joining us wherever you are today as we are gathering around these mics as we are just here discussing a very interesting subject and topic, the persecuted church, we just want to welcome all those listening in the world of Spotify, and buzzsprout and all the other platforms that we are using Good morning, or good afternoon or good evening, wherever you may be. When you listen back to this podcast, we have Sondra with us today. And we're going to be recapping we're going to be going back over a bit of last week's information that Sandra brought to the table now we're going to go into your ran and then Sunday is going to bring to the table a really interesting discussion point of a pastor in Lebanon so we welcome Sandra Good morning, Sondra.
Sandra Robson:Good morning.
Reverend Ben Cooper:How's your week been?
Sandra Robson:Um,
Reverend Ben Cooper:okay, trying.
Sandra Robson:It's been it's been hectic,
Reverend Ben Cooper:okay.
Sandra Robson:Family things going on and
Reverend Ben Cooper:sandra thank you for carving out some time. In your busy life through this summer holiday period during is going on with your family. And we thank God for your your ministry where God has guided you encode you into the persecuted church, the suffering church for a long time now. And it takes a lot of time. It takes a lot of effort, as everybody knows, looking into the world of the suffering and the persecuted church. So Sandra, without further ado, as we jump into these 45 minutes, can you lead us this morning and take us from where we was last week into the new stories that you have for us today? Thank you.
Sandra Robson:Yeah, so it's always of such a privilege to be able to do this. And I just thank the Lord for the way he guides and directs and shows things to me that I can then share with you and encourage you and bless you and pray that you take it on to others as well. And so we were talking about refugees, and we just briefly looked at Tigray, that's an ongoing situation, there are flare ups, in that conflict. And we spoke about that, and the possible thing of conscripts from a trailer. And then we looked at the middle east amazing stories, and through the traumatic events of having to leave homes, loved ones, you know, being killed and running their lives, that women and, you know, that we mentioned, had had these dreams and visions, and how God had met with them, and how then that had led them to tell others about Jesus, and now how they are experiencing persecution, but because of what they experienced, they are standing strong, how we need to pray for them and bless them. Where that where they are, and ask God that He will use them. And those who are their enemies at this time will become their friends as they were enemies of the cross. So now they are, you know, brothers and sisters in Christ. And I thought more about that, and I just thought about, you know, Jesus meeting them on the road, and like you said about, you know, that sad experience where there may seem, as you were saying about the people who
Reverend Ben Cooper:are really beating don't know, Christ.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. And I also thought about, you know, thinking about, I think that's why I got the emotion start, you know, that, to me, was about how Jesus was identifying with them. I felt afterwards that Lord was saying to me, I showed them the cross. Because that's, you know, these people were crying and then say, I've lost everything. I have no hope I don't have anywhere to go, I'm running into something I don't know. And there was the cross, a man cross showing his compassion, the cross showing, I died for you, the cross showing the I I'm in there with your with the suffering, I suffered greatly. You think you're suffering, I suffered greater view. And I you know, and just to know that, that that, that, you know, there was a god like they'd known Allah and all the, you know, everything that they thought they knew, and that he was he was everything, but then they made the true and living God Who says I am with you. And I'm bringing some hope.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah,
Sandra Robson:through the cross
Reverend Ben Cooper:is always through the cross
Sandra Robson:the cross, and then it made me think about how, you know, the enemy is trying to get rid of the cross, you know, in China and other places, and I just thought how important the cross is.
Reverend Ben Cooper:The cross is very, very important.
Sandra Robson:Yes.
Reverend Ben Cooper:extremely important. And I have to say this as well, it's the same in this nation, the the the powers that be are looking to get rid of the cross, we are starting to see glimmers very strongly, very strongly. This is a global thing. And it started and what we're talking about it started abroad. And now that pattern is starting to roll across the shores. Because we know that the the cross is the power of the cross, the cross is so significant.
Sandra Robson:Yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:it's so powerful to
Sandra Robson:cross as well, they saw an empty cross. You know, the Catholic with the
Reverend Ben Cooper:statue of Jesus seen the
Sandra Robson:empty cross,
Reverend Ben Cooper:there is no finger on the cross. And this is an empty cross. We serve the God that that gives us the gift of salvation.
Sandra Robson:Yeah.
Reverend Ben Cooper:So the globe is looking trying to raise the power of the cross is n times. So what we see and we're talking about today, is the pattern that the Antichrist is using to roll out across the world.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. Because, you know, it made me think about those refugees and those trends, you know, we talked about them they tattoo a cross now I wondered why. And then, of course, that enables the, you know, the insurgents or whoever to say, right, you're a Christian. That's, that's you?
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah.
Sandra Robson:But that is like, you know, that is so important to them, and something they carry with them and a reminder of what Jesus suffered for that.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Exactly.
Sandra Robson:So I that was my, you know, after I when I was driving home, that was what, you know, the Lord started showing me because I was thinking, Yes, Lord, it was great that you know, that you're showing up and, you know, and he said, it was more than that I identify with a suffering. I'm the suffering servant. And yeah, so I'm looking more at that. Why are people fleeing from Iran? And what is the situation? And why is it so wonderful that in Turkey, were getting this centre of hope? That's what I wanted to give some more background on that. And so I'm going to do that first. So we know that it's a bad situation in Iran at the moment. And there's growing unrest and economic decline causing many Iranians including Christians to flee. So that's one reason the economic Another reason is anyone is safe in Iran, as long as they don't challenge the ruling elite.
Reverend Ben Cooper:That very interesting that you mention the word elite? That has been bandied around a lot lately through these podcasts, through the sermonising for everything. The word the elite has a very powerful implication. And it's very interesting that you've brought this up this morning.
Sandra Robson:Okay.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Very interesting.
Sandra Robson:Yeah, they are wielding an awful lot of power.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yes, a small number are pressing. And they are the elite. They are the ones that pull the strings. Yeah, they are late.
Sandra Robson:So remember, I mentioned about that. two to two ministries. And that was being said that had been set up by the son of a pastor who, first martyr.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah.
Sandra Robson:And yeah, so he's saying Christians can survive if they keep their mouth shut, read their Bible under a blanket. But have you ever met a new believer who can keep their mouth shut after coming to faith?
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen. Yeah, no way.
Sandra Robson:Yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:they stand out like a sore thumb a new believer. Yeah, that is not the ideal scenario for a believer, a new believer in a in a war torn, persecuted land, because they will want to shout about Jesus.
Sandra Robson:They are like the woman at the well again, going back to the bad visions, you know, though, then you say, Come, you know, come and meet a man who told me everything, you know? I know.
Reverend Ben Cooper:That's right. Yes.
Sandra Robson:So there are some we tell to be there are some we tell to be more careful about how they share, but they cannot. So because like they haven't got that mature, as you say. They're not always wise, and they're not always discerning. But that isn't a bad thing. But it can get some more trouble than possibly more mature Christians. So what he's saying is that they do warn them about you know, being careful about who they share their faith with. But he says that, you know, they are they decide to stay in the country, despite the risks and they are bold and courageous and yes, beautiful even. But sometimes it is equally courageous to flee. We have to we have had severe persecution of Christians, which has been Over the past four years, if a Muslim is baptised into Christ, he or she can end up in prison for a year, while the person who performs the baptism can be jailed for four to five years,
Reverend Ben Cooper:really
Sandra Robson:yeah
Reverend Ben Cooper:for doing a water baptism.
Sandra Robson:Yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:four to five years.
Sandra Robson:Yes, they found out. If a child, say an eight year old boy refuses to read the Quran aloud because he is a Christian. In school, that comes a slap on the face, then the parents are called and accused. So it's not surprising believes are fleeing Iran. It can be forced exodus of the Christian community, hundreds of fleeing in desperation, they realise that if they stay, their lives will be in danger. And it's worth the risk to provide safety for their children and an environment in which they can grow and learn in pace. The only reason the number are not increasing is that the West has pretty much closed its doors to asylum seekers from the Middle East
Reverend Ben Cooper:has it Really? I didn't know that closed, its doors really displaced. They're really they're really fleeing from Lebanon.
Sandra Robson:Yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:they're really seriously on the run. If you're a pastor, or you're someone that does a water baptism, you can get a five year imprisonment. Mr.
Sandra Robson:Iran. Yeah, this
Reverend Ben Cooper:is from our This is from Iran,
Sandra Robson:Iran,
Reverend Ben Cooper:this is from Iran. Okay.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. And, yeah, so that they they say that, you know, the country that is nearest to you is the country that you can seek asylum in? Yeah, of course. And those who are granted asylum, bizarrely, are more likely to be Muslims and Christians. Some Christians have been waiting eight years in Turkey to get asylum to the west.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Eight years, long time, very long time, trying to get over trying to get free. You know, we sit here in a comfort and a warmth fund, that all the creature comforts that are really trappings of the West here. And as we speak, there are families in war torn places just trying to escape certain areas of the world and we just bring them before them the father at this moment, please, Lord, give them strength as they're waiting all this time, falsely imprisoned, looking to run from Iran, Lebanon, China, all around the world that we speak about Lord stump and our brothers and sisters today. Please, Lord
Sandra Robson:and the regime have managed to force out at about 99% of Iran's church leaders.
Reverend Ben Cooper:99%
Sandra Robson:Yeah.
Reverend Ben Cooper:So they're
Sandra Robson:outside the country.
Reverend Ben Cooper:So that they forced them outside the borders.
Sandra Robson:Yeah.
Reverend Ben Cooper:99%.
Sandra Robson:Yeah.
Reverend Ben Cooper:of church leaders.
Sandra Robson:Yeah.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Or not within the nation.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. Yeah.
Reverend Ben Cooper:That's just who is the 1% that is left. They are really ducking under the radar.
Sandra Robson:That's why we've been praying for.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah,
Sandra Robson:because he's like a church leader. It's the young ones they're having to take it on. So if you had a pastor
Reverend Ben Cooper:1% Yeah.
Sandra Robson:So that's why they're going through the next level. Because they've that, you know, there aren't many church leaders. So then those who are have been discipled then the next lot, and that's like, Abraham, but now like, because he's older and more mature, he could be a church leader.
Reverend Ben Cooper:So 99% of church leaders have been pushed outside of Iran.
Sandra Robson:Yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:pushed outside so you've got 1% that are hiding. pressing in on holding on to God's word. That small 1% Father in the name of Jesus, we pray for that 1% as it grows from one to two from two to three Father we pray that it will increase that remnant that is in Iran now
Sandra Robson:the teaching time long yeah that they need that that the leadership but God as we've said, there is a revival going on and so many people are coming to the Lord but that but they are wow so how is God discipling all these people through the internet Yeah, through the radio waves,
Reverend Ben Cooper:radio waves,
Sandra Robson:so they don't have any any physical buildings leadership
Reverend Ben Cooper:or they don't have so buildings are raised church leaders are raised like that once was that one to one but
Sandra Robson:yeah, God.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah, so it's gone back to what we know is the early church where it was gathering the world drawing a fish in the sand, using your foot in a very quiet market space drawing on the floor. Are you a believer? This is this is the pattern. of church to come. This is the pattern of church that will fall in in days. You know the mega church is just all showbiz life's glitz and glamour this. This is the real Church of Jesus Christ.
Sandra Robson:So they said that over 300 have been granted asylum out of 1000s who have fled Iran. Wow, church ministers are given an option go to jail, leave Iran or spy for us. Yes. Can you imagine spying for the Iranian regime? Of course they can't. So they leave the country. That means that just 1% are shepherding the flock face to face. But that is not as dire as it seems. In the past few years, the church somewhere between 50,000 and 100,000, committed Disciples of Christ, as a large number, who have been making expressions of faith over 20 years is getting fed from abroad.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Wow.
Sandra Robson:20 years ago, that was impossible. But today, the church has some amazing tools at its disposal. For morosa, and arzoo, escaping around was not the end of their story. And that's why I've brought it is because they ended up in Turkey, with more than 300 people. And they have been baptising and my aunt and have birthed a ministry in the pace where they have refugees,
Reverend Ben Cooper:that that is. That's church. That's the power of God. So what we have is, these nationals have been pressed out of their own nation for being believers. They become refugees, they they escape into Turkey.
Sandra Robson:Yeah.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Because they are running because of their faith. The churches are being squashed. 99% of the leaders that are out they've gone into an overrun into the borders into Turkey. And now there is a movement growing a ministry growing in persecution. That's that's church planting.
Sandra Robson:Yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:that's, that's church planting. That's not like the West. We're gonna go and plant a church over here. We've got an open chequebook from the Mother Church, go and buy and have what you want take the best worship leaders. This is this is real revival. This is a real move of God. This is showing how God used displaced, displaced people, people with no money with no home.
Sandra Robson:Yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:with nothing that are literally on the run from the authorities for their for their safety and for their life. And God is growing the church.
Sandra Robson:Yeah, because they fled because they had two twin daughters. And they, you know, that was why they fled because they didn't want their daughters to be without a dad or Sure.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah, very, very, very true. What so where are you getting this information
Sandra Robson:from release international? And it wasn't that long ago? publication?
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yep. So we can find all this online, Sandra's printed out, you know, you can print it off the magazine or you can just go online, you'll find these fantastic, factual stories of how God is moving. And how excuse me revival. This this is true revival in the West talks of a revival that that is non existent. This is just a showmanship from from the flesh. But what we are looking at here, this is coming from displaced believers that have no church back in that have nothing with them. But God is birth in ministries, from nothing into something so powerful is such a powerful thing to see, you know, and to read about. So we need to keep praying, keep praying, keep praying, God is moving. God is moving without a building. God is bringing revival without a roof over their head. God is revival. Without money. God is bringing revival without any church buildings.
Sandra Robson:Because these people are genuine and they see the genuine
Reverend Ben Cooper:hungry
Sandra Robson:and in them and they think they've lost everything. How can they still be reaching out to us? How can they care for us when when they've got nothing? Apparently this couple they decided today because she was pregnant and she lost the baby. And they were hoping to go to the USA and then it all got halted and the immigration policy changed in the USA and then God but that is says that God then bless them with these twins. And they've now been set, seeing how they can serve the Turkish community. And yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:So there Iranians Yes. Serving the Turkish community.
Sandra Robson:Yeah.
Reverend Ben Cooper:The displace refugees
Sandra Robson:. Yeah.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Bible believing believers.
Sandra Robson:Yeah.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Run for their life. Run, just run for their life. And God is using them with nothing. But he's he's growing, growing his church.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. So it's a mixture of supporting other refugees. It says, yeah. People who have left everything behind this desperate needs for social workers counsellors, because people have suffered trauma and rape victims as well.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah.
Sandra Robson:And so we have needs now. But if a calamity strikes and 1000s of believers flee into Turkey, the church will. capsize, says areas, we don't have the capacity to cope, an influx of Christians would not be tolerated by the local authorities. We need to be ready to cope in these circumstances, the churches in general is good at responding and praying when things happen, but not so good at preparing for emergencies. Please pray for Christians in Iran.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah.
Sandra Robson:But also in places like Turkey, they have often left a huge amount behind, but also they have come with problems and some have suffered great trauma, as well. So it's a mixed situation. So they're making the best of it, God is opening doors, but there's still great needs, because so many of them are traumatised themselves.
Reverend Ben Cooper:I'm not surprised.
Sandra Robson:And and the and the Turkish church is under pressure. And as you know, things are getting more and more difficult in Turkey. But you know, God has his hand on these things. And we just trust him. And pray, you know, for wisdom in these situations, and thank the Lord that, you know, we can help by our prayers and in other ways that he shows us. So the other story I mentioned about so that's why the centre of hope that I told you about is so important that they've been allowed by the authorities to open that up. And that I don't know whether it's in the same place they are. But this guy, as I told you last last time, and curve kurush, he is going to be leading that. And that is for the Turkish refugees. And because of now open doors, through the work they've done in Syria and Iraq, on helping traumatised people, then that will be really great resource. I can really equip people and bring them through that. So then they will be able to support and encourage others, God will bring. So
Reverend Ben Cooper:they're strengthened and equipped through the centre of hope.
Sandra Robson:Yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:so that that centre of hope is, is a place of restoration, of restore, of Rebuild of pulling back or drawing membership and fellowship and the preparation for sending out so it's a circle, so so it's a safe place.
Sandra Robson:Yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:a very interesting, the centre of hope. We just bring that before the Lord and we just say, Lord, continue your miracles father, as he always will. And he doesn't. He's moving even without human beings pressing in. He is he's working in places where humans can't. He's setting the captives free. He's brain revival. True. True. True revival, true revival.
Sandra Robson:So I brought these things. I had the prayer DVD, July, August 2021. These were the things that I actually saw.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah.
Sandra Robson:And so I saw live footage of pastor Nihad
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah,
Sandra Robson:and but I hadn't appreciated his background. And it was as I was flicking through the prayer diary for this month, because I do you know, look at it every day, but when I first get it, I look at the whole thing.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah, just skim over them.
Sandra Robson:And because they do put stories in here, and I thought, Oh, my goodness, this was like, I just come home. So I'd been thinking about the thing to do with the cross in the car. Yeah. And then I went home and I was, I was thinking about this story. And I thought, you know, just flick through and see if there is anything and I thought, my goodness, there it is. Because
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah,
Sandra Robson:yesterday the fourth of August was one year anniversary of this terrible explosion that wiped out the ports of Beirut in Lebanon, and the blast killed at least 200 people and injured And 5000 more.
Reverend Ben Cooper:A year ago,
Sandra Robson:it was a year ago. I was in the news this morning actually about it that they'd had a time of, of silence and Remembrance at the port. And I think I said something about singing that, you know, as well, I don't know whether that was saying to do the churches giving thanks or something.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah, yeah,
Sandra Robson:I'm not sure. But I just heard the end of it. But I did hear that the country had recognised this, and that there had been some sort of protest about the fact that it had been allowed to happen, you know, the officials that are, you know, had not protected and there's still a lot of people who are suffering, as a lot of a lot of difficulties they were talking about, can imagine and people you know, very close to the breadline, or below that. So given that background, this is, again, an amazing thing of hope that I just touched on last time, didn't tie. And so basically it says that pastor, Nihad was near the port when it happened. He says, I saw the smoke and stirred and started to ask myself, what is this? I heard ambulances. After a minute, there was a big explosion. And I felt the air pushing me back into the middle of the room. The door broke, and people were running in the streets. So it's very close to it. And he said, I went to the port to find out how I could help. I saw people cleaning. So I asked them if they were hungry. I decided to buy food for them. This was like a day later. You know, when it was safe. Then I went back to the port and I told the people working there. That is a simple thing that we give and stand by them. Being a refugee from Syria, pastor and he had was able to come alongside the displaced families in Lebanon affected by the explosion. Because we are displaced and have lived through the conditions of war. We know what it means for a person's home to be destroyed. And what it means for someone to stand next to you and say to you, I know what you are feeling. We pray in many houses. People used to cry and ask who sent us to them. The Lebanese church helps those and we went they went with us. Pastor Nihad is grateful for your prayers. Thanks for everyone who has helped support us and every person's prayers. Every person who blesses May God bless you. And this was I didn't know this was here that it says you are applying the Word of God that Christ said For I was hungry.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Wow.
Sandra Robson:And you gave me something to eat. I needed clothes and you clothed me, Matthew 2535 to 36. And when we show this to the people, they begin to love Christ.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Interesting. It's gone silent. I was hungry and you fed me. Yeah, I needed clothing and you clothed me.
Sandra Robson:And I said about that last week, didn't I?
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah. Yeah. Very, very powerful. Very powerful. I was hungry, and you fed me. I was naked and you clothed me to such important things, food and clothing.
Sandra Robson:And there's this picture there with the devastation behind
Reverend Ben Cooper:look at that can I have this is in. This is the open doors. This is an open doors a year later
Sandra Robson:a year later.
Reverend Ben Cooper:So I've got the prayer diary here July and August 2021. And it's on the front edge of the Indian campaign special. And then when we open it up to page 12. We see look at that the devastation and there he is. Your prayers bringing healing to the Pope. Look at that, on August 2020. A huge explosion wiped out the Pope and the blaster Sondra says it says hey, this is really interesting read a quick fire bit of information. So these are great these these open door prayer diaries. We would urge you to go online subscribe and and to find these and Fantastic. Thank you, Sandra.
Sandra Robson:Thank you
Reverend Ben Cooper:really good bit of information. Yeah,
Sandra Robson:it's and it's just lovely, isn't it again to get that feedback? Yeah, you know, because yeah, we're praying and see is very difficult situation. You think, Lord, I don't know how you're gonna answer this. I'm just trusting you, Make a way where there seems to be no way. And there you go, there is, and you just warms your heart in all that struggle and all that suffering that's going on that, you know, these things are happening. And, and because we say were praying and and we are. They know that. And they're saying, Yes, thank you that makes the difference that helps us on the ground. It gives us the energy, it gives us the courage, because we know there's a whole load of brothers and sisters at the back of his in prayer that backing us up in prayer, it's like this thing to do with, you know, Moses, when he was standing on on that mount Wasn't he and there was a battle going on. He couldn't keep his arms up,
Reverend Ben Cooper:and he had to have
Sandra Robson:brothers and sisters, we are that support. We can't be there in person. And maybe we haven't got the funds to, to help you know it. But the wonderful thing is that we can be lifting up
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah,
Sandra Robson:brothers and sisters, to enable them to do the work that they decide to do to have the courage to have the strength. It's just amazing to think, you know, but it does, it's true. And I know myself when I asked for people to pray, how much it empowers me, and I'm sure you know the same. But in these places where there is such devastation such precious such, you know, hatred towards the gospel that is so powerful is also the fact that it's from other countries. It's not just one place no thing. Why, you know, you don't know me, I want it, you know, and it really then brings this thing of the body of Christ and the world, we're all part of the person. It's not a separate thing. It's, you know, where we are, we are brothers and sisters together and he says the body of Christ, then when one hurts, we hurt and one when one rejoices, we rejoice and we rejoice today, through this suffering, that our brother has been able to do this ministry.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah.
Sandra Robson:have been able to,
Reverend Ben Cooper:you know, hold his arms,
Sandra Robson:his arms up, and those others in the church in in Lebanon, who are helping and supporting who are there who are so beleaguered, but you know, I just thank them. And I pray today if he's weary that Lord you give him strength that you just give him strength, to do the things you're asking him to do. And on all these places of these, all of these centres of hope, Lord, I thank you for them, Lord, doors, stay open and lower that than be so important to the community that if any authority tries to shut them down, that the people will say, No, this is so important. No, this is this is good for us. And whoever they are, Lord, we just pray that the people will just see that light see that our hope, Father God in as so many people will be prayed for those who've been traumatised Lord, we pray for the wounds that we cannot heal. Only you can heal Lord only the bomb ughelli add only you can do it little guard. There you can go when we can't go Lord God, but we thank you that we can bring all these things. And all the I thank you for open those and the different people who go and get these stories to encourage to empower us to strengthen us, Lord, and Lord as I was coming here this morning that I looked at my emails and it's so please pray for Afghanistan, for open doors. So Lord, we know we've heard it on the news about what's going on there, Lord, and we do pray there are Christians there, Lord, and we pray for them though, because they are at great risk. We pray that they will be hidden Lord, we pray that they will help and support Lord God. You know, you know the situation there and you know, you know what's happening and you know how the enemy is trying to steal, kill and destroy in that place. So I just bring that prayer to now Lord Jesus in Jesus name, amen.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen. Amen. If you're looking for that reference that Sandra has brought to the table this morning is Exodus chapter 17. Verses 12 to 14 where Moses his arms grew tired, Aaron and bought a stone for him to sit upon while they stood beside him and held his arms up, holding them steady until the sun went down. You know, Great texts, great story. Thank you, Jesus, you know, we all people are weary we need to help one another. And that is an encouragement text this morning. You know, and for the persecuted church, we stand here in the West we rest here in the in the West, and we stand with our brothers and sisters that are weary and tired and we, we, we hold your arms up, we, we help them we support you through prayer through through the online given through that the standing together through through this podcast through sharing, we are not with you in the physical but we are with you in the spiritual, you know, as the scripture says, I can't be with you in the physicality, but I am with you spiritually we walk together spiritually, we serve the same God, the God of Israel, and we lift the arms up of those that are weary and tired today in the mighty name of Jesus. Sangha. We only have seven minutes.
Sandra Robson:All right, okay.
Reverend Ben Cooper:We have rumbled through this time so quick.
Sandra Robson:Yeah. And the Lord said, that'll be enough. Because I was like, I've only got a few pieces, Paper Lord,
Reverend Ben Cooper:that's plenty,
Sandra Robson:you know, but yeah, that's, that's the thing. So yeah, pray, writes, as we said that there's opportunities to write and to encourage, and these Iranian refugees regarding the centre of hope, open doors, I've got this x letter. I'm going to look into that. I haven't had time yet. But I'm really want to look into that and find out about that. And, yeah, support in any way. I mean, if you know, anybody, I've I've heard that some churches have had people from open doors coming and thinking about doing some sort of fundraising. And there's lots of little things you can do. You know, it doesn't have to be big. So yes, I'm just remembering God is the God of compassion. And I had two Corinthians four, nine persecuted but not abandoned, struck down, but not destroyed.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen. And that was here, and that's on the front of the open doors, literature. And that is the prayer the Indian campaign, special leaflet from open doors that you can get. And Sandra, you've you've, you've printed off a prayer news sheet of paper there is that where did you print this off?
Sandra Robson:comes? You see this?
Reverend Ben Cooper:through your door?
Sandra Robson:Yeah, I am asked for the DVD. So you know, when they say what resources would you like,
Reverend Ben Cooper:okay,
Sandra Robson:i tick the box and said yes, because I used to use it, deny in the church, we used to use them. And so they still send it through to me. And now I use it for this. So it gives me a rundown of you know, what's on the DVD. And then it gives me the PowerPoint. So I have them on the DVD, but I also have them on a sheet written form. And it was beautiful, because I was thinking, Oh, how can I you know, because I can't really shoot a DVD. And then I said that I sort of turned it over. Oh, yeah, of course, I've got you know, I've got this. I don't know whether they used to do this actually, I think they only used to do that because I don't remember
Reverend Ben Cooper:that prayer news on the back of it
Sandra Robson:being
Reverend Ben Cooper:easy to get the resource. So you just go on to open doors and all the other sites that we talk about, you know, open doors CSW Barnabas release International, you will find so much great and so heartwarming information and serious prayer points to pray for. You can find that it's easy to you know, we're very schooled in subscribing to things these days in the West. So just go straight to open doors, subscribe, subscribe, sorry, to their newsletter, their monthly. So it's all free.
Sandra Robson:It's all free. If you felt the Lord saying I want you to set up a small prayer group, get this DVD is super, you just watch it. And then they put the prayer points up. And you just spend some time with that. And I just find it so powerful, because you're actually seeing the people like, hey, the names that are be changed for security reasons. But you really get to grips with stories. And you see brothers and sisters and yeah, you know, there's those high points and there's low points and then there's fantastic answers to prayer. And yeah, you know, take the whole thing.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Yeah, thank you Sondra. So there's so much information we can ask Sandra, she'll just bring us to, to a close in prayer. But as we said, and then we said now and an overtime, please support these ministries. And please continue to pray for the displaced church that's happening so close to our shoreline really. And as the refugees come across the channel to us as well. We pray that God will make a way where there is no way and God will. God will bring those in and that need the help that they need and God will remove those that have ungodly agendas. So we just say low bringing those Lord that that we can look after, and we can support that are genuine, that do not have hidden agendas. So, Father, we just ask for your blessing on that, Sandra. maybe it'd be a good time as well. Maybe one week to look into Transworld radio, because we've mentioned them a few times.
Sandra Robson:Yeah.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Please, brothers and sisters, you can find them online as well. The power of voice like what we've got today, you know, this, this, this goes out every A week later than when we record it. But this goes all around the world. So the power of voice is incredibly moving. So Transworld radio, we need to pray for them as well. Go online and track them down support them and and see where they're getting the word of God because that they're stretching into areas others are not stretching into Yeah, okay, ran, ran, they've got a very strong presence in there. And they press really deep in. So the power of radio, the power of the internet that Sandra mentioned earlier, the power of social media, the power of just putting a prayer up, putting a prayer up and an impression out there out to your friends and your family wherever they may be across the world. So we must use the technology that we have before our very eyes and be in our hands that we have. So using the tablets, using the phones, using your laptop, using whatever, you've got whatever device to get God's word out, just to pray, and maybe to put that on social media and to bring people's attention to the displace church. And Sandra, thank you for bringing that to the table today. Thank you to all our online listeners, may God bless you and strengthen you, wherever you are today around the world. This has been Sandra Robson and myself, Reverend Ben Cooper have we've discussed and looked into the refugees, the persecuted church Iran, spoken about Turkey displacement. And very interesting subject that sounded there pull out too far, was the 99% of church leaders that have been pushed outside. And there's just that 1% Sandra, could we pray for that? 1% as we come to a close?
Sandra Robson:Yeah,
Reverend Ben Cooper:did you feel led by the Spirit of God just to bring us to a short prayer please.
Sandra Robson:Father, you always say you will leave a remnant of God. And there is a remnant in Iran. And it's very close to your heart, Father, God, we thank you that you are doing great things there. Despite all the pressure and all that the authorities want to do, Lord, that many will come to know you as their Lord and Saviour. And that you will protect your shepherds that are still in around that have chosen to stay there, Lord, a bit like Elijah as though they may feel they're the only ones left that will strengthen them today, Lord, show them your presence. Lord, you know that still small voice, Lord, that you will just show say that you are there, that when they feel so tired and weary, Lord, that You will feed them Father God, and they will be able to feed others that you will keep them hidden farther, and that they will do the work that you have called them to do. Because out of small things great things grow. Amen. And thank you, Lord, that your church in Iran is growing. And we think of Abraham because he is a leader, Lord, and He is under great pressure. And we pray that you will just supply all his needs. And through his testimony, many more will come to know you Lord, all those that are enemies at this time, many will become friends. In Jesus name, amen.
Reverend Ben Cooper:Amen. Amen. And Amen. Thank you, Sandra. My god bless you for the rest of your day until we gather again. And we thank you again to all the listeners around the world. Thank you for sharing this, the power of the spoken voice, the power of media, and the power of this podcast platform that we are using my god strengthen you and bless you and we do lift up the persecuted church, the prisoners and the refugees of faith. You've been listened to Sandra Robson, myself, Reverend Ben Cooper as we have just brought to the table as we always do the displace Christians in certain areas. We will catch you next week. Thank you very much. God bless and goodbye.
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