The Citizen, 2012-11-15, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2012.
Student
honoured
By Pastor Andrew Versteeg
Brussels Community Bible
Chapel
This past Saturday, Nov. 10 a few
people from our church had an
opportunity to attend a prayer
conference in Cambridge. The
conference was hosted by Voice of
the Martyrs (VOM), a Christian
organization that exists to raise
awareness and support for Christians
all over the world, who are being
persecuted for their faith in Jesus
Christ.
The day proved to be somewhat of
an emotional rollercoaster. We heard
from two young Iranian men whose
father had been a pastor but had been
martyred for his faith. The one man
was just 10 years of age at the time
and his brother was a few years
older. These two young men were
the happiest and most joyful people I
have seen in a while. They are going
on strong for the Lord, rejoicing that
their father is now with the Lord and
that the church in Iran is growing
like wildfire. In spite of the
persecution, Christians are sharing
their faith boldly and many are
coming to faith in Jesus Christ.
One of the Canadian leaders of
VOM shared some of his recent
visits to Nigeria with us. In the past
year at least 1,000 Christians have
been killed there; most through
church bombings and mass
shootings at Christian gatherings.
The same thing is true in Nigeria as
it is in Iran; the church is growing in
spite of intensified persecution.
Today I received a prayer letter from
a former teacher I had at Seminary.
He is now a missionary to Nigeria,
teaching in their Bible schools. I
quote from his letter: “In terms of
the top 50 persecuting countries,
Open Doors World Watch shifted
Nigeria from position 23 (2011) to
position 13 in 2012 in light of the
challenges in Northern Nigeria.
Open Doors Canadian leaders are
planning to conduct a workshop
with Nigeria’s spiritual leaders on
‘Standing Strong in the Storm’ in
2013, God willing.”
The last speaker was from India.
He had been ostracized from his
family after he and his sister became
Christians. He was ostracized in his
community as well. It was hard to
find a place to live as most people
would not rent a house to a Christian
or give him a job. He became a
pastor and continued to preach
God’s word in spite of the hostilities
he constantly faced. He too radiated
with joy and peace as he gave
testimony of God’s goodness and
care for His people.
At different times throughout the
day we stopped to pray for our
persecuted brothers and sisters.
Prayer requests were given from
Christians in Pakistan, Iran, India,
China, etc. You would think that the
number one request would be that
the persecution would stop. This was
never the case; rather they asked us
to pray for them that they would be
strong in their faith and remain
faithful in the face of persecution.
They asked us to pray for the
persecutors; that they would
recognize who Jesus is and turn to
Him for salvation. They asked us to
pray for the grace to forgive their
persecutors. They asked for Bibles.
In many of these countries the
church is growing rapidly and they
have very few Bibles.
Lastly, they asked us to write cards
of encouragement to Christians who
have been imprisoned in these
countries. We were not sure who
exactly would receive these letters as
we were not given personal names.
How do you begin a letter to
someone you don’t personally know,
you don’t know their gender, or even
their name? One young man at our
table began his letter, “To my fellow
soldier in the Lord.” I thought that
was appropriate. These Christians
encourage me. I want to live like
they do and see many come to faith
in Jesus in our country as well. Let’s
always remember that Jesus died for
us, so that we can live forever with
Him. If He died for us, certainly we
can then live for Him. Revelation
1:5-6, “To Him who loves us and
released us from our sins by His
blood – to Him be the glory and the
dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
Continued from page 15
items from the Huron NFU.
Marion lives with her family near
Blyth.
Other business at the meeting
included guest speaker, Brian
Luinstra of Huron Geosciences,
who gave an informative
presentation on climate trends in the
Maitland watershed and
southwestern Ontario. The charts
and graphs were very accessible and
indicate that while the area is
getting more moisture it is coming
in less predictable and more violent
rainstorms, our winter is shrinking
and our summers are getting hotter.
Luinstra advised the audience not to
have “all your eggs in one basket”
and that farmers and others need to
think about how to hold water in the
landscape and slow its movement to
the lake.
Ann Slater, Ontario Co-ordinator
for the NFU, gave an update on
activities including the work on
genetically-modified alfalfa and the
successful demonstration held in
Kitchener in October. The Ontario
NFU also participated in the
Growing Forward discussions and
the consultations around the Local
Food Act promoting policies to
support family farms. Slater
conducted the election for the 2013
executive. Thea Trick, Matt
Eagleson, Johannes Poganatz, John
Rodges, Jim Papple, Bruce
Penfound and Tony McQuail were
selected as directors for the coming
year.
THE CATHOLIC PARISHES OF NORTH HURON AND NORTH PERTH
CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO ATTEND HOLY MASS.
OUR SUNDAY LITURGIES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Brussels:
St. Ambrose
Saturday
6:00 p.m.
17 Flora Street
Wingham:
Sacred Heart
Sunday
9:00 a.m.
220 Carling Terrace
Listowel:
St. Joseph
Sunday
11:00 a.m.
1025 Wallace Avenue N.
Worship Service & Sunday School at 11 a.m.
CORNER OF DINSLEY & MILL STREETS
MINISTER
Rev. Gary Clark, BA, M. Div.
All Welcome
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Floyd Herman, BA, M. Ed.OFFICE: 519-523-4224
NOVEMBER 18TH ~ The Best of “Bruce of Almighty”
NOVEMBER 25TH ~ The Best of “Evan Almighty”
THE GOD QUESTIONS:
“How Can I Know
The Bible Is True?”
10:30am Sunday @
Huron Chapel
in Auburn
www.huronchapel.org
Youre Invited
to come worship
with us
Sunday, November 18
Brussels Business & Cultural Centre
at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Sunday School for children
4 to 11 years of age at 9:30 a.m.
Childcare provided for infants and
preschoolers during the sermon.
Coffee & cookies after the morning service
For additional details please contact Pastor Andrew Versteeg 519.887.8621
Steve Klumpenhower 519.887.8651 Rick Packer 519.527.0173
You’re Invited To Join Us In Worship
Hwy. 4, Blyth 519-523-4743
www.blythcrc.ca
SUNDAYS
Morning Service 10:00 am
Evening Service 7:30 pm
BLYTH CHRISTIAN
REFORMED CHURCH
MELVILLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BRUSSELS
Rev. Elwin Garland
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18
Wheelchair accessible ~ Nursery care available
519-887-9017
10:00 am - Sunday Morning Worship
- Sunday School
250 Princess St., Brussels
519-887-6388
www.bmfchurch.com
Interim Pastor Jim Whitehead
Guests Welcome
Jesus Is Lord!
Brussels
Mennonite
Fellowship
Worship Service 10:00 am
Sunday School 11:15 am
getlivingwater.org
Pastor: Ernest Dow ~ 519-523-4848
Living Water
Christian Fellowship
Evangelical Missionary Church
10:30 a.m. ~ Worship & Sunday School
Wingham Bible Study - Tuesdays 7:30 pm
Youth Group - Tuesdays 7:30 pm (at CRC)
Women At The Well - 1st & 3rd Wednesdays 7:30 pm
“Grabby -- or Great?”
at 308 Blyth Rd. (former Church of God)
Nov. 18: Mk 10:35-45
Fri., Nov. 16:
“To Save A Life”
FREE MOVIE
7:30 p.m.
at Mem. Hall,
PG-13
BRUSSELS
Sandra Cable, Pastor
Church Office 519-887-6259
E-mail - beunitedchurch@gmail.com
SUNDAY SERVICE 11:00 am
Sunday School
Celebrating our Christian Faith together in worship
United Church
From the Minister’s StudyPersecuted Christians teach valuable lesson