Conference Reflections

In September, bw and I went to a conference focused on the persecuted church. It was sponsored by Voice of the Martyrs. I intended to give some feedback at the time, but for some reason got distracted. So I will do so now.

The Friday night gathering was geared for teens. We didn't realize this until we were already there. The beginning music was way beyond what bw and I appreciate for worship. But I worked hard at allowing the possibility that the teens were truly worshiping. Sometimes that can be difficult to think that. It seems in some respects that they are just getting excited because the music is lively and loud. But I work hard at not passing judgment and I try to leave that between the participants and God. The very first song seemed to be a curious one to start with. If you think about the fact that our guest speakers all came from countries where the governments are justifiably paranoid about the possibility of a revolution, then you might join me in wondering about the words of the first song. It kept repeating the phrases: "This is a revolution" and "uprising in our souls." Now in a Western-Christian-Evangelical context, we understand what that is talking about. But could you imagine transfering that to the setting of a developing nation? No way. Not in China or Pakistan (the homes of our guest speakers) and not even in bw's homeland. Revolution and uprising are not spoken about openly.

At any rate, eventually the music calmed down and we were all able to worship the greatness of God. Admittedly, part of that came about because we started singing some choruses that bw and I know and could participate in.

Then they introduced a young lady evangelist from China, Sarah by name. She told the teens about some of her experiences when she was arrested for teaching, preaching and testifying about Jesus. One of the things I recall is that they stamped on her feet and fingers. I got the impression she held some details back because she was talking with a group of young people. But even the little bit she revealed made us all flinch. But look at her beautiful smile.

Here is another pic of Sarah talking with her translator and the local contact at the church where the conference was held. Both of these pics were taken on Sat. She was scheduled to speak again at the end of the day. But bw and I decided to head back home so we could worship with our home congregation where we had been absent for more than 2 months because of VOM speaking events.



On Saturday, the gathering began with a worship time that was more geared to us old people. Randy and his band led in this time. DeDe (his wife) had told us that Randy was an experienced keyboardist. Still I was very impressed--not only by his skill but more by his spirit and the easy way he transitioned from one song to another. This allowed us simply to concentrate on the Lord and on the worshipful messages of the songs he led.

The other guest speaker was from Pakistan (still is I suppose). But we were asked not to photograph him because he has an ongoing threat against his life from Muslim extremists in his home country. So I will show a group of Pakistani singers from the area. They came and sang a couple praise songs in their language. Then the guest spoke.

One of the things from his talk that really caught in my memory was this: You have perhaps noticed that whenever a Muslim says the name of Mohammed they add the phrase "Peace be upon him." The speaker contrasted this with the words of Jesus: "My peace I give to you." What a beautiful contrast!

The last speaker was in a sense a guest speaker and in another sense "one of us." He is the son of the founders of VOM. His name is Michael (Mihai) Wurmbrand. Mihai was left alone as a child when the Communists in Romania arrested both his parents. For 3 years he lived off the kindness of other believers who also faced their own risks and persecution from the government simply for helping this child.

One of my regrets is that in the 2 times I have heard Michael speak personally, I have never heard him talk about what it was like for him to go through those 3 years not knowing what had happened, was happening or would happen to his parents. In spite of that, his faith remained strong and even grew stronger. I wish that at some time he would open up a bit about his own journey. I think it would be very instructive and inspirational.