May 05, 2008

Christian Persecution Around the World / Charismatic "Revival" in Florida

The first part of this Crosstalk concentrated on the church around the world and specifically those areas where many Christians suffer for the sake of Christ.

Ingrid welcomed Paul Estabrook to Crosstalk. He is Minister-at-Large and the radio voice for Open Doors International based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He is a veteran foreign missionary and the author of several books including Escape from North Korea: A Desperate Quest for Food, Love and Life.

According to Paul, the church is growing so rapidly in India, that it's estimated that a new house church starts every seven minutes. Unfortunately this kind of growth in many nations often brings persecution. Paul noted that the large number of persecution reports coming in are taking place at the hands of Hindu extremists who don't want to see their "caste" system collapsing.

Anti-conversion laws are prevalent in India now so the challenge for Christians is to avoid saying something about one's faith that might have them being accused of proselytizing.

The church in Korea has always been sizable and maintains that posture despite the pressure of persecution. Paul estimates that there are about 400,000 Christians in North Korea. About 100,000 of them are in labor camps.

Paul says the challenge for Christians is to pray effectively and to pray with an awareness of what's really happening to the persecuted church. You can do this by checking out his 15 practical ways to pray for the persecuted church listed in his previously mentioned book, Escape from North Korea.

Another hot spot is China where an increasing number of crackdowns on unregistered house churches are taking place as we get closer to the start of the Olympics.

The East African nation of Eritrea, which is just north of Ethiopia, is also a hot-spot of persecution. Paul reported that 3-1/2 years ago, the leader of this nation arbitrarily decided that all protestant Christians should be declared illegal. More than 2,000 Protestant Christians are currently in prison there.

In the second half of the program, Ingrid presented information concerning charismatic faith healer Todd Bentley in Lakeland, Florida where a "revival" has been reportedly breaking out. Thousands are streaming to Lakeland for nights of dancing and manifestations which Todd claims are from God. Bentley claims he has his own angels that come to him, one of which is named "Emma" and another named "Winds of Change". Ingrid warned about false signs and wonders and Todd's false teaching regarding angelic visitation. She has more information at Slice of Laodicea with links to articles and video of Todd Bentley. Many in the discernment ministry realm believe that this is the next Brownsville-style movement in the charismatic world with lying signs and wonders.

More Information

To order a copy of Escape from North Korea, or Brother Andrew's new book, Secret Believers, go to:

http://www.opendoorsusa.org
1-888-524-2535

To learn more about Todd Bentley and the Lakeland, Florida "revival" go to:

http://www.sliceoflaodicea.com