Engaging Our Culture

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what
is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 ESV

In the book, Restoring All Things, John Stonestreet and Waren Cole Smith list four challenging questions for Christians regarding cultural engagement.

1. What is good in our culture that we can promote, protect and celebrate?
2. What is missing in our culture that we can creatively contribute?
3. What is evil in our culture that we can stop?
4. What is broken in our culture that we can restore?

Rev. Richard Wurmbrand, the founder of the Voice of the Martyrs’ international ministry, demonstrated a Christ-like response to these questions in the unlikeliest of places: a Soviet concentration camp.

Living Hebrews 13:3

Part Two

“Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them
which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.”
~ Hebrews 13:3 KJV

Glenn Penner¹ was often asked if he believed Christians would be persecuted in Canada. Glenn would usually answer such inquiries by asking, "What has the average Christian in Canada done to warrant persecution?" Glenn believed that most Canadian believers did not extend themselves for the Gospel beyond the walls of their church. It appeared that advancing the Great Commission took a back seat to the security and comfort many of them strove to achieve. "Why would anyone want to persecute an ineffective Christian?" Glenn would ask. In his book titled, In the Shadow of the Cross, he provides the following explanation:

Living Hebrews 13:3

“Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them
which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.”
~ Hebrews 13:3 KJV

Kelile understood the challenges of witnessing for Christ in a region predominantly occupied by Muslims. Still, he was surprised when hearing news of a declared jihad (Islamic holy war) by local imams who were opposed to Christianity. Tensions within the community escalated quickly, and Kelile was repeatedly threatened with violence if he did not stop preaching the Gospel. Shaken, but undeterred, he remained steadfast in his faith, refusing to abandon his service to God despite the danger. Kelile found solace in the belief that his life was secure in the Lord’s perfect will.

Reflecting on the Christmas Nativity…

 “The Promised Messiah’s Birth”

“Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that
God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His
only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The
reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.”
~ Corrie Ten Boom

Luke 2:8-20 recounts the remarkable announcement of Jesus’ birth; a glorious event in which obscure shepherds were some of the first people to receive news that would forever change the course of history.

ADVENTUS

 “The Coming”

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are too little to be among the
clans of Judah, from you shall come
forth for Me One who is to be ruler in
Israel, whose coming forth is from
of old, from ancient days.”
Micah 5:2 ESV

In the book, Extreme Devotion, Aristar tells the Christmas story to his fellow inmates in the Romanian prison of Tirgul-Ocna.¹ Cold winter air seeped through the prison walls around the captives who lacked food, clothing and blankets. As Christmas approached, each prisoner felt the pain of missing their loved ones and dreamt of going home to celebrate the birth of the Saviour.

The International Day of Prayer
for the Persecuted Church

Sunday, November 3^rd, 2024

Rev. Richard Wurmbrand, founder of the Voice of the Martyrs internationally, approached his mission with deep compassion. He recognized that for Christians behind the Iron Curtain, true hope lay in their relationship with Jesus Christ rather than just escaping to the West. He believed that God's Word and the support of the faithful church provided them enduring strength and solace amid their struggles.