A few weeks ago, we received an urgent communication from one of ILI’s leaders in Algeria. Three Evangelical churches in the province of Tiz Ouzou had been forcefully closed by the government and there was a threat that more would be closed in the near future. The Christians in that region were organizing a protest, demanding that their authorities open the church and respect the constitution, which contemplates the freedom of religious expression. Since then, we have been walking with these brothers and sisters as they continue resisting. More churches have been closed and pastors and church members have been taken to prison.
A New Era of Religious Persecution
From Sub-Saharan Africa to South Asia, to the Middle East and elsewhere, restrictions to the practice of the Christian faith are on the rise. Even in the Western world, militant Atheists and Secularists put pressure in the church to conform to the world or face the consequences. Our brothers and sisters in Algeria are responding with grace and courage to this crisis. Their responses are teaching me lessons about how to deal with these kinds of obstacles. Let me share a few with you.
Respond with Grace. The group has a Facebook Page in French and Arabic. As much as I can understand the French part, every manifestation, post, video, or other public display has been graceful and loving. It has never been about “attacking the other side.” Lesson learned.
Be bold. Within the constraints of the law, they have been courageous with their manifestations. This kind of manifestation may be impossible in other places, but their country is a democracy, and they are exercising their rights to manifest peacefully, but boldly.
Never lose focus. Even their peaceful manifestations have been acts of worship or prayer. God is their main focus. They are fighting for their right to worship God, so they protest by worshipping God. If their worship buildings have been sealed by the leadership of their country, they worship in the streets.
What can We do?
One of the reasons for our brothers and sisters’ boldness is the availability of the Internet and Social Media. When the police came to close the largest church in Algeria and seal their place of worship, the pastor and some of the leaders stood their ground. The police dragged them out of the building and sealed it anyway, but they had to do it in front of dozens of cameras, some of them broadcasting live. Social Media has allowed for the free expression everywhere. The more worldwide attention the movement can get, the better chances that they will be victorious. So, here is what you can do to raise awareness.
Visit their page on Facebook and like it.
Share their profile, their posts, videos, etc. Even if people don’t understand French or Arabic, the dissemination of this information around the world can help.
Pray for our Brothers and Sisters. ILI volunteers around the world are already praying. We believe in the power of prayer to effect change. Include the Church in Algeria in your daily prayer disciplines.
This blog may be read by someone in the most open country and in a severely restricted one. I don’t know how much religious freedom you enjoy. What I do know is that the level of religious freedom that many of us enjoy today should not be taken for granted. And we can be prepared to respond like our Algerian Brothers and Sisters are doing.
*Click here to read more about the closing of the Church in Algeria.
It takes sacrifices to help the lost experience to faith. How have you made sacrifices in your life lately for the sake of the Gospel?