Alabama Baptists have a unique opportunity to pray for believers around the world who face persecution. An interactive webcast sponsored by Open Doors USA — a group that raises awareness about the persecuted church — will take place Nov. 2, 6–7 p.m.
The webcast coincides with Open Doors’ International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.
“The … webcast is a unique opportunity to expose Alabama congregations to the reality of Christian persecution,” said Michael Wood, director of partnerships for Open Doors USA. “It’s also a great way to equip Christians to pray consistently and specifically for those who share our faith but not our freedom. The persecuted church needs to know they are not forgotten. By participating in the webcast, Alabama Baptists can connect to their persecuted brothers and sisters to help cultivate the hope and encouragement they so desperately need.”
Participating in the webcast will be David Platt, president of the International Mission Board; Nik and Ruth Ripken, authors of “The Insanity of God” and “The Insanity of Obedience”; and Todd Smith of Christian music group Selah.
Cottage Hill Baptist Church, Mobile, and Valleydale Church, Birmingham, are two of the host sites in the state.
Cottage Hill Baptist’s commitment to Open Doors runs deep as they were among the first churches to participate in Muslim Bible Day many years ago — an Open Doors project where churches help fund the distribution of Bibles to Muslim countries. The church also houses the Open Doors USA staff offices.
Alan Floyd, Cottage Hill’s pastor, said his church has always had a commitment to missions around the world, but when he came on board two years ago the church made the decision to place greater emphasis on support of the persecuted church.
“This event kicks off our missions giving emphasis as well as Lottie Moon (Christmas Offering season),” Floyd noted.
Connected to global church
Cottage Hill averages 1,500 in its morning worship services, and the ministry staff is hopeful that at least half of the morning attenders will return for the webcast event.
Jason Dees, pastor of Valleydale Church, said, “We regularly pray for the persecuted church, and Michael Wood has been a friend of Valleydale’s for a long time. He has taken Valleydale members to some of the most difficult places on earth for the church and has been a regular part of our missions conference each year. We want to do whatever we can to be connected to the global church and most especially the persecuted church.”
To register for the event, visit live.opendoorsusa.org. To download a monthly prayer calendar and sign up to receive weekly prayer requests for the persecuted church, visit www.opendoorsusa.org/pray. “Like” Open Doors USA on Facebook or follow them on Twitter (@OpenDoors).
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