For the Martyrs Organizes 2022 ‘March for the Martyrs’

September 24, 2022201 views0

For the Martyrs Organizes 2022 ‘March for the Martyrs’

2022-09-24T15:15:37+01:00

By Church News

March for the Martyrs is an annual event held by a nonprofit organisation, For the Martyrs.The Founder; Gia Chacón aims to increase awareness of persecution, advocate for religious freedom, and provide aid to victims of persecution all over the world.For the Martyrs was laid on the heart of Chacòn to establish after her travels to Central America, East Africa, and throughout the Middle East.Upon relating with the refugees, she discovered the number of sufferings and atrocities they had to endure because they refused to denounce the Lord Jesus Christ, this discovery led to the birth of the NGO.Participants for ‘March for the Martyrs’ are expected to converge for the Rally at the National Mall, Washington DC at 3 pm and there would be a procession through the streets of Washington DC at 4 pm.The March is expected to end at the Museum of the Bible; afterwards, a night of prayers would commence by 5 p.m.Some of this year’s speakers at March for the Martyrs 2022 include Pastor Andrew Brunson, who was held prisoner in Turkey for his Christian faith; David Curry, president and CEO of Open Doors USA; Ryan Helfenbein, executive director of the Standing for Freedom Center; Chacòn herself and many others.Reports have shown that religious freedom has over the years deteriorated and there is a need for all Christians to rally together in one accord and create awareness for the plight of persecuted Christians all over the world.A group that monitors religious persecution globally, Open Doors USA, have stated that “Over 360 million Christians living in places where they experience high levels of persecution and discrimination. 5,898 Christians killed for their faith, 5,110 churches and other Christian buildings attacked, 4,765 believers detained without trial, arrested, sentenced or imprisoned.”We have Countries like Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia Iran, and India sanctioning the persecution of Christians. Nigeria too is not left out, as the terror group Boko Haram frequently martyrs Christians.Despite this dismal picture of persecution and suffering, the Christian spirit cannot be broken as they keep spreading the gospel and growing in leaps and bounds.It’s almost like the situation in the book of Exodus when the Israelites were afflicted by their Egyptian taskmasters, “But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew.”Also, in Acts 8, there were great persecutions against the Church, when Stephen was stoned to death, and the Bible reports, “They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria…and they went everywhere preaching the word.”For as many that are concerned about the persecution of Christians, Chacón encourages them to get involved.She also tells the youth, “I would just encourage young people, whether they want to get involved in politics or maybe start a non-profit, there’s something that the Lord’s laying on their heart — don’t hesitate. Just trust the Lord, trust that He’s given you this calling, and just go for it, honestly.”All over the world, wherever we find ourselves as Christians, we can be a part of this March for the Martyrs. If we can’t be there physically, we can lend our voices and pray fervently for persecuted Christians and give our support too.In the words of Dr Martin Luther King, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”By Efe Lisa IfezuoALSO READ Pope Francis Urges Young People To Overcome Generational Gap