Brother Andrew remains a global advocate for the persecuted church to this present day, and his organization, Open Doors http://www.opendoorsca.org/ is active around the world, especially in countries opposed to religious freedoms for Christians. Their priority is to make God's Word available to the church wherever it is needed and in whatever languages, and to strengthen and minister to Christians experiencing persecution for their faith.
I just finished re-reading Brother Andrew's famous autobiography (pictured here). This 35th anniversary edition has an afterword that catches up with Brother Andrew in 2001 to see how the story has continued to unfold since the late 60's, where the original edition left off. Being in a season of needing to trust God to help us to do something we feel Him calling us to (our family mission to Quito) I have been inspired afresh to SEEK God, to LISTEN to Him with prayeful EXPECTANCY, and then to OBEY. The personal price Andrew and his wife were willing to pay especially in the early days, and onward through all his life and ministry has been borne of a heart that truly desires to do what God wants done, and makes it's whole self ('lock, stock and barrel' as he puts it) available. This is one of those accounts of miracle after miracle, of a man seeking to step out in bold faith, and at times experiencing setbacks and doubts, but in everything, seeing God come through again and again in amazing ways that bring only more glory to Him.
I want more faith like Andrew's and a heart that makes it a priority to be immersed in His Word and in persistent listening prayer. I wish I were better at living this out. The steps we are taking to go to Quito provide us with an opportunity to engage in faith at a deeper level, but I long to see that kind of faith become more and more the dominant characteristic of all that I do and invest in.
Check out this book - hey, if you have a copy of the comic book still kicking around, can I buy it?
:~)
A couple of friends of ours from Bible College days, Paul Estabrooks and Jim Cunningham are involved with Open Doors. Their main ministry is going into perscuted areas and teaching persecuted Christians how to meet persecution in a way that honors the Lord. It is a course called "Standing Strong Though The Storm".
ReplyDeleteAlso, Paul was the leader of a Bible drop off of a million Bibles in 1981. A thrilling story you should read Called "Night of Miracles". I'll loan it to you. Check www.od.org
DAD
Thanks Dad - I read your copy of that book a couple of years ago and loved it - some day I'd love to meet Paul, I've always had a passion for the suffering church and have been a supporter of Open Doors since college.
DeleteYour book reviews are wreaking havoc on my progress with my to-read list!
ReplyDeleteOh I know - so many great books, so very little time!
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