When we hear the word 'martyr' most of us imagine a person or event from the distant past, but the shocking reality is that more Christians have been killed for their faith in the 20th century than in the previous 1900 years put together. Last Sunday was the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, and in Tenby, Pastor Peter Richmond, of the Hesed Christian Fellowship, explained to the congregation that it is estimated that today 200 million Christians in 60 countries are suffering actual persecution, and twice as many again are facing discrimination. Even in countries where the government is not responsible for the persecution, gangs of extremists and criminals burn churches and kill the members. The good news is that the church continues to grow, and that there are things we can all do to help. Open Doors, a charity which has been supporting the persecuted church for 50 years, is intending to set up a number of Safe Houses in dangerous countries, places where Christians can go when there is nowhere else. When the members of Hesed heard about this, they decided to try to raise the money needed for one house, £7,000, in Pembrokeshire. Although this seemed impossible, people have come up with many imaginative ways of raising money. At a joint meeting with Bethel, Pembroke Dock, and Emmanuel, Manorbier, one person said that it would only take 70 people or churches to give £100 each to reach the target. He followed this by taking out his cheque book! A meeting will be held at 6 pm next Tuesday, November 15, at Bethel Baptist Church, Pembroke Dock, and it is hoped that a good number of churches will be represented. There will be a meal served, to enable people to come straight from work, and representatives from Open Doors will show a video. This event will be suitable for children, and everyone is welcome. There will be no charge, but a collection will be made for the Safe House project, and it is hoped that special music CDs and a seasonal cookery book produced for the project will be on sale. Although just a few small churches have been involved so far, as this is written the fund stands at £3,846.34. There is also well over £1,000 promised, so it is hoped that this event will bring us very near to having a Pembrokeshire Safe House. If people who are not able to attend the event next week would like to contribute, cheques payable to 'Hesed Charities' can be sent to Rev. Peter Richmond, Beth Hesed, 22 Meyrick Street, Pembroke Dock. Enquiries about the event, or CD or cookery book, can be made on 01646 681805.
