Sisters and brothers carrying sisters and brothers

In closed countries, men and women endure persecution differently. For men and boys, gender-specific persecution is focused, visible and severe. It targets men for their perceived strength as leaders and financial providers, marked by physical violence, imprisonment and economic harassment.

For women and girls, it’s complex, hidden and violent, targeting them for their perceived sexual and familial honour. It’s marked by sexual violence and forced marriage, as well as by insidious, invisible violence behind closed doors, often by those already known to them.

As Christians, we are all part of the Body of Christ – sisters and brothers supporting each other as one.

Our 4Them fundraisers are doing just that! By using their talents and passions to support our persecuted family, they have taken up the call to “Carry each other’s burdens…” – Galatians 6:2

A beautiful illustration

In early March, a group of five friends from Cape Town (pictured below) did 10 laps around the well-known Lion’s Head (5.3km/lap), each time for a closed country on the WWL Top 10. The team did a total of 53 km while praying for our sisters and brothers.

Lineo from Vredenburg (pictured below) also stepped up to the challenge in January, doing a solo run for Somalia. Leaving in the dark, alone, she ran for those who live out their faith in isolation in a country that’s number two on the WWL. With an even greater challenge in mind, she embarked on her first full marathon (42 km) in Langebaan, also in support of Christians in the Top 10 most persecuted countries.

A church in Laingsburg organised a cycle race and fun run, raising a generous R43 000 for our persecuted family, while a group of avid cyclists did the gruelling 109km Cape Town Cycle Tour for our Challenge1000 project.

There are many more of them who are taking up the challenge in support of our persecuted family.

Their willingness to use their time, talents and passion to support those parts of the Body of Christ who are suffering for His name, is a beautiful illustration of 1 Corinthians 12:26: “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.”

This is the beauty of being part of the Body of Christ, where, as brothers and sisters, we each have a unique role to play.

Today we honour and celebrate the roles that the Lord has called us to…

Brothers in Christ

We honour you today for taking up your role as servant-hearted leaders, shepherds, providers and protectors in your families and communities. We need Godly men like you to lead with conviction and stand up for the vulnerable.

Sisters in Christ

God has uniquely positioned you to be nurturers, showing love and care to your families and communities in the way that only you can. We honour you today, whether you’re married or single, whether your nurturing happens in a home, a hospital, a boardroom, a classroom or conversation on an ordinary afternoon. You are carers. You are creators. You are listeners who reflect the compassion of God.

By doing something you love, you can help ensure they’re seen, valued and strengthened to reach their God-given potential.