September 2017 Persecution Magazine

WWW.PERSECUTION.ORG 

SEPTEMBER 2017 

PERSECU ION 

ICC’S 

THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON THE PERSECUTED CHURCH 

2017: NORTH KOREA 

Bridge Speakers: 

• Rick Warren 

• Francis Chan 

• Johnnie Moore 

• Hyeonseo Lee 

• Joseph Kim 

• Senator James Lankford 

• Congressman Ed Royce 

• Congressman Chris Smith 

• And More! 

PERSECU ION.org 

INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN

Table of Contents 

In This Issue: 

FEATURE 

18 | ICC’s Policy Day 

ICC’s Policy Day provides hope and 

possible solutions to address the suffering 

of Christians in North Korea. 

FEATURE 

22 | The Bridge: Rick Warren 

Rick Warren (Saddleback Church) 

offers insight and wisdom on persecution, 

challenging the Western Church to 

stand up boldly for the Christian faith. 

FEATURE 

24 | The Bridge: Francis Chan 

Francis Chan spoke at the Bridge 2017 

and challenged the audience to share in 

the suffering of others. 

FEATURE 

26 | A Revived Bride 

God wants to give His heart for 

persecuted believers to the Western 

Church—but to do that, God must first 

have the heart of the Western Church. 

INTERVIEW 

32 | Unity in the Face of Global 

Persecution 

At ICC’s 2017 Bridge Conference, 

leaders of four of the world’s largest 

persecution ministries gathered 

together to share unique insight into 

aiding the persecuted. 

Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma 

21 

Regular Features 

3 Letter from the President 

A few words from ICC’s president, Jeff 

King, on The Bridge and why it was 

focused on North Korea. 

4 World News 

A snapshot of the persecution that 

impacts our brothers and sisters daily, in 

every corner of the world. 

8 Your Dollars at Work 

Learn how your gifts are providing 

comfort, relief, Bibles, education and 

vocational training to the persecuted. 

12 West Watch 

Faith under threat in the Western world. 

Pastor Rick Warren 

Pastor Francis Chan 

23 

25 Partners & Projects 31 

2 PERSECU ION.org 



President’s Letter 

“We are now close to the end of the struggle, walk in faith, so that when you 

have finally entered into Heaven, we may greet one another. I leave you my 

kiss of love.” 

Andrew Kim Taegŏn (1861), the first Korean Catholic priest, writes to 

his congregation just before being martyred. 

Catholics first arrived in Korea in the late 1700s and suffered 100 years of 

brutal persecution. Protestant missionaries started coming in the late 1800s, 

and from 1905-1910, the Holy Spirit descended on Korea and tens of thousands 

of Koreans came to Christ each year. So many Koreans converted that 

Pyongyang, the (now) capital of North Korea, became known as the Jerusalem 

of the East. 

Jeff King, President 

International Christian Concern 

The previous incidents of persecution were merely skirmishes, but in 1910, spiritual war broke out and Satan inspired the 

Japanese to invade. They stayed in Korea for 35 years in a brutal occupation. The Church suffered as Japan was ruled by a 

god-emperor who was to be bowed to. You can imagine how this went for the Christians. 

The Japanese were expelled at the end of WWII, but right away Satan turned Korea into a meat grinder with the invasion of 

the communists and the ensuing Korean War that resulted in the deaths of approximately 2.5 million lives. Saving his worst 

for last, Satan then brought the Kims to power and North Korea has been hell on earth ever since. The Kims have probably 

killed over 1 million Christians and another 2 million non-Christians (not counting the Korean war), many of them suffering 

demonic levels of torture and abuse. North Korea currently has 200,000 people in torture-death camps and 30-70 thousand 

of them are Christians. 

The Church has largely forgotten the dead and living victims of North Korea, with many seeing it as only a rogue state or 

geopolitical problem. Even the slice of the Church that is awake to persecution has largely given up on North Korea as the 

problem seems intractable. 

After interviewing defectors in 2016 and hearing their pain, I felt compelled to focus The Bridge 2017 on North Korea. 

Within this month’s edition of Persecution, you will see the outworking of that broken heart for North Korea. 

Using The Bridge, we seek to bring together government leaders, politicians, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), 

ministries, the persecuted, and the free Church to focus on one persecuted country or region. It’s not an ICC conference, 

but a gathering for all ministries to bridge the gulf of communication that exists between various sectors of humanity that 

work on persecution. 

In the end, we are seeking to build a bridge between the persecuted and those who need to hear their cries. 

Please join us as we bandage and build His persecuted Church. As always, your donations will be used efficiently, effectively, 

and ethically. 

I promise! 

Jeff King 

President 

International Christian Concern 

www.persecution.org 


INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN 

3

News 

1 

2 

6 

3 

5 

4 

Cuban Pastor Sentenced to One Year 

of Heavy Labor and House Arrest 

1 | CUBA On July 7, 2017, Ramon Rigal, pastor of 

Iglesia de Dios en Cristo, was issued a sentence of one 

year of heavy labor and house arrest for opting to homeschool 

his children. The pastor has openly voiced that 

he decided to homeschool his children primarily because 

of his Christian beliefs. 

According to a religious freedom activist and pastor 

named Mario F. Barroso, in sentences of heavy labor, 

the state chooses a location, such as a farm, where the 

accused is then forced to participate in demanding physical 

labor. While Rigal was initially handed a one-year 

prison sentence, the severity of his punishment was 

reduced during a recent appeal. The pastor noted that his 

legal counsel proved that he did not break any criminal 

laws, yet he was given a serious penalty nonetheless. 

Since Rigal’s arrest in February, many human rights 

activists and concerned Christians around the world 

have spoken out on his behalf. In May, protestors 

gathered outside of the Cuban Embassy in Washington 

D.C., while flashing signed that said, “Free the Rigals.” 

However, the protestors also addressed the overarching 

issue of the government’s repression of education in 

Cuba and its ban on homeschooling. Homeschooling 

poses a threat to this socialist society because it would 

allow families to teach their children about religion and 

other concepts that question the control of the regime. 

A protest pushing for the release of Pastor Rigal. 

Schools in 

Nigeria Remove 

Christian Study 

2 | NIGERIA In 

Nigeria, Christian 

Religious Knowledge 

has been removed 

from secondary 

schools as part of 

a new curriculum. 

In the new curriculum, 

students are 

now forced to study 

either Islamic Arabic 

Studies or French. 

However, according 

to the Christian 

Association of 

Nigeria (CAN), there 

are very few French 

teachers in secondary 

schools, leaving 

students without any 

other choice but to 

attend Islamic Arabic 

Studies, regardless 

of their own faith. 

In response, CAN 

protested the new 

policies outside of 

the Presidential Villa 

in Abuja in June. 

The group called 

for a return to the 

old curriculum and 

criticized the change 

as a step toward 

the Islamization of 

Nigeria. 

Iraq’s Prime Minister Declares 

Victory Over ISIS in Mosul 

3 | IRAQ After years of ISIS occupation, Iraq’s 

Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi, announced in 

early July that Mosul had officially been liberated 

from ISIS. This victory came after more than three 

years of ISIS control, as the group first captured 

the city on June 10, 2014. 

This announcement has been long awaited 

by thousands of Christians who were driven 

from their homes in Mosul upon the entrance 

of ISIS years ago. In total, more than 100,000 

Christians were forced to flee from Mosul and 

the surrounding area and ended up in camps for 

internally displaced persons (IDPs) throughout 

Iraq. Those who chose to stay were given the 

choice of converting to Islam, paying a protection 

tax, or facing death. All 45 of the churches 

in Mosul were either destroyed or taken over by 

ISIS during the city’s occupation. 

While this is absolutely a cause for celebration, 

the fight is not yet over. Shortly after the prime 

minister’s announcement, a local television station 

reported that ISIS still occupied a neighborhood in 

Mosul and attacks have continued since the liberation. 

Let us remember to pray for this community 

as they begin to rebuild and restore. 

Mosul faces rebuilding after liberation from ISIS. 




Chinese authorities tore down a church that was deemed an “illegal structure” and arrested and beat several church members. This is 

not an isolated incident, as the Chinese government continues a crackdown on Christianity in recent years. 

Chinese Authorities Destroy Church, Arrest 40 

4 | CHINA In May, government authorities demolished a church in 

Henan, China. Authorities claimed that the church building was an 

“illegal structure” and that the church did not pay a required “road 

usage fee.” In the midst of the demolition, 40 churchgoers were 

detained without formal arrests as they were trying to protect their 

church. Furthermore, several members of the church were beaten by 

authorities. Christians in China continue to suffer from restrictions on 

their religious freedom at the hands of the government. 

Christian Refugee Dies in Detention Center 

5 | THAILAND In late May, a Pakistani Christian refugee named Ijaz 

Tariq died in a detention center in Thailand. Although he reported 

chest pain, Tariq was not permitted to go to the hospital by immigration 

authorities. Within a matter of hours, he suffered a fatal heart 

attack and died in his cell. Pakistani refugees living in Thailand 

often face poor treatment from the government as they are treated 

as illegal immigrants and forced into detention centers which are 

widely criticized for their poor conditions. 

Gunmen Kill at Least 35 Coptic Christians in Egypt 

6 | EGYPT As part of an ongoing anti-Christian campaign of violence in Egypt, 

gunmen ambushed a caravan of Coptic Christians in late May. The two buses 

and two other vehicles were travelling to the Monastery of St. Samuel the 

Confessor, roughly 140 miles south of Cairo. Suddenly, a group of masked gunmen 

stormed the vehicles and opened fire on the passengers. In total, at least 35 

people died in the attack and more than 25 were wounded. Many of those who 

were killed or wounded were children. Sources told ICC that the precision and 

execution of the attack indicate that it was planned out well in advance. 

In recent months, there has been an increase in both the scale and 

severity of attacks on Coptic Christians in Egypt. In one instance, an 

ISIS affiliate promised to eliminate the Christian minority, claiming that 

they were the group’s “favorite prey.” 



Christians face continued attacks in Egypt. 

5

News 

1 

6 

5 

2 3 

4 

Christina was reunited with her family 

after three years with ISIS. 

Young Girl Reunited with Family after 

Three Years of ISIS Imprisonment 

1 | IRAQ In August 2014, a young girl named 

Christina was kidnapped by ISIS militants right out of 

her mother’s arms at the tender age of three. She was 

taken shortly after ISIS militants took over the primarily 

Christian town of Qeraqosh. As many Christian 

families fled the region, Christina’s family was forced 

to remain behind because her father is blind. Now, 

after nearly three years of captivity, Christina has been 

reunited with her family. 

However, years in ISIS captivity, especially at 

such a young age, does not come without scars. 

Upon the reunion, there was much celebration and 

dancing, but something seemed amiss. As Christina 

sat upon the shoulders of her dancing father, her 

face seemed to be struck with confusion and a 

feeling of being overwhelmed. Her mother reports 

that Christina forgot who her parents were, but 

that she is slowly learning to call them “mum” and 

“dad” again. Despite 

the trauma, the family 

expressed their 

immense joy over the 

return of their daughter 

and gratitude to 

all those who prayed 

for Christina’s return 

throughout the three 

years. 

According to witnesses, 

she seemed 

to be in good physical 

health, but it will 

be a long road to 

recovery to establish 

a new life with her 

family apart from the 

life she developed in 

captivity. Reports 

indicate that during 

her time away 

from her family, she 

lived with a Muslim 

family in the Tanak 

neighborhood of 

Mosul. 

Christian women 

and girls in the 

Middle East have 

long suffered from 

kidnapping and 

abuse. 

As ISIS begins to 

lose power in the 

region and some 

families experience 

the joy of restoration, 

let us not forget to 

pray for them as the 

road to recovery will 

surely be difficult. 

“The issue of ‘untouchability’ 

has caused untold 

discrimination against 

Christians in Pakistan.” 

Christian Sewer Worker Dies After 

Doctor Refused to Touch Him 

2 | PAKISTAN A Christian sewer worker named Irfan 

Masih recently died in a Pakistan hospital after doctors 

refused to touch him. Masih was cleaning in a 

manhole for work when he inhaled poisonous fumes 

and fell unconscious. Although he was quickly taken 

to the hospital, the senior doctor denied Masih treatment 

because he was “fasting” and claimed that 

touching him would make him unclean. 

Masih’s brother, Pervaiz, reported that the doctor 

would not touch Irfan’s body until it was cleaned. 

Therefore, Pervaiz took it upon himself to clean his 

brother. Even still, the hospital only issued Masih 

an empty oxygen pump. If not for the preventable 

delays and the hospital’s negligence, Masih’s life 

could have been saved. Pervaiz has since stated that 

authorities promised to investigate the case, which 

is a glimmer of hope in a dark situation. While this 

will not bring his brother back, it will hopefully 

bring justice to this family as they grieve this unnecessary 

loss. 

The issue of “untouchability” has caused untold 

discrimination against Christians and other religious 

minorities in Pakistan. Those who are part 

of a minority religion are often viewed as social 

outcasts and relegated to the lowest rungs of society, 

forcing them to take menial labor positions, 

such as working in sewers. This mindset can lead 

to discrimination and violence alike. 




12-Year-Old Christian Girl Kidnapped in Bangladesh 

3 | BANGLADESH In late May, a 12-year-old Christian girl was kidnapped by a Muslim man nearly three times her age in Bangladesh. According 

to her family, even though they have visited the police station on multiple occasions, the authorities have done little to provide them with any 

assistance. The family even turned to local Islamic leaders to ask for assistance, who told the family that they would help, but have been unsuccessful 

thus far. In response to the young girl’s disappearance, a group of fellow students decided to stage a protest against her kidnapping. 

Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon occurrence. Christian children in Bangladesh are often kidnapped and taken to Islamic 

madrassas where they are forcibly converted to Islam. 

Kim Seung-mo arrested under spy charges for visiting family. 

North Korean Faces Spy Charges After Visiting 

Christian Relatives in China 

4 | NORTH KOREA A North Korean man named Kim Seung-mo was 

recently arrested after visiting Christian relatives in China. Seung-mo 

was aggressively detained and dragged around by authorities outside 

of a North Korean train station. One anonymous witness told Radio 

Free Asia that it was evident that Seung-mo had been handled violently 

because he had a black eye and cut lip. Due to the tight grip of control 

that the government holds, authorities require that travelers report the 

details of their trips. However, because he did not mention that his 

family members are churchgoers, Seung-mo is now facing spy charges. 

Al-Shabaab militants murdered one teacher and kidnapped others. 

Al-Shabaab Murders Teacher in Kenya 

5 | KENYA On May 31, suspected al-Shabaab militants stormed into 

Fafi Primary School in Kenya and fatally shot one of the Christian 

teachers. As they were about to shoot another Christian teacher, 

a Muslim teacher tried to defend his colleague. Unfortunately, 

the militants then kidnapped both of the teachers and took them 

to an unknown location. As it shares the border with Somalia, 

Christians living in northeastern Kenya often face violence at the 

hands of the Somalia-based group, al-Shabaab. The incident has 

increased fears among Christians in the community, who have 

since called out for greater government protection. 

Former Eritrean Church Leader Allowed to Attend Mass 

For First Time in Over a Decade 

6 | ERITREA In 2005, Abune Antonios, the leader of the Eritrean Orthodox 

Church, openly called for the release of political prisoners in Eritrea. In response, 

the Eritrean government then told Antonios to excommunicate 3,000 churchgoers 

who had voiced opposition against the government. This would effectively strip 

them of their right to worship as part of this body of believers. Antonios refused 

and, as a result, was removed from leadership and forcibly detained. 

Ten years later, at the age of 90, Antonios was able to attend mass for the 

first time in more than a decade. While it was a relief to see that Antonios is 

still living, unfortunately, he was quickly brought back to his place of detention 

afterwards, deflating hopes of a possible release. During the service, Antonios 

was not permitted to speak and was kept under careful control by authorities. 



Abune Antonios. 

7

Your Dollar$ at Work 

HR 390 to Aid 

Iraqi and Syrian 

Christians 

Where Most Needed 

On June 6, 2017, HR 390, the Iraq 

and Syria Emergency Genocide Relief 

and Accountability Act, passed in the US 

House of Representatives by unanimous 

consent. As the name implies, the bill 

would provide essential aid to groups that 

have been targeted for genocide by ISIS. 

The passage of HR 390 has been a 

top priority for ICC. Over the past few 

months, ICC has held an event in support 

of this bill on Capitol Hill featuring 

congressional members and a pastor from 

Syria; held numerous meetings with congressional 

members and staff to promote 

funding and co-sponsorship of the bill; 

and led multiple letters urging congressional 

leadership to make this a priority. 

Following the passage of HR 390 in the 

House, the bill was sent to the Senate where 

it awaits approval. However, at the time of 

writing, the bill is currently stuck in the Senate 

Foreign Relations Committee. As a result, 

35 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) 

joined together to sign a letter, led by ICC, to 

Senate leadership urging them to prioritize the 

passage of HR 390. 

Additionally, ICC activated its grassroots 

network, asking supporters to call Senate 

leadership to encourage them to pass the 

bill. ICC was also given the opportunity by 

congressional allies to address a large group 

of religious freedom NGOs and government 

staff to update them on the bill’s progress 

and importance. 

This bill would ensure that the US takes 

greater action on behalf of persecuted religious 

minorities who have suffered gravely 

under ISIS. ICC continues to work with congressional 

staff to urgently pass this bill out 

of the Senate to the president’s desk so that 

Christians in Iraq and Syria can receive the 

help they desperately need and deserve. We 

ask for your continued support and prayers as 

we seek to harness the resources of the federal 

government to aid our Iraqi and Syrian brothers 

and sisters in Christ. 

Rep. Chris Smith at the HR 390 press briefing. 




Medical and 

Clothing 

Assistance 

Hand of Hope 

Badri, an Indonesian Christian, was 

kicked out of his house seven years 

ago after his family discovered that he 

had converted to Christianity. His pastor 

has been supporting him by giving him a 

place to live and providing for his other 

needs like food, clothing, and personal 

care items. Unfortunately, Badri is starting 

to have vision and hearing problems, but 

his pastor cannot afford to take him to a 

specialist nor to buy him glasses. 

Thanks to our faithful donors, ICC has 

been able to take Badri to see a doctor 

to help him with his vision and hearing 

problems. We will be purchasing a pair of 

glasses, a hearing amplifier, and clothes 

that he can use for ministry. 

Once again, God proves that He takes 

care of the needs of His people. 



Church 

Equipment in 

Indonesia 

Broadcasting the Gospel 

When a group of radical Muslims in 

Indonesia threatened Pastor Edwin for 

holding church services in his house, he was 

forced to stop services for a few weeks. The 

radicals demanded the church to be closed 

permanently, but many community leaders 

argued that the church had been there for over 

10 years and had never created any problems 

among them. After a period of time, Pastor 

Edwin was able to restart church services. 

We wanted to encourage the church so they 

can continue to spread the Gospel. We bought 

equipment that they desperately needed, but 

could not afford. They were overwhelmed! 

“I really thank ICC for...giving our church 

all these things,” said Pastor Edwin. “It’s 

really beyond our understanding on how the 

Lord could answer our prayer through ICC. 

Thank you ICC for this blessing!” 

Clothing 

Businesses for 

Arish Widows 

Suffering Wives & Children 

T 

hough Christians in El-Arish, Egypt, have 

faced an intense upsurge in persecution, 

they have no protection from an indifferent 

state. Three Christian women, Marina, Sofia, 

and Kasrin, were widowed when their husbands 

were shot in front of them by militants. 

Not only do they have to deal with overwhelming 

grief, but they are now forced to 

find a way to provide for their families. 

To help them support their families, ICC 

funded the start-up costs for a clothing business 

so they can sell clothes and earn a sustainable 

income. Marina conveyed her appreciation, 

saying, “Thank you ICC for making 

this project for me. It will help me to earn 

money to support my children. You are the 

only one who has stood with my children and 

me in this hard circumstances. We appreciate 

you helping us…” 

9


New Business 

for Persecuted 

Christian in 

Pakistan 

Community Rebuild 

Yasir Alvi, a Pakistani Christian, started his 

own business driving a car. Unfortunately, 

his Muslim colleagues did not like a Christian 

living a lifestyle comparable to Muslims. 

They kidnapped, tortured, and beat Yasir, and 

severely damaged his car. 

Yasir began to work as an assistant electrician, 

with hopes of owning his own business, renting 

speakers and microphones for weddings and 

other functions. ICC heard of Yasir’s struggles, 

and in late March, funded the start-up equipment 

for Yasir’s small business. 

Yasir and his family are very grateful. 

His wife told us, “I have met several people 

working in different NGOs…[but] I have 

never experienced such a wonderful…initiative 

for…victims. When Yasir lost his car and 

source of earning, it was almost end of life for 

us; however we had hope in Jesus and we are 

now happy and thankful to God and ICC.” 

Watch the CBN Interview at: www.goo.gl/ 

www1.cbn.com/content/isis-defeated-christians-still-fa 

Following 

Mosul from 

Start to Finish 


An essential segment of ICC’s mission 

is to spread awareness about persecution 

around the world. In doing so, ICC 

has formed close relationships with media 

outlets throughout the US and beyond. Due 

to our staff on the ground and relationships 

with indigenous partners, which both give us 

real-time updates, ICC has become a leading 

source for news related to persecution and 

other religious freedom issues. 

In July 2017, all eyes were on Iraq as the 

Islamic State began to lose their grip on the 

vitally important city of Mosul. On July 8, 

ISIS was finally driven out of Mosul and the 

700 Club contacted ICC in reponse to our 

press release. 

In addition to discussing updates about life 

for Christians in Iraq, we were able to discuss 

our recent work in Iraq and our April trip to 

Iraq. 

Proverbs 31:8 reads, “Speak up for those 

who cannot speak for themselves, for the 

rights of all who are destitute.” ICC takes 

this command seriously and considers it a 

privilege to share the stories of the persecuted. 





Campaign Aids Sudanese Churches 

nkBfts or 

ce-uncertain-future-iraq 


As previously reported, in September 

2016, 27 churches in Sudan were notified 

that their church buildings were marked 

for demolition. At the time of writing, two 

have been demolished with others to follow 

if their appeals are denied. 

ICC launched an intensive grassroots campaign 

to save these churches. We activated 

our supporters, requesting that they email 

the Sudanese embassy to call for an end to 

the church demolitions. We also worked 

aggressively within Congress. On July 11, 

a bipartisan letter proposed by ICC was 

sent from the US House of Representatives 

to US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, 

requesting that he address this issue with 

the Sudanese government. The letter was 

signed by 12 members of Congress and sent 

to Sec. Tillerson one day prior to a possible 

State Department decision to evaluate 

current sanctions against Sudan. This was 

followed by meetings between ICC and the 

State Department to ensure that the US does 

not grant economic relief to Sudan while 

they continue to persecute their own people. 



Iraqi citizens flee 

the battle of Mosul. 

Photo: Kainoa Little 

11

est 

atch 

Church Banned from Township by Arbitrary Zoning Decision 

hen Livingston Christian Schools 

W (LCS) outgrew its facility, LCS 

found a new home in Brighton Church of 

the Nazarene, centrally located in Genoa 

Township, Michigan. Unfortunately, 

despite the recommendations of the town’s 

planning commission and consultants who 

approved the school’s application, Genoa 

Township refused to give LCS a permit 

to operate its school at the church, effectively 

banning the school from operating 

in the town. The school sued the Township 

in federal court, but the federal district 

court ruled against LCS. The First Liberty 

Institute and attorneys from Covington & 

Burling, LLP, filed a brief appealing the 

district court’s decision to the US Court of 

Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Oral arguments 

were heard on April 26, 2017. On 

June 2, 2017, a three-judge panel of the 

Sixth Circuit upheld the Township’s denial 

of the permit. LCS is continuing to fight 

for the right to operate their school in the 

Genoa Township. 

Jackson County, Michigan, prayer case 

threatens 200-year-old precedent. 

County Government Sued 

over Prayer before Meetings 

Each month, the Board of Commissioners 

in Jackson County, Michigan has 

opened its proceedings with an invocation 

given by one of the county commissioners. 

In 2013, Jackson County was sued by a 

plaintiff who argued that these legislative 

prayers violated the US Constitution’s 

Establishment Clause. A federal district 

court ruled in favor of Jackson County. 

However, in February of this year, a 

three-judge panel of the US Court of 

Appeals for the Sixth Circuit overturned 

that decision, ruling that the invocations 

violated the Establishment Clause. On June 

14, 2017, the Sixth Circuit reheard the case 

with all 15 judges participating. Their decision 

is pending at the time of writing. 

Since the founding of the US, governmental 

invocations and days of prayer and 

fasting have been common. This new challenge 

to these traditions threatens to seal off 

prayer from the public domain. 

Supreme Court to Hear Groundbreaking Religious Liberty Case 

After numerous cases challenging the 

right of Christians to operate their 

businesses in keeping with their religious 

beliefs, a new case has come forward 

which could set a groundbreaking precedent 

for decades to come. Masterpiece 

Cakeshop, located in Lakewood, Colorado, 

has served people of every background 

Jack Phillips, owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop. 

Moriah Bridges graduated from high 

school in Beaver, Pennsylvania this 

spring and was asked to give remarks at 

the graduation ceremony on June 2, 2017. 

Bridges prepared her remarks, but was then 

forced to censor her comments of any religious 

material upon the direction of her school 

superintendent. He informed her that her 

remarks could not reference religious content 

and “most certainly may not recite a prayer 

that excludes other religions.” On June 13, 

2017, the First Liberty Institute sent a letter 

to the school district on Bridges’ behalf pointing 

out that her words were her own “private 

speech, not government speech,” and as such, 

since 1993; but in 2012, the owner, Jack 

Phillips, was asked by a same-sex couple 

to make a cake for their wedding. While 

he offered to sell them any other items 

from his store, he informed them that 

his Christian beliefs precluded him from 

using his artistic skills to make a cake 

that promoted ideas that violated his 

faith. The same-sex couple later sued 

Masterpiece Cakeshop and won. A judge 

then forced Phillips to bake the cake and 

undergo extensive “re-education” and 

compliance procedures. 

In July 2016, the Alliance Defending 

Freedom petitioned the United States 

Supreme Court to take up Phillips’ case. 

Thankfully, on June 26, 2017, the Supreme 

Court granted review of the case and will 

hear oral arguments later in 2017. 

High School Senior Prohibited from Using Religious Language in 

Graduation Remarks 

could not violate the Establishment Clause. 

Private religious student speech “is entitled to 

full First Amendment protection.” The school 

has not responded as of this writing. 




School Program for Low 

Income Students Attacked by 

Anti-Religious Activists 

I 

n 2011, Douglas County, Colorado created 

the Choice Scholarship Program 

to give low income students the chance to 

attend a private school that best suits their 

needs, even if that school is religious. In 

June 2011, the American Civil Liberties 

Union, Americans United for Separation 

of Church and State, and several other 

organizations sued to stop the scholarship 

program. The court ruled that the 

program violated the state constitution’s 

Blaine Amendment, an anti-religious provision 

adopted in the mid-19th century to 

discriminate against newly-arrived Catholic 

immigrants in the US. 

In April 2012, the Becket Fund for 

Religious Liberty filed an amicus brief in 

the Douglas County School District appeal, 

spotlighting the amendment’s unconstitutional 

treatment of children in religious 

schools who wish to be treated the same 

as that of students in secular schools. After 

years of battles in the court system, Douglas 

County appealed to the US Supreme Court. 

It is hoped that the recent win for religious 

liberty in the case of Trinity Lutheran Church 

of Columbia, Inc. v. Comer on June 27, 

2017, will set a precedent that will protect 

the Colorado Choice Scholarship Program. 

Thousands of Colorado students risk 

losing funds over a religious school 

voucher lawsuit. 

City Sued over WWII-Era 

Cross Monument 

I 

n 

Cross under fire in Pensacola, Florida. 

Pensacola, Florida’s historic Bayview 

Park, a large cross erected as a monument 

in 1941 has been a part of the scenery 

for generations without any complaints. In 

May 2016, four plaintiffs, represented by 

the Freedom From Religion Foundation and 

the American Humanist Association, filed 

a lawsuit to remove the cross. Two of the 

plaintiffs live in Canada; one has held his 

own ceremonies at the cross; another lives 

seven miles away from the park. But they 

all claim that seeing the cross offends them. 

Despite recognizing that the cross “is part of 

the rich history of Pensacola,” and that the 

cross “might well pass constitutional muster,” 

a federal court ruled that the cross has 

a “religious purpose” and must be removed. 

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty 

came to the city’s defense, arguing that religion 

is a fundamental aspect of human culture 

and history, and the constitution does 

not require the government to strip every 

religious symbol from public property. The 

case is now on appeal at the United States 

Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, 

with a ruling expected in 2018. 

Christian Applicant to 

College Program Rejected 

for Mentioning his Faith 

D 

ustin 

Buxton applied to the Community 

College of Baltimore County’s 

(CCBC) Radiation Therapy Program for 

the 2013 and 2014 academic years. While 

his academic record exceeded the standards 

of a competitive candidate for both years, he 

was nonetheless denied admission. 

During an interview in 2013, Buxton 

was asked by the CCBC interview panel, 

“What do you base your morals on?” He 

replied, “My faith.” His faith was not mentioned 

again; yet, in a written review of his 

interview, the program director, Adrienne 

Dougherty, stated that Buxton had lost 

points because he “brought up religion a 

great deal during the interview. Yes, this is a 

field that involves death and dying; but religion 

cannot be brought up in the clinic by 

therapist or students.” After an initial loss 

at a lower court level, Buxton’s case is now 

before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals 

and is pending a ruling. 

Teacher Reprimanded for 

Offering to Pray for Her 

Colleague 

T 

oni 

Richardson is a teacher who 

works with special needs students at a 

high school in Augusta, Maine. In a private 

conversation, Richardson offered to pray 

for a coworker who was a Christian and 

fellow member of her church. A few weeks 

later, a school official ordered Richardson 

to never make “faith-based” statements on 

school grounds. Even phrases like, “that’s 

a blessing” violated the First Amendment, 

according to the school official. The school 

threatened Richardson with further disciplinary 

action, including possible termination, 

if she said anything considered 

“unprofessional” in the future, including 

using faith-based phrases. 

On May 16, 2017, the First Liberty Institute 

and the Eaton Peabody law firm filed a complaint 

of religious discrimination and retaliation 

against the school district with the US 

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. 



13

THE 

BRIDGE 2017 

North Korea 

We gathered the Church, the persecuted, government leaders, ministries, 

and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on Capitol Hill and at 

Saddleback Church in Southern California to loose the chains of the 

persecuted in North Korea. 

By Jeff King, President of ICC 

Over a year ago, I sat and 

interviewed numerous 

defectors from 

North Korea, including 

Young Gwang Il. 

He wasn’t just a defector, 

but had also served 

time in its infamous 

prison camps. 

He told me of the different forms of torture 

he experienced and then spoke of how to 

this day he cannot fall asleep unless he has 

music blaring in his ears to suppress the terror 

that still imprisons him. Another defector 

recently testified before the UN about how 

camp guards tortured her repeatedly until 

she agreed to drown her baby with her own 

hands. 

Another defector testified about how he 

saw 13 of his cellmates die in his short 

stay at a camp. This is really the purpose 

of the worst camps. They are death camps 

like Auschwitz. They kill their victims a bit 

more slowly, and with starvation instead 

of gas, but make no mistake, the spirit of 

the Nazis is still here with us on earth even 

though politicians everywhere mouth the 

slogan “Never Again!” 

You may hear a lot about North Korea in 

the news, but the narrative usually centers 

around missiles and geopolitics. 

What’s lost are the voices of 30,000 

Christians and another 170,000 or more 

prisoners of its death camps. 

Even among the persecution movement, 

we tend to ignore North Korea because it 

has been so bad for so long. 

For this reason, we felt compelled to 

gather the Body together to expose the horror 

of North Korea and move the Body of 

Christ to send the Gospel in and to care for 

her defectors. 

Since you may not have been able to 

attend, we wanted you to see and understand 

the various pieces of The Bridge and 

invite you to come to next year’s Bridge, 

where we will work to build a bridge 

between the free and persecuted Church. 

Learn more about The Bridge and sign up 

to stay informed about next year’s conference at: 

www.thepersecutionconference.org 




“The Spirit of the Lord 

is on me 

to bring 

good news, 

to set the oppressed 

free, 

to proclaim freedom 

for the captives, 

and release from 

darkness for the 

prisoners.” 

Isaiah 61:1 

I have inscribed you on 

the palm of my hands. 

Your walls are 

ever before 

Me! 

Isaiah 49:16 



15

SPEAKERS 

GOVERNMENT POLICY 

RICK WARREN 

“In North Korea alone, 

estimates of 70,000 

Christians are languishing 

in dark prisons.” 

FRANCIS CHAN 

“God, I hate suffering, 

but I hate my pride even 

more.” 

HYEONSEO LEE 

“I believe God works 

through His believers. It 

is our duty to part the Red 

Sea for the North Koreans.” 

JOHNNIE MOORE 

“We have to do a little bit 

more. We are obligated to.” 

MARK RUTLAND 

“Those people in North 

Korea must somehow 

know that we know they 

are there.” 

JOSEPH KIM 

“Unfortunately this 

isn’t just my story, but 

the story of millions in 

North Korea.” 

US SENATE 

Senator Ted Cruz 

Senator James Lankford 

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL 

T. Kumar 

HERITAGE FOUNDATION 

Bruce Klingner 

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF 

CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP 

Dr. Mark Rutland 

US HOUSE OF REPS. 

Congressman Chris Smith 

Congressman Ed Royce 

HUDSON INSTITUTE 

Melanie Kirkpatrick 

ONE FREE KOREA 

Joshua Stanton 

THE COMMITTEE FOR 

HUMAN RIGHTS IN N.K. 

Greg Scarlatoiu 

THE CALL TO THE CHURCH 

The 2017 Bridge featured a variety of speakers 

who brought different topics to the main stage. 

North Korean defectors, experts, US officials, 

church leadership, and many others joined us. 

The dedication and unity of our speakers was an 

invaluable aspect of The Bridge 2017. 

POLICY CHANGE 

To share expertise on the political and legal 

scene surrounding North Korea, the 2017 Bridge 

included a Policy Day in DC with numerous 

government experts. 

Their knowledge and experience brought the 

2017 Bridge to new depths of understanding. 




MINISTRIES & NGOS 

THE CHURCH 

International Christian 

Concern 

Voice of the Martyrs 

North Korea 

Freedom Coalition 

Justice for North Korea 

Improving North Korean 

Human Rights Center 

Open Doors USA 

Christian Solidarity 

Worldwide 

Liberty North Korea 

Crossing Borders 

Free North Korea Radio 

The JESUS Film 

Saddleback Church 

Bethel English Church 

Young Nak 

Celebration 

Grace Korean Church 

Crossway 

Community 

We Are Church 

Revival Church 

King of the Nations 

PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS 

Our partners across the country and the world 

joined us this year to share their work and hope 

for the people of North Korea. They brought reallife 

experience and knowledge to The Bridge. 

Bridge attendees were given special insight to the 

work happening on the ground in North Korea. 

CHURCH LEADERSHIP 

The Bridge brought together church leaders and 

communities from across America. A united 

American Church is the first step to a united 

global Church. 

Our spiritual leaders are awakening a revival 

that will soon reach North Korea. 



17

Feature Article 

ICC’s Policy Day Provides 

“It is worth remembering for 

everyone here that the light is 

stronger than the darkness, and 

truth is stronger than lies. And 

the work of the people here is 

speaking truth and singing light.” 

– SENATOR TED CRUZ 

By Nate Lance 

““Let us not love with words or 

speech but with actions and in 

truth.” 1 John 3:18 (NIV) 

Action” 

a n d 

“truth” 

are two 

words 

n o t 

usually 

associated 

with 

Washington DC, but ICC brought 

both to Capitol Hill during The 

Bridge’s annual Policy Day: a 

one-day event in Washington DC 

assembling together senators, 

congressmen, and other policy 

leaders to discuss possible solutions 

to the humanitarian crisis 

that continues for Christians and 

others in North Korea. 

For a place once called the 

“Jerusalem of the East” because 

of its strong Christian faith, North 

Korea has become one of the 

world’s most egregious human 

rights and religious liberty violators. 

Although North Korea’s 

regime seems to be a problem 

without solution, ICC’s Policy 

Day speakers highlighted mul- 





Real Solutions 

tiple potential solutions to the 

“unsolvable” problem. 

Senators, Policy 

Experts, and 

Religious Leaders 

Tackle North Korea 

Speakers included elected 

leaders such as Senator Ted 

Cruz from Texas, Senator James 

Lankford from Oklahoma, Rep. 

Chris Smith from New Jersey, and 

Rep. Ed Royce from California, 

as well as policy experts and 

religious leaders such as Dr. 

Mark Rutland, speaker, author, 

and former president of multiple 

Christian universities. 

Senator Lankford summarized 

North Korea’s fear of 

Christianity when he stated, “The 

regime is terrified of the words in 

[the Bible], like these ones, ‘You 

shall love the Lord your God 

with all your heart, with all your 

soul, and with all your mind. 

This is the first and foremost 

commandment. The second is 

like it: you shall love your neighbor 

as yourself. On these two 

commandments rely the whole 

law and the prophets.’ The Kim 

regime is terrified of that statement: 

to love God and love your 

neighbor.” 

Senator Cruz echoed a similar 

sentiment: “It is worth remembering 

for everyone here that 

the light is stronger than the 

darkness, and truth is stronger 

than lies. And the work 

of the people here is speaking 

truth and singing light.” Senator 

Cruz continued by emphasizing 

that one of the most important 

things we can do as a country 

and as Christians who want to 

help our fellow brothers and 

sisters in Christ is to continue 

to speak out on their behalf. 

He ended his remarks by saying 

that he wants to encourage 

those seeking change in North 



Senator Ted Cruz of Texas speaks at ICC’s Policy Day. 

Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey speaks at ICC’s Policy Day. 

‘The North Korean regime fears 

Christianity because it offers a 

venue for the exchange of ideas. ’ 

– GREG SCARLATOIU 

Korea “to keep on and double 

your efforts. To speak truth and 

change the world.” 

While both of these senators 

focused on the need to be outspoken 

against the lies of the North 

Korean regime, they also encouraged 

action by our federal government 

in supporting change. 

Senator Lankford explained that 

while there may be few actions 

that can be taken, the United 

States and our allies should do all 

that can be done to bring relief to 

the people of North Korea. 

Dr. Mark Rutland also made a 

call for action against the facilitators 

of North Korea’s violations 

against the rights of Christians 

and others. Rutland spoke about 

the need to continue to spread 

the truth and let its light be the 

catalyst for change. However, 

he also highlighted the need to 

put pressure on countries with 

diplomatic relations with North 

Korea, like China. The Chinese 

represent the vast majority of all 

trade with North Korea, making 

them responsible in part for 

Kim to continue his totalitarian 

regime, and a prime target for 

future economic sanctions. 

Following the keynote speeches, 

a panel of policy experts including 

Greg Scarlatoiu, Executive 

Director of the Committee for 

Human Rights in North Korea, 

Joshua Stanton, head of One 

Free Korea and Korean policy 

expert, and T. Kumar, Director for 

International Advocacy at Amnesty 

International, offered their views on 

the future of this crisis and policy 

proposals to address it. 

Greg Scarlatoiu explained that 

Christianity is a considerable 

threat to the North Korean regime. 

He stated that there are at least 

60,000 Christians in the country. 

He continued, “The North 

Korean regime fears Christianity 

because it offers a venue for the 

exchange of ideas. Remember, 

this regime has maintained its 

19


Expert panel at the 2017 Bridge Policy Day. 

“As a human being you have to see 

this as a problem we need to address.” 

– T. KUMAR, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL 

grip on power through information control, 

through an absolutely overwhelming level of 

coercion, surveillance, punishment…each and 

every person has to be an informer in Korea.” 

He went on to discuss that economic market 

forces and information from the outside 

world, as well as the underground church, are 

tremendous agents for change in North Korea 

and should continue to be supported by the 

US government. 

Joshua Stanton focused on the need for 

the existing sanctions on North Korea to 

be enforced to a much higher degree. He 

explained that the Trump administration 

should use the US dollar and sanctions to 

force China to decide between trading with 

North Korea and facilitating the evil regime, 

or continuing trade with the United States, a 

country they need to continue to be the economic 

powerhouse they have become. 

Stanton also noted that the North Korean 

government has not been listed as a terrorist 

organization. However, the actions of the 

regime have proven otherwise. They have 

sent assassins to kill human rights activists 

and dissidents, among other terrorist acts. 

Rounding out the panel, T. Kumar stated 

that North Korea is by far the most isolated 

country. He offered two possible solutions 

to addressing this humanitarian crisis: insert 

information from the outside world into North 

Korea and convince other countries to get 

involved. He explained that “as a human 

being you have to see this as a problem we 

need to address.” 





Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma speaks at ICC’s Policy Day. 

In addition to the inperson 

attendees at the 

event, over 30,000 viewers 

were able to participate 

through ICC’s livestream of 

Policy Day via Facebook. 

Additionally, the Policy 

Day received a variety of 

media coverage. Articles 

were written by The Blaze, 

Christianity Daily, The 

Christian Post, National 

Prayer Chapel, and Pakistan 

Christian Post. Other news 

outlets that attended the 

event in-person included 

Voice of America and 

Radio Free Asia. With 

this strong coverage, the 

message of The Bridge was 

spread far beyond those 

who attended in person. 

Facebook livestream of 2017 Bridge Policy Day. 

Practical Application on 

Capitol Hill 

These policy prescriptions from elected 

leaders and our panel of North Korea experts 

coordinated well with one of ICC’s main 

advocacy objectives of the Policy Day—to 

raise awareness and support for H.R. 2061 

and S. 1118, the North Korean Human Rights 

Reauthorization Act of 2017. These bills in 

the House and Senate would: 1) promote 

international cooperation on North Korean 

human rights, 2) increase transparency in the 

provision of humanitarian assistance to the 

North Korean people, and 3) protect North 



Korean refugees. 

Policy Day attendees took part in advocating 

for these bills through our annual 

literature drop on Capitol Hill. Attendees 

who wished to participate visited more than 

400 offices, delivering literature on the North 

Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act. 

The literature drop also focused on urging 

the Trump administration to appoint a new 

Special Envoy on North Korea. This envoy 

would seek to document human rights abuses, 

report to the State Department on their 

findings, and offer policy recommendations 

to improve conditions for Christians and others 

inside North Korea. 

Solving the Unsolvable 

Problem 

For a problem that seemed unsolvable to 

some before their attendance at the Policy 

Day, numerous solutions were discussed 

that could improve the lives of our brothers 

and sisters in Christ in North Korea. 

What was made clear throughout the event 

is that speaking the truth of God to the 

people of North Korea and the Kim regime 

holds tremendous power that could serve 

as a catalyst to bring about a return of the 

Jerusalem of the East. 

21

Rick Warren 

Challenges the Free Church 

at The Bridge 2017 

By Jorge Gomez 

Christians are the 

most persecuted 

group on the planet. 

Now that might be 

a surprise to most 

people because it is 

the most ignored, 

overlooked, and 

underreported news 

in the world,” noted 

Pastor Rick Warren, best-selling author and 

founder of Saddleback Church. “The source 

[of persecution] is Satan. We are in an unseen 

spiritual battle. It’s going on all around us.” 

Pastor Warren spoke on Christian persecution 

from a place of authority and experience 

at this year’s Bridge. Despite his famed 

accomplishments, he is known to be humble 

and gentle in spirit, all while maintaining an 

unwavering conviction to God’s Word. In 

2010, under Warren’s visionary leadership, 

Saddleback became the first local church 

to send a missionary to every nation in the 

world. His endeavor to reach the world with 

the Gospel is evidence of his commitment 

to empathize and care for the least and most 

vulnerable among us. 

Warren imparted a practical message to 

Bridge attendees of what it means to stand up 

for the Christian faith. In his characteristic 

fatherly tone, he explained the spiritual foundations 

associated with persecution. First, he 

reminded us that “opposition can make us 

more like Jesus.” When facing trial or persecution, 

we have to recognize that there is a 

more profound purpose in our suffering and 

pain. God’s transcendent plan is to transform 

us into the image of His perfect Son, Jesus 

Christ. In the midst of tribulation, it is easy 

to be distracted from this idea. But following 

Christ comes at a cost, at times the cost of 

knowing that we will be the enemies of the 

world, scorned and battered. Nevertheless, 

that is the same type of opposition and rejection 

that Christ faced, which will ultimately 

lead us to become more like Him. 

Secondly, when thinking of persecution, 

we may also be predisposed to interpret 

suffering and criticism as negative signs. 

Warren exhorted the Body to acknowledge 

that “persecution and oppression are a sign 

that we are doing something right.” The 

Bible supports this spiritual truth, as outlined 

in 1 Peter 4:14 (NIV), “If you are insulted for 

the name of Christ, you are blessed.” As followers 

of Christ, we cannot ignore the reality 

that we are set apart from the world. When 

we proclaim and magnify His name, we are 

alerted about the inevitable affliction and 

“Cause us to care 

not just about 

ourselves, but all 

those around the 

world who are 

right now sitting 

in prison…and the 

millions that will 

die, unless you do 

something 

about it.” 

persecution we will face (John 15:18-20). 

Repression and harassment are indicators 

that we are adhering to God’s truth. This is 

the consolation and solace that thousands of 

brothers and sisters in Christ hold on to when 

they face persecution. 

Thirdly, Warren offers hope to those who 

face persecution and affliction, encouraging 

them to remember that “opposition will 

give us more rewards in heaven.” This does 

not mean we stand up for our faith simply to 

extract some type of benefit from God. On the 

contrary, we are to stand firm by our beliefs 

and face persecution with valor. In spite of 

any temporary loss in this world, we will reap 

a greater reward when we are reunited with 

Christ. For all who face persecution, whether 

those that suffer violent attacks or those that 

encounter ridicule from their peers, the hope 

of future riches in God’s Kingdom provides 

a reason to remain joyful. It is not so much 

about acquiring or amassing riches in heaven, 

but knowing that by doing His will and fulfilling 

our obligations as His emissaries, God’s 

blessings will outweigh even as we encounter 

persecution, affliction, and difficulties. 

What’s the significance behind these key 

spiritual principles and how do we apply 

them? Warren’s pragmatic advice to the 

Church and to the persecuted is this: Do not 

be afraid or surprised by persecution, nor be 

ashamed of being a Christian. When persecution 

or affliction strikes, do not retaliate; 

instead, respond by praying for those that 

persecute you. He concludes with the counter-intuitive 

yet powerful truths of Scripture, 

telling us to combat persecution not with further 

attacks, but by offering blessings. The 

underlying principle, he states, is to be filled 

with God’s love: “When you return good for 

evil, when you return love for hatred, racial 

bigotry, injustice, all of these kind of things, 




Did You Know? 

• Warren’s mega best-seller, 

“The Purpose Driven Life,” was 

on the NY Times’ best-seller 

list for 90 weeks. 

• When Warren received a 

windfall from the book, he 

paid back Saddleback Church 

25 years of salary. 

• Warren “reverse tithes” and 

gives away 90 percent of his 

income. 

• Saddleback has trained 

400,000 pastors around the 

world. 

• Saddleback has sent 

missionaries to every nation 

of the world. 

• Warren started Saddleback 

only after being rejected as a 

missionary to China. 



Pastor Rick Warren 

Rick Warren is a leading 

evangelical pastor and author best 

known for “The Purpose Driven 

Life.” He is the founder and senior 

pastor of Saddleback Church in 

Lake Forest, California. Saddleback 

Church partnered with The Bridge 

and hosted the 2017 conference. 

…it is the single most powerful form of witnessing.” 

In his final challenge to the free Church, Warren 

asked, “If it became a crime to follow Jesus in the United 

States of America, would there be enough evidence 

to convict you? Would you be thrown in jail because 

everyone knows that you live for Christ? Let me ask 

you another question. When people say insulting things 

about Christians, do you wimp out and keep your mouth 

shut and say nothing? Or do you stand up for your brothers 

and sisters?” 

Warren’s closing prayer demonstrated his heart for the 

persecuted and for our courageous involvement: “Father, 

may [the persecuted]…motivate us to pray, to give, to 

serve, to advocate, to elect leaders that will push for 

this, …to do everything we can to relieve the burdens 

of [the persecuted]. I pray that... [we may have] a new 

commitment to be fearless for Christ…to not back down, 

but to share God’s love everywhere, with everyone as 

fast as we can. Cause us to care not just about ourselves, 

but all those around the world who are right now sitting 

in prison…and the millions that will die, unless you do 

something about it. I ask you to motivate us all to be 

more courageous for Christ.” 

23

FRANCIS 

CHAN 

By Amy Penn 

“Remember those who are in prison, as 

though in prison with them, and those who 

are mistreated, since you also are in the 

body.” Hebrews 13:3 (ESV) 

We live in 

an individualistic 

society 

guided 

by principles 

of selfreliance, 

comfort, and status. We aren’t taught to ask 

questions about who our neighbor is or who 

we have a responsibility to help, especially 

if the answers impede our pursuit of comfort. 

It can be difficult to understand how we can 

be connected to our persecuted brothers and 

sisters worldwide, but when Francis Chan, 

pastor, renowned speaker, and best-selling 

author of Crazy Love, spoke at The Bridge 

2017, he indelibly showed us both our responsibility 

and connection to those outside of our 

immediate circle. 

Chan acknowledged that it is difficult to 

face issues like persecution because of the 

environment that surrounds us. It’s extremely 

difficult to even begin to imagine the suffering 

faced by others around the world, so God has 

to supernaturally change our minds and help 

us to focus. 

The Body of Christ 

Chan presented us with a mystery. In 

Ephesians 5, Paul talks about the “profound 

mystery and I’m talking about Christ and the 

Church.” Have you ever considered the mystery 

associated with Christ and His Church? 

As Chan explained, “This God who dwells 

How do we 

“nourish 

and cherish” 

each other, 

especially with 

thousands 

of miles 

separating us? 

in unapproachable light, the Bible says He 

shines brighter than the sun…and yet the 

Bible is saying that there is this profound mystery 

that the God who…lives in this high and 

holy place, somehow, I can become a member 

of His body.” 

It doesn’t matter who you are…anyone can 

be a part of the Church, and thus be connected 

together as the body of Christ. “To think that 

Christ sacrifices for me to be a member of His 

body and you’re attached to me, and therefore, 

I cherish and I nourish you.” 

Joining in Suffering 

That’s the connection: the Church. Because 

we are members of His body, we are connected 

to one another, including our persecuted 

brothers and sisters worldwide. But what do 

we do about this connection? How do we 

“nourish and cherish” each other, especially 

when there are thousands of miles separating 

us? 

Chan refers to Hebrews 13:3 in an attempt 

to answer the question. “Remember those 

who are in prison, as though in prison with 

them, and those who are mistreated, since 

you also are in the body” (ESV). How do you 

remember as though you’re in prison? 

Joining someone in prison is a countercultural 

idea. As Chan contended, we think 

rescue first. “Let’s rescue them…let’s get 

them in a house with a pool, put their kids 

in soccer, right? I mean, that’s just the way 

we think…We got them out…Yay!...I’m not 




saying at all that that would be wrong…but I 

want to challenge you with something.” 

Is that what the New Testament tells us to 

do? No, the New Testament tells us to join in 

suffering. Chan cites Paul’s letter to Timothy 

where Paul tells Timothy to join him in prison. 

Paul doesn’t try to join Timothy’s more 

comfortable lifestyle; rather he tells Timothy 

to come to him. Yes, that means we will be 

scorned, laughed at, and humiliated by the 

world’s standards. 



Pastor Francis Chan 

Francis Chan is a pastor and 

best-selling author of Crazy 

Love, Forgotten God, and You 

and Me Forever. He founded 

Cornerstone Church and 

Eternity Bible College. 

That’s hard. But look at Jesus. Jesus’ death 

humiliated him on earth. But, the Bible says, 

“he learned obedience through what he suffered” 

(Hebrews 5:8 ESV). 

“Jesus, the Son of God, learned obedience 

through suffering,” Chan exclaims, “How can 

you stand that? It’s like, ‘God, I keep wanting 

to learn without suffering’…but that’s pride… 

so yes, ‘God, teach me obedience through 

suffering.’ ” 

Intimacy through 

Suffering 

God will never abandon us during times 

of suffering. In fact, Chan argued, He reveals 

Himself in uniquely intimate ways to those 

who suffer. Chan told us about a group of 

Korean missionaries who were being held 

by the Taliban. The missionaries accepted 

their impending deaths and all but two died. 

The ones who escaped returned to Seoul. The 

missionaries told Chan that since their return, 

they tried to reconnect with God at the same 

level of intimacy that they experienced in 

captivity. But they couldn’t find it. 

No amount of prayer, fasting, Bible reading, 

or service had ushered them into the same 

intimate relationship. Chan realized that God 

reveals Himself to those who suffer in ways 

that He doesn’t do to those in relative comfort. 

The Profound Mystery of 

the Church 

Chan challenged us to fully live the profound 

mystery of the Church—to be afraid of 

our own discomfort and pride and to be connected 

with our brothers and sisters around 

the world in their suffering. 

As the body of Christ, we are immediately 

responsible to enrich and assist fellow 

members of the Body. Sometimes that means 

rescuing and aiding, but ultimately it means 

sharing in their suffering—mourning their 

losses, sharing their pain, and remembering 

them in prayer. These are difficult tenets to 

follow because we live in a culture of comfort; 

however, they’re the tenets Scripture 

challenges us to follow. 

“But God has so composed the body… 

that the members may have the same care for 

one another. If one member suffers, all suffer 

together” (1 Corinthians 12:26-26 ESV). 

25

Pastor Greg Zetts speaks at ICC’s 2017 Bridge conference. 

Zetts is a veteran missions pastor who has traveled all over 

the world. He is the head pastor of King of the Nations 

Christian Fellowship in Rockville, Maryland. 

A REVIVED BRIDE 

By Jordan Hawkins 

Nobody is going to 

burn my house 

down, kidnap 

my children, or 

rape my wife 

because I preach 

the Gospel this 

coming Sunday,” 

Pastor Greg Zetts 

expressed to a 

customs official as he returned to the US from 

a mission trip in North Africa. “But where I 

just came from, they experience that.” 

Now, Zetts shares passionately shares his 

heart for persecuted believers with others. 

Personal Revival 

Pastor Greg Zetts participated in this year’s 

Bridge as both a speaker and a minister 

to attendees. Amidst the hustle and bustle 

of sessions and speakers at the conference, 

Zetts witnessed God stirring revival within 

the hearts of individual lives. Attendees who 

may have come in hopes of loosening North 

Korea’s bonds found that God also wanted to 

destroy their own chains and bring revival to 

the Western Church. 

Many attendees approached Zetts for prayer 

and counsel throughout the conference. “Some 

of the people I ministered to were machines,” 

he shared. “They were working for God rather 

“Our hearts 

need to break 

that our people 

and our nation 

have left God.” 

– ICC PRESIDENT JEFF KING 

than working with Him,” and harbored uncertainty 

about God’s love for them. Caught up 

in the cycle of performance, they were striving 

to please God but felt unsatisfied in their 

relationship with Him. “The most important 

ministry,” reflected Zetts, “[is] just loving Him 

and being a worshipper.” 

Others struggled with histories that held 

them back from intimacy with God; they 

were challenged to be vulnerable before Him. 

“When a person is vulnerable, he gives the 

Father access to their heart,” Zetts explained. 

This same vulnerability toward God allowed 

attendees to confront aching questions during 

The Bridge—questions about bitterness, lack 

of forgiveness, resentment, condemnation, 

shame, guilt, and listening to the devil’s accusation, 

all which distance believers from God. 

These breakthroughs are the first step 

toward reaching out to the persecuted 

around the world. It gets to the heart of the 

message of the persecuted: revival. Personal 

revival precedes large-scale revival. Jesus 

shared His heart with twelve men, and those 

disciples then reached others who radically 

altered the world. 

A Revived Church 

Zetts senses “an unprecedented harvest that’s 

coming…. A church that’s revived means God 

gets His possession,” Zetts explained. “Jesus 

gets His bride…. When you’re revived, then 

you become aware; you become sensitive to 

the Holy Spirit,” Zetts related. His time at 

The Bridge encouraged him of God’s work. 

“That’s what I see happening—this awakening 

that’s going to bring people into a place of 

prophetic sensitivity to what God wants to do 

in nations like North Korea.” 

ICC’s president, Jeff King, passionately 

desired to see revival at The Bridge—revival 

individually, and revival of the Western 

Church: “Our hearts need to break that our 

people and our nation have left God.” God 

desperately wants the Western Church to have 

His heart for persecuted believers around 

the world—persecuted believers who are our 

brothers and sisters, part of the body of Christ. 




To do that, though, God must first have the 

heart of the Western Church. 

Awakening to God 

Zetts shared that awakening to God is a 

critical first step before serving persecuted 

brothers and sisters around the world. “When 

we make time to hear God’s heart, to hear 

testimonies, to go into the Word of God and 

get an understanding of what God is saying 

about the persecuted Church, it can bring 

radical changes,” conveyed Zetts. “We cannot 

despise the day of small beginnings.” 

His words echo King’s burden for the 

Church: “[God] has to have all of us. We 

need to hear His heart, and to do that, we just 

need to give Him everything.” 

Zetts remembers when God challenged 

him to give everything. Over twenty years 

ago, he boarded a plane to Andhra Pradesh, 

India. He felt God asking him how far he 

would go for souls. Would he still get on the 

plane if he knew he would not come back? “It 

rocked my world,” he related. 

Since that time, Zetts has witnessed persecution 

around the world that greatly impacted 

his relationship with God. 

Awakening to God may not look dramatic. 

It may look like a faithful life. It may look 

like intentionally digging into Scripture. It 

may look like prayer and fasting. It may 

look like giving up our will to follow God’s 

will. “I think if the American Church can 

capture that, we will go way, way out there 

in the grace of God to touch the persecuted 

Church,” concluded Zetts. 

“The solution is on our knees,” King shared. 

“We need to cry out, and we need to invite 

Him back to be first place in my heart, and in 

your heart, and in our nation’s heart.” 

1 Bridge attendees join in prayer for North Korea. 

2 Attendees praise God during a worship session. 

3 Bridge attendees welcome speakers to the stage. 

4 Saddleback Church worship team leads during The Bridge. 

1 

2 

4 



3 

27

THE BRIDGE 2017 

The “secret agenda” of the The Bridge is to show Western believers the example of the 

persecuted where we see pure devotion at a high cost so that our hearts are revived and 

the free Church is inspired to go deeper in their faith. 

The 2017 Bridge brought together the humanitarian leaders and experts on the persecuted 

Church. This panel included (from right to left) Jeff King of ICC, Todd Nettleton 

of Voice of the Martyrs, Mervyn Thomas of Christian Solidarity Worldwide (UK), David 

Curry of Open Doors, and Isaac Six of ICC. 




1 North Korean testimonies 

2 Bridge attendees in worship 

3 Defector Hyeonseo Lee 

4 Anaheim gathering 

5 Policy Day on Capitol Hill 

6 Speaker Johnnie Moore 

1 

5 

2 

6 

3 

4 



29

“Almost hard to conceive of something like this. I felt encouraged by 

the people who cared about it but left profoundly impacted by the 

magnitude of the problem for people under that regime.” 

“Did not know how bad it was in North Korea. Media 

only talks about the political part of what’s going on.” 

“The REAL heroes in this life are those who have survived and tell us what is going on 

inside. Life-changing for us who live in a free society.” 

“It was a drumbeat to my long craving to be brought to the banks of the river 

we must cross to the deliverance of His special people from the tyranny. “ 

“It challenged me to re-engage in prayer and action 

especially for the people of North Korea.” 

“Very helpful and awakening.” 

“It motivated me to get more involved.” 

“The stories from the North Korean refugees were very 

moving and eye-opening.” 




THE BRIDGE 2017 

“I have prayed for North Korea for over 

15 years so to have an opportunity to 

hear from and personally meet several 

brothers and sisters who shared what 

life is like in North Korea was a privilege 

and emotional experience.” 

“ 

“ 

“THANK YOU! I loved EVERY moment 

and will tell others. I also LOVED that 

leaders from many organizations came 

and spoke. UNITY!” 



31

UNITY IN THE FACE OF 

GLOBAL PERSECUTION 

By Isaac Six and Samantha Gassaway 

On June 3, 2017, 

attendees of 

ICC’s annual 

Bridge conference 

had 

an incredibly 

unique opportunity. 

Assembled 

before them 

were leaders 

from four of the world’s largest persecution 

ministries: Voice of the Martyrs (VOM), Open 

Doors USA, Christian Solidarity Worldwide 

– UK (CSW), and International Christian 

Concern (ICC). 

The ministries united together to provide 

unparalleled insight into how to aid 

the persecuted Church. The four leaders 

represented well over half a century of 

experience in ministering to the persecuted 

as well as oversight over hundreds 

of projects in dozens of countries. Here 

are just a few highlights from this unprecedented 

gathering of persecution ministry 

leaders. 

Q: What was it that led you into this work 

to begin with? How were you called to this 

type of ministry? 

David Curry (Open Doors–USA): Years 

ago, I was doing ministry down in Peru, when 

the Shining Path, an extremely violent terrorist 

group, came in and tried to take over an 

event we were doing to train pastors. They 

threatened my life, and it was in that moment 

when I really became acquainted firsthand, if 

only for a brief period of time, with what it 

was like to be under pressure for your faith. It 

was my introduction [to persecution] and the 

beginning of a journey that led to Open Doors. 

Jeff King (ICC): I had a dream: I was talking 

on the phone to an imaginary businessman 

I call ‘Bill.’ I hang up the phone and decide 

to go visit his business but all his workers are 

standing outside. I ask them, ‘Where’s Bill?’ 

and they say, ‘Bill’s gone.’ I said, ‘Well, where 

is he? I was just talking to him.’ They said, 

‘No, no, he’s dead.’ I said, ‘He’s not dead, I 

was talking to him five minutes ago.’ I woke 

up and I looked at my cell phone and one of 

my supporters had called—she’s never called 

me in 11 years. I get up and call her back, 

and she says, ‘My husband and I are involved 

with this organization, and the founder just 

died, and all I can think is that you’re the guy 

that’s supposed to run this organization. Are 

you interested?’ 

Q: How do you keep people excited or 

involved in helping the persecuted Church? 

Mervyn Thomas (CSW): I simply 

encourage people by telling the stories of 

those people that I meet, that I have the privilege 

to meet. And I’ve met so many incredibly 

inspiring people… One of my greatest 

friends was a guy called Shahbaz Bhatti, 

who was a Christian minister in Pakistan. 

And I said, ‘Shahbaz, are you frightened?’ 

And his face, I remember it, he just broke 

out into a broad smile and he just said, 

‘Frightened? No, I’m privileged. Jesus gave 

His life for me, so nothing I could do short of 

that would be [enough]. I really am prepared 




Ministry Heads 

ICC’s Isaac Six (far left) 

moderates the executive 

panel at The Bridge 2017. 

David Curry, CEO of Open 

Doors-USA, Mervyn Thomas, 

CEO of Christian Solidarity 

Worldwide, Todd Nettleton, 

Director of Media and Public 

Relations for Voice of the 

Martyrs-USA, and Jeff King, 

president of ICC, gathered at 

The Bridge to talk about what 

unites us all: the cause of the 

persecuted. 

to put my life on the line.’ And two months 

later he did. 

Todd Nettleton (VOM): If one of my 

brothers was in prison getting beaten every 

single day, what would I do? I wouldn’t stop 

with anything. I would say, ‘That’s my brother. 

They’re beating on him every day. How are 

you going to help me stop this?’ The people 

that we’ve talked about in North Korea, those 

are our brothers and sisters. So I think when 

you understand that, I don’t think motivation 

is a problem anymore. 

Q: What is one of your favorite projects, 

one of the things your ministry has done 

that is fascinating or something you’ve 

thought is a really great project and loved 

doing that? 

King: We were at a Religious Liberty 

Partnership meeting overseas and I’m thinking, 

‘Why don’t you take this [broadcast] 

approach?’ We found a great media ministry 

who does a lot of this work, and we developed 



this 24/7 Gospel-oriented programming for 

Muslims who have converted to Christ 

Thomas: This lady, she had come out of 

North Korea. And she told me she wasn’t 

able to tell anybody [for two years] that she 

had accepted Christ. Then she pulled out two 

books. She said, ‘This is my journal of my 

spiritual journey.’ My mind was going, ‘How 

do you have a spiritual journey when you’ve 

not got a pastor, a fellowship, a Bible?’ And 

then the person who was with her started 

interpreting and there was Scripture in there. 

She talked about things that she could never 

have known about except the direct inspiration 

of the Holy Spirit. And there’s going to 

be lots of stories like that lady because God is 

doing His work and He’s building His Church 

despite everything else. 

Q: What’s the most challenging situation 

or story you’ve come across? 

Thomas: It dates back to about 1989, 1990, 

when I was in Russia… I said to [Konstantin 

Kachev, a Russian official], ‘Would you allow 

us to bring in a million Bibles?’ He immediately 

said, ‘Yes.’ Eighteen months later, 

that man came back to the UK and he met 

with me. The first thing he said was, ‘I’ve 

got a problem, because you only sent in half 

a Bible.’ We had sent in a million Russian 

New Testaments. ‘Would you like permission 

to send in another million, on the condition 

that they’re the full Bible?’ I said, ‘Of 

course, but Mr. Kachev, you’re an atheist. 

Why would you suddenly want to flood Russia 

with Bibles?’ He said, ‘Well, we have tried 

to drive Christianity out of the country over 

many, many years. All we’ve succeeded to do 

is drive it underground. I come to your country, 

where I find a Bible in every hotel room I 

go to. I know that every home has more than 

one. But I go into your churches and they’re 

empty.’ This communist had seen and thought 

that if he flooded Russia with Bibles, then he 

would empty the churches. 

Nettleton: This one lady shared how, in 

the camp, they had forced her to hold out her 

hands and they beat her hands with an iron 

bar. And her hands were mangled. And I was 

like, ‘What can we do to help?’ There’s nothing 

you can do for them. Except, and I take 

great comfort in this, we can pray for them. 

And God can go. I’ve heard the rest of the 

story, after they come out of the camp and 

they say, ‘God was with me, I experienced 

Christ. I sometimes wish I could go back to 

prison.’ Because they’ve had that experience. 

Today, all four of the organizations represented 

on the panel work closely to raise 

awareness, advocate, and assist the persecuted 

Church around the world. 

33

IDOP 2017 

IS COMING 

I N T E R N A T I O N A L 

DAY OF PRAYER 

FOR THE PERSECUTED 

2017 

11/5 or 11/12 

Register for an IDOP kit 

or Request A Speaker: 

ICC’S IDOP 2017 KIT 

Register today to receive ICC’s International Day of Prayer 

(IDOP) Resource Kit! Our kit includes tools and resources for 

your church and faith community: 

• Resource Guide 

• Prayer Bulletin Insert 

• Worship and Prayer 

PowerPoints 

• Sunday School Lesson 

• Sermons 

• Social Media Tools 

• Petition 

• Video 

SCHEDULE A SPEAKER 

Interested in having ICC’s president or a persecution expert 

speak at your church? Contact us today through the web 

address below. 

info.persecution.org/idop2017 

or call 1-800-422-5441 

PASTORS TRIP 

ICC is inviting missions-minded pastors to 

come with us to Egypt to see, touch, and feel 

persecution firsthand. 

For more information, visit 

info.persecution.org/pastors-trip 

or call 1-800-422-5441 




COME SERVE THE PERSECUTED 

“I have but one candle of life 

to burn, and I would rather 

burn it out in a land filled 

with darkness than in a 

land flooded with light” 

- John Keith Falconer 

VOLUNTEER: 

We need volunteers to assist us in each of our goals to 

make a difference in the lives of our suffering brothers 

and sisters in Christ: www.persecution.org/how-youcan-help/volunteer 

INTERN: 

We match your skills and career paths to engage in real, 

impacting, and tangible work: www.persecution.org/ 

how-you-can-help/internsandfellows/internships 

Communication Director/Manager: 

Five to ten years of experience 

in managing a marketing/ 

communications office (graphic 

design, inbound marketing, social 

media). Must have excellent 

writing skills and management 

experience. 

EMPLOYMENT AT ICC: 

Administrator ($20/hr): 

Looking for a talented administrator 

with five or more years experience. 

Initial four month contract with 

strong possibility of permanent 

placement for those with excellent 

performance. Strength in creative 

writing a big plus. 

Capitol Hill Fellowships: 

Two openings - 9 mon. to 1 year 

Become expert in Christian human 

rights through our Fellowship 

Program. Advocacy mentorship 

at ICC HQ (3-6 mos). Then 

qualified fellows will be placed in a 

legislator’s office on Cap. Hill for 6 

mos. Stipend of $30k/annual. 

Openings: Now and Jan. 2018 

Learn more at: www.persecution.org/how-you-can-help/work-with-us/ 



35

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September 2017 Persecution Magazine

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