An Email from a Pastor

email | Unknown | James Lair

[dvan]

I recently attended the National Pastors Convention in San Diego with several thousand pastors from many different denominations.

During one of the general sessions, the MC introduced a pastor from Uzbekistan. He had traveled the farthest to attend the convention, so they wanted to interview him. I don't remember his name, and even if I did, I know I couldn't pronounce it. However, I do know this: I will never forget this man.

Right away, I liked him. He was humble, sincere, and gracious. He apologized for his broken English, though I thought he spoke very well.

As the MC interviewed him, he began to share about his ministry in his country that borders Afghanistan. He talked about the church he pastors of a few hundred people. He also shared how it is illegal in his country to be a Christian. You see, his church is an "underground" church.

Amazingly, his city also has 3 "underground" Christian schools. He talked about how the Christians have been arrested and even killed in his country.

Then, as the interview was about to end, he began to speak very urgently and passionately.

He said something to this effect: "I would like all of you to know that my church and the Christians in my country are praying that President Bush will be reelected."

I was stunned. I knew that this gathering had to include many pastors from all over the political spectrum and I was certain this would not go over well.

Immediately, there were murmurings and rumblings throughout the audience and the MC seemed a little uncertain about what to do next.

However, this pastor would not be denied. Grasping the microphone firmly in his hand, he continued, "The officials in my country are afraid of President Bush, so they don't persecute Christians as much. Under Clinton it was very bad for us. Many of us were arrested, put in jail, and some were killed. With Clinton, it was very bad.

But under President Bush, it has been so much better, so we are praying for him."

The murmuring ended. It was suddenly very quiet. The MC paused. Then hejust asked us to stand and pray for this man and we did so with great passion.

Choking back tears, I was immediately struck with this realization in my heart: this coming election was not just about me or my church or my country. This coming election would affect the entire world. And while there are many Christians and churches in this country that may not support and may even despise our current President, there is a group of Christians halfway around the world who are desperately praying for his reelection.

All of the sudden, the election became something very different for me. It is not just about the economy, gay marriage, or weapons of mass destruction. It's about the persecuted church around the world.

As believers, what issues should be more important to us? This transcends politics. This is about the Kingdom of God for which Christ suffered and died, and for those believers in other countries who are suffering and dying as well.

I was also convicted in my heart about praying for our President. And I wonder, which church is praying more fervently for him: the persecuted church in Uzbekistan or the prosperous church in America? It makes you think.

As the Apostle Paul said in Hebrews 13:3, "Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering."

Remember, this election is not just about us. It's about them.

James Lair (jlair@ojaiclc.org )

Senior Pastor

[dvan]

From around the world. A different perspective?

[eureka!]

Wow. Hopefully those in attendence carry the message home to their flocks. IMHO, this one minister trumps all of the foreign leaders that Kerry met in restaurants...

[Congressman Billybob]

Thank you for posting this. The simple truth is that we Americans are getting sloppy and lazy in both respecting and defending the great rights which are our national heritage. Sometimes it takes others, who do not have our great rights, to remind us of what we are in the process of losing.

As the poet wrote, "Familiarity breeds contempt."

Congressman Billybob

Click here, then click the blue CFR button, to join the anti-CFR effort (or visit the "Hugh & Series, Critical & Pulled by JimRob" thread). Please do it now.

[fly_so_free]

" The officials in my country are afraid of president Bush, so they don't persecute Christians as much. Under Clinton it was very bad for us. May of us were arrested, put in jail and some were killed. With Clinton it was very bad"
"But under president Bush it has been so much better, so we are praying for him"
"all of the sudden the election became something very different for me.....It's about the persecuted Church around the world"
"As believers what issues should be more important to us?"

I'm not in agreement with everything president Bush has done, but, his Christianity, and overall decency, are why I'm voting for him (and praying for him too).

He is a man of character-something that Clinton never had.

[DeweyCA]

Immediately, there were murmurings and rumblings throughout the audience and the MC seemed a little uncertain about what to do next.

Unfortunately, many pastors are so timid, or blind to the Democrat Party agenda (and supported Clinton) that they are uneasy about this kind of truth being told. As a result they will be on the sideliones during the coming election, or even worse, promote Kerry.

[DoctorMichael]

"..........This coming election would affect the entire world.........."

Amen.

[Esther Ruth]

Proverbs 28:12
When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.

Proverbs 29:2
When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
But when a wicked man rules, people groan.

Proverbs 11:10
When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,
And when the wicked perish, there is glad shouting.

[MEG33]

I am so discouraged sometimes about Christians being attacked,churches burned and general persecution.I really needed to hear this message.

God bless the Christians who live in unsafe lands.I am amazed at the courage of this pastor and join him in the prayer that we reelect our President.

[70times7]

President Bush may be aware of it; and if he is he also knows it would be political suicide to voice the truth: this war is as old as Ishmael and Isaac and is the war between the freedom of God vs the tyranny of Satan.

[votelife]

I saw a great PBS special on Bush's faith last night. It was very moving. You can see that he's a true believer and in formal and informal settings his Christian faith comes through. Bush spoke very powerfully about faith in China to students and that was one of the times I was most proud of President Bush.

You're right, this election is about more that WMDs, the Supreme Court, tax cuts, etc. The issue of the church is the most important issue and having a believing Christian in the White House is an incredible blessing and something we should work to give America four more years of!

[votelife]

great screen name!

[votelife]

well the President is the leader of the free world! May God continue to bless President Bush.

[taxcontrol]

Wow, an amazing story. Please tell me that there are pictures of this speech - perhaps even a video? A picture of that pastor with his comments would make a great news paper add!!

And if it was taped, it should be copied and sent to every church across this nation!

[Hegemony Cricket]

Ping - report from the front lines of the War between Good and Evil.

[happygrl]

Bless you for sharing this here.

I have a great interest in Uzbekistan and its Christians. This is very moving and insightful.

[geopyg]

I recall hearing a Chinese christian say that they in China were praying for US. I'm not sure I like their prayers though - it was for us American christians to be persecuted! Living in China, they saw how much greater their faith had grown under persecution - and they wanted our faith to grow. This was many years ago.

I look back and see that my personal faith has grown the most when life is going poorly and you HAVE to rely on God, so I can understand where she is coming from. Still not sure I like it though!

[BurtB]

I sent an email to confirm this story June 30. I got a response Aug 18.

They confirmed the story and provided a link:

We've had a number of inquiries as to the validity of this story regarding a pastor from Uzbekistan who made comments during the NPC about the upcoming presidential elections. The Uzbek pastor was an attendee who was introduced
during one of the General Sessions. During the interview, he unexpectedly commented that he was praying for President Bush. You can read a transcript
of the interview at http://nationalpastorsconvention.com/andrey.php.