Posted on 12/04/2017 9:32:02 AM PST by GoldenState_Rose
Two Chinese Christian pastors who are preparing to evangelize in North Korea say they are ready for whatever trials come, even death.
According to ChristianToday.com, the two pastors are aware of the dangers they will face in North Korea, but they maintain committed to sharing the gospel with the North Koreans.
North Korea is ranked as the number one worst country for Christian persecution by Open Doors World Watch List.
One example of a Christian missionary facing horrendous violence in North Korea is the case of a Korean-Chinese church leader who evangelized in the country for 17 years before his body was found in the Tumen River, stabbed 17 times.
The pastors knew of what happened to this man, but their commitment to go was unwavering.
The pastors’ translator spoke to China Aid: "So, he's saying that, since you're speaking of fear, their team is training [missionaries] who are fearless and also don't have family. Like, they're single, they're not married yet, but they're ready to lay down their lives for Christ at any time if they ever go to [North] Korea and meet any bad situations."
"So that's why we're now building this fearless team of people who are willing to die if they have to. Because it's not about ourselves, or about them, but all that matters is God's kingdom," one of the pastors added.
Above all, the pastors are intent on preaching the good news and telling the North Koreans that God loves them.
"Because we love them, and God loves them, and God has mercy upon them, so we are willing to dedicate ourselves to them. We hope that everybody that can contribute their efforts to this ministry. We can be united together and accomplish the purpose together."
Before the Soviet Union installed the Kim Il Sung regime in the 1940s, missionaries referred to Pyongyang as the "Jerusalem of the East" due to people's openness to the Gospel.
"Jerusalem of the East: the American Christians of Pyongyang" https://providencemag.com/2016/07/jerusalem-east-american-christians-pyongyang/
"The North Korean Revival of 1907" https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/evangelical-history/the-north-korean-revival-of-1907/
Will the Norks even allow them to come to their country with their stated intentions?
While there were other missionaries kidnapped, accosted, robbed and killed while we were there, we never had any doubt that we were "on assignment" and had no fear for any situation that we were walking/driving into. You know what your calling is. You are not suicidal nor have any death wish, but you are prepared to give it all if necessary.
Actually we all born again believers should be ready to die for Christ for “a forever in Heaven worshipping our Lord.”
What God wills, no man can prevent. I wish them well and be granted His protection.
However, if they are captured, I would not want any American lives lost trying to rescue them. They know what they are getting into.
Praise God for the fruit you and your family bore for the kingdom! Thank you for your courage.
And remember that all Otto Warmbier did was steal a Nork propaganda poster off a hotel wall as a prank and in hopes of taking home a souvenir and see what that got him.
However, if they are captured, I would not want any American lives lost trying to rescue them. They know what they are getting into.
Yep. While their intentions are pure, they are on their own.
But I would also add that anyone who dares listen to these pastors, not only will they face a near certain death in a forced labor camp but so will three generations of their family.
That’s how it works in North Korea and why so very few attempt to defect or dare stand up against this evil regime. One has to understand that while there may be a few potential converts, for every one of those there are hundreds if not thousands of eyes and ears listening and willing to turn in their neighbors, even their own friends and relatives, their very own mothers and fathers, their own children, grandparents and grandchildren if they think doing so will keep them alive and not found guilty by mere association and sent along with their family members to be tortured and die in a labor camp along with them.
While not nearly to quite the same extent as in North Korea and understanding that there were some Christian Japanese, quite a few Catholics FWIW, but generally there was a fanatical devotion to the Emperor Hirohito in Japan before and during WWII with many willing to go to their deaths, even commit suicide rather than face surrender.
But the only thing that turned it around was a complete and total, a completely humiliating military defeat in the Japanese people’s eyes by the US and the use of the most terrible weapon of all, not one but two nukes, followed by a strict military rule and a slow and gradual transition to a democratic form of government.
While I do not what to see a war and its perhaps unintended global consequences or the use of nuclear weapons, but honestly, breaking the strangle hold and the brain washing that North Korea has put on their people, sadly IMO it is going to take more than the good intentions of a couple of evangelists.
It is IMO going to take a no holds bar, a complete take down of the current regime by military force and the mass casualties that will come with it, along with everyone in the regimes’ public executions for crimes against humanity and then the complete subjection of the people by US military force followed by martial law and a slow and expensive deprogramming and a humanitarian and rebuilding project, and one I would hope more like we did in Japan and Germany after WWII than what we have done in Iraq and Afghanistan.
But realistically, do we have the finances and the will and resolve to actually do that? Or would we be better off keeping the Norks neutered and isolated militarily and financially as to no longer be an actual threat to us and our allies in the east, even as they (the Norks) may still remain a brutal regime over their own people and letting their people decide if and when they’ve had enough?
Thank you for your perspective MD expat. Quite moving.
May God grant our President and his administration divine wisdom.
Despite the well meaning Christians who live in China and Russia, I LOATHE idea of the current *governments* of those countries having their way with the place (No. Korea) as a geopolitical kick-ball.
Their intent is to disturb American peace of mind over nuclear capabilities and to prevent the prospect of an Asia friendlier to U.S. interests.
Some people speculate even the Japanese fear the potential for a stronger united Korea to rival their place.
I only trust the U.S. (alone) to oversee an environment in the region that would foster genuine freedom, evangelism, etc...As it was American missionaries who were so instrumental in turning Pyongyang to the “Jerusalem of the East” back in the late 19th Century in the first place.
Russia is still operating under the Soviet mentality, and it was the Soviets who installed the atheist Kim regime in the first place.
The Chinese government is communist and derives their vision from Mao.
I don’t see the opportunity to work “jointly” with them to bring a solution.
I don’t want to lose American or Allied lives to make a point. If that means striking first or if it means blowing a menace off the planet, I think it is morally defensible. I realize good people may disagree with me.
To say the least, the saying "GOD is good" is a reality for us both then and now. I reflect on that time and stun myself as to what was accomplished both in the natural and in the Kingdom realms. It was an anointing for a time and season that we stepped into without hesitation nor reservation and HIS Grace flowed to and through us to accomplish what what was needed. I am happy to be known both as a Son and a vessel for HIM.
Amen Prov.
He uses weak vessels indeed, but still. Your family said “Yes” to God. That says a lot about your character and your faith.
Thanks, Rose. I receive that. It is amazing when you are living a Kingdom Life in this earth realm who you touch and what you change just by being the only Jesus that someone may see today while at Wal-Mart, school, gas station or on the job. Every born-again believer has the burden-removing, yoke-destroying power of GOD resident in them and people recognize that in how we communicate and conduct ourselves. Some look at that in a “gotcha” kind of way but I look at the dynamic of who am I interacting with every day and who can I bring eternal life to, just with a smile or a directed positive word, right here in GreenAcres, not just in exotic places like NK.
So true Prov. Thanks for that reminder!
Jesus never traveled 30 miles beyond where he was born. I learned that in a Martin Luther King speech!
And it’s nice to think back to what Nathaniel said when he was first approached by Philip to follow Christ:
“Can anything good come from Nazareth?” (John 1:46)
Boring ole Nazareth! Practically the ghetto.
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