Family Around the World

Over the past year we have had the opportunity to be introduced to and begin getting to know our family around the world. As believers, we are part of an incredible family. We have realized how much we have missed by our lack of interest in the body of Christ as a worldwide family. As believers, we are a nation unto ourselves. We may be Americans by physical definition - but our first allegiance is to our citizenship in the kingdom of God.

We like to think that we are patriotic, taking an interest in the laws and statues of America; joining our voice with other Americans in choosing our leadership and refining the laws suggested by the state and federal employees working for us; working together with other Americans to hold our country to the quality and strength our forefathers established in the beginning. We are even willing to put our necks out, sacrifice personal comfort and do the uncomfortable for the sake of holding America to her glorious beginnings.

This past year we have been challenged to ask ourselves if we are patriotic with our first and foremost citizenship. Sure, others know we are Christians - but that is not the sum of patriotism. Everyone knows we are American too - but that does not have much impact on our fellow American citizens - action does. When we stand with our fellow citizens; when we reach out in a time of disaster; when we pull together as a nation to meet the needs of those suffering in our country; when we work together to lighten one another's load; when we mourn with our fellow Americans because we are touched by their loss; in short, when we act like a family, that is when folks say they see the true American spirit.

We have had to ask ourselves if we have this same spirit for the worldwide church? Are we standing with our brothers and sisters in other nations? Do we reach out to them in a time of need? Are we aware of their suffering as if we ourselves were suffering? Are we touched by their loss simply because they are our true brothers and sisters? Do we carry their burdens close to our hearts even though we have never met them? Why should we? Because our family by the bonds of Christ is our true family.

This past year has been a wonderful journey of learning and we have been blessed beyond words to have the opportunity to be a part of some of the lives of our family in other nations. We have been changed as individuals; become more defined as a family; been challenged in our faith; and encouraged in the Lord through the blessing of their lives. As they have been such an incredible blessing to us, we decided to introduce you to some of them over the coming months. We will be posting introductions from time to time. Be sure to drop by for a visit. You are sure to be blessed just for having met them.


One of the best places to meet up with these courageous and humble siblings of ours is through a ministry called The Voice of the Martyrs (www.persecution.com). They have a wonderful monthly newsletter/magazine available. Their ministry, while founded in the entire Scripture, purposes to meet the call of Hebrews 13:3 -

"Remember those who are in prison,
as though in prison with them,
and those who are mistreated,
since you also are in the body."