Crosstalk: July 18, 2018

​​im opened this program by reminding listeners how important it is to be mindful of the fact that believers around the world are being persecuted for their faith in Christ. Sometimes this takes the form of just possessing a Bible.

So while you enjoy your summer activities, remember those who are being jailed, starved, beaten, placed in isolation and much more due to their faith in Christ.

One such pastor goes on trial tomorrow (July 18th) in Turkey. His name is Andrew Brunson and his story was told by David Curry. David is the president and CEO of Open Doors USA.  For over 60 years, Open Doors USA has worked in the world’s most oppressive and restrictive countries for Christians.  They work to equip and encourage Christians living in dangerous circumstances with the threat of persecution and equips the Western church to advocate for the persecuted.

Andrew is an American pastor from North Carolina who's married and has 3 grown children. He's been pastor of a small Presbyterian church in the coastal part of Turkey for over 25 years.

When Turkey had an apparent coup in 2016, the government began a crackdown of those they considered subversive. As a result, Pastor Brunson was arrested in October of that year under charges of terrorist activity as a conspirator in connection with the main foe of the Turkish government, Fethullah Gulen. Sadly, the terrorist activity identified by the government is the pastor's Christian faith.

This broadcast explains what's being done on the governmental level for Pastor Brunson and you can help this cause by contacting your elected officials at the phone numbers listed below.