|
North
Korea remained defiant in the face of international
community condemnation by firing two more short-range
missiles Tuesday after launching three on Monday,
according to Reuters. More test launches are expected
Spokesman for Open Doors USA Jerry Dykst ra says this
aggression emphasizes North Korea's importance on the
military. "Right now there are 1.2 million people in the
army of North Korea and a back-up force of 5 million of
their population of 26-million." He says they're on a
war footing right now.
Even though North Korea is focused on the outside,
Christians aren't getting a pass. Dykstra says, "The
average Christian now is under even more danger, if
that's possible. There are spies everywhere. If they
even see a Bible with a Christian, they are imprisoned."
The spread of Christianity is one of the greatest fears
of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il. "He feels that the
fall of Eastern Europe, the fall of communism, was
caused by Christians and that this could also happen in
North Korea. That's why there's an increase in
surveillance of house churches and Christians."
Meanwhile, North Korean church leaders have started a
prayer campaign. "They're praying they can evangelize
inside North Korea. And they really feel something is
going to happen in North Korea. It may be the fall of
the current regime, and they have to be ready," says
Dykstra.
The North Korean society is extremely unstable.
Believers see this as an opportunity to develop and
reinforce their church organization.
Open Doors' World Watch List has ranked North Korea as
the Number One persecutor of Christians for seven years
in a row. Last month, North Korea was re-designated by
the U.S. State Department as one of eight "Countries of
Particular Concern" for their severe religious freedom
violations.
North Korean believers are asking the church in the West
to support them and keep them in special prayer because
of their difficult situation. They are also spending
additional time in prayer for each other. They are
sensing that the day of opening of North Korea is near.
They are actively getting ready for the changes the
North Korean churches will face in the future, according
to the report. "Christians in North Korea are suffering
terribly for their faith. Of the estimated 200,000 in
political prison camps, an estimated 40,000 to 60,000
are Christians," says Open Doors USA President/CEO Carl
Moeller.
“Now with the firing of several missiles and the war
footing, the scrutiny of believers has increased. "What
an awesome testimony that Christians inside North Korea
have started a prayer campaign for evangelizing the
entire country. We need to keep them in our prayers as
they risk their lives for their faith."A pastor inside
North Korea writes: "We thank God there are so many
people who are praying for our country. Your prayers
strengthen the Christians in North Korea."
|
