Posted on 08/31/2004 2:46:02 PM PDT by EternalVigilance
Edited on 09/01/2004 9:55:07 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
An Uzbekistan Minister Speaks Out
This email is from a Senior Pastor from a recent National Pastor's conference in San Diego: it makes an important political statement on the upcoming election.
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 murmuring 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 as 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 he just 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 convinced, 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 3:3, "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 as well.
James Lair Senior Pastor
Rev. Hal W. Guffy, DD
International Ministries Fellowship
This is why George Soros is trying to buy this election.
Indeed.
Puts a whole 'nother perspective on it, don't it?
Sure do.
Me, too.
Sending it off to 5 of them, right now.
AWEsome...
Kerry's going to cry that Republicans are religious bigots because they won't pray for him.
Oh, we pray for him alright.
"Oh, Heavenly Father, please make our enemies powerless..."
ping...
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 as 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 pastor from Uzbekistan suffers daily from potential religious persecution. The murmering from some limpwristed liberal American pastors in the crowd is the sound of shameful weakness. This pastor apparantly disrespected their dainty sensibilities, because he is living proof that there are more important things in this life than being politically correct for some liberal pastors.
I'm glad he powered through the murmerings to declare why he supports Bush's re-election. It's not a matter of political preference; it's a matter of life, religious freedom, and death.
It really is a telling account on so many levels.
It rings true and powerful!
I was immediately struck by what I think is a wrong premise: that war and compassion are mutually exclusive.
Isn't liberating the Afghans and the Iraqis from brutal regimes an act of compassion?
Isn't the act of providing them money to rebuild (and even improve) their infrastructure that of compassion?
Are Americans now thinking that compassion is something that only has to be exercised at home?
Ping your lists for me, could ya?
This is an important piece that needs propagation far and wide...
I suspect that many Jews are praying for the same thing. And those Muslims who really believe that the deliberate murder of children is evil.
They have lost their ability to think objectively, sadly.
That's what liberalism and a callous disregard for the Creator does to those who started out as perfectly intelligent people.
You bet.
Ping...
Ping
Thank you so much for the bump!
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