USA (MNN) — Many Christians in the west have no idea that there are 200 million Christians worldwide who suffer each day for their faith in Christ. Some believers are beaten or tortured, some are ostracized or disowned, and some are killed simply for being a Christian. These suffering servants are being honored this year through music.
Mission Network News and Discovery House Music have partnered together to produce a music CD project. MNN's Anchor and Executive Director Greg Yoder says, "It's called 'Better Than Life: Today's Stories of Faith.' It features Scott Krippayne, Shannon Wexelberg and Charles Billingsley. And it coincides with the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church."
According to Yoder, it's designed to do two things. "It's designed first of all to raise awareness of those who are suffering for their faith — the 200 million Christians that have suffered for Jesus Christ this year. And secondly, it's designed to encourage believers who are worshipping in free countries to share their faith — to get out of their comfort zone and share their faith."
Yoder says, "Most of the music has been inspired by stories heard on Mission Network News, so these are real-life stories coming alive through music."
Stories like evangelist Manja Tamang who's serving a 20-year prison sentence on false charges. He's now leading a Bible study behind bars for fellow prisoners. It's not an ideal situation, but I'm sure he'd respond — "I serve at the pleasure of my King."
Another song is about a woman in a Muslim nation who came to Christ but can't tell anyone because she could be killed. But she longs for the moment when everyone is out of the house and she can worship God in silence.
Yoder says, "[Christians] around the world consider it a blessing and a joy to suffer for Christ. Would that really be true of us? I hope this project would be something that would motivate us to share our faith no matter what the cost."
The music will be featured on the Mission Network News International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church radio broadcast on November 11. There will also be a "Better Than Life" tour:
November 1 — Grand Rapids, MI – Sunshine Community Church
November 2 — Midland, MI – Midland Evangelical Free Church
November 3 — Middleburg Heights, OH – Grace C&MA Church in Middleburg Heights, OH
November 8 — Richardson, TX – Canyon Creek Baptist Church
November 9 — Westerville, OH – Genoa Baptist Church
November 10 — Lancaster, PA – Calvary Church
November 11 — Lynchburg, VA – Thomas Road Baptist Church
Tickets are available at Itickets.com.
