BARTLESVILLE, Okla., June 18,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Christians around the world will
observe Day of the Christian Martyr on June
29, 2024, which according to church tradition, marks the
anniversary of the Apostle Paul's beheading in Rome.
In advance of Day of the Christian Martyr, The Voice of the
Martyrs released strategic prayer resources and a video
highlighting Christians martyred by ISIS in Northern Iraq and Syria.
"This year, instead of focusing on one person, VOM is focusing
on an entire group: Christians who lost their lives in Northern Iraq and Syria as members of the self-proclaimed
Islamic State (ISIS) swept across that region ten years ago
this month," said Todd Nettleton,
VOM vice president and spokesperson.
In 2014, ISIS members went door-to-door, marking the homes of
Christian families with the symbol "ن," the Arabic letter
"N," for Nasara, a term used by Muslims to mean "followers
of Jesus of Nazareth."
Christian families were given an ultimatum: convert to Islam,
pay an exorbitant protection tax, flee for their lives or die.
Refusing to deny Christ, some Christians stayed and were killed for
their faith. More than 100,000 fled and left everything behind.
Christians around the world showed solidarity and support by
displaying the " ن" symbol, identifying that they, too, were
followers of Jesus. The mark meant for subjugation, exile or even
death became a worldwide symbol of hope and courage.
"The goal of Day of the Christian Martyr is to help Christians
remember and honor the sacrifice of those who gave their very lives
for the cause of Christ—and to be inspired by their example to
sacrifice whatever we need to in order to see Christ's Kingdom
advance in our neighborhoods, our cities and ultimately around the
world," said Nettleton.
VOM has developed a free digital resource kit to inspire your
church, small group, class or family to witness boldly for Christ
which can be downloaded at https://www.persecution.com/martyr.
About The Voice of the Martyrs
Founded in 1967 by
Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, The
Voice of the Martyrs is a nonprofit, interdenominational missions
organization serving persecuted Christians in the world's most
difficult and dangerous places to follow Christ. For more
information, visit VOM.org.
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-voice-of-the-martyrs-recognizes-christians-persecuted-by-isis-on-day-of-the-christian-martyr-2024-302175926.html
SOURCE The Voice of the Martyrs