A Time to Speak

We often hear stories of believers being persecuted for their faith in other nations, where the State takes a hard line against Christianity, but it will shock many to learn that Christians are also being persecuted for their faith in the west.

Christianity under the Microscope

Sami was born in Egypt. His driving passion was to be a world famous scientist. Then, following a terrible road accident he heard the claims of Jesus, which ultimately changed the course of his life. But before giving his life to Jesus he knew he had to do extensive study of both the Qu'ran and the bible to find out for himself what each book had to day about life and eternity. All his energies are now directed towards bringing others to faith in God. Sometimes he does so at his own personal safety, even though he is based in the UK...

Sometimes when I preach the gospel it is received with gentleness in a calm atmosphere. On other occasions, elements within the crowd try and whip up a storm. But I know the one who calms the angry wind and waves and as long as I stay close to him, I know I will be safe. Some people have said to me, "What if the bible is wrong about Jesus and He is not the Son of God? You have thrown away a good career as a scientist to follow a religion that is false." But I say to them, "What if I am right and what the bible claims is absolutely true - that Jesus is the Son of God and there is no way to heaven but through him? That then means that all who have failed to put their trust in Him go to a lost eternity. Could any message be more important than that, and could any career be more important than telling others how to gain eternal life? I don't think so."

In the Spotlight

Becoming a teenager can be difficult in the best regulated households. The years between twelve and twenty are times of great change, physically and emotionally, but most of us survive the ordeal with help from family and friends. But Shirlee had problems that most of us could never even begin to relate to. She was never allowed to have a social life outside of school and by the time she was fifteen things had got so bad that she became a prisoner in her own home. When Shirlee was locked up and beaten by her father she thought things could get much worse - until she discovered that her family were planning to return to Pakistan so that she could marry a man she had never even met...

I've been a Christian for quite a few years now and life is still challenging, but in different ways than it was when I was living with my parents. The big difference is that I now have a loving heavenly Father that I can take my problems to, and just like my friend Sally, I know that when I die I will be with him forever. Jesus said, "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36) Sometimes I feel like He spoke those words just for me!

The Author

David Waite grew up in Cheshire, then moved to Oxfordshire to work for Open Doors during the 1970s. An award-winning author, he and his wife Alison now live and work in the West Midlands.

"Of all the assignments that I have worked on in the past, this is by far the project that I have felt most privileged to have been given. It is also the one that has caused me the most pain and trauma as I have sat and listened to the ordeals that fellow Christians have endured, sometimes by their families, sometimes by the State, and, saddest of all, sometimes by fellow Christians..."