resources for churches
The worldwide church is one body, so when we hear of Christians being attacked or persecuted elsewhere in the world, it is not happening to 'others' – it’s happening to us. Here you will find a range of resources to enable you, the church in the UK and Ireland, to support and encourage your persecuted family by praying for them, giving and speaking out on their behalf.
One of the things we’re especially concerned about is the double vulnerability of women to persecution. Millions are targeted both because of their gender and their faith. This has to change and that’s why we’re encouraging churches to get involved in our See. Change. campaign. Will you see these women and help restore their hope, dignity and identity?
Don't forget, you can keep up to date with the latest news and needs of persecuted believers around the world by signing up for our weekly emails. Help your church to pray intelligently, give compassionately and speak up powerfully on behalf of our persecuted family!
WORLD WATCH LIST CHURCH PACK
Inspire your church with the faith of the persecuted church
Speak up for persecuted Christians. Our free World Watch List Church Pack is a great way to introduce others to the courage and the faith of persecuted Christians around the world. It includes a copy of the full guide and resources for children and families and is accompanied by a range of downloadable resources.
Our free World Watch List church pack includes:
- a copy of the full guide
- a family-friendly map
- children’s activities
- a youth session outline
- a simple presentation outline
TEARS OF GOLD CHURCH PACK
Millions of Christian women and girls are doubly vulnerable to persecution: targeted because of their gender and their faith. With our Tears of Gold Church Pack, you can help them to be seen, valued and supported - empowered to reach their God-given potential
Our free Tears of Gold church pack includes:
- Tears of Gold postcards: 14 postcards featuring seven professional portraits of women from Nigeria who were persecuted for their faith and seven self-portraits
- Tears of Gold Portrait and Prayer guides to help you pray for the women and reflect on their stories
- Tears of Gold church service guide to help your church explore the faith and courage of persecuted women
- Tears of Gold small group outline: an interactive session, which is perfect for home and prayer groups
- gift aid envelope
SIGNS OF HOPE: THE OPEN DOORS CAROL SHEET 2019
Pray for our family in Syria at your carol service this Christmas.
Open Doors is helping to restore hope and rebuild lives in Syria and beyond, and you can be part of this story too with our Signs of Hope Christmas resources.
Our free Signs of Hope carol sheet includes:
- lyrics to nine of the best loved carols
- a Christmas Bible reading
- inspirational stories of men, women and children who are signs of hope in Syria
- a challenging evangelistic message about why people choose to follow Christ despite the cost, and
- a star to cut out and hang on your Christmas tree.
RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN
Persecution affects all ages, including children. Our special range of resources for families and children is perfect for all-age services and children's groups. Find out about POST IT! our new children’s letter writing guide, which helps children encourage persecuted Christian children. Or Secret Smuggler, a family-friendly adventure featuring scary soldiers, death-defying dares and plenty of miracles. Kids can also explore what it’s like to be part of Jesus’s secret underground church through the Secret Kidzone pack.
RESOURCES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
The Open Doors Youth website has a huge range of resources and information for young people. Help the youth in your church to discover a deep passion for scripture through Hidden Word. Hold a Secret Screening and explore together what it means to risk it all for Jesus. Young people can also take part in Blackout, a sponsored challenge to go screen free for up to 48 hours, and much more.
PRAYER resources
Prayer is a crucial way to support your persecuted brothers and sisters. Through a series of videos released every couple of months, Prayer News brings you face to face with persecuted Christians around the world. Many have received answers to prayer and you can read their stories in our Prayer Resources hub. We also have resources to help you pray by country, encourage children to pray and more.
Can You Believe It? Church Pack
Imagine you live in a land where, because you’re a Christian:
- you’re failed in your studies
- your neighbours beat you up
- your home is destroyed
- your family is put in prison
- your father is killed.
How would you respond? Would you lose heart, give up, change your faith? Or would you pray harder, stay faithful, grow bolder? Find out how God is strengthening his followers around the world in the face of hostility, violence and injustice - and share it with your church.
FAST FOOD
Fast Food is a great way for churches, youth groups, families and friends to show solidarity with persecuted Christians. Each week you share a meal with others, serve up stories of the persecuted church and take away a 'fasting' challenge. Our free pack has all the instructions, so order a copy now!
BECOME A PARTNER CHURCH
Become a Partner Church and commit to praying regularly, supporting practically, and speaking up powerfully for the rights of our persecuted brothers and sisters. Not only will your church provide persecuted Christians with the spiritual encouragement and practical support that they need, having a deeper relationship with persecuted Christians will inspire you to grow in faith, prayer and love.