International Christian Concern Annual Report 2017
Restoring HOPE
PERSECU ION.org INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN Contents 20
3 Letter from the President 4 2017 Overview 8 The Bridge 12 The Bridge: Policy Day 28 14 Advocacy 16 Awareness 20 Hope House 22 Rescuing Kids 26 Rescuing Families 28 Community Rebuild: Iraq 30 Community Rebuild: Nigeria 32 Rebuilding the Church 34 Trips 30 32
2 | International Christian Concern Hope in the Dark
Dear Friend, When early settlers arrived in the United States, they were filled with hope and a calling to spread Christ’s love. They recognized, however, the tremendous danger associated with their mission. The settlers knew that life in a hostile territory, while preaching God’s message, would not be easy. Much like the colonists, the persecuted recognize that they are in a dangerous world that is no longer their own. Fueled by God’s mission Jeff King, President to bring His Kingdom to earth, persecuted Christians have abandoned International Christian Concern their worldly pursuits to live for an eternal hope. This hope has made them strangers and foreigners on earth. Persecuted Christians have no illusions of ease or comfort because Scripture explicitly warns of hatred and dangers for those who follow Jesus. The cost of the Christians’ salvation was and is rejection from a dark world in order to build God’s Kingdom. One of the most tremendous aspects of persecuted believers is their faithful attitude. Often, they are hesitant to complain about their troubles because they view their afflictions as a badge of honor, the result of faithfully following Jesus and becoming a bright light in a dark world. I have much to learn from them. Maybe like you, I feel sorry for myself in the midst of struggles and doubt God’s faithfulness no matter how many times He blesses or rescues me. Too often, I must remind myself to refocus on the hope of God which should be my proper orientation in this world. Yes, I have been removed from the world and made His child. Yes, I will face difficulties as a foreigner in this world, but through the trials and tribulations, God’s presence is always with me. And it is the sweetest thing I have found in life. When I’m in God’s presence, I can see the Kingdom you and I are journeying towards and it gives me hope (Prov. 4:8). Think about the time you were most clothed in the presence of God. Got it? Now, understand that His presence was diluted and filtered through a fallen world. You were experiencing only a bit of Him (1 Cor. 13:12) but, soon, you will experience His full glory. Until we are all united in God’s presence in heaven, I urge you to join with us in bringing hope to the brave ones and their families at the front lines of this earthly battle. When you stand with ICC, your gifts will be used effectively, ethically, and efficiently to bandage and build the persecuted Church, furthering God’s Kingdom here on earth. I promise! All God’s Blessings, Jeff King President International Christian Concern
Annual Report 2017 | 3 Our Mission: Our Mandate: Since 1995, ICC has relieved the suffering of The Father calls us to remember the prisoners (Hebrews the worldwide persecuted Church and helped 13:3), to speak up for the voiceless (Proverbs 31:8), to seek it grow in strength and breadth by providing justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, and plead effective assistance, advocacy, and awareness for the widow (Isaiah 1:17). We bring the good news to the with integrity toward God and donors. poor, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the captives, and open the doors of the prison (Isaiah 61:1). We leave the 99 to save the one (Matthew 18:12).
A Three-Pronged Attack on Persecution:
Members of Congress Advocacy State Department ICC works with government officials White House and other advocacy groups to USCIRF challenge countries that persecute Other Ministries and and free imprisoned Christians. Nonprofits
Caring for persecuted children Assisting widows and children of murdered Christians Assistance Rebuilding communities devastated ICC provides immediate by large-scale attacks and long-term assistance Supporting church planters in the to build and bandage the most dangerous areas persecuted Church. Broadcasting the Gospel into closed areas Smuggling Bibles
Monthly Print and Digital Magazine Awareness www.persecution.org ICC works daily to make the secular and the Christian Daily News Posts world aware of the suffering of Large and Active Social persecuted believers. Media Channels
4 | International Christian Concern Our Finances: ICC’s Annual Financial Report 2016 ICC always seeks ways to wisely use the Lord’s money for ministry to the persecuted Church, while maintaining our administrative expenses at an absolute minimum. Our General and Administrative Expenses and Fundraising Expenses as a percentage of Income was 9.6% of our total income this past year. A comparison of ICC’s financial results for the past five years follows:
Fiscal Year 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 Income $2,217,626 $2,716,545 $2,488,287 $2,131,624 $1,491,855 Program Expenses** $2,148,946 $2,173,009 $2,050,614 $1,940,119 $1,299,477 General & Admin. $213,138 $195,091 $140,015 $146,019 $120,602 Fundraising $82,647 $76,631 $49,162 $55,728 $47,816 Total Expenses $2,444,731 $2,444,731 $2,239,791 $2,141,866 $1,467,895
**Program expenses are funds we are spending to do ministry. ICC is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation organized in 1995 in the State of Maryland. All gifts to ICC are fully tax-deductible. Our latest IRS Form 990 is available on our website at www.persecution.org. Copies of the latest independent financial audit or IRS Form 990 are available for cost of reproduction and postage. Requests should be directed to us, in writing, at 2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, #941, Washington DC 20006-1846.
Board of Directors
Chairman President Christopher Kirk William Nickles Scott Streator Steve Swales Ed Wormald Bret Hicks James Schnabel Jeff King
Distinctives
Longevity Targeted Funds Low Overhead Established ICC gives you options to specifically General and administrative in 1995 target your donations, so your money expenses are kept around 10 goes where you want. percent.
Growth ECFA Compliance Four-Star Rating in expertise, We adhere to industry financial and ethical from Charity Navigator. Only impact, and standards and we are audited by independent 10 percent of all nonprofits finances accountants to ensure compliance. receive this rating.
Annual Report 2017 | 5 Our Reach:
Washington, D.C.* *ICC HQ
Afghanistan Azerbaijan Bangladesh Burma China Cuba Egypt India Indonesia Iraq Somalia Kenya South Korea Kyrgyzstan South Sudan Laos Syria Mali Tanzania 2017 Overview Nigeria Thailand North Korea Uzbekistan Assistance Projects Pakistan Vietnam ICC Trips: US Staff ICC Trips: Field Reps
Our Funds: Where Most Hope House Underground Kids Care Needed Pastors
Fund Balance: Fund Balance: Fund Balance: Fund Balance: Greatest Need Critical Critical Critical
6 | International Christian Concern Underground Pastors Kids Care
13%13% 14%14% Broadcasting the Gospel 8% Community 8% Rebuild 11%11%
4% Bibles 4% for the Persecuted Hope House 24%24% t Ac os tiive 26%26% M C o u Suffering Wives n and Children
t
r EGYPT y
Save Our Broadcasting Community Bibles for the Suffering Wives Sisters the Gospel Rebuild Persecuted and Children
Fund Balance: Fund Balance: Fund Balance: Fund Balance: Fund Balance: Critical Critical Medium High High
Annual Report 2017 | 7 The Bridge
Francis Chan As one of the spotlight speakers at the Bridge Conference 2017, Chan describes the Western Church’s connection to North Korean Christians: “To think that Christ sacrifices for me to be a member of His Body and you’re attached to me, and therefore, I cherish and I nourish you.”
The Bridge is ICC’s annual gathering of the persecuted, Church leaders such as Rick Warren, Francis Chan, and government leaders, ministries, and non-governmental Johnnie Moore encouraged attendees to care for the organizations (NGOs) to bring focus to one particular persecuted as Jesus did. country or region experiencing persecution. Defectors, including Hyeonseo Lee and Joseph Kim, The Bridge 2017 focused on North Korea and consisted of shared personal stories of life within North Korea and how a policy day held on Capitol Hill and the main conference they escaped. Leaders from all over the world banded held at Saddleback Church in southern California. together to ensure that the voices of those suffering in North Korea were heard. Government leaders, including Senator Ted Cruz, Senator James Lankford, Congressman Chris Smith, and Congressman Ed Royce, discussed policy initiatives.
8 | International Christian Concern Left: As ICC sought to host its first conference on the West Coast, Saddleback Church generously agreed to host the event. The hospitality did not stop there as, time and time again, Saddleback went above and beyond to ensure that the conference went smoothly. Rick Warren, senior pastor of Saddleback, shared an address with the attendees.
Left to Right: Dr. David Curry, President of Open Doors USA; Mervyn Thomas, CEO of Christian Solidarity Worldwide; Todd Nettleton, Public Relations Director, Voice of the Martyrs, USA; Jeff King, President of International Christian Concern.
“I felt encouraged by the people who cared about it but left profoundly impacted by the magnitude of the problem for people under that regime.” ““It motivated me to get more involved.” “The stories from the North Korean refugees were very moving and eye-opening.”
“The REAL heroes in this life are those who have survived and tell us what is going on inside. Life-changing for us who live in a free society.”
Annual Report 2017” | 9 Bridge Partners Speakers Government Policy
The Call to the Church Policy Change
The Bridge 2017 featured a variety of speakers who To share expertise on the political and legal scene brought different topics to the main stage. North surrounding North Korea, the Bridge 2017 included a Korean defectors, experts, US officials, church leaders, Policy Day in D.C. with numerous government leaders. and many others joined us. Their knowledge and experience brought new levels of The dedication and unity of our speakers was an understanding to the Bridge 2017. invaluable aspect of the Bridge 2017. US Senate Rick Warren Senator Ted Cruz “In North Korea alone, estimates of 70,000 Senator James Lankford Christians are languishing in dark prisons.” US House of Representatives Johnnie Moore Congressman Chris Smith Congressman Ed Royce “We have to do a little bit more. We are obligated to.” Amnesty International T. Kumar Francis Chan “God, I hate suffering, but I hate my Hudson Institute pride even more.” Melanie Kirkpatrick Mark Rutland Heritage Foundation “Those people in North Korea must somehow Bruce Klinger know that we know they are there.” One Free Korea Hyeonseo Lee Joshua Stanton “I believe God works through His believers. It is our National Institute of duty to part the Red Sea for North Koreans.” Christian Leadership Joseph Kim Dr. Mark Rutland “Unfortunately this isn’t just my story, but the The Committee for Human story of millions in North Korea.” Rights in North Korea Greg Scarlatoiu
10 | International Christian Concern The Bridge 2017 Ministries & NGOs The Church
Practical Solutions Church Leadership
Our partners across the country and the world The Bridge brought together church leaders joined us this year to share their work and hope for and communities from across the United the people of North Korea. They brought real-life States. A united American Church is the first experience and knowledge to the Bridge. step towards a united global Church. Bridge attendees were given special insight into the Our spiritual leaders are awakening a revival work happening on the ground in North Korea. that will soon reach North Korea.
International Christian Concern Saddleback Church Open Doors USA Crossway Community Church Voice of the Martyrs Christian Solidarity Worldwide Bethel English Church
North Korea Freedom Coalition Young Nak Celebration Church Liberty in North Korea We Are Church Justice for North Korea Revival Church Crossing Borders Improving North Korea Grace Korean Church Human Rights Center King of the Nations Church Free North Korea Radio The JESUS Film
Annual Report 2017 | 11 Senator Ted Cruz “Thank you for the good work you do. Thank you for shining the light on religious persecution. Thank you for speaking the truth.”
Policy DayDay
On May 24, International Christian Concern hosted a ICC’s president, Jeff King, opened the event by policy day for members of Congress, their staff, non- presenting the atrocities happening across North governmental organizations, and the concerned public Korea, but also providing the hope that “the fall of North on Capitol Hill. The meeting was dedicated to raising Korea is not impossible. It is inevitable.” He encouraged awareness and crafting solutions to the major human government leaders to do their part and “become a rights challenges facing the people of North Korea. more passionate advocate on behalf of the 25 million North Koreans.” The Bridge Policy Day opened the Many influential individuals spoke, including Senators week for The Bridge: The Annual Conference on the Ted Cruz and James Lankford, Congressmen Ed Royce Persecuted Church held in California this past June. and Chris Smith, as well as Joseph Kim, a North Korean defector and Ted Talk speaker. Other speakers included a myriad of North Korea policy experts.
12 | International Christian Concern Congressman Ed Royce “Thank you for all your good work.”
Senator James Lankford “Many of you are advocates for this cause, and this is nothing new to you, and you pray for, encourage, and track what’s happening in North Korea and the Korean Peninsula often. So, thanks for doing that, for staying engaged, and for not giving up hope...Thank you for staying engaged, thanks for praying, and for not forgetting the people that are there, because most certainly they are counting on someone praying for them outside the places they are located.”
Congressman Chris Smith “I want to thank ICC, and I want to thank Jeff for the leadership in not just praying and fasting, on behalf of the beleaguered people of faith and all of the North Koreans, frankly, who suffer under Kim Jong-Un; but also to be wise as serpents, as our Lord admonished, to promote policies that will lead to a positive outcome for those individuals.”
Facebook Livestream event attracted over 36 Thousand unique viewers, which resulted in a total reach of over 137,000 people.
Annual Report 2017 | 13 Advocacy
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee marks up and amends H.R. 390; this was another major step in the legislative process, and a big win for ICC’s advocacy team.
The Iraq and Syria Emergency Genocide Relief and cosponsors to date. In March, ICC invited Pastor Edward Accountability Act of 2017 (H.R. 390) is a critical piece Awabdeh from Damascus, Syria to share with Capitol of legislation which calls for a strengthening of US Hill his critical knowledge of the threat to religious assistance in Iraq and Syria. To this end, it provides minorities. ICC also held a reception on Capitol Hill funding to the affected areas and people in need who to highlight the genocide occurring in Iraq and Syria. are victims of genocide and religious persecution to In addition to Pastor Edward Awabdeh, Congressman address humanitarian, stabilization and recovery Chris Smith, Congressman Trent Franks, and Kristina needs, and to mitigate the risk of forced migration from Arriaga de Bucholz of the United Sates Commission on Iraq and Syria. It also provides funds to help compile International Religious Freedom explained the plight legal evidence to eventually hold the perpetrators of of religious minorities in Iraq and Syria. Only a few these atrocities accountable. months later, H.R. 390 was unanimously passed by the US House of Representatives. The bill is currently This bill was introduced by Congressman Chris Smith waiting to be passed by the Senate, which is expected (R-NJ) on January 10, 2017 and has received 47 soon at the time of writing.
14 | International Christian Concern 2017 Highlights:
Advocacy Efforts
Sudan Syria
North Korea Iran
Nepal Nigeria
Iraq
Above: Pastor Edward Awabdeh from Syria meets with congressional representatives to Advocacy Results promote H.R. 390 and show his support.
Meetings81 with NGO120 and Partner Government Officials Meetings In the Annual Report to Congress, the State Department’s International Religious Freedom Report “describes the status of religious freedom in every country.” The department’s most 5 Congressional8 Congressional recent report mentioned International Christian Concern multiple Endorsements and NGO Letters times as a credible source of information on the persecution of Christians. It specifically cites ICC’s information on targeted kidnappings of Christian women and children in Egypt and on the beating of a Christian student in Nigeria. International5 Press12 Interviews Petitions
Annual Report 2017 | 15 Awareness
Above: President Jeff King was interviewed by Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) regarding the plight of persecuted Christians in Iraq and ICC’s efforts following SOCIAL the liberation of Mosul from ISIS in July 2017. MEDIA REACH: 16 | International Christian Concern 2017 Highlights:
900,000Social media
followers
In July 2017, the world celebrated a long-awaited victory as 50,000 Mosul was officially liberated from ISIS. Leading up tothis Magazines sent breaking announcement, ICC was in constant communication every month with local partners to monitor the situation. Whenever there was a major development, ICC was among the first to know. As a result, followers were able to obtain quick and accurate information about the situation in Mosul. Furthermore, they were then able to pray, give, and spread awareness accordingly.
Two days after ICC issued a press release about the liberation of Mosul, CBN’s 700 Club sat down with ICC’s president, Jeff News70 releases King, to discuss Mosul and the reality of life on the ground this year for Christians living in Iraq. In addition to discussing updates about life for Christians in Iraq, King also discussed ICC’s recent work in the region during a trip to Iraq in April 2017. The story quickly gained attention in the media, leading to interviews persecution.org with several other media outlets, continuing the discussion of Christian persecution. MILLIONS of annual Whether through Persecution magazine, social media updates, op-eds, or press interviews, our goal is to be a voice on behalf of those who have been silenced. As our audience grows, we visitors seek to bring persecution to the forefront of media outlets around the world because serving as a mouthpiece for the persecuted is not a responsibility that we take lightly. 142 Facebook Twitter Press over over interviews 840k 75k followers followers Annual Report 2017 | 17 ICC IN ACTION
Despite intense persecution, ICC brings help in the midst of terrible trials to Christians in need. We support those who are suffering for Christ and bring the message of hope even in hopeless situations.
18 | International Christian Concern Annual Report 2017 | 19 While addressing immediate needs is an essential part of ICC’s ministry, it is equally important to address the underlying causes of persecution. In many persecuted communities, Christians are relegated to low-paying, menial jobs and excluded from educational opportunities. In response, ICC developed Hope House.
Hope House is a program that offers educational and vocational training in order to combat the root causes of generational persecution. ICC’s Hope House has more than 100 students enrolled in its after-school program, where they learn English, Arabic, and computer skills. These crucial skills will help students rise to the top of the employment scale.
In addition, Hope House also provides microfinance loans to help persecuted Christians in Egypt start small businesses. Sylvia, a mother of six, has built a thriving business of custom-ordered mats upon receiving one of these loans. After paying back her loan in half of the agreed-upon time, she has requested another loan in hopes of expanding her business further.
Above: Hope House provides children with long-term development assistance which sets them up for future success.
Left: Children benefit from a tuk-tuk service which transports them from their homes to ICC’s education centers. This enables children without a means of transportation to have access to quality education.
20 | International Christian Concern Hope House
Children who participate in Hope House’s after- A microfinance loan is one of the ways ICC helps school program are equipped with long-lasting persecuted Christians advance their careers. Loans supplemental educational benefits which support provide Christians with the capital they need to them for years to come. successfully start their own business.
Annual Report 2017 | 21 One of the most damaging, long-lasting effects of and English. Nearly 30 students are enrolled in the persecution in a child’s life occurs when they are school and receiving opportunities for a quality forced to abandon their education. As children education. escape the violence in their hometowns, their education is brought to a halt, limiting their future In Egypt, poverty and discrimination prevent job opportunities and continuing the cycle of many Christian students from obtaining the poverty and oppression. same education that their Muslim counterparts receive. In response, ICC began working in a child In January 2017, ICC opened a school within the sponsorship program with an on-ground partner so borders of a camp for internally displaced people that these children can thrive in their communities. (IDPs) in Jos, Nigeria. Many of the residents are Each year, ICC provides 73 kids in Upper Egypt with Christians who were driven from their homes due education, school supplies, a daily meal, clothes, to violent attacks led by Boko Haram. In addition shoes, and medical care. Each child is also required to the school building, ICC also provided textbooks to attend a Christian program held at the local and established a curriculum for math, science, church and meet with staff for weekly Bible study.
Rescuing Kids
22 | International Christian Concern Education is a vital component to rescuing children, but Christian children are often overlooked because of their faith. Here, some of the Jos School students pose for a picture.
Families receive agricultural assistance so that they can harvest bountiful crops after fleeing violence in central Nigeria.
Through our Egyptian child sponsorship program, children are provided with education, school supplies, meals, clothes, shoes, and Christian discipleship. Children in the program also communicate with their sponsors through letters.
Annual Report 2017 | 23 ICC IN ACTION
We are always driven to leave the 99 and seek out the one victim of persecution (Matt. 18:12) unknown to the world, but whose suffering is known by the Lord.
24 | International Christian Concern Annual Report 2017 | 25 Rescuing Families
Christian families in persecuted countries face Another Christian in Pakistan was also accused of more hurdles than the average family, ranging committing blasphemy, forcing his family to suffer from social boycotts to job discrimination to from violent threats and find a new source of blatant violence. ICC helps address many of their income. ICC provided funds to relocate the family needs to help families remain intact as they face to a new city and provided all of the materials challenges together. necessary to start a small fruit and vegetable shop, which has provided for the financial needs In September 2016, a teenage boy in Pakistan was of this weary family. falsely accused of blasphemy for ‘liking’ an image on Facebook that authorities found to be insulting In 2014, a ban against the practice of Christianity to Islam. Throughout the boy’s imprisonment, his was passed in India’s Chhattisgarh state. Rekha family has suffered severe threats and has been Bai, a recently converted Christian widow, was one unable to financially support themselves. Forced of the many victims affected by this boycott. She to leave their neighborhood, the family had no professed her faith in Christ, so she was beaten at options for income. ICC provided the family with the shop where she worked and was later kicked an auto-rickshaw, which they used to create a taxi out of her village. ICC helped build Rekha Bai a business that is completely mobile in case they home to remind her that her Christian brothers have to relocate again. and sisters are standing with her.
26 | International Christian Concern Opposite: When a widow in India was forcibly removed from her residence because of her faith, ICC stepped in to build a house for her. ICC provided all of the materials and paid for the labor costs so she would have a place to live.
Left: Fruit and vegetable stands such as the one pictured provide economic empowerment to persecuted Christians. ICC equips them with a means by which they can support their families.
Below: ICC provides relief and assistance to families by providing for their basic needs, like food.
Annual Report 2017 | 27 Community Rebuild: Iraq
Prior to 2014, Qaraqosh was one of the insecticides, and steroids to properly tend largest Christian cities in Iraq, but thousands to their land. He was the only person from of Christians were forced to flee their homes Qaraqosh with this unique skill set. Once ICC as ISIS rose to power. Now that the city has enabled Yas to reopen his business, farmers been liberated, Christians are slowly returning who relied on agricultural supplies could now to their hometown; however, the transition return to their land. home has challenges. In addition to small businesses, another One of the primary needs for Christians in Iraq major need in Qaraqosh is clean water. who have lost their livelihoods is a source of Many Christians in Qaraqosh lack access income. In response, ICC has funded several to consistent and clean water for washing, small businesses for returning Christians to cooking, and cleaning. Therefore, ICC support their families. These businesses have provided a well for 15 families to use, assuring helped the community recover and encouraged them that they have a stable source of others to return. water at all times. Although it will take time, Qaraqosh is slowly, but surely, beginning to For instance, Yas is an agricultural engineer rebuild their town post-ISIS. who provided farmers with seeds, compost,
28 | International Christian Concern Qaraqosh has a high population of Christians and was liberated from ISIS in early 2017. Within weeks, ICC staff was on the ground, beginning projects to rebuild Christians’ lives as they returned to their homes.
ICC provides small businesses to help IDPs Ten Christians in Qaraqosh received shelter shortly support their families. By providing economic after the city’s liberation from ISIS. ICC’s rebuilding stability, ICC enables persecuted Christians to efforts have provided solutions to basic needs of those rebuild both the economy and their lives. who have suffered for their faith.
Annual Report 2017 | 29 Community Rebuild: Nigeria
Mrs. Laraba stands with her children at the celebration of their new home. ICC provided her with a house following her husband’s death in a Fulani attack.
In the midst of clashes with Fulani militants, many an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Kafanchan. Christians in Nigeria’s “Middle Belt” region have found In order to relieve the burden of their tangible needs, themselves displaced and in search of work. ICC has ICC supplied food packages and clothing for 110 families. sought to bring healing to these Christian communities by Although the aid will not recover all that was lost, these aid addressing both immediate and long-term needs. packages will hopefully make displacement more bearable.
In late 2016, Fulani militants attacked a Christian village, Following another attack that killed several and destroyed destroying its crops. ICC provided seed, fertilizer, and countless homes, ICC sought to help Mrs. Laraba, a irrigation pumps to the village so that these Christians woman made homeless along with her six children after could recover their source of both food and income. her husband was killed. ICC aided this family by building a six-room home for her and her children, with plans to In another string of attacks, several villages were also provide a self-sustaining business. This has allowed ambushed, forcing thousands to flee to neighboring the family to regain a sense of normalcy after an otherwise communities. Many of those who fled sought refuge at devastating tragedy.
30 | International Christian Concern Above: Following brutal attacks at the hands of Fulani militants, ICC distributed immediate relief to Nigerian Christians in the form of food and clothing.
Right Images: Christians in Nigeria have faced numerous attacks that have destroyed their agricultural support system. ICC provided seeds and fertilizer to help groups begin farming again. This aid will help the villagers sustain their community and recover from the attacks.
Annual Report 2017 | 31 Rebuilding the Church
32 | International Christian Concern In many persecuted countries, the Church would not exist apart from the work of dedicated Christians who work underground to share the Gospel. Many risk their lives and well-being to bring the Good News to those who don’t know Christ.
One of the most effective means for introducing the Gospel is through radio. In North Korea, ICC helps fund a broadcast that sends Christian programming into the most persecuted country in the world. Although the North Korean government constantly tries to jam the broadcasts, radio waves transmit the Gospel to millions nationwide, bringing hope to the lost.
Radio also serves as an effective tool in Pakistan. In addition to broadcasting the Gospel in Pakistan, ICC also partners with a ministry that follows up with listeners to ensure that they receive discipleship to deepen their faith. In June, this ministry received 10 baptism requests from listeners.
ICC also supports pastors who work individually to share the Gospel in their communities. One pastor in Afghanistan, a father of five, was struggling to balance providing for his family while also dedicating time to his congregation. In response, ICC provided the pastor with a used car for him to use for both work and ministry. He has started using the car as a taxi service to support his family, but it also allows him to travel between churches quickly and safely.
Opposite: This church in Nigeria was set Top Right: Christians in many areas of the world on fire by Fulani militants. ICC provided have limited access to the Word of God. ICC has assistance to repair the church building to been able to reach remote areas and provide support the local Christians. Bibles to those who need to hear the Gospel.
Top Left: Church support comes in many Bottom: ICC provides support for churches to educate pastors forms. ICC provided a church in Zanzibar through persecution preparedness trainings. These trainings with chairs which will allow more people address the pastors’ specific needs and equip them so they to hear the Gospel. will know how to respond to persecution in the future.
Annual Report 2017 | 33 Our Trips: China Egypt Ethiopia Indonesia Iraq Kenya Lebanon Pakistan South Korea
Top Left: ICC provides hope to families in IDP camps in Iraq.
Middle Left: Damage to this Egyptian church demonstrates the brutality of Christian persecution worldwide.
Bottom Left: Schooling, medical aid, and small business assistance are just a few of the areas in which ICC is helping families in Pakistan.
34 | International Christian Concern Top Center: ICC staff traveled to Top Right: Even in the midst of religious rural Indonesia to receive updates persecution, Indonesian pastors are about active assistance projects. committed to reaching out to those who still have not heard the Gospel.
Bottom Center: During their time Bottom Right: ICC has made progress in in South Korea, ICC staff members bringing persecution cases to justice and interviewed North Korean defectors advocating for Pakistani Christians. and listened to their stories. Annual Report 2017 | 35 CONTACT INFORMATION
1-800-422-5441
2020 Pennsylvania Ave NW #941 Washington, D.C. 20006-1846
www.persecution.org
www.facebook.com/persecuted
www.twitter.com/persecutionnews
PERSECU ION.org INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN