Indianapolis Pastor Goes to 'Prison'
Indianapolis, Indiana - November 14, 2010 - Reverend Neil Bell, Lead Pastor of Parc-Way Assembly of God, is spending seven days and nights outside his Southside church in a make-shift prison to bring attention to the plight of the persecuted church.
"Each year I look for an innovaitive way to lead our church in rememberance of the suffering some believers face on a daily basis. Our brothers and sisters in bonds aren't just pastors and leaders, they are the elderly, the single, the moms and dads, aunts and uncles, and in some cases, even children."
It is estimated that over 165,000 Christians around the world are martyred each year. They also are arrested or abducted, maimed, burned, beaten, or raped because of their faith in Christ. In synch with the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP), Rev. Bell asks for, "folks to not only donate, but that they would make this cause a part of their personal prayer life. There are people depending on our support both monetarily and spiritually."
R. Brandon with Voice of the Martyrs Ministry says of Reverend Bell's efforts, "This seems like an effective tool as far as making people aware of the realities of Christian persecution taking place around the world."
All proceeds will go to The Voice of the Martyrs, a non-profit, inter-demoninational Christian organization dedicated to assisting the persecuted church worldwide.
To donate go to http://www.parc-way.org/
It's not the most beautiful view but I'm sure it's more than some are priveledged with. The reality of the persecuted church actually hit me today as I watched the Pastor arrested Sunday morning. He has made the decision to give up his comfort this week for the sake of raising awarness but do we really know what persecution is? Our pastor definately doesn't have to worry about someone putting a gun to his head and telling him to deny Christ. I know that we the members of Parc Way are not going to allow our Pastor to starve or freeze to death, but to the persecuted, they don't have that luxury. They have no one to feed them a good meal daily or give them extra clothes or a blanket. They should be so lucky to be provided with a cot instead of a dirt floor. They don't have the privledge of being visited by loved ones. May God bless you richly Pastor Bell for denying yourself all the comfort this great nation has enabled us with to raise awareness for the hurting, the persecuted!
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