A Message from the Chief Executive Officer

woman is praying as she looks up. She appears to be in prison.
A woman is praying as she looks up. She appears to be in prison.

The International Day of Prayer
for the Persecuted Church

Sunday, November 3rd, 2024

Rev. Richard Wurmbrand, founder of the Voice of the Martyrs internationally, approached his mission with deep compassion. He recognized that for Christians behind the Iron Curtain, true hope lay in their relationship with Jesus Christ rather than just escaping to the West. He believed that God's Word and the support of the faithful church provided them enduring strength and solace amid their struggles.

A woman is sitting on a church pew praying. The image is overlaid with the following: "International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Sunday, November 3. Download free church resources at www.idop.ca. Remember Her. Genesis 16:13."
A woman is sitting on a church pew praying. The image is overlaid with the following: "International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Sunday, November 3. Download free church resources at www.idop.ca. Remember Her. Genesis 16:13."


"She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: 'You are the God
who sees me,' for she said, 'I have now seen the One who sees me.'"
Genesis 16:13 NIVUK

SAVE THE DATE!

This year’s International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church will be held on Sunday, November 3rd.

Metal Olympic rings are in the foreground. Paris is seen in the background.
Metal Olympic rings are in the foreground. Paris is seen in the background.

Shocking, but not Surprising

“Christ is for the world; the world needs Christ.”
~ Eric Liddell

Considerable criticism has emerged from the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. Artistic director Thomas Jolly sparked controversy when he used dancers and drag queens in what appeared to be a reenactment of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” Christians worldwide were appalled to witness such flagrant mockery of Christianity on one of the world’s most prominent stages – the Olympic games. Jolly, however, defended the provocative scene by saying that a pagan festival associated with the gods of Olympus was his inspiration for the performance and not Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece.

Screenshot of reenactment - Helen Berhane is sitting on the floor of a shipping container showing signs of having been beaten.
Screenshot of reenactment - Helen Berhane is sitting on the floor of a shipping container showing signs of having been beaten.

Tune My Heart

"On the twenty-third day of the seventh month [the king] sent the
people away to their homes, joyful and glad of heart for the prosperity that
the Lord had granted to David and to Solomon and to Israel His people."
~ 2 Chronicles 7:10 ESV

Helen Berhane is smiling as she leans against a tree.
Helen Berhane


In May 2004, Helen Berhane was taken into custody by Eritrean authorities after refusing to sign a document asserting that she would not practise her Christian faith. Helen understood that imprisonment, solitary confinement and torture awaited her if she did not comply with the governing officials' demands. The pressure to recant her faith did not cease when Helen ended up in a prison camp; it only intensified.

Children are smiling while looking through an opening between boards. Photo credit - VOM International
Children are smiling while looking through an opening between boards. Photo credit - VOM International

Simple-Hearted Praise


“Out of the mouths of babies and infants,
You have established strength because of Your foes,
to still the enemy and the avenger.”
~ Psalm 8:2 ESV


The name of the Lord is majestic all over the earth. His splendour, which is not contingent on people’s confessions – nor their acceptance of who He is – testifies of His omnipotence. God’s glory, displayed above in the heavens, is not a fleeting phenomenon either. Rather, it has been established from everlasting to everlasting, inspiring awe and reverence in the lives of all those who even attempt to comprehend it.

A drawing of Jesus washing people's feet. Photo credit - Shutterstock / rudall30
A drawing of Jesus washing people's feet. Photo credit - Shutterstock / rudall30

A Matter of the Heart


“As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, and she despised him in her heart.”
~ 2 Samuel 6:16 ESV


On April 29th, 2007, Pastor Walter Masih was attacked and beaten in front of his wife and daughter. Two men who led the attack by punching Pastor Walter in the face were joined by four others who started beating him with wooden rods. During his recovery, Pastor Walter stated: “I will never quit! I will continue the ministry I have been doing these past 17 years.”