Give Them the Tools
"Often, after a secret service, Christians were caught and sent to prison. There, Christtians wear chains with the gladness with which a bride wears a precious jewel received from her beloved."
- Richard Wurmbrand, Tortured for Christ
Pastor Richard Wurmbrand did not found The Voice of the Martyrs to be a rescue mission. He did not envision the liberation of Christians behind the Iron Curtain by bringing them to the West where they would be free from persecution. Pastor Wurmbrand understood that the best hope for those living in Communist countries was Jesus Christ, as revealed in God’s Word and proclaimed by His faithful church.
Instead, Pastor Wurmbrand implored Christians in the West to fervently pray for their brothers and sisters in chains – challenging them to provide tools to persecuted Christians, so they could fulfill the work of the church in these restrictive nations. Such giving needed to be an act of love, bathed in prayer, for as surely as these tools would be used, persecution would increase. The price was high, but many unwavering Christians were willing to pay that price for deploying the Gospel to counteract the hollow and deceptive philosophies that held many of their fellow citizens captive.
The strategy of The Voice of the Martyrs has not changed, although the scope of our international ministry has grown immensely. Today, while Bibles remain in high demand, there is a plethora of opportunities to help persecuted Christians stand and endure the fires of persecution, as well as advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In response to these opportunities, The Voice of the Martyrs Canada has developed several funds to which our Canadian supporters can give. However, though the number of projects has grown, our prayer remains that each one will encourage Christians to carry out the Great Commission and fulfill the Great Commandment in every hostile and restricted nation.
It is our hope that you will continue to develop a life of prayer that includes your persecuted family and that you will be led to stand with us in helping a new generation of persecuted believers fulfill their calling as they grow into the fullness of Christ.
BIBLE FUND
The Bible Fund makes it possible for VOMC to work with ministries that provide Bibles (in full or in part; print, digital or audio) to persecuted Christians in their own local languages. Many of these believers would otherwise never have a Bible of their own, as Christians residing in regions of persecution are often denied access to God’s Word. This fund also supplies Bibles to frontline missionaries, pastors and evangelists, for the purpose of evangelism and distribution to those who desire to learn more about the Lord and His infallible Word.
Bibical References:
Psalm 119:97-105, Proverbs 30:5, 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Give online to VOMC's Bible Fund.
CHRISTMAS BLESSING FUND
The Christmas Blessing Fund is designed specifically to be a means whereby Canadian Christians can express love and encouragement to their persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. As gifts are typically given to family members and loved ones during the Christmas season, this fund provides a unique opportunity to remind persecuted Christians of the ultimate gift given by the Father: the gift of His one and only Son, Jesus Christ. Every year, VOMC focusses on a specific persecuted nation, working closely with in-country ministry partners to provide packages containing practical items such as books, Bibles, toys, clothing, food, household necessities, hygienic supplies, etc.
Bibical References:
Matthew 2:11, Romans 12:6-8, Hebrews 13:20-21
Give online to the Christmas Blessing fund.
EQUIPPING THE SAINTS FUND
The Equipping the Saints Fund helps meet the strategic educational needs of Christians living in persecuted and monitored nations. In consultation with local ministry partners, this fund makes it possible for qualified teachers and trainers to facilitate essential in-depth teaching. Supplied with Biblical resources and other Christian materials, persecuted believers are equipped to carry out the ministry of the church – namely the work of evangelism and discipleship – despite opposition.
Bibical References:
Ephesians 4:11-16, 2 Timothy 3:10-15, Hebrews 13:20-21
Give online to VOMC's Equipping the Saints Fund.
FAMILIES OF MARTYRS FUND
The Families of Martyrs Fund enables VOMC to provide encouragement and assistance to martyrs and their families who have been left destitute by the imprisonment, death or exile of a parent or spouse because of their Christian faith and witness. Those helped by this fund are primarily widows and orphans. This fund also helps elderly Christians (living martyrs) who have endured long years of persecution and, as a result, have no adequate means of support in their ‘retirement’ years.
Bibical References:
Psalm 68:5-6, Isaiah 1:17, James 1:27
Give online to VOMC's Families of Martyrs Fund.
LEGAL DEFENCE FUND
The Legal Defence Fund provides resources for believers who have been arrested because of their Christian witness. Many of them are often denied, or cannot afford, adequate legal representation. Legal fees can bankrupt families and churches. Court cases can drag on for months and even years. The difference for those who have no legal representation, and those who do, can be a significant reduction in the number of years detained in prison. This fund enables persecuted Christians to receive the best legal assistance possible under the circumstances.
The Legal Defence Fund also seeks to educate and equip persecuted Christians so they will be effective advocates in their own communities, not only for religious freedom but also when dealing with other important social issues that affect their faith community.
Bibical References:
Proverbs 28:4-6, Isaiah 58:6, Hebrews 13:3
Give online to VOMC's Legal Defence Fund.
MEDICAL FUND
The Medical Fund provides first-rate medical treatment for Christians who have been injured as a direct result of their Christian faith. This assistance covers all of their patient-care needs – including medical and surgical expenses, hospitalization, medicines and other necessary supplies, as well as transportation to and from appointments for treatment. At times, this fund provides meals and lodging for patients requiring additional rest and recovery time immediately after their medical treatment.
The Medical Fund also supports those who require specialized treatment – ranging from the purchase and fittings of artificial limbs to trauma counselling services.
Bibical References:
Psalm 30:2, Matthew 25:37-40, Luke 10:33-35
Give online to VOMC's Medical Fund.
RAISING A VOICE FUND
The Raising a Voice Fund is especially designed to assist VOMC with the expensive, yet crucial, task of communicating the truth and experience of today’s persecuted church to believers in Canada and around the world. This is being accomplished through the use of, but not exclusive to, modern electronic media such as the Internet, video documentaries and television. This aspect of the ministry’s communication features testimonies of enduring faith, while also highlighting the immediate needs resulting from persecution.
Click here to find out why raising a voice on behalf of the persecuted is so important to VOM, to our founder Richard Wurmbrand and to the persecuted church.
Bibical References:
Give online to VOMC's Raising a Voice Fund.
RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT FUND
The Relief & Development Fund assists Christians in persecuted and monitored nations by providing relief aid to desperately poor families. This initiative includes projects such as: job/skills training, microfinancing, relocation and reconstruction, refugee assistance, and other practical means of extending meaningful encouragement to a besieged church or individual – before, during and after persecution.
Bibical References:
Romans 12:10-13, 1 John 3:17, 2 Corinthians 8:3-5
Give online to VOMC's Relief and Development Fund.
UNDERGROUND CHURCH FUND
The Underground Church Fund aids and encourages believers in severely restricted areas where church worship gatherings and all other Christian activities are conducted “underground.” This is an increasing reality in many persecuted nations, where those in opposition to the Gospel are actively seeking to eradicate Christianity. Assisted through this fund are ministries focussing on evangelism and spiritual training centres, safehouses, Bible smuggling, balloon (Scripture) launches, Christian radio programming, and specialized ministries geared towards the spiritual growth of new converts.
Bibical References:
Acts 2:1, Acts 8:1-3, 1 Peter 4:12-19
Give online to VOMC's Underground Church Fund.
WOMEN'S MINISTRY FUND
The Women's Ministry Fund addresses the unique needs of Christian women who suffer for their faith by providing practical assistance, spiritual encouragement and emotional support. Some of these women are themselves incarcerated in prison cells, without their basic practical needs being met. Others are forced to labour under great duress, providing for their families because their husbands have been imprisoned or martyred for their faith. Many are mistreated and sexually abused, highlighting the very real issue of vulnerability; a fundamental root as to why Christian women suffer in ways very different to that of men.
Bibical References:
2 Kings 4:1-7, Psalm 68:5, James 1:27
Give online to VOMC's Women's Ministry Fund.
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Please join us in ministering to the persecuted church through financial contributions to any of our special funds. You may give online by selecting any of the funds above and clicking “Give online,” or by calling our office at 1-888-298-6423. Our office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST).
You can also mail a cheque made payable to "The Voice of the Martyrs Inc." (please use exact wording):
The Voice of the Martyrs
P.O. Box 608
Streetsville, ON L5M 2C1
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All scripture references are provided in the English Standard Version.
