Churches invited to hold open air service for persecuted Christians

In penal times, priests in Ireland celebrated Mass in fields and hillsides. Today still, in many places around the world, Christians are forced to worship outdoors in all weathers, because the authorities have closed down their churches. In May, the charity Release International, is inviting Churches in the UK and Ireland to stand with persecuted Christians around the world by holding an open air church service.

Members of Shouwang Church, one of Beijing's largest house churches, have been barred from entering their building. And churchgoers are routinely arrested as they hold services outside. The authorities have refused to register the church despite its leaders going out of their way to seek official recognition from the state.

A church spokesman said: "Even though we've been through months of battles and are feeling tired in body and soul, our desire to worship God is unchanged."

In Indonesia, the Filadelfia Batak church near Jakarta was closed down after mass protests by Islamist hardliners and was forced to worship outdoors. And the Yasmin Protestant church of West Java has also had to worship in the open air after the mayor opposed construction plans.

In Central Asia, Christians are forced to travel into deserted areas to meet secretly outside away from the hostile gaze of the authorities. The picture is the same in many places, including Nigeria, where militants have burnt churches down.

Andy Dipper, who heads Release, said: "Would you be willing to worship in the open air in all weathers if the authorities closed down your church? And would you be prepared to risk arrest - every single week - just for gathering to praise God together?"

"To show our support for these persecuted Christians we are inviting churches throughout the UK and Ireland to stand in solidarity with their brothers and sisters by holding a Sunday meeting outdoors," said Andy.

Churches are being asked to take part in the Great Outdoors Church Service on May 20 or 27.

"We appreciate that for some churches it may be difficult to meet in the open air, but you may still want to be part of Release's Great Outdoors Church Service," said Andy Dipper. "If so, please feel free to choose an alternative date or consider holding just part of your service outside. But wherever you hold your Sunday service, please pray for those who have been denied the freedom we enjoy to worship indoors.

"Please pray that these courageous Christians would continue to be strong in the Lord; that they would know divine wisdom in how to relate to the authorities and respond with grace to those who oppose them. Pray that they would know God's presence as they meet outdoors and that their witness would speak strongly to the authorities of God's great love," he said.

Release International serves persecuted Christians in 30 countries by supporting pastors and Christian prisoners and their families; supplying Christian literature and Bibles, and working for justice.

For more information, see: www.releaseinternational.org/index.php