Speaking a powerful voice to the UK Church!

UK-based Christian ministry Release International has changed its name to Voice of Persecuted Christians.

The phrase Voice of Persecuted Christians has featured in the organisation’s logo for many years and reflects important emphases in its work.

The ministry, which began in 1968, is active in around 30 countries around the world, working through trusted Christian partners on the ground to care for, to support and to resource, both practically and spiritually, those who suffer for Christ and the gospel.

In the UK it encourages Christians and congregations to engage with this work, prayerfully and practically. Prayer is informed, and made specific, through resources such as its Prayer Diary—which appears in every edition of the ministry’s free quarterly magazine—and regular prayer emails to supporters.

The call to pray and to give is rooted in the biblical understanding that, ultimately, there is one Body of Christ, which suffers the world’s hatred of Christ and rejection of the gospel. ‘If one member suffers, all suffer together,’ the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth. (1 Cor. 12:26) A key Bible verse for the ministry has always been Hebrews 13:3—‘Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.’

But CEO Paul Robinson said, ‘Over the years we have come to recognise that our relationship with persecuted Christians is not a one-way street. They give something to us, that speaks into our lives as Christians.'

‘As we truly hear the voice of persecuted Christians, their witness calls us to a deeper discipleship—to live Christ-centred lives, with a willingness to count the cost of serving Him and proclaiming the gospel, wherever we are.’

The reality is that being a voice of persecuted Christians has always been at the heart of the ministry. Its origins and inspiration come from the life and witness of Richard Wurmbrand, a Romanian pastor who had spent a total of 14 years in prison for his faithful gospel witness, during the communist era.

When Wurmbrand was released from prison for a second time, in the 1960s, friends and colleagues in what was known as the Underground Church, were convinced he was the right person to go and be a voice for persecuted Christians to those who were living out their Christian faith in places that afforded greater freedom. A ransom price was paid by Norwegian Christians enabled him to leave the country.

Wurmbrand was, indeed, a powerful voice in the late 1960s and early 1970s, particularly in Christian circles. His seminal book, Tortured for Christ, first published in 1967, was hugely influential. Voice of Persecuted Christians now publishes this book in the UK.

Towards the end of that book Wurmbrand wrote, ‘I have been called the “Voice of the Underground Church.” I do not feel worthy to be the voice of such an honoured part of the Body of Christ.’

Five years ago Release International published a five-part small group Bible study for churches titled All for Jesus. Its subtitle introduced a key phrase that has now culminated in the name change: ‘persecuted discipleship’.

In the Introduction to that study booklet, Paul Robinson wrote, ‘It’s tempting to think that persecuted discipleship is for the brave and holy few. But we are not suggesting there is a special class of discipleship: one reserved for an elite brand of super-Christians who are a cut above normal disciples. No, not at all! Persecuted Discipleship is a phrase we have come to use at Release International to refer simply to ordinary, but genuine, Christian discipleship—a discipleship that is, nevertheless, robust enough and biblical enough to understand the reality of persecution in a world that hates Christ and the gospel.’

The international ministry, serving persecuted Christians, meeting their physical needs, resourcing them, and providing training where necessary—has not changed.

As Paul Robinson said, ‘What we do—and how we do it—has not changed. We remain committed to loving and serving persecuted Christians, Yet, at the same time, we believe this ministry has something vital to offer the UK Church.

‘For decades we have walked alongside persecuted Christians—listening to their stories, carrying their needs to the UK Church, and standing with those who serve them. At the heart of everything is their voice.'

‘When we truly hear what our brothers and sisters have suffered, and how they have remained faithful, something happens to us: our faith deepens, our priorities shift, our willingness to follow Christ—whatever the cost—grows. That is what we long for, for every Christian in the UK: not just awareness of persecution, but a discipleship transformed by hearing their voice.’

Voice of Persecuted Christian’s general enquiries number remains the same (01689 823491). The general email address is now info@voiceopc.org. The website address is now voiceopc.org.

Thanks go to Kenneth Harrod, Head of Theology & Media Voice Ministry at Voice of Persecuted Christians for writing this article for Global Connections.