Signs of Hope

Every so often, as regular visitors to this blog are aware, I make mention of the persecuted church and, usually, provide a specific instance of what my brothers and sisters in Christ are suffering for His name's sake.
However, while there is, sadly, much that could be reported on a daily basis, it is also good to know that there are positive reports that may be made.  I received some of them just today, and want to share some of the good, and encouraging, news with a wider audience.

China and the Far East
For centuries, Asia seemed to be almost impenetrable to the Gospel.  However, in the midst of sacrifice and martyrdom, the Spirit of God is moving powerfully in China, India, Vietnam, North Korea, and many other Asian nations.  In China, the Gospel is being eagerly received by university students, businessmen, and professionals.  North Korea is, once again, at the top of the list of those countries in which persecution of disciples of Jesus is most intense.  Indeed, one is open to arrest and imprisonment for nothing more than owning a Bible!  Yet even there, God is moving.  By the way, if you wish to sign a petition that Release will be sending to the North Korean authorities, you may do so at http://www.releaseinternational.org/petition/
The Muslim World
The Middle East and North Africa - so much in the news at present - were areas in which the Gospel of Christ had little or nothing to celebrate.  Today, we are seeing a turning of the tide.  Satellite television and radio are saturating the whole area.  It is estimated that more Muslims have come to Christ in the last ten years, than in all of the time since missionary endeavour to Muslims began!  In Iran, in spite of persecution directed specifically at the house church movement, the number of such house churches is doubling every six months.
The Latin-American Church
Fifty years ago, Chile and Brazil were the only nations in Central and South America with any meaningful evangelical presence (between 2% and 5%).  Today, there is a continent-wide explosion!  Some central American nations have become 40% Bible-believing.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Huge inroads are being made by the Gospel in sub-Saharan Africa.  Africans are taking on the mantles of men such as Moses, the Wesley brothers, and Lord Shaftesbury, as they lead the continent in the ways of God's righteousness.
The UK and the 'western' world
Secular humanism, amorality, and the curse of 'political correctness' have blighted the spiritual landscape of the West and, in many places, Biblical Christians are a small minority.  However, there are growing signs of life - prayer initiatives, and a new awareness by the church of the need for evangelism; together with surveys that indicate a growing interest in the Person of the Lord Jesus, particularly among younger people, are an encouragement to those of us who have sometimes felt like crying out with Elijah, "... I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too." (I Kings 19:14; NLT)

So those of us who own His Name, remember the words of the prophet: "And YHWH will be King over all the earth. On that day there will be YHWH - His Name alone will be worshipped." (Zech 14:9; NLT); and also the words of Jesus, Himself: "... I will build My church, and all the powers of hell shall not conquer it." (Matt 16:18; NLT)