| OPEN DOORS is an international
evangelical Christian ministry serving persecuted Christians
and the suffering church worldwide. In more than 50
countries there are over 200 million Christians suffering
hardship, discrimination, imprisonment, torture and
martyrdom for Jesus Christ. Open Doors has, for more
than 51 years, in cooperation with local churches in
the UK , Holland, Brazil, and USA amongst others, provided
prayer support, Bibles, training and other resources.
They have an easy to use website with loads of information,
video clips, prayer news and dates of seminars if you
are in the UK. There is also a great student website
‘Underground’ that encourages young people
to get involved with the persecuted church.
At Vale Judeu we hold:
Fortnightly prayer meetings. Up to date information
from Open Doors through their prayer alerts, the monthly
prayer diary and magazine features in ‘Frontline’
keep us informed and help us to pray specifically and
effectively for on going situations across the world
and for individuals in critical circumstances. By praying
with the persecuted church, needs are met, the body
of Christ is strengthened and Christ works in our own
lives too. Everyone who has a heart for the persecuted
church is welcome to attend these prayer meetings.
The Open Doors notice board in the Marquee. Here you
will find information about our brothers and sisters
who suffer for their faith. There is information in
Portuguese as well, thanks to Vitorinho. Photos, news
articles, the worldwatch map showing where persecution
is greatest, answers to prayers and prayer requests
and advocacy issues. The notice board material changes
every month so if you are visiting the church please
have a look. The Book table also has current important
books from persecuted Christians and missionaries working
in the field.
Open Doors week in June. Joining with churches in the
UK this is a week of activities that give a more detailed
picture of God’s work. Our Great Big Tea and Coffee
Party is a fund raising event and a time of fellowship.
During the week we have an opportunity to become more
informed, to see films and documentaries, join an evening
of prayer and an afternoon of letter-writing to encourage
suffering Christians to stand firm in their faith and
know that they are not forgotten. Open Doors letter-writing
afternoons are also held at other times of the year.
If you have any questions about the work of Open Doors
please look at the website www.opendoorsuk.org.
or contact them through info@opendoorsuk.org
Our Open Doors church representative at Vale Judeu is
Barbara Jane Foreman (Banks) She would be very interested
to hear from you. 289 992857 evenings.
Other organisations involved in supporting the persecuted
church are Release International www.releaseinternational.org
and the Barnabas Fund www.barnabasfund.org/
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