This document discusses how the persecuted church worldwide has continued to grow despite restrictions from COVID-19 lockdowns and increased persecution. It provides examples of church growth in North Korea, China, and Iran where Christians have found creative ways to worship and share the gospel online. The document encourages learning from persecuted churches that have experienced lockdowns for decades and adapting to restricted worship. It shares poems and songs written by pastors imprisoned for their faith as inspiration for prayer and growing closer to God during difficult times.

1. PERSECUTED CHURCH 2021
HOW WE CAN SUPPORT THOSE BEING TORTURED FOR CHRIST AND
LEARN HOW TO GROW AS A CHURCH IN LOCKDOWN AS THE
PERSECUTED CHURCH HAS DONE FOR MANY YEARS
1

2. THE CHURCH WORLDWIDE 2021
•Churches in lockdown have become common in
almost every country in the world since covid-
19 arrived
•Many of us have enjoyed religious freedom
while churches in other countries such as
Eritrea have been worshiping in lockdown and
in secret for more than 30 years.
•The Persecuted church has learned to adjust to
worshiping in secret and growing in spite of
these restrictions in worship

3. NORTH KOREA
•In North Korea, many Christians who normally work
14-15hr days, are at home isolating which is giving
them an opportunity to listen to Christian
broadcasts and hear the Gospel more then they
have had the time to listen before covid.
•In 2020, in spite of increased restrictions due to
covid, North Korea had twice the number of Bibles
delivered to Christians and the underground
Church has found more and more creative ways to
worship, grow and spread the Gospel

4. CHINA
•The Chinese government has increased its
control of churches since covid started.
•This has not stopped the church; instead more
prayer meetings are being formed and
Christians are spending more time in praise
and worship and prayer then previous years.

5. IRAN
•In Iran, more people are able to listen to
Christian broadcasting via satellite television
•Many are joining prayer meetings and live
church services and classes. Many are coming
to Christ!
•This has also increased persecution as the
government in Iran is realizing how hard it is to
monitor Christian activity and meetings online.

6. CANADA:
•In most provinces, Churches have been locked
down, not allowed to worship in person again
due to covid
•The government in the last few years has been
trying to further restrict what the Church is
allowed to teach
•How can we as a church in Canada rise up like
the Persecuted Church world wide?
•What can we learn from the persecuted church
that has been in lockdown and restricted for
many years?

7. •Pastor Cao while in prison in China currently
serving a 7 year sentence wrote this poem : (below
is an excerpt)
You can take away my freedom, but you can’t take
my prayers.
My prayers have wings and leap over the iron mesh
high wall.
Many brothers and sisters have heard them.
And they fly freely every day and reach heaven on
the blue sky.
You can impose heavy punishments on me, but you
can’t hold my soul and spirit.
They are like cheerful yellowbirds, raising gentle
praises toward the iron gate.
My Saviour must have heard my voice.
HTTPS://RELEASEINTERNATIONAL.ORG/LOCKDOWN-RESOURCE/JOHN-CAO/

8. •This year in the presentations of the
persecuted Church, we will be looking at
how the persecuted Church is growing
and surviving in spite of increased
persecution especially during the covid
era.
•We will be letting the persecuted Church
across the World teach us how to live in
lockdown and still grow and flourish as
a church

9. WORTHY OF MY ALL
•Pastor Andrew Brunson wrote this song in Buca
Prison in Turkey on Sept 10, 2017
•As you listen to this song:
• Pray for our brothers and sisters who are suffering
in countries around the world
• Pray how we as a Church can learn and grow from
what the Persecuted Church world wide is showing
us
• https://releaseinternational.org/lockdown-resource/andrew-
brunson/

10. You are worthy, worthy of my all
My tears and pain I lift up as an offering
Teach me to share in the fellowship of
your suffering
Lamb of God, you are worthy of my all
10
PRAY FOR

11. You are worthy, worthy of my all
Adopted as a son, a brother to my King
Indeed, I will share in your glory if I share
your suffering
Jesus, you are worthy of my all
PRAY FOR

12. You are worthy, worthy of my all
But my heart faints, drowned in sorrow,
overwhelmed
Make me like you, Cross-bearer,
persevering, faithful to the end
To stand the trial and receive the crown
of life
PRAY FOR
CHINA

13. You are worthy, worthy of my all
This is my declaration in the darkest hour
Jesus, the Faithful One who loves me,
always good and true
You made me yours, you are worthy of
my all
PRAY FOR

14. PRAY FOR INDIA PRAY FOR SYRIA
PRAY FOR NORTH
KOREA
PRAY FOR EGYPY

15. I want to be found worthy to stand before
you on that day
With no regrets from cowardice, things
left undone
To hear you say, “Well done, my faithful
friend, now enter your reward”
Jesus, my Joy, you are the prize I’m
running for
PRAY FOR CANADA

16. You are worthy, worthy of my all
You are worthy, worthy of my all
What can I give to the Son of God, who
gave himself for me
Here I am, you are worthy of my all
Brunson A (2019) God’s Hostage, Milton Keynes, Authentic
Media p249
SOURCES INCLUDING PHOTOS: RELEASE INTERNATIONAL, VOCM