Wherever we live in the world, we must be concerned about religious persecution. National Public Radio reported today that China has forbidden Christians to leave China to travel to the Lausanne Congress on Evangelism in Cape Town, South Africa.

Religious persecution is a growing concern around the world. It is not by accident that New Hope Publishers decided to publish the Extreme Devotion Series by Kathi Macias, a series of four novels on the persecuted church. Her third in the series, Red Ink, just released this past month. Red Ink is the story of a young Chinese woman persecuted for her commitment to Christ. 

When we publish a book our intent is for the message to be relevant. In the case of Red Ink, the relevance is frightfully evident. While we know there is no government powerful enough to hinder God’s work in this world, our hearts break for brothers and sisters oppressed and persecuted.

I’ve copied the beginning of the article here, but I encourage you to follow the story, pray, learn more, and become involved in bringing religious freedom to all people.

Beijing Blocks Travelers To Christian Conference

by Louisa Lim

A massive global evangelical gathering known as the Lausanne Congress will begin Oct. 16 in Cape Town, South Africa. But it looks likely to take place without the participation of more than 230 Chinese delegates.

So far, at least 11 people planning to attend have been forbidden to leave China, and many others have come under pressure. Many fear Beijing is moving to exert control over underground Christians.

Christianity in China is flourishing, with tens of millions of Christians openly worshiping. Many gather in private assemblies, or house churches, rather than in the official government church, known as the Three-Self Patriotic Movement. The authorities have largely turned a blind eye in the past.

But when a grouping of house churches decided to send some 200 delegates to attend the Lausanne Congress, the government stepped in.

Abraham Liu Guan is a church elder who tried to leave Sunday for the meeting with six others. Authorities warned him not to meet NPR, but in a phone interview he explained what happened at Beijing airport customs. “The border defense people said they’d received a notice from the State Administration for Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security. It said our participation in this meeting threatened state security, and they should not let us pass customs,” Guan said.

Some of those who have been turned back have had their passports confiscated. One delegate has been placed in detention. Several others have been prevented from leaving their homes.

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You can read the full article at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130540715.  Please pray for believers around the world facing persecution.