Our Continuing Vision
A Message Entrusted
“What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.”
Here at Smyrna, we want to encourage the body of Christ to be united against the onslaught of spiritual and physical persecution. United like a body. United as a family. It’s good to be reminded that persecuted Christians are our family. If your daughter was kidnapped, and then miraculously returned to you, wouldn’t you hold her close and ask her what happened? If your son was beaten up at school, or your mother denied medical care, or your father thrown in prison, wouldn’t you want to know how and why? Wouldn’t their stories be important to you and press into you? Of course they would! Is it so different with your Christian family?
Our mission is to come along side those in the Persecuted Church by praying, giving, and spreading the truth of their courage. Truth communicated is a powerful thing. It impacts lives and alters sensibilities. We want to recount the true stories of our suffering church family in the Islamic world, confident that once told, their stories will catalyze Kingdom-building actions and reactions. Theirs are the costliest stories—should not we at Smyrna pass them on to others with intensity of heart?
In older times, skilled minstrels would compose ballads commemorating the unmatched valor of knights and heroes—ballads so moving that audiences of full-grown warriors would weep to hear them sung. Today, there are countless unsung heroes fighting countless battles. They are not mere knights serving a mere human king, nor heroes in pursuit of fame or glory. They are sanctified believers in Christ Jesus who will dwell, immortal, in the city of the Only King. Their heroism will be rewarded in heavenly places. Their faithfulness will be remembered for eternity.
The stories of our persecuted co-heirs are not just bullet points on a prayer list. They are fragmented glimpses of human lives devoted to Christ, infinitely precious to God. We know we must tell their stories; we know we must share their load. As you read, we want your hearts to be gripped by the details and context of each story. We want to connect you with real Christians. We want to do more than communicate information; we want to activate intercession and compassion. Not always with rough urgency, though their needs are urgent, nor always with grave tone, though they face grave trials—but always through compelling stories.
Are we stricken for our brothers and sisters? We ought to be! In Hebrews 13:3 we are exhorted to remember those suffering as if we ourselves were suffering. Smyrna has been given a task—we must work to convey the fortitude and dauntless courage of these persecuted Christians. We seek to do so in a manner worthy of their heroism and suffering.
Please share with us your stories, and help us in this mission. As you read, leave comments. We want to remember the persecuted as if we ourselves were standing in their place. Let us know when something has impacted you. As we learn to write and retell their stories with empathy and pathos, we welcome your feedback.
God uses hearts broken in prayer. By painting pictures of their lives with the warmest colors, Smyrna hopes to transmit the testimonies of the persecuted from a flat piece of paper into your conscious minds, confident that you will not be unmoved, but will be spurred to give and pray to the glory of God our Father and the comfort of His afflicted saints.
Our mission is to come along side those in the Persecuted Church by praying, giving, and spreading the truth of their courage. Truth communicated is a powerful thing. It impacts lives and alters sensibilities. We want to recount the true stories of our suffering church family in the Islamic world, confident that once told, their stories will catalyze Kingdom-building actions and reactions. Theirs are the costliest stories—should not we at Smyrna pass them on to others with intensity of heart?
In older times, skilled minstrels would compose ballads commemorating the unmatched valor of knights and heroes—ballads so moving that audiences of full-grown warriors would weep to hear them sung. Today, there are countless unsung heroes fighting countless battles. They are not mere knights serving a mere human king, nor heroes in pursuit of fame or glory. They are sanctified believers in Christ Jesus who will dwell, immortal, in the city of the Only King. Their heroism will be rewarded in heavenly places. Their faithfulness will be remembered for eternity.
The stories of our persecuted co-heirs are not just bullet points on a prayer list. They are fragmented glimpses of human lives devoted to Christ, infinitely precious to God. We know we must tell their stories; we know we must share their load. As you read, we want your hearts to be gripped by the details and context of each story. We want to connect you with real Christians. We want to do more than communicate information; we want to activate intercession and compassion. Not always with rough urgency, though their needs are urgent, nor always with grave tone, though they face grave trials—but always through compelling stories.
Are we stricken for our brothers and sisters? We ought to be! In Hebrews 13:3 we are exhorted to remember those suffering as if we ourselves were suffering. Smyrna has been given a task—we must work to convey the fortitude and dauntless courage of these persecuted Christians. We seek to do so in a manner worthy of their heroism and suffering.
Please share with us your stories, and help us in this mission. As you read, leave comments. We want to remember the persecuted as if we ourselves were standing in their place. Let us know when something has impacted you. As we learn to write and retell their stories with empathy and pathos, we welcome your feedback.
God uses hearts broken in prayer. By painting pictures of their lives with the warmest colors, Smyrna hopes to transmit the testimonies of the persecuted from a flat piece of paper into your conscious minds, confident that you will not be unmoved, but will be spurred to give and pray to the glory of God our Father and the comfort of His afflicted saints.