Many Christians in Asia today woke up to the horrifying news that political speaker and commentator Charlie Kirk was assassinated while discussing violence from the LGBTQ community on a university campus in the the state of Utah.
Even though this event seems, at first glance, not to have anything to do with missions in the 10/40 Window between China and Jerusalem, it is actually at the very heart of missions in closed nations.
In a special podcast that has just been recorded in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, we point to the persecution of Christians in closed nations where free speech is restricted. Whether it is in the atheist nations of China and North Korea, the Buddhist nation of Bhutan, the Hindu nation of India, or the Muslim nations of Yemen and Iran – free speech is forbidden. More specifically, preaching the Gospel is forbidden.
In His last moments on earth with His disciples, Jesus commanded His followers to “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
In his letter to the Romans, Paul writes, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?”
Preaching the Truth of Jesus Christ is essential to the Christian walk and is arguably one of the primary reasons why free speech is revolting to those that embrace a lie.
Charlie Kirk shared in open debate and was a champion of free speech and was violently assassinated for it. Charlie Kirk also often shared about the love of Christ and the Truth of God’s Word. This was vehemently opposed by many that he spoke to.
Christians in the 10/40 Window today know what it is like to be violently treated for expressing free speech and what they believe. Teaching the Word of God is often referred to as “hate speech” and dangerous. In main-stream media it can be labeled radical or spreading misinformation. In China, preaching the Word of God is considered to “disrupt social harmony.” In Saudi Arabia, sharing from the Bible is considered to blasphemy.
Whatever the reason, free speech is an essential part of preaching the Good News and the enemy will do anything to stop it – including murder.
In our most recent podcast, we share how the murder of Stephen in the Bible was the result of religious leaders who didn’t want to hear his words. Stephen merely shared from the Word of God and the people were so enraged that they plugged their ears, screamed in anger, and then slaughtered him.
To listen to the podcast click on our YouTube Home Page:
https://www.youtube.com/@BackToJerusalem
*Image Credit: Charlie Kirk’s Facebook Page
