Foundation Church Spencer: Recent Episodes
Rev. Nicholas Hanges
****On Pastors example about choosing to deny Christ or have children die-- a very intense description but this kind of confrontation by psychopath extremists and evil persecutors has happened in history before.. here are a few examples:
"Jesus Freaks" by DC Talk and The Voice of the Martyrs, which documents numerous accounts of Christian martyrs, including those where families and children were involved. While these stories might not always be verified to the extent of historical accounts like those of ancient martyrs, they are shared as testimonies of faith under persecution.
Example from North Korea
A more contemporary account, although not involving shooting specifically, comes from North Korea, where intense persecution of Christians is well-documented. There have been reports where families, including children, have been executed or sent to labor camps because of their Christian faith. In some cases, parents have been forced to watch their children suffer or die because they would not deny Christ.
The Armenian Genocide
During the Armenian Genocide (1915-1917), there were many reports of Christian Armenians who were forced to watch their children being killed or threatened with their children's lives in an attempt to force them to convert to Islam. Though the methods of execution varied, the intent was often the same: to pressure the parents to deny their Christian faith by leveraging the lives of their children.
Modern-day Persecution
In more recent years, reports from countries like Nigeria, where Boko Haram and other extremist groups have targeted Christian families, include stories where parents were forced to watch their children being killed because they refused to convert to Islam or deny Christ. These incidents are often reported by survivors or human rights organizations.
This illustrate the brutal reality that some Christian parents have faced in choosing their faith over their children's lives. It is nothing anyone wants to think about, but a reality nonetheless.
Christ In Action Deployed to Spencer Iowa after heavy floods in June of 2024 inundated more than 2,100 homes. As a non-profit disaster relief organization we rely on volunteers to help us serve families after major disasters. You can be part of our team. Visit christinaction.com for more information or to volunteer.