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Christian Monitor – A Website for the Persecuted ChurchSouth African Paul Sharpe was browsing in a Hong Kong Christian bookshop – on a trip from Taiwan, where he works as a technical writer – when he found a battered copy of “Their Blood Cries Out”, by Paul Marshall. He started skimming through it, but found himself skeptical of the author’s claims of so much persecution of Christians in so many countries. He put the book down and went on his way. But the following week, back in Taiwan, he found the book’s theme continually nagging him. Was the persecution of Christians really that bad, he kept wondering? He embarked on some research on the internet, and was shocked to learn about how many people were being victimized for their faith. Concerned that so few Christian friends seemed even aware of what was happening, he resolved to start a newsletter to enlighten members of his own church. And from that emerged, last year, a website, Christian Monitor, dedicated to alerting Christians around the world to the injustices being suffered by many of their brothers and sisters. It is a kind of web portal, featuring news from a variety of sources around the world, prayer requests, an ever-expanding archive of resource material on persecution and links to a myriad of human rights organizations. It is a powerful illustration of the potential of the internet – a website launched in Taiwan by a South African that is starting to touch churches around the world. He has re-launched his newsletter, and it is being distributed to many countries. Two ministries have asked to republish it on their own websites. He has received offers of assistance from America. Traffic to the site is steadily growing. Says Paul: “I have mostly been following through on faith, trusting in God to bless this ministry and its growth. And He has been faithful. I have been blessed with the abilities to make something like this happen and the Lord has continued to bless me. “My wife has also been incredibly supportive. One of her non-Christian friends, a Buddhist, was so deeply moved by the concern of the members of our church for those who suffer and die that she is slowly being drawn into the body of Christ. “I hope to organize more and more intercessory prayer meetings. I also hope to encourage more advocacy and encourage people to aid and assist those who suffer. One of my dreams is to make the website - at least the newsletter - bi-lingual (Chinese and English). But I will wait on the Lord to provide the translators and in His time. ”In all honesty, this website grew faster than I expected, and this ministry has grown beyond my anticipation. But I am not fearful, for I trust that this is for God and He is giving it direction for His purpose.” April 18th, 2003
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