Churches across the UK and Ireland are being urged to leave the comfort of their church buildings and hold an outdoor service this Sunday as a gesture of solidarity with those Christians around the world who are forced to hold services outside.
This year will be the sixth that the Great Outdoors Church Service, promoted by persecuted church support organisation Release International, is being held and while 21st May is the officially designated day for the service, churches are encouraged to schedule the event for another day if the date doesn’t suit.
Paul Robinson, chief executive of Release, says the event is a “simple but powerful way” for churches to show their solidarity with the persecuted church and, at the same time, witness to their own communities.
“Many Christians in places such as Nigeria, Indonesia and China have no other option but to worship in the open air, whatever the weather,” he said. “These are Christians like us – except for one major difference. Their churches have been bulldozed by the state or burnt down by militants. They have been barred from their buildings or refused permission to have a church of their own.
“We could so easily be in their shoes. So this Sunday, or any Sunday you choose, we can do just that. We can stand in solidarity with our persecuted brothers and sisters around the globe. Come rain or shine, they remain faithful. Let’s stand with them.”
A resource pack for churches, including stories and messages from persecuted Christians, prayers and sermon notes, is available at www.lovekillshate.org.
