Accelerating International Mission Strategies
Statement of Beliefs

Freedom and Persecution:

It is the God-appointed duty of every government to secure conditions of peace, justice and liberty in which the Church may obey God, serve the Lord Jesus Christ, and preach the gospel without interference. We therefore pray for the leaders of nations and call upon them to guarantee freedom of thought and conscience, and freedom to practise and propagate religion in accordance with the will of God and as set forth in The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We also express our deep concern for all who have been unjustly imprisoned, and especially for those who are suffering for their testimony to the Lord Jesus. We promise to pray and work for their freedom. At the same time we refuse to be intimidated by their fate. God helping us, we too will seek to stand against injustice and to remain faithful to the gospel, whatever the cost. We do not forget the warnings of Jesus that persecution is inevitable.

Scripture References: I Timothy 1:1-4, Acts 4:19; Acts 5:29; Colossians 3:24; Hebrews 13:1-3; Luke 4:18; Galatians 5:11; Galatians 6:12; Matthew 5:10-12; John 15:18-21