Great Outdoors Church Service

Would you be willing to worship in the open air in all weathers if the authorities closed down your church?

And would you be prepared to risk arrest every week just for gathering to praise God together?

Those were questions we posed in January’s edition of Release magazine in relation to members of Shouwang Church, one of Beijing’s largest house churches, where worshippers are barred from entering their building and routinely arrested as they hold services outside. The church has been denied registration despite filing an application and going out of its way to seek official recognition.

Now, to show our support for Christians in China, Indonesia and Central Asia who face similar issues we are inviting churches throughout the UK and Ireland to stand in solidarity with their brothers and sisters by holding one of their Sunday meetings outdoors on either May 20 or May 27.

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Azerbaijan may be gearing up to host the Eurovision Song Contest on May 26, and so raise its national profile, but at the same time a court in the country’s capital, Baku, has just ruled to liquidate a church.

To show our support for members of Greater Grace Church we would like to encourage Christians in the UK and Ireland to write to the Azerbaijan embassy in London to express support for the church and disappointment at the judge’s ruling as well as to appeal to the Government to ensure freedom of religion.

The verdict against the church for ‘failing to re-register’ is the first known enforced liquidation of a religious community since Azerbaijan's Religion Law was adopted in 2009. When the ruling comes into force, any religious activity the church or its members engage in will be illegal and subject to heavy punishment. The church, which has had legal registration for 19 years, is to appeal against the decision. The case is the first of its kind to be brought to court under the 2009 legislation, which requires the compulsory re-registration of religious groups. The church contends that its previous registration in 2003 still held good. Observers fear that the court’s verdict sets a precedent for further church closures.

As well as writing to the authorities please pray for churches in Azerbaijan, especially on May 26.

Click here for more info and a sample letter and prayer points.

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