As these events are continuing to occur and escalate throughout the world, we are witnessing continuing results from the persecution of the Church. Christians are fleeing Libya for safety of their lives, across the Mediterranean to the shores of Europe. Refugees are escaping the persecution and acts of terrorism. When a refugee ship capsized mid-route, reports are stating that it “could be the deadliest refugee disaster with more than 900 feared dead.” According to ABC, “35,000 refugees have arrived in Europe.” As these refugees are arriving to the shores of Europe, the Church is there, receiving them with open arms and compassion. In a CBN interview, Pastor Leonardo De Chirico of the Italian Evangelical Alliance, shares his perspective of what is taking place. “They are all traumatized people. They have crossed the Sahara Desert, the Libyan shores. All the women practically, are abused sexually, and also the men are exploited with slavery. So they are traumatized, away from homes, away from families. Not knowing what will happen”. As Pastor De Chirico shares how the church is responding, he stated,”there is a growing movement of churches and agencies, missionary organizations working together to respond to the challenge because the government alone is not capable of dealing with the massive that we all face.” In the midst of continual hardship of difficulties, it is profound to see the church responding with love of the Gospel, or as Pastor De Chirico states, “in everything we do, we try to show the face of Christ”. Hear the full stories of what is taking place, how you can pray, how we can respond, and so much more. Also shared in this segment: persecution, Armenia, ISIS, love, forgiveness, salvation, repentance, forgiveness, ABC News, Libya, European Union, refugees, disaster, crisis, Ottoman Empire, Anatolia, Armenian Genocide, Death March, Concentration Camps, Mehmet Celal Bay, Italy, the love of Christ, and service. Greg and John shared in this segment.
