October 9 2000

At an International Christian Human Rights Conference on Saturday, attended by over 800 delegates, a house church leader from China gave a rousing appeal to Christians around the world to support the Chinese church with increased prayer, stating: 'don't pray for the persecution to stop, pray that the church will stand strong in the face of persecution'. Affirming the theme of the conference, "Family Business", he went on to stress the importance to the Chinese church of knowing that Christians around the world were standing in solidarity with them.

The Brother is the first Chinese house church leader to visit western churches. During his passionate address he related how he had spent 12 years in prison and had been able to walk free when God miraculously healed his legs that had been broken in torture enabling him to walk through five sets of prison doors to liberty. The Chinese church's fervent intensity for the gospel to be preached, even at the cost of laying down their lives, was a stirring challenge to the delegates.

Other speakers at the conference, which was co-hosted by Premier Christian Radio and Christian Solidarity Worldwide, included an Egyptian Coptic Bishop who urged western Christians to speak up for persecuted Christians in Egypt. Delegates also heard how Christianity is ruthlessly oppressed in North Korea, with Christians being executed or incarcerated in concentration camps where they are subjected to unimaginable levels of brutality and abuse.

Briton David Mawdsley painted a horrifying picture of prison conditions in Burma, where his son James has been incarcerated for the last year.

Mirroring his son's own concerns, he focused on the plight of the ethnic
minorities and the fear gripping civilians throughout the country.

Delegates were moved to tears by the testimony of three brave American ladies whose missionary husbands were taken hostage by guerillas in Colombia nearly 8 years ago. A poem read out by Dora Tenenoff, whose father Rick was taken, captured their sense of loss alongside the courage provided by their faith. This same faith was the inspiration that sustained former prisoner Francisco Branco through 8 long years in prison in East Timor. He spoke of the comfort and support he had experienced when he received over 500 Christmas cards, many of which
came from CSW supporters.

Other speakers from all over the world, including CSW President, Baroness Cox, shared stories of courage and inspiration in Sudan, Nepal, Nigeria, Indonesia, Russia, Nagorno Karabakh, Vietnam and beyond.