Refugee Crisis: The Persecution of Christians

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The New York Times Magazine recently published a powerful story, “Is this the end of Christianity in the Middle East?,” describing in sometimes horrific detail how extremist movements like ISIS are uprooting, enslaving and killing remaining Christians in the region. The Times article went on to share just a few of the heartbreaking and brutal stories that have become all too commonplace. I encourage you to read the full story. Some of the refugees the Times interviewed are now refugees in Lebanon, which is serving as a primary pipeline for Christians who are fleeing for their lives.

Dan Bracken has been on our staff team for nine years. I like to call him our “Chief Storyteller.” Dan has courageously traveled with me to dangerous hotspots like Darfur, Sudan to capture and bring back the stories of the oppressed and the lost – the stories that help those of us in our sometimes too comfortable American Christian cocoons to understand what breaks God’s heart. Now, Dan is about to make another dangerous trip to bring back the story again – this time to Beirut, Lebanon. Dan is a committed young husband and dad of toddler twins. When I asked Dan if he would make this journey, which should give anyone pause, he did not hesitate to accept. I had to ask Dan why he was willing to go. Here was Dan’s response.

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Ginghamsburg has forever changed the way I celebrate Christmas. I grew up very accustomed to a “sterile” and “sanitized” version of the Christmas story. Angels and presents and sweet baby Jesus. Ginghamsburg Christmas Eve in 2006 was my first experience of Jesus the refugee. Wait a minute… Jesus was a toddler in Africa, trying to escape genocide?   Then, came the line: “Christmas is not your birthday. It’s Jesus’ birthday!” The challenge was, whatever we spend on our family, to bring an equal amount to help refugees of war in Sudan, Africa. Since that Christmas, I have seen miracles like I’ve never seen before. I am convinced that Christmastime is the best time of year to remind Christians why they exist.

I have to admit…the refugee crisis in the Middle East and Europe didn’t grab my heart. It felt distant. I didn’t want the burden of compassion. But one day, similarly to many Americans, I came across a photo that was circulating on Facebook. A young Syrian toddler had failed to survive his journey of escape and was found face down in the sand on a beach in Europe. It was my first window into what was really happening. But, in what perhaps was a moment of twisted providence, the boy looked like my son. My son was lying face down, lifeless on the beach. Jesus the refugee toddler was lying facedown, lifeless on the beach.

Jesus the refugee toddler was lying facedown, lifeless on the beach.

In my humble opinion, it’s time for the rest of the denomination to get on board with this “Christmas is not your birthday” thing.

I’ll be traveling to Beirut, Lebanon from October 24-31. I will be working with a Lebanese film crew to capture stories of Muslim and Christian refugees from Syria and Iraq. Upon my return, The General Board of Global Missions, United Methodist Publishing, United Methodist Communications and Ginghamsburg Church are initiating a joint-effort Christmas campaign to address the general migration crisis, as it exists around the world. In a few short weeks, video resources and photos will be available to share with churches across the country. With thousands of churches participating this Christmas, we could easily raise millions of dollars to come alongside refugees in need.

In Pastor Mike’s words, “Christmas has become a hedonistic feast of materialistic gluttony.” We will fight to keep Christ alive this Christmas…but not in the war of “happy holidays.”  Rather, by literally protecting the life of Jesus, the little toddler refugee boy.

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Please join me in praying for God’s protection and provision for Dan and his young family back at home during his journey.

How will you join United Methodists and other Jesus’ followers in serving our Christian refugee sisters and brothers - as well as all God’s refugee children - this Christmas?

For tools and ideas on being part of a miracle, refer to A Different Kind of Christmas resources from Abingdon Press. The Advance number that can be used for your Christmas Miracle Offering is #3022144.

The Rev. Mike Slaughter serves as senior pastor of Ginghamsburg United Methodist Church in Tipp City, Ohio. This post is reprinted with permission from his blog, MikeSlaughter.com.