FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Shannon Mischuk
shannon@grafmartin.com
(519) 502-7163
360+ Million Christians are Persecuted for their Faith
International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is November 6, 2022
WATERLOO, ON – September 29, 2022 — In a global prayer event this November 6th, Christians will join together from all over the world to pray for believers who are persecuted for their faith. International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) is an annual movement that brings Christians and churches together in prayer for their brothers and sisters living where faith costs the most.
This year’s IDOP theme is Not Abandoned, inspired by 2 Corinthians 4:9, “persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” On November 6th, Canadians are encouraged to pray for countries like Afghanistan and Nigeria where simply practicing one’s faith can lead to beatings, loss of livelihood, arrest or even death.
Open Doors Canada has developed resources to equip Canadians to pray for those facing a deep cost of following Jesus. Resources include country information cards with specific prayer points and church service materials. Download the International Day of Prayer kit here.
On the evening of November 6th, Open Doors Canada, along with other IDOP Canada partners, will host a special online prayer event where Canadians across the country will join together in prayer. The stream will be available on Open Doors Canada’s YouTube channel. Anyone can tune in at 7 pm ET on November 6, 2022.
Rev. Gary Stagg, Executive Director of Open Doors Canada shares, “Our persecuted brothers and sisters are being remembered and interceded for by Canadians everywhere from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland. On IDOP Sunday, we are able to lift up the needs of the persecuted Church. While they may be isolated, they are not alone.”
For more information about Open Doors Canada’s special online prayer event, click here.
Interviews with Open Doors Canada’s Executive Director, Rev. Gary Stagg, are available. Contact Shannon Mischuk, at shannon@grafmartin.com or (519) 502-7163.
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About Open Doors Canada
Open Doors Open Doors Canada is affiliated with Open Doors International, a global ministry which has supported and strengthened persecuted Christians in over 60 countries for over 60 years. ODI raised approximately US $70 million last year to provide practical support to persecuted Christians such as food, medicines, trauma care, legal assistance, safe houses and schools, as well as spiritual support through Christian literature, training and resources. For more information visit opendoorscanada.org.
About Rev. Gary Stagg
For more than thirty years, Gary Stagg has been involved in full-time ministry with an emphasis on the revitalization of Christian communities and the establishment of systems for assimilation and discipleship. Gary studied education and theology and has used that training to structure his passion for helping people stand firm in their faith and embrace a missional lifestyle.