Voice.

If the layout of this email looks wrong we recommend that you View this email in your browser   Release International is committed to bringing the voice of our persecuted Christian family to churches and supporters across the regions of the UK. We have a dedicated team of regional Engagement Managers who regularly visit churches, attend Christian conferences and organise local events. Allister du Plessis is Release International's Engagement Manager for Central England & Wales.

ALLISTER'S NEWS | MARCH 2025 Dear All 'Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial.'   James 1:12 When we think of blessings, we tend to think of the good things we’re given now. It might be our family, friends, a relationship, a recovery, a financial gift – or just a feeling of everything working out and falling into place. And conversely, when we experience pain, suffering, loss, illness, poverty, persecution and challenging times it doesn’t feel at all like blessing.  Jesus’ beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) list several types of people who are blessed. And these aren’t the kinds of blessings we would expect. It’s the people who are humble, under trial, and facing persecution who are called blessed, not the successful, famous and rich.  These blessings aren’t about material things. They’re about us and God. ‘You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule’ (Matthew 5:3 MSG); ‘You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.’ (5:10 NIV) We are blessed, even when we least feel it, because we have God close to us. Previously:   It was a real pleasure to visit churches across north and central England during 2024 to share the voice of persecuted Christians. A particular highlight was the opportunity to take our partner from Nigeria, Mark Lipdo, and our partner from Eritrea, Dr Berhane, to speak in several churches, including St Peter’s Halliwell and Mowbray Community Church in Harrogate. Hearing the first-person testimonies of our persecuted Christian family always makes a powerful impact. If you haven’t already read Dr Berhane’s autobiography, Brother I have come to arrest you, I would warmly commend it to you.   Coming Up:   After four years of touring the stunning play If Prison Walls Could Speak in venues all across the UK, we are excited to be partnering with Artless Theatre Company for one final show on Thursday, May 22 at Kensington Temple in London. If you haven’t seen the play before and are able to make the journey to London, you won’t want to miss out. Petr Jasek, whose story of imprisonment in Sudan inspired the production, will also be attending the finale and will share some of his thoughts afterwards. I will be attending various conferences and exhibitions in 2025 including both the Elim Leaders’ conference and the Baptist Leaders’ conference in May. And from July 30 till August 4, 2025, I hope to be at New Wine United 25. If you will be at any of these events, please do come and say hello at our stand. Our theme this year is supporting the families of Christian martyrs. If you would like to update your church on the work of Release International, you might want to consider showing our new Who We Are video which was filmed in Egypt last year. This gives a great overview of our calling and purpose in just a few minutes. I would also be delighted to visit your church to share more about our work, so please do get in touch if you think that would be helpful. My confirmed speaking engagements for the next period are listed below: Sun 06 Apr - Wesley Hall and Goldenhill Gate Methodist churches, Stoke on Trent Sun 11 May - Almondsbury Church  Sun 18 May - St Martin’s Church, Walsall  Pray: Give thanks for the faith and example of so many of our persecuted brothers and sisters who are a constant source of inspiration for us. Give thanks for the finale performance of If Prison Walls Could Speak which will take place at Kensington Temple in London. Pray for lots of good connections at the various events where I will be exhibiting over the next few months. Pray for the situation in India where Christians are facing increased persecution and restrictions. As always, thank you so much for your ongoing prayers and support. Allister du Plessis Engagement Manager, Central England & Wales