Story number 1 for 18 Feb 2003

(North Korea)–Topping the news, the United Nations says North Korea is in breach of nuclear accords. Imposed sanctions are the next step, pushed by the United States, but North Korea calls it a declaration of war. With anti-American sentiment rising, those associated with the West and Christianity suffer. While not new, Open Doors’ founder, Brother Andrew says it could worsen for believers. “I would say most of them are in prison camps, tens of thousands of Christians. Those we cannot reach, but we know of them, and regularly, Open Doors teams go there to gather information and to let them know we are praying and asking, ‘what can we do for you?’ in very concrete terms.” Brother Andrew urges prayer for the church’s freedom in North Korea. “Just enough liberty of conscience and in speech and maybe Christian education, Christian family. We don’t need permission to build big churches and Christian radio, TV stations, I mean, that’s way beyond what we should ask for…but [pray] that the church can function.”