A Christian prisoner in Cuba was asked to sign a statement containing charges against fellow Christians that would lead to their arrest.He said: 'The chain keeps me from signing this.'The Communist officer protested, 'But you are not in chains!''I am,' said the Christian. 'I am bound by the chain of witnesses who throughout the centuries gave their lives for Jesus Christ. I am a link in this chain. I will not break it.'
From Jesus Freaks Volume 1 (available from our eStore)
Will your church, youth or student group join us this Christmas to be links in the chain of witnesses with our brothers and sisters in Christ?
We know that many of our family around the world this Christmas will not be celebrating with pretty paper chains, but will know the harsh reality of being in actual chains because of their faith in Jesus.
For others, although not physically bound, the chains will be just as real because of the lack of freedom to celebrate the birth of their Saviour at Christmas.
Take part in the Christmas Chain initiative, and demonstrate in a practical way that we are prepared to stand with, pray for and remember those in our family whose Christmases will be very different to our own.
You'll need our free Christmas Chain pack which can be downloaded here.
This includes instructions for making the special Christmas paper chains (see below). We also give you stories to share of persecuted brothers and sisters, and information about how the income raised from the initiative will be used.
A printed pack is also available (for a suggested donation of £5), which includes the coloured paper you need to make 72 paper chain links. This can be ordered by calling our Supporter Relations Team on 01689 823491 or by emailing chain@releaseinternational.org
During Advent, the four weeks that run up to Christmas, please encourage your church or fellowship, friends and family to each buy a link in the chain for a gift of £1 each. As each link is purchased, ask the person who has bought the link to add their name alongside the printed name, demonstrating that they too are a link in the chain. Then you can decorate your church, hall, classroom or home with the chains.
You could:
- decorate a Christmas tree in your church with the chains
- hang the chains across the church as they lengthen with each link added
- display the information about the stories included in the pack and use the chains to link them together with pictures of people from your fellowship
All funds raised by Christmas Chains will go towards projects supporting our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world.
The pack also includes plenty of creative ideas for prayer.
Please do take part. Being a link in the Christmas chain will make a real difference to the lives of our persecuted family.
The packs are available to be downloaded here.
If you'd like to be sent a printed pack (suggested donation: £5), which includes coloured paper to make Christmas paper chains, please email chain@releaseinternational.org or call our Supporter Relations Team on 01689 823491.
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