What is the heartbeat of Valentine's Day?

Family!  
Valentine's Day was started because a Christian, Valentinus, was willing to suffer persecution for the family of God.
Use this Valentine's day to continue the heart of Valentinus and show love to your family in Christ who is suffering persecution for His name's sake. 

​​​Featured Resources:
DVDs
Books
Ministries that Serve the Persecuted Church
The Persecuted Church Game
Additional Activities
Other Resources on Christian Suffering
​
Other Resources on Biblical Love
(Last Update: 2/9/18)

DVDs
THe first Valentine
Watch a drama of Valentinus' love for his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ; this short film will inspire people today to continue the heart of Valentinus.
Torchlighters 
Torchlighters
  • 30 minute children cartoons on over 15 heroes of faith (Perpetua, Martin Luther, William Booth, Amy Carmichael, etc.)
  • Documentaries sharing more about their life.
  • Teacher and Student Guides.
  • Class Activities.
Other Christian Heroes
Polycarp and Lady Jane Grey - Dramas depicting these Christians' faith as they stand for Christ.
Nikolai - Will this school boy in the former Soviet Union compromise in his faith or his future?
The Printing - A drama of a secret Bible printing operation in the former Soviet Union.
God's Outlaw - Follow the life of the man who gave us the English translation of the Bible.
When Things Seem Impossible - Trusting Christ amidst capture by war guerrillas in Colombia.
Wurmbrand Sermon Series - Hear Pastor Wurmbrand personally share lessons he learned from the Lord during his journey of suffering.

Books
FOXE: Voice of the Martyrs 
FOXE: Voices of the Martyrs (second edition) by John Foxe and the Voice of the Martyrs - True stories about Christian martyrs from all over the world and in every major time period in Christendom (early Church, middle ages, reformation, enlightenment, the age of reason, industrial revolution, twentieth century, and today).
TORTURED For Christ
Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand (Founder of The Voice of the Martyrs and International Christian Response) - Contains Pastor Wurmbrand's personal testimony of the horrors experienced during captivity for his Christian faith in Communist Romania. It shares his faithfulness during times of beatings, solitary confinement, and extreme suffering for Christ and how the Lord used his sufferings to bring hope to Christians around the world.
Heirloom LOve: Authentic Christianity 
Heirloom Love: Authentic Christianity by Dominic Sputo - Getting back to the way the early Church showed love to the persecuted family of God.​
God's Smuggler
God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew (Founder of Open Doors). - This book recounts the exciting life of Brother Andrew as he smuggles Bibles into closed nations. ​
Documents of the Christian Church
Documents of the Christian Church (third edition) by H. Bettenson and C. Mauder. - These documents help to know the thoughts and beliefs of Christians in the early church; and also know the first hand perspective of those that were not Christians but were affected by the Christian influence in their culture. Later documents of church history are also included. ​​

Ministries that Serve the Persecuted Church.

International Christian Response 
International Christian Response
Open Doors
Open Doors 
  • Founded by Brother Andrew.
  • 2019 World Watch List - Reports on the top 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. Information on each of the featured counties includes ratings on the different types of persecution, fact sheets, specific stories, prayer points, photos, videos, bulletin inserts, and descriptions of where the persecution is coming from and how believers are suffering. 
  • Volunteer - Serve by being a PRAYER PARTNER, CONNECTOR in your church/community, INFLUENCER through social media, or an ADVOCATE through petitions, phone calls, etc. 
  • Pray - Prayer app, prayer wall to write prayers for persecuted Christians, monthly prayer calendar, etc.
  • Read stories, letter writing, discussion guides and interactive study for youth groups or small groups, advocacy activities, magazine, and videos/testimonies.
  • Send a letter to persecuted Christians specifically for Valentine's Day - Instructions and Template.
The Voice of the Martyrs
The Voice of the Martyrs
  • ​Founded by Richard Wurmbrand.
  • STORE
  • Newsletter
  • Stories and Prayer Requests
  • VOM Radio - Encouraging stories of faithful Christian brothers and sisters around the world; many listening platforms available like the Podcast App for Iphone.​
  • Tortured for Christ Movie - Watch the stirring story of Pastor Wurmbrand. See the persecution that he suffered but his continuing faith and love for his enemies. BUY MOVIE
I Commit to Pray
  • iCommitToPray - True stories and prayer requests.
  • Pray Today App - Daily prayer requests posted for Christians around the world, information on featured countries, Extreme Devotion entries, listen to VOM Radio, and more!
  • Other prayer resources found through the VOM Store.​
International Day of PRayer for the persecuted church
  • International Day of Prayer Resources (Short video clip, 10 ways to pray handout, Power Point presentation, etc.)
  • Past Videos - YouTube (My favorites are Liena, Sarah, Hannelie, and Victoria)
  • CAUTION FOR YOUNG CHILDREN: Due to the seriousness and realism of the persecution presented, some of these videos may not be suitable for young children. Parents, please watch first and show accordingly.
Other Conferences, programs, and Resources from VOM
  • ​Advance Conferences - A day of inspiration and fellowship as you hear personal testimonies of how God's kingdom is advancing amidst persecution.
  • ​Exile Night - Learn how to identify with and support displaced Christians. Free leader and student guides, free promotional material, downloadable videos, letter writing instructions, etc.
  • Family Med Pack - Fill a Family Med Pack to specifically help Christians who are being driven from their home by Islamic Extremists. 
  • I-am-N - Discover what life is like for Christians who have been persecuted by Islamic extremist and have been branded as a "Nazarene" follower. Materials available include a book, devotional, curriculum, participant's guide, and CD.
  • ​Prisoner Alert - Write to Christians imprisoned for their faith and encourage them and their family that they do not stand alone.
  • Kids of Courage - Teaching children about the Persecuted Church. 
  • Day of the Christian Martyr (June 29th) - According to Christian tradition, June 29th marks the anniversary of the death of the Apostle Paul. The VOM has provided free resources to help your church remember those past and present who have suffered for their Christian faith as you commemorate this day.
International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church - Normally the IDOP is the first Sunday in November. Visit these ministries' websites closer to the time of the IDOP and they will probably have new videos and materials for you to share about this day.

The Persecuted Church Game

Purpose:
  1. Gain a BROADER UNDERSTANDING of what other believers around the world endure for the name of Christ through SMASH and SQUEEZE persecution and how we can PRAY for them.
  2. REFLECT on how we are seeing the same type of persecution here in America and how we can have our hearts READY to suffer for the name of Christ.
  3. Remind us to be FAITHFUL unto the end.
​Due to the subject matter of this game, it is best to have an adult or older sibling play with children.
Gather:
  • Player pieces for each player like coins.​
  • Dice or Spinner
  • Timer---The timer represents our life here on earth. We don’t know how long we have until Jesus returns so we must be faithful until the end.
  • ​Map of the world or specific map of persecuted areas. When reading the SMASH or SQUEEZE cards, use your map to see where that country is and notice how that country is categorized on the persecution scale. ​Below are three different persecution maps:
Goal:
For every person to endure to the end and reach the ETERNITY WITH GOD space.

​The point of this game is to teach endurance in the Christian faith, even though there are difficulties along the way. So if anyone quits during the game, due to a bad attitude, they do not get an IMPERISHABLE CROWN card because they did not endure to the end. The order of arrival to the ETERNITY WITH GOD space does not matter; everyone is a winner in this game as long as they endure to the end.

The ETERNITY WITH GOD space is yellow and bright to remind us that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5) and to remind us that in the new heaven, where all believers will spend eternity with God, there will be a street that is made of gold (Revelation 21:21).
Game Board and Cards:
  • Best printed on card stock with each category being printed on a different color; you can also write the category on the back of each card. 
  • SMASH and SQUEEZE cards were inspired by true stories of courageous Christians. Go to the "Ministries ..." section above to read more about our family in Christ. Blank cards are included in most of the files to the right if you want to write your own cards.
Game Board
File Size: 363 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Instructions and Smash Cards
File Size: 305 kb
File Type: pdf
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blessing_cards.pdf
File Size: 299 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
crowns_cards.pdf
File Size: 270 kb
File Type: pdf
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solution_cards.pdf
File Size: 268 kb
File Type: pdf
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squeeze_cards.pdf
File Size: 378 kb
File Type: pdf
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Instructions​    (Instruction Card included with the Smash Cards above)
  1. Set the timer for however long you want to play.
  2.  Everyone starts on BORN AGAIN because this is a game about being a part of God’s family and how we can support our family in Christ who are being persecuted.
  3.  Whenever you land on a SMASH, SQUEEZE, or BLESSING spot, draw a card, read it out loud, and follow those instructions. Unless otherwise stated, cards are returned to their specific piles.
  4.  End of Game: once everyone has reached the ETERNITY WITH GOD space. When each person reaches this spot, give them an IMPERISHABLE CROWN card (they could also receive a pretend crown), award additional CROWN cards if indicated on their BLESSING cards, and each person should re-acknowledge the BLESSING cards that they are still holding onto since they are now receiving their eternal blessings. The person who is the last to enter the ETERNITY WITH GOD space could also receive the CROWN OF GLORY card for being faithful until the end.  

Additional Activities

​PRAY for the people who experienced these real SMASH and SQUEEZE situations. Pray for believers around the world, here in America, and for your own family and Christians friends who might be (or most likely will) suffer persecution for Christ.
  • PrayerShorts - Videos and prayers concerning certain countries (Oman, Yemen, Israel, etc.)
  • ​View the file to the right for suggested prayers based on Scripture. ​
scripture_prayers.pdf
File Size: 271 kb
File Type: pdf
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  • Create a prayer chain. The red links represent the love for our family in Christ and that we are united through Christ's blood. The white links represent that we are clean/forgiven family members in Christ. Write different countries or names on each white slip. You can change out the while slips from time to time. Your prayer group could hold this chain while they are praying to remember the specific countries/names of fellow believers.
10 Ways to Pray for the Persecuted Church from the Voice of the Martyrs
  1. Sense God’s presence (Heb. 13:5)
  2. Know the greater body of Christ is praying for them (2 Tim. 1:3)
  3. Experience God’s comfort when persecuted (2 Thess. 2:16–17)
  4. See God open doors to evangelism (Col. 4:3)
  5. Boldly share the gospel (Acts 4:29)
  6. Forgive and love their persecutors (Matt. 5:44)
  7. Be granted wisdom in covert ministry work (Acts 9:23–25)
  8. Remain joyful amid suffering (Acts 5:41)
  9. Mature in their faith (Col. 1:28–29)
  10. Be rooted in God’s Word (2 Tim. 3:16–17)
 Click to download inserts with these 10 prayer points. 
  • Other prayer resources listed underneath each ministry listed above under the section "Ministries ..." and the section below, "Other Resources - 'Current Updates ...'".

​STUDY CHARACTER QUALITIES that Christians did/should exhibit during persecution so that when you face persecution you will have your “character muscles” prepared. ​
​MEDITATE ON and MEMORIZE verses to prepare yourself for persecution and to use when you are in the midst of persecution.  In many countries, where it is illegal to own a Bible or a believer's Bible has been confiscated, the only access to God's Word is the the memorized Word. So prepare yourself with God's Word; no one can ever take the memorized Word from your heart, even it they take it away from your hands. ​​
​See file below for suggested verses.
encouragement_verses.pdf
File Size: 120 kb
File Type: pdf
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Picture
Above: Heart craft with the Encouragement Verses. You can also put a magnet on the back of the heart.

​SEND an encouraging Valentine to someone you know who is suffering persecution for the name of Christ (an elected official standing for Biblical principles, friend, Pastor, student in school, someone in another country, etc.)
​
  • CREATURE Valentine - Purchase Creature Cards (<-- click the blue words to order the cards) from Answers in Genesis and then print out the file below that contains encouraging comments relating to the animal and that person's stand for the Lord, or write your own personal message to put in a note card.
Creature Cards and Encouragment.pdf
File Size: 189 kb
File Type: pdf
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  • HAND WARMER Valentine - Create a card using the template below; include hand warmers and encouragement/verse for a unique encouraging message.
hand_warmer_encouragements.pdf
File Size: 179 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
  • REVILING Valentine-Send this card to someone who is getting reviled for the name of Christ. On the inside you can write the name and glue a picture of the person doing the reviling as a reminder to the other person to pray for that person who is persecuting them like it says in Matthew 5:44.
Front Verse: "If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you."
1 Peter 4:14
Inside Verse: "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5:44
  • BOOKMARKS - Bookmark features the verse Romans 8:28 and explains the verse to help a Christian who is struggling with seeing God's good purpose in suffering. A whole can be punched in the top, with a ribbon tied through for decoration.
 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Rom 8:28
rom_8.28_bookmarks.pdf
File Size: 357 kb
File Type: pdf
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Other Resources on Christian Suffering

Teaching Lesson
The Greatest Valentine by CEF - Story for children about Valentinus. Includes lesson text, visuals, valentine-themed games, activities, a foldable memory verse object lesson, and optional resources to encourage children to pray for the persecuted church.

Current updates for Christians suffering persecution:
International: America: ​
Why do Believers Suffer Persecution and How Can We Prepare?
Other Articles

Other Resources on Biblical Love.
Books, Ministries, and Movie

Girl Defined: God's Radical Design for Beauty, Femininity, and Identity
Girl Defined by Kristin Clark and Bethany Baird. Read description...
It's not that complicated: How to Relate to Guys in a Healthy, Sane, and Biblical Way
It's Not That Complicated by Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin. Read description...
Same-Sex Marriage: A Thoughtful Approach to God's Design for Marriage
Same-Sex Marriage: A Thoughtful Approach to God's Design for Marriage by John Stonestreet and Sean McDowell.
​How can Christians articulate God's design for marriage in this confused culture? Read complete description …​
The FOur loves by C. S. Lewis
The Four Loves by C. S. Lewis - Understand the meaning of the four types of love (affection, friendship, romantic, and agape-the love of God) to help you love one another, and deepen your love for God.
His Princess: Love letters from Your king
His Princess: Love Letters from Your King by Sheri Rose Shepherd -Notes personalized to you from Scripture that help you to see how valued you are in the King's eyes. Other books available in the "His Princess" series.
Elisabeth Elliot
The following books and booklet are by Elisabeth Elliot on the topics of love, womanhood, manhood, and God's love. 
Click here to read descriptions of the 5 book titles below.
Indescribable - movie
Indescribable - See different facets of the love of God through this drama that shares the history behind the hymn "The Love of God." This stirring drama is a creative teaching what it means to love God with your heart, soul, mind, and strength and draws you closer into his love, especially during times of pain and suffering.
Theo: God's LOve - Children's Movie
Theo: God's Love
  • Lesson 1 - Saving Faith
  • Lesson 2 - Loving Obedience
  • Lesson 3 - Forgiveness
  • Bonus lesson - The Good News
  • Parent Guide
15 CHARACTERISTICS of God's love - Chart
1 Corinthians 13 Pamphlet Rose Publishing - From 1 Corinthians 13; see characteristic, definition, and cross-references.
Valentines
  • Print these Valentines on card stock to give out at school, church, work, or to your family and friends.
  • Decorate, attach candy, or write a personal message like "God loves you and so do I" or "Thank you for blessing me with your love" on the back.
  • Consider giving a TRACT with your Valentine.
Valentine Template with Verses
File Size: 111 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Verses Only
File Size: 106 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Most of these resources were shared at our Valentine's Workshop.
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