Gratitude That Crosses Borders
We all invest in caring for our family, but how are we doing at caring for the global church of Jesus Christ?
Gratitude is often easiest to express when life is peaceful, when our needs are met, and we can worship freely. Yet, true gratitude, the kind that crosses borders, goes beyond comfort. It looks outward, remembering those who serve, suffer, and persevere for the sake of Christ.
We live in a world that constantly pulls us inward, encouraging us to focus on ourselves and our families. Caring for our loved ones is good, but God invites us to look further—to see and remember our brothers and sisters around the world who are living out their faith under persecution. Many are imprisoned unjustly, others face rejection, threats, or violence simply because they confess the name of Jesus.
A few months ago, I attended our church council’s convention in Utah, where representatives from over 104 countries gathered. It was both a joy and a heartbreak. The joy of hearing how God’s Word continues to spread to the nations, and the heartbreak of listening to stories from those who live under constant danger.
Some missionaries could only join us through video messages because attending in person would have put their lives at risk. Others spoke about co-workers who were killed, and some shared with trembling voices the fear that comes with preaching Christ in hostile regions.
They didn’t ask only for financial help. They pleaded for prayer, for trained and willing workers, and for churches to awaken from comfort. They reminded us that the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 is not a suggestion, but a command: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…”
My husband serves as the Director of Missions in Canada within our church council. Having the opportunity to walk closely with so many missionaries has deepened our understanding of what it means to live with gratitude and faith amid opposition. Even here in Canada, there are places where the Christian faith is increasingly challenged.
We have seen the struggles of those who are planting new churches and facing resistance as they preach the name of Jesus. We pray continually for them—for those opening new fields and for those already laboring amid adversity—that the Lord would give them strength, wisdom, and favor.
Gratitude Rooted in Christ
Yet through every hardship, these men and women of faith remain thankful. Their gratitude is not tied to circumstance but rooted in Christ Himself, and so they say with Paul, in Acts 20:24, “But none of these things move me, nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy…”
The Gospel continues to move forward because of believers who have chosen gratitude over fear, obedience over comfort. In places like North Korea, Afghanistan, Somalia, Nigeria, and Pakistan, confessing Jesus can lead to imprisonment or death.
According to Open Doors International, more than 360 million Christians face severe persecution each year. Still, many gather in secret, singing softly and thanking God for His presence, even in the dark.
What Can We Do?
Meanwhile, those of us who enjoy freedom of worship must not forget them. Gratitude that crosses borders means more than saying “thank you.” It means interceding for others, supporting mission work, and being a voice for those who cannot speak.
We must give thanks for the brave believers who have carried the Gospel throughout the years, and for those who still do so today. Let us be grateful for those who, despite persecution, have not allowed their circumstances to silence their worship or their joy in the Lord. As 1 Corinthians 12:26 says, “If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it.”
True gratitude crosses borders. It connects us as one body, one mission, and one hope in Christ. May the Holy Spirit awaken in us a thankful heart that acts—that prays, gives, and remembers—because when one part of the Body suffers, we all suffer together, and when one rejoices, we all share in that joy.
