Pray for Successful Bible Balloon Launches

The Voice of the Martyrs 28 November 2013 1 minute read

Almost 48,000 Korean New Testaments
have been launched via balloons.

In the late hours of October 23rd, the staff of a VOM partner organization gathered to launch Bibles into North Korea via balloons. The launch party prepared packages containing lightweight Korean New Testaments, attached them to hydrogen-filled balloons, and released a total of 3,600 into the air. After the overnight launch, the group was just 675 short of their goal of sending 48,000 into a country where the Bible is forbidden.

The only acceptable religion in North Korea is Juche, or "Kim Il-Sung-ism," the cult of the deceased leader. All other religions are harshly repressed. Hundreds of thousands of Christians have died because of severe persecution, and up to 35,000 are currently facing deplorable conditions in the country's prisons or work camps. The exact number of Christians is unknown, though estimated by most reliable sources to be around 100,000.

Pray that the Scriptures launched into North Korea will fall on "good soil" and yield a fruitful harvest (Luke 8:8). Ask God to richly bless those sharing the Gospel in North Korea with endurance and wisdom. May those suffering unspeakable hardships in the prison camps remain steadfast in their faith, trusting that the Lord is working out His greater plans (Romans 8:28).

Please visit the North Korea Country Report to learn more about North Korea's persecuted church.

North Korea

Current Ministry Project
VOMC assists in the education and training of North Korean Christians to enable them to reach fellow North Koreans with the Gospel wherever they are found. VOMC also works with proven ministry partners who are broadcasting quality radio programs to equip and encourage believers of the North Korean underground church.

Project Fund: Underground Church
Country Information
Population
26,072,217 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Racially homogeneous; there is a small Chinese community and a few ethnic Japanese

Religion (%)
Juche (99) Christian (1)

Leader
Kim Jong-Un (2011)

Government type
Dictatorship, single-party state

Legal system
Based on Prussian civil law system with Japanese traditions and Communist legal theory

Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for North Korea
Pray for the safety of the country's refugees – including those who are hiding in various parts of China, as they are frequently being hunted by Chinese and North Korean agents. Ask the Lord to also protect and strengthen believers faithfully serving within North Korea, granting them wisdom as they seek ways to effectively communicate the hope of the Gospel so the church can continue to grow. And like the Apostle Paul, may the country's primary political leader, Kim Jong Un, experience a profound life-changing encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ who is longing to extend love, mercy and forgiveness toward him (Acts 9).