Contend for the Faith

Introduction and background

Keeping abreast with international news especially relating to Christianity, I have been burdened with what Jesus’ church is facing.

For example,

1. Laws developed in many countries legalizing sins: homosexual laws which in many instances makes it illegal to speak against the practice is an example.

2. Lax in interpreting the Word of God and redefining godliness. For example, transgender is growing in popularity against the Word declaring that God made male and female.

3. Low level of conformity to the church and the Word. The church no longer seems to be a force to reckon with in society so that persons have drifted away.

4. Lack of grit to stand up for the teachings of the Bible. Most of us as Christians are silent and still in the middle of ungodliness. For example, many of us are silent as the lyric of music continue to become rude and crude.

5. legal pressure on Christians. Christians are being prosecuted and persecuted around the world. Open Doors, for example, publish an annual report identifying the most 50 dangerous countries for Christians to live.

The Challenge

Then Jude 1:3 “3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”

1. Urgent call. Jude at first intended to write to his audience about their “common salvation” but changed his intention because he had an urgent condition—condition of compulsion—for the need to encourage the defense of the gospel.

2. Urging – Jude pleaded to his readers to get into action: to move from dormancy to activism.

3. Contend – defend, fight, battle for the faith. Jude wanted the Christians to protect the gospel even if they had to struggle.

4. faith – original and ancient; final and authoritative.

Since 2018 or before I have been convinced that I need to be more proactive in informing and challenging Christians to pray and participate more. Since then, every year, I have started different websites to address the issues, but they fell by the way.

The burden has never left me, I believe it is a burden God has placed on my heart. So, after constant prayer and planning, I have made the decision to get going, however, simple and small.

Hence Faith Contenders’ Alert (Faconal) with the aim/goals:

1.To inform Christians about what is happening worldwide with Christians.

2.To generate dialogue on issues of Christian concern

3.To challenge religions, theologies, philosophies, ideologies, laws, and practices that are contrary to the Christian faith through dialogue.

4.To stimulate Christians into appropriate actions in contending for the faith

5.To lobby local, national, and international structures to protect, relieve, and embrace Christians in whatever form best for those institutions.

6.To support Christians under pressure

Therefore, we are inviting you to partner with this ministry. Partnering with us involves:

1. Praying – for the ministry and Christians in difficult situations

2. Providing information – if you know of Christians going through difficult situations because of their Christian testimony.

3. Promoting the work of this ministry – for others to know what is happening to those who bear the mark of Jesus Christ.

4. Participating in Faconal activities

5. Providing financial help.

6. Preparing to be more deeply involve.

Michael Bunsie