The Birth of Compassionate Hope

Compassionate Hope’s work with the persecuted church was birthed over forty years ago when Al and Susan Henson began to serve refugees through their church in Antioch, TN. Several years later, Al Henson started traveling to Southeast Asia to serve, make disciples, and help train the next generation of Christian leaders.

Early one morning, Al and several national Christian leaders drove across the border of a country where Christians faced being exiled, imprisoned, or even killed. They traveled rural back roads to a remote mountain village for a secret discipleship training with spiritually hungry believers. They crowded into a small block house tucked away in the jungle, where they were welcomed with big smiles.

Sitting on the floor, Al was humbled by how these believers worshiped God and hung onto every word as he taught. Many had tears streaming down their faces. He whispered, “God, they should be teaching me.”

He stopped and asked how many had been imprisoned for their faith. He was shocked as nearly 80 percent raised their hands. They smiled as if their imprisonment were a badge of honor they wore proudly. Al sat there amazed for what seemed like hours, not teaching but listening and learning. With each gripping story of courageous faith in the face of chains and threats of persecution, he grew more convicted.

As they drove away, Al’s heart and mind were still stirred. He kept asking questions as they wound their way down the curvy mountain road, until one national leader spoke up. Pointing, he said, “Just over that ridge is one of the prison camps where some of our brothers are being unjustly held.”

Al knew it was crazy, but he asked if there was any way to catch a glimpse of the camp from a safe distance. Looking at each other and assessing the risk, the leaders nodded yes.

 

Help My Hurting Body!

Dusk was closing in as the group cautiously climbed the densely wooded ridge. Al stood behind a tree, peering through binoculars at the camp. He felt as if he had been transported back in time to a scene from a Vietnam-era prisoner of war movie. They passed the binoculars back and forth as the national leaders translated what they were seeing. Then one man gasped and whispered, “There he is!” They handed the binoculars to Al and pointed.

Al stood frozen as he watched a dear brother, whom he had helped disciple in years past, being released from a hot sweat box. The man was shackled in chains, wearing nothing but his underwear. His weak legs stumbled as the guards placed him in stocks. The scene jolted Al to the core.

It was as if he were transfixed in time until whispers startled him awake, saying, “We need to leave, now!” They hurried through the dense brush, around the fallen trees, and back to the jeep with their hearts pounding.

Deep in thought, they each rode in total silence. About twenty minutes down the road, Al still could not shake what he had seen. Overwhelmed, he felt he might burst inside. He asked his friends to stop so he could step out of the jeep for a few minutes. He crawled up the darkening hillside to be alone, fell with his face to the ground, and wept. He was broken.

So many things were going through his mind, but he remembers clearly asking out loud through his tears, “God, what do I do with all I have heard and seen today? What do I do?”

Grief groaned in his soul as words echoed from his mouth as if from God’s own broken heart. With tears streaming down his face, these words poured out: “HELP MY HURTING BODY! HELP MY HURTING, SUFFERING BODY! CRY FOR MY SUFFERING BODY!” With each phrase, the words flowed louder from the Spirit’s groaning deep within.

 

Breaking the Silence

God did not audibly speak, but from the core of his being, Al knew God was asking him to go back home, cry out, and be His mouthpiece. He had called Al to break the silence about their chains and tell the hidden stories of their suffering to the whole Body of Christ, testifying of the amazing, enduring power of the Gospel of grace.

Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. (Heb. 13:3)

Do you hear Christ crying out, “Remember them!”? If the Lord is placing a burden on your heart for the persecuted church, we are eager to learn what He is putting into your heart. 

We would welcome the opportunity to share with you what God is doing through our Homes of Hope and let you know how you can get involved and help our suffering brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Story adapted from Al & Susan Henson’s book, Breaking Invisible Chains.