Day of the Christian Martyr 2022
According to church tradition, June 29 marks the martyrdom of the Apostle Paul. This year, Christians around the world will take time on June 29 and throughout that weekend to honor the legacy of those who have sacrificed their lives for the advancement of the Gospel.
Portrait of John Chau from The Voice of the Martyrs website.
2022 Day of the Christian Martyr Inductee
John Chau
Nov. 17, 2018
“You guys might think I’m crazy in all this, but I think it’s worth it to declare Jesus to these people.”
As a teenager, John Chau sensed God’s calling to take the gospel to the Sentinelese, inhabitants of the tiny island of North Sentinel, which is part of the Andaman group of islands in the Bay of Bengal. The Sentinelese are an indigenous people in voluntary isolation who have defended, often by force, their protected isolation from the outside world.
John knew the risks. He knew the Sentinelese had been violent toward visitors before, but he also knew God had called him to go. For nine years, he prepared himself to go to North Sentinel Island, live among the people, learn their language and share Christ with them.
On November 15, 2018, John made first contact with the Sentinelese. Later that day, a Sentinelese boy shot an arrow at John that lodged in the Bible he was holding.
John retreated and prayed for wisdom. Should he keep going? Should he turn back?
“God, I don’t want to die,” John wrote in his journal that evening. “WHO WILL TAKE MY PLACE IF I DO? Forgive [the boy who shot me] and any of the people on this island who try to kill me, and especially forgive them if they succeed.”
Page from John Chau’s journal. Image courtesy of Lynda Adams-Chau.
On the morning of Nov. 17, the fishermen who had dropped John off saw tribesmen burying John’s body on the beach.
“I believe that the measure of success in the kingdom of God is obedience,” John wrote in his journal shortly before his death. “I want my life to reflect obedience to Christ and to live in obedience to Him. I think that Jesus is worth it. He’s worth everything. . . . This is not a pointless thing – the eternal lives of this tribe is at hand and I can’t wait to see them around the throne of God worshipping in their own language as Revelation 7:9-10 states.”
Register now to download a video about John’s sacrifice and to get other resources for your church, small group, class or family from The Voice of the Martyrs.
When you register, you’ll receive links to download these free digital resources to inspire your church, small group, class or family to witness boldly for Christ:
A powerful video testimony of John Chau
Questions for reflecting on John’s sacrifice
A sermon outline inspired by those who gave their lives to share God’s saving grace
An inspiring Day of the Christian Martyr church bulletin insert
Guided prayer slides to inspire your church, small group, class or family with examples of Christians who gave their lives for the sake of the Gospel
Information is from The Voice of the Martyrs website.
