We receive many letters from readers asking for ways to help those being persecuted for their faith. In addition to financial contributions, the following are other opportunities for individuals, families, or church groups to help those in need.

Bibles Unbound

Today, persecuted Christians throughout restricted and hostile nations are quietly gathering names of people who are requesting Bibles - both Christians and non-Christians seeking to know more about Christ. In most of these countries, having a Bible is a great risk. However, the requests continue: "Please send Bibles!"

Once the names are collected, they are imported into the Bibles Unbound system under a designated "operation," and Bibles Unbound members can then sponsor Bibles for specific individuals. The individuals' names are securely placed in a member's "mission page" so the member can pray for those for whom they have sponsored Bibles.

Once funds are received through the Bibles Unbound program, Bibles are printed in the appropriate language and smuggled directly to the field worker who collected the names. When the field worker receives the Bibles, he or she distributes them to those who previously requested the Bibles.

Imagine the joy of a believer in a restricted nation who receives a complete Bible in his or her language for the very first time. They will be blessed by knowing it came from a believer in the west who responded directly to their need and is praying for them. Or perhaps your sponsored Bible will go to a person whose Bible was confiscated or destroyed by authorities hostile to the gospel. Or maybe it will go to someone who wants to share the Scripture with a Muslim or unbelieving friend.

Regardless of the exact situation, your contribution will have a direct effect on believers around the world who live in very dangerous areas.

Simply sign up at BiblesUnbound.com, and commit to participating in one or more ministry operations. Each month you will receive the names of five or more people for whom you have sponsored a Bible. Participants in Covert Operations will receive the name(s) of the assigned Bible courier(s) they are supporting.

You are then able to follow your Bible sponsorship online as well as access an archive of all the individuals for whom you have sponsored Bibles. An online interactive map will display the nations to which you have sent Bibles, becoming a permanent reminder of your partnership of service with today's persecuted church.

Visit www.BiblesUnbound.com for updated information.

Prisoner Alert

Read about your brothers and sisters currently imprisoned for their faith at VOM’s www.PrisonerAlert.com. This site enables you to write an encouraging letter and have it immediately translated in the prisoner’s native language. You may also subscribe to the Web site’s email alerts, and every month you will be notified of a new prisoner to write.

Action Packs

The Action Pack program is set up to help families in the U. S. bless persecuted Christian families in Pakistan, Iraq, and Sudan. The Action Pack program consists of a specially preprinted vacuum bag with a zip-lock closure that allows air to be pushed out by simply rolling the vacuum bag. It will contain a complete list of items to put in the bag such as sweaters, T-shirts, towels, hats and other necessities to help families who have lost everything, along with five additional brochures for you to share with your church or family and friends. You can also include a photo of your family or group and an encouraging note. With each Action Pack, VOM will distribute the color Gospel storybook, He Lived Among Us, printed in their native language. Action Packs are available from VOM for a contribution of $7.00 each (one vacuum bag per Action Pack) to cover shipping the packs to you and then the finished packages to their final destination.

For more information, go to www.persecution.com/actionpacks

(You may also give a financial contribution through EPM. 100% of designated contributions go directly to the ministry noted.)