“What can we do to help the North Koreans who want to escape?” My mom asked me this question after I showed her underground video footage capturing scenes of life in North Korea. My mom’s question is a typical one. Christians consistently express their heart of compassion toward the spiritually and physically starving North Koreans by asking the all-important question, “What can we do?” The primary answer is one that most of us are aware of but few of us make a concerted effort to do: pray. Intercession for the “brethren in bonds” might appear to be a work that gets nothing practical accomplished, but it is actually the one labor of love that implores God to become active in changing the situation. God’s hand alone has the power to work a mighty change in North Korea, so the most important work that believers can do is pray for God to reach down from heaven, change sinful hearts, transform government institutions, and distribute daily bread. As the Lord performs these works, He will employ means—Christian evangelists, university professors, agricultural specialists, NGO workers, medical personnel, political officials, and trained scientists. Christians can actively pray for opportunities to serve in these roles in order to creatively access North Korea. We can also look for ways to financially support individuals who already serve in these capacities on the underground railroad that extends from the northern border of North Korea through China to countries such as Laos, Vietnam, and Burma. Providing medicine, food, and shelter to North Koreans as they escape an oppressive regime and flee to countries where they can gain passage to South Korea, the United States, or other democratic nations is of paramount importance. Also, funds can be used to support South Korean radio broadcasts that educate North Koreans about how to find true freedom. Discovering who to give to and how to give is not as easy as writing a check. The best approach is to talk directly with Christian workers whom you trust, learn about their network of individuals who help North Koreans, and then provide funds for specific situations that emerge and call for financial assistance. In other words, the question of “How can we help?” can be answered with one overriding thought: talk. Talk with God, talk with Christian workers, and talk to others about North Korea.

One day after the annual Independence Day celebration in the United States, I begin this blog, partly for the sake of exercising my freedom of speech, and partly as an exercise in publishing the good news that is in Christ Jesus. Perhaps the two are related. Americans have enjoyed the privilege of freely speaking about the gospel for almost 250 years. Nonetheless, the ability to present all of God’s words without fear of censorship or persecution might be at a low ebb. Thus, I long to steward the privilege to write openly about the Lord Jesus Christ today, lest the privilege to do so be lost tomorrow.