IN many countries around the world attending ‘church’ is illegal and the Bude and Holsworthy Methodist Circuit Rock Solid youth group recently held a ‘secret church’ to experience first hand what it is like for many Christians.

At approximately 7.50pm on Sunday, February 12, police were called to an empty unit on Holsworthy Industrial Estate after reports were received of an ‘illegal gathering’ of the local youth group.

Upon arrival PCSO Raquel Rowe banged on the door and demanded to know the nature of the convocation, eventually gaining access to the building. Mark Shepherd, one of the leaders of the Rock Solid youth group, assured the young people that the arrival of the police was all a part of the plan, but that there are many countries in the world where ‘church’ is illegal.

The group had been told two weeks before that they would be holding a ‘secret church’ service where they would be taken to a secret location but that for security purposes the venue would remain unknown until the evening.

‘Open Doors’, a Christian charity, encourage youth groups and churches to plan events like this in order to experience first hand what happens to many Christians around the world. North Korea, Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen and Eritrea are the top ten countries on the ‘World Watch’ list where it is most difficult to live as a Christian.

Leaving the ‘Stable’ at Chilsworthy in five-minute intervals, so as not to arouse suspicion, the group headed off with only the driver knowing the secret location.

As ‘guards’ were patrolling the main entrance, the young people were ushered in secretly through a side door. With all the lights out and sheets covering the windows, the only light was torchlight. Sitting on the floor on coats and blankets, the group ate together in the dim light, with the food provided by Rachel Andrew and Dionne Bere.

In many countries being found in possession of a Bible will result in imprisonment, so Rock Solid leaders smuggled in pages of the Bible, folded and hidden inside socks, gloves and anywhere else they could manage.

Whispering in small groups, they encouraged each other by sharing verses they could memorise from the Bible. With the volume turned really low they watched the video ‘The Cost’, which shows the story of brother Andrew, the founder of Open Doors, and situations facing Christians around the world today.

Jonathan Schnarr, connect worker at Holsworthy Community College and Rock Solid helper, led a time of prayer in small groups using the four Ps — people, pastors, politicians and persecutors — as a reminder of who to pray for.

Very quietly, with no musical instruments, the gathering ended with the singing of an encouraging song.

Again, leaving the building in complete silence, they were driven back to the Stable where eager parents awaited the reports of their evening. The young people were then asked to reflect on their experience, what was good and what had scared them.