True Devotion 1
This is the story of a church that was destined to die in order that future generations of the church may live.
Acts 2:42-47
They devoted themselves …
Will you be devoted?
Over the next few days we will meditate on these verses from Acts through the filter of this devoted true story.
John and Betty Stam in December 1934 were taken to the local prison where some of the prisoners were released to make room for the Stams. In the midst of it, Helen started crying, and a soldier suggested that they kill her, since she was only “in their way.” Then one of the prisoners who had just been released asked why they should kill the innocent baby. The soldiers turned to him asked him if he was a Christian, he denied this and then was asked if he was willing to die for the foreign baby. The man was hacked to pieces for Helen in front of the Stams’ eyes. Thus, Helen was allowed to live.
The next morning, they were forced to march 12 miles to the town of Miaosheo. They stopped for a night, and Betty was allowed to tend to Helen, but in fact hid her in the room inside a sleeping bag. The very next morning, John and Betty were being marched down the streets of Miaosheo to meet their death. Crowds lined both sides of the street. A Chinese shopkeeper stepped out of the crowd and talked to the communists, trying to persuade them not to kill the Stams. They ordered the man back into the crowd, but he wouldn’t step back. The soldiers then invaded his house where they found a Bible and hymnbook. He was then led alongside the Stams to be killed as well for being a Christian. After marching for a short while longer, John was ordered to kneel, and he was beheaded. Betty and the shopkeeper were killed moments later. The baby, Helen was found two days later by a Chinese pastor who took her home and took care of her.
Missions Paul 