In this conversation, Nik Ripken and I wrestle with the difference between the Christianity many of us have experienced in the West and the faith of believers who follow Jesus, where doing so may actually cost them something.

What does it mean to make disciples in a culture built around comfort, safety, and avoiding suffering? Are we preparing people simply to attend church and live good Christian lives—or are we preparing them to follow Jesus when following him gets hard?

Nik shares story after story from believers around the world who have had to answer those questions in ways most of us never have. Their faith has been tested by persecution, loss, betrayal, and suffering. And yet, in many cases, that is precisely where their faith has become strongest.

One of the most challenging ideas in our conversation is that persecution often comes at the point of witness. If we keep Jesus to ourselves, we may never experience much resistance. But when we actually bear witness to him, opposition often follows.

That raises an uncomfortable question for those of us in the West: Have we mistaken the absence of persecution for the presence of faithfulness?

This conversation isn't about romanticizing suffering or making Christians feel guilty for living in relative comfort. It is about asking whether the kind of Christianity we are producing is strong enough to survive when comfort disappears—and what we can learn from brothers and sisters around the world who already know what it costs to follow Jesus.

Takeaways:

• The point of witness significantly influences whether one experiences persecution in their faith journey.
• Retaining a private faith may lead to a life without the trials of persecution.
• Healthy church leaders embody resilience and are shaped through experiences beyond mere comfort.
• The nature of discipleship must prepare individuals for the cost of obedience to Jesus.
• Witnessing boldly can often lead to persecution, which is a testament to the authenticity of one's faith.
• The challenges faced by the persecuted church offer profound insights into the true essence of discipleship.

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