News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Mervyn-Thomas-Abseil-main_article_image.png
Just Giving
UK News

Christian charity boss puts vertigo to test in abseil for persecuted believers

Mervyn Thomas, head of Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), says he is scared of heights but was taking on the challenge to raise money for persecuted brothers and sisters.

Raising somewhere between £3,000 and £4,000, he afterwards acknowledged: "I think it was the most nerve-wracking thing I have ever done."

Just Giving

Speaking before the challenge, he told Premier's Big Breakfast said: "It is 249 steps up the tower and 160ft down. Somebody sponsored me one pound for every step up and one pound for every foot down. People have been very generous.

"This is the last thing in the world I want to do. I suffer from vertigo but - when I think of what people go through in other parts of the world - for my few minutes for nervousness, it's nothing. It's well worth the while."

CSW works for religious freedom all over the world through advocacy and lobbying.

On his fund raising page Mr Thomas wrote: "Did you know that 75% of the world's population live with severe restrictions on their religious freedom?

"This means that 75% of the population isn't fully free to practise, talk about and choose their own religion.

"In Pakistan this could look like a young woman being forced into marriage, in Cuba it could look like a church torn down, in Nigeria it could look like a village destroyed.

"At CSW we want to see this change! We dream of a world where individuals are free to live out their faith in safety and in peace with those around them, despite religious differences."

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate