Follow Christ’s call without regard to consequences, Mercer tells students_22304

Posted: 2/19/04

Follow Christ's call without regard
to consequences, Mercer tells students

By Charles Richardson

Hardin-Simmons University

ABILENE–One biblical promise kept Heather Mercer from losing hope when she was imprisoned in Afghanistan: Jesus' pledge to be with his disciples until the end.

Mercer shared her story of imprisonment in Afghanistan and strong passion for missions with Hardin-Simmons University students earlier this month.

Mercer and Dayna Curry, both Baylor University graduates, captured international headlines during their 105-day imprisonment by the Taliban in Afghanistan beginning Aug. 3, 2001.

Authorities accused the two young missionaries of sharing their Christian beliefs with Muslims. They were arrested after they gave a copy of the “Jesus” video to a family who reported them to the Taliban.

While in a prison cell, Mercer recalled a biblical promise that became real to her as a Baylor student: Jesus' telling his disciples he would be with them to the end.

That promise became personal to her again, she said.

Meanwhile, Christians everywhere were urged to pray for their freedom.

Mercer believes those prayers were answered when they were freed by American Special Forces who had been sent to liberate the Afghans from the rule of the Taliban.

At one point during her captivity, Mercer truly became convinced to trust Jesus and his promises, whatever the consequences, she said.

“If I live, I live for you. If I die, I die for you,” she prayed, fully convinced she might die in Afghanistan.

Christian students should share their faith wherever God calls them to go, she told the Hardin-Simmons students.

“I believe God will call many of you to go. That's my prayer,” she said.

Loretta Fulton, Abilene Reporter-News, contributed to this report.