Loving Our Enemies

A difficult assignment for the children of God

Our evening walk through our neighborhood usually begins as a quiet opportunity for reflection on our day. We pass a group of Sri Lankan Muslim women, heads covered and laughing together walking in the opposite direction. We smile and wave. They wave back. A young family from Sweden recently moved in, and the mother, pony-tail bouncing, runs by us with an energy we find ourselves wishing that we still had. The Pakistani Muslim family’s children are out riding bicycles and are too absorbed in each other to pay much attention to us. Our Catholic neighbor waves as we round past her house for the third time. She is having a conversation over the fence with the Hindu woman across the street. Incense burning in front of the Hindu woman’s home is honoring a shrine to Ganesha. But most of our neighbors are Buddhist, and very few seem to enjoy cool evening walks.

As the sun begins to fall over the Indian Ocean, the church bells from nearby Our Lady of the Snows (an ironic name for Sri Lanka) Catholic church begin to peal. Soon, those bells are joined by the discordant chanting from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mosque a few blocks in the other direction. And on full moon evenings, the Abayasekararamaya Buddhist Temple adds its own chants to the multi-religious cacophony. I am always amazed at the diversity of religions in Sri Lanka that live harmoniously together on a daily basis—until they don’t.

Most of our pastors live and work in small communities that do not want Christians or churches among them. Recently, one of our pastors has been facing intense opposition from a group of Buddhist monks. His son was attacked. His wife and daughter were attacked and hospitalized and imprisoned. Yet they continue to love and to serve those around them—even those who persecute them. We have prayed for them, and, yes, we have prayed for her attackers, who hate them because they love Jesus. Matthew 5:44–48 tells us to love our enemies, to pray for those who persecute us, that to love only those who love us is the way that non-Christians love. God expects more from us, but it is difficult!

On those evening walks when the sweltering Sri Lankan heat abates and street vendors begin selling egg hoppers and aromatic, spicy koththu roti, when a comforting peace settles over our small fishing town and the places of worship begin their appeals to their followers, it is hard not to wonder what God hears in all of this. But we do know what God expects from us—through the Holy Spirit: to demonstrate our love to our enemies, to pray for someone who would attack one of the sweetest women we know, and to be true children of our Father in Heaven.For Prayer, Praise & Partnership

Our work with 48 pastors and lay leaders in the church in Sri Lanka focuses on developing a self-sustaining ministry. These ministry sustainability initiatives are supported by Project 42.40452*. Your support of this project enables these vital ministries to continue. Click HERE to support!

Preach, Teach & Live: Life in the Family of God

Steven & Peggy were joined by Asia-Pacific Regional Coordinators Don & Caroline Armstrong to lead "Life in the Family of God" training.

Life in the Family of God training led by Steven & Peggy and Asia-Pacific Regional Coordinators Don & Caroline Armstrong challenged the pastors and leaders in the Church of God in Sri Lanka to begin living as one family, as children of God. Support other essential leadership training opportunities in Sri Lanka through Project 42.40452.*

Cyclone Ditwah - Disaster Relief

Cyclone Ditwah relief work through the Church of God in Sri Lanka brought needed assistance to locations across the island.

Cyclonic Storm Ditwah made landfall in Sri Lanka on November 28, 2025, leaving a major humanitarian crisis in its wake. More than 1.8 million people have been affected by landslides and floods, and more than 639 deaths have been reported, with 203 people missing. More than 90,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. Through assistance from Church of God Ministries Disaster Relief & Restoration fund, the Church of God in Sri Lanka was able to provide prayer, food, medical resources, and emergency equipment across the island. Support the Disaster Relief fund by clicking HERE!*

This project supports vital sustainability initiatives in Sri Lanka, but does not support Steven & Peggy Beverly. To support Steven & Peggy, click HERE!

Through your faithful partnership, together we walk alongside the Church of God in Sri Lanka. To partner with God in Sri Lanka, contact Erin Rockhill at Global Strategy: call 800-848-2464, email erockhill@chog.org, or click SUPPORT!