America will lose blessings if Christians don't spread gospel to the nations, warns New Jersey pastor

Bethany Church pastor Don James has reminded American believers of the importance of taking the gospel to the nations of the world, saying God has blessed the U.S. so it can help spread the good news to other places.

Speaking at the International Christian Concern's "The Bridge" conference recently, James referred to the Bible's command that Americans should "make the most of every opportunity" and not waste time practicing "ostrich Christianity," being concerned only about their church and their personal lives.

"We can't live with ostrich Christianity, which says 'I kind of stick my head in the sand and forget about it as long as things are going well in my life, my church and my local community,'" James said. "I don't think that is the heart of God. I think the heart of God is 'We need to think global.'"

According to the Pentecostal New Jersey pastor, a believer is killed every five minutes for his or her faith. In light of this truth, he said the American Christians are blessed by God not for their personal comfort but for them to help fund missions work across the globe.

According to the World Watch List prepared by Open Doors, Christians are most persecuted in North Korea in 2016, followed by Iraq, Eritrea, Afghanistan and Syria.

North Korea, where Christianity is considered as an "opium for the people," has been on the top of the list for 14 consecutive years.

An estimated 50,000 to 70,000 Christians are being held in labor camps where they suffer from torture. Because of this, some Christians have grown afraid to share their faith to others.

In Iraq, Christians are on the verge of extinction as ISIS continues to wage war against the followers of Christ. Many have been internally displaced, and others have fled to other countries for safety.

James urged the believers to "really wake up" to the reality of persecution around the world and to be involved in advancing the kingdom of God to the nations. He also said God has given the church all the necessary tools to do this.

"It is an urgent time in which we live," James said.

He emphasized that God's blessings have poured out for the U.S. for many years so it can serve as a light to other nations.

"When we stop doing that, that will be the day the dollar dies," he said.