Is Persecution GOOD for the Church?

I recently heard a story of an American Missionary visiting the Christian Church in China. He was amazed at how they were persecuted for their faith. But when the Chinese Minister escorted the Americans back to the airport, he said to the American:
“We’ll be praying for you”.

This struck the American Missionary as odd. And he asked:
“Why pray for us? You’re the ones suffering persecution.”

The Chinese Minister replied:
“Yes. But we pray that American Christians know persecution as well. The American Church has become weak.”

The idea was that persecution had the affect of weeding out the fake Christians, leaving only the genuine Christians. I can see the point. Many so called American Christians do not live by the actual teachings of Christ. Rather they have become accustomed to passing self righteous judgment upon anyone who doesn’t think as they do. They drive big fancy gas guzzlers, and pay little regard to bringing hope and opportunity to those less fortunate. Many embrace the whole Name it and Claim it philosophy, somehow justifying that since they are Gods chosen ones, they He wants them to be wealthy.

Could a little persecution be good for the typical American Christian?