Persecuted Christians

What do cakes and kidnappings have in common? OK … the opening line here hangs like a comedian’s pregnant pause, just waiting for the punch line to drop and the laughter to follow. Sadly, in this case, there is no laughter.  Cakes and kidnappings are indicators of Christian persecution around the world. Jack Phillips, a Colorado cakeshop artist, spent 12 years in and out of courts,...
Read More About Cakes and Kidnappers: Persecution on Account of Christ »

Rumana (9) in Bangaldesh faces rejection and bullying for being a Christian. She has extraordinary faith, but often feels alone. Every morning, Rumana starts her day like many other nine-year-olds around the world. She washes her face and eats her breakfast. She prays about her day and asks God to bless her and her family. She packs pens, pencils and schoolbooks in her backpack, and she...
Read More About Rumana shouldn’t have to be alone at Christmas »

A family of converts from Islam received death threats when a group of Muslim extremists came to their door late at night – the latest example of escalating persecution in Bangladesh.S Pastor Sirajul in Bangladesh was asleep when the knock came at his door. It was 10pm on 25 September, and Pastor Sirajul wasn’t expecting any visitors. ​​“Why are you knocking on my door this late at...
Read More About Death threats and destruction for believers in ongoing unrest in Bangladesh »

You might recall Medina, Hila and Dina from Afghanistan, whose stories were shared during our recent secret believers campaign. Each of them lost their husband for being a Christian. In this update, they talk about how, despite life under the Taliban worsening, they’re standing strong in their faith and seeing God move in extraordinary ways. Their names have been changed for security...
Read More About “We can clearly see God at work” – messages from secret believers in Afghanistan »

It’s no secret that it is dangerous for one to convert from Islam to Christianity in majority-Muslim countries.  If your neighbors learn about your conversion in Somalia, you’ll likely be dragged out of your home and executed. In Pakistan, you could easily find yourself facing some fabricated blasphemy charge with equally lethal consequences.  But the danger and nastiness...
Read More About Muslim Converts to Christianity Still Experience Persecution after Relocating to Europe »

Christians in China are being transformed by what God is doing through Open Doors local partners, who share what they’re witnessing and their prayers for the future. Being a Christian in China comes at great cost for every believer. The state heavily monitors religious practice, even online, and Christians can be arrested and imprisoned for running house churches. But it’s even harder if...
Read More About “God is not a God of disappointment”: ministry is bearing fruit in China »

Pastor Barnabas lives in a displacement camp in Nigeria. They’re all Christians who’ve fled Islamic militant violence. Nobody talks about it. As Pastor Barnabas walks through the camp where he lives, he points out the makeshift tents in every direction. There are hundreds of them with people huddled inside, seeking refuge from the sun. These are the women, men and children he pastors. ...
Read More About Millions of African Christians are displaced by violence. Nobody is talking about it »

During the last year, six Christian women have been imprisoned in Nicaragua for their religious activities. Among them are five Catholics, namely María Asunción Salgado, Evelyn Guillén, Adela Tercero, Gabriela Morales, Maricarmen Espinosa Segura, and one Protestant, Marisela de Fátima Mejía Ruiz.  María Asunción Salgado was  arrested  on Oct. 7, 2023. Salgado and two other...
Read More About Six Women Detained or Imprisoned in Nicaragua’s Crackdown on Christians »

When Raef and Sawsan became Christians, they had to maintain the appearance of continuing to follow Islam for fear of discovery. But that came to an end when Raef’s father discovered his Bible. Thanks to your prayers and support, Raef and Sawsan know that they are not alone. When Raef’s* father found his Bible, that’s when he realised his life was in danger.   “One day,...
Read More About Living a double life: Raef’s secret faith in Egypt »

Medina’s husband was killed for his faith in Jesus, but thanks to your prayers and support, Medina continues to follow Christ and share her faith.    Medina’s* childhood was fairly typical for a girl growing up in Afghanistan. Although she was born in a poor village in a remote part of the country, she was still able to attend school and graduate. Her father then arranged...
Read More About Medina is passing on the gospel in Afghanistan, thanks to you »

Chinese local officials have issued a new warning to North Korean defectors, vowing that if they are found, they will be returned to North Korea. What does that process look like? So Young, who escaped North Korea twice, shares her story. Chinese local officials have sent a new warning to North Korean refugees in their area that China’s stance against them remains unchanged, according to...
Read More About North Korean defector shares her story as China reasserts determination to deport refugees »

Christians in Nigeria continue to face deadly attacks by Islamic extremists. During the past week, Muslim Fulani gunmen killed at least 19 Christians. They also threatened Muslim converts to Christianity and destroyed crops grown by Christian farmers. Here are detailed reports from various states: Southern Kaduna On June 7, a Fulani man faced threats to his life for leaving Islam to...
Read More About Islamic Fulani Militants Continue Killing Christians Across Nigeria »

The love of God is powerfully revealed when our persecuted family respond to their persecutors by not just forgiving them, but also by reaching out to them in love. That’s what Sister Muthu and her niece have done in Sri Lanka – and it’s having quite the impact. For years, Sister Muthu* has faced opposition for leading Christian activities in her Buddhist-majority village in Sri Lanka....
Read More About Surprised by love – how Sister Muthu from Sri Lanka is reaching out to her persecutors »

Afghanistan’s Christians have to keep their faith secret. If the Taliban find out, the Christian could be killed – as Khada found out. The last time Khada* saw her husband was an ordinary day – or as ordinary as any day can be in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover in 2021. Afghan citizens face daily restrictions, oppression and danger, and nobody more so than people like Khada...
Read More About Khada in Afghanistan wants to share her secret story with you »

Often the ministry of Open Doors local partners to our persecuted family involves simply being present to sit, listen and pray with them. It’s what Jinyi from China received – and it had a profound impact. Jinyi* was isolated and distant, hesitant to open up to anyone. Her husband, Jianhong*, was in prison for his faith, leading to severe hardship, including rejection by their...
Read More About Smiles emerge from sadness through presence ministry in China »

The mob that attacked the victim on 25 May also set his home and business on fire. The rest of the family miraculously escaped. Doubts are being raised over the timing of his death, with some believing the government delayed the announcement to avoid international censure. Activists accuse the authorities of knowingly covering for the groups who use the law to kill indiscriminately. ...
Read More About Nazir Masih, Christian lynched on false blasphemy charges in Sargodha, dies »

“God did many miracles,” shares Narendran*. Those four words are inspiring for anybody to hear – and certainly helped Narendran and his wife Kavita* in their ministry in an Indian village. It helped to have a bedrock of knowing how powerful and kind their God is, as this ministry would come at a great cost. Miracles were how Narendran first came to know Jesus. “I belonged to a...
Read More About “God will not leave us alone!”: Narendran and Kavita’s story of miracles, persecution and hope in India »

Hari has been thrown out of his home, his church has been closed and he’s been arrested under false accusations – but nothing will stop him from following Jesus. When a pastor visited his village in India to tell people about Jesus, Hari* was intrigued by the message he heard – but also warned of the dangers it would bring. He watched as three families from his tribe became...
Read More About “Even if they kill me for my faith, I want to continue serving the Lord” – Hari’s courageous faith in India »

 In the quiet confines of Widho Village, Mary and her children found themselves thrust into a nightmare on a fateful night in September 2023. Around 2 a.m., al-Shabab stormed their village and shattered the tranquility of their humble residence. “As darkness surrounded our humble house, I found myself sheltered within its walls, my children by my side,” Mary said. “Little did I...
Read More About Kenyan Man Remained Firm in His Faith Until the End »

As tensions rise in the Middle East after recent events, here are five ways you can hold the church in Iran in your prayers.  Recent events have once again shone a spotlight on the nation of Iran, and their role in the Middle East. For the beleaguered Christians in Iran, their ever more extremist government presents many challenges. So, as we pray about the situation in the Middle...
Read More About Five ways you can pray for Iran »

In recent years, the Catholic church in Nicaragua has been under assault by President Jose Daniel Ortega’s regime. Before 2018, when pro-democracy protests erupted in Nicaragua, the government recognized clergy members’ freedom of conscience and role as respected religious authorities for most Nicaraguans. In fact, during the protests, President Ortega enlisted the church to mediate between...
Read More About President Daniel Ortega’s War on the Catholic Church »

How do Open Doors fieldworkers meet the North Korean refugees who come to their secret safe houses in China? Given the dangers, how do they share the gospel? Find out in this fascinating behind-the-scenes look into one of the safe houses, which includes a letter written to you by a North Korean secret believer. The street is covered in deep darkness and the streetlights, if there are...
Read More About How do Open Doors’ safe houses for North Korean refugees work? »

In various states in north east India, local authorities are introducing laws that will ban healing prayers and even Christian symbols in churches and schools. Violence also continues in Manipur and Assam. Please pray for believers in these regions – especially as the Indian elections approach.  When you pray for a friend to be healed, you probably have never worried about being...
Read More About India steps up ‘anti-Christian’ laws in some states to prevent ‘magic healings’ and evangelism »

Where religious and cultural tensions run high, Christian minorities face unique struggles in the heart of the Middle East. Amid these struggles, women bear the burden of being both believers and females in a region where they are often treated as third-class citizens. Yet they find their strength in silence and sometimes isolated from their entire families and communities. The following...
Read More About Sisters of Strength: The Stories of Persecuted Women in the Middle East »

Terrorist groups kidnapped about 687 people in northern Nigeria this week. On Sunday, March 3, gunmen from the Boko Haram terrorist group kidnapped at least 400 people from multiple IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps in the northern state of Borno. On Thursday, March 7, unidentified armed herders attacked a school in Kuriga, Kaduna State, kidnapping at least 287 students and...
Read More About More than 600 Kidnapped in Nigeria this Week »