About Christian Persecution
Christian persecution is any hostility experienced as a result of proclaiming the name of Jesus.
The Pew Research Center has found that Christians are harassed in more places
than any other religious group. And Open Doors’ research has shown that the
number of countries where Christians suffer high and extreme levels of persecution
has almost doubled in the last 30 years.
Secret believers around the world and those who work with them must go to
great lengths to avoid being caught.
Since ICC’s creation in 1995, we have developed an effective and efficient
system of bringing relief to persecuted Christians in need. We team up with
trustworthy partners on the ground to develop and implement both immediate
aid and long-term assistance projects. We then monitor our projects to ensure
faithfulness to biblical principles and wise stewardship of funds.
ICC has about 50 worldwide staff. Regional managers (Africa, Middle East,
South Asia, and Southeast Asia) and project coordinators oversee indigenous
staff to assist victims and report attacks. ICC strives daily to make the
world aware of the suffering of persecuted believers.
We bandage the wounds of victims, care for the wives and children of martyred
pastors, and rebuild communities when attacked. We build the Church by broadcasting
the gospel, deliver Bibles, and train and equip pastors.
An estimated 3 million North Koreans have perished under North Korea’s brutal dictatorial
regime since the mid-1990s. Families continue to starve to death as the North Korean
government withholds food rations to entire regions of the nation. The government arbitrarily
detains, tortures, and executes its citizens, including children, in a large network of
prison/labor camps. Hundreds of thousands of North Koreans have fled to China to survive,
however they live in fear of forced repatriation, imprisonment, and possible execution after
repatriation. Children whose parents have died or been separated from them wander the streets
in search of food and protection.
Hundreds of thousands have fled to China and other neighboring countries to seek subsistence.
However, China continues to forcibly repatriate North Koreans to a fate that includes
imprisonment where they may experience torture, medical and chemical experiments, forced
abortions, infanticide, starvation, and hard labor.
Open Doors works in more than 70 countries, supplying Bibles, training church
leaders, providing practical support and emergency relief, and supporting Christians
who suffer persecution and discrimination for their faith. Our national bases in 25
countries work to raise awareness of global persecution, mobilizing prayer, support,
and action among Christians.
In 2021 Open Doors helped 685,887 persecuted Christians with emergency relief, community
development, education, and medical care.
The World Watch List is Open Doors’ annual ranking of the 50 countries where Christians
face the most extreme persecution.
Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them,
and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.
Hebrews 13:3
The Voice of the Martyrs
In North Korea, if discovered, Christians face harsh persecution from the government and from members of
the community, who are required to serve as government informants. Even those who are aware
of Christian activity but do not report it to the government are punished as enemies of the regime.
Be Their Voices
Everyone can pray. God hears the voices of His people when we cry out with a humble Heart.
If one part suffers, every part suffers with it;
If one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
1 Corinthians 12:26
If you know of any other resources that will help in this fight, please,
email Pippin at letthem@raindrop.org.
Wise Words
“A biblical and globally astute prayer for believers in persecution would ask that
Jesus would be made known, that believers would remain obedient through their suffering,
and that we identify with believers in persecution by sharing our faith in whatever
environment we find ourselves.”
~Nik Ripken
