Persecution has always been a concern for Christianity, but lately, hostility has been on the rise. A few weeks ago, Nigeria was designated as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) for religious freedom. “Nigeria is the most dangerous nation on Earth to follow Christ. For simply practicing their faith, Christians are actively being kidnapped, attacked, and slaughtered,” stated the House Appropriations Committee in a joint press release. According to Open Doors Ministry, when the villages are raided in Nigeria by Islamic militants, men are killed and women are subject to sexual violence and kidnapping, with many still missing. These villages are looted and set on fire, leaving survivors with nowhere to go and feeling hopeless.
But this problem isn’t only in Nigeria. Christians are persecuted globally for simply believing what they believe. Open Doors Ministry claims that more than 380 million Christians suffer high levels of persecution for their faith globally. They also claim that 1/7 Christians are persecuted in the world. Last year alone, 4,476 Christians died, 7,679 churches were attacked, and 4,744 Christians were imprisoned for their faith.
According to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, in North Korea, any expression of faith outside the state-approved activities is met with extreme punishment. Global Christian Relief states that for simply owning a Bible or meeting for a Bible study, Christians can be sent to labor camps, tortured, and even executed. In Pakistan, Christians are falsely accused of blasphemy and are subject to violence and imprisonment. China’s “Sinization” policy brings all religions under government control. Pastors are imprisoned for their faith, symbols are removed, and churches are closed.
Despite these challenges, there are many trying to help. Several organizations, such as Samaritan’s Purse and Voice of the Martyrs, aim to help struggling people, including persecuted Christians. Samaritans Purse helps the persecuted church by rebuilding churches and providing relief to affected families. Voice of the Martyrs offers financial aid, pastoral care, and advocacy and awareness. You can help by donating to organizations like these and creating awareness about persecution.
