All Persecuted Church articles
-
OpinionIran’s future hangs in the balance, but it’s people are more open to the gospel than ever
Despite the massacres of the January uprisings and now the chaos of war, Iranians are still turning to Christ, says Chrissy Parkes. She calls on Christians around the world to pray for peace in Iran and the Middle East - and for the Church to keep shining a light in the darkness
-
Real Life‘My father was arrested for pastoring a church in China. Please pray for his release’
Grace Jin Drexel’s father, Ezra Jin, pastored one of China’s largest independent churches before being arrested in a crackdown on religious freedom last year. She shares her story of growing up under persecution and explains why the Chinese Church continues to grow, despite government pressure
-
OpinionInternational pressure could finally be turning the tide of Christian persecution in Nigeria
Ben Cohen from Open Doors explains how increased media and political attention on the plight of persecuted Christians in Nigeria is having a positive effect
-
The Big PictureFaith under fire
In Nigeria’s Plateau state, pastors and their congregations face relentless attacks from Fulani herders. Despite losing loved ones, homes and livelihoods, these faith leaders continue to serve their traumatised communities, declaring: “We still have faith in God.”
-
InterviewsHeidi Baker on miracles, healing and loving people who want to kill you
Miraculous reports of healing and revival surround the globally renowned missionary, Heidi Baker. But she has also spent years living under the shadow of extreme persecution in northern Mozambique. Here, she explains how God confronted her with the call to love Islamist terrorists even as she was facing an active threat of kidnap
-
News AnalysisMeet the Kenyan Christians worshipping in the shadow of al-Shabaab
In the Kenyan town of Mandera, Christians live in daily fear of violence from Islamic militants crossing the border from Somalia. Journalist Simon Vera reports from the border town caught in the crosshairs and speaks to pastors and Christians who refuse to flee
-
OpinionSudan's horrific civil war is being overlooked. Here's how Christians can pray for peace
Sudan’s civil war has killed an estimated 150,000 people and displaced half the population, yet remains largely ignored by international media. Rafat Samir explains the impact it’s had on the country’s 2 million Christians and how believers worldwide can pray
-
OpinionChristians are still persecuted in Iran - despite a train station named after the Virgin Mary
Tehran’s Holy Virgin Mary metro station supposedly celebrates the “peaceful coexistence” of religions in Iran. But on International Religious Freedom Day, Steve Dew-Jones reminds us that Christian converts still face extreme persecution
-
OpinionBill Maher says there’s a genocide against Christians in Nigeria. Is he right?
US talk show host Bill Maher has attacked the media for its silence over the genocide of Christians taking place in Nigeria where thousands have reportedly been murdered by groups including Boko Haram and Islamic State. But the genocide claim is contested by the Nigerian government who say “simplistic” accusations only “fuel propaganda”. What’s the truth? Ben Cohen from Open Doors gives his view
-
Real LifeChristians here are attacked, killed and imprisoned — but we are transforming our community with compassion
Born into a low-caste family in a region where Christians are treated as sub-human, Dr Amir shares how faith, love, and practical compassion are transforming communities and growing the Church in Pakistan — one of the most challenging places in the world to be a Christian
-
OpinionChinese Christians are being arrested for tithing. But Gen Z are still hungry for Jesus
When 400 police officers swept through a province in eastern China and arrested 70 Christians, it confirmed the Communist Party’s campaign against house churches was intensifying. But could the pressure faced by the Chinese Church actually bring about growth?
-
OpinionWhy I am praying for a secular government in Nepal
As an uprising among Gen Z topples the Nepalese government, the country is at a crossroads, says Narendra Chettri*. If Nepal wants more religious freedom, Christians should pray for a secular government, not a religious one
-
OpinionMass graves are revealing the suffering of Christians in Colombia’s overlooked conflict
In a rural part of Colombia, seven Christians answered a summons from an illegal armed group and never returned home. What happened in Calamar, Ellis Heasley says, is a chilling glimpse into the price some pay in standing for justice and truth in the name of faith
-
OpinionWhy Christians should be keeping an eye on China’s growing influence
25 years ago, Chris Goswami heard his Chinese professor predict his country’s rise as a global superpower. With that predication now being reality, Chris explores the forces driving China’s growth and why its growing influence is something Christians should be thoughtfully engaging with
-
OpinionThe Church cannot continue to sleep through crisis - it’s time to return to the night vigil
The Church once lit up the night with intercession. If the Church wants to ignite the revival that awaits us, Jonathan Oloyede says it must reclaim the night vigil and reopen the wells of persistent prayer and fasting
-
OpinionIran’s evangelicals are branded “enemies of the state”. They need our prayers now more than ever
Donald Trump may have floated the idea of regime change in Iran, but would it be good for Iranian Christians? That depends on who takes over, says Ben Cohen. But right now, the nation’s beleaguered evangelicals need our prayers
-
Opinion‘Even in war, God is moving’ 4 ways to pray for the Iranian Church
A Christian in Iran shares her story of God at work even among the chaos of conflict in the Middle East. She asks believers around the world to stand with the underground Church in Iran as they pray for peace and an end to the war with Israel
-
OpinionA fragile hope has returned for Syria’s Christians. Pray it isn’t snuffed out
Syria’s Christians have endured war, exile and persecution. Now, a new, seemingly more inclusive leadership and Trump’s promise to lift sanctions have opened the door to a cautious optimism. Matthew Barnes says the global Church must not miss this moment to stand with them
-
OpinionNicaragua’s Easter crackdown on Christians is no anomaly
Christians in Nicaragua are being subjected to a disturbingly routine suppression by their government – yet, as Ellis Heasley reports, the Church remains committed to voicing its faith
-
Magazine FeaturesChristians are the most persecuted religious group in the world. Why is the media silent?
Stories of Christians being persecuted around the world rarely make the headlines in the mainstream media. Heather Tomlinson investigates why
