All Persecuted Church articles
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ReviewsThis Oscar-nominated drama is a terrifying glimpse into what persecuted Christians face
Seeing a big-screen dramatic portrayal of a brutal and unjust regime brings to life the stories we hear from persecuted Christians, says Steve Dew-Jones. Here’s what he made of the Iranian film, The Seed of the Sacred Fig
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Magazine FeaturesThe Iranians stormed this church and forced its closure. But I’ll never forget the Christians I met there
When Tara Jamali returned to Iran after an absence of 20 years, she was shocked to discover the church she attended as a student boarded up. Pressure on Iranian Christians is growing she says, but glimmers of hope are present in the darkness
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OpinionChristians in India can break the cycle of religious violence
Despite the growing threat Hindu nationalism poses to the Christians already facing persecution in India, Joseph D’Souza urges the Church to resist retaliation and embody the love of Christ. It’s the only way to achieve lasting peace, he says
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OpinionAlmost 400 million Christians are persecuted. Why aren’t more people talking about this?
The 2025 World Watch List from Open Doors has revealed 380 million Christians are now persecuted. Henrietta Blyth is urging prayer for those whose stories are scarcely featured in the headlines
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OpinionChristmas is non-existent for North Korean Christians
For most Christians around the world, Christmas is a time to gather and celebrate with friends and family. But for Christians in North Korea, the most dangerous country in the world for followers of Jesus, it is a time of great danger
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OpinionAssad’s fall leaves Syrian Christians in peril
Could Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s takeover see a jihadist-inspired coup peacefully transition to a free, democratic Syria? If it does, it would be a first for the region, says David Charlwood. If it doesn’t, their long history of violence spells disaster for all non-Muslim minority groups
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Magazine FeaturesSecret believers: The disciple-making movement that’s sweeping the Middle East
You may have heard that Christianity is spreading like wildfire across the Middle East. But did you know that leaders in the persecuted Church are now training Western church leaders in evangelism? Phil Moore calls it a quiet revolution
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OpinionIslamists are massacring Christians in Burkina Faso. Why doesn’t the world care?
More than 200 people have been murdered in Burkina Faso, as the threat of an African Islamic caliphate continues to increase. Yet the situation isn’t garnering nearly as much international attention as it deserves, says Megan Titley
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Opinion3 ways to pray for Iran’s presidential election
Following the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash last month, this Friday, the country will elect a new leader. Despite heavy persecution, the Church in Iran is one of the fastest growing in the world. So will a change in leadership make their lives easier, or more difficult? And how can Christians pray?
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OpinionDemocracy is a gift from God. We must fight to preserve it
In the recent Indian election, prime minister Narendra Modi won a third consecutive term, but lost his majority government. It is a blow to those who wish to enshrine Hindu beliefs into Indian law, but a victory for democracy, says Bishop Joseph D’Souza
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OpinionIs Iran really like Orwell’s 1984? Here are 4 similarities
A new report says life for Christians in Iran is harder than ever. Ben Cohen says their horrific treatment at the hands of the Morality Police reminds him of George Orwell’s famous dystopian novel
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OpinionVanishing faith: the exodus of Iraq’s Christians
Amid growing intolerance and persecution, the Christian population in Iraq is declining rapidly. Urgent prayer is needed for this community, who have been present in the region for almost 2,000 years
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OpinionPlease don’t forget about Palestinian Christians like me
The plight of persecuted Palestinian Christians is being forgotten, including among Christians in the West, argues Jack Nasser
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ReviewsIf Prison Walls Could Speak: The astounding play that brings persecution to life
If Prison Walls Could Speak portrays the true story of Petr Jasek, who was imprisoned for this faith in Sudan. It’s a one-man tour de force, and a harrowing story told in an extraordinary way, says our reviewer
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OpinionChurches are burning in Pakistan as Christians face extreme persecution
In the last 30 years, the number of countries where Christians face extreme levels of persecution has almost doubled. As the United Nations marks the international day for commemorating victims of religious persecution, Daniel McIlhiney explains what has been happening in Pakistan, and how Christians can pray
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OpinionThe Pope is right. There are more Christian martyrs today than ever
Pope Francis has set up a new commission to identify Christians of all denominations who have been murdered for following Jesus this century. But is it really more dangerous to be a Christian today than in the days of the early Church?
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Magazine FeaturesSurveillance state: How digital tools are being used to persecute Christians
With the rise of advanced technologies, the ways of suppressing religious freedom are increasing exponentially. From facial recognition software to firewalls, Tim Wyatt spotlights the new ways repressive regimes are targeting Christians
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OpinionI escaped from North Korea. Here's why it's still the most dangerous place in the world to be a Christian
Three decades after charity Open Doors began monitoring Christian persecution around the world, North Korea is more dangerous than ever for followers of Jesus. Timothy Cho, who escaped the regime, explains why that is, and why we should still be hopeful for change
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ReviewsFaithful disobedience - Wang Yi and others
Faithful Disobedience is a series of written accounts from leaders inside the Chinese House Church Movement. It includes testimonies from six prominent Chinese voices, most notably the pastor of Early Rain Covenant Church, Wang Yi, who was sentenced to nine years in prison, charged with “inciting to ...
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OpinionHuman rights campaigners are ignoring the plight of persecuted Christians in Qatar
Human rights issues in Qatar have been making front page news throughout the World Cup, but you will struggle to find a secular human rights organisation speaking up for freedom of religion. While the rights of some minorities are championed, Christians are simply ignored, says Dr Martin Parsons
