Religious persecution is any hostility against a person because of his beliefs, and it can come in many forms. For followers of Christ, persecution can come when they proclaim their faith in Jesus, worship in a church, share the gospel, or are caught with a Bible. Since the first disciples, believers have been rejected, imprisoned, and killed for their faith. Persecution persists today, and some experts believe its intensity is increasing.
Each year, Open Doors releases a list of the top 50 countries with the worst Christian persecution. East-West works in 19 of these countries, many of which are in the 10/40 Window, a region of the world with the highest concentration of unreached people. Believers in these countries face daily dangers for following Jesus. The scars and heartbreak of persecution take a toll on Christ followers.
360 million Christians suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination
1 in 7 Christians worldwide experience persecution
5,621 Christians were murdered for their faith in 2022
4,542 Christians were detained for their faith last year
2,110 churches globally were attacked last year
360 million Christians suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination
1 in 7 Christians worldwide experience persecution
5,621 Christians were murdered for their faith in 2022
4,542 Christians were detained for their faith last year
2,110 churches globally were attacked last year
But for some, the gospel is worth the risk. Despite the dangers, faithful Christians remain committed to the command to take the gospel to those who have never heard of Jesus.
How will the unreached know about Jesus unless believers persevere through the toughest persecution? How will persecution end unless the gospel spreads? How will spiritual darkness be eradicated unless the light of the gospel shines forth?
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” -John 1:5
Below is a snapshot of persecution in West Africa. Learn why one believer is still committed to the Great Commission in spite of the trials he has endured.
Around the world, we are witnessing how Christian persecution is not slowing down the gospel. Lives are being changed every day, and the unreached are being reached. God has been faithful to move in the spiritually darkest places in the world. See what the Lord accomplished in the first six months of this year through East-West.
Gospel Shares: 4,887,117
Professions of Faith: 545,224
Disciples Made: 94,302
Leaders Trained: 6,870
Churches Planted: 10,231
Workers Sent: 494
Unreached People Groups Engaged: 29
*Statistics are compiled from field reports from January 1-June 30, 2023.
At East-West, we desire to see disciples making more disciples and churches planting more churches. Our hope is that more believers like Samuel will continue multiplying disciples and churches until spiritual darkness is eradicated.
You, too, can multiply your impact by becoming a Multiplier. Multipliers are those who give recurring gifts that continually make a Kingdom impact to advance the gospel across the globe.
