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By Summer Lane

Photo: Deposit

Every day, Christians around the world are persecuted for their faith in Jesus. Here in America, we are graciously protected from the kind of persecution that many in places like Nigeria or India face – and that gift is a two-edged sword.

American Christians can either embrace gratitude for the gift of freedom and take action to support their brothers and sisters elsewhere who suffer, or they can fall into apathy and take that freedom for granted. It’s fair to say that apathy, when living in such an abundant and blessed country as America, is easy to fall into. But the reality remains: countless Christians are suffering under the regimes of tyrannical governments like North Korea.

A recent guest on the Counter Culture Mom Show shed light on the importance of supporting Christians in other countries faced with serious suffering because they follow Christ. This guest, Ryan Brown, is the president and CEO of Open Doors USA, a ministry that provides critical assistance for Christ followers worldwide who are being persecuted for their beliefs.

And the persecution is everywhere.

An important tool Christians in America can use to identify where and how to help is on the Open Doors USA website, which provides an up-to-date World Watch List. This list identifies the top 50 ranked countries where Christians endure “the most extreme persecution.”

“Regardless of how you experience the 2024 World Watch List, may it strengthen your faith, and your commitment to stand with your persecuted brothers and sisters around the world,” according to the ministry’s website.

In their compilation of 50 countries, Open Doors’ found that nearly 5,000 Christians were killed for “faith related reasons” in 2023, and more than 365 million Christians around the globe are suffering “high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith.”

These statistics are truly harrowing – but it sheds light on how important it is for us to support those who are being crushed by tyrannical or evil forces. In America, we have the resources to help, whether it’s through monetary support or the power of prayer, especially the prayers of whole church bodies.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” wrote the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:38-39.

Consider this stirring testimony from a woman persecuted in Eritrea, shared on Open Doors’ website, that is a true example of Christian courage:

“The first arrest of my husband was when we were engaged. He was suddenly picked from his house. In Eritrea, your life is always at risk. Though we are afraid, at the same time we are also living boldly. This verse assures me: Even though you are in prison, even though you are on the streets, even though you are being hunted, God is with you, wherever. And God understands what we are passing through. Jesus understands. He passed through this for us.” 

What a beautiful example of faithfulness! We in America can learn a lesson from the persecuted church worldwide. We must be bold in our faith and, more importantly, we must bravely support those who are enduring suffering in other corners of the world in every way we can.

Learn more about Open Doors’ ministry HERE.

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Ryan Brown

One in seven Christians worldwide are persecuted because of their faith, and Ryan Brown explains the important role of the church to provide comfort, care, and assistance to those brothers and sisters who are suffering. Ryan is the president and CEO of Open Doors USA, a ministry providing assistance to Christians around the globe suffering tyrannical oppression from governments or hostile groups in places like North Korea and Nigeria. His organization even provides a World Watch List, which provides the top 50 countries where Christians face the highest level of persecution for their faith in Jesus. Americans have a hard time understanding just how intensely the rest of the world is persecuted for something as simple as owning a Bible.

Summer Lane is the #1 bestselling author of 30 books, including the hit Collapse Series and Resurrection Series. She is an experienced journalist and columnist who reports on news within the U.S. and abroad. She is the Editor-in-Chief of Write Revolution News. She formerly served as the Associate Editor for Right Side Broadcasting Network. Her work has additionally appeared in The Epoch Times.

Summer is also a mom and wife who enjoys rural country living, herding cats, and gardening. She is passionate about writing about women’s issues, parenting, and politics from a theologically-grounded perspective that points readers to the good news of the gospel.

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