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4 Trends In Persecution For 2018
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Mother In North KoreaRaising A Family
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One With ThemAmbassadors
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The Secular World Thoughts From Wybo
World Watch List
F R O N T L I N E FA I T HSharing The Inside Story Of The Persecuted Church
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Open Doors has been serving the persecuted church since 1955. I remember being with Brother Andrew as we celebrated 60 years of ministry and looked back on all the Lord had done.
But what I loved was that Brother Andrew wasn’t as interested in the past as he was with the future.
How would Open Doors continue to stay true to our original calling of serving the persecuted church? How could we continue to reliably, accurately and authoritatively be a voice on shifts in religious freedom globally?
For me the answer lies in the World Watch List. This indexed ranking of the 50 most difficult places to follow Jesus continues to grow in relevance and impact.
I am sure many of you reading this, like me, were unaware of how the World Watch List even came about. Let me take a moment to share that with you.
Our Mission
In 1989, at the collapse of the Berlin Wall, the focus of our ministry shifted. We realised after serving behind the Iron Curtain for more than 30 years, we needed to identify and report on the pressure Christians face in other parts of the world.
And so in 1991, Open Doors created the first World Watch List and almost 30 years on, we’re still reporting global trends in religious freedom.
From the fall of Communism and rise of Islamic extremism, to the growth of radical Hinduism and intolerant Atheism. Our team of persecution analysts and researchers work tirelessly to ensure data is captured and reported accurately.
A Letter From Mike
For almost 30 years, Open Doors have released the annual World Watch List showing the top 50 countries where it’s hardest to follow Jesus. Here are four trends from the 2018 World Watch List:
1. A Close Score
North Korea has ranked number one on the World Watch List for over a decade and this year was no exception. However, this year Afghanistan has come in at a close second behind North Korea. It’s the closest any country has been since 2002.
In Afghanistan, the Taliban and the Islamic State control over 40% of the country. It’s incredibly difficult to be a believer. Christians are sometimes thought to be insane for leaving Islam and can end up in psychiatric wards.
2. Islamic Oppression
Islamic oppression is the main form of persecution for two-thirds of all countries on the World Watch List. Eight of them are from the top 10.
There are different forms of Islamic oppression. An Islamic government can enforce laws that limit religious freedom, or Islamic extremists groups can attack churches and communities. While the oppression looks very different in each country, this is a common trend among the top 50.
The Year Ahead
In 2018, we want to make supporting the persecuted church more accessible than ever. I want to share one of the ways you can do that.
At Easter this year we will be running something called One With Them. We’re asking people to donate one day’s wage to the persecuted church. The reason for this is that I believe every person who calls themselves a follower of Jesus should do something, at least once a year, for our persecuted brothers and sisters.
One With Them will be happening on 28 March this year. In many nations, when the church gathers around Easter, attacks increase. We want to stand with those who are suffering for their faith, especially at this significant time of year.
I would love to ask you to pray for us and One With Them as we try to reach people who want to stand up for the persecuted church. You can find out more at onewiththem.com.au / onewiththem.co.nz
I hope our World Watch List edition of Frontline Faith will help equip you to pray, leave you challenged to share your faith, and aware of how we can make a difference together for the persecuted church.
It’s estimated that over 215 million Christians in the World Watch List countries are persecuted for their faith in Jesus. That’s one in every 12 believers worldwide.
Mike Gore CEO Open Doors Australia and New Zealand [email protected] / @_mikegore
4 Trends In Persecution For 2018
OPEN DOORS LIVE PODCASTHear the persecuted church brought to life.
Find episodes wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.
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People dispersing after a prayer service in a village in India
India has risen seven
places in the last two
years and has seen an
increase in radical Hindus.
3. Increased Violence
Persecution is measured by two categories, violence and pressure. While Pakistan ranked fifth overall, it scored highest as the most violent place for Christians in the world.
In December, nine Christians were killed when two gunmen wearing explosive vests stormed a church in Quetta City. Attacks occur year round, increasing around religious holidays like Easter and Christmas.
The top five most violent countries ranked in order are Pakistan, Nigeria, Central African Republic, India and Egypt.
4. Rise Of Radical Hinduism
India has risen seven places in the last two years. A major increase in violence against Christians is set to continue. RSS, a Hindu radical group, has announced an end date for the church in the country. They have declared that by the end of 2021, they will remove Christianity from India.
Nepal didn’t feature on the World Watch List in 2017, however, this year the country is ranked 25. Nepal is one of the only Hindu majority countries in the world. Radical Hindu’s are striving to see Nepal reinstated as a completely Hindu kingdom again.
The World Watch List was created in 1991 as a response to the fall of Communism and the Berlin Wall. It was developed as a tool to discover where persecution was, and where it was growing.
See Wybo’s article on ‘The Secular World’ (p12) to learn how persecution may affect Christians living in western countries in the future.
The persecuted church need our support and prayers. However, we also need to learn from them and stand together in the Great Commission to see all people know Jesus, the Saviour of the world.
When two armed men came to the door, Henry thought they were police, until they kidnapped him.
The city of Marawi, in the Philippines had been taken by the Islamic State. Henry was held captive with 18 other Christians, for eight days.
“ At that time, I was not at ease, I saw a lot of things. In front of me, people were beheaded…”
“ Every second that the clock ticked, we prayed to the Lord. We prayed for our captors.”
During an airstrike, Henry and some other hostages were able to escape.
“ I can’t explain my joy in seeing my family. The Lord gave me another opportunity – he gave me, my children, and my wife a new chance to know Him more.”
Read full story “Captured By ISIS In Marawi’ opendoors.org.au/blog opendoors.org.nz/blog
Roman* was a very conservative Muslim who decided to disrupt a Christian church service. He wanted to target betrayers.
“ By ‘betrayers’ I meant Christians with a Muslim Background,” Roman said. “I decided to go to the church service during Ramadan because I considered myself to be a devout Muslim. I want to prove my faith to Allah.”
The church service started, but Roman couldn’t force himself to stand up and cause a scene. The words that were spoken touched him too much.
“ For the first time I heard about a God who loved me. I never knew that the almighty God loved me even though I am not perfect. That thought seriously never entered my mind. I always felt guilty. I felt that I had to earn His attention.”
Roman repented and gave his life to Christ.
“ I never want to go back to the Muslim faith.”
The Coptic cross is a tattoo get many believers in Egypt get as a permanent reminder, and public declaration, of their faith.
Bassem was on his way home with his brother Osama, and neighbour Mohamed, when armed men stopped them and checked their wrists. When they saw Bassem’s tattoo they asked if he was a Christian.
“ Yes, I am a Christian,” he answered.
They fired shots at Osama’s feet and told the others to leave.
“ And then they shot Bassem in the head,” Osama said. “I could not believe what happened to my brother. He fell on the ground in front of me and I was unable to do anything.”
When Bassem’s close friend heard what happened, he called Bassem on the phone.
“ The terrorists answered me and promised to kill more Copts,” he said. “Bassem was a very good man. He didn’t renounce the faith and didn’t deny his Lord Jesus Christ.”
Read full story opendoors.org.au/blog opendoors.org.nz/blog
“ We prayed for our
captors.”
“ I never want to go back
to the Muslim faith.”“ Yes, I am a Christian.”
Henry, Philippines Roman, Central Asia Bassem, Egypt
Sixty Second StoriesShort Stories You Can Share
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Hannah’s mother prayed every day. Hannah had to watch out for neighbours, and if anyone came close, she would cough and her mother would stop praying. She didn’t realise it then, but Hannah’s mother was a secret believer.
Hannah would often hear her mum pray, “Hanonim! Hanonim! Lord, Lord! Please help!’
But she didn’t quite know what that meant. And whilst her mother’s prayers kept Hannah from being indoctrinated, like other North Koreans, life was still hard.
Two of Hannah’s children died very early on. Hannah also had to take care of the family when her husband couldn’t find work. She sold goods illegally on the black market.
“ Sometimes I carried heavy, frozen meat up the mountains,” Hannah said. “This cost me my finger and toe nails. There was never any money for proper medical care.”
“ If believing in God is a sin. I’d rather
die! It’s my mission to live according
to God’s will!”
Escape To China
When Hannah’s mother died, her eldest daughters fled to China. They were captured and sold as wives to Chinese farmers.
“ When we didn’t hear from them, my husband decided to go after them,” Hannah said.
When her husband didn’t return, Hannah packed up the rest of family and went looking.
“ I prayed to God with the only words I knew: ‘Hanonim, Hanonim! Lord, Lord! Please help!’
A few weeks later they found each other and Hannah’s entire family was reunited in China. Her husband’s relative took them to church. It was the first time they had heard the gospel.
“All of us accepted Jesus Christ that day,” Hannah said. “ We felt peace in our hearts and unexplainable joy… Now I could follow Him like my mother had.”
“ Our faith grew very quickly, because we had been prepared all our lives for this moment.”
Not long after her daughters had to return to the Chinese men who bought them, Hannah and the rest of her family were discovered in China. They were arrested and sent to a North Korean prison.
“They’d beat us so harshly,” Hannah recalled.
When her husband admitted he’d become a Christian, they were all locked up in solitary confinement and beaten even more. They didn’t receive any food or water.
The more they tortured Hannah’s husband, the harder he defended his faith.
“ If believing in God is a sin,” he’d yell, “I’d rather die! It’s my mission to live according to God’s will!”
“ I too felt close to dying,” Hannah said. “I was dehydrated and beaten until I was unconscious.”
One day, Hannah’s family was called out of their prison cells. They feared they were about to be sent to a labour camp where they would surely die.
“ We prayed silently,” Hannah said. “I prayed that God would change this prison into a church.”
Praying For A Miracle
Hannah and her daughter were taken to an office to hear their fate. There were two other male prisoners there.
“ One I recognised as my son, but the other was in such a bad shape. I didn’t recognise my husband, and he didn’t recognise me,” Hannah said. “That’s how horrendous we looked from the torture.”
His ribs and collarbone were broken, so that he could not even stand up straight.”
The deputy decided to give Hannah and her family special amnesty. They were free to go.
“ When we walked out the prison that night and were finally free and alone, we quietly sang a hymn,” Hannah said.
Separated Again
Hannah’s family still feared for their lives and her husband urged Hannah to take their daughter and go back to China.
“ I will come with our son in about a month,” he promised. “Then we will worship Jesus together.”
Hannah fled to China. One month went by, and there was still no word from Hannah’s husband.
She waited three years.
“ I found out that he had died shortly after we left,” Hannah said. “He was never able to overcome the pain and illnesses from prison. My son was too young to help him.”
Hannah’s son couldn’t cross the river into China by himself. Two years ago, she found out he was alive and living with a family member in North Korea. The two were able to briefly speak over the phone.
Hannah now lives in South Korea and serves God there.
“ In North Korea, my mother only taught me one prayer,” Hannah said. “But I still pray it every day, for my family and for my country: ‘Hanonim, Hanonim! Lord, Lord, please help.’”
Hannah and her mother praying in North Korea
Mother In North KoreaRaising A Family In The Most Dangerous Place On The Planet For Christians
Statues in North Korea
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2018WorldWatchList
1. North Korea2. Afghanistan3. Somalia4. Sudan5. Pakistan 6. Eritrea7. Libya8. Iraq9. Yemen10. Iran
11. India 12. Saudi Arabia13. Maldives14. Nigeria15. Syria16. Uzbekistan17. Egypt18. Vietnam19. Turkmenistan20. Laos
21. Jordan22. Tajikistan23. Malaysia24. Myanmar25. Nepal26. Brunei27. Qatar28. Kazakhstan29. Ethiopia30. Tunisia
31. Turkey32. Kenya33. Bhutan34. Kuwait35. Central African Republic36. Palestinian Territories37. Mali38. Indonesia39. Mexico40. United Arab Emirates
41. Bangladesh42. Algeria43. China44. Sri Lanka45. Azerbaijan46. Oman47. Mauritania48. Bahrain49. Colombia50. Djibouti
Extreme
Persecution Levels
Very High
High
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Sydney Football Club striker Bobô and his wife Raquel sat with Open Doors for an interview about the years that changed their faith, and why they’re ambassadors for One With Them this Easter.
Bobô is a leading player for Sydney FC, and has recently broken the club record for most number of goals scored in a season. What many people don’t know, is that he and his wife, Raquel, have a strong faith in Jesus as their Saviour, and are passionate about social justice and the persecuted church.
“ When you say, ‘I’m a Christian’ you could see people look differently at you,” Bobô said.
Bobô met Jesus through his wife. Raquel grew up in a Christian family in Brazil and people would to tell her she would be a missionary.
“ But living in a Christian home does not mean that you are a Christian,” Raquel said. “And I moved from the ways of Christ.”
She met Bobô when he was playing in Brazil. The pair got married, had their first daughter and moved to Turkey for his career.
In a competition final, when Raquel walked onto the field to celebrate another win, a reporter approached her to ask about Bobô’s success.
“ Everything has been given right to you,” he marvelled. For Raquel, the comment stuck in her mind.
“I could only think of the years I had turned my back to God,” Raquel said. “How did God still take care of me?”
“ I started praying again,” she said. “I poured myself into God’s presence, and something began to change within me. I prayed to God that He would give me at least one person to walk with [in my faith] because two are better than one.”
Bobô & Raquel
#onewiththem 28.3.18
One With Them
One With Them Ambassadors
“ If you let it, the persecuted church will have a transformative effect on your faith. Take hold of whatever it looks like to step towards the persecuted church and I promise you, there is blessing to be found there. It’s a privilege to say I’m standing One With Them.”
“ We often pray for the persecuted church at our prayer nights and the Middle East is super close to my heart. Couldn’t think of a better organisation to partner with!”
“ After a week, my husband decided to give his life to Jesus. It was beautiful, we prayed together and began to study the Bible.”
Turkey shares a border with Syria. Conflict and persecution against the church continues to grow.
Bobô recalls a news story about a Bible study attacked by Turkish Islamic extremists. The extremists spent six months pretending to be converts, building trust with the small group, until one day they turned on them. Everyone was killed except the mother who wasn’t at home. When she was asked about how she felt after losing her family, she simply said, “I forgive, because Jesus forgave me first.”
Steve Chong
“ It is important for the church, especially in the Western world, to not only be aware of but be moved to action for the persecuted church around the world. One With Them is mobilising the church to stand with the persecuted church by giving one day’s wages. Together we can make a difference and a significant impact.”
Banning Liebscher
#onewiththem 28.3.18
One With Them
“ And when it came time to leave Turkey, we knew God would use us wherever we were.”
Raquel and Bobô now live in Sydney after signing with the A-league. In his first season, Bobô led Sydney FC to win their first premiership since 2009, and became the second player in A-league history to score back to back hat-tricks.
Caring for the persecuted church continues to be close to their heart.
This Easter, Bobô and Raquel are ambassadors for ‘One With Them’ – a movement of Christians giving one day’s wage for the persecuted church.
“ It makes me feel great. It makes me feel like I can help,” Bobô said. “I feel like I can do my part in the body [of Christ]. I think that’s the most important thing.”
You can join One With Them this Easter and pledge to give one day for the persecuted church. onewiththem.com.au | onewiththem.co.nz
They lived through the rise of the civil war in Syria, and watched as Syrian refugees fled across the border into Turkey.
“ There were 15,000 in one day,” Raquel said. “Of course, I felt sad. But I thought, okay everybody is feeling sad but you need to move. You need to help.”
Sydney Footbal Club striker Bobô and his wife Raquel
Raquel and Bobô ran their own Bible
study and baptised five new believers.
Founder and Pastor Jesus Culture@thebanning
Founder and Leader Rice [email protected]
Susanna AprilArtist@susannaapril
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The Secular World
Wybo Nicolai has had over 30 years of experience in the field, including five years in the Soviet Union and 16 years in the Middle East. He’s also the creator of the World Watch List, ranking the 50 most dangerous countries in the world to be a Christian.
When Open Doors saw the fall of the Berlin Wall, there was speculation about whether we could work outside of the Soviet Union. Wybo Nicolai was asked to survey other nations around the world, so as a ministry we could stay true to our call – serving the persecuted church.
The first World Watch List, created in 1991, defined the next focus: The Middle East and the Muslim world. This was a decade before others turned their attention to the Middle East in 2001. Since then, as a ministry, we’ve seen the rise of radical Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. But now there is a new trend emerging, an anti-Christian secular world.
“I’m very concerned about the current trend in the Western world,” said Wybo. “I would not be surprised if a country like the UK, France, maybe Sweden, could be on the list in ten years from now.
“From my perspective, this could be the last decade where we are still enjoying full freedom of religion.”
The Western world doesn’t experience persecution anything like what the church faces in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. However, Open Doors have been collecting data and watching the new trend emerge.
Thoughts From Wybo Nicolai
“Finally, we are part of a Body,” Wybo continued. “In times of persecution, some Christians may give up and actually betray real believers. But other believers will stand strong and be of great help. To share in persecution with other believers will make us stronger and will help us to carry the burden.
“It has been luxury that we have had freedom of religion for a couple of centuries in Australia. We should be thankful to the Lord that we have had the joy of so much freedom for such a long time. Now, we should make good use of the time we still have.”
“Most of all we should speak out on what is most important in our Christian faith. We have a message for the world, even though part of the world doesn’t like the message.”
“Wake up,” Wybo said. “Live out our faith. Spend some time in prayer and in the Word daily. He will guide you, and you will face unexpected opportunities to either share the faith or be an encouragement for other believers.”
Syria was once a peaceful country. For many years it didn’t feature in the World Watch List. Many thought persecution would never come, and it was a surprise when it did.
China was once one of the most persecuted countries in the world, but now has pledged to send 20,000 missionaries by 2030. Who could have imagined such revival and transformation?
Research has shown that the Western world is moving from a Christian culture to neutral, and trends suggest that the next chapter is an anti-Christian culture.
One day, the Western church may need to ask the church in China, Iraq and India for help.
The Western church has never needed the persecuted church more, and the persecuted have never need the Western church more.
There is only one Church. Let’s stand one with them.
Whilst this is not meant to be a cause
for concern, it is a call to partner with
the persecuted church. We need their
message now more than ever.
The Western church has never had more to learn from our persecuted brothers and sisters on how to be bold, unashamed of the gospel, and quick to forgive.
“Persecution is for real and yes persecution is growing. We have statistical evidence to back this up,” Wybo said. “It is growing both in intensity and in number of countries and believers affected. Jesus warned us, that just as they persecuted him, we shall be persecuted. Acceptance is the first step. The next step, is to realise that we are not alone.
“Jesus went through persecution Himself, He can identify with us and can speak to us. Even more, He promised us to send the Holy Spirit as a Comforter.
Street scene
Food Distribution in Sudan
Street scene in Egypt
Street scene in China
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On 13 November, 2016, an attacker threw two petrol bombs into a church playground in East Bornea, Indonesia. A group of children were playing outside. Their parents were attending the Sunday service. Alvaro (4), Trinity (4) and Anita (2) were severely wounded. Another child, Intan, passed away days later from his injuries.
Five suspects linked to a local terrorist group are facing court charges for the attack. Trinity’s mother, Sarinah, was summoned to give her testimony.
After giving her witness, Sarinah walked toward the defendants and said, “I forgive you. Jesus loves you.”
“Please repent; no more innocent children killed and wounded. Mine is enough.” Her voice trembled but she held herself together as she walked out of the courtroom.
We would like to invite other believers, and Christian children to write cards to the children and let them know they’re not alone. Please continue to pray for Alvaro, Trinity, Anita and their families.
Please send postcards by 30 April 2018 Australia: 11/10 Gladstone Road, Castle Hill NSW 2154 New Zealand: PO Box 51236 Tawa, Wellington 5249
Do:– Print clearly in English– Be brief and encouraging – Provide your name and country only– Send greeting cards, artwork from
children and postcards
Do not: – Mention Open Doors – Send money– Criticise a country – Make proposals to help
Letter Writing CampaignIndonesian Children
LEAVING A GIFT IN YOUR WILL
MEET THE PERSECUTED CHURCH FACE TO FACE
Register your interest now. Spaces are limited! www.opendoors.org.au/travel | www.opendoors.org.nz/travel
Pastor Trip
Do you want to connect your church with the persecuted church?
Pastors and church leaders are invited to meet the persecuted church first hand on a trip led by CEO, Mike Gore. This is a life changing experience for anyone in leadership, meeting with underground churches and secret believers.
Dates: 21-30 May 2018Destination: Secret LocationOnly 4 spaces left!
Have you considered leaving a gift that can impact the future of the church? Contact us for more information about including Open Doors in your Will.
Australia
Sydney (02) 9451 2999Melbourne (03) 8609 1918Brisbane (07) 3077 7460
New Zealand
Wellington (04) 232 7055
Trinity (left)
WORLD WATCH LIST 2018 GUIDEBOOK
Guidebooks and maps for your church are now available. opendoors.org.au | opendoors.org.nz
Open Doors Australia | PO Box 734 Penrith 2751 | (02) 9451 2999 | (07) 3077 7460 | (03) 8609 1918 | [email protected] | opendoors.org.au
Open Doors New Zealand | PO Box 51236 Tawa 5249 | (04) 232 7055 | [email protected] | opendoors.org.nz
S E R V I N G P E R S E C U T E D C H R I S T I A N S W O R L D W I D E
Pledge Today Or Find Out Moreonewiththem.com.au / onewiththem.co.nz
Would you give one day for the persecuted church?
One Church. One Hope. One Family.ONE WITH THEM
We are encouraging Christians to show their solidarity with persecuted Christians by drawing a cross on their wrist.
28.3.18This Easter stand One With Them and give one day’s wage for the persecuted church.
