In a region of Central Asia, a local church provides Bible training for deaf believers through courses funded by Open Doors. Recent seminars covered the New Testament and daily life during Jesus' time. Following this instruction, six men traveled from remote areas to be baptized. The ceremony was held in secret because the church is unregistered, and baptisms outside registered institutions are prohibited. This event marked a significant spiritual milestone for the participants, who celebrated despite legal restrictions on their religious activities in the country.
Translated from Nederlands
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by lens zone on UnsplashPersecuted church
A former devout Muslim from Iran converted to Christianity after attending a secret church. Her husband reacted with violence, beating her while she held their baby. Despite this trauma and the loss of a second pregnancy, she started an underground house church that grew to 50 members. When Iranian intelligence services threatened her, she fled the country with her daughter. Now safe in a new nation, she receives leadership training from Open Doors partners and shares insights online to support other believers in Iran. Her story highlights the severe persecution faced by Christians in Iran and the resilience of the underground church.
Christians in southern Syria are fleeing their homes due to intense fighting between Druze and Sunni Bedouin fighters. A priest in the region has opened his church to displaced villagers from surrounding areas. The Orthodox Archdiocese reports a severe humanitarian crisis, with over 300,000 families lacking basic supplies. They are calling for humanitarian corridors to end the siege. Recent escalations involved Syrian government troops and Israeli airstrikes. Many Christians feel they can no longer consider Syria their home after years of conflict and recent attacks, such as the bombing of a church in the capital.
Over 200 evangelical Christians fled their communities in Chiapas, Mexico, after criminal groups demanded they join their ranks or face execution. Following a kidnapping incident where 109 people were held hostage, the Mexican military intervened, allowing families to escape with their lives but no possessions. Many now live in overcrowded conditions in a community hall, receiving limited aid from Open Doors and local partners. The group provides food, medical care, and psychological support to those traumatized by the violence. Despite this assistance, the displaced believers remain without homes or stable income, with no clear prospect of returning to their original villages.
A suicide bomber attacked a church in a city in Syria, killing 24 people, including three men who tried to stop the attacker. The Greek Orthodox Church reported the casualties. The new Syrian government claimed the Islamic State was responsible, though Christians expressed doubt. A bishop and other leaders criticized the government's absence at the funeral and demanded accountability. The attack has heightened fear among Syrian Christians, who remain steadfast in their faith despite the violence and economic hardship.
The government of Chad recently released eight young Christians detained for over a month. The group, comprising seven men and one woman from various congregations, was arrested in the capital while conducting evangelism. Their disappearance caused significant distress among families and church leaders. Local sources indicate the prosecutor general ordered their release, declaring them innocent. The individuals have returned home safely. This incident underscores the challenging environment for believers in the region, where religious freedom remains restricted despite constitutional protections.
Translated from NederlandsAlso reported by 1 other outlet
A pastor in Nicaragua has been prevented from returning home after traveling abroad for family matters. His flight was canceled, leaving him stranded overseas as his visa expires. This incident is part of a broader repression by the government against religious leaders and critics. Since 2023, authorities have revoked the legal status of many churches and restricted travel for hundreds of citizens. These bureaucratic measures aim to silence opposition and suppress Christian ministry. The pastor describes the climate as one of fear, noting that openly speaking about Christ can make one a target. This reflects increasing state intimidation against spiritual leaders in the country.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has severely impacted the Christian minority, with over 100 church buildings damaged or destroyed. According to Open Doors Nederland, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and government troops have targeted religious sites, including bombings in a city in northern Sudan that killed a priest. A church leader states that Christians face extreme vulnerability, with many trapped in besieged areas or unable to return safely due to land seizures and fundamentalist hostility. The crisis has created the world's largest displacement emergency, leaving the future of the local church uncertain amid widespread lawlessness and trauma.
Amid escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, Iranian Christians and church leaders are calling for prayer. Panic has erupted in a major city, with citizens fleeing and facing fuel shortages. A pastor reports a Christian family lost their father to an explosion while preparing to evacuate. Church leaders express sorrow for those remaining, citing government restrictions on internet access and arrests of those sharing news. Another believer notes Christians are vulnerable to espionage accusations. Despite the danger, the church remains hopeful, seeking divine intervention for peace and protection for believers in the region.
At least 218 people were killed and thousands displaced in a Nigerian state between June 8 and 14. Reports indicate militants attacked predominantly Christian communities in a specific local government area. The violence included multiple assaults on villages and a mission post. Survivors describe the attacks as targeted killings of farmers and displaced persons. The state governor labeled the perpetrators as terrorists. The Nigerian government has launched security operations, and the United Nations has called for an investigation into the incidents.
Allied Democratic Forces militants attacked a church jubilee in a village in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The assault during a prayer wake killed at least 49 Christians and resulted in the abduction of 20 children. A local partner reported that 37 victims were buried in a mass grave. The attackers also burned homes and businesses in the region. The incident highlights the ongoing violence in a diocese, where residents have lost trust in security forces. The parish organized a prayer service following the tragedy.
A Central Asian nation has confirmed deporting Afghan refugees, including those with UNHCR status, after issuing a short ultimatum to leave. Authorities cite residency law violations, such as drug trafficking and false documentation, as justification. Reports indicate families have been separated, with some children deported while parents remain. Significant concerns exist that deported Christians face severe persecution or execution upon return to Afghanistan, where the Taliban actively target believers. A researcher warns that these forced returns endanger lives, particularly for secret Christians. This action mirrors similar large-scale repatriations from neighboring countries reported by the UNHCR.
Open Doors reported in its 2024 annual report that it assisted over 9.5 million Christians facing discrimination and persecution worldwide. The organization operates in nearly 70 countries, with significant challenges in Central Asia, Algeria, Libya, Afghanistan, Sudan, Yemen, and Myanmar. Outgoing director Maarten Dees highlighted increasing violence in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in a country in that region, where groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP cause severe harm. In response, the group launched the 'Break the Silence' petition, which gathered over 40,000 signatures in the Netherlands and Flanders. The initiative aims to seek protection and justice for affected communities until 2026. Financial support from donors also grew, reaching 20.7 million euros.
Syrian Christians live in deep uncertainty despite recent sanctions relief announced by President Trump. A Christian woman in Syria describes ongoing struggles with a broken banking system and daily survival. In a coastal city, pamphlets urging conversion to Islam were posted at church sites, causing fear. In a northern city, students face interrupted classes and discrimination. Armed groups in a southern region extort money from Christian families. Sectarian violence erupted between Druze and Sunni communities, with security troops later restoring order. The community feels unsafe and bears a heavy burden of anxiety regarding their future and children's upbringing.
Open Doors reports that three Christians in Iran remain imprisoned due to their faith. A pastor has been held without formal charges since February, while his wife was briefly detained and released after paying a high bail. Another believer ended a 35-day hunger strike after suffering a stroke and partial paralysis. A fourth individual, also on hunger strike, received limited medical care for a broken leg despite prior requests for heart treatment. The group states that all three lack official charges and adequate medical attention, causing significant distress to their families in Iran.
New regulations in China severely limit religious activities for foreign Christians. According to Open Doors Nederland, foreigners are banned from preaching or evangelizing. All events involving foreigners, including church services, require prior government approval, which is rarely granted. The rules cite national security and prohibit importing religious materials beyond personal use. Open Doors notes that these measures, based on revised 1994 laws, aim to prevent foreign interference. The organization states that the vague terms allow authorities to suppress activities deemed threatening to social stability. This update increases pressure on domestic religious groups and restricts cross-border religious exchange.
In Syria, a Christian woman reports that the country remains fragile following the fall of the Assad regime. Economic hardships persist, with limited electricity and banking restrictions. The US aid freeze under President Trump has caused job losses for many NGOs. Security concerns rose after an arson attack on a church in a specific town and violent clashes in Druze areas, which displaced Christian families in a nearby village. Despite these challenges, Easter celebrations proceeded peacefully in many regions, though fear remains high in coastal cities. The situation highlights ongoing instability and humanitarian struggles for the local population.
Open Doors partners in Myanmar continue relief efforts in affected regions, more than a month after the devastating earthquake. The disaster killed over 3,800 people and left thousands injured. Partners provided food, solar lamps, and temporary toilets to affected families. They also assisted with housing repairs, such as fixing walls for a house church leader. Trauma counseling was offered to help victims cope with the devastation. The organization reports that aid helps survivors regain stability and rebuild their lives amidst ongoing aftershocks and safety concerns.
Authorities in eastern China have imposed stricter regulations on registered churches following an incident at a local university. According to an Open Doors partner, student activists posted sensitive political content online, which officials traced back to a registered church connected to house churches. The group had previously distributed foreign Bible study materials. In response, police warned against religious activities among students and children, and forced the closure of several meeting locations. Only main church sites remain open. The measures aim to limit the spread of Christianity on campuses and ensure better control over church membership numbers. This development further restricts religious freedom in the region.
Translated from Nederlands
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