We serve Christians around the world whose brave faith in Jesus means they are, beaten, threatened, imprisoned, tortured, falsely accused, disowned and hated.
Christians in churches the government refuses to formally approve are considered enemies of the state and have faced beatings, imprisonment and torture. Those who are arrested have been locked in metal shipping containers battling with horrific heat in the day and freezing temperatures at night. Islamic extremism is on the rise, and radical groups seem well connected with country leaders.
EVERY £8
Could provide a young person from Central Asia with a Bible in their own language
EVERY £26
Could provide trauma care for a victim of violent persecution
“Even when we are in suffering, we rejoice. Our happiness is not based on what we have or do not have. When people see that, they accept Jesus.”
Pastor Gideon, who has spent more than six years in prison for his faith
ERITREA: QUICK FACTS
Christians in non approved denominations are considered enemies of the state and have faced beatings, imprisonment, harassment and torture.
Those who are arrested have been locked in metal shipping containers battling with horrific heat in the day and freezing temperatures at night.
Islamic extremism is on the rise, and radical groups seem well connected with country leaders.
Christians from unapproved denominations are looked at suspiciously, and the government encourages people to spy on them.
ERITREA: THE BASICS
It’s known as the ‘North Korea of Africa’ due to its intense authoritarian government. Eritrea only recognises three heavily monitored Christian denominations (Eritrean Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Lutheran), so anyone who follows Jesus outside of these denominations – such as evangelicals or Pentecostals – is at constant risk. Speaking out about persecution or government interference in church matters is not tolerated at all.
Raids to round up ‘unsanctioned’ believers are common, with church leaders particularly targeted. Those seized in these raids are often sent into Eritrea’s notorious prison network, where they can be detained indefinitely. Current estimates suggest around 1,000 Eritrean Christians are imprisoned, and they haven’t been charged with any crime. Members of some house churches have been in prison for more than 10 years, enduring shocking conditions, including solitary confinement in tiny cells.
The government watches every citizen of Eritrea, promoting a stigma against Christians. This means that anyone who converts from Islam or joins a non-approved Christian denomination is likely to come under intense pressure from their family and community, along with the government. Women are particularly vulnerable – converts risk abduction, house arrest, forced marriage to a Muslim or removal of their children.
Following Jesus in Eritrea comes at an incredible cost, but courageous believers continue to walk with Him.
Eritrea: More Details
Abdullah’s story
Becoming a Christian in Eritrea cost Abdullah* everything. His job, his freedom and eventually his life. This persecution might have ended if he’d renounced Jesus – but that was something he refused to do. He knows Jesus is worth the cost.
Like most Eritreans, Abdullah grew up in a Muslim home. When he decided to follow Jesus, he could have been a secret believer – but he was so passionate about his new faith that he couldn’t keep it quiet. He told everyone at work about Jesus – he wanted them to know the good news too! One of his coworkers was angry, and secretly recorded him while baiting him into making political comments. The next day, Abdullah was arrested and imprisoned.
In prison, he was only given food three times a week. His wife wasn’t allowed to bring him any extra food or clothes, or even to see him – though she did receive letters, in which she learned that he was getting increasingly sick in prison. Tragically, he eventually died.
Those close to the family say that Abdullah was imprisoned to discourage his faith. Ultimately, the authorities wanted him to deny Christ and convert back to Islam. He was told that, were he to do this, the charges against him would be dropped. But no imprisonment, hunger, torture or sickness could separate Abdullah from the love of God.
*Name changed for security reasons
Watch Eyal’s Story
In this inspiring video Eyal shares how the courage of Eritrean believers is helping them to stand firm in the face of persecution, imprisonment and even death.
How is Open Doors helping
Open Doors works through local church partners in Eritrea to provide economic empowerment projects, discipleship and persecution survival training.
PRAY NOW
Heavenly Father, we pray for our brothers and sisters in Eritrea. They have been so faithful for so long despite decades of unceasing risk and violence. We pray especially for those believers who are in prison – please be with them and comfort them, right now. We boldly ask for a change in Eritrea, that You would change the hearts of the authorities who target Your people. We ask these things in Jesus' name, Amen.
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North Korea is the most dangerous place in the world to be a Christian. The leadership are viewed as divine, so those following Jesus pose a real threat to their ruling status. Those suspected of following Jesus will be arrested and interrogated. Up to 70,000 Christians are living in horrific labour camps.
LEVEL OF PERSECUTION:
Somalia
Hundreds (in a population of 16.8 million)
SOMALIA: QUICK FACTS SOMALIA: THE BASICS The dangers of being a Christian in Somalia are extreme. Most, if not all, Christians in the country are converts from Muslim backgrounds. That makes each believer a high-value target for al-Shabaab, a militant group that has repeatedly expressed its desire to eradicate Christians from the country. If discovered, […]
LEVEL OF PERSECUTION:
Libya
35,100 (0.5%)
Libya: QUICK FACTS Libya: The basics Libya continues to be a place with very little political stability. Much of the country is ruled over by militias. But a small number of Libyans have encountered Jesus and chosen to follow Him. It could cost them everything. Converts from Islam face the most intense and violent pressure […]
LEVEL OF PERSECUTION:
Yemen
A small number (exact figures are hard to define)
A country where Muslims who choose to follow Jesus could face the death penalty…
LEVEL OF PERSECUTION:
Nigeria
103 million (46.4%)
More believers are killed for their faith in Nigeria each year than everywhere else in the world, combined…
LEVEL OF PERSECUTION:
Pakistan
4.2 million (1.8%)
PAKISTAN: QUICK FACTS PAKISTAN: THE BASICS A devastating attack on the Christian community in Jaranwala in August 2023 was a reminder of the hostile environment facing many believers in Pakistan. The attack on more than 20 churches and almost 100 homes was in response to two believers being accused of desecrating the Quran. Pakistan’s notorious […]
LEVEL OF PERSECUTION:
Sudan
2 million (4.3%)
Conflict, targeted persecution, Islamic extremism and instability all mean Christians are counting the cost in Sudan…
LEVEL OF PERSECUTION:
Iran
1.2 million (under 1.4% of the population)
Converting to Christianity from Islam is illegal in Iran, a place where Christians ca be arrested simply for attending a house church…
LEVEL OF PERSECUTION:
Afghanistan
Thousands (in a population of 41 million)
If an Afghan’s Christian faith is discovered, it can be a death sentence, or they can be detained and tortured into giving information about fellow believers…
