Hatred.
Persecution.
Jesus warned his disciples to expect both:
“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18)
“If they persecuted me, they will persecute you.” (John 15:20)
But what IS persecution?
In America, it usually consists of verbal abuse or harassment – and in rare cases, violence.
Perhaps a toxic work environment.
Perhaps a poor grade on a school project.
Perhaps loss of a job.
But rarely more.
In other countries, it often means physical abuse, torture, or even death.
Here are 4 things you should know about what’s happening to Christians around the world:
- Persecution of Christians is escalating in quantity and in severity.
Open Doors International is a global organization that supports persecuted Christians around the world.
Each year it publishes World Watch List – a ranking of the 50 countries in which Christians face the most extreme persecution.
The 2025 report states that over 380 million Christians face high levels of discrimination and persecution because of their faith in Jesus.[1]
That’s more than the entire population of the U.S.
A large percentage of those who are the most persecuted live in Muslim-majority nations.
In Nigeria, for example, more Christians are murdered each year than in all other countries combined.[2]
During a 14-year period between the beginning of the radical Muslim insurgency by Boko Haram in 2009, and April of 2023, at least 52,250 Nigerian Christians were murdered.[3]
In addition, more than 5 million have been displaced.
A recent attack killed more than 200 Christians in Benue State.[4]
Also, in Damascus, Syria last month, an Islamic jihadist opened fire on worshipers and detonated an explosive device — killing at least 30 and wounding dozens more.[5]
- Congress acts – President Trump helps
Members of the House and Senate recently introduced a joint resolution – H. Res. 594 – condemning the persecution of Christians in countries where Muslims form the majority.
The resolution lists specific targeted killings, church closures, arrests, and denial of the freedom to worship God.
Numerous human rights violations are documented not just in Nigeria and Syria – but also in Egypt, Algeria, Turkey, Pakistan and other countries.
Kelsey Zorzi, Director of Global Religious Freedom at ADF International, commended the resolution:
“No one from any religious background should face persecution for their faith. Yet year after year, Christians remain the most persecuted religious group worldwide…”[6]
- President Trump needs to step up.
The resolution urges the Trump Administration to focus its foreign policy and diplomatic efforts on the advancement of religious freedom and the protection of persecuted Christians.
Specifically, it calls on the President to use diplomatic tools such as trade and security negotiations to pressure Muslim-majority countries to end religious persecution and human rights abuses.
President Trump established a Religious Liberty Commission during this year’s May 1st National Day of Prayer event in the Rose Garden.[7]
It is chaired by Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and co-chaired by Dr. Ben Carson.
President Trump should seek advice from this commission on ways to weave religious liberty principles into all aspects of foreign policy involving not only countries engaging in religious persecution, but even involving the allies of the countries persecuting religious minorities.
- England steps up support.
The UK actively supports the right to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) globally.
David Smith, the UK’s special envoy for FoRB, warns that Christianity is in danger of being “wiped out” in some countries due to intensifying persecution.[8]
For example, Hindu radicals in India want to eliminate Christianity completely from that country.[9]
Smith says that freedom of religion is interlinked to freedom of speech, conscience and assembly, and that his country’s commitment to FoRB is “a new chapter” in foreign policy.[10]
The British government is focusing on defending FoRB in the following 10 countries:
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- China
- India
- Iraq
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Syria
- Ukraine
- Vietnam
Persecution in these countries may involve the following actions by both governments and social groups:
- Social ostracism
- Harassment by police
- Arrest and detention without cause
- Denial of citizenship
- Attacks on churches and other places of worship
- Physical torture or death
Action Steps:
- Buy my book, The Christian Voter: 7 Non-Negotiables for Voting For, Not Against, Your Values. Chapter 12 is all about the persecuted church. To secure your own copy, you can order in one of the following three ways:
Amazon book: Simply visit HERE to place your order online, for Kindle, click HERE or for the Audiobook, click HERE.Autographed Edition: For a personal touch, order an autographed edition online at Autographed Link HERE, or call 615-814-6633 to place your order by phone.Check Payment: If you prefer the traditional route, you can also send a check for $26.13 (includes shipping) payable to Media Specialists for an autographed book.Mail it to the following address:
Media Specialists
1313 4th Ave N
Nashville, TN 37208 - Support groups like Open Doors International by clicking HERE, The Voice of the Martyrs, click HERE or ADF International, click HERE.
- Write to President Trump and encourage him to make protecting religious liberty and ending Christian persecution a requirement for any trade deal or other foreign policy negotiation.
- Pray for persecuted Christians around the world – for courage, for spiritual strength, for perseverance, and that they will be rescued from their tormentors.
- Watch the new 17 ½-minute documentary, “The Blatant Agenda of the BJP Government: Eradicating Christianity in India.” Click HERE.
Let me know what you think. Email me at [email protected].
[1] www.opendoors.org.
[2] Anugrah Kumar, https://www.christianpost.com/news/republicans-condemn-christian-persecution-in-muslim-nations.html
[3] Lisa Zengarini, https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2023-04/over-50000-christians-killed-in-nigeria-by-islamists-extremists.html
[4] Anugrah Kumar, op. cit.
[5] Anugrah Kumar, op. cit.
[6] https://adfinternational.org/news/u-s-congress-introduces-resolution-condemning-the-persecution-of-christians
[7] https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/05/president-trump-announces-religious-liberty-commission-members/
[8] Anugrah Kumar, https://www.christianpost.com/news/christianity-faces-being-wiped-out-uks-forb-envoy-warns.html
[9] Ole Braatelein, https://www.westernjournal.com/exclusive-pastors-expose-modis-agenda-erase-christianity-india/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=breaking-special&utm_campaign=news-alert&utm_content=2025-07-19
[10] Anugrah Kumar, https://www.christianpost.com/news/christianity-faces-being-wiped-out-uks-forb-envoy-warns.html