The Global Persecution of Christians - 2025

Throughout history, followers of Christ have faced persecution for their faith, a reality that Iisus Himself warned about when He said: 

Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. (John 15:20).

Today, this ancient warning resonates with devastating clarity as believers around the world face unprecedented levels of violence and discrimination.

From the early church's trials under Roman emperors to the martyrs of the medieval period, from those who suffered under Communist regimes to believers facing modern extremist movements, the pattern of persecution has been a consistent thread in Christian history. Yet what we witness today represents an escalation that demands our urgent attention and response.

The Apostle Paul reminded believers that 

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, (2 Timothy 3:12)

acknowledging that opposition to the Gospel would be an ongoing reality. However, the systematic nature and global scale of today's persecution reveal a coordinated effort to silence Christian voices and destroy Christian communities in many regions.

This persecution takes various forms — from legal restrictions and social discrimination in some countries to outright violence and murder in others. Understanding these patterns helps us better comprehend the challenges facing our brothers and sisters in faith worldwide, and calls us to both prayer and practical action in their defense.

The Church's response throughout history has always been one of steadfast faith, sacrificial love, and unwavering commitment to the Gospel message, even in the face of death. Today's persecuted believers continue this noble tradition, often strengthening rather than abandoning their faith despite tremendous suffering.

Based on the 2025 World Watch List report from Open Doors, a global organization that tracks religious persecution, Christian persecution has intensified dramatically worldwide. The annual report identifies North Korea as the most dangerous country for Christians, a position it has held for the last two years. The findings from Open Doors indicate that while North Korea's violence score has increased since 2024, new and escalating threats to Christians are also emerging on other continents.

North Korea: Extreme Persecution at the Top

North Korea continues to lead the world in Christian persecution, where discovering someone's Christian faith can result in immediate execution or deportation to labor camps. The totalitarian regime treats any recognition of faith beyond the Kim family as a direct threat to state authority. Under the so-called "anti-reactionary thought laws", merely identifying as a Christian or possessing a Bible is treated as a serious criminal offence, punishable by harsh penalties.

The persecution extends beyond individual believers; entire extended families face punishment even if family members themselves are not Christians. There is no legitimate church life possible, as even secret worship carries extreme risk from official spies, neighbors, or teachers who might report suspected believers.

Yemen: Rising Violence and Expanded Houthi Control

Yemen has emerged as one of the most dangerous places for Christians, with Iran-backed Houthi rebels expanding their territorial control and intensifying persecution. Christians in Houthi-controlled areas face the strictest prohibitions, with high levels of monitoring and surveillance making it nearly impossible for believers to meet safely.

The targeting of Christians has become systematic, with Houthi intelligence specifically investigating individuals to determine their religious beliefs. Self-identified Christians are subjected to intense surveillance, arbitrary arrest, torture, and even extrajudicial killing. Christian converts are particularly vulnerable to punishment from their communities, including being disowned, disinherited, or killed by family members.

The ongoing civil war has created additional hardships, as Christians are discriminated against in relief aid distribution, which primarily flows through local Muslim groups and mosques.

Kyrgyzstan: Sharp Increase in Persecution

Kyrgyzstan has experienced one of the most dramatic increases in Christian persecution, with pressure on believers reaching very high levels. The violence score jumped significantly from 1.3 points to 6.9 points, though many incidents remain unreported.

A new religion law that took effect in February 2025 has made practicing faith even more difficult for Christians. Under the new rules, a religious group must have at least 500 adult members to attain legal recognition, and any public act of worship must be registered in advance and can be refused authorization. As one Protestant leader noted: "The new law does not make anything better for us to practice our faith, but makes it more difficult" (source: evangelicalfocus.com).

Global Patterns of Violence and Oppression

Staggering Death Toll

More than 12 Christians are killed for their faith every day worldwide - equivalent to one believer murdered every two hours simply for following Christ. The total documented deaths reached over 4,400 Christians in the reporting period.

Mass Imprisonment

Thousands of Christians face detention and imprisonment for their religious beliefs. In India alone, 1,629 Christians have been held without trial, and 547 have been formally sentenced to prison. Iran has seen a six-fold increase in Christian imprisonment, with over 300 prosecuted in Tehran alone.

Widespread Attacks on Churches and Property

Over 7,600 churches or Christian properties were attacked or forced to close. More than 28,000 houses, shops, or businesses belonging to Christians were destroyed. Nearly 210,000 believers were forced to flee their homes due to persecution.

Civil War as Cover for Persecution

Armed conflicts continue to provide cover for the systematic targeting of Christians. The ongoing violence has created environments where militants can attack Christian communities with impunity. In Nigeria, despite some reduction from previous years, 3,100 Christians still paid the ultimate price for their faith.

The persecution spans continents and affects multiple spheres of Christian life - from private worship to community participation. Globally, over 380 million Christians face significant persecution and discrimination—310 million of them endure very high or extreme levels of persecution in the 50 worst-affected countries.

Despite these overwhelming challenges, Christian communities continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience and faith. Their primary request is for prayer and spiritual support as they face increasingly dangerous circumstances for following Christ. Let us answer this call to stand with our persecuted brothers and sisters, remembering them in our prayers and asking our Heavenly Father to grant them strength, courage, and perseverance.

Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body (Hebrews 13:3).