Earlier today Open Doors USA, an organization that tracks religious persecution around the world, particularly the persecution of Christians, published the new 2019 World Watch List, ranking and chronicling the Top 50 countries where persecution of Christians occurs.
The Top 10 (or Bottom 10, if we consider these worst to less-worse):
- North Korea
- Afghanistan
- Somalia
- Libya
- Pakistan
- Sudan
- Eritrea
- Yemen
- Iran
- India
Some will be surprised that China does not make the Top 10. This is perhaps especially so given the arrests of scores of members of the Early Rain Covenant Church in China, including the congregations pastor, Wang Yi, that has been in the news. China comes in at #27 on this list.
It is stunning to me to think that there are 26 nations where religious oppressing is greater than it is in China.
Open Doors does more than just track the tragedies; they support those who are persecuted. If you want to do something, begin by downloading the Prayer App, posting a prayer on the Prayer Wall, and/or writing a letter to a persecuted Follower of Jesus. There are also opportunities to get more deeply involved, to become a volunteer or an advocate. To learn more about these opportunities, contact Open Doors.
“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” (1 Corinthians 12.26)
GRACE & PEACE 