OPEN DOORS 

Open Doors works in over 60 countries, supplying Bibles, training Church Leaders, providing practical support  and emergency relief, and supporting Christians who suffer for their faith.  In the UK and Ireland Open Doors works to raise awareness of global persecution, mobilising prayer, support and action among Christians.  

The ministry of Open Doors has its origins in one man and one journey.  In 1955, a young Dutchman went to Warsaw and discovered the existence of a persecuted church.  He became known as Brother Andres and from 1955 to 1967 he travelled throughout Eastern Europe, delivering scriptures, encouraging persecuted believers and recruiting others to help him.  The publication of  'God's Smuggler' in 1967 catapulted Andrew to worldwide renown.  An entire generation caught the vision of supporting the persecuted church.  

Open Doors' purpose is to strengthen an equip the body of Christ living under or facing restriction and persecution because of their faith in Jesus Christ, and to encourage their involvement in world envangelism by:

• Providing Bibles and literature, media, leadership training, socio-economic development and through intercessory prayer; 
• Preparing the body of Christ living in threatened or unstable areas to face persecution and suffering; and 
• Educating and mobilising the body of Christ living in the free world to identify with threatened and persecuted Christians and be actively involved in assisting them.

• We are:  Part of the Body of Christ; a "People to People" People.
• 'Persecuted Church' driven.
• People of the Bible. 
• People of Prayer.
• Living and Working by Faith.
• Devoted to Jesus Christ with his Commission. 
• Motivated solely for the glory of God. 

• Hold at least one persecuted church service per year. 
• Pray regularly as a whole church.
• Engage with emergency appeals as and when Open Doors launch them.
• Share petitions that call on our political leaders to support persecuted Christians.  

• North Korea remains number one.  For 20 years, North Korea was number one in the World Watch List.  That was until 2022, when it dropped to number two behind Afghanistan.  The following year, North Korea returned to the top, where it remains this year.  The familiar pattern has been re-established. 
• 4,998 Christians killed worldwide.  Last year 4,998 Christians were killed for their faith.  Around 90 per cent of these were in Nigeria (just over 4,000), where Christian communities continue to be attacked with devastating impunity by armed bandits and Islamic militants.  The country with the next highest number of deaths is DRC, with 261. 
• Militants exploit chaos in Africa.  Sweeping violence against Christians in sub-Saharan Africa is being aided by economic instability, climate change and fractures in governance and security across the region.  It's enabling militancy to flourish and because of their faith, Christians are affected by disproportionately. 
• Autocratic governments tighten control.  Across the world, the noose is tightening around the church's neck as autocratic governments increase their control.  Increasingly, Christians are deemed foes, not friends.  This not only includes China and Iran, but countries like Nicaragua, Algeria and Tunisia. 
• Alarming rise in closure of churches and building.  Some 15,000 churches or public Christian properties were attacked or closed in 2023 - that's seven times the number recorded in 2022.  Two-thirds of these were in China (around 10,000) where intrusive surveillance and suffocating restrictions are forcing many Christians further underground. 
• Familiar story in Iraq and Syria.  Despite conflict and terrorism easing slightly in Iraq and Syria, Christians continue to face enormous challenges, including the threat of extremism and believers being unable to return to their homes.  Last year's earthquakes in Syria brought yet more suffering. 

	Open Doors Prayer Diary November and December 2024 (1,013.7KB)
	Open Doors Magazine November and December 2024 (4.6MB)