For almost 60 years, Open Doors has worked in the world's most oppressive countries, empowering Christians who are persecuted for their beliefs. Open Doors equips persecuted Christians in more than 60 countries through programs like Bible & Gospel Development, Women & Children Advancement and Christian Community Restoration.
Open Doors USA is a non-profit organization focused on serving persecuted Christians in more than 60 countries through:
Bible & Gospel Development
Women & Children Advancement
Christian Community Restoration
Christian persecution is any hostility experienced from the world as a result of one's identification as a Christian. Beatings, physical torture, confinement, isolation, rape, severe punishment, imprisonment, slavery, discrimination in education and employment, and even death are just a few examples of the persecution they experience on a daily basis.
According to The Pew Research Center, over 75% of the world's population lives in areas with severe religious restrictions (and many of these people are Christians). Also, according to the United States Department of State, Christians in more than 60 countries face persecution from their governments or surrounding neighbors simply because of their belief in Jesus Christ.
The year was 1955. A young Dutchman was burdened with the desire to reach out to Christians in Eastern Europe, where Christianity was becoming more and more illegal. He took his first trip to visit Christians in Poland, and was amazed at what he saw: Entire underground churches with only one Bible to share!
Brother Andrew knew he had to do something. Two years later, he arrived at the same border in a VW Bug filled with Bibles. He knew that if he was caught with the Bibles, he would be arrested, so he prayed: "Lord- In Your Word, You made blind men see. Now, I am praying that you would make seeing eyes blind." And God answered his prayer!
Brother Andrew was able to deliver Bibles and training materials to Christians in Eastern Europe, allowing Christians to freely read God's Word in those countries.
Today, Open Doors - the ministry started by Brother Andrew- has expanded to strengthen persecuted Christians in over 60 countries!
When Open Doors was started by Brother Andrew in 1955, he felt a calling from God to minister to fellow Christians who were persecuted for their faith. As a result, Open Doors has specialized in helping Christians who are persecuted for their faith. However, we work with persecuted Christians to reach out to non-Christians, even their persecutors, so that they can reach them with the message of Christ.
The #1 thing that persecuted Christians ask for is prayer. Learn more about the different ways you can pray for persecuted Christians.
Be a voice for the voiceless! Through petitions, education and contacting cultural leaders, you can change the course of history for persecuted Christians. Learn more on our advocacy page.
You can make a world of difference in the life of a persecuted Christian by providing for their greatest needs. Check out the different ways you can support those who are persecuted for their faith.