The outside world still thinks Nawal is a Muslim. She doesn’t discuss her personal faith with others, afraid of the consequences that come when a Saudi mom is discovered as a Christian believer.

With 28 days remaining before the next hearing for U.S. Pastor Andrew Brunson, U.S. lawmakers and international groups are turning up the pressure on Turkey’s leaders to release the North Carolina native.

“We refused to give up our faith, which made them very angry.”

Over the next month, we can look to these seven countries on the World Watch List as reminders to pray and as prime examples of how persecution is strengthening the church.

Open Doors ministry partners talked with North Korean believers who have escaped the country, asking them to share their perspective of the summit’s outcome.