Report on the Persecuted Church Around the World
- mmihpedit
- Apr 8
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 9
Joseph Kwon
Editorial Board Member
Most Christians among the unreached people groups in the 10/40 Window are paying a price for the gospel.
In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus gives a command to His disciples during the Sermon on the Mount: "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. "This passage explains that a life of following Jesus involves persecution and suffering. And when that happens, Jesus commands His disciples to rejoice and be glad. Even today, on the frontlines of the gospel, there is suffering and persecution for the sake of Jesus, and we are called to pray for our brothers and sisters enduring such hardships.
The following content is based on reports from Open Doors (2025), the Center for Human Rights in Iran (2025), and The Persecution of Christians in the Middle East(2017).
Over 380 million Christians worldwide are experiencing high levels of persecution and discrimination for believing in Jesus. According to Open Doors' World Watch List, over 310 million Christians are suffering severe or extreme persecution in the top 50 countries alone.
A map of the top 50 countries on the World Watch List shows that most of them are located within the 10/40 Window—regions where unreached people groups are concentrated. This reveals that the 10/40 Window is not simply a place where the gospel hasn’t yet been preached, but a region that actively resists and rejects the gospel. Believing in Jesus in these areas often comes at a high cost, sometimes even death.
Map of the Top 50 Countries Persecuting Christians by Open Doors
Most of the countries that persecute the gospel are Islamic states. Persecution arises from Islamic governments or cultures shaped by Islamic religious doctrine. Islam views the Christian doctrine of the Trinity as blasphemy and often justifies the death penalty as punishment. In many Islamic countries, conversion from Islam to Christianity is considered apostasy and legally punishable by death under Sharia (Islamic law).
In Islamic societies, religion, culture, and identity are deeply intertwined. Conversion to Christianity is not just seen as a personal change in belief, but as a betrayal of family and community. As a result, Muslim converts are often cast out by their families, threatened with honor killings, and suffer rejection, isolation, and discrimination from the broader community, making survival itself extremely difficult.
In this context, gospel movements among unreached people groups in the 10/40 Window are not merely ideological or religious choices but manifestations of God's power to transform entire lives.
Key Facts on Christian Persecution in 2025
North Korea (Ranked #1) North Korea has returned to the top position, with increased levels of violence. Numerous Christian communities have been arrested and sent to forced labor camps. Under the pretense of "ideological purity," both real and perceived external threats are brutally eliminated.China considers North Korean defectors as "illegal immigrants" and has intensified its activities of arresting and repatriating them.
Yemen (Ranked #3) Due to an increase in anti-Christian violence, Yemen has risen in the rankings. Amid civil war, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels have expanded their influence, creating an increasingly dangerous environment for Christians. Even underground house churches are no longer safe due to the intensification of Islamic extremism.
Kyrgyzstan (Ranked #47) Reappearing on the list for the first time since 2013, Kyrgyzstan recorded the highest increase in violence scores. Registered churches and Christian organizations have been forcibly shut down, and pressure on Christians has intensified across nearly all areas of life.
Civil Wars and Insurgencies
In places like Myanmar, Yemen, and Sudan, civil wars are being used as tools to target Christians. In the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, Islamic extremist militias are creating hostile environments by attacking and expelling Christian communities.
2025 Persecution Statistics
4,476 Christians killed While the number of martyrdoms decreased in Nigeria, it remains the deadliest country, with 3,100 believers killed for their faith. Many were also martyred in the DRC, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, and Niger.
4,744 Christians detained or imprisoned In India, 1,629 Christians were detained without trial, and 547 were imprisoned. Christians in Eritrea, Bangladesh, Iran, and other places have also been incarcerated for their faith.
Various Forms of Violence Across the Globe
In authoritarian states or countries with high political instability, violence against Christians continues to grow. Churches are being destroyed, and believers are under extreme pressure in all areas of life.
Ongoing Violence in Sub-Saharan Africa
Currently, 8 of the 10 countries where Christians are most frequently killed are located in Sub-Saharan Africa. Governmental instability in this region allows extremist groups to freely attack Christians. Among the 34.5 million refugees from this region, about 16.2 million are Christians.
Churches Going Underground or Fading Away
Syria: After over a decade of war and crisis, the presence of the church has drastically declined.
Gaza Strip & West Bank: Following the 2023 Israel-Hamas war, the Christian community is nearing extinction. At least 33 Christians were killed in Gaza, and most of their homes were destroyed.
Afghanistan: The church has gone completely underground.
Algeria: All Protestant churches have been closed, making official worship impossible.
China: Unregistered churches are deemed illegal, and even state-approved churches are forced to undergo ideological training by the government.
The Growing Church in Iran Amid Persecution
In Tehran alone, more than 300 Christians have been prosecuted, and around 100 have been sentenced to long prison terms for their faith. According to Center for Human Rights in Iran in 2024, 96 individuals were sentenced to a total of 263 years in prison (an average of 2.73 years per person), and in 2023, 22 individuals received a total of 43.5 years (average 1.97 years).Although Iran officially recognizes Christianity, it severely persecutes converts. Article 500 of the Iranian Penal Code imposes heavy penalties for evangelistic activities deemed contrary to Islam. Nevertheless, Iran is recognized as one of the fastest-growing churches in the world.
The Gospel Spreads Through the Internet
Even in isolated areas like Gaza, people are encountering the Bible and receiving discipleship through the internet. In persecuted regions, the gospel continues to be shared through various means, and lives are being transformed by its inherent power.
Bold Faith Amid Persecution
Despite persecution, countless Christians continue to follow Jesus and risk their lives and freedoms to share the gospel.
Zahra – Christian in Yemen"I have decided to stay here even if it’s dangerous—because everyone deserves to hear about God's love."
Joo Min – Christian in North Korea"I wanted to share everything I learned with secret believers in North Korea—because that's my home."
Muhammad – Christian in Gaza"We must be convinced, deep in our hearts, that knowing Jesus is worth more than all the pain, all the sacrifice—even our very lives."
Their testimonies are living out the words of Mk 8:34-35:
"Then Jesus called the crowd, along with his disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and for the gospel will save it."
References
Center for Human Rights in Iran (2025), https://iranhumanrights.org/2025/04/imprisonment-of-christians-jumps-six-fold-in-iran-as-persecution-intensifies/
Open Doors (2025), https://www.opendoorsus.org/en-US/persecution/persecution-trends/
Huma Haider (2017), The Persecution of Christians in the Middle East, University of Birmingham, February 16, 2017