The global persecution of Christians continues to rise, with millions facing significant threats to their faith, according to a recent report.
The report, released on July 7, highlights trends in over 20 countries where Christians are facing persecution, including the use of mob violence, terrorism, and transnational repression.
"Behind every statistic is a real person: someone who has chosen faithfulness to Jesus over safety, comfort, or even life itself," the report states. "Our hope is that this report not only informs decision-makers and stakeholders, but moves readers to act with urgency, conviction, and compassion."
One major trend highlighted by the report is "Religious Nationalism," where a country's identity is associated with a false religion, leading to the persecution of Christians. In India, for example, militant Hindu groups have targeted Christians with mob violence, while in Myanmar, Buddhist nationalism remains a threat to believers.
Another trend is "Transnational Repression," where countries pursue religious minorities and dissidents in foreign countries. China has targeted those associated with unregistered Christian groups overseas, even seeking to repatriate asylum seekers across the world, and has extended such policies to Uyghur Muslims and Falun Gong practitioners.
The report also notes the ever-present reality of "Terrorism," often associated with Islam, which threatens Christians in nations like Nigeria, Niger, Mali, and Somalia. Groups like Boko Haram, ISWAP, and al-Shabab are strengthening their networks in those countries, leading to attacks designed to eradicate the Christian presence from contested territories.
Disturbingly, the report highlights "The Use of the West to Persecute," where Silicon Valley firms have provided technology necessary for nations like China to monitor Christians and other religious minorities.
Despite the challenges Christians face, the global church continues to advance, with Christianity growing in unexpected places. In Iran, the house church movement remains one of the fastest-growing in the world, driven by underground networks and digital evangelism. In China, believers meet in homes and encrypted online gatherings despite constant surveillance, proving again that faith can endure even where freedom does not.
