Open Doors: Despite Persecution of 380 Million Christians, the Church Continues to Flourish

Open Doors: Despite Persecution of 380 Million Christians, the Church Continues to Flourish

The 2025 World Watch List report, released on Wednesday, reveals that 380 million Christians—one in seven worldwide—are facing significant levels of persecution and discrimination. Ryan Brown, the CEO of Open Doors US, stated, “Even in some of these places where persecution is extreme, the Church continues to exist. The Church continues to grow.”
  • Louie Giglio Urges Students to Shift Focus from Self to God at Passion 2025
    Pastor Louie Giglio addressed thousands of university students at Passion 2025 in Atlanta this week, urging them to reject the prevalent cultural narrative that prioritizes self above all else. Giglio, who leads Passion City Church, warned that a self-centered mindset has infiltrated society and faith practices, often reducing God to a supporting character in people’s lives.
  • Most Pastors Encourage Bible Reading Through Free Bibles and Sermon Reminders
    Nearly all U.S. Protestant pastors (99%) encourage their congregants to read the Bible independently, using at least one of seven different methods. The study found that the most common methods pastors use to promote individual Bible reading include providing free Bibles to those in need (93%) and reminding their congregants during sermons (92%).

Levi Lusko Warns Young People About ‘Worldly Successes’ at Passion 2025

Pastor Levi Lusko reminded thousands of young adults gathered in Atlanta for Passion 2025 that worldly success pales compared to the eternal treasure of surrendering one's life to Christ. Part one of Passion 2025 took place from January 2-4, followed by part two from January 6-8. This year's theme is “For His Renown.”
  • More Ukrainians Seek Native Language Bibles During Ongoing War
    A Texas-based nonprofit that distributes Bibles and Christian materials continues to print and deliver Bibles and Gospel-centered resources through a network of churches and organizations to Ukrainians and Eastern Europeans in their native languages. Even before the onset of Russia's invasion and the ensuing conflict with Ukraine in February 2022, The Eastern European Mission(EEM),  was actively distributing Bibles in Ukraine.
  • Harassment of Religious Groups Reaches Record Levels Globally, Says Pew
    A recent analysis reveals that members of religious groups faced harassment by government or social actors in a record number of countries, with hostility against Christians increasing. The Pew Research Center released a report titled “Government Restrictions on Religion Stayed at Peak Levels Globally in 2022.”
  • California Street Preacher Arrested Outside Arena Has Charges Dropped
    A California street preacher who was arrested while evangelizing to concert-goers outside the arena is no longer facing charges. This decision followed a religious freedom law firm's claim that law enforcement made a mistake that violated the pastor’s First Amendment rights.
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  • American Pilgrim Travis Timmerman Detained in Syria Released After Several Months

    American citizen Travis Timmerman has been released in Syria after being detained for seven months while on a pilgrimage to deepen his Christian faith. A native of Missouri, Timmerman had been missing since June before reappearing in Damascus. He was held in the Sednaya prison, where the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad has arbitrarily detained tens of thousands of individuals

  • PCUSA Reports Loss of 1 Million Members Over 15 Years

    The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has experienced a decline of approximately 1 million active members since 2009 as it continues to face a years-long downturn. The PCUSA released its annual statistics report on Tuesday, revealing that the denomination had around 1.094 million members in 2023.

  • Georgia Accepts Less Than 1% of Iranian Asylum Applications Over 3 Years

    While Iranian Christian converts are increasingly seeking asylum to escape persecution, many are being denied based on diplomatic relations with Iran. One such individual, Jalal Darzi, is preparing for the worst after his asylum claim was rejected by authorities in Georgia.

  • Watchdog Group Appeals to Christians to Urge Attention and Prayer for Nepal

    Global Christian Relief (GCR) hosted a livestream event for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, an observance dedicated to Christians worldwide who face violence and discrimination for their beliefs last Sunday.

  • Crusades Hosted by Rick Gage Ministries Result in 750+ Commitments to Christ

    During a recent event hosted by “Rick Gage Ministries” in Mount Airy, N.C., from September 8 to 11, more than 400 commitments were made to Christ, with approximately 4,000 attendees present.

  • Mississippi State Fair Sees 373 Embrace Faith Through Baptist Outreach

    At this year's Mississippi State Fair, Baptists engaged in thousands of faith-driven conversations with visitors, leading to 373 individuals deciding to accept Jesus Christ. Close to 200 volunteers from the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board participated in the multi-day event, marking their presence at the fair annually since 2021.

  • Australia Evangelism Network Aims to Plant 300 Churches by 2030

    Recent data from the Statista Research Department, a market research institute, confirms earlier findings indicating a decline in the number of Australians identifying with the Christian faith; however, local organizations continue to make efforts to establish new churches.

  • Italian Taxes Place of Worship for Non-Religious Appearance; Church Appeals to ECHR

    A church in Italy is contesting an unjust tax imposed on it due to the perception that it does not look religious enough. Breccia di Roma, an Evangelical church that operates in a former shop, has appealed to the European Court of Human Rights to defend its right to worship in its chosen location.
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