Christians have been facing persecutions since the first century of the Christian era. Even today, when the world has become much more advanced, they’re being persecuted in different corners of the world. Every year, many Christian converts and missionaries are targeted in various countries.
Sometimes, they’re even killed for their faith. The world has witnessed the worst of persecutions in history, such as the Armenian and Assyrian genocides. Although the persecutions have declined in scale after the Second World War, they still haven’t stopped.
It is the religious and moral responsibility of every Christian to support the persecuted followers of Christ. There are many good organizations that support the persecuted Christians globally. Some of them have been listed below.
1. Open Doors
It is a non-denominational mission, which has a presence in 60 countries around the world. The mission supports persecuted Christians by providing emergency relief aid and other forms of practical help. It works with local partners for the distribution of Christian literature and Bibles. It also provides discipleship training.
Open Doors aims to raise awareness of global persecution and mobilize prayer, support and action among Christians worldwide. Based in The Netherlands, it was founded by Andrew van der Bijl, popularly known as Brother Andrew. He is a Christian missionary known for distributing Bibles in communist countries during the peak of the Cold War.
2. Release International
This is an inter-denominational Christian ministry with a presence in over 25 countries across the world. It works through local church partners and helps persecuted Christians practically and in many other ways. This ministry is based on the principle mentioned in Hebrews 13:3.
Release International was founded in the year 1968. It was inspired by the ministry and testimony of Pastor Richard Wurmbrand. He was sent to prison for 14 years in communist Romania for his faith. His experiences are documented in the book Tortured for Christ.
3. Barnabas Fund
An inter-denominational Christian aid agency, Barnabas Fund is based in Coventry, in the West Midlands county of England. It supports Christians facing persecution or discrimination across the world for their faith. Barnabas Fund channels aid to projects that are run by Christians in over 50 countries.
Established in 1993, it acts on behalf of the persecuted Church, making their needs known to Christians globally. It seeks to meet the practical as well as spiritual needs of the persecuted Christians. This is done by encouraging, strengthening, and empowering the persecuted Christian church and communities.
4. Christian Solidarity Worldwide
This is a human rights organization that works for the Christians who are persecuted for their beliefs. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has a team of specialist advocates that work in more than 20 different countries across the world. They ensure that the right to freedom of religion is upheld and protected.
The current president of CSW is Jonathan Aitken, a former member of parliament in the UK. He succeeded Caroline Cox or Baroness Cox, who is a cross-bench member of the British House of Lords. She had also founded an organization called Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust.
5. Christian Freedom International
This international human rights organization aids equips, and advocates for Christians persecuted or oppressed for their faith. Based in Virginia, United States, Christian Freedom International (CFI) provides spiritual and material support for persecuted Christians.
It also provides income for Christian refugees by running micro-enterprises. It has been advocating for the rights of the persecuted followers of Christ since 1998. The organization has helped thousands of suffering men, women, and children by distributing food, water, medicine, clothing, and Bibles.