Many people may think actual persecution of Christians ended with the Romans tossing Christians to the lions? Or perhaps even when the Communist Iron curtain fell, along with the Berlin Wall, in 1989? Many of the 'old guard' Communists in the former Soviet Union had been ruthless persecutors of the Christian church - which they saw as direct opposition to Communist ideology.
PASTOR RICHARD WURMBRAND
In fact RI was founded in 1968 by the remarkable Romanian pastor Richard Wurmbrand, who survived torture at the hands of the secret police, escaped with his family to the West, and then set up a network of Christian agencies, including the ministry that became RI, to provide support to the underground church throughout the Communist Eastern bloc.
Since then, the world has changed dramatically, but the targeting of Christians and churches because of their faith in Jesus Christ has not.
Every year millions of believers face varying forms of persecution and discrimination because of their religious beliefs. This persecution may come from their national government, or its agents, such as the secret police, military or judiciary, or, increasingly, from non-governmental groups, such as militant Islamic groups like Al Qaeda and others.
THE WORST PERSECUTORS
The countries with some of the worst records of persecution include North Korea, China, Vietnam, Laos, Burma, Pakistan, Indonesia, Iran, to name but a few - and even the tiny African nation of Eritrea which currently imprisons over 2,000 Christians, almost all without trial, for no other reason than their faith.
In these nations to be a Christian is to accept the radical call of Christ to 'take up' one's cross daily. To choose to follow Christ can be a costly decision.
Believers may face harassment and intimidation; be discriminated against as 'second-class citizens' in education, the work place and the legal system. They may be detained by the police or security forces, have Bibles and Christian literature confiscated, churches closed, or razed to the ground.
In the worst cases, they may be tortured, murdered, executed. Christian women and young girls may face physical and emotional abuse, even rape.
FRONTLINE OF FAITH
RI serves these Christians on the frontline of faith through prayer, advocacy and practical support.
We work through a network of Christian partners providing Bibles and Christian literature in local languages; give essential support to Christian prisoners and their families; provide pastoral care and encouragement; as well as legal aid, sanctuary, and community development.
We stand with those who, at times, may feel forgotten, victimised, unfairly treated.
