4 Million Bibles, Study Materials to Persecuted Christians

Open Doors with Brother Andrew delivered almost four million Bibles, Children's Bibles, Study Bibles and other Scriptural books to persecuted Christians worldwide in 2003, an increase of about 40 percent over 2002.

In addition, more than 22,000 pastors and church leaders received intensive training in how to lead their congregations and stand strong in their faith in the midst of persecution and discrimination. "We are very grateful that Open Doors teams working in hot spots around the world were able to deliver four million Bibles and other Scriptural pieces along with training thousands of pastors - despite the increase in danger," says Open Doors USA President Dr. Carl Moeller.

Open Doors has often been known for its Bible distribution ministry. The work began in 1955 when the founder, Brother Andrew, and his co-workers first delivered Bibles to churches behind the Iron Curtain and in later years to Asia, Latin America and the Muslim World.

Yet in the last 15 years, Open Doors increased its focus on pastoral and church leadership training, since few opportunities are available to Christians in the difficult areas where Open Doors works.

An estimated 200 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with another 200 to 400 million facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors serves and strengthens the Persecuted Church in the world's most difficult areas through training, Bible and literature distribution, community development and personal encouragement.
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Reaching out to persecuted Christians:
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In Indonesia, the ministry has supported approximately 17,800 Christian widows, pastors and children who have been caught in Muslim-Christian clashes.
The ministry continues to support the church in China, which is seeing between 10,000-25,000 Christian converts a day, by providing 585,000 Bibles and training more than 4,700 pastors and Sunday school leaders.

In Africa, Open Doors biggest ministry is providing pastoral training, family-life seminars, literacy training and support to underground Muslim believers. Nine Christian church schools rely on Open Doors to provide local teachers, supplies and curricula.
In Latin America, the ministry is working to meet the physical and physical needs of the church.

(The above statements are from Open Doors annual report for the year 2002)


To see annual reports of Open Doors please visit: www.odusa.org