The True Cost Of Following Jesus

Written by: Open Doors SA
Article source: JOY! Magazine

Open Doors International has recently released its 2023 World Watch List (WWL), an annual list of the top 50 countries worldwide where Christians experience the worst persecution for their faith. This list, which is now in its 30th year, creates awareness of the hardships that persecuted Christians face every day.

Extreme persecution
Today, more Christians are murdered for their faith than at any time in the last 30 years. Overall, more than 360 million Christians face very high or extreme persecution and discrimination for their faith. This means that one in every seven Christians is now a victim of serious persecution.

Some of the biggest concerns on this year’s list are the violence against Christians in sub-Saharan Africa that has reached new heights, the increased persecution and digital control in China threatening the Church, worsening conditions for the Church in Latin America, and the continued pressure on the Church in the Middle East.

North Korean Christian refugee women risk everything to hear the Gospel and follow Jesus.

Top five countries
North Korea is back in the top position after it was dethroned by Afghanistan last year, following the Taliban takeover of this country in 2021. However, before that North Korea was in the top spot for the previous 20 years (from 2002 until 2021).

Despite Afghanistan moving down to the ninth position this year, persecution in this country remains at an extreme level. The large drop in its ranking is because convert life has gone deeper underground – which has created a bigger challenge to obtain verified violence data.

Somalia, which was third in 2022, moved up to the second position this year. It is followed by Yemen in third place, Eritrea in fourth place, and Libya in fifth place.

A dangerous journey
The following testimony illustrates the gruesome reality for thousands of North Korean Christians and the true cost of following Jesus in the top country on the 2023 World Watch List:

Rebecca*, a Christian refugee from North Korea, has first-hand experience with the danger of being a Christian in this country. Although this brave woman now stays in China and ministers to other believers, she still faces severe danger. She must be very cautious of the police when she travels to a secret location deep in the Chinese countryside to visit her “sisters” – a group of North Korean women who have fled or been trafficked into China.

“Others like me have been caught and imprisoned. But it’s a risk I’m willing to take to share the Gospel. God compels our love and our call to serve each other, despite the danger. Being with those women is my greatest joy. I would make the journey every time. Even for one,” says Rebecca.

If the North Korean women are caught meeting Rebecca, they could be deported back to North Korea, sent to a prison camp, and brutally tortured. If they are discovered with a Bible, their whole families could be jailed. There is even a risk that the women could be executed.

Stand with them
As persecution increases, persecuted Christians need your prayers and support more than ever. Visit opendoors.org.za to download a FREE 2023 World Watch List Prayer Map to help you pray for persecuted Christians and view the top 50 countries.

*Name changed and representative images used to protect identities.

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Date published: 16/02/2023
Feature image: Open Doors workers endanger their lives to encourage persecuted Christians.

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