The Day of the Christian Martyr — June 29

According to church tradition, June 29 marks the martyrdom of the Apostle Paul. This year, Christians around the world will take time on June 29 and throughout that weekend to honor the legacy of those who have sacrificed their lives for the advancement of the gospel. According to a recent study, an average of eight Christians are killed for their beliefs every day while 276 Christian homes are burned or destroyed every week.

In just the last year, there have been:

• Over 260 million Christians living in places where they experience high levels of persecution

• 2,983 Christians killed for their faith

• 9,488 churches and other Christian buildings attacked.

• 3,711 believers detained without trial, arrested, sentenced or imprisoned

In terms of lives lost, families separated, people imprisoned, and churches shut down, the 21st century has, so far, been the worst period of persecution against Christians in recorded history.

These numbers are heartbreaking. And yet, they do not tell the whole story. James 1:2-4 says “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

That joy is what we see when we hear from Christians all over the world who suffer because they serve Jesus. God cares for His people, and He will never leave or forsake them.

Here is the latest data from Open Doors. It indicates Christian persecution is higher today than at any other time in modern history:

• 260 Million: In the top 50 World Watch List countries alone, 260 million Christians in the world experience high levels of persecution for their choice to follow Christ.

• 1 in 9: Christians worldwide experience high levels of persecution

• 6%: The rise in the number of Christians in the top 50 countries on the 2020 World Watch List (WWL) who experience high levels of persecution. (from the 2019 reporting period to 2020’s)

• 2,983: Christians killed for faith-related reasons in the top 50 WWL countries.

• 3,711: Christians detained without trial, arrested, sentenced and imprisoned in the top 50 WWL countries.

•9,488: churches or Christian buildings attacked in the top 50 WWL countries.

• 6 out of 7: In seven of the countries in the World Watch List’s top 10, the primary cause of persecution is Islamic oppression.

• 11: Countries scoring in the “extreme” level for their persecution of Christians. Six years ago, North Korea was the only one. Hitler, Mao, Stalin and other dictators do their best to eliminate Christianity, they want total allegiance to their rule.

• 19: Consecutive years North Korea has ranked No. 1 as the world’s most dangerous place for Christians. After North Korea is Afghanistan (No. 2), followed by Somalia (No. 3), Libya (No. 4), Pakistan (No. 5), Eritrea (No. 6), Sudan (No. 7), Yemen (No. 8), Iran (No. 9), and India (No. 10).

The church in Iran is the largest in their history and by many accounts there are more Christians now in China than in the U.S. Tertullian, an early Christian author said, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”

As Christians how can we help? First we can pray for Christians everywhere, prayer makes a big difference. People need financial support- it might be for rebuilding their homes or church. There are organizations that work directly with persecuted Christians, Voice of the Martyrs, Open Doors and a local missions group New Covenant Missions is doing a great work in Africa. Don’t forget our persecuted brethren.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

— Matthew 5:10