Open Doors South Africa

23/08/2026

Kanya had returned home to be reunited with her family, and together they
planned a worship service to thank God and publicly declare their faith.
But some in their community were angry.

“We will demolish the house now,” villagers shouted as they arrived with hammers
and began tearing Kanya’s home apart.
But instead of responding with fear or anger, she prayed — and began to sing a
song of thanks to Jesus.

Her response reflected the faith she was determined to hold onto:
“I wasn’t afraid,” Kanya remembers. “The Lord commands us not to repay evil with
evil, but to overcome evil with good.”

🙏 Pray for Kanya and other believers who choose to follow Jesus in the face of
hostility and rejection.

23/08/2026

Sunday, 23 August

The influence of local Islamic groups in the country continues to increase.
Remember new Bangladeshi believers who are suddenly isolated from their families
and communities. 🙏

22/08/2026

They came with hammers and sticks before the church service could even begin.
What happened next forced eight Christian families from their homes and into the
forest.

Their reason for being targeted? They chose to follow Jesus.

Watch this powerful footage from Laos and see what Kanya, Phonesay and other
Christian families faced because of their faith. Then take a moment to pray for your brothers and sisters who continue to follow Jesus in the fire. 🙏

*reel includes reenactment scenes

21/08/2026

When fear creeps in, where do you turn? ❤️📖

Jinyi*—an underground house church leader in China Open Doors local partners
are walking with — finds strength in 1 Kings 19 --- when God gently reminds the discouraged prophet Elijah that he is not alone.

The people of Israel had turned to worship Baal, and Elijah feared for his life.
“Just as God reminded Elijah of the 7,000 who had not bowed to Baal,” Jinyi says, “I, too, find comfort and strength knowing that you and others are with us on the
path of serving the Lord.”

Your prayers remind persecuted believers like Jinyi they are never walking alone.

👇 We'd love to hear from you!
What scripture do you turn to when you're afraid or discouraged?
Share the verse.
in the comments—you never know who might need that encouragement today.

21/08/2026

Friday, 21 August

Pray for church leaders like Pastor Tariq*, who had a large congregation in Khartoum before the war. He continues to look for ways to minister. “We are ready to share the
Word of God,” he says. 🙏

20/08/2026

20/08/2026

Last Sunday, our church family took part in a powerful, interactive experience that brought the reality of the persecuted Church closer to home.

The journey began the previous Sunday when our youth participated in a Secret Church experience. The hall was darkened, creating an atmosphere similar to the hidden gatherings many Christians around the world are forced to hold because of their faith. At the end of the service, the parents had agreed to play a part too. As the children returned, each parent asked, "Are you a Christian?" If the answer was "yes," they were instructed to turn their child away.

Although only a brief experience, it gave our young people a small glimpse into the heartbreaking reality that millions of believers face every day.

One Grade 11 boy returned to the pastor visibly shaken after his own parents had "rejected" him as part of the exercise. In that moment, the reality of persecution became deeply personal.

The experience impacted not only the youth, but the entire congregation.

This past Sunday, the church hall was transformed into a journey through the Top 10 World Watch List countries, where visitors could explore each country's culture, learn about the challenges faced by Christians, taste traditional food, engage with interactive displays, and spend time praying specifically for believers living under persecution.

From North Korea to Yemen, Iran, Somalia and Eritrea, every station reminded us that while persecution may seem distant, these are our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Hebrews 13:3 calls us to:
"Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering."

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who invested their time, creativity and passion into creating these meaningful displays, and to every person who stopped to learn, pray and stand with the persecuted Church.

May we never take our freedom to worship for granted, and may we continue to remember those who faithfully follow Jesus — no matter the cost.

20/08/2026

An extraordinary thing is happening in China.

Despite immense pressure, the underground church continues to grow.

Click on the link: https://tr.ee/theirstory to learn more and see how you can support the underground church.

19/08/2026

Mozambique is home to a vibrant Church, but in the northern Cabo Delgado province, many believers are living through unimaginable hardship.

Churches have been attacked.
Homes have been destroyed.
Families have been displaced.

Yet God's people continue to stand firm.

In Episode 7 of the Arise Africa Podcast, we look beyond the headlines and discover how the Church in Mozambique continues to endure — and why their story matters.

Pray for believers in Mozambique.
Stand with the persecuted Church.
🎧 Listen now:

https://tr.ee/DtSiHSMpl4

Association of Evangelicals in Africa - AEA

19/08/2026

Have you added your name to the Arise Africa petition?

Stand with persecuted Christians in Africa.

https://tr.ee/sign-here

of Evangelicals in Africa - AEA