During a recent conversation with ChurchLeaders, Todd Nettleton, vice president of message for The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) and host of VOM Radio, offered a sobering global overview of Christian persecution.
Nettleton explained that persecution is increasing in both severity and geographical spread—particularly in China, where the government is cracking down nationwide and across Africa, where radical Islamist groups are expanding southward with violent attacks.
He highlighted the role of VOM Radio, which shares firsthand stories from persecuted believers, and urges every church to pray consistently for persecuted Christians, especially on the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.
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Nettleton also warned of radical Hindu nationalism in India, which has shifted the country from a “hostile area” to a “restricted nation” in VOM’s classification.
Finally, he encouraged American Christians to spiritually prepare themselves and their children for possible future persecution, reminding listeners that Scripture promises it—and that the global church models how to endure it faithfully.
ChurchLeaders asked Nettleton whether VOM has witnessed an uptick in Christian persecution around the world in the last couple of years.
“I would say there are two places where we have seen things increase in the last few years,” Nettleton replied. “One is China—definitely more laws against Christian activity, definitely more arrests, more pastors in prison, a nationwide crackdown.” He explained, “Fifteen years ago, we would talk about China by province: ‘Hey, this province, there’s a lot of persecution…but look over here, this province, the church is operating without a lot of interference.’ That was the old days.”
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“Xi Jinping is now in charge of the country. Xi Jinping, before he was president, was a provincial leader, and his province was one of those where there was a lot of persecution. So he has brought that philosophy with him to the whole country,” he said.
Nettleton continued, “The other one is the continent of Africa. We see radical Islam moving further and further south every year. Everywhere that line moves, there is conflict, attacks, and persecution.”
