Open Doors’ 2020 World Watch List highlighted several global trends. One was the steps that China is taking to restrict religious freedom, so much so that the country’s leaders are creating what Curry called a “‘persecution roadmap’ against religious faith.” Another was the spread of Islamic extremism, and a third was the oppression Christians are experiencing at the hands of dictators.
In an interview with ChurchLeaders in the fall of 2019, Curry said, “Right now we are seeing, and have for the last five years seen, the most dramatic spike in persecution of Christians.” He encouraged pastors to lead in educating their congregations about the persecuted church. “The reality is that the church in the West is asleep, by and large, on this subject,” said Curry. “By and large, pastors don’t know what’s going on. Therefore, churches don’t know what’s going on.”
And of course, in addition to educating ourselves, we should never forget to pray for our brothers and sisters who are suffering for their faith in Jesus.
