Resources by Topic: Persecuted Church

Each day, men, women, and children are killed for following Christ. Most often they’re largely ignored by the world but watched by the eyes of Heaven— “the world is not worthy of them” (Hebrews 11:38).

In my novel Safely Home, while facing martyrdom, Li Quan quotes a poem called “Afraid.” A reader recently asked about the origin of that poem.

Today my heart is heavy after being assaulted by the evil depicted across the internet of the American journalist being beheaded.

Displayed on the Martyrs Monument (at The Voice of The Martyrs USA ministry office in Bartlesville, Oklahoma) are the names of many martyrs—each one representing a real person with a real story. 

"We Western Christians are tempted or deceived into confusing God with Mammon, and freedom of religion with freedom in Christ." —Eric Foley, Voice of the Martyrs Korea

I wanted to share a recent message that came to me. A woman wrote: Randy, here are pictures of my hand-copied Bible.

When Randy wrote Safely Home, no one knew how readers would respond—especially considering the topics of persecution and martyrdom that the novel deals with are anything but light and superficial.

Each year Open Doors releases the World Watch List, a detailed analysis of Christian persecution worldwide. In this free resource, countries are evaluated and ranked according to the severity of persecution that occurred in the past year.

I was very moved by this video produced by Matthew Holbrook and the high school ministry of Grace Church of Orange.

I received this letter from a friend, Andre, who is a pastor in Russia. It’s a matter of great concern.

My introduction to The Voice of The Martyrs came through a newsletter handed to me in 2003. The stories in this publication disturbed me greatly, yet I was compelled to learn more.

Question from a reader: I recently hosted a book club for Safely Home. Most people really enjoyed it, and it seemed to give everyone a lot of food for thought on Heaven. But the one complaint I heard several times was the part about the Buddhist monk who appears to be demon possessed. People said they felt it was too forced and bizarre. Can you give any insight as to where that scene comes from? Randy, did you know of a particular event like this?

During his visit to BIOLA University, Randy Alcorn answered this question posed by a Torrey Honors Institute student: "Are Christians in China persecuted because of resistance to the communist party, or because the government doesn't understand Christianity?"   

Believers around the world are setting aside this Sunday, April 15, as a day of prayer and fasting for the country of North Korea and the believers who live there.