Open Doors Marks 50th Anniversary with Increased Literature Distribution, Training
The oldest international ministry to persecuted Christians increased literature distribution totals by 25 percent and the training of pastors and Christian leaders by nine percent last year
The oldest international ministry to persecuted Christians increased literature distribution totals by 25 percent and the training of pastors and Christian leaders by nine percent last year, according to a recent report.
According to Open Doors, which is celebrating its 50th year of ministry this year, almost five million Bibles, children’s Bibles, study Bibles and other Scriptural books were delivered to persecuted Christians worldwide in 2004, and more than 138,000 Christian leaders received training ranging from multi-year pastoral education to seminars geared to improving specific leadership skills.
Open Doors reported Tuesday that during the last two decades, the ministry has increased its focus on pastoral and church leadership training, since few opportunities are available to Christians in the difficult areas where Open Doors ministers. Also, the need for quality Christian literature and Bibles continues to grow.
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“There is more persecution today than during the days of the Iron Curtain,” said Johan Companjen, president of Open Doors International. “We serve the Persecuted Church. That is our vision.”
Open Doors USA President Dr. Carl Moeller added, “We are very grateful that Open Doors teams working in hot spots around the world were able to deliver almost five million Bibles and other Scriptural pieces along with training thousands of pastors – despite the increase in danger. I’ve heard first-hand accounts of how the training courses for pastors in such countries as Vietnam, China and Colombia are impacting the countries for Christ."
“All the materials and training would not be possible without the partnership of churches and fellow believers across the United States, Moeller said, thanking the ministry's supporters for their help.
Last year also saw a 30 percent increase in the mission’s support of community development and literacy projects designed to enable Christians facing discrimination and persecution to provide for themselves and their families. "Open Doors sees this as critical for the Persecuted Church to stand firm in areas where oppression often takes the form of job and educational discrimination," the ministry reported.
As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, Open Doors reports that it is increasing efforts to reach and strengthen the emerging generations of young Christians to build a solid foundation for future church growth in some of the world’s most restricted areas.
