Persecution Rises; Open Doors Pushes Forward
During its 50th anniversary year, Open Doors has increased literature distribution to meet growing demands along with the number of trainees to push off into another 50 years of service.
More doors have opened for the oldest Christian organization serving the persecuted in its 50th year.
During its major anniversary year, Open Doors has increased literature distribution to meet growing demands along with the number of trainees to push off into another 50 years of service.
“Brother Andrew,” the ministry’s founder, had acknowledged an inevitable continuous rise in Christian persecution at the mark of the ministry's 50th anniversary in July 2005. Increased conflict, unfortunately, signified a "terrific future" for Open Doors and so far, numbers have shown a thriving ministry.
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In the last year, literature distribution to the persecuted rose by 25 percent to almost 5.4 million Bibles and other literature. Christian workers, believers and Sunday school teachers have increased by 11 percent, with more than 107,000 people trained to date.
"This provides a strong foundation for launching into the next 50 years," said Open Doors USA President Dr. Carl Moeller in a released statement. "We give thanks to our Lord for blessing Open Doors' ministry of supporting and strengthening our suffering brothers and sisters. And we also thank numerous individuals and churches for partnering with Open Doors."
Open Doors began as Brother Andrew distributed a suitcase full of Christian literature behind the Iron Curtain and has grown to serve 200 million persecuted Christians worldwide. So far, in its 50th year, which ends July 2006, the ministry has helped 121,278 individuals, 2,690 families, 131 churches, 22 schools, two centers, one village and five mission agencies, increasing support of community development and literacy projects.
Open Doors recently saw the reopening of one of its supported agencies, the Palestinian Bible Society, which had been threatened by unidentified militants and forced to temporarily close.
In the upcoming weeks, the non-profit will be joining Christian leaders and human rights organizations in Washington, D.C. for North Korea Freedom Week, which Open Doors listed as the worst persecutor in the world for the fourth straight year in its latest World Watch List.
North Korea Freedom Week takes place Apr. 22-30.
