February 2024 Persecution Magazine

WWW.PERSECUTION.ORG
FEBRUARY 2024
PERSECU ION
PERSECU ION
PERSECU ION
A Lost
Enclave
and a New
Home
PERSECU ION.ORG
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
PERSECU ION.ORG
THE JOURNEY AND STRUGGLE OF
ARMENIAN CHRISTIANS FROM ARTSAKH
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
PERSECU ION.ORG
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN

Contents
FEBRUARY 2024
ON THE COVER
A woman stands in a beam of morning sunlight
streaming into the church at Tatev Monastery in
Armenia.
Photo: Joel Carillet/iStock
FEATURES
10
16
18 22
HOMELAND LOST
SEEKING SALVATION
RÉFUGIÉ FROM PERSECUTION
SAENDO’S STORY
Life for thousands
of ethnic Armenian
Christians after they
were forced to leave.
Afghan refugees find Christ
amid uncertainty.
Stories of survival and
struggle for Christians in
Southeast Asia.
The unyielding faith
amid darkness.
RECURRING
04
06
08
ICC NEWSROOM Your Source for Persecution News
WEST WATCH Issues Involving Christianity in the West
YOUR HANDS AND FEET ICC Projects Made Possible by Our Supporters
@persecuted @persecutionnews @internationalchristianconcern International Christian Concern
OUR MISSION: Since 1996, ICC has served the global
persecuted church through a three-pronged approach of
advocacy, awareness, and assistance. ICC exists to bandage
the wounds of persecuted Christians and to build the church
in the toughest parts of the world.
DONATIONS: International Christian Concern (ICC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) (all
donations tax-deductible). ICC makes every effort to honor donor wishes in regards to
their gifts. Occasionally, a situation will arise where a project is no longer viable. ICC
will redirect those donated funds to one of our other funds that is most similar to the
donor’s original wishes.
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Persecution | FEBRUARY 2024
© Copyright 2024 ICC, Washington, D.C., USA. All rights reserved.
Permission to reproduce all or part of this publication is granted
provided attribution is given to ICC as the source.
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941 | Washington, DC 20006-5441
STAFF
Publisher Jeff King
Managing Editor Alex Finch
Editor and Designer Hannah Campbell

Rescuing the Refugee
Across the pages of Scripture, the Lord reveals His heart for the
brokenhearted. In the same breath, He makes it clear that it is
our duty to be just with refugees as well. In Exodus 22:21, He
tells the Israelites, “Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you
were foreigners in Egypt.”
Here at International Christian Concern (ICC), we take this seriously
when it comes to victims of persecution. When a family is driven from
their home because of their faith, we will be there for them if we can.
Those forced to flee face many obstacles. Cast aside as unwelcome
foreigners, many are unable to secure jobs or even legal refugee status,
leaving them to rely on the goodwill of others for their most basic
needs.
In the pages ahead, I invite you to feel the journey of the refugee as we
meet with displaced believers around the world.
While the road they are on is fraught with peril, their resilience is unmatched,
and it’s my hope that you are spurred to prayer and to care
for these precious brothers and sisters.
As always, thank you for your faithful care for our persecuted family.
God bless you.
JEFF
Coming
FEB. 4
Jeff King, President
International Christian Concern
Author: The Last Words of the Martyrs and
Islam Uncensored
Discover the Life-Changing Lessons
of the Persecuted
ICC President and author Jeff King will release his third book,
The Whisper, this month. In this 30-day devotional, King presents
stories of persecuted believers and unpacks their spiritual wisdom
as they walk with the Lord through trials and triumphs. How are
they able to endure such suffering and remain joyful in the Lord?
What lessons can we learn from them?
PERSECUTION.ORG 3

ICC Newsroom
YOUR SOURCE FOR PERSECUTION NEWS
Nigeria Once Again
Left off CPC List
Christian Leaders Arrested in Mauritania
in Large-Scale Crackdown
A
prominent Christian leader, along
with 14 other Christian leaders
and their families, was arrested
in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania in
December. These leaders represent a
significant portion of the nation’s small
Christian community, estimated to be
around 1,000 individuals.
Mauritania’s current penal code,
specifically Article 306, imposes the
death penalty for apostasy, with the
provision for a lesser penalty if the
accused repents. The arrests were
reportedly triggered by a posted video
of a baptism ceremony in Mauritania.
The video, believed to be leaked by an
insider seeking monetary gain, quickly
went viral.
The aftermath of the video’s
dissemination led to disturbing
incitements, with some calling for
violence against Christians. Reports
include statements like, “We have
to kill those who preach Christianity,
and these Christians have no place in
Mauritania.”
The widespread attention drawn by the
arrests and the viral video has sparked
awareness across Mauritania about
the presence of Christianity within
its borders. Consequently, a growing
number of voices are advocating
for tolerance and understanding,
emphasizing that Christians are integral
members of Mauritanian society,
contributing positively to their local
communities.
The U.S. Department of State released in
early January its annual list of countries
and entities that are hindering the
religious freedom rights of citizens. The
State Department’s annual list includes
countries (CPC) with the most severe
religious freedom violations, while less
egregious offenders are put on a Special
Watch List (SWL). Terrorist groups are also
included as Entities of Particular Concern
(EPC).”
Nigeria, shockingly, was once again left off
the list as a Country of Particular Concern.
Other notable highlights include:
Azerbaijan, for the first time in history,
has been added to the Special Watch List
(SWL), indicating progress in the nation’s
commitment to religious freedom.
India, despite the United States Commission
on International Religious Freedom’s
(USCIRF) consistent recommendations
since 2020, remains excluded from the
CPC list, raising questions and prompting
USCIRF to call for a congressional hearing
into the State Department’s decision.
Nigeria, despite a history of violence
and slaughter against Christians, was
also excluded from the CPC list this
year, sparking controversy and debate
around the decision, with some alleging
bureaucratic reasons. Tens of thousands
of Christians have been killed at the hands
of radical Islamic terrorist groups in nearly
20 years.
USCIRF has made a significant call for
a congressional hearing into the State
Department’s decisions regarding India
and Nigeria’s exclusion from the list,
signaling the commission’s commitment to
examining and ensuring religious freedom
concerns are properly addressed.
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Persecution | FEBRUARY 2024

VISIT OUR WEBSITE, PERSECUTION.ORG, FOR THE LATEST NEWS
ONLINE FEATURE
Survivors of
Fulani Militant
Attack Gather for
Christmas Service
Under New Roof
Nearly 200 Nigerians Killed in
Christmas Eve Massacre
Suspected Nigerian Fulani militias attacked
21 Christian villages in the Bokkos, Barkin
Ladi, and Mangu counties of Plateau
State on Christmas Eve, killing nearly 200
villagers according to government officials
and humanitarian groups. The number
of dead was expected to rise as families
continued to search for missing loved ones.
Plateau State Commissioner of Information
and Communication Hon. Musa Ashoms
reported 195 people killed during the
Christmas Eve attacks, and villagers were
still missing. He told communities to
defend themselves and take up arms as
needed.
Amnesty International Nigeria reported
194 people killed in Plateau State including
148 in Bokkos, 27 in Barkin Ladi, and 19 in
Mangu. The Nigerian Red Cross reported
161 deaths and 32,604 people affected.
The attack touched 84 communities in
Bokkos and Barkin Ladi and left 29,350
people displaced. In addition, 301 people
were injured and 27 houses burned.
Witnesses said that scant security was
present to repel the attacks that lasted
more than seven hours. Nigeria is one of
the most dangerous places for Christians,
particularly in the Middle Belt region.
International Christian Concern (ICC) listed
Nigeria in its annual Persecutors of the
Year report the last three years.
Early Rain Covenant Church in China Continues to Face Harassment
After multiple attacks on a village
in northcentral Nigeria’s Plateau
state from Fulani militants, a
sense of hope emerged as the
community reunited for a special
Christmas service.
Fulani militants set the church
ablaze in 2021 during an attack
that lasted three days during the
Easter season. During the attack,
the villagers lost loved ones and
all their belongings. The church
was left without a roof. The
entire community was displaced.
International Christian Concern
(ICC) funded a roofing project for
one of the damaged churches in
the community.
To read the full feature article, and
see before and after photos, visit
our website at www.persecution.
org/survivors-of-fulani-militantattack-gather-for-christmasservice-under-new-roof/,
or scan
the QR code with your mobile
device.
Members of the Early Rain Covenant
Church (ERCC) in Chengdu continues to
face harassment from local authorities,
according to a report from Christian
Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).
On Dec. 9, ERCC members planned an
online prayer meeting to commemorate
the 2018 crackdown on ERCC and other
unregistered churches (house churches).
However, reports have emerged that ERCC
members were subjected to stalking,
police pressure, personal threats, and
other harassment to prevent them from
joining the prayer meeting. Some church
leaders were detained the next day and
are still in jail.
PERSECUTION.ORG 5

West Watch
ISSUES INVOLVING CHRISTIANITY IN THE WEST
Christian Professor Fired in UK for
Beliefs on Biblical Marriage
A
theology professor in Derbyshire, England, has been
fired from a Methodist Bible university after sharing his
religious beliefs on social media. Dr. Aaron Edwards, an
employee at Cliff College for seven years, was dismissed
for publicly criticizing the Methodist Church and its complacent
views on biblical marriage. Edward’s employer had accused him
of “bringing the college into disrepute.”
Earlier this year, Edwards shared on X (formerly Twitter) that
“Homosexuality is invading the Church. Evangelicals no longer
see the severity of this because they’re busy apologizing for their
apparently barbaric homophobia, whether or not it’s true. This is
a ‘Gospel issue,’ by the way. If sin is no longer sin, we no longer
need a Saviour.”
Edward’s tweet drew push back from several human rights activist
groups, prompting university officials to become involved. Cliff
College released a statement, calling the post “unacceptable”
and “inappropriate,” and demanded the professor remove the
tweet.
Edwards refused to take down the post, arguing it would violate
his conscience. He further pointed out that the post was not
defamatory to any individual in particular and was, therefore,
not in violation of the school’s social media policy.
Despite his sincere efforts, the school opened an investigation,
leading to the professor’s suspension and subsequent dismissal.
At one point during the investigation, Edwards claimed that
school officials threatened to refer him to the U.K. government’s
counter terrorism and hate speech unit. Edwards is suing Cliff
College for unfair firing and compensation under England’s
Equality Act.
International Christian Concern (ICC) has invited Edwards
to speak at the International Religious Freedom Summit in
Washington, D.C. on Jan 30-31.
ICC UPDATE TO THOSE ON CAPITOL HILL
If you’d like to stay informed about ICC’s advocacy work and policy
recommendations, subscribe to our monthly newsletter, The Capitol
Dispatch at www.persecution.org/icc-advocacy
6
Persecution | FEBRUARY 2024

Canadian Parliament Condemns
Government Paper Calling
Christmas & Easter Systemic
Discrimination
The Canadian House of Commons has unanimously condemned a
government report that calls the Christian holidays of Christmas
and Easter as examples of “systemic religious discrimination.” The
report, published by the Canadian Human Rights Commission
(CHRC), described the traditional Christian holy days as
discriminatory, being that they are the only religious holidays
recognized as government holidays in Canada.
The House of Commons passed a unanimous motion in response
to the report, denouncing “all attempts to polarize events that
have been part of Quebec and Canadian heritage for generations…
[inviting] all Quebecers and Canadians to unite as we approach
the Christmas season.”
When questioned by members of the House on the government’s
opinion on Christmas, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded
with, “I’m very pleased to stand up and try to answer a totally
ridiculous question. Obviously, Christmas is not racist. This
is a country of diversity. A country that celebrates not just our
personal individual beliefs, but we share and celebrate the events
of our neighbors, too.”
Young Adults in the UK Open to
Bible Ban
A recent study in the United Kingdom found that nearly a quarter
of young Brits are open to banning the Bible, agreeing with a ban
on books containing perceived hate speech.
A polling group called Whitestone Insights recently surveyed
2,000+ adults, asking if they agreed with the following statement:
“Unless the offending parts can be edited out, books containing
what some perceive as hate speech should be banned from general
sale, including if necessary religious texts such as the Bible.”
Whitestone found that young Brits, ages 18 to 34, were most likely
to agree with this statement, amounting to 23% of participants.
Middle-aged Brits, ages 35 to 54, were the second highest group
at 17%, followed by Brits over age 55, who made up 13% of survey
participants.
The results tell of a deeper social belief in the U.K. that Christian
views should be censored – and it is a belief that has plagued all
of Europe.
Last year, an American street preacher was arrested in England
for preaching the Bible. A woman was also arrested for silently
praying outside of an abortion clinic – and in neighboring Finland,
Paivi Räsänen, a member of the Finish parliament, faced charges
of hate speech after sharing her religious beliefs on social media.
POCKET POLICY
CONTROVERSY ESCALATES
Action on Religious
Freedom in India
House Resolution 542 proposes a condemnation
of human rights violations and violations
of international religious freedom in India,
including those targeting Muslims, Christians,
Sikhs, Dalits, Adivasis, and other religious and
cultural minorities.
Additionally, this resolution expresses concern for
the worsening treatment of religious minorities
in India and calls for the secretary of State to
re-designate India as a Country of Particular
Concern (CPC). India has been recommended by
the United States Commission on International
Religious Freedom (USCIRF) as a CPC for the past
four years with no corresponding action from
the Secretary of State.
Prime Minister Modi outraged the international
religious freedom community during his visit
to the United States in June 2023 and did not
discuss religious freedom. Worse, when asked
about the conditions of religious freedom by
a reporter from the Wall Street Journal, Modi
responded, “In India’s democratic values there
is absolutely no discrimination on the basis of
caste or creed,” despite the over 600 incidents
of persecution in 2022 alone. This visit closely
followed the tragedies in the northeastern
state of Manipur which left 98 people dead,
35,000 displaced, and more than 100 churches
destroyed, devastating the Christian community
around the world.
If H.Res.542 were to pass, it would send a clear
message to the Secretary of State, the people of
the United States, the people of India, and the
world, that the United States does not tolerate
violations of religious freedom which, according
to both the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights and the United States Constitution, is a
basic human right.
These cases, along with the recent poll, are a concerning reminder
of the declining state of religious freedom occurring in Western
democracies around the world.
PERSECUTION.ORG 7

Your Hands and Feet
ICC PROJECTS MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR SUPPORTERS
ICC Aid for Attacked Christian Farmers
SOUTH ASIA
Christian minorities in Chhattisgarh, India, face increasingly
severe religious persecution at the hands of radical Hindu
nationalists. Recent incidents have highlighted the targeted
attacks on these communities, leading to heightened concern
for their safety and well-being.
A group of Christian farmers was attacked by radical Hindu
nationalists.
“We had grown good crops last year and all of a sudden, one
day, violence took place against us and all the crops were left
for animals to eat, and all the animals ate up my hard-earned
crops,” said one farmer. “We do not have any food to eat. It
was such a tough time for us. We had no seeds and fertilizer
to cultivate the land. We were honestly seeking the Lord and
waiting on God for his help.”
International Christian Concern (ICC) aided 50 farmers (and
their families) in the community by purchasing seeds and
fertilizers for their farms, aiming to help them rebuild their
livelihoods in the aftermath of the attack.
Another farmer said, “We as a family suffered so much loss
due to no seeds and fertilizers for planting crops. God provided
the needed products through ICC. It’s been such a big help to
us and all our farmers. We thank ICC so much for providing us
seeds and fertilizers.”
The escalating religious persecution faced by Christians in
Chhattisgarh has become a growing concern, highlighting
the urgent need for safeguarding the rights and safety of
these minority groups. This distressing scenario underscores
the pressing need for concerted efforts to address religious
intolerance and safeguard the fundamental rights of all
individuals, irrespective of their religious beliefs.
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Persecution | FEBRUARY 2024

Hunted by Belief
AFRICA
Eve, a mother of two children, was a staunch
Muslim who accepted Jesus Christ. Her
husband had more than three wives because
of his faith. One day, evangelists showed up
at Eve’s doorstep. At first, her husband didn’t
notice her conversion because he had many
wives and didn’t notice her different behavior.
A Journey from Christianity to
Islam and Back
AFRICA
Elijah was originally a Christian man who married a Muslim woman in Uganda.
They coexisted for years until he decided to convert to Islam.
As time passed, a group of church congregants visited him and expressed
their love to him. They told him about the love that Christ has for his people
and how Jesus is a peaceful Messiah. He then decided to come back to Christ
and testified in church.
Elijah was left defenseless, his small business confiscated, and his children
kept from him. He was traumatized by the radical Muslim members of his
community. They attacked him and left him helpless. He doesn’t go in public
for fear of being attacked, and he is under the care of his church at the
moment.
In his time of need, ICC helped him with the funds to start his own small
business, paid for his children’s education, and gave him other necessities
like food and home supplies.
“Glory be to the Almighty God for the support I have received from International
Christian Concern. I take this opportunity to thank everyone who took part in
this project, as far as the prosperity of this project is concerned...I am out of
words because this is not only a blessing, but a surprise,” said Elijah. “Since I
was persecuted, I was hopeless, and I never through that I would see success.
I could not understand who I was because I had been living a miserable life
with no food, clothing, and school fees for children.”
“I thank ICC for paying for my tuition. I appreciate so much and may the
Almighty God bless you. I am going to study without any challenges or stress
because I know that everything is covered. I promise to yield good results by
working hard,” said Elijah’s daughter.
But once he started to notice, he started to
deny her food and other basic needs. He
stopped giving school fees to her children and
claimed that their mother should care for them
because she had told them to be Christians.
“As time went by, my husband started attacking
me at night and started beating me severely
and told me to go away and that if I am not
willing, he shall use the Islamic laws,” said Eve.
“I could report to church and whenever he
knew that I had gone to church, it would be an
attack until the church rescued me through the
efforts of the reverend.”
At the time ICC met her, she was staying with a
Christian who is caring for her and her children.
Her husband is looking for her, but her church
is now protecting her. ICC helped pay for basic
needs like food and shelter as well as set up a
small business to generate income to support
herself and kids.
“Who would wipe away my tears?” she
said. “The Lord is so faithful. I thought that
converting from Islam was the end of my
success and prosperity but now I have seen
God working. I give him glory forever and ever
and may his name be glorified. I have received
enough; a bed, mattress, blanket, and chairs,
which not everyone can afford. I had not
thought of having a personal business, but
today, I am having one. I really thank ICC so
much.”
She continued, “I really believe that Jesus is
the father to the fatherless, and a husband to
the widow. The food we received is going to
sustain our lives. We shall not die of hunger.”
PERSECUTION.ORG 9

HOMELA
LOST
10
Persecution | FEBRUARY 2024

ND
WHAT
LIFE
LOOKS LIKE FOR
THOUSANDS OF
ETHNIC ARMENIAN
CHRISTIANS AFTER
BEING FORCED
TO LEAVE HOME
By ICC’s MENA Regional Team
Until October 2023, more than 100,000 ethnic Armenian
Christians lived in Artsakh, also known as Nagorno-
Karabakh, a breakaway enclave internationally
recognized as a part of Azerbaijan but populated by
ethnic Armenians.
Artsakh can be found in the southern Caucasus region and
lies between Azerbaijan and Armenia, with the two nations
fighting three wars over the past three decades over the
enclave. The end of the Republic of Artsakh this year started
with a nine-month blockade by Azerbaijan on the enclave,
followed by an overwhelming lightning military operation
by Azerbaijan. In the days following Azerbaijan’s takeover of
the enclave, more than 100,000 Armenians, including over
40,000 children, fled Artsakh into Armenia. By October 1,
Artsakh was emptied of Armenians.
In the months following the war, the thousands of Armenian
refugees have been trying to set up new lives in Armenia.
Families have been settling in all parts of the country, living
wherever they can find affordable housing. The refugees
have to navigate a new system of schools for their children
and develop trust with their new neighbors.
Despite the coldness of winter fast approaching, many
were in such a hurry as they fled that they brought meager
belongings. Refugees struggled to stay warm and feed their
families. And work proved difficult to find in Armenia.
PERSECUTION.ORG 11

The families are struggling with the trauma of such rapid displacement
and the loss of their nation, their land, homes, farms and everything
they left behind. Most of the men served in the armed forces in
defense of their land in the last war and are experiencing a deep
sense of defeat from losing their homeland. The women and children
are in trauma from the rapid displacement and in losing everything,
and in some cases, family members who died or who are missing
since the conflict and displacement.
All the Artsakh refugees ICC has spoken with shared that the reason
they left was because they feared being massacred by the Azerbaijani
military if they stayed under their control.
In addition to the complex history of conflict between both sides
over the territory, there is a deep sense of the history of the
Armenian genocide repeating itself, which happened more than a
century ago and killed and displaced millions of Armenians. At that
time, the Ottoman Empire declared a holy war against the empire’s
Christians and sought to kill, or displace from their lands, its Christian
populations and perhaps most significantly, Armenian Christians.
Rhetoric leading up to the conflict from Azerbaijani officials and
media outlets enhanced that fear of a similar intent in Artsakh, with
12
Persecution | FEBRUARY 2024

“THE REASON
[ A R T S A K H
RESIDENTS] LEFT
WAS BECAUSE THEY
FEARED BEING
MASSACRED BY
THE AZERBAIJANI
MILITARY IF THEY
STAYED UNDER
THEIR CONTROL.”
PERSECUTION.ORG 13

statements such as the need of “purging
Nagorno-Karabakh of the ‘Armenian
virus.’” In both past wars as well as the
2023 conflict, there is documentation
of Azerbaijani forces destroying and
desecrating Armenian churches in
territories seized, and efforts to change
the historical narrative of the millennia
of Christian heritage in Artsakh.
When ICC has asked the Armenian
Christians refugees how the outside
world can both help and pray for them,
they shared that they want prayer to
continue defending their faith, their
land, and their Christian Armenian
heritage. Many Armenian Christians hold
with deep sense of pride and honor with
their identity as the world’s first Christian
nation.
It is indeed inspiring to see their zeal to
defend, cling to, and persevere their faith
and pass it on to the next generation
even amid massive oppression to their
faith.
For many of the refugees during this
time of seeming defeat and suffering,
however, there are those that are
considering what that Christian identity
really means. In their trauma and
suffering, it is paramount that these
refugees be reminded and encouraged
in the Christian’s true identity in Jesus
Christ, even in the loss of their Christian
homeland.
ICC is coming alongside these refugees
to help them through their trauma, meet
their daily needs, and to build sustainable
income generating opportunities for
families to begin a new life in Armenia.
For some of the families, we have served
and encouraged, it was the first time
they had prayed in months since the
tragedy. For others, it gave a renewed
sense of light in their darkness of missing
loved ones.
And for all, they were blessed in their
deep faith of God’s presence with
them through the care and kindness of
global Christians sharing some of their
resources to assist them in this time of
crisis.
14
Persecution | FEBRUARY 2024

“THEY WANT
PRAYER TO
CONTINUE
DEFENDING
THEIR FAITH,
THEIR LAND,
AND THEIR
CHRISTIAN
ARMENIAN
HERITAGE.”
Left: Children, along with their families, sleep
and live in bunkers during the war in 2023.
Top Right: Armenian flags fly in a cemetery
dedicated to all those who have died in the
Artsakh wars, including the last one in 2023.
Bottom Right: Those leaving Artsakh make
food on the road as they head toward
Armenia.
SEND HELP NOW.
We are raising
$50,000 to support
these Armenian
believers. Join us.
Scan the QR code
with your mobile
device or visit us at
persecution.org/give
PERSECUTION.ORG 15

Seeking
Salvation
Afghan Refugees Find Christ Amid Uncertainty
By ICC’s South Asia Regional Team
In the aftermath of the Taliban’s resurgence in
Afghanistan, Afghan Christians seeking refuge in
neighboring Pakistan have few choices.
Pakistan was not equipped to manage a refugee crisis, but
thousands crossed the border after the takeover. Many
Afghans fled to Pakistan without visas, passports, and
other identification. Once Afghan Christians step foot in
Pakistan, however, their journeys are far from over.
Sardar and his Christian family initially had difficulty getting
into Pakistan after the Taliban takeover. He was abducted
by the Taliban en route to the border and held until his
family could pay a ransom. They managed to scrape the
money together, devastating them financially.
Once in Pakistan, Sardar and his family were not well
received. Like nearly all refugees, they faced hunger and
poor living conditions. With no means of work, they were
at the mercy of Pakistan’s refugee system.
Please pray for Afghan Christians:
1.
For all Afghans to put their trust in Jesus.
2. That new believers cultivate a lifelong relationship with Christ.
3. For the security of our staff and those we serve.
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Persecution | FEBRUARY 2024

While Pakistan received refugees previously, the number of
families that arrived following the collapse of Afghanistan was
unprecedented. Thousands of Afghans flooded into Pakistan, so
Sardar’s family was insignificant and their struggles commonplace.
As with all the Christian refugee families, these struggles would
undoubtedly have been worse had they been discovered as
Christians.
More than two years later, ICC has been caring for more 30
Christian families that fled Afghanistan for Pakistan. We’ve also
been sharing the gospel to those we call seekers, those who do
not know Christ but are open to hearing the gospel.
Through evangelism and discipleship initiatives, we saw a
remarkable transformation within the Afghan refugee community.
A local pastor shared his journey of connecting with these
individuals and families. His discussions about God’s generosity
and sacrificial love resonated deeply, leading to profound curiosity
about Christianity for these seekers. This year, we witnessed the
baptism of 22 Afghan Christians.
“In the beginning, when I met with the Afghan refugee families in
Pakistan, they were spiritually and mentally isolated from home. I
made them feel comfortable as my family members.
Later, during my visits, I started talking about the community
in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Slowly, I started talking about the
generosity of God and His sacrifice for all of humanity. These
families were surprised that even God sacrificed His son for us.
Then, with prayer and His grace, I started sharing the good news.
I taught them about the unconditional love of Lord Jesus. They
were all fascinated by this idea and His story. I preached to them,
and more than that, I prayed very hard for these people.
They felt it in their bones and started asking questions, even
texting me questions when I wasn’t visiting with them. I started
a Bible study with them, and they were all keen to hear. I taught
them the real meaning of baptism and their life after that. Then,
they all decided that they were ready to fulfill the richness of
baptism. Praise the Lord!”
ICC met with believers and seekers at their doorstep. Through
your generous support, we provided them help spiritually,
morally, physiologically, and physically.
“We aimed at providing them the Lord’s peace,” said our Pakistan
staff member. “We helped Afghan believers with support to live
in Pakistan and bear the expenses of their families as they lived
as refugees.”
“Through you, we managed to recognize Him and embrace Him
as our personal savior,” said one believer we recently baptized.
“Thank you for your vital support; it kept us alive for many months.
We are so grateful for the generous donors.”
PERSECUTION.ORG 17

Réfugié from
Persecution
Stories of Survival, Faith, and Struggle for Christians in Southeast Asia
By ICC’s Southeast Asia Regional Team
Did you know the word refugee has its roots in religious persecution? Refugee is derived
from the French word réfugié which described the time more than 400,000 French
Protestants fled France after 1685 to escape persecution from French Catholics. Central
to the concept of a refugee is someone who must leave their home because of the
persecution they endure from another dominant group, religion, or government. Christian
refugees are growing quickly in Southeast Asia.
RÉFUGIÉ TODAY
More than 300 years after the Protestant Huguenots fled France, hundreds of thousands of
réfugié today continue to flee their homelands across Southeast Asia because of persecution for
their Christian faith. The basic drivers of Christian persecution in Southeast Asia are oppressive
governments driven by Communism and Marxist ideologies, radical Islam, military dictatorships,
and other socio-political pressures. Through restrictive laws and policies, or through savage war,
or through blunt and violent force, Christians refugees voluntarily or are forced to leave their
homes to seek refuge and safety somewhere else. Consequently, Christian refugees become
categorized as internally displaced persons (IDPs) who are often boxed into IDP or refugee
camps in their home country or abroad. Christian refugees are sometimes classed as political
prisoners, activists, dissidents, or numerous other names. But if you dig deeper, their refugee
status or story is ultimately because they are followers of Jesus Christ. This is usually ignored or
missed by media agencies and political bodies involved in refugee work.
RUNNING FOR SAFETY BUT PERSECUTION FOLLOWS THEM
In Vietnam, thousands of Christians are escaping their homes and traveling to Thailand because
of regular persecution and oppression from the Communist government. The UNHCR (UN’s
refugee agency) has an office in Thailand, so refugees flood the country seeking refugee status.
But this creates more pressure on Thai society, services, and infrastructure. In late 2023, ICC
highlighted increased harassment and persecution of Vietnamese Hmong and Montagnard
Christians from Thai government officials. For example, Hmong preacher and missionary Lu A
Da fled to Thailand to seek official refugee status. He was arrested in Bangkok in early December
2023 and faces extradition back to Vietnam where he faces up to 20 years imprisonment for
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Persecution | FEBRUARY 2024

Do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewal of
your mind, that by testing you may
discern what is the will of God, what
is good and acceptable and perfect.
- ROMANS 12:2 (ESV)
PERSECUTION.ORG 19

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Persecution | FEBRUARY 2024

eaking the Vietnamese Penal Code by fleeing the country or remaining abroad to
oppose the people’s government.” ICC is currently working with other agencies and
ministries to support Vietnamese Christian refugees like Lu A Da, providing basic
necessities like food, money for rental accommodation in Thailand, and advocacy
support. One current project involves a Vietnamese mother who became a Christian
and immediately faced beatings from her husband and local police. This mother
and her baby fled to Thailand where we helped through local ministry partners to
support them with food and money for a phone and rent. However, these ministry
partners have informed us that Vietnamese government agents are actively working
in Thailand harassing Christian refugees and seeking to inflict harm or extradition
back to Vietnam. Local ministry partners are extremely worried about this recent
development. Praise God for generous ICC supporters who partner with us to support
the tragic yet resilient stories of Vietnamese Christian refugees in Thailand.
FIERCE CIVIL WAR DISPLACING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE
About 2,000 kilometers to the east of Vietnam, Myanmar is experiencing a savage
and brutal war. After two years of tyrannical control from the Tatmadaw, who
forcefully took control of the country in 2021, ethnic and pro-democracy forces have
joined together and are inflicting huge losses on the military dictatorship. Fighting is
fierce, particularly as soldiers from predominantly Christian regions like Chin State,
Kayah State, and Kachin State advance throughout the country, combining with other
militias against Tatmadaw. But, as with every war, there are huge impacts for civilians.
The UN reported in late December that more than 6 million Burmese children were
facing severe food shortages, and one-third of the country’s population were facing
immediate humanitarian crises. As of Christmas 2023, nearly 700,000 Burmese are
deemed IDPs. Huge numbers of these are Christian refugees who have fled their
homes. Additionally, IDPs or refugees have also fled to Manipur State in India because
of the fighting. This has created new problems with reports emerging of growing
tensions in Manipur between Hindu nationalists and pro-democracy fighters from
Myanmar who have crossed the border amid all the fighting. The predominantly
Christian Chin and Meitei forces from Myanmar are closely and ethnically related
to the mostly Christian Kuki people in Manipur. Consequently, the war in Myanmar
is leading to other religious challenges and confrontations in neighboring India.
These Christian refugees are literally living between the proverbial rock and hard
place! Again, ICC is trying to work with local partners to help in some way to support
suffering and displaced Christians in this ongoing civil war.
ISIS DISPLACING THOUSANDS AND TARGETING CHRISTIANS IN SOUTHERN
PHILIPPINES
Finally, 2,000 kms southwest from Myanmar is Mindanao, the southernmost island
group of the Philippines. We have previously highlighted Mindanao and the rise of
radical and violent Islam, with ISIS-affiliated terror groups like Abu Sayyaf and Dawlah
Islamiya-Maute fighting to establish the island region as a ‘wilayat,’ functioning under
Sharia law and ISIS control. Over the last six years, more than 400,000 people have
been displaced in Mindanao alone because of the ongoing battles between these
terror groups and Filipino military and police. In early December 2023, ISIS bombed
a Catholic mass in Marawi, Mindanao, killing more than 50 church goers and leading
to more displacement of locals. With every new conflict and battle comes a new
wave of displaced refugees. And the majority of IDPs in Mindanao are Christians as
well, navigating this aggressive form of Islam. ICC has recently re-started our work
in Mindanao, and we are building a new network of local partners to help Christian
refugees suffering from these scary battles and ideological Islamic control.
“He defends the cause of
the fatherless and the
widow, and loves the
foreigner residing among
you, giving them food and
clothing.”
- DEUTERONOMY 10:18
WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF THE
REGION?
Refugee issues abound across Southeast
Asia. Christian refugees again feature
prominently in these stories too. For
instance, Burmese Rohingya Christians
face severe persecution in Myanmar
and now in Malaysia where hundreds
are fleeing to. Then there are those
North Korean defectors (including many
Christians) who have escaped into South
Korea and northern China, but who
are now being wickedly returned and
extradited back to North Korea to face
certain death there. And ongoing wars,
conflicts and persecution in China, West
Papua, Brunei, and Cambodia lead to
more Christian refugees in the region.
FINAL WORD FOR CHRISTIAN RÉFUGIÉ
The state for refugees in this region,
especially Christian refugees, is
deteriorating at a fast rate. ICC’s specific
mission to serve and strengthen suffering
Christians in Southeast Asia is lived out
strongly as we support Christian refugees
amidst all the wars, political instability,
Communist control, and radical Islamic
forces. Praise God for the privilege to live
out this mission in this region and across
the globe.
PERSECUTION.ORG 21

Saendo’s Story
Unyielding
Faith Amid
Darkness
By ICC’s Africa Regional Team
Saendo’s heart condition cast a relentless shadow over his life. The
16-year old’s days were a silent battle against the restless grip of his
ailment.
“I used to think I would hide and die in one corner of my house,” Saendo
confesses softly. “I was relegated to a dark corner, laying there and waiting
for death to come snatch me with its cold arms, and that would be the
death of me.”
He lies on the barely padded mattress on the floor, surrounded by a few
household essentials, piling up in the corner. Drapes hung around the
makeshift sleeping space, illuminated by a small burlap curtain covering
the window and filtering out most of the light. A small line of clothes
hugged the wall, just enough for the eyes to entertain.
22
Persecution | FEBRUARY 2024

PERSECUTION.ORG 23

“I used to think I would
hide and die in one corner
of my house. I was relegated
to a dark corner, laying
there and waiting for death
to come snatch me with its
cold arms, and that would be
the death of me.” - Saendo
NIGERIA’S UNENDING TURMOIL
Over the past five years, Nigeria’s Benue state has
suffered gruesome attacks by Fulani militants, forcing
approximately 1.5 million people from their ancestral
lands into IDP (Internally Displaced People) Camps.
Saendo is one of 2,000 children residing at the Abagena
IDP Camp in Benue State, which population exceeds
10,000 IDPs. His family was forced to flee their home
after Fulani militants invaded his home.
Nigeria, a nation torn by decades of violence, faces the
harrowing reality of constant turmoil. The central Middle
Belt region, where these clashes over resources, ethnic
differences, and religious disparities prevail, embodies
the epicenter of this unending turmoil. For Christians,
it’s a daily struggle for survival amid disproportionate
killings and kidnappings, transforming their homeland
into a perilous landscape – and often leaving survivors
with no place to call home.
The ones spearheading these attacks, the Fulani
militants, have become radicalized by extreme Islam, to
wipe out Christianity from the region and establish an
Islamic caliphate. Members of the group are ruthless
and uncompromising, killing tens of thousands of
Christians and leaving more than three million homeless
over the last 20 years.
NURTURING HEARTS AND MINDS
Many of the displaced were previously farmers. But
years in the camp with no land or opportunities have
forced these people into lives of obscurity. It’s common
for women to go into town to trade sex for a meal to
bring home. Crime runs rampant, especially in the camp
where Saendo lives. School-aged children wander the
streets begging for food.
“Currently, the rate of education is very low, considering
that when the children wake up in the morning, they
are looking for work, food to eat, water to drink, and to
find firewood,” said Daniel*, an ICC staff member.
Two years ago, ICC equipped volunteers to travel to
these camps, which led to ICC opening a Hope House
for kids who called the IDP camp home. For the first
time in many of these children’s lives, they had the
opportunity for something more. ICC provided basic
school supplies, such as whiteboards, markers, books,
and lesson materials, as well as food and water.
“Hungry children whose parents can’t afford proper
meals can now eat good food every week,” said one
of the volunteers. “Children who have never been to
school have been given the chance to be educated,
which has given them a sense of belonging. Older
women who were not opportune to be educated have
been given a second chance as four have become
dedicated pupils.”
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Persecution | FEBRUARY 2024

PERSECUTION.ORG 25

“I have never felt love
and care like this in
my whole life...I am so
grateful because I now
feel better in my body.”
- Saendo
26
Persecution | FEBRUARY 2024

ICC’s Hope House offers more than an education lesson and a
meal. It offers children the chance to learn about the Bible and
grow their relationship with God.
“Our intention is to get these children educated and to bring
them to the knowledge of Christi Jesus because our country and
continent depends on what we can do with and for these children
today,” said Daniel. “We conduct our Bible study every Friday and
one of our central goals is to lead them to know Christ despite the
place where the situations of life have put them.”
SAENDO’S MEDICAL JOURNEY
One of the situations Daniel found himself in was during the
beginning stages of Hope House when he met Saendo and another
classmate.
“We were moved by the pains and sufferings that two of our
students were going through life-threatening health challenges:
one with heart disease and another with a cancerous wound on
his leg,” said Daniel. “We took them to the hospital. The one with
the wound had a series of surgeries before being discharged.”
Saendo was told that his condition had progressed too much to
undergo surgery. He was treated for other health complications to
make him comfortable.
“He was discharged and regularly goes to get check-ups,” said
Daniel.
Both boys had lost their fathers and were being taken care of
by their mothers who were facing their own challenges, making
it impossible for the boys to receive the medical care they so
desperately needed. Saendo was born with a heart condition which
has deteriorated due to his family’s inability to afford medical care.
“I personally could not hold back the pain when I came across
the kids in these conditions, and therefore arranged for these
interventions. I am still monitoring them and giving necessary
support,” said Daniel.
ICC has helped Saendo with monthly medical and basic care. Since
then, he has begun to feel better. Our volunteers describe him as
nearly a new person.
“I lack the words to properly express my joy and gratitude to God
and ICC for giving me life,” said Saendo. “Right now, I feel a great
deal of hope. I have never felt love and care like this in my whole
life. I am really surprised that people I have never seen took up my
treatment and footing every single bill for me and are providing
food support for me and my family. I am so grateful because I now
really feel better in my body.”
SHARING THE LOVE OF CHRIST
This is the boy who originally described his life as being “relegated
to a dark corner, laying there and waiting for death to come snatch
me up with its cold arms.”
Instead, Saendo, along with many of the other children at Hope
House, was snatched up with the love and mercy that only comes
from the Lord.
“Our prayers to God are to give these children and their parents a
Christ-like heart through this school. In the face of the persecution
that they are going through, we hope to make them leaders after
God’s heart as shining testimonies of the love and forgiveness that
Christ has shown to the world by dying on the cross. We pray that
God would help us make a community school after Christ’s heart,”
said Daniel.
*Name changed for security purposes
PERSECUTION.ORG 27

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