Every two minutes, someone is killed for their faith.* Together, we must pray for the millions of persecuted Christians as they face the world’s greatest problem — lostness.
The Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church is an opportunity for individuals and churches across the Southern Baptist Convention to unite in prayer for our brothers and sisters around the world who are persecuted for their faith. When we pray for persecuted believers, God uses their witness to inspire gospel transformation among the lost.
Will you join us in praying?
Seeing the plight of Christians in his home country was too much. Aftab took part in a legal and peaceful protest. He thought he’d be protected by friends in the government. He was wrong. He fled for the border, then began a long and dangerous journey across Europe. The journey almost cost him his life. “God save me. Help me,” was his constant prayer.
Days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into months and years. Aftab remained on the run — hungry, homeless, and often hopeless. He stayed days in a shipping container, clung to a raft with his hands over rough waters, hiked miles on foot. Sometimes he was too weak to even carry a small plastic bag with a few personal items. His faith grew, however, as God sent His people to minister to Aftab.
Country-by-country Aftab experienced love and care from other Christians. Aftab’s hope began to grow, but as he became bolder in speaking out about his faith, others in a refugee camp became angry. They led Aftab outside of the camp and beat him. He fled again. At his final destination, IMB missionary Ian Gibson met him and helped to find him legal shelter and work. Aftab is safe but remains separated from his wife and three kids. It’s been nine years.
“Aftab has been in very dangerous situations: in boats traveling on water, in semi-truck toolboxes for days, crossing borders. He has been beaten in refugee camps because of his faith. And yet this whole journey has been a way for him to share his faith in Christ, to encourage other believers and to evangelize those who haven’t heard the true story of Jesus.” Ian Gibson, IMB missionary
