This article was featured in our Frontline Faith Magazine.
Wybo Nicolai has had over 30 years of experience in the field, including five years in the Soviet Union and 16 years in the Middle East. He’s also the creator of the World Watch List, ranking the 50 most dangerous countries in the world to be a Christian.
When Open Doors saw the fall of the Berlin Wall, there was speculation about whether we could work outside of the Soviet Union. Wybo Nicolai was asked to survey other nations around the world, so as a ministry we could stay true to our call – serving the persecuted church.
The first World Watch List, created in 1991, defined the next focus: The Middle East and the Muslim world. This was a decade before others turned their attention to the Middle East in 2001. Since then, as a ministry, we’ve seen the rise of radical Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. But now there is a new trend emerging, an anti-Christian secular world.
Image: Street scene in Egypt.
“I’m very concerned about the current trend in the Western world,” said Wybo. “I would not be surprised if a country like the UK, France, maybe Sweden, could be on the list in ten years from now.
“From my perspective, this could be the last decade where we are still enjoying full freedom of religion.”
The Western world doesn’t experience persecution anything like what the church faces in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. However, Open Doors have been collecting data and watching the new trend emerge.
Whilst this is not meant to be a cause for concern, it is a call to partner with the persecuted church. We need their message now more than ever.
The Western church has never had more to learn from our persecuted brothers and sisters on how to be bold, unashamed of the gospel, and quick to forgive.
“Persecution is for real and yes persecution is growing. We have statistical evidence to back this up,” Wybo said. “It is growing both in intensity and in number of countries and believers affected. Jesus warned us, that just as they persecuted him, we shall be persecuted. Acceptance is the first step. The next step, is to realise that we are not alone.
“Jesus went through persecution Himself, He can identify with us and can speak to us. Even more, He promised us to send the Holy Spirit as a Comforter.”
“Finally, we are part of a Body,” Wybo continued. “In times of persecution, some Christians may give up and actually betray real believers. But other believers will stand strong and be of great help. To share in persecution with other believers will make us stronger and will help us to carry the burden.
Image: Food distribution in Sudan.
“It has been luxury that we have had freedom of religion for a couple of centuries in Australia. We should be thankful to the Lord that we have had the joy of so much freedom for such a long time. Now, we should make good use of the time we still have.”
“Most of all we should speak out on what is most important in our Christian faith. We have a message for the world, even though part of the world doesn’t like the message.”
“Wake up,” Wybo said. “Live out our faith. Spend some time in prayer and in the Word daily. He will guide you, and you will face unexpected opportunities to either share the faith or be an encouragement for other believers.”
Syria was once a peaceful country. For many years it didn’t feature in the World Watch List. Many thought persecution would never come, and it was a surprise when it did.
China was once one of the most persecuted countries in the world, but now has pledged to send 20,000 missionaries by 2030. Who could have imagined such revival and transformation?
Image: Street scene in China.
Research has shown that the Western world is moving from a Christian culture to neutral, and trends suggest that the next chapter is an anti-Christian culture.
One day, the Western church may need to ask the church in China, Iraq and India for help.
The Western church has never needed the persecuted church more, and the persecuted have never need the Western church more.
This article was featured in our Frontline Faith Magazine.