Your global impact in 2022
Last year, your support and generosity strengthened over 7 million persecuted Christians to be “salt and light” in their communities around the world.
Your global impact in 2022
Last year, your support and generosity strengthened over 7 million persecuted Christians to be “salt and light” in their communities around the world.
A note from Open Doors
In a year when persecution increased and intensified in violence, you responded by standing resolutely alongside our brothers and sisters. Your support reached more than 7 million believers with training, practical support, advocacy and Scripture material.
You helped Open Doors reach 14% more Christians than in 2021, particularly growing activities to help people deal with persecution through programs like preparedness training. The number of people who received Bibles and Scripture items also increased by almost a third, compared to the previous year.
But while the numbers tell one story, the real measure of your impact is in the lives of every persecuted believer touched by your support. Your gifts and prayers matter so much to each person. I’m deeply grateful for all your help.
Executive Director
A note from Open Doors
In a year when persecution increased and intensified in violence, you responded by standing resolutely alongside our brothers and sisters. Your support reached more than 7 million believers with training, practical support, advocacy and Scripture material.
You helped Open Doors reach 14% more Christians than in 2021, particularly growing activities to help people deal with persecution through programs like preparedness training. The number of people who received Bibles and Scripture items also increased by almost a third, compared to the previous year.
But while the numbers tell one story, the real measure of your impact is in the lives of every persecuted believer touched by your support. Your gifts and prayers matter so much to each person. I’m deeply grateful for all your help.
-Gary Stagg, Executive Director
Click on a region to learn more about your impact there in 2022
Violent persecution in Sub-Saharan Africa is unprecedented. Christians are being murdered, raped and kidnapped on a scale not seen before. In this dangerous, volatile region, your support reached believers under extreme pressure.
How you helped in 2022:
The majority of Open Doors’ work in Africa in 2022 was about strengthening Christians to be powerful witnesses in challenging circumstances. Three-quarters of our budget was directed to this vital work, and the vast majority of those we served were reached for this purpose through programs such as discipleship training.
Your support is enabling the African church to be resilient, resourceful and influential.
Asia is home to the most dangerous place on earth to follow Jesus. In North Korea, believers face imprisonment, brutal torture and death. But persecution is not confined to this secretive state. Across the region, millions of Christians are under pressure as regimes seek to exert authoritarian control over their populations. Your support ensured our Asian brothers and sisters were not alone.
How you helped in 2022:
The most significant area of support was strengthening the church to be salt and light in the region. This was done through raising up new leaders, discipling Christians and supporting biblical leadership.
Approximately half of the beneficiaries in Asia were reached through distribution activities – the handing out of Bibles, Christian literature or media players with Christian messages. Other help, such as providing economic assistance so believers can start businesses and generate sustainable incomes, means Christians stay in their nations to witness to God’s love.
Islamic radicalism is not as visible in the Middle East as it was during the ISIS regime, but the church is yet to recover from the devastation it left behind. Our brothers and sisters in this region remain under pressure – and the church is diminished. But in 2022, your gifts and prayers brought hope to believers.
How you helped in 2022:
Our focus in the Middle East and North Africa was to ensure that Christians are never alone. Isolated believers are often not able to connect with their brothers and sisters because of fear, self-censorship or social hostility – so helping Christians meet online is vital. Your support helped to provide discipleship training, study groups and fellowship.
Advocacy initiatives reached more than double the number of Christians in 2022, compared to 2021.
Conditions have worsened for the church in Latin America, and four countries now rank in the top 50 most dangerous places to be a Christian (Nicaragua, Colombia, Cuba and Mexico). In the midst of persecution, especially in rural areas and among indigenous people, your support made a difference.
How you helped in 2022:
More than half of people helped by Open Doors in Latin America were strengthened to be salt and light in their communities. This was achieved through virtual training and the distribution of digital content.
One of the strongest growth areas – reaching more than double the number of believers in 2022 compared to 2021 – was biblical training. Psychological First Aid training was provided to thousands of the most persecuted Christians in regions of Colombia, thanks to your support.
Click on a region to learn more about your impact there in 2022
Violent persecution in Sub-Saharan Africa is unprecedented. Christians are being murdered, raped and kidnapped on a scale not seen before. In this dangerous, volatile region, your support reached believers under extreme pressure.
How you helped in 2022:
The majority of Open Doors’ work in Africa in 2022 was about strengthening Christians to be powerful witnesses in challenging circumstances. Three-quarters of our budget was directed to this vital work, and the vast majority of those we served were reached for this purpose through programs such as discipleship training.
Your support is enabling the African church to be resilient, resourceful and influential.
Asia is home to the most dangerous place on earth to follow Jesus. In North Korea, believers face imprisonment, brutal torture and death. But persecution is not confined to this secretive state. Across the region, millions of Christians are under pressure as regimes seek to exert authoritarian control over their populations. Your support ensured our Asian brothers and sisters were not alone.
How you helped in 2022:
The most significant area of support was strengthening the church to be salt and light in the region. This was done through raising up new leaders, discipling Christians and supporting biblical leadership.
Approximately half of the beneficiaries in Asia were reached through distribution activities – the handing out of Bibles, Christian literature or media players with Christian messages. Other help, such as providing economic assistance so believers can start businesses and generate sustainable incomes, means Christians stay in their nations to witness to God’s love.
Islamic radicalism is not as visible in the Middle East as it was during the ISIS regime, but the church is yet to recover from the devastation it left behind. Our brothers and sisters in this region remain under pressure – and the church is diminished. But in 2022, your gifts and prayers brought hope to believers.
How you helped in 2022:
Our focus in the Middle East and North Africa was to ensure that Christians are never alone. Isolated believers are often not able to connect with their brothers and sisters because of fear, self-censorship or social hostility – so helping Christians meet online is vital. Your support helped to provide discipleship training, study groups and fellowship.
Advocacy initiatives reached more than double the number of Christians in 2022, compared to 2021.
Conditions have worsened for the church in Latin America, and four countries now rank in the top 50 most dangerous places to be a Christian (Nicaragua, Colombia, Cuba and Mexico). In the midst of persecution, especially in rural areas and among indigenous people, your support made a difference.
How you helped in 2022:
More than half of people helped by Open Doors in Latin America were strengthened to be salt and light in their communities. This was achieved through virtual training and the distribution of digital content.
One of the strongest growth areas – reaching more than double the number of believers in 2022 compared to 2021 – was biblical training. Psychological First Aid training was provided to thousands of the most persecuted Christians in regions of Colombia, thanks to your support.
