Following Jesus in North Korea is so dangerous, it should be impossible. But with your support, faith will not only survive – it can thrive.
Eun-Yeong* was terrified. Crouching in the undergrowth, she watched the man approach. “Get away from us,” she cried in fear.
Eun-Yeong and her partner Cheol-Ho* were in extreme danger. They’d made the perilous journey to escape North Korea, and this stranger could send them back. But instead, the man placed a bag of food on the forest floor, and promised to return.
The next night, as Eun-Yeong ate white rice delivered by the stranger, she couldn’t help but ask: why do you do this?
“It’s because of a man named Jesus,” came the reply, from Open Doors partner Evangelist Cho**. “In fact, I brought you a book about him…”
Safe house
For years, Evangelist Cho had been helping North Korean refugees like this young couple. Every day, he hiked through the mountain forests. His mission? “To save souls,” Cho said.
But like most North Koreans, Eun-Yeong and Cheol-Ho had been taught to hate religion. Christianity is dangerous and evil, the regime insisted.
And yet, prompted by Cho’s kindness and care, the couple started reading the Bible.
One day, Eun-Yeong ran to meet Evangelist Cho. “I had a dream,” she said breathlessly. “A person called me by name – and I think it was ‘Jesus’ this book talks about. I want to know more!”
Cho took the couple to an Open Doors safe house, where refugees can rest, recharge and learn about Jesus. They threw themselves into Bible study and gave their lives to Christ.
Then came an astonishing announcement: “God is calling us to return to North Korea to share our newfound faith with people desperately in need of the gospel,” said Eun-Yeong.
It was a decision fraught with danger. North Korea has been top, or near the top, of the World Watch List for more than 20 years. Christianity is completely forbidden, and secret believers face terrible consequences if discovered.
“God is calling us to return to North Korea to share our newfound faith with people desperately in need of the gospel.”
All things are possible
And yet, we estimate there are more than 400,000 Christians in North Korea. They meet in small, trusted groups. Now, Eun-Yeong and Cheol-Ho are among them – and they’ve already brought three people to faith.
We’ve changed the names of these individuals to protect them, but this is a true story based on the testimony of Evangelist Cho. Recently, Cho passed away and joined his Saviour – but his ministry continues.
Your gifts and prayers can support these brave believers, the most persecuted in the world. You can strengthen the church where it shouldn’t exist. And you can join with Eun-Yeong, Cheol-Ho and evangelists like Cho, to be part of God’s impossible plan.
Pray
- Lift up our brothers and sisters in North Korea, and give thanks for their extraordinary resilience.
- Pray for evangelists like Cho, helping believers and refugees along the border and in safe houses.
- Ask that, in the midst of fear, hunger and isolation, North Korean believers would find joy.
Give a gift
- Every $35 could provide a Bible and discipleship materials to believers, so they can meet God in His Word.
- Every $75 could help provide safe housing and relief aid to a refugee fleeing extreme persecution.
- Every $114 could help train a leader to care for other believers who have fled persecution.
