Part Three of the series, “When Creation Groans”  

By ICC Fellow Lisa Navarrette

Imagine you are at your Sunday morning church service. Hands raised in worship. The Spirit filling the space. Then, all of a sudden, gunmen kick in the door and open fire. Those who are not instantly killed are dragged outside and lined up.

“Renounce your faith,” they scream at each person’s face. Going down the line, each person gets a choice: renounce Christ and possibly live, or refuse to deny him. You see each family member stand firm in their faith. “I will never deny my Lord Jesus Christ.” You watch in horror as each family member is beheaded, knowing your turn is coming.  

This was the case just months ago in Mozambique. Armed militants organized a brutal attack on Christians that left 30 martyred. When reports of Christian persecution appear in the news, they often focus on individual tragedies. A pastor is kidnapped. A church is burned. Worshippers are attacked during a Sunday service. Entire villages are forced to flee. Each story deserves attention because every victim represents a family, a congregation, and a community forever changed by violence. 

Yet viewing persecution only through individual events can obscure the larger reality. In many of the countries where Christians experience the greatest levels of persecution, these attacks are not isolated occurrences. They unfold within environments already weakened by political instability, corruption, armed conflict, economic hardship, and limited government capacity. These conditions make it easier for those who persecute Christians to operate with fewer obstacles and greater impunity. 

The relationship is similar to a weakened foundation beneath a building. The foundation does not cause the storm, but it affects how well the structure withstands it. Likewise, weak institutions do not produce persecution, but they often influence how effectively governments can prevent violence, protect vulnerable communities, and hold perpetrators accountable. 

This is why understanding these broader conditions is essential because persecution rarely occurs in isolation. It often develops within environments where multiple crises overlap, making recovery increasingly difficult for Christian communities. 

When Government Protection Fails 

Governments carry a fundamental responsibility to protect the rights and security of all citizens, regardless of religion. Effective law enforcement, an independent judiciary, accountable public institutions, and reliable security forces are critical components of that responsibility. When these systems function well, communities are generally better protected from violence, and perpetrators face greater risks of arrest and prosecution. 

Unfortunately, many countries experiencing severe religious persecution also struggle with fragile governance. Political instability, corruption, ongoing armed conflict, and limited public resources can weaken a government’s ability to maintain security, particularly in rural or geographically isolated regions. Police and military forces are often understaffed and overstretched, and judicial systems are overwhelmed. In many cases, attacks occur repeatedly because authorities lack the capacity and/or the political will to respond effectively. 

For Christian communities, these institutional weaknesses can have lasting consequences. Families displaced by violence may wait months or years before it is safe to return home. Investigations into attacks may never be completed. Damaged churches and homes often remain unrepaired for years, even decades. Even when humanitarian assistance arrives, rebuilding trust in public institutions can take far longer. 

It is important to avoid oversimplifying these challenges. Weak governance alone does not result in persecution, and many countries with governance challenges do not experience widespread religious violence. However, where state institutions struggle to provide consistent security and accountability, extremist groups and other armed actors often find greater opportunities to operate. 

When Extremists Fill the Vacuum 

History shows that extremist organizations frequently expand where government authority is weakest. Areas affected by prolonged conflict, limited infrastructure, and inconsistent security responses can become attractive operating environments for armed groups seeking territory, resources, or influence. 

In Burkina Faso, escalating insecurity during the past decade has transformed large portions of the country. Human Rights Watch reports that armed Islamist groups have attacked civilians, schools, government facilities, and churches, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes. Christian communities have been among those directly targeted, with pastors murdered, congregations displaced, and churches destroyed. As insecurity has expanded, many rural communities have found themselves increasingly isolated from government protection. 

A similar pattern has emerged in Mozambique, particularly in Cabo Delgado Province. International Christian Concern (ICC) has documented that the Islamist insurgency has displaced hundreds of thousands of people and devastated communities. Christian villages and churches have also suffered attacks, and many believers have been forced to abandon homes, farms, and businesses. Humanitarian organizations continue to report significant needs as displaced families attempt to rebuild their lives amid continuing insecurity. 

These examples illustrate an important principle. Extremist organizations are driven by ideology, political objectives, and strategic calculations — not by environmental conditions. Nevertheless, where conflict, poverty, weak governance, and humanitarian crises already exist, these groups often find it easier to recruit members, control territory, and sustain operations. 

Violence Without Accountability in the DRC 

Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) provides another example of how prolonged instability can intensify the suffering of Christian communities. For decades, eastern Congo has experienced overlapping conflicts involving numerous armed groups competing for territory, resources, and political influence. Civilians have borne the greatest burden of this violence. Among the most notorious groups is the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which has been linked to the Islamic State group and has repeatedly carried out attacks against Christian communities. Churches have been attacked, worshippers killed, and entire villages displaced. These attacks occur within a broader environment marked by weak state control in parts of eastern Congo, complex regional conflicts, and persistent humanitarian crises.  

Attacks and murder of Christians are nothing new in the DRC. Reading news headlines, one can become disheartened when hundreds of Christians are being senselessly attacked and murdered month after month. Just this month, 35 Christians were attacked and killed in Ituri Province. Holding perpetrators accountable is often extraordinarily difficult when violence occurs in remote areas where government institutions have only limited reach. 

For displaced Christian families, recovery involves far more than rebuilding physical structures. It requires restoring livelihoods, reopening schools, reestablishing health care, and rebuilding communities that have experienced repeated trauma over many years. Local churches frequently become central to this recovery, offering spiritual encouragement while also coordinating practical assistance for families who have lost nearly everything. 

The Church Endures 

Despite these enormous challenges, persecution has not extinguished the church. Across West, Central, and East Africa, congregations continue to gather for worship, often under difficult and sometimes dangerous circumstances. Pastors continue serving communities that have experienced repeated attacks. Believers rebuild churches, restore farms, educate their children, and care for neighbors displaced by violence. 

International Christian Concern partners with local churches by providing emergency relief, supporting long-term recovery, advocating for religious freedom, and helping vulnerable communities rebuild after attacks. These efforts recognize that responding to persecution requires more than addressing immediate humanitarian needs. It also involves strengthening communities so they can endure future challenges with dignity and hope. 

The resilience of these believers serves as a reminder that while governments and institutions play essential roles in protecting religious freedom, the church’s witness has often endured even under the most difficult circumstances.  

Throughout history, Christian communities have continued to proclaim the gospel, care for one another, and serve their neighbors despite opposition and hardship.  

In the final article of this series, we will turn from the challenges facing persecuted Christians to the hope that continues to sustain them. We will explore how local churches, international ministries, and believers around the world are helping communities recover, rebuild, and remain faithful even in the face of extraordinary adversity. Read Part One and Part Two of the series to learn more on this topic.  

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