This is What Persecution Looks Like
Persecution isn’t a distant problem — it’s real, personal, and rooted in evil. In this powerful special issue, meet seven courageous believers whose lives were forever changed by their faith in Jesus and by your support.
From a young girl forced into marriage in Pakistan to a defiant North Korean defector, these are real stories of suffering, resilience, and unshakable faith. You’ll witness:
- The bravery of Huma, Sarie, and Yasmin
- The sacrifice of Pastor Ojih
- The perseverance of the Shenzhen Holy Reformed Church
- The dreams of Pranathi
- The bold message of Illyong Ju
These stories aren’t headlines. They are real people, and their faith is a testimony to the beautiful power of God.
You can’t read this and stay the same.
Meet Some of the Faces of the Persecuted
Meet Sarie
At just 15, Sarie Audu’s world was shattered when Fulani extremists killed his father on the same day as his birthday. But in the midst of grief, Sarie clung to his father’s legacy — a love for gospel music and unshakable faith.
“He taught me to write songs and said music can heal the heart,” Sarie shared. With ICC’s help, Sarie is back in school and using his music to bring hope to others facing loss.
Meet Yasmin
Yasmin fled everything she had — her home, stability, and comfort — to protect her six children and their faith in Christ. After her husband secretly converted to Islam, took another wife, and began pressuring the children to follow his new beliefs, Yasmin left with no support and constant surveillance.
“I considered all things to be a loss in comparison to the surpassing value of the knowledge of the Messiah,” she said. With the help of her priest and ICC, Yasmin escaped with her children, and now works tirelessly to raise them in Christ.
Meet Illyong Ju
In North Korea, where owning a Bible can cost your life, Christians cling to their faith with unwavering courage. Illyong Ju, a defector, recalls his family secretly listening to Christian radio broadcasts in the dark, risking death to hear the Word of God. “We are fighting for you, and our God is fighting for you — and we will win,” he urges those still suffering. Though some of his relatives were executed or imprisoned for their faith, the underground church continues to grow. In prison camps and hidden mountain gatherings, our North Korean brothers and sisters preach, worship, and endure, trusting that God has already won.
Give Them Hope
Support Our Suffering Brothers and Sisters
These stories are just a glimpse into the lives of believers who have suffered for their faith and have found hope through your support. By giving to ICC, you help provide safety, stability, and spiritual care to persecuted Christians around the world.
Fill out the form to give today. Thank you for caring for your persecuted brother and sister.