Discipleship Under Persecution
When Jesus said, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me” (Luke 9:23), He was not calling His followers to comfort. He was calling them to courage.
For many believers around the world - especially in the Arab world - following Jesus still means walking the road of the cross. Faith cannot always be practiced openly. Meetings are held quietly, Bibles are read in secret and new believers often face rejection, job loss or even violence for their decision to follow Christ. Yet, in these hidden places, the Church is alive and growing.
The Hidden Strength of the Persecuted Church
Persecution does not destroy faith - it purifies it.
Throughout history, the Church has often grown strongest in seasons of hardship. When faith can no longer rely on social acceptance, it must rest on something deeper: personal conviction and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
In closed countries, discipleship often looks different. There are no large gatherings or open baptisms. Instead, discipleship happens one heart at a time - through phone calls, private meetings, online connections or whispered prayers. It is slow, risky and yet deeply real.
What Discipleship Looks Like in Secret
In persecuted contexts, discipleship focuses on essentials:
- Scripture - memorized, shared discreetly, sometimes written by hand.
- Prayer - the lifeline that connects believers separated by distance and fear.
- Community - a few trusted brothers or sisters who walk together in faith.
- Obedience - learning to trust God even when obedience leads to danger.
We know that many have no church building, but every day there is the opportunity to meet Jesus right where they are. This quiet devotion is not weakness - it is the essence of discipleship: following Jesus in the dark, believing He is the Light.
Lessons for All of Us
Even those living in freedom can learn from the persecuted Church.
Their faith reminds us that:
- Discipleship is not about comfort, but commitment.
- The Word of God is priceless, not ordinary.
- Fellowship is sacred, not optional.
When we hear of believers who suffer for their faith, our response should not be pity, it should be partnership. We are one body. “If one member suffers, all suffer together” (1 Corinthians 12:26).
How We Can Stand With Persecuted Believers
1. Pray: Pray for courage, wisdom and protection for secret believers.
2. Learn: Understand their stories so your own faith grows deeper.
3. Support: Partner with us as we disciple believers under pressure, providing media, training and community safely and discreetly.
The story of the persecuted believer is not a story of defeat - it is a story of victory. Every hidden prayer, every act of courage and every whispered testimony is part of God’s unstoppable Kingdom work.
Jesus promised, “I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)
That promise holds true - from the largest city to the smallest secret room. Let us walk faithfully beside those who follow Jesus where it costs the most.
Their perseverance is not only their testimony - it is a call to all of us to follow Him more deeply.