{"id":12811,"date":"2024-06-26T09:28:31","date_gmt":"2024-06-26T08:28:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.opendoorsuk.org\/?post_type=news&p=12811"},"modified":"2024-06-27T10:41:17","modified_gmt":"2024-06-27T09:41:17","slug":"secret-believers-explainer","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/blog\/news\/latest-news\/secret-believers-explainer\/","title":{"rendered":"Why must some believers keep their faith secret \u2013 and how can we help them?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Khada in Afghanistan is supported by another member of the secret church (image from re-enactment)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In countries all over the world, Christians face a stark choice: remain hidden, or be attacked, abused or even killed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some places, Christians must hide both their identities and their faith. Sometimes, they will be targeted or even killed by the state because of their faith. Other times, the threat comes from family and community, and may include both attacks and intense pressure. If their secret faith is discovered by the wrong person, they could lose their livelihood, their home, their family or even their life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While their stories and backgrounds are different, most of these secret Christians share the same reality: they are following Jesus alone or with a very small group of people. But the reality is they are not alone: they belong to a global body of Christ. And through Open Doors, our supporters can show secret believers they have a global family, and can encourage them through local and presence ministry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why do they have to keep their faith secret?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In many countries, the reason Christians have to keep their faith secret is because they\u2019ve converted from Islam. This might be considered a shocking disgrace by family and community members, and in some places it is illegal \u2013 it can even come with a death penalty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of those countries is Afghanistan. Even before the Taliban takeover in 2021, it was extremely dangerous to convert from Islam to Christianity. Believers in the country now feel even more vulnerable, and there have been reports of the Taliban going door to door to find Christians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the Taliban takeover, Afghan Christians have encountered numerous challenges, including forced relocation, abduction by unknown gunmen, beatings by the Taliban and the tragic loss of beloved family members,\u201d says a secret Open Doors fieldworker in Afghanistan. \u201cMany Afghan Christians have had to leave the country, and those who remain must operate cautiously and underground.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secret \u2013 but sharing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some secret believers can\u2019t tell anyone at all about their faith. Others courageously seek God\u2019s wisdom about whom they can share the gospel with \u2013 risking everything to help a friend, colleague or family member hear the good news of Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n

“Despite their hardships, their unwavering faith in Jesus Christ motivates them.”<\/p> Open Doors partner, Afghanistan<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite their hardships, their unwavering faith in Jesus Christ motivates them to operate covertly, spreading the good news among their fellow Afghans,\u201d says the Open Doors fieldworker in Afghanistan. \u201cThey believe that only through God’s ways and His words can Afghanistan experience positive change and lasting peace.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In contexts like this, the oppressive regime can even help encourage people to seek Jesus. \u201cThe Taliban enforce an extreme version of Islam, and they oppress the people who do not have the right to choose,\u201d says the local fieldworker. \u201cThe people of Afghanistan are thirsty for love because, for decades, they have experienced war and misery. So when our servant leaders explain Christianity and the love of Jesus to them, it seems different to what they experience from the Taliban.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He adds, \u201cThere is a visible shift in people’s beliefs, with some converting from Islam to Christianity, especially since the Taliban assumed control of Afghanistan. That\u2019s why I feel optimistic for the future of believers in Afghanistan. I remain hopeful for the future of believers in Afghanistan and believe that one day we can bring about positive changes in the country’s overall culture.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do secret believers gather together?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the country context, secret Christians have to be wise about how they meet with each other or receive discipleship. Some might have Bibles hidden in their homes, or use audio or electronic Bibles.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n

“The people of Afghanistan are thirsty for love because, for decades, they have experienced war and misery.”<\/p> Open Doors partner, Afghanistan<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAlthough the situation is very difficult for believers, they are trying to keep their faith alive by reading the Word every day,\u201d says the Open Doors fieldworker in Afghanistan. \u201cThey don\u2019t have a building, but they do find ways to support each other by meeting together, celebrating the Lord’s Supper, staying in contact and visiting one another.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some regions \u2013 including North Korea, Afghanistan and North Africa \u2013 Open Doors partners broadcast underground radio stations that help Christians stay connected with fellow believers, when this isn\u2019t an option in-person. These can be broadcast from outside the country, and it can even sometimes be the medium through which people first hear of Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In these difficult contexts, this is an activity that can help reassure secret believers that they aren\u2019t alone. Because that\u2019s the reality. No Christian is alone: we are all part of a global body of Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can Open Doors supporters be part of this global body of Christ?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your prayers and support can show secret believers that they have a global family. You can enable Open Doors partners to visit and minister to the underground church, as well as delivering these secret radio broadcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if it\u2019s unlikely that you will ever meet these secret Christians during their earthly lives, you are still able to call them brothers and sisters. As Paul writes in Romans 12:5, \u201cIn Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to people like you, Open Doors supports partners both inside and outside of Afghanistan through various initiatives: Bible translation, livelihood projects, vocational training, radio broadcasts and supporting widows and orphans. Similar projects take place with secret believers around the world \u2013 providing Bibles, immediate relief and long-term support so that the underground church can flourish and grow.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In countries all over the world, secret Christians face a stark choice: remain hidden, or be attacked, abused or even killed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":12673,"parent":8268,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[146],"class_list":["post-12811","news","type-news","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest-news","tag-world"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhy must some believers keep their faith secret \u2013 and how can we help them? - Open Doors Ireland<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In countries all over the world, secret Christians face a stark choice: remain hidden, or be attacked, abused or even killed.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Why must some believers keep their faith secret \u2013 and how can we help them?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In countries all over the world, secret Christians face a stark choice: remain hidden, or be attacked, abused or even killed.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/news\/latest-news\/secret-believers-explainer\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Open Doors Ireland\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-06-27T09:41:17+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/06\/21.06.24-Khada930-399.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"930\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"399\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\\\/ireland\\\/news\\\/latest-news\\\/secret-believers-explainer\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\\\/ireland\\\/news\\\/latest-news\\\/secret-believers-explainer\\\/\",\"name\":\"Why must some believers keep their faith secret \u2013 and how can we help them? - Open Doors Ireland\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\\\/ireland\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\\\/ireland\\\/news\\\/latest-news\\\/secret-believers-explainer\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\\\/ireland\\\/news\\\/latest-news\\\/secret-believers-explainer\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\\\/ireland\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/3\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/21.06.24-Khada930-399.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-06-26T08:28:31+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-06-27T09:41:17+00:00\",\"description\":\"In countries all over the world, secret Christians face a stark choice: remain hidden, or be attacked, abused or even killed.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\\\/ireland\\\/news\\\/latest-news\\\/secret-believers-explainer\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\\\/ireland\\\/news\\\/latest-news\\\/secret-believers-explainer\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\\\/ireland\\\/news\\\/latest-news\\\/secret-believers-explainer\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\\\/ireland\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/3\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/21.06.24-Khada930-399.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\\\/ireland\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/3\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/21.06.24-Khada930-399.jpg\",\"width\":930,\"height\":399},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\\\/ireland\\\/news\\\/latest-news\\\/secret-believers-explainer\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\\\/ireland\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Latest stories\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\\\/ireland\\\/news\\\/latest-news\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Why must some believers keep their faith secret \u2013 and how can we help them?\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\\\/ireland\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\\\/ireland\\\/\",\"name\":\"Open Doors Ireland\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\\\/ireland\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Why must some believers keep their faith secret \u2013 and how can we help them? - Open Doors Ireland","description":"In countries all over the world, secret Christians face a stark choice: remain hidden, or be attacked, abused or even killed.","robots":{"index":"noindex","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"Why must some believers keep their faith secret \u2013 and how can we help them?","og_description":"In countries all over the world, secret Christians face a stark choice: remain hidden, or be attacked, abused or even killed.","og_url":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/news\/latest-news\/secret-believers-explainer\/","og_site_name":"Open Doors Ireland","article_modified_time":"2024-06-27T09:41:17+00:00","og_image":[{"width":930,"height":399,"url":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/06\/21.06.24-Khada930-399.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Estimated reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/news\/latest-news\/secret-believers-explainer\/","url":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/news\/latest-news\/secret-believers-explainer\/","name":"Why must some believers keep their faith secret \u2013 and how can we help them? - Open Doors Ireland","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/news\/latest-news\/secret-believers-explainer\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/news\/latest-news\/secret-believers-explainer\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/06\/21.06.24-Khada930-399.jpg","datePublished":"2024-06-26T08:28:31+00:00","dateModified":"2024-06-27T09:41:17+00:00","description":"In countries all over the world, secret Christians face a stark choice: remain hidden, or be attacked, abused or even killed.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/news\/latest-news\/secret-believers-explainer\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/news\/latest-news\/secret-believers-explainer\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/news\/latest-news\/secret-believers-explainer\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/06\/21.06.24-Khada930-399.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/06\/21.06.24-Khada930-399.jpg","width":930,"height":399},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/news\/latest-news\/secret-believers-explainer\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Latest stories","item":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/news\/latest-news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Why must some believers keep their faith secret \u2013 and how can we help them?"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/#website","url":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/","name":"Open Doors Ireland","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"}]}},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/06\/21.06.24-Khada930-399.jpg",930,399,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/06\/21.06.24-Khada930-399-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/06\/21.06.24-Khada930-399-300x129.jpg",300,129,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/06\/21.06.24-Khada930-399-768x329.jpg",768,329,true],"large":["https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/06\/21.06.24-Khada930-399.jpg",930,399,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/06\/21.06.24-Khada930-399.jpg",930,399,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/06\/21.06.24-Khada930-399.jpg",930,399,false],"woocommerce_thumbnail":["https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/06\/21.06.24-Khada930-399-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"woocommerce_single":["https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/06\/21.06.24-Khada930-399-300x129.jpg",300,129,true],"woocommerce_gallery_thumbnail":["https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/06\/21.06.24-Khada930-399-100x100.jpg",100,100,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Simon","author_link":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/blog\/author\/simont\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"In countries all over the world, secret Christians face a stark choice: remain hidden, or be attacked, abused or even killed.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/12811","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/8268"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12673"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12811"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12811"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/connect.opendoorsuk.org\/ireland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12811"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}