The Open Doors World Watch List highlights the 50 countries where it is most difficult to live as a Christian. These are the places where followers of Christ must keep their beliefs hidden and where living the gospel means facing beatings, imprisonment, discrimination and abuse.
The list reports that persecution became more intense in more parts of the world in 2014. While North Korea remains the most difficult place in the world to be a Christian, persecution is growing most rapidly in Africa, especially sub-Saharan Africa. In the Middle East, Islamic State violence in Iraq and Syria has increased the pace of the exodus of the Christian population from the region and is also having a global impact.
Christians living in these countries need the support of their family, the body of Christ, to help them stand firm in their faith.
2015 WORLD WATCH LIST: COUNTRY PROFILES