Open Doors in 10 minutes

10 IN 10

10 questions with Open Doors in 10 minutes

WE INTERVIEWED OPEN DOORS UK CEO, HENRIETTA BLYTH, TO LEARN ABOUT THE CHARITY’S INCREDIBLE HISTORY AND VISION.

Q1 WHO ARE OPEN DOORS AND WHAT IS YOUR MISSION?

Over 340 million Christians suffer persecution and discrimination – roughly one in eight. Open Doors supports the persecuted church in more than 60 countries through prayer, advocating on their behalf and by providing practical and spiritual support, from supplying Bibles and discipleship materials to trauma counselling. We want our persecuted church family to know they are never alone.

Q2 WHEN DID OPEN DOORS START?

In 1955, when Brother Andrew smuggled Bibles behind the Iron Curtain – reaching Christians in Communist countries who thought they’d been forgotten. God used that one courageous journey as the starting point for a ministry that now reaches Christians around the globe.

Q3 WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR OPEN DOORS OVER THE LAST YEAR?

The pandemic has had a devastating impact, putting a new weapon into the hands of those who want to eradicate Christianity. In some places, like India, Christians have lost their jobs and been denied Covid relief aid and access to health care. Many church leaders have died of Covid and, even as infection rates ease, the economic fallout continues.

Q4 DO YOU HAVE AN INSPIRING RECENT STORY?

A small Christian community in Sri Lanka had been

persistently persecuted by Hindu villagers, both verbally and physically. Some church members had been severely beaten. When Open Doors partners delivered vital aid during Covid-19, the pastor asked if we could provide food to help them serve the wider community. That church supported 100 families through lockdown – including the family of those who had beaten them up. It was an amazing example of forgiveness and Christ’s love and, as a result, the community’s attitude towards Christians has really shifted.

Q5 WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR OPEN DOORS?

Persecution is continuing to rise around the world, and the needs of persecuted Christians are increasing. It’s more important than ever that we raise more awareness, more prayer and more support.

Q6 WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT THE MISSION OF OPEN DOORS?

Seeing how connecting the church in the UK & Ireland to our persecuted brothers and sisters helps us all. Our support and prayers strengthen the persecuted church but, in turn, their witness and testimony have a huge impact on our faith.

Q7 WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT SPRING HARVEST?

Spring Harvest has really shown its heart for the persecuted church. When we gather in faith, fully expecting the Lord to move, He does!

Q8 DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR MESSAGE FOR SPRING HARVEST 2022 GUESTS?

The 2022 theme, Restore, Renew, Rebuild, has such a strong connection with living for Jesus in the persecuted church – sharing hope in the context of chaos, extreme difficulty and uncertainty. It’s a privilege and joy to be able to openly meet and worship Jesus, and it’s also an inspiration and privilege to support those who can’t.

Q9 HOW CAN PEOPLE SUPPORT YOUR WORK?

Your prayers, gifts and advocacy make an enormous difference to those who follow Jesus no matter the cost. Speak out to those in power and make sure the persecuted church remains on the agenda. The 2022 theme, Restore, Renew, Rebuild, has such a strong connection with living for Jesus in the persecuted church – sharing hope in the context of chaos, extreme difficulty and uncertainty.”

HENRIETTA BLYTH, OPEN DOORS UK CEO

Q10 TELL US ABOUT YOUR MISSION TO SUPPORT 1,000 SECRET CHRISTIANS?

During Spring Harvest Home 2021, Open Doors and Spring Harvest sought to reach 1,000 secret believers, many of whom have experienced imprisonment or made the difficult decision to flee their homelands.

Taher and Donya’s house was raided by security forces. Taher was taken away and treated like a criminal. In prison, Taher met powerfully with Jesus. During the court hearing, the judge miraculously gave Taher his freedom, but the family were constantly under surveillance and at risk. They made the painful decision to leave their homeland.

Donya talks about what kept her going but also about seeing no ray of hope. It’s important we don’t idealise the persecuted church. Donya learnt to fix her eyes on Jesus: “Compared to the cross Jesus bore, all these hardships are nothing... for all this love, and a God that loves us limitlessly, I realise any price is worth it.” Open Doors is meeting secret believers at every stage of their journey. None of this would be possible without your prayers and support. Gifts big or small will make a real difference, providing encouragement and practical support and care.

SCAN THE QR CODE OR VISIT OPENDOORSUK.ORG/SPRINGHARVEST TO FIND OUT HOW TO SUPPORT SECRET CHRISTIANS.

Thank you for making a real difference.