BURKINA FASO, WEST AFRICA — In 2019, Abraham* and Joel’s* church was attacked by jihadists in a village in Burkino Faso in West Africa. The two young men survived, but the horror of what happened has traumatized them. Open Doors provides trauma care counseling for many people impacted by attacks like these. Gideon:* “There are…
BURKINA FASO, WEST AFRICA — In 2019, Abraham* and Joel’s* church was attacked by jihadists in a village in Burkino Faso in West Africa. The two young men survived, but the horror of what happened has traumatized them. Open Doors provides trauma care counseling for many people impacted by attacks like these. Abraham*: “That Sunday,…
ROMANIA — Valeria is 26 years old and 9 months pregnant, but even in her situation, she had to leave the town that she called home, Odessa. She ran away from war and ended up in Galați, a city in the eastern part of Romania. In the custom of Isaccea, Valeria met Alfa Omega TV…
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dream Center is welcoming students back to their campus in Echo Park for their annual Back-to-School Bash on August 6, from 10am-1pm PST. In partnership with presenting sponsor Kershaw’s Challenge, and signature partner The Dodgers Foundation, this annual gathering will feature numerous backpacks and school supplies donated to school…
LONDON, ENGLAND — Evangelist Franklin Graham concluded his God Loves You UK tour on Saturday July 16 at the ExCel Center in London with attendance of more than 7,600 people. He embarked on this four-city outreach back in May, which saw Franklin tell more than 11,000 British citizens that their souls are longing for a…
QARAQOSH, IRAQ — When Islamic State captured the Christian-majority city of Qaraqosh, Iraq, Sana and her family were trapped in their home for almost three weeks. When they were discovered, Sana and her daughter were separated from Sana’s husband and two sons. Sana never saw them again. But Sana has not given up on God….
DAKAR, SENEGAL — In partnership with African healthcare systems and leaders, Mercy Ships is able to train and mentor local medical professionals, improving surgical care in the long term. The surgeries performed on board Mercy Ships’ floating hospitals are life-changing for patients and their communities – but when it comes to strengthening healthcare systems, Medical…
SAN ANDRÉS YAÁ, MEXICO — When Adolfina and her husband Imeldo returned to their hometown of San Andrés Yaá to plant a church, opposition from the community grew. The couple eventually had to leave the town but received support from Open Doors. “The only thing I ask of Open Doors and the brothers all over…
RIO DE JANEIRO — Reverend Franklin Graham held an evangelistic event on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil last month. More than 68,000 people attended the historic event June 11 that filled Copacabana Beach with music and hope, nearly 48 years after Billy Graham’s remarkable visit to Maracanã Stadium in 1974. The crowd on…
WEST AFRICA — Ijanada was a teenager when she was kidnapped by the Islamic militant Boko Haram. When she returned home in West Africa, her community rejected her. Thanks to Open Doors partners she is going through a healing process through trauma care. Ijanada, Boko Haram Survivor, 2019: I faced so much suffering, hunger, mistreatment…
ERITREA — Twenty years ago, the Eritrean government brought in restrictions that allowed only Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran churches. When Yael* was 8 months pregnant, her husband was imprisoned for belonging to another Christian denomination. But even during that time of trial, Yael knows that she was sustained by God and by the prayers of…
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND — More than 3,500 came to Liverpool, England, for the opening of the God Loves You Tour. Hundreds made life-changing decisions to follow Jesus Christ. Franklin Graham’s message around the Prodigal Son from Luke 15 touched the hearts of many, with gentle yet bold reminders throughout: “God will forgive you tonight. … If…
WILLS POINT, TX – GFA World (Gospel for Asia) founded by K.P. Yohannan, which inspired numerous charities like GFA World Canada, to assist the poor and deprived worldwide, issued this Special Report on a surprising antidote and solution to world poverty: farm animals. Recent decades have seen a general trend toward prosperity in much of…
UVALDA, TX — At a growing memorial site, the community of Uvalde, Texas, is processing many emotions after a deadly school shooting. Residents and Billy Graham RRT chaplains share how God is providing much-needed hope. Valerie Joseph – San Antonio Texas Resident: It’s been very emotional. I have two kids of my own. A four…
GALATI, ROMANIA — Poland and Romania received the largest amount of refugees since the beginning of the war, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Over 3.2 million refugees arrived in Poland, and approximately 1 million crossed the border into Romania. One point of entry in Romania is the Isaccea border. The Emanuel…
UVALDA, TX — Billy Graham Rapid Response Team Chaplains are on the ground and praying with the community of Uvalde in Texas as they process through grief and trauma from the recent school shooting. As the community is devastated by this tragedy that claimed the lives of 19 children and two teachers, Billy Graham RRT…
ERITREA — Last month marked 20 years since the Eritrean government closed all churches that were not Orthodox, Catholic or Lutheran. It’s led to extreme persecution and one of the reasons Eritrea is at number six on the Open Doors World Watch List. In this video, three Eritrean Christians give a short insight into what…
DAKAR, SENEGAL — H.E. President of Senegal Macky Sall has inaugurated the world’s largest purpose-built hospital ship and committed to accelerate access to surgical, obstetric and anesthetic care for the nations of Africa. Ceremonies commemorated more than 30 years of service in Africa. Global humanitarian organization Mercy Ships and its partners in Africa…
WILLS POINT, TX – GFA World (Gospel for Asia) founded by K.P. Yohannan, whose heart to love and help the poor has inspired numerous charities like GFA World Canada, to serve the deprived and downcast worldwide, issued this Special Report update on girls facing decreased opportunity and increased violence, the young victims who remain hidden…
POLAND — Christian charity Mercy Projects is continuing to transport women and children from some of the worst-hit areas of war-torn Ukraine to safety. Here the charity’s volunteer Launa introduces us to grandmother Nina who they were able to rescue from Kyiv and reunite her with her daughter in Western Poland. Launa – Mercy Projects…
NIGERIA — When Pastor Andrew’s community in North East Nigeria was attacked by Boko Haram, he courageously chose to stay and rebuild his church. Now, there are more Christians in the community than before. Find out how Open Doors helped Pastor Andrew to impact his village despite the devastation. Pastor Andrew: “I went out and…
CAMEROON, AFRICA — From primary trauma care training in Cameroon to agricultural mentorship in Senegal, the Mercy Ships Medical Capacity Building program has always aimed at the future. “When the ship comes in, we do amazing work, but we can’t stay there all the time,” said Mercy Ships Interim International Chief Medical Officer Dr. Miriam…
ROMANIA — She is from Cluj-Napoca, Romania and now lives in Ireland. A few weeks ago, Ester Studnicka came to Romania together with her husband for a short vacation. Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine started and the little vacation transformed into a volunteer work at Kairos Agency in Suceava. Their calling and mission is in…
SOUTHEAST ASIA — Dhea in South East Asia didn’t want the Bible that a missionary gave her. She tried to destroy it. But something stopped her – and when she started reading it, she chose to follow Jesus. As a Christian and as a woman, she has faced extreme persecution – but remains hopeful and…
NORTH AFRICA — Latifa’s* family threw her out of the house and even threatened to kill her after she became a Christian. Thankfully, she married a Christian man and Open Doors partners have found a place for them to live away from the persecution. But Latifa is still suffering from the rejection she experienced. Latifa*…
MOZAMBIQUE — Since 2017, the Islamist insurgency in Mozambique is thought to have claimed at least 2,500 lives. *Lorena’s* husband was one of its many victims; Lorena has also been displaced by the violence. Thanks to help from Christian charity Open Doors, Lorena has received emergency food aid and spiritual support to help her stand…
GUINEA, WEST AFRICA — “Every once in a while, my grandpa — a schoolteacher — would get pliers and yank out someone’s aching tooth,” shared Dr. David Ugai, recounting his grandparents’ experience as missionaries in present-day Zimbabwe. “The funny thing is, my grandma never got gifts for being a nurse, but people would bring my…
SENEGAL — When Aicha first started walking, her grandmother noticed that the little girl’s legs were bowing. As she grew up, she loved being with other children — even though she couldn’t keep up. But a free surgery on board a Mercy Ship in Senegal changed her trajectory. “She can now do almost everything with…
ROMANIA — The conflict in Ukraine changed the lives of it’s citizens, but also of it’s neighbors. In Romania, the citizens from the north of the country can feel the results of the war as thousands of refugees crossed over the borderlines to try to find a safe place. From the very beginning, the churches…
LVIV, UKRAINE — A team of Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) have already seen 31 people accept Christ in Lviv, Ukraine, as they offer hope and provide comfort and compassion to families who have been forced to flee their homes. The team of crisis-trained chaplains are serving alongside medical personnel with Samaritan’s Purse, a…
UKRAINE — Ken Gratton a Mercy Projects volunteer from the UK has been driving through some of the most dangerous parts of Ukraine to transport aid and get refugee mothers, children, and family to safety. But he was determined to meet one particular family who he has been sponsoring through the Christian charity Mercy Projects….
GUYAKU, NORTHERN NIGERIA — Support from Christian charity Open Doors is helping believers like Charity from Nigeria. She was able to receive trauma healing after her village, Guyaku in northern Nigeria, was attacked by Islamic militants Boko Haram. And now, she herself is shining a light for others who have suffered trauma by offering them…
KYIV, UKRAINE — Eastern European Mission has overcome major obstacles to be able to prepare a major distribution of Bibles to thousands of displaced Ukrainian refugees who were forced to flee their homes. Following the Russian invasion EEM was forced to evacuate their Bible warehouse in Kyiv. But when one of their long-time partners returned…
MUKACHEVE, UKRAINE — As Ukrainian refugees continue to head West of the country to places of safety, Living Waters Church in the small town of Mukacheve has become a place of refuge for many people coming to worship Jesus. Pastor Joel Brown shares the many opportunities God is giving His fellowship to serve thousands of…
WARRENTON, MO — CEF has 69 national workers in Ukraine who were ministering to children on a daily basis, reaching 133,000 children in 2021. Only 12 workers have fled the country thus far. Of the remaining, half are sheltering in place and the other half have moved to western Ukraine. One reported that in the…
KONOTOP, UKRAINE — The town of Konotop in the North East Sumy region of Ukraine close to the Russian border has been badly hit by attacks. However a special needs children’s center there supported by Christian charity Mercy Projects is continuing their daily lessons for the many children who have found this place to be…
KYIV, UKRAINE — For more than 25 years Christian charity Mercy Projects has been providing vital sponsorship to families across Ukraine. However when Russian forces invaded the country the ministry’s Ukrainian team members were forced to take shelter with their families. However the charity’s founder Jeff Thompson travelled from his home in California, USA to…
SAN FRANCISCO — Global non-profit organization Room to Read recently released their 2021 Girls’ Education Program Report, showing impressive results even amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of Room to Read’s efforts to support girls in their development of key life skills, the Girls’ Education Program focuses on keeping secondary-school-aged girls in…
DAKAR, SENEGAL — It was an emotional reunion for the Africa Mercy crew and the people of Senegal when they finally returned to the port city of Dakar in early February this year. The Mercy Ships crew will be conducting vital surgery as well as ongoing medical training during their latest field service. The team…
CHARLESTON, SC — Every year, Charity Navigator evaluates more than 8,000 charities across the United States to help donors make informed decisions by assessing the financial health, accountability and transparency of these nonprofit organizations. Only 1 percent of charities assessed by Charity Navigator earn its coveted 4-star rating. Yet nonprofit Christian engineering organization Water Mission…
KAMPALA, UGANDA – Richmond’s childhood was a painful and challenging one, marked by extreme poverty, illness, loss and hopelessness. His family often went without food. He suffered from malaria almost a dozen times, and his father was murdered. When he was sponsored and began attending Compassion’s child development center at a local church, the healthcare,…
SANTA CLARITA, CA — ZOE International celebrates 20 years of reaching those who have not yet heard about Jesus and rescuing children from the horrors of human trafficking. ZOE is named after the Greek word for LIFE in the Bible. Jesus said, “I came that they may have LIFE (ZOE) and have it abundantly.” ZOE…
EXPORT, PA — Evangelical Protestant charity donors under age 40 are extremely different from their older counterparts – and especially when compared with evangelical donors 70 and older. The findings are detailed in The Generation Gap: Evangelical Giving Preferences. The study of over 1,000 American evangelical Protestants was released today by Grey Matter Research and…
HURST, TX — Eastern European Mission (EEM), a group that has steadfastly worked to supply Bibles to Eastern European countries for the last 60 years, broke its 2020 record with the distribution of 1,529,668 Bibles and Bible-based materials into 32 nations and 23 languages – free of charge – in 2021. Even in the difficult…
BAKERSFIELD, CA — CityServe Network and the Housing Authority of the County of Kern announced today it has been awarded a Homekey Round 2 award by The California Department of Housing and Community Development. The $29,999,496 award is to build 126 units for those in need of housing on the CityServe Network property, 3201 F…
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — Members of Compassion International’s Fill the Stadium team are extremely grateful and honor those who have participated in this life-saving initiative as they share remarkable news: this week, the $35 million goal has been surpassed for the Fill the Stadium effort, which has provided critical food, medical care and support for…
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH) enters its 50th year of ministry with celebration and excitement for what’s to come. “I am humbled by what God has done in these past 50 years,” said FCBH president and co-founder Jerry Jackson. “He gave us a mission so many years ago and continues to bring…
JERUSALEM — In 2021, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) helped more than 2 million people by supplying basic essentials and financial assistance to 1 million people, providing security to more than 800,000 people encountering threats of terrorism and anti-Semitism, and helping more than 5,000 Jews return home to Israel. Throughout this…
PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA — Sele was very young when his father was murdered for his faith. It was part of a wave of violence in Nigeria’s Plateau State. Now Sele is 13, and has hope for the future to save lives a doctor through schooling paid for by Open Doors partners. For many Christian children…
JACKSONVILLE, FL — Her Song, a ministry of the Tim Tebow Foundation interrupting the cycle of human trafficking in the United States, announced the expansion of its survivor care model into two new regions based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Columbus, Ohio. The successful Her Song program started in Jacksonville, Florida, in 2013 and has served…
