For 65-years, Open Doors has served persecuted Christian in the world’s most oppressive and restrictive countries, where faith has cost them their jobs, their safety, their education, their family and friends, their homes, their freedom and even their lives. 

Why? So that our brothers and sisters are equipped to stand strong in the face of persecution and equipping them to remain - remain in places where God requires them, where God calls them to reach His children. Right now, that means even more, with travel bans in place around the world.

The COVID-19 pandemic’s unique impact on persecuted Christians has added an element of urgency to Open Doors' work in this season. Can you imagine facing COVID-19, in a home already threatened daily, simply because of your faith? Of being denied access to your family, adequate healthcare, food, or employment because you trust Jesus – even before being forced into a strict lockdown? While Canada is just beginning to adjust to the "new normal", COVID-19 has left our already persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ in a much more vulnerable position.

The stories emerging from countries like Syria, India and Iran are staggering but one thing is clear: God is at work in each of these places, in stunning ways. 

Rev. Gary Stagg, Executive Director of Open Doors Canada will share with us the unique impact that COVID-19 has had on the persecuted church and how we as Canadians can help.