Nigeria, Sudan and Mali witness an increase in persecution by armed Islamist groups. Syria, China and Algeria are other places on the planet where Christians suffer restrictions and difficulties in living their faith. The Open Doors World Watch List (WWL 2026) monitors the situation of persecuted Christians around the world.

The testimonies of persecuted Christians from China, India and Iran reminded the 5,000 at the Lausanne 4 Congress of the price to be paid for faithfulness to Christ. “But these sufferings are nothing compared to the glory that awaits us”, says Iranian pastor Farshid Fathi in an interview.

An exhibition of the well-known artist Markus Lüpertz depicts the freely interpreted biblical story of creation.