By Laura Densmore

The Coronavirus pandemic has been bringing out tremendous persecution against Christians throughout the nations. Here is a snapshot of what has been happening:

In Syria, the last 10 years have nearly killed the church in Syria. On October 9, 2019, Turkey invaded, bombing cities and sparking fears among the estimated 50,000 Christians in northern Syria that ISIS would rise again. When Turkey stopped their offensive, church leaders hoped it would be a time to rebuild and refocus.

Until the coronavirus pandemic swept into the region in early 2020.

It was like adding insult to injury. The Christian community in northern Syria has faced ISIS, years of war, an aggressive Turkish military and now … a global pandemic?

Many Christians have left Syria because of the war. Before the conflict, there were a little over 2 million Christians in the country—now it’s estimated under 750,000 remain. 

In Africa, violence and Covid 19 turn African Christians into “endangered species”
Just three months ago, Rose was a pastor’s wife and expecting mother of two girls in the town of Nbra Zongo in northern Nigeria’s Plateau State. That was before April 7, 2020 when her husband Matthew was shot and butchered by Muslim Fulani extremists. Today, she is a widow and mother of three daughters living in the midst of COVID-19 lockdowns and severe food shortages.

“Severe hunger came, and we had no food,” she says. “There was no money to buy any food. We couldn’t trade anything for money, because the markets were closed. I don’t even have the strength to do rigorous work to feed my children.

Rose and her family represent the heart-wrenching situation the OpenDoors Africa team is seeing firsthand as attacks on Christians converge with COVID-19 in Nigeria and throughout Africa. A powder keg of persecution. She is one of thousands of believers who is not only suffering for her and her family’s decision to follow Jesus—but is now doubly vulnerable to the impact of the global pandemic.

In Vietnam, A Lam follows Jesus in a Communist village.  Soon after accepting Jesus as His savior, A Lam learned what being a Christian in a communist village looks like.

In a communist village, the government has provided the land and has absolute control over the village—often exerting that control without hesitation. No faith that would challenge government allegiance is allowed – including Christianity.

So when the village leaders heard that someone in their community had converted to Christianity and was preparing to show a film with “Jesus” in the title, they rushed to the scene to stamp out any glimmer of faith. First, they pressured A Lam, hurling insults at him. Then they quickly let the crowd know the consequences: “If you watch this film, you will become a Christian,” they said. “And if you become a Christian, the police will come and put you in jail. The government will indict you. It’s better for you if you don’t become a Christian.”

The United States is rapidly descending into tyranny. Democratic Governors of states and Democratic Mayors of cities are implementing draconian measures upon their constituents to limit liberty and forsake freedom. Because of this tyranny, we are seeing some of this same kind of persecution beginning to hit the shores of America. America: once known as the “land of the free and the home of the brave.”

In Virginia – Pastor Kevin Wilson of Lighthouse Fellowship Church was criminally charged and threatened with 1 year in jail and a $2,500 fine for having just 16 people at a Palm Sunday Service in his 293-seat church. Every church member was also threatened with criminal charges if they met with more than 10 people.

In Illinois – Pastor Christian Ionescu of Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church of Chicago, IL, has been criminally charged with “Disorderly Conduct” for having more than 10 people assembled for worship, including up to 30-days in jail, fines, AND threats from the city to seize and destroy church buildings.

In California, the church in California is undergoing intense persecution under the tyrannical leadership of Governor Newsom.

On July 13, Governor Newsom of California ordered statewide closure of all churches.

As a result, Pastor Ché Ahn, of Harvest Rock Church, the staff and every single churchgoer face criminal charges of 1 year in jail and $1,000 in fines per day. The Pasadena city Prosecutor has threatened daily criminal charges against everyone who assembles at the church for religious meetings.

Moreover,  The mayor of Los Angeles has threatened to cut off all power and water to churches that assemble!

The First Amendment reads as follows:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The First Amendment does not guarantee the right to go to an abortion clinic. It does not guarantee the right to go to a liquor store or to a Walmart. It DOES guarantee the right to assemble and to worship freely. The founding fathers of America shed their blood and laid down their lives to secure this right for us. Will they have shed their blood in vain? Will more Pastors rise up and push back against the rising tyranny?

We have a Constitution, but it is now just words on a page. The Constitution is no being implemented as the “law of the land”. Instead, power hungry democrats are ruling their states and cities with an iron fist and an oppressive boot. Democratic Governors and mayors are making edicts and decrees that are illegal and unconstitutional.