Andrew Croft of Open Doors invites Christians to stand alongside fellow believers in sub-Saharan Africa by praying and signing a petition.
"Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." Hebrews 13:3
There are passages of Scripture we’ve read countless times, and then all of a sudden it takes on a deeper meaning than before. Hebrews 13:3 is one of those verses for me.
It’s easy to read those words as simply an invitation to pray for persecuted Christians. Prayer is usually our first response, and this verse is a powerful reminder that the Church is much bigger than our own congregation – or even our own country. For a long time, I also assumed remembering merely meant praying.
But the more I sat with those words, the more I realized we are being called to step into it and imagine ourselves right there with them – to let what they’re experiencing affect us and, ultimately, change how we respond.
Right now 16.2 million Christians across sub-Saharan Africa have been internally displaced – forced from their homes amid violence and insecurity, many because of their faith. And nine out of every 10 Christians murdered for their faith globally are killed in this region.
Those numbers are difficult to comprehend because behind each one is a person – a mother, father, son or daughter. So, what does it really mean to remember them?
Prayer and action belong together throughout Scripture. Nehemiah prayed before rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls. Esther fasted before risking her life to speak to the king. The early Church prayed fervently and shared their possessions so no one among them was left in need. Prayer prepares God’s people to act.
This is where advocacy can sometimes make Christians uncomfortable. The word can sound political, but speaking for people whose voices aren't being heard isn't about choosing a political side. Scripture repeatedly calls God's people to seek justice, love our neighbours and “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.”
History shows that public pressure can influence governments, shape international priorities and help protect the vulnerable. Change rarely happens when one person speaks up. It happens because many decide an issue matters enough to raise their voices together.
That’s one of the reasons Open Doors launched the Arise Africa campaign. It’s an effort to stand alongside Christians across sub-Saharan Africa and bring attention to a crisis that receives far too little of it.
At the centre of the campaign are three things we’re asking for: protection, justice and restoration. Protection for communities living under the threat of violence. Justice and accountability when attacks take place. And restoration for people and communities that have lost homes, livelihoods, loved ones, and so much more.
Our goal is to gather one million prayers and petition signatures calling on governments and international leaders to respond. Against a crisis affecting millions, signing your name can seem like a very small thing to do, but a million people saying, we see what is happening and we believe it matters, is much harder to dismiss.
And ultimately, we want more than better conditions for people living in displacement. We want people to be able to go home. We want to see villages rebuilt, communities restored, and churches worshipping together again.
That’s the hope. Not looking away from suffering, but believing that justice, peace and restoration are still worth working toward.
Hebrews asks us to remember persecuted believers as though we were standing beside them. If we really take that seriously, perhaps it changes not only how we pray, but what we do after we pray. It’s time we realize that the Church’s job isn’t finished when we say, “Amen.” Sometimes that’s where it begins.
Andrew Croft is the communications and relations manager at Open Doors Canada, an organization supporting persecuted Christians in more than 70 countries. Photo from Open Doors shows Pastor Benjamin Barnabas in Benue State Refugee Camp 2024.