The most dangerous countries to preach the Gospel in 2023 are located in the 10/40 Window. We’ve shared about this part of the world many times in the past and it continues to be among the most dangerous places on earth for Christians to live.

The good news is that Christians living in the 10/40 Window continue to live for God and serve Him. It’s difficult and dangerous, but they are finding creative ways to serve Him and reach non-Christians with the Gospel message.

The Countries

According to Global Christian Relief (previously known as Open Doors) the most dangerous countries to be Christian are:

  1. Afghanistan
  2. North Korea
  3. Somalia
  4. Libya
  5. Yemen
  6. Eritrea
  7. Nigeria
  8. Pakistan
  9. Iran
  10. India

Other countries in the top 20 include Saudi Arabia, Myanmar, Sudan, Iraq, Syria, Maldives, China, Qatar, Vietnam, and Egypt – all within the 10/40 Window. In fact, almost all of the top 50 most dangerous countries for Christian persecution in 2023 are in the 10/40 Window.

The 10/40 Window includes countries in Northern Africa, Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Approximately two-thirds of the world’s population lives in the 10/40 Window and at least 90% of them are unevangelized. While that may sound like a wonderful opportunity to share the Gospel (and it is), it’s important to know that preaching/sharing the Gospel is illegal in many of these countries and can result in imprisonment, torture, or even death for Christians. Even demonstrating basic Christian kindness to neighbors is often viewed by authorities as an attempt to attract non-Christians to Christianity.

The Danger

I have a poster on my desk from The Voice of the Martyrs that includes a map of countries that are Hostile and Restricted. Having something in front of you every day is a great way to remember to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters across the world.

Hostile

Areas or countries where extremist groups, family members or community members routinely persecute Christians for their faith and witness.

Restricted

Nations where governments oppose Christian faith and witness to varying degrees of severity. Christians are also persecuted by extremist groups, family members or community members.

Most of the countries on the map that are in the 10/40 window are listed as Restricted. Several African countries (e.g. Ethiopia, Niger, Mali, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Benin, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Mozambique) are listed as Hostile. Christians in all of these countries need our prayers and support.

I recommend that every Christian in the United States and other Western countries get a persecution map or prayer guide and post it somewhere in your home.

Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also. Hebrews 13:3

Christians are a very small minority of people in the 10/40 Window. Some countries have only a few hundred to a few thousand Christians living among the millions of people from other religions. The majority of those people are members of religions or atheist worldviews that are hostile to Christianity. That’s one of the reasons being Christian in the 10/40 Window is so dangerous. These other religions include Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Animism – along with various tribal religions. Communism and atheism are primary worldviews in countries like China, North Korea, and Vietnam.

Some estimates of the number of Christians persecuted in the most dangerous countries run as high as 360-million people. They are often rejected and not allowed to earn a living. Others are banished to live in undesirable parts of the country. Many are imprisoned or killed. Yet, many of these brave Christians continue to live for Christ and share His love with non-believers. It’s dangerous work deserving of our prayers and support.

The Need

Because of the danger that Christians face inside the 10/40 Window, we are withholding some information that might identify the pastors and evangelists we know, including the location of their churches and ministries. If you would like more information about how to help support these courageous Christians, please contact us at faithandselfdefense@gmail.com. They need food, clothing, Bibles, Bible study materials, rent for church buildings, translation services, and transportation (e.g. motorbikes, motorcycles) to reach distant villages with the Gospel. Many of the smaller villages speak minority languages where the people are illiterate. The need for translators is great.

The 10/40 Window is home to some of the worst poverty in the world, so financial donations are sorely needed to help reach people for Christ in this area of the world. Unfortunately, only a small amount of Christian donations are spent on reaching the billions of unevangelized people in the 10/40 Window. If you would like to help, please contact us and we’ll share some ways you can help.

© 2023, Faith and Self Defense