Open Doors Celebrates Its Golden Anniversary

With its HQ stationed in United States, Open Doors has reached out its hands to Asia, Africa, Latin America, former communist countries and the Muslim world, with the purpose to serve more than 200 mi
By Christina Song

This year, Open Doors is entering its 50th year of serving persecuted Christians all around the world. With its HQ stationed in United States, Open Doors has reached out its hands to Asia, Africa, Latin America, former communist countries and the Muslim world, with the purpose to serve more than 200 million Christians, who are currently living under the tyranny of their oppressors.

When the Iron curtain was still hanging, Open Doors started with a vision that Brother Andrew received while he was in Warsaw, Poland. Duriing his visit in Warsaw, Andrew discovered that the Poland churches were very weak and they did not have sufficient number of bibles for easy access.

With this understanding, he came across a verse in the Revelation 3:2 of the bible. This verse gave him the inspiriation to stand and help the persecuted Christians, who lived in the most difficult areas of the world. "Awake, and strengthen what remains and is at the point of death."

As more co-workers were added to him, Open Doors started its first ministry of delivering Bibles through the Iron Curtain, which brought encouragement and help to those seemingly forgotten Christians. Today, this ministry has expanded to over 45 countries, with a staff of 350 strong, and has been providing Bible-based literacy classes, discipleship trainings, seminary trainings, vocational trainings and economic reliefs for those living in persecuted areas.

"Brother Andrew's vision for strengthening our persecuted brothers and sisters worldwide remains our core purpose as we work in dangerous countries throughout the world," said Open Doors USA President Dr. Carl Moeller. "There is more persecution now than ever before in such places as Iraq, Nigeria and North Korea."

"The Lord has enabled Open Doors to serve persecuted believers for 50 years. What a blessing! Our suffering brothers and sisters need the prayers and support of churches in the United States. But they also stand as a testimony to us of tremendous faith and trust in the Lord," he continued.

Rick Warren, Founding Pastor of Saddleback Church (CA), stated, "Fifty years of serving and strengthening persecuted Christians worldwide - that is the legacy of Open Doors. An important part of that legacy has been Open Doors' passion for motivating, mobilizing and educating the Body of Christ in the West to reach out to our suffering brothers and sisters."

In the near future, Brother Andrew states that that they are planning to increase the capacity of their ministries for those Christians living under constant of persecution, especially in the Muslim world. "Unfortunately, I think we (Open Doors) have a terrific future, because the conflict in the world is increasing. The inside influence we have in the Muslim world; that is absolutely the focus of persecution and threat to the world. We are very much involved with a lot of that, not as much as I wish we were, but we have made a start. So I think that as we grow with our contacts and are vocal and write about it, more and more Open Doors will become a resource for many other groups wanting to make an impact in the Muslim world and around the world."

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.

Top Stories