July 2024 Persecution Magazine

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JULY 2024
PERSECU ION
MAGAZINE
PERSECU ION
PERSECU ION
Breaking
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INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
Barriers
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INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
EDUCATION AND HOPE FOR PERSECUTED YOUTH
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INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN

Contents
JULY 2024
ON THE COVER
A student at Hope House in Nigeria listens
intently to the lesson. Hope Houses in Nigeria
and around the world empower young Christian
students to seek a brighter future through
the power of education. Photo: International
Christian Concern
FEATURES
10
BREAKING THE CYCLE OF
PERSECUTION AROUND
THE WORLD
The impact of ICC’s Hope
Houses
14
TRANSFORMING A
GENERATION IN INDIA
AND BEYOND
Empowering Christian
youth to dream big
16
COURAGE &
COMPASSION &
VIOLENCE IN THE DRC
ICC supports displaced students
giving back to their community
RECURRING
04
06
08
20 SPECIAL
22
ICC NEWSROOM Your Source for Persecution News
WEST WATCH Issues Involving Christianity in the West
YOUR HANDS AND FEET ICC Projects Made Possible by Our Supporters
THE WHISPER An Excerpt from ICC President Jeff King’s New Book
FEATURE
CROWNS OF COURAGE Highlighting Those Who Have Sacrificed Everything for Christ
@persecuted @persecutionnews @internationalchristianconcern International Christian Concern
OUR MISSION: Since 1996, ICC has served the global
persecuted church through a three-pronged approach of
advocacy, awareness, and assistance. ICC exists to bandage
the wounds of persecuted Christians and to build the church
in the toughest parts of the world.
DONATIONS: International Christian Concern (ICC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) (all
donations tax-deductible). ICC makes every effort to honor donor wishes in regards to
their gifts. Occasionally, a situation will arise where a project is no longer viable. ICC
will redirect those donated funds to one of our other funds that is most similar to the
donor’s original wishes.
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Persecution | JULY 2024
© Copyright 2024 ICC, Washington, D.C., USA. All rights
reserved. Permission to reproduce all or part of this publication
is granted provided attribution is given to ICC as the source.
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941 | Washington, DC 20006-5441
STAFF
Publisher Jeff King
Managing Editor Alex Finch
Editor and Designer Hannah Campbell

Education Can Break the Cycle of Persecution
As a father, I want nothing more than to see my children succeed —
a universal hope and truth for all parents.
Yet for the persecuted, their children will be lucky to receive a few
early years of education before having to start day labor for the rest
of their lives.
Education is at the root of an evil cycle of persecution in so many
countries. Generation after generation, Christians face educational
discrimination to keep them enslaved in systems and cultures.
So, a good education is the key to breaking this vicious cycle.
That’s why we started Hope House (for younger grades) and Generation
Transformation (teens and beyond) years ago. More than
300 children and young adults are enrolled in these outstanding Bible-centered
education programs.
When I reflect on our ministry and the privilege to serve the persecuted,
I think of Smith Sabir. He was a third grader when his parents
were killed in the horrific All Saints Church attack in Pakistan more
than a decade ago. We “adopted” Smith and have cover his schooling
ever since.
Sabir can explain best the value of our educational initiatives.
“I often think of God’s strange plans,” Sabir said. “He took my parents
to heaven, but He gave me ICC to take care [of] me, stand with me,
strengthen me, and build my future. I have learned a lot from ICC on
how to love others and engage in charity work. I would love to follow
ICC’s footsteps in the future if I could.”
Thanks for being our partner in the holy work of rescuing and rebuilding
the lives of the persecuted!
JEFF
Jeff King, President
International Christian Concern
Author: “The Whisper” (NEW!), “The Last
Words of the Martyrs,” and “Islam Uncensored”
Discover the Life-Changing Lessons
of the Persecuted
ICC President and author Jeff King has released his third book,
“The Whisper.” In this 30-day devotional, King presents stories of
persecuted believers and unpacks their spiritual wisdom as they
walk with the Lord through trials and triumphs. How are they
able to endure such suffering and remain joyful in the Lord? What
lessons can we learn from them?
Visit www.persecution.org/books and read a preview on page 20.
Out
Now!
PERSECUTION.ORG 3

ICC Newsroom
YOUR SOURCE FOR PERSECUTION NEWS
Azerbaijan Destroys Armenian Church and
Village, Builds Mosque in Conquered Artsakh
Months after the fall of Artsakh,
Azerbaijan destroyed the St. John
the Baptist Church in the town of
Shusi and the entire Karintak village.
Azerbaijan is also building a large mosque
in Karintak, known as Dashalti in Azeri.
Both the church and the village were in
the Shushi province of Artsakh, which is
now integrated into the Shusha province
of Azerbaijan following the conquest of
Artsakh in September 2023.
Azerbaijan had conquered the Shushi
province during the 2020 conflict over
Artsakh. In 2021, an Azerbaijani legislator
posted to X (then Twitter) a photo of
Christian clerics praying at the St. John
the Baptist Church in Shushi, citing “the
national cultural diversity existing in
Azerbaijan” and “the atmosphere of ethnic
and religious tolerance.” The fall of Artsakh
in 2023, however, and the continuing
destruction of Armenian Christian heritage
proves otherwise.
The church in Shushi, built by Armenians
in 1847, was known in Armenian as St.
Hovhannes Mkrtich or Kanach Zham (the
green chapel). Azerbaijan destroyed the
church and several surrounding buildings
during the winter of 2023-2024 according
to satellite imagery published by Caucasus
Heritage Watch, an investigative institution
supported by Cornell University.
ADF Militants
Kill 11 Christians,
Kidnap Others
in DRC’s Ituri
Province
At about 8 p.m. on Monday,
May 13, members of the Allied
Democratic Forces (ADF) carried
out a brutal attack in Ndimo
village, Ituri province, in the
Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Islamic extremist group killed
11 Christians, kidnapped several
others, and set houses on fire.
“The timing of the attack
coincided with the presence of
the military administrator of the
territory in the Bandavilemba
area,” a resident of Ndimo in
the Irumu territory told an
International Christian Concern
(ICC) staff member. “This led
to speculation that the ADF
terrorists targeted this area due
to the administrator’s visit, aiming
to disrupt stability and sow fear
among the local population.”
One survivor told ICC that the ADF
rebels left many people homeless
while other innocent civilians
burned to ash.
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Persecution | JULY 2024

VISIT OUR WEBSITE, PERSECUTION.ORG, FOR THE LATEST NEWS
350 Hostages Rescued from Boko
Haram Extremists
Nigerian military forces rescued 209
children, 135 women, and six men from
Boko Haram on May 21. Many of the
hostages had been held captive by the
terrorists for years.
Authorities found the victims in the
Sambisa Forest in the heart of Boko
Haram’s territory in the North.
“I always wanted to escape but couldn’t
because of the children,” Hajara Umara
High Court Rules in Favor of
Christian Burial Rights in India
In a decision that will have ramifications
across India regarding the burial rights of
Christians, the High Court of Chhattisgarh
in Central India ruled in April that a man
has the right to Christian burial on his own
land.
The man, Ishwar Korram, 54, died on
told the Associated Press. “If they caught
you trying to escape, they would torture
you and imprison you indefinitely.”
The Islamic extremist group is responsible
for the kidnapping and death of thousands
since its establishment in 2009. According
to U.N. agencies in Nigeria, extremist
violence has caused the death of 35,000
people and the displacement of 2.1 million
people.
April 25 at an area hospital. Local police
prevented Ishwar’s son, Sarthik Korram,
from burying his father because of his
father’s Christian faith. Leaders of Ishwar’s
Hindu-majority village also opposed the
burial and offered no place for people of
other faiths to bury their loved ones.
Christian Journalist’s
Whereabouts
Unknown on Day of
Scheduled Release
Zhang Zhan, a 40-year-old Christian
blogger, journalist, activist, and
former human rights lawyer, was
scheduled to be released on May 13
after four years in prison.
Zhang was imprisoned in May
2020 after she was convicted of
reporting on the COVID-19 outbreak
in Wuhan, China. The Free Zhang
Zhan campaign issued a statement
saying there was no confirmation
of her release from prison and that
Zhang’s family had been pressured
by Chinese officials not to give any
media interviews about her case.
Zhang’s case highlights the Chinese
government’s arbitrary arrests
of Christians, journalists, human
rights lawyers, and other activists
who challenge the Communist
government’s policies.
“ICC joins the Free Zhang Zhan
campaign and other international
advocacy groups and Christian
ministries in calling on the Chinese
government to immediately confirm
Zhang’s release to her family,” an
ICC staffer said.
PERSECUTION.ORG 5

West Watch
ISSUES INVOLVING CHRISTIANITY IN THE WEST
Christian Refugee Says He Lost Job
for Beliefs Shared on Social Media
Felix Ngole, a health care worker living in England, said he was
denied a job at a British health care provider after the staff
uncovered statements he made on social media years earlier
expressing his biblical perspective on gender and sexuality. The
decision came after the employer, Touchstone Support, had
already determined that Ngole was the best candidate for the
position.
Ngole is now suing Touchstone Support at an employment
tribunal in Leeds, England.
“I was told I was the best candidate for the job, then suddenly
I found I was unemployable because they discovered that I am
a Christian,” Ngole said after the first court hearing this April.
“No one has ever told me that I have not treated them well
in my professional experience. I have never been accused of
forcing my beliefs on anyone. I have supported vulnerable
individuals from all backgrounds, including LGBT.”
This is not Ngole’s first time facing religious discrimination and
persecution. A native of Cameroon, Ngole fled his home country
because of his faith and became a refugee in England. He was
pursuing a master’s degree in 2014 when he commented on
Facebook, where he discussed the biblical view of sexuality,
citing the books of Leviticus and Matthew. Three months later,
an anonymous complaint to his university led to his expulsion. A
British court ruled in 2019 that the school “wrongly confused the
expression of religious views with the notion of discrimination”
and that expressing theological views on what defined sin does
not mean a person “will discriminate on such grounds.”
It was a landmark case for free speech and religious freedom in
England. And it would not be the last time Ngole would suffer
consequences for expressing his religious beliefs.
Describing his initial interview with Touchstone, Ngole said he
“was delighted to be invited to the interview so that I could
showcase my skills. I saw it as a step closer to my dream job. It
was a brilliant interview; I was greeted warmly, and they were
really kind to me. I was offered the job, and they were already
talking to me about my first day and who my line manager
would be.”
Then, Touchstone learned the details about Ngole’s legal case
with his university.
“When I received the email telling me that the job had been
withdrawn, it was a shock,” Ngole said. “I was very confused
and distraught, and I wanted to know why. The reasons they
gave for withdrawing the job offer were an attack on me and
my faith. They made it seem that 100% of the people I would
be helping would be LGBT and that I had to pledge allegiance to
the LGBT flag and forget about my Christian beliefs.”
ICC UPDATE TO THOSE ON CAPITOL HILL
If you’d like to stay informed about ICC’s advocacy work and
policy recommendations, subscribe to our monthly newsletter,
The Capitol Dispatch, at www.persecution.org/icc-advocacy
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Persecution | JULY 2024

Catholic Group Allowed to Continue Decades-Old
Tradition of Memorial Day Service
On May 23, the National Park Service
(NPS) reversed a decision that
barred the Knights of Columbus
from holding a commemorative service
in Poplar Grove National Cemetery near
Petersburg, Virginia.
The American Catholic organization had
been conducting a Memorial Day Mass
at the military cemetery since the 1960s
until the NPS denied it a permit in 2023.
First Liberty Institute, the legal
organization representing the Knights of
Columbus, said that the federal agency
“denied the Knights a permit to hold
the service in the cemetery, citing a new
policy that designates ‘religious services’
as prohibited ‘demonstrations.’”
This denial was supposedly in accordance
with a 2022 NPS policy that sought
to limit the sort of “activities” that
could be conducted in governmentmanaged
cemeteries. These activities
were described as those that “might”
be permitted in other national parks
but would be “inappropriate in national
cemeteries because of their protected
atmosphere of peace, calm, tranquility,
and reverence.”
The State of Virginia officially supported
the Knights of Columbus in its battle
against the NPS. The state’s attorney
general filed an amicus brief supporting
the Knights’ legal case in court. On the
social media site X, formerly known as
Twitter, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin
applauded the NPS’s decision to allow the
Memorial Day service to resume.
“Virginia is the birthplace of religious
liberty and I applaud our AG @
JasonMiyaresVA standing side by side
with the @KofC to protect this important
and worthy tradition,” his post said.
Roger Byron, senior counsel at First
Liberty, released a statement that said,
“The Knights are thrilled that they will be
able to exercise their religious beliefs and
keep this honorable tradition alive. We
appreciate the tremendous support of
Governor Youngkin and Attorney General
Miyares in this case.”
School Reverses Ban on Students Sharing Bible Verses
The American Center for Law and Justice
(ACLJ) recently declared victory in a
case that nearly restricted the religious
liberties of two young students.
In April, two 9-year-old elementary school
students were banned from sharing
Easter eggs containing Bible verses.
Just before Good Friday, the children
assembled the eggs, which also included
candy and poetry, to share with their
classmates. However, they were told by
school administrators that they could
not distribute them due to their religious
messages.
According to the ACLJ, “When the
teachers checked inside the eggs and saw
the Bible verses, they didn’t allow [the
students] to hand them out due to the
religious content.”
Under the First Amendment of the U.S.
Constitution, citizens have the right
to freely exercise their religion, which
includes distributing Bible verses.
As a result of ACLJ’s representation of
the children, the school reversed course
and agreed to allow its students to share
religious items with one another “in
a non-disruptive manner during noninstructional
time.”
Many Christians see signs of religious
intolerance spreading throughout the
U.S. and the Western world.
PERSECUTION.ORG 7

Your Hands and Feet
ICC PROJECTS MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR SUPPORTERS
Fleeing War and Finding
a Stable Future
AFRICA Solange’s life has been fraught with challenges
since fleeing the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for
Uganda. Her children fell sick upon their arrival, and she had
no means of income. Though ICC purchased pigs, goats, and
hens to sustain her family, many of these animals succumbed
to diseases early on. Despite these hardships, Solange remains
grateful for what remains.
“Due the wars going on in my country I had to come to Uganda
for safety and had no relatives to help me, but I thank ICC for
the support they gave me. I managed to cook food for my
kids for a good period of time. They can now sleep well, and I
was able to pay medical bills for my kids when they could get
sick,” she said.
Caring for five children and three grandchildren, Solange
continues to face significant difficulties. Living in a remote
area worsens her struggles, especially during the rainy season
when muddy roads hinder transportation. Despite these
obstacles, ICC is helping her again to start a small business
selling household essentials, offering hope for a more stable
future.
“I don’t know how to express my gratitude for the immense
support and assistance that was provided to me during my
time as a refugee. Your generosity in providing me with
mattresses, blankets, food, and financial aid has made an
incredible impact on my life, and I am forever grateful for your
unwavering support,” she said. “You have not only given me
a comfortable place to rest but have also restored a sense of
dignity and security in my life.”
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Persecution | JULY 2024

Sunita’s Faith-Fueled
Ministry
SOUTH ASIA Sunita serves passionately in northern India,
spreading the gospel through her evangelism ministry. After
receiving Bible training, she started her ministry and leads worship
services in her village. As a part of ICC’s Bikes and Bibles program,
she has been able to reach many nearby villages, sharing God’s
love and hoping to establish more worship services.
Despite her dedication, Sunita faces significant challenges due to
her family situation. Her husband has been bedridden for 10 years
following a severe accident, and she struggles to care for him and
their family while evangelizing. These responsibilities have limited
her ability to fully commit to her ministry work.
To support her family and ministry, Sunita decided to use her
tailoring skills. ICC helped her set up a tailoring business, providing
a means for her to earn a livelihood at home. This business also
offers training opportunities for other women in the church to
become self-sustained.
“ICC has been a tremendous blessing to us, providing us with a
tailoring shop. My husband and I are confident that this business
venture will enable us to generate income and support both our
family and ministry,” she said. “It empowers us to carry out our
ministry independently, without relying on anyone else. We are
incredibly grateful to ICC for their support and generosity.”
Roua’s Resilient Return
MIDDLE EAST
Roua lived a normal life with her family in
Bartella, Iraq, attending school while her father worked. Their
lives were disrupted one morning by the sounds of shelling and
explosions. Fearing for their safety as ISIS approached, they fled
to Erbil, the only safe haven for Christians. The journey stretched
for hours due to the influx of displaced people. The fear of ISIS’s
advance haunted Roua as they waited at the Erbil checkpoint.
Once they reached Erbil, Roua’s family moved into a church with
two other families. They endured difficult conditions, separated
by curtains, and the hot summer months made life particularly
hard. Despite these challenges, Roua’s father urged her to
continue her studies. She persevered, completing high school in
makeshift caravans with scarce resources.
After three years of displacement, Mosul and the Nineveh Plains
were liberated, and Roua’s family returned to find their home
destroyed. With the help of the local church, they rebuilt their
house. Roua graduated but struggled to find a job. She decided
to start a resin art business to support her family. With assistance
from ICC, she acquired the necessary supplies and expressed
immense gratitude for the support, which renewed her hope and
optimism.
“I am very happy and optimistic in life because there are people
like you who help those in need to improve their work and live
through their efforts. Now, I confidently tell people that I am
the owner of a resin project because all my materials are of a
high quality,” Roua told us. “I thank you from the bottom of my
heart because you have revived hope in my life. My prayers and
gratitude are always with you. I will never forget your kindness.”
PERSECUTION.ORG 9

Breaking
the cycle of
persecution
AROUND THE WORLD
THE IMPACT OF ICC’S HOPE HOUSES
In many countries where they are the minority
religion, Christians are considered second-class
citizens. Christian children are denied a quality
education. Hope House provides Christian students
with supplemental classes like literature, social studies,
mathematics, discipleship, and Bible classes.
In a culture that tells them that they will forever be secondclass
citizens, Hope House provides an opportunity for a
better life.
“I had to go to work at 10 years old. I want to see Hana
educated and reach his dreams — to have the chance I
didn’t have,” said Yousef, father to Hana, a Hope House
student in the Middle East.
ICC’s Hope House program is the only one of our major
programs that is found in each region we work in. Students
from across the world are accessing quality education in
the hopes of transforming their futures. But persecution
looks different in each region of the world, so we adjust
our strategy to make sure our programs are effective.
Middle East
Hope House first started in Egypt as education centers in
poor villages with families pressured by persecution from
the surrounding society. They are located in local churches,
and establish programs to assist Christian families in these
contexts.
Children in Egypt struggle to obtain an education in
overcrowded, poorly resourced Egyptian schools. Children
face discrimination for being Christians in these school
systems and continue to face discrimination in the job
market and community when they grow older.
Hope House helps Christian children learn through
personalized afterschool education, Bible lessons, and
personalized care and attention through nutrition and
medical support for impoverished families. This impacts
the children through better grades in school, deeper
spiritual discipleship through Bible classes and Scripture
memory, and stronger connection to the local church.
Christian women face many unique challenges as well,
including sexual harassment from Muslim men, attempted
forceful conversions to Islam, and economic vulnerability
as widows. Hope House helps Christian women through
literacy classes, income generating projects, and
awareness and Bible study/support groups.
Africa
Hope Houses throughout Africa engage families with
local churches through children’s ministry. Churches
hosting Hope Houses have seen attendance grow, with
families previously not attending the local church coming
since they see the change in their children’s learning and
character. The pastors and the families have grown closer,
and most of the churches have begun family discipleship
meetings, springing from the Hope Houses.
In one way or the other, each Hope House in Africa has
started with just that — hope. Every one of our homes
can be traced back to an individual or group who dared to
hope on God’s provision when no resources were in sight.
The first Hope House we started in Africa was at an IDP
camp in Nigeria, where Jihadists have forced millions
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Persecution | JULY 2024

of Christians out of their ancestral farmlands.
Having been raised on the outskirts of one of
these camps, Amos, a young Christian man,
noticed that an entire generation of Christian
children were growing up lacking an education.
Without any school supplies, classrooms, or even
chairs for the students to sit in, Amos gathered a
few of his friends and together they went to the
camp each week to teach the children.
Eventually, what began as a small group of good
Samaritans was blessed by the resources given
to ICC.
After meeting the volunteers, we empowered
them with items such as whiteboards, markers,
desks, pencils, and workbooks. Within a year
we completely renovated weak structures on
the property into solid schoolhouses, provided
training and full-time salaries to each volunteer,
Top left: Volunteers build a Hope House
location in Nigeria.
Top right: Children from Egypt attend
their Hope House program in the local
church building.
PERSECUTION.ORG 11

Two students who have
experienced the effects of
persecution were able to
receive an education because
of your generous support.
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Persecution | JULY 2024
and created an additional 20 teaching jobs. We
were even able to hire women living in the IDP
camp, who had previously been teachers before
having to give up everything to flee jihadist
violence.
Today, the project has turned into a full-fledged
Hope House and has even expanded to include
a second Hope House at a similar camp down
the road. Children who once spent their days as
beggars now receive free lunch every day. They
enjoy fieldtrips, debate club, Bible studies, sports
teams, computer classes, school celebrations,
and free healthcare.
But God hasn’t stopped there. Further north
in Nigeria we found a similar situation in that
of Madame T, who gave up her profession as a
lawyer to start a school for children orphaned by
Fulani militants.
And then there was Dorcas whom we met in the
DRC, a woman who obeyed God’s calling to take
care of children orphaned by the ISIS-affiliated
ADF.
In each of these cases God put a calling on the
hearts of His people and asked them to act in
faith. And in each instance, ICC was able to join
them in their journeys by providing the resources
needed to offer these children food, clothing,
education, and a safe place to grow.
South Asia
Continuing our journey East, Hope Houses in
South Asia also are unique to the situations in
India and Pakistan.
The Christian community in India is spread out.
Unlike neighboring Pakistan, which has Christian
districts, India’s churches are often house
churches in small villages — a handful of families
mixed in with the majority Hindus, often far away
from a major city.
Because of the low concentration of Christians
in each area, a typical school is not efficient.
What we have done instead is partner with local
churches in these villages to establish a learning
center on the grounds. The average learning
center will have 30 to 40 children and one to two
teachers. This model is cost-efficient, as it costs
roughly a fourth of what a regular tuition center
would cost and a fraction of a dedicated school.
Instead of one school that few Christian children

can attend, we have 10 learning centers that tailor to the spread out
community. Additionally, we have found that having the children
attend class in the church has also increased the attendance for
worship services as well, meaning as the children grow and learn,
the church grows with them.
“We love our children like God loves His children. We want the
absolute best for them, for their future. In the developing world,
that means education. Founded on His teaching and love, we will
pour into this next generation of Christians so they may grow p
healthy, wiser, and know peace,” said an ICC staffer in charge of
the program in the region.
Christians in Pakistan are often concentrated in specific areas of a
city. These Christian districts have dedicated church buildings, but
often lack schools or have poor education programs.
Working with local partners, we have committed to opening
schools that will address the specific challenges this community
faces. Tailoring the education to their needs and ensuring they are
primed to take their roles as competent Christian workers.
Unlike government schools, we are driven to do well by faith. While
we primarily serve the larger Christian community, we’ve decided
to take on Muslim students in similar dire straits as the Christians.
We have had instances where Muslim neighbors will attend
church with their Christian neighbors because the community of
a neighborhood is tighter and more influential. While the primary
goal is to educate the next generation of Chirstian children, we
hope to spread the love of Christ through inclusion of Muslim
children as well. Our prayer is that they see and experience that
true joy, learning, peace, and prosperity comes with a relationship
with Christ.
A young student in our Hope House India
program learns to read and write.
Southeast Asia
In Southeast Asia, ICC will start its first Hope House this summer!
The program will revolve around supporting children ages 5 to 9
from a Muslim background who have converted to Christianity.
Unlike Hope Houses in the other three regions, education will
look different because the countries ICC is operating in are often
Muslim-majority, and converts from Islam are under massive
threat. Children in these countries will receive their education
secretly in a home or local church.
Because Christians in Southeast Asia are under immense pressure
from extremist groups and government authorities, many
believers operate underground. Our prayer is for these children to
have access to quality education and biblical teaching, so they can
grow strong in their faith in an environment hostile toward their
beliefs.
PERSECUTION.ORG 13

Transforming a
Generation in India
Empowering Christian youth to dream big
BY ICC’S SOUTH ASIA TEAM
(and beyond)
India is witnessing a profound shift among young adults
through ICC’s Generation Transformation (GT) program.
We aim to break the cycle of poverty and persecution by
offering educational and vocational training opportunities that
promise a brighter, more stable future.
A Legacy of Support and Sustainability
For years, ICC has aided pastors and house churches in India,
helping them sustain their families through livelihood and
relief efforts. However, recognizing that stability is only the
beginning, and the focus is now shifting to the next generation.
“We are so excited to have our Generation Transformation
program in India. The perfect place to start is with the children
of those we have already served with livelihoods. By God’s
grace, we can transform the lives for these families, and break
the cycle of poverty for our brothers and sisters,” said an ICC
staffer.
To create a lasting impact, the children of these beneficiaries,
once shackled by the limitations of their socio-economic
conditions, are being given the chance to dream bigger and
achieve more. Through education, these young individuals can
transcend their current circumstances and build successful,
independent lives. We’ve seen our GT students in other
countries thrive in their schooling and land successful jobs
once they graduate from the program.
Transforming Lives Through Education
The GT program is a targeted effort to provide access to
job-oriented courses for underprivileged Christian youth.
By covering tuition fees and boarding expenses, GT aims
to empower these young Christians to secure dignified
employment, thereby achieving financial stability and breaking
free from the cycle of persecution that often accompanies their
socio-economic status.
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Persecution | JULY 2024

Starting with 20 Christian students, the GT program provides
the necessary financial support and guidance for them to
enroll in job-oriented courses. These courses, varying in
duration from six months to three years, promise lucrative
employment opportunities in both the private and public
sectors. By the end of their training, these students are not
just qualified but are also positioned to lift their families
out of poverty and shield them from religious persecution.
Hindu nationalist groups and local government authorities
often persecute Christians as they push to make India
a purely Hindu nation. Nearly 80% of India’s 1.4 billion
people are Hindus. About 14% are Muslims, and anywhere
from 2.5% to 5% are Christians.
Several states have anti-conversion laws, which are used
against evangelists and pastors. These laws forbid the
conversion of Hindus. Those who have converted to
Christianity are often forcefully reconverted to Hinduism
through ceremonies known as Ghar Wapsi, which means
“homecoming.” Christians ans other religious minotiries
face discrimination in this environment, and because of
that, are often relegated to the lowest jobs in society.
Expanding Horizons with Vocational Training
In addition to formal education, the GT program includes
vocational training aimed at equipping young Christians
with practical skills. This year, we supported a summer
vocational training program focused on mobile repair
and computer courses. This initiative sought to empower
the Christian youth in the community by providing them
with skills that can enhance their economic status and
employment prospects.
To ensure the program’s ongoing success, beneficiaries must
actively take part in their school or community fellowship
and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Additionally, they must
submit all necessary educational, training, and business
documents by the specified deadlines. These requirements
are designed to foster a sense of responsibility and
commitment among the students, further ensuring that
the support they receive translates into tangible, long-term
benefits.
The GT program is more than just an educational initiative;
it is a movement towards creating a future where
underprivileged Christian youth in India can break free
from the constraints of poverty and persecution.
By investing in their education and vocational skills, ICC
is not just changing individual lives but is also paving the
way for a more equitable and just society. As these young
individuals step into their new roles as educated and
skilled professionals, they bring with them the promise of
a brighter, more inclusive future for India.
“We are so excited to have our
Generation Transformation program
in India. The perfect place to
start is with the children of those
we have already served with
livelihoods. By God’s grace, we can
transform lives for these families,
and break the cycle of poverty for
our brothers and sisters”
— ICC STAFFER
PERSECUTION.ORG 15

Courage &
Compassion
& violence
in the democratic republic of the congo
ICC supports displaced students giving
back to their community
BY LYNN ARIAS
Children and students alike in the Democratic Republic of
the Congo (DRC) continue to endure extremist Islamist
attacks and militia violence, forcing them to leave school
and flee their homes.
According to UNICEF, “in both 2021 and 2022, DRC had the
world’s highest levels of verified cases of sexual violence
against children committed by armed forces and armed
groups [and] ... in 2022, 730 children were verified as
abducted, making it the highest number of abductions
ever verified by the United Nations in the DRC.”
As a result of the ongoing violence, a reported 750,000
children have been forced to leave school and discontinue
their education.
In the face of overwhelming hardships, some of these
students pursue their education elsewhere and pledge to
return to the DRC to help their fellow citizens overcome
near-insurmountable odds.
16
Persecution | JULY 2024

PERSECUTION.ORG 17

ICC assists Christian learners in
continuing their education and
is honored to come to the aid of
displaced students, like Kahindo,
Mary, and Kavira in the DRC.
In 2021, when Kahindo was 19-years
old, she and her parents were
abducted by the Allied Democratic
Forces, ADF, an Islamic terrorist
organization with ties to the Islamic
State group (ISIS).
According to Kahindo, “the rebels
appeared abruptly and pulled us
away into the thick forest. They
were conversing in Swahili and
Arabic, saying that they would kill
us for refusing to become Muslim.
The rebels separated me from my
parents and, for three days, they
sexually abused me in turns. They
were eight in number.”
Kahindo’s mother managed to flee
and went to the authorities for help.
When the police returned, a gun
battle ensued and Kahindo made a
daring escape during the confusion.
She made her way to safety and back
to her mother, however, her father’s
whereabouts remain unknown.
After being resettled with a Christian
host family, Kahindo began to focus
on her education. She completed
secondary school and hopes to
become a doctor in the future.
“I desire to study medicine so that I
can help young girls and women who
get sexually assaulted by the rebels,”
Kahindo said. “I am undergoing
treatment and counseling, and I
would not wish other young girls
to go through the same experience
I went through. I have received
admission at a local university, and I
trust that the Lord provides funds for
tuition and upkeep.”
ICC paid the tuition and living
“I desire to study medicine so that
I can help young girls and women
who get sexually assaulted by
the rebels.”
— KAHINDO, FIRST YEAR MEDICAL STUDENT AND ADF
KIDNAPPING SURVIVOR
expenses for Kahindo’s first year of
medical school and will continue to
track her progress.
Like Kahindo, Mary was also
abducted by the ADF in 2021. She
was 17-years-old at the time of
her abduction and recounted her
harrowing story to ICC.
“They abused my mother and me
for three days successively,” Mary
said. “They told us to deny Jesus
and become Muslims. My mother
and I, we were about to die. With
wounds and fatigue, we were crying
and weeping. With weakness in our
bodies, we couldn’t walk with them
in the forest.
“They decided to shoot us, but
their chief said to tie us to different
trees. They left us tied up in trees
in the forest. Without food or water
to drink, we faced the fear of the
forest animals, which could devour
us. By the grace of God, my mother
was able to untie herself, and then
she untied me. We couldn’t walk
easily because of the pain from the
gunshot wounds. We spent two days
until we reached a refugee camp.”
Like Kahindo, Mary desires to give
back to others who have endured
similar traumas at the hands of
the ADF by becoming a medical
professional.
Through our Generation
Transformation program, ICC has
paid two years of Mary’s complete
tuition expenses and intends to fully
fund the rest of her educational
career.
Kahindo and Mary’s stories aren’t
uncommon in the DRC. The situation
in the central African nation is rapidly
deteriorating.
The United Nations General
Assembly Security Council released
its “Children and Armed Conflict”
report in June 2023. Findings in the
report state that from January to
December 2022, “the United Nations
verified 3,377 grave violations
against 2,420 children … including
abductions ... sexual violence …
killing and maiming … [and] attacks
against schools and hospitals.”
Despite Christians being the religious
majority in the DRC, they are
routinely attacked and murdered by
the Islamic ADF and other terrorist
groups.
18
Persecution | JULY 2024

The State Department has placed several DRC provinces,
including North Kivu, Ituri, the Eastern DRC Region, and several
Kasai provinces, on their ‘do not travel’ list due to “violent crime,
such as murder, rape, kidnapping, and pillaging.”
The perils endured by Christians living in the DRC was captured in
the words of local church leader Mulinde Esemo in an ICC report
from 2023.
“We are living in a very tense situation here in Eastern DRC, both
in towns and in the villages,” Esemo said. “Scores of believers
have been killed in cold blood by the ADF rebels. It is a massacre
like one killing animals.”
Even children who are not abducted by ADF rebels are still victim
to the volatile circumstances in the country. Kavira’s parents
were unable to raise the necessary funds to send her to college
to pursue her medical degree.
Hearing of her desire to care for those in her country, ICC paid for
her medical schooling through our Generation Transformation
program.
“Studying has always been a challenge for me due to my financial
constraints and the fate of being affected by ADF rebels, but
thanks to your support, I can pursue my education without
worrying about the burden of unpaid fees,” Kavira said.
Although danger and life-threatening situations abound in the
DRC, the perseverance of survivors like Kahindo, Mary, and Kavira
shows immense courage and compassion to help others who are
enduring a dark tunnel of persecution and violence.
“I am expressing my genuine gratitude and sincere thanks to
ICC for sponsoring my studies,” Mary said. “It was a miracle for
me because I couldn’t be as I am according to my background. I
have chosen medicine to make a real difference in people’s lives
by helping to alleviate pain and suffering as I have experienced.
May God be with you members of ICC and bless you forever and
forever.”
Like Mary, Kavira told ICC, “The love and care that you have
shown me through your continuous support have has touched
by heart deeply. It is a privilege for me to have the opportunity
to study without any hindrences. Completing my education and
eventually becoming a doctor will not only fulfill my personal
aspirations, but will also benefit society as a whole by adding
another skilled healthcare professional to the workforce.”
Top: Kahindo pursuing her medical degree to help other girls affected by the violence in the DRC.
Middle and Bottom: Kavira in medical school and in the field learning from other doctors.
PERSECUTION.ORG 19

Shouting from the Rooftops
What’s Been Whispered to Me
The following is an excerpt from ICC President Jeff King’s new book, “The Whisper”
I
was called to International Christian Concern (ICC) through
a miraculous dream. It was one of the rare times of life that
you have absolutely no doubt about the direction you are
going and what the Lord’s will for you is.
On starting with ICC, I began to go through the ICC files country
by country to learn about persecution. At the time there was a
massive Jihad against Christians in Indonesia. The reports I read
and the photos I saw in the Indonesia files were simultaneously
revolting and heartbreaking. I had never seen anything like the
violence that was being perpetrated against Christians.
It was the beginning of many times of questioning The Lord over
the years as to why He had called me to persecution ministry. At
heart I’m an evangelist and my life mission I think is to call the
dead to life and the living to the deep.
But he had placed me in a backwater of Christian ministry. Most
people didn’t care about persecution and many that would care
found it too hard to deal with the heartbreak, violence, and
bloodshed of persecution.
In those early months, the Lord repeatedly whispered to me an
unmistakable message. If I had to put it into words it was that
I was to Listen, Learn, and Shout to the world the transforming
lessons of the persecuted and the martyrs. He told me those
lessons weren’t just for me but the church.
Soon after I went to China, and I asked for a meeting with pastors
that had endured long prison sentences. I spent several hours
with those pastors and each of those hours was an absolute
gift given to me by the Lord. There were many things they told
me that afternoon that were transformative but two of the key
points were:
1. Persecution is a gift because it breaks our self-reliance and
makes us dependent and connected to the Lord.
2. They told me their biggest worry was that the pastors who
were younger than them whom they were mentoring hadn’t
been hunted and tortured and murdered like they had been.
You could spend years absorbing and unpacking both of those
points and I did as I served the persecuted, met with them, and
read reports of their torture and death.
The Lord told me to learn the lessons of the persecuted and it
took 10-plus years until I could begin to articulate what I was
seeing and learning from the persecuted. Since that time, much
of my communication revolves around those very lessons I was
told to learn and shout.
Discover the Life-Changing Lessons
of the Persecuted
ICC President and author Jeff King has released his third book,
“The Whisper.” In this 30-day devotional, King presents stories of
persecuted believers and unpacks their spiritual wisdom as they
walk with the Lord through trials and triumphs. How are they
able to endure such suffering and remain joyful in the Lord? What
lessons can we learn from them?
Visit www.persecution.org/books.
Out
Now!
20
Persecution | JULY 2024

That includes my latest book, “The Whisper: Lessons of Renewal
Whispered from the Prisons of the Persecuted, a 30-Day
Devotional.”
Those lessons I was so privileged to learn I’ve built into the
stories of “The Whisper.”
The most surprising thing for me after two decades of
persecution ministry is that I can now answer the question of
“Why persecution ministry, Lord?”
The lessons of the persecuted revolve around deep devotion,
not despite but rather because of their deep suffering. I’ve
come to see that the suffering we endure in this life is vital
to our spiritual life. For only in the tomb can we experience
resurrection. And we are not above our master, for the Lord to
use us to our utmost we must surrender to our suffering and
our death.
But suffering is not your destination. Rather, it is a door to
transformation that the Lord wants you to pass through to get
to where you can’t get to without it.
If you want to understand more, you can find “The Whisper” on
Amazon or visit www.persecution.org/books.
Be Blessed,
Jeff King, President
International Christian Concern
Author: “The Whisper” (NEW!), “The Last Words of the
Martyrs,” and “Islam Uncensored”
PERSECUTION.ORG 21

Crowns of Courage
HIGHLIGHTING THOSE WHO HAVE SACRIFICED EVERYTHING FOR CHRIST
ETERNAL GLORY
THE UNBREAKABLE
FAITH OF LICINIUS’S 40
CHRISTIAN WARRIORS
22
Persecution | JULY 2024

Photo: “The Forty Martyrs of
Sebaste.” Panel with carved relief in
ivory; Constantinople, 10th century
AD. Bode Museum, Berlin, Germany.
Background Photo: Trajan’s Column in Rome Photo by Briana Tozour / Unsplash
Looking back to the year 313, pagan Roman
emperor Licinius was determined to rid his
army of Christianity as he feared an uprising.
This posture stood directly in opposition to
an edict from Saint Constantine the Great which
provided Christians with religious freedom under
the law.
One of Licinius’s military commanders who ruled
with an iron fist was a man named Agricola.
Under his command was a group of 40 Christian
soldiers who refused to submit to his commands
to sacrifice to pagan gods. Due to their refusal,
Agricola put the 40 men in prison, but they held
fast to their faith and kept themselves busy behind
bars with prayer and singing.
Despite mounting pressure, the group of believers
refused to give up their faith.
Eventually, on a particularly cold winter night, the
guards took the 40 soldiers to a lake and threw
them into the frosty water. Hoping to break their
will and entice the men to deny their faith, the
guards built a warm bathhouse along the shore.
Of the 40, only one man chose to abandon the
lake. However, as soon as he stepped into the
bathhouse, he dropped dead.
A few hours into the night, as one of the
guards was keeping watch, he saw a radiant crown
above the head of each of the remaining 39 men
in the lake. Knowing that he was witnessing the
miraculous, the guard shed his uniform and joined
the soldiers in the lake, proclaiming, “I, too, am a
Christian.” His bold act of faith before his fellow
guards, knowing it would surely lead to his death,
brought the group back to 40 faithful believers.
By dawn, the group had miraculously survived the
night. Ushering them into the afterlife, the guards
brought the men from the lake, broke their legs,
and threw them into a fire.
Among the witnesses of the gruesome execution
was the mother of the youngest soldier. Knowing
that the glory of eternity soon awaited him, she
pleaded with her son to persevere to the end.
Indeed, he and the other 39 did just that.
For their faithfulness, these courageous believers
are still honored today for this decision. Though
the pain of martyrdom was great, it paled in
comparison with the glory that awaited them
when they heard the words, “Well done, good and
faithful servant.”
PERSECUTION.ORG 23

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