How does Christian persecution impact world evangelization?

Suffering knows no borders or boundaries. Daily, men, women, and children in nearly every country go without basic necessities such as water and shelter—their physical bodies wasting away. Others face situations that torment their souls to the point of complete hopelessness.

But very few people, especially Americans, know suffering like Christians in countries that top the World Watch List, an annual ranking of “the countries where Christians suffer the greatest persecution.” You have probably heard of the religious intolerance at the hands of dictator Kim Jong Il in North Korea (number one on the watch list) or of the daily unrest in Middle Eastern countries such as Iran or Afghanistan.

No one can deny that being a Christian in persecuted countries involves daily suffering—of mind, body, soul, and even spirit. Many believers risk their lives to even bow their knees in prayer or attend underground church gatherings. Just like the apostle Paul, who also “participate[d] in the sufferings of Christ,” hundreds of thousands (or more!) are imprisoned around the world due to their Christian faith.

But one question remains: How does Christian persecution impact world evangelization? Does it hinder or help the spread of the gospel? Could it actually be easier to convert people to Christianity in a country where it’s harder to be a Christian? Or does suffering due to religious intolerance hinder people from giving their lives to Jesus Christ?

This month, we will be tackling these difficult, but important questions—and we need your help. We’ll be looking at several countries on the World Watch List as case studies, starting with number one on the list: North Korea. Let’s get started…

Week #1: “North Korea is suspected of detaining more political and religious prisoners than any other country in the world. Estimates reveal there are at least 200,000 prisoners, with up to as many as 70,000 being Christians […] Under the leadership of Kim Jong-Il, Christianity is considered to be one of the greatest threats to the regime’s power.”

North Korea is far and away the worst persecutor of Christians today. Its “great leader” Kim Jong Il has even gone so far as to offer rewards for people who turn in information about Christians, which has, in turn, created a national atmosphere of paranoia and distrust. While the majority of the North Korean population suffers on many levels, the worst persecution is reserved for Christians.

Therefore, the North Korean Church has gone underground, which makes an accurate measurement of growth difficult. However, expert estimates of the number of Christians in North Korea range from around 100,000 to nearly 500,000 out of its total population of 22,665,345 (July 2008 estimate). That could be as many as 2 percent of North Koreans!

One writer even notes, “The underground church of North Korea is preparing for growth.” So do you think these facts and figures indicate a rise of Christianity in North Korea? Could such harsh persecution and religious restriction actually be drawing people to Jesus Christ? Or…does Kim Jong Il still have the upper hand?

What does the situation in North Korea mean for world evangelism? Can the gospel really go forth in such a spiritually dark and oppressive country? And do you think North Korea is representative of other countries on the World Watch List? Share your thoughts on this missions mystery by leaving your comments.