Missionary Work In Afghanistan: Counting The Brave Souls

Afghanistan is a predominantly Muslim country, with Christians making up a very small minority. It is impossible to live openly as a Christian in Afghanistan, and those who convert from Islam face dire consequences, including death. As a result, Christians in Afghanistan often practice their faith in secret, in small underground churches. While there are no official figures on the number of missionaries in the country, it is estimated that there are between 500 and 8,000 Christians in Afghanistan, with some sources claiming there could be as many as 15,000 to 20,000.

Christian missionaries in Afghanistan are at risk of persecution and execution

Afghanistan has a population of over 41 million, most of whom are Muslim. It is difficult to estimate the number of Christians in the country, but it is believed to be in the thousands. Almost all Afghan Christians are converts from Islam, and they are forced to keep their faith hidden. Afghan Christians are at risk of persecution and execution, and if their faith is discovered, they may be killed or forced to flee the country.

The Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021 and imposed strict Islamic rules and customs. They have denied the presence of Christians in the country, and those who remain are in hiding. The Taliban controls all aspects of the government, including documentation, which increases the risk of Christians being identified. Converting from Islam is considered shameful, and those who leave the religion face dire consequences. If a Christian is discovered, their family may be honour-bound to disown or kill them. Alternatively, they may be forcibly admitted to a psychiatric hospital, as leaving Islam is seen as a sign of insanity.

Christians in Afghanistan are unable to live or worship openly and must keep their faith a secret. They may be tortured into giving information about fellow believers, and many have chosen to leave the country, often living in poor conditions in refugee camps. Those who remain are at constant risk of exposure and violence from the Taliban and their families.

The situation for Christians in Afghanistan is extremely dangerous, and they face persecution and the threat of execution from both the Taliban and their own families. They must keep their faith hidden and live in constant fear of discovery.

There are around 140 Christian NGOs providing aid in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is one of the most impoverished countries in the world, with its economy, infrastructure, and civil society in ruins. The country has a long history of instability and conflict, and its people are vulnerable to various forms of violence and extremism. The country's Christian population, estimated to be between 15,000 and 20,000, faces extreme persecution and danger. Leaving Islam is considered shameful, and those who convert to Christianity must either flee the country or face death. Despite the risks, there are around 140 Christian NGOs providing aid in Afghanistan, working to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the Afghan people. These organisations provide food, medical care, cash transfers, education, and tools and seeds for farmers. They encourage music, art, literature, and sports, fostering community and civil society.

Christian NGOs in Afghanistan are facing significant challenges. The withdrawal of US troops and the return to power of the Taliban have made it more difficult for these organisations to operate. The Taliban, a radical Muslim terrorist organisation, has a history of persecuting Christians and other religious minorities. In addition, the lack of security and coordination between Afghan national forces and international military forces makes civilians, including aid workers, targets for opportunistic militants. The instability in the region has also led to a decline in foreign aid, making it more difficult for NGOs to secure the funding they need to continue their work.

Despite these challenges, Christian NGOs remain committed to serving the Afghan people. They provide vital support to those affected by violent conflict, natural disasters, and economic collapse. They work to meet both physical and spiritual needs, providing food, shelter, medical care, and education. They also assist Afghan refugees who have fled the country, providing them with housing, employment, health care, and other comprehensive services. The work of these organisations is driven by a simple motive: "We love Jesus and we love the Afghan people."

The future of Christian NGOs in Afghanistan is uncertain. With the country facing a dire humanitarian crisis and the Taliban in control, these organisations may find it increasingly difficult to operate. However, they remain committed to helping those in need and are prepared to face the dangers and challenges that lie ahead.

Christian missionaries have been in Afghanistan since at least the 5th century

Afghanistan is a country with a long history of conflict and instability, but Christian missionaries have persevered in the region for centuries. According to tradition and ancient writings, Christianity was first brought to Afghanistan by the apostle Thomas. By the 5th century, the Church of the East (also known as the Nestorian Church or Assyrian Church of the East) had established itself in parts of modern-day Afghanistan and received state recognition from the Persian Sassanid Empire, which ruled the region until 579.

The presence of Christian missionaries in Afghanistan continued over the following centuries, though often facing significant challenges and persecution. During the rule of the Mongol Empire, some rulers converted to Islam and zealously propagated the new religion, leading to the near eradication of the Church of the East in Afghanistan and Persia during the reign of Timur (1336-1405). Despite this, a small Christian presence remained.

In more recent times, the Taliban's rise to power in the mid-1990s brought further persecution to Christians in Afghanistan. Churches were razed, and Christians were killed or imprisoned. After the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, the Taliban claimed responsibility for killings targeting Christians and missionaries.

Today, there is a small but vibrant community of Afghan Christians who worship in secret due to the threat of persecution. Christian mission organizations report the existence of several hundred small underground house churches throughout Afghanistan. The exact number of Afghan Christians is difficult to determine, but estimates range from 500 to 8,000.

The situation for Christians in Afghanistan remains precarious, and those who are openly Christian or converting from Islam face dire consequences, including the threat of death. With the Taliban's return to power in 2021, Christians in the country are once again facing extreme danger and are forced to practice their faith in hiding.

Despite the challenges and dangers, Christian aid workers and missionaries remain committed to their work in Afghanistan, motivated by their love for Jesus and the Afghan people. They provide essential aid and form deep connections with the local communities, empowering Afghans to bring about positive transformations in their country.

Christian converts in Afghanistan are forced to practise their faith in secret

Afghanistan is a predominantly Muslim country, with Christians comprising a small community. The number of Christians in Afghanistan is estimated to be between 15,000 and 20,000, with almost all Afghan Christians being converts from Islam. Due to the country's hostile legal environment and societal restrictions, Afghan Christians are forced to practise their faith in secret, often meeting in underground churches or private homes. The Taliban, who regained control of the country in 2021, have further endangered the Christian community by cracking down on religious freedoms and persecuting religious minorities.

The situation for Christians in Afghanistan is extremely dangerous, and leaving Islam is considered shameful and punishable by death. Christian converts must either flee the country or risk being killed by their own family or community members. The Taliban's strict interpretation of Sharia law and their efforts to cut off contact between Afghan citizens and Western groups have made it even more difficult for Christians to practise their faith openly. Many Christians have gone underground or fled to neighbouring countries to avoid persecution and kidnapping by the Taliban.

Despite the risks, there are still Afghan Christians who choose to remain in the country and secretly practise their faith. They must keep their religious identity hidden and live, work, and identify as Muslims to avoid detection. The complete Bible is available online in Pashto, allowing Christians some access to religious texts. Additionally, there are underground churches and small congregations meeting in private homes, though the lack of public churches makes it difficult to estimate the number of Christians in the country.

The persecution of Christians in Afghanistan has led to an Afghan Christian diaspora, with Christian communities in India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Austria, Finland, and Germany. These countries have offered asylum to some Afghan Christians facing persecution, but the journey to safety is often perilous, and many refugees live in poor conditions in neighbouring countries.

The situation for Christians in Afghanistan is dire, and those who remain in the country face constant danger and the threat of violence. The secret community of Afghan Christians must continue to practise their faith in secret, hiding their religious identity to avoid severe punishment and discrimination.

Christian missionaries have been killed by the Taliban in the past

In 2007, the Taliban kidnapped 23 South Korean missionaries in Afghanistan. The Taliban killed two of them—Bae Hyeong-gyu, a 42-year-old pastor, and Shim Seong-min, aged 29—and released the rest.

In October 2008, Gayle Williams, a British-South African aid worker, was shot and killed by the Taliban in Kabul. A spokesman for the group claimed responsibility for her death, saying she had been killed for "preaching Christianity".

In June 2010, Noorin TV, an Afghan television station, aired footage of men it claimed were Afghans who had converted to Christianity. The Taliban has been known to demand people's phones and kill them immediately if they find downloaded Bibles on their devices.

The Taliban's return to power in 2021 has put Christians in Afghanistan in "horrific danger". Christians in the country are forced to practice their faith in secret and face death if their faith is discovered.

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