Allen Jackson NOW

Allen Jackson: Ignored Persecution | Allen Jackson Now

December 4, 2025 | 22:29

Ryan Brown joins Allen Jackson to discuss current events.

#News #Media #Persecution #Church #Christianity #Hope #Government #Politics #Catholic #AllenJackson

Closed captions

Show Timecode

Allen Jackson NOW | Allen Jackson: Ignored Persecution | Allen Jackson Now | December 4, 2025

Good evening and welcome to nashville.
00:00:17.509 --> 00:00:19.678
I'm alan jackson.
00:00:19.678 --> 00:00:21.146
The global persecution
00:00:21.146 --> 00:00:22.347
Of christians has been happening for a long time,
00:00:22.347 --> 00:00:25.317
But the violence is spreading and very little of
00:00:25.317 --> 00:00:27.719
It is reported in the american media.
00:00:27.719 --> 00:00:30.021
The few headlines that have been published
00:00:30.021 --> 00:00:32.090
Describe horrifying attacks in nigeria.
00:00:32.090 --> 00:00:34.993
They're aimed at children,
00:00:34.993 --> 00:00:36.761
But nigeria is just one of many places
00:00:36.761 --> 00:00:38.730
Where christians live in constant danger.
00:00:38.730 --> 00:00:40.932
Somalia, yemen, libya, sudan, syria, north korea and china
00:00:40.932 --> 00:00:45.937
Are just a few of the places where christians are targeted.
00:00:45.937 --> 00:00:49.040
On his first foreign trip since taking office.
00:00:50.008 --> 00:00:52.511
Pope leo traveled to the middle east
00:00:52.511 --> 00:00:54.613
And he stopped at a catholic church in beirut,
00:00:54.613 --> 00:00:57.449
Where parishioners had seen photographs of the new pope.
00:00:57.449 --> 00:01:00.719
But they were next to pictures of the ayatollah khomeini.
00:01:00.719 --> 00:01:04.122
The ayatollah is the founder of the islamic republic of iran
00:01:04.122 --> 00:01:07.559
And primary sponsor of hezbollah.
00:01:07.559 --> 00:01:09.928
The reason christians have been fleeing lebanon for years.
00:01:09.928 --> 00:01:13.398
The pope told them the darker the hour, the more faith shines.
00:01:13.398 --> 00:01:16.935
Like the sun.
00:01:16.935 --> 00:01:18.703
Well, throughout the world, an organization called open
00:01:18.703 --> 00:01:20.772
Doors has been doing everything possible to support
00:01:20.772 --> 00:01:23.742
Targeted christians.
00:01:23.742 --> 00:01:25.177
They began 70 years ago smuggling
00:01:25.177 --> 00:01:27.112
Bibles into eastern europe.
00:01:27.112 --> 00:01:28.914
Well, tonight, the president
00:01:28.914 --> 00:01:30.115
And ceo of open doors is joining us.
00:01:30.115 --> 00:01:33.285
Ryan brown, welcome to our show.
00:01:33.285 --> 00:01:36.087
Oh, thank you so much.
00:01:36.087 --> 00:01:37.088
It's an honor to be with you. this evening.
00:01:37.088 --> 00:01:39.257
Well, let's start with nigeria, where
00:01:39.257 --> 00:01:40.926
President trump has warned the government
00:01:40.926 --> 00:01:42.994
That unless something is done to protect christians, u.s.
00:01:42.994 --> 00:01:45.997
Forces will be sent in.
00:01:45.997 --> 00:01:47.699
Listen to his warning.
00:01:47.699 --> 00:01:49.234
If the nigerian government continues to allow the killing
00:01:49.234 --> 00:01:52.437
Of christians, the usa will immediately stop
00:01:52.437 --> 00:01:55.640
All aid and assistance to nigeria.
00:01:55.640 --> 00:01:58.643
We're going to do things to nigeria
00:01:58.643 --> 00:02:00.412
That nigeria is not going to be happy about,
00:02:00.412 --> 00:02:02.881
And may very well go into that.
00:02:02.881 --> 00:02:04.649
Now disgraced country guns are blazing
00:02:04.649 --> 00:02:07.452
To completely wipe out the islamic terrorists who are
00:02:07.452 --> 00:02:10.789
Committing these horrible, horrible atrocities.
00:02:10.789 --> 00:02:14.526
The nigerian president has declared a state of emergency
00:02:14.526 --> 00:02:17.395
And says he's going to recruit another 20,000 police officers.
00:02:17.395 --> 00:02:21.166
Do you have any sense of whether he can stop the attacks?
00:02:21.166 --> 00:02:25.370
That's a
00:02:25.637 --> 00:02:26.805
Beautiful question, and there's no question that i think
00:02:26.805 --> 00:02:29.007
That our brothers and sisters on the ground are asking as well.
00:02:29.007 --> 00:02:32.110
There this is a complicated situation in nigeria.
00:02:33.144 --> 00:02:36.348
It's nuanced.
00:02:36.348 --> 00:02:37.249
It's, there are many factors at play.
00:02:37.249 --> 00:02:40.919
We see different drivers in different parts of the country.
00:02:40.919 --> 00:02:45.090
In northern nigeria, we do have some of the names
00:02:45.090 --> 00:02:48.026
That we might be more familiar with boko haram,
00:02:48.026 --> 00:02:51.062
The islamic state west africa province group
00:02:51.062 --> 00:02:54.432
That are driving this brand of islamic militarism,
00:02:54.432 --> 00:02:58.737
And creating havoc throughout the region.
00:02:58.737 --> 00:03:01.006
However, you know, what has been very underreported
00:03:01.006 --> 00:03:04.042
Is what's going on in a region
00:03:04.042 --> 00:03:06.344
That they call them the middle belt.
00:03:06.344 --> 00:03:08.413
And this is largely where,
00:03:08.413 --> 00:03:11.249
You know, much of the confusion and honestly,
00:03:11.249 --> 00:03:13.184
Much of the misinformation is getting circulated
00:03:13.184 --> 00:03:15.954
About what is happening on the ground there.
00:03:15.954 --> 00:03:19.090
However, this is a place where over 55% of the deaths
00:03:19.090 --> 00:03:23.995
Of christians,
00:03:23.995 --> 00:03:24.829
The christians that have been targeted
00:03:24.829 --> 00:03:26.164
Specifically for their faith,
00:03:26.164 --> 00:03:28.199
That's where the majority of these killings are taking place.
00:03:28.199 --> 00:03:31.569
And so it's a complicated situation.
00:03:31.569 --> 00:03:34.639
And, you know, there are,
00:03:34.639 --> 00:03:37.242
You know, the
00:03:37.609 --> 00:03:38.710
Police forces are basically nationalized in nigeria.
00:03:38.710 --> 00:03:43.148
And so what you made reference to the nigerian president
00:03:43.148 --> 00:03:46.518
Looking to to provide more state, supported,
00:03:46.518 --> 00:03:50.755
Direction for the police in some areas
00:03:50.755 --> 00:03:53.158
Is could be very, very positive in some areas.
00:03:53.158 --> 00:03:56.328
It could give you more traction for those
00:03:56.328 --> 00:03:59.998
That would look to instill sharia law.
00:03:59.998 --> 00:04:03.468
It's a difficult place.
00:04:03.968 --> 00:04:05.303
Boko haram and al-shabab in somalia.
00:04:05.303 --> 00:04:08.239
They're also going after children
00:04:08.239 --> 00:04:09.641
As a way to create even more fear with their parents.
00:04:09.641 --> 00:04:12.577
Those attacks also destabilize an entire community,
00:04:12.577 --> 00:04:15.947
And the terrorists use them to recruit more young men.
00:04:15.947 --> 00:04:18.950
What are your people seeing on the ground there?
00:04:18.950 --> 00:04:21.786
Yeah, it's this becomes generational
00:04:21.786 --> 00:04:25.256
That the type of terror that occurs.
00:04:25.256 --> 00:04:27.992
They, you know, unfortunately, there are,
00:04:27.992 --> 00:04:31.563
You know, women that that have then been assaulted
00:04:31.563 --> 00:04:34.432
And, you know, children that have been birthed
00:04:34.432 --> 00:04:36.868
From those assaults where, you know, women are
00:04:36.868 --> 00:04:40.672
Are discarded from the community, seen as,
00:04:40.672 --> 00:04:44.442
You know, aligned with, with,
00:04:45.076 --> 00:04:46.411
With the terrorist and the children.
00:04:46.411 --> 00:04:48.413
The offspring are being seen as terrorist babies, if you will.
00:04:48.413 --> 00:04:52.517
And so their entire, you know, the future generation
00:04:52.517 --> 00:04:56.554
Of christian families that are being targeted,
00:04:56.554 --> 00:04:59.724
That are being assaulted and being torn apart, through
00:04:59.724 --> 00:05:03.395
These actions.
00:05:03.395 --> 00:05:05.296
You have a global map posted
00:05:05.897 --> 00:05:07.599
On your website that shows all the countries
00:05:07.599 --> 00:05:09.734
Where christians are being persecuted.
00:05:09.734 --> 00:05:12.036
The darker the color of the country,
00:05:12.036 --> 00:05:13.605
The more extreme the persecution.
00:05:13.605 --> 00:05:15.907
There are 50 countries on your list,
00:05:15.907 --> 00:05:18.209
But the breadth of this problem
00:05:18.209 --> 00:05:19.677
Is something rarely mentioned in our media.
00:05:19.677 --> 00:05:22.680
Do you have any idea why that's the case, especially
00:05:22.680 --> 00:05:25.316
Given the scale of this global nightmare?
00:05:25.316 --> 00:05:28.686
That is the question.
00:05:28.686 --> 00:05:29.788
That, again, is so,
00:05:29.788 --> 00:05:32.157
Being vocalized and echoed
00:05:32.157 --> 00:05:33.391
By our brothers and sisters on the ground.
00:05:33.391 --> 00:05:35.894
The scale of this atrocity is mind boggling.
00:05:35.894 --> 00:05:40.298
There are over 16.2 million christians
00:05:40.298 --> 00:05:44.335
In the sahel region of africa, sub-saharan africa
00:05:44.335 --> 00:05:47.439
That have been displaced because of from their homes
00:05:47.439 --> 00:05:49.874
Because of violence, 16.2 million.
00:05:49.874 --> 00:05:51.876
That's,
00:05:51.876 --> 00:05:52.977
You know, if you took that, the four largest cities
00:05:52.977 --> 00:05:54.446
In the united states and combine them together,
00:05:54.446 --> 00:05:56.848
That that would start to equate to that population.
00:05:56.848 --> 00:05:59.617
This is a displacement, crisis
00:05:59.617 --> 00:06:02.720
At a level that our planet very rarely sees.
00:06:02.720 --> 00:06:06.958
And yet it has not been covered broadly by the media.
00:06:06.958 --> 00:06:10.695
Why that is.
00:06:11.029 --> 00:06:12.197
You know, i think it's a matter of speculation.
00:06:12.197 --> 00:06:14.666
I think that,
00:06:14.666 --> 00:06:16.334
As mentioned earlier, there are many factors at play.
00:06:16.334 --> 00:06:20.371
There are many different contributing factors.
00:06:20.371 --> 00:06:23.174
And because there's there's not necessarily a singular,
00:06:23.174 --> 00:06:27.445
Aspect to, to this situation.
00:06:27.445 --> 00:06:29.914
Not a singular story to be told.
00:06:29.914 --> 00:06:32.517
I think that that many people shy away
00:06:32.517 --> 00:06:34.752
From discussing or diving into the story altogether.
00:06:34.752 --> 00:06:38.456
Yeah, i agree with you.
00:06:38.957 --> 00:06:40.458
You know, i think americans imagine what happened to us,
00:06:40.458 --> 00:06:43.361
Even in the face of some pretty overwhelming evidence,
00:06:43.361 --> 00:06:45.630
Like the assassination of charlie kirk.
00:06:45.630 --> 00:06:47.665
But i wrote a book for a major christian
00:06:47.665 --> 00:06:49.734
Publishing house,
00:06:49.734 --> 00:06:50.802
And i put a line in the book that said christians
00:06:50.802 --> 00:06:52.504
Were the most persecuted religion in the world.
00:06:52.504 --> 00:06:55.006
And the editor came back to me
00:06:55.006 --> 00:06:56.207
From a christian publishing house,
00:06:56.207 --> 00:06:58.142
Wanted to strike that sentence, and said it was only true
00:06:58.142 --> 00:07:00.678
Because christianity was the largest religion in the world.
00:07:00.678 --> 00:07:04.082
Do you think the american christian community
00:07:04.082 --> 00:07:06.217
Will ever wake up to the reality of persecution?
00:07:06.217 --> 00:07:09.554
You know, it's i become convinced that the
00:07:10.421 --> 00:07:12.991
The enemy has primarily two tactics
00:07:12.991 --> 00:07:15.527
This tool box by which he's trying to to attack the church.
00:07:15.527 --> 00:07:18.897
One of those is true persecution is,
00:07:18.897 --> 00:07:21.266
As you and i talk about it, that this idea that,
00:07:21.266 --> 00:07:24.502
Through fear and intimidation and,
00:07:24.502 --> 00:07:27.171
You know, looking to break the back of the church.
00:07:27.171 --> 00:07:28.840
But i think the other tactic is one of comfort.
00:07:28.840 --> 00:07:31.242
It's one in which complacency, can breed.
00:07:31.242 --> 00:07:34.913
And i think that that is a tactic
00:07:34.913 --> 00:07:37.849
That the enemy is utilizing for the church here in america.
00:07:37.849 --> 00:07:41.286
We do have comfort.
00:07:41.286 --> 00:07:42.587
We do have religious freedoms that we are able to enjoy.
00:07:42.587 --> 00:07:45.857
But yet,
00:07:45.857 --> 00:07:46.558
You know that scripture tells us
00:07:46.558 --> 00:07:47.825
That when one part of the body suffers,
00:07:47.825 --> 00:07:49.827
We all suffer. when one part of the body
00:07:49.827 --> 00:07:51.829
Rejoices, we all rejoice with it.
00:07:51.829 --> 00:07:54.098
But yet we don't see we.
00:07:54.098 --> 00:07:56.434
Unfortunately,
00:07:56.434 --> 00:07:57.635
We often have a disjointed existence of the body of christ
00:07:57.635 --> 00:08:01.139
Here in the united states, where we've allowed ourselves
00:08:01.139 --> 00:08:03.942
To be isolated
00:08:03.942 --> 00:08:05.176
From the greater realities
00:08:05.176 --> 00:08:06.344
Of our brothers and sisters around the globe.
00:08:06.344 --> 00:08:08.746
That is true. and it's unfortunate.
00:08:08.746 --> 00:08:10.782
You know,
00:08:10.782 --> 00:08:11.983
The cameras did follow the pope on his first foreign trip
00:08:11.983 --> 00:08:13.985
Where he addressed this crisis in nigeria.
00:08:13.985 --> 00:08:16.888
Listen to his comments.
00:08:16.888 --> 00:08:18.222
In nigeria, in certain areas, there is certainly danger
00:08:18.222 --> 00:08:22.093
For christians, but for all people,
00:08:22.093 --> 00:08:24.228
Christians and muslims have been slaughtered.
00:08:24.228 --> 00:08:26.064
There's a question of terrorism.
00:08:26.064 --> 00:08:27.398
There's a question of
00:08:27.398 --> 00:08:29.000
That has to do a lot
00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:29.901
With economics, if you will, and control
00:08:29.901 --> 00:08:31.769
Of the lands that they have.
00:08:31.769 --> 00:08:33.504
Unfortunately, many christians have died.
00:08:33.504 --> 00:08:36.274
And, i think it's very important to to seek way
00:08:36.274 --> 00:08:40.278
The government with all peoples
00:08:40.278 --> 00:08:41.879
To promote authentic religious freedom, respect for all people.
00:08:41.879 --> 00:08:46.351
At least it's a beginning of a commentary on the topic.
00:08:47.485 --> 00:08:50.421
20% of the world's catholics live in africa.
00:08:50.421 --> 00:08:53.291
Do you think the pope's plea
00:08:53.291 --> 00:08:54.292
Might actually be of some help to them?
00:08:54.292 --> 00:08:57.328
I would certainly believe it would be an encouragement for
00:08:57.328 --> 00:09:00.498
For those on the ground.
00:09:00.498 --> 00:09:01.799
One of the things that,
00:09:01.799 --> 00:09:03.167
You know,
00:09:03.167 --> 00:09:03.968
We hear over and over in our work
00:09:03.968 --> 00:09:05.670
From our brothers and sisters on the ground, is how often
00:09:05.670 --> 00:09:08.773
They feel overlooked, forgotten or neglected.
00:09:08.773 --> 00:09:12.043
And so any time that there is awareness,
00:09:12.043 --> 00:09:15.747
Being raised, when there's discussion,
00:09:15.747 --> 00:09:17.682
When there's acknowledgment of what is going on,
00:09:17.682 --> 00:09:21.085
Brothers and sisters take are incredibly encouraged by that.
00:09:21.085 --> 00:09:26.090
I was with a pastor from nigeria, a couple of weeks ago.
00:09:26.090 --> 00:09:30.762
And, you know, for the better part of the last 15 years, he's
00:09:30.762 --> 00:09:34.565
Been trying to tell this story of what is going on in nigeria.
00:09:34.565 --> 00:09:40.138
And he says that, you know, routinely
00:09:40.138 --> 00:09:41.939
That the broader world
00:09:41.939 --> 00:09:43.708
And unfortunately, even parts of the church
00:09:43.708 --> 00:09:45.877
Have just not been willing to listen to the story.
00:09:45.877 --> 00:09:48.546
And so the the attention that's now being raised,
00:09:48.546 --> 00:09:53.017
From men and women on the ground in nigeria,
00:09:53.017 --> 00:09:54.752
Our brothers and sisters are thankful for it.
00:09:54.752 --> 00:09:56.487
They're thankful that the world
00:09:56.487 --> 00:09:57.655
Is finally starting to pay attention.
00:09:57.655 --> 00:10:00.358
They are fearful in this, though.
00:10:00.358 --> 00:10:02.493
They are fearful that if this doesn't,
00:10:02.493 --> 00:10:04.529
Result in action, if this doesn't result in
00:10:04.529 --> 00:10:07.899
Something being done,
00:10:07.899 --> 00:10:09.600
That things could get worse for them, that,
00:10:10.501 --> 00:10:13.838
That, you know, even since the president,
00:10:13.838 --> 00:10:16.708
You know, made this declaration of the country
00:10:16.708 --> 00:10:19.377
Of particular concern which the men and women
00:10:19.377 --> 00:10:21.879
On the ground are thankful for, they are thankful for that,
00:10:21.879 --> 00:10:25.183
That designation.
00:10:25.183 --> 00:10:26.217
But there has been an uptick in violence.
00:10:26.217 --> 00:10:27.919
There's been an uptick in abductions.
00:10:27.919 --> 00:10:30.788
You know, many,
00:10:30.788 --> 00:10:32.757
Like we heard about the school kidnapings here, very recently,
00:10:32.757 --> 00:10:36.894
With the number of, people
00:10:37.462 --> 00:10:40.231
Taken and, still unaccounted for.
00:10:40.231 --> 00:10:43.201
And so, you know, the men and women on the ground, fearful
00:10:43.201 --> 00:10:46.904
The uptick in violence,
00:10:46.904 --> 00:10:48.106
But i think more so, even fearful that this will just pass
00:10:48.106 --> 00:10:51.776
Out of the collective attention of the world
00:10:51.776 --> 00:10:53.478
And that this will go the way the news cycle and soon
00:10:53.478 --> 00:10:57.248
Be forgotten and replaced with another story of the day.
00:10:57.248 --> 00:10:59.751
Well, ryan, we need to take a short break if you can.
00:11:00.752 --> 00:11:03.287
Please stand by for just a moment.
00:11:03.287 --> 00:11:06.057
During the break, you can check out their website
00:11:06.057 --> 00:11:08.459
At open doors u.s. dot org.
00:11:08.459 --> 00:11:11.262
I'll be right back.
00:11:11.262 --> 00:11:19.002
I'll be right back.
00:11:19.002 --> 00:11:23.638
We're back now with the ceo
00:11:24.239 --> 00:11:26.007
And president of open doors us, ryan brown.
00:11:26.007 --> 00:11:29.677
You know, ryan, many years, i guess it's been 50 years ago.
00:11:29.677 --> 00:11:32.714
I read a book by your founder brother andrew.
00:11:32.714 --> 00:11:35.416
I was just a kid. it was called god smuggler.
00:11:35.416 --> 00:11:37.752
He was smuggling bibles into the soviet union.
00:11:37.752 --> 00:11:40.855
I remember a tagline on the back of the book.
00:11:40.855 --> 00:11:43.224
He said a prayer. god, you. you.
00:11:43.224 --> 00:11:44.692
You've made blind eyes. see?
00:11:44.692 --> 00:11:46.694
Now make seeing eyes blind.
00:11:46.694 --> 00:11:49.097
So open doors has been serving persecuted christians
00:11:49.097 --> 00:11:52.534
For decades.
00:11:52.534 --> 00:11:54.302
Thank you for your faithfulness in caring for a group of people
00:11:54.302 --> 00:11:57.172
That the world seems to not want to pay attention to.
00:11:57.172 --> 00:11:59.808
Oh thank you.
00:12:00.175 --> 00:12:01.543
There is
00:12:01.543 --> 00:12:02.744
Such a rich legacy of men and women, brothers and sisters
00:12:02.744 --> 00:12:06.247
That have been involved in this ministry in the work
00:12:06.247 --> 00:12:08.983
Around the globe for years,
00:12:08.983 --> 00:12:10.285
And it's really an honor and a privilege
00:12:10.285 --> 00:12:12.587
To to be playing a part
00:12:12.587 --> 00:12:14.389
In helping to steward that, that vision going forward.
00:12:14.389 --> 00:12:17.525
Well, i'm sure that i know brother andrew's written book
00:12:17.525 --> 00:12:19.594
Since then, but is god smuggler still in print?
00:12:19.594 --> 00:12:22.764
It is still in print.
00:12:22.764 --> 00:12:24.499
It is, it is out there. there.
00:12:24.499 --> 00:12:26.668
I think at last count, probably over
00:12:26.668 --> 00:12:28.136
12 million copies in circulation.
00:12:28.136 --> 00:12:31.239
I continues to, touch
00:12:31.239 --> 00:12:33.741
Hearts and minds and,
00:12:33.741 --> 00:12:37.312
You know, we continue to be thankful
00:12:37.312 --> 00:12:39.314
For that, the lasting legacy of that book.
00:12:39.314 --> 00:12:41.816
Well, it's a powerful story about how god transforms, lives.
00:12:41.816 --> 00:12:45.486
North korea is number one on your list these days.
00:12:45.486 --> 00:12:48.523
Can you tell us what it's like for christians? there?
00:12:48.523 --> 00:12:51.359
Yeah.
00:12:51.593 --> 00:12:52.393
This is it's an oppressive regime.
00:12:52.393 --> 00:12:54.495
It is a, regime where
00:12:54.495 --> 00:12:57.632
The observance of christianity is seen as a threat to
00:12:57.632 --> 00:13:01.169
The state.
00:13:01.169 --> 00:13:02.503
And so the way that that christians experience that is
00:13:02.503 --> 00:13:06.975
That if you were even found to be in possession of a bible,
00:13:06.975 --> 00:13:11.145
You and your entire family can be imprisoned for life.
00:13:11.145 --> 00:13:14.549
And this is not, you know, comfortable
00:13:14.549 --> 00:13:16.484
Prison cells or things like that.
00:13:16.484 --> 00:13:18.453
There's no cable tv.
00:13:18.453 --> 00:13:19.587
These these are are typically
00:13:19.587 --> 00:13:21.256
Concentration camps, where there is oppressive work.
00:13:21.256 --> 00:13:25.426
And so it is
00:13:25.426 --> 00:13:26.294
The equivalent of a death sentence
00:13:26.294 --> 00:13:27.795
Just for having a copy of the word of god in your possession.
00:13:27.795 --> 00:13:31.633
Well, in our hemisphere, cuba,
00:13:32.233 --> 00:13:34.369
Colombia and mexico are also high up on that list.
00:13:34.369 --> 00:13:37.739
What are christians experiencing there?
00:13:37.739 --> 00:13:39.407
And what is open door? is able to provide?
00:13:39.407 --> 00:13:42.410
Yeah.
00:13:42.644 --> 00:13:43.044
You know it.
00:13:43.044 --> 00:13:43.878
It's interesting.
00:13:43.878 --> 00:13:45.113
Obviously i think you feel us are more familiar with with,
00:13:45.113 --> 00:13:48.182
You know, what's going on in cuba and,
00:13:48.182 --> 00:13:49.884
You know, the communist, government there.
00:13:49.884 --> 00:13:52.754
But i think there are places
00:13:52.754 --> 00:13:54.289
Like mexico that probably come as a surprise
00:13:54.289 --> 00:13:56.557
To a number of folks that that persecution is a reality there.
00:13:56.557 --> 00:14:00.461
I was just, down in southern parts of mexico
00:14:00.461 --> 00:14:04.299
A few months ago meeting with, with some pastors.
00:14:04.299 --> 00:14:07.335
And it was honestly even shocking to me.
00:14:07.335 --> 00:14:10.505
What what we see going on there.
00:14:10.505 --> 00:14:13.374
There are multiple different factors that are driving it.
00:14:13.374 --> 00:14:15.977
One are the crime and the drug cartels.
00:14:15.977 --> 00:14:20.114
Quite frankly, the church is bad to their business.
00:14:20.114 --> 00:14:22.650
You know, it's drawing customers away.
00:14:22.650 --> 00:14:24.719
It is drawing,
00:14:24.719 --> 00:14:26.354
Some of their workforce away, specifically with the young men
00:14:26.354 --> 00:14:29.023
As the churches are making inroads into communities.
00:14:29.023 --> 00:14:32.327
And so, the church is seen as being bad for business.
00:14:32.327 --> 00:14:36.531
But then there are also these these,
00:14:36.531 --> 00:14:39.567
While it's
00:14:39.867 --> 00:14:41.803
Labeled as catholic, it's not catholicism
00:14:41.803 --> 00:14:44.572
As we know it is more,
00:14:44.572 --> 00:14:47.375
Mayan traditional beliefs sprinkled with a little bit
00:14:47.375 --> 00:14:50.845
Of catholicism on it.
00:14:50.845 --> 00:14:52.013
It's really there's this syncretism,
00:14:52.013 --> 00:14:54.682
Type of expression of, of faith,
00:14:54.682 --> 00:14:56.584
But there is a, a retaliation for those that would seek to,
00:14:56.584 --> 00:15:02.423
To leave some of those ancestral beliefs
00:15:02.423 --> 00:15:04.926
And would come to christ.
00:15:04.926 --> 00:15:06.394
And, you know, men and women are, routinely,
00:15:06.394 --> 00:15:11.199
Arrested, in these situations, they face physical violence.
00:15:11.199 --> 00:15:16.971
They will see, you know, electricity in their homes
00:15:16.971 --> 00:15:20.475
Being shut off.
00:15:20.475 --> 00:15:21.442
They will see, you know, being denied access.
00:15:21.442 --> 00:15:24.045
You know, nobody will do business with them.
00:15:24.045 --> 00:15:26.314
But in the midst of that, you know, it's
00:15:26.314 --> 00:15:28.850
The church is advancing.
00:15:28.850 --> 00:15:30.218
The church is growing.
00:15:30.218 --> 00:15:32.186
This pastor that i met with, he had had come to to face,
00:15:32.186 --> 00:15:37.125
You know, as a, as an older adult and, there was, you know,
00:15:37.125 --> 00:15:40.995
Just a handful of families
00:15:40.995 --> 00:15:42.330
In this community, and you know, he was imprisoned
00:15:42.330 --> 00:15:44.332
And experienced all these things,
00:15:44.332 --> 00:15:46.334
That, that others in mexico were experiencing.
00:15:46.334 --> 00:15:49.337
But as he began to lean into some of the training
00:15:49.337 --> 00:15:51.672
As as we were walking with him and this, this idea to
00:15:51.672 --> 00:15:54.675
To love your enemies and to pray for those who persecuted
00:15:54.675 --> 00:15:58.212
Persecute you, the those that were persecuted
00:15:58.212 --> 00:16:01.649
And began to to to to notice his posture and, you know,
00:16:01.649 --> 00:16:05.119
Men and women soon said, okay, we're just going to let
00:16:05.119 --> 00:16:07.121
Leave them alone. we're going to let them be.
00:16:07.121 --> 00:16:09.123
But as they continued to watch,
00:16:09.123 --> 00:16:10.925
They began to see something in the lives of these families
00:16:10.925 --> 00:16:13.361
That they wanted for their families.
00:16:13.361 --> 00:16:14.862
And so they started to come to christ.
00:16:14.862 --> 00:16:16.998
And before long,
00:16:16.998 --> 00:16:18.599
You know, the majority of the families
00:16:18.599 --> 00:16:20.001
In this community had actually come to christ.
00:16:20.001 --> 00:16:22.236
These had been persecutors,
00:16:22.236 --> 00:16:23.805
And now they're coming in professing faith in christ.
00:16:23.805 --> 00:16:27.141
This this small community now sending missionaries
00:16:27.141 --> 00:16:30.545
To eight surrounding communities that are experiencing
00:16:30.545 --> 00:16:33.548
Persecution and helping
00:16:33.548 --> 00:16:34.782
Provide them, training, helping
00:16:34.782 --> 00:16:35.950
Provide support, helping to establish churches
00:16:35.950 --> 00:16:38.352
In there to help grow the church.
00:16:38.352 --> 00:16:40.388
The church is coming under persecution,
00:16:40.388 --> 00:16:43.491
Because it's advancing.
00:16:43.991 --> 00:16:45.093
You know, the enemy doesn't seek to oppose
00:16:45.093 --> 00:16:47.528
That which is going to lie down and die.
00:16:47.528 --> 00:16:49.297
It's because the church is growing this
00:16:49.297 --> 00:16:50.865
Because the church is reaching out.
00:16:50.865 --> 00:16:52.433
It's because the church isn't
00:16:52.433 --> 00:16:53.634
Selling the great commission that is coming under fire.
00:16:53.634 --> 00:16:56.904
Well, i really like your phrase that the church is bad
00:16:56.904 --> 00:16:59.774
For the business of evil.
00:16:59.774 --> 00:17:01.676
Every church should hold that as an objective.
00:17:01.676 --> 00:17:04.212
Ryan, thank you for joining us tonight.
00:17:04.212 --> 00:17:06.514
And please
00:17:06.514 --> 00:17:07.148
Come back in the new year
00:17:07.148 --> 00:17:08.216
So we can hear if anything has changed in nigeria.
00:17:08.216 --> 00:17:11.085
Thank you.
00:17:11.085 --> 00:17:11.752
A privilege to join you again.
00:17:11.752 --> 00:17:13.754
Well, i'll be back in a moment.
00:17:13.754 --> 00:17:14.956
With a path for hope in our lives.
00:17:14.956 --> 00:17:23.997
With a path for hope in our lives.
00:17:23.997 --> 00:17:27.566
Christianity is the most persecuted religion
00:17:28.467 --> 00:17:30.903
Across the globe,
00:17:30.903 --> 00:17:32.371
With hundreds of millions of christians
00:17:32.371 --> 00:17:34.039
Suffering high levels of persecution
00:17:34.039 --> 00:17:36.408
And discrimination just for their faith.
00:17:36.408 --> 00:17:39.211
That's 1 in 7 believers worldwide.
00:17:39.211 --> 00:17:42.481
You know, persecution can take many different forms,
00:17:42.481 --> 00:17:44.750
Ranging from intimidation, censorship, surveillance
00:17:44.750 --> 00:17:47.553
And detention to kidnaping, forced labor and rape.
00:17:47.553 --> 00:17:52.258
Their homes and possessions are confiscated,
00:17:52.258 --> 00:17:54.126
Their church buildings are boarded up or burned.
00:17:54.126 --> 00:17:56.662
They're abducted and sent to prison camps.
00:17:56.662 --> 00:17:58.731
They are tortured and even killed.
00:17:58.731 --> 00:18:01.167
There is more persecution of christians today
00:18:01.167 --> 00:18:03.936
Than at any time in the history of the church.
00:18:03.936 --> 00:18:06.839
Major news outlets have little interest in reporting on it.
00:18:06.839 --> 00:18:09.942
Nevertheless, it is happening far more often than we assume.
00:18:09.942 --> 00:18:13.145
And in countries
00:18:13.145 --> 00:18:14.180
Where our nation is actively engaged in business,
00:18:14.180 --> 00:18:18.117
In many of these places, the underground
00:18:18.117 --> 00:18:19.552
Church is growing despite great oppression, and many
00:18:19.552 --> 00:18:22.555
Are being sent to prison for their faith.
00:18:22.555 --> 00:18:25.558
Look, i know it's not fashionable to talk about it
00:18:25.558 --> 00:18:27.726
Because it makes people uncomfortable.
00:18:27.726 --> 00:18:30.129
Most of us
00:18:30.129 --> 00:18:31.297
Don't know what it really means to suffer for our faith.
00:18:31.297 --> 00:18:33.899
We grumble if there aren't parking spots
00:18:33.899 --> 00:18:35.868
Near the door,
00:18:35.868 --> 00:18:36.802
Or our favorite seat at church is taken, or
00:18:36.802 --> 00:18:39.505
The line for coffee is too long.
00:18:39.505 --> 00:18:41.840
But there are millions of believers around the world
00:18:41.840 --> 00:18:44.210
Who know what it means to suffer
00:18:44.210 --> 00:18:45.945
For publicly proclaiming their faith in jesus.
00:18:45.945 --> 00:18:49.248
You know, people say, well, what can i do?
00:18:49.248 --> 00:18:51.150
Well, i urge you that while we have the freedom
00:18:51.150 --> 00:18:53.285
In this nation to proclaim jesus as lord,
00:18:53.285 --> 00:18:55.754
Let's do that with all the enthusiasm we can.
00:18:55.754 --> 00:18:59.191
That's the best way i know that we can honor
00:18:59.191 --> 00:19:01.327
Those who are suffering for their faith.
00:19:01.327 --> 00:19:03.829
I'll be right back
00:19:04.263 --> 00:19:05.397
With your emails.
00:19:05.397 --> 00:19:12.998
With your emails.
00:19:12.998 --> 00:19:17.207
Thank you for taking the time to send us your emails.
00:19:18.275 --> 00:19:20.577
They are always a highlight of our program.
00:19:20.577 --> 00:19:23.146
Nancy in glasgow, kentucky ask
00:19:23.146 --> 00:19:25.315
Is anybody
00:19:25.315 --> 00:19:26.583
Instructing the incoming muslims to obey the laws of this land
00:19:26.583 --> 00:19:29.086
That they have chosen to live in,
00:19:29.086 --> 00:19:31.154
As those who love our country do?
00:19:31.154 --> 00:19:33.056
If they don't, they need to go
00:19:33.056 --> 00:19:34.224
Back to the place they came from.
00:19:34.224 --> 00:19:36.293
Those at the bible speak to the issue of foreign sojourners.
00:19:36.293 --> 00:19:39.796
Several questions there.
00:19:40.330 --> 00:19:41.531
Nancy, i think they're relevant and important.
00:19:41.531 --> 00:19:44.434
The majority of the muslims that come to our country
00:19:44.434 --> 00:19:46.837
Are many of them live under sharia law,
00:19:46.837 --> 00:19:48.805
Which they imagine to supersede the us constitution.
00:19:48.805 --> 00:19:52.376
So they really don't imagine themselves
00:19:52.376 --> 00:19:53.944
Bound to the law of this land.
00:19:53.944 --> 00:19:55.812
It makes assimilation difficult.
00:19:55.812 --> 00:19:57.981
That's not true of every one who comes from a muslim country,
00:19:57.981 --> 00:20:00.984
But it is true of many in the muslim community.
00:20:00.984 --> 00:20:04.087
The bible, our bible does talk about how we treat foreigners,
00:20:04.087 --> 00:20:07.324
But it does it in multiple ways.
00:20:07.324 --> 00:20:08.892
It talks about the alien who lives amongst us,
00:20:08.892 --> 00:20:11.928
And it's really referencing
00:20:11.928 --> 00:20:13.096
The idea of an individual amongst us that is different
00:20:13.096 --> 00:20:16.366
For any number of reasons.
00:20:16.366 --> 00:20:17.968
It talks about invasions of people
00:20:17.968 --> 00:20:20.003
Coming to us, and we're not told to welcome the invaders.
00:20:20.003 --> 00:20:23.507
We're told that we can repel them.
00:20:23.507 --> 00:20:25.409
So i think the church has been confused
00:20:25.409 --> 00:20:27.344
In our messaging around compassion.
00:20:27.344 --> 00:20:30.447
We exist with a judeo-christian worldview
00:20:30.447 --> 00:20:33.050
That we extend to the world and that's for everybody.
00:20:33.050 --> 00:20:35.752
The rejection of that comes with consequences.
00:20:35.752 --> 00:20:39.056
We can't afford to abandon that.
00:20:39.056 --> 00:20:41.391
Our laws make a difference, and they have to be obeyed.
00:20:41.391 --> 00:20:44.695
Thank you for spending a few minutes of your day with us.
00:20:44.695 --> 00:20:46.997
It's always a delight for us.
00:20:46.997 --> 00:20:49.166
Let's keep trusting in the lord.
00:20:49.166 --> 00:20:50.834
That's reason for hope, no matter the circumstances.
00:20:50.834 --> 00:20:54.137
I'm alan jackson, and you have a wonderful evening.
00:20:54.137 --> 00:20:54.137

Allen Jackson: Ignored Persecution | Allen Jackson Now

December 4, 2025 | 22:29

Closed captions

Share