Somalia may be a nation small in size, perched on the east coast of Africa, but the persecution of Christians there is big and burdensome.

Somalia ranks No. 2 on Open Doors’ World Watch List.

International Christian Concern tells the story of Abdul, a recent convert from Islam:

“As Mohammad Abdul led a Christian worship gathering ... in his home in Somalia’s Lower Juba Region, four Muslim relatives waited outside for the event to end. As the worship ended, his relatives confronted Abdul, asking him why he was worshiping God differently.

‘My prayer is a secret between me and my Lord Isa [Jesus],’ Abdul told his relatives. ‘Why should I pray in public? That’s just a way to please men. In my time of worship, I should please only God, who is in the heavenly places. Isa, who saved me, knows my heart, and I am happy in my heart, so leave me alone.’

His relatives then assaulted Abdul, hitting him with a blunt object and slapping him in the face. He suffered a fracture in his left hand, injuries to the fingers of his right hand, and cuts to his face.”

Sadly, this is not the first time Abdul has been beaten. It happened twice earlier this year, yet he perseveres in practicing his faith.

It’s heartbreaking to think that in many communities around the world, following Jesus warrants hatred and violence from your own Islamic family members, but this is exactly what many Christians face.

And yet this is why LRI is committed to being a conduit of Christ’s compassion and your generosity to the hurting.

When you partner with us, your giving helps Christian men, women, and children who have been threatened, attacked, forced out of their homes or communities, imprisoned, or worse for their faith.

1. You minister to their physical needs — feeding them, clothing them, giving them water and shelter and safety.

2. You intervene — through loving, Christ-centered partners on the ground — offering spiritual and emotional encouragement in the name of the One who heals the broken.

3. You send Bibles and Gospel-driven discipleship materials to strengthen believers in their faith and root God’s Word deep in their hearts.

I am grateful for your heart for the persecuted church.

Thank you for standing with our brothers and sisters through Liberty Relief International.

In His service,

Mat Staver

*Representative names and photos used for security reasons.