Yemen: #3 Most Dangerous Nation for Christians

As we prepare for Sunday’s International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, let’s lift up our brothers and sisters facing extreme violence, persecution and hunger in Yemen, ranked #3 on Open Doors’ World Watchlist of most dangerous countries in the world for Christians to live.

Open Doors writes, “The country is now divided into territory ruled by three different powers, as well as some areas held by al-Qaeda and the so-called Islamic State. None of the powers involved are sympathetic to Christians, and the official constitution upholds Sharia (Islamic law) and no freedom of religion. The 1% of Yemenis from minority religions are severely marginalized. Relief aid is mostly distributed through local Muslim groups and mosques, which are alleged to be discriminating against anyone not considered a devout Muslim.

“If someone is reported to be a Christian and or involved in Christian activities, they could face severe monitoring, arbitrary detention, torture, ill-treatment and even murder. In Houthi-controlled areas it’s dangerous to possess a Bible or other Christian books. Leaving Islam to follow Christ is seen as a huge betrayal of the native tribe—punishment by the community can include being disowned, disinherited, divorced and losing custody of their children, being banished or even murdered. 

“Persecution has increased recently as the Houthis have gained more power. At least one Christian Yemenite has been killed for his faith and dozens of house churches can no longer meet. It’s especially dangerous in areas controlled by Islamic extremist groups. Many have fled the country. But Yemenis disillusioned with Islam are searching for truth and finding out about Christ through online chats with secret Christians.”

We are afraid of the extremists, spies and the government itself, as at this point, they all work together against Christians. This reality discourages us a lot of times, especially that we can’t go out with boldness to tell others about Jesus. We are very careful in all our meetings and conversations.

I know that sometimes when I enter a house, I might not come back out… They could take you to the extremists, or the police station, and that is where the interrogation starts. They could even issue my death sentence… I cannot carry the Bible with me. They can search me at any checkpoint on the way, so I try to memorize as much as I can before my visits.”

“Zahra,” whose Christian friend was shot in the street (Open Doors)

These days, Yemen’s Houthis have been in the news for their attacks against international ships and also against Israel. But for the past decade, up until 2022’s truce, a brutal civil war between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels caused over 150,000 deaths. A further 227,000 died as a result of famine and lack of healthcare facilities due to that war. In addition, more than 4.5 million people are now displaced, and 21.6 million acutely need humanitarian assistance and protection.

But even before Muslims fought against Muslims in that terrible war, Yemen already suffered as the poorest nation in its region.

As great as the Yemenis’ earthly need is for food and safety, they face a far greater eternal need. With 20 unreached people groups and about 99.7 percent of the population adhering to Islam, few have ever heard the good news about Christ. Those who convert to Christianity face torture, imprisonment and death, and women also face rape and forced marriage to Muslim men.

And yet, in the midst of hatred, death, war and hopelessness, many Yemenis are seeking Christ precisely because of the horrific evils perpetrated by Muslims.

“That deep-seated hopelessness results in your heart being more open, and that openness [it] is creating is allowing them to be able to see the light of Jesus,” said Mike Ansari of Heart4Iran told Mission Network News (Katie O’Malley, April 7, 2025)

“Within the Middle East, people are having dreams and visions, or somebody is telling them, ‘Look, I had this experience. I had an encounter with Jesus. My life is richer. Would you like to try it?’ That’s how we’re seeing people of Yemen, within certain communities, gravitate more towards Christianity.”

MNN said, “Ansari calls Yemen’s growing underground church ‘a promising beacon within the Arab world.’ They are no strangers to persecution — believers there have reached out to ministries like Heart4Iran; they say they look up to Iran’s underground church.”

O Father God, please have mercy. Be a Shield around every believer and seeker in Yemen. Protect them from persecution and harm. Hide them from those bent on evil. When their persecutors come after them, open their eyes to see the angels guarding Your beloved children. Grip them with fear of the Lord so they will drop their weapons, fall to their knees before You in repentance and choose You as Savior. Give Christians courage to stand in the midst of so much fear, to love so fiercely throngs of Yemenis will hunger for Your love, peace and joy and seek You until they find You. Anoint every believer with Your words to draw the lost into Your arms. Rescue those in danger, comfort those who grieve, and connect Christians together safely so they will encourage one another in You. Please, O God, bring an end to the violence. So many Yemenis have done unspeakable acts just to survive. Forgive them, Lord. They don’t know of Your love; they know only violence and death. Please get up in the face of every person and show them who You are. Give them a hunger for Jesus more desperate than all other needs. Then make the way for them to hear Your good news. Bring Christians into their path. Invade their dreams. Place Your name upon their lips. When they cry out to You, answer them. Perform signs and miracles and wonders to show them Your great love. Strengthen Christians’ faith and use them to shine so brightly in the midst of such terrible darkness all will see their peace and be drawn to You. Point out to them those who are in need, and empower them to rescue, heal, shelter, feed, encourage and counsel. Give them boldness to share Your Word, even in the face of death, and bless them abundantly. Multiply their food and other supplies so miraculously, the needy will know to come to them for help. O Father, Yemeni children have known only violence, fear and hunger. Have mercy, please. Intervene on their behalf. Heal their minds from so much trauma. Meet them in real and personal ways such that they know it is You. So many have been raped, maimed or forced to kill by those who care nothing for their lives. Rise up and be their Shield, O God. Block every evil aimed at them. Make the way for truth seeds to be planted in their hearts, grow roots, and sprout unto salvation. For You created them for special purposes — to know You, to enjoy Your great love, to love You back, and to draw others into Your arms through the power of Your love in them. Matthew 22:37-40. Raise up a new generation of Yemenis who will love You with all their hearts and lead their nation to salvation. Get Your Word translated into the language of every unreached people group, and make a way for every person to hear Your good news and respond. Awaken every heart in Yemen to You. Lift the veil from Yemeni eyes so they will see You are the One they’ve been waiting for.

Mikaela Vincent and her husband are missionaries who live by faith, trusting in God to provide for their needs as they pray for and share Christ with the nations. If you would like to help their ministry through giving a donation, shopping at Mikaela’s online bookstore, praying for them or inviting them to speak at your church, retreat or other event, click the buttons below:

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