Who We Are
SPC builds solidarity between the Christian communities that live in freedom, and those that suffer under religious persecution. It is our belief that increasing the awareness between Christians around the world increases the sense of unity within the one Church of Christ. As Christians we have a responsibility to care for those who are living, and in many cases dying, as second-class and oppressed people in nations around the world.
SPC builds this solidarity, and strengthens the Church by:
Working with local church leaders to promote projects and sustainability
In all cases, Solidarity with the Persecuted Church supports initiatives which are defined by local Christian leaders (Bishops, Pastors, Sisters, Local Evangelizers, etc.). This means SPC has no pre-determined preference for any ‘brand’ of projects. Local communities know what they need to reach sustainability—and SPC listens to them. These projects include the construction or improvement of sacred facilities, such as churches, residences for priests, pastors, or sisters, and schools for religious instruction. Because we see the provision of charitable services by the Church as an important means of defending its presence in hostile areas, eligible projects also include secular facilities, such as hospitals and schools, or the Little Angels Orphanage as well as community development finance programs, such as microfinance loans.
Resisting persecution and maintaining viability in areas of hostility
Recent events in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia have vividly demonstrated that the Christian presence in these and other regions of the world is facing an extremely potent strain of persecution. The very existence of a Christian Church in many countries is uncertain. Under ISIS, if a Christian community is not killed or kidnaped, they are forced to pay a tax, barred from displaying signs of their faith in public, and are forbidden from any form of evangelization. In Pakistan, it is illegal to convert to Christianity or to communicate Christian beliefs to non-Christians.
Encouraging participation in public life
The “Arab Spring” promised greater democracy and personal liberty in the Middle East. This idea has been hijacked by extreme Islamic fundamentalism, resulting in displacement, discrimination and a more intensive persecution for Christians. A profoundly anti-Christian regime now controls large swaths of Syria and Iraq. While Pakistan’s only Christian government minister was assassinated in 2011. Since then, no Christian has held public office. The ability of Christians to practice their faith in peace and freedom is curtailed in these countries and elsewhere; One’s public demonstration of faith is an integral part to creating equality and dignity among all members of a nation. Christians, being barred from worshiping, are force to hide their relationship with God from the public.
Live in peaceful harmony with their neighbors
The call of Christ is clear: We must live in the peace and love of the Holy Spirit. The ultimate goal of SPC is to allow Christians to live out this call with all people of goodwill, and by doing so, promote the goodwill of others. Our programs help the Church better resist persecution and maintain its viability, allowing Christians to fully participate in the public life of the nations of which they are citizens, to worship openly; and to live in harmony with their neighbors.
Take the step to help Christians around the world!
Please consider standing with the Church around the world, and take a step to save Christians living under oppressive regimes by contributing here. All contributions go toward increasing program success and aiding thousands of Christians, with a current focus on the Middle East.
Our current projects can be found here and you can always feel free to send us a message about any thoughts, concerns, questions or ideas.
Fresh Water, Medical Equipment, and Communication Devices for Persecuted Christians in Nigeria
Imagine you are at home, enjoying a quiet evening. It’s dusk, the sun is setting behind the hills. Your family is around, perhaps your children or grandchildren are there with you, playing games on the floor. This is the best part of the day, relaxing after your work is done. Suddenly the calm is broken…
Rebuilding Christian Villages in Iraq
To help SPC rebuild Christian churches and villages in Iraq, You may use this link, or the form below ***April 6 Update: Father Ammar and other Christians on the ground compiled a list of churches, monasteries, cemeteries and other religious buildings that have suffered from the Islamic State. We are sharing that list with you here to show all the various…
The Holy Family Center
**June 4 Update** Thanks to you, our incredibly generous donors, the Holy Family Center is still running and caring for exiled infants and their mothers. While the emergency fund has been raised, the Center is in continual need of support in order to ensure that they never are in danger of running our of supplies…
Parishes in Exile
Since the outbreak of ISIS in Iraq, Hundreds of thousands of Christians have been forced to leave their ancient homeland, the Nineveh Plain. Some of these Christians, in an effort to hold on to the community they worshipped with for generations, sought refuge together as an entire parish. 25 of these parishes are now located…
Rebuild the Nigerian Church
For over six years Nigeria has been fighting a vicious radical Islamic insurgency, Boko Haram. Boko Haram is known for kidnapping women and young girls, forcing their conversion, and forcibly ‘marrying’ them to terrorists. The insurgency group has bombed and burned many churches across the country. Nigerians scatter around the ruins of a church targeted…
The Little Angels Orphanage
Patriarch Aphrem of the Syriac Orthodox Church recently acquired the property featured above from commercial developers who stopped development due to the Syrian civil war. Patriarch Aphrem is now converting the property into the “Little Angels” orphanage to provide for some of the more vulnerable and helpless victims of the on-going conflict. Since the 2011…
Northern Iraq
I want to take this opportunity to tell you how these Christian communities are doing, and to keep you up to date on our on-going efforts to support persecuted Christians. In short, the good news is that the Christian refugees are being cared for. The bad news is that the situation is bleak and not…