Tim Peters, a spokesman of Helping Hands of Korea which supports refugees escaping from North Korea, said imprisonment, torture and execution continue to be a fact of life for Christians living in the impoverished country.
"Imprisonment, torture and even summary execution continue to be a fact of life for secret Christians in North Korea," said Mr. Peters.
Saudi Arabia punishes anyone involved in evangelism or who converts a Muslim with jail or expulsion. Christian leaders have also been threatened with execution.
Even though persecution is part of the normal Christian life, Mr. Dipper said, but Jesus Christ told the believers to love one another sacrificially. Furthermore, the Bible also encourages us to bear one another's burdens.
"Persecution is part of the normal Christian life – just as Jesus warned. But Jesus also told us to love one another, sacrificially. And the Bible encourages us to bear one another's burdens. At Release we've found it an immense privilege to stand with these faithful, overcoming Christians in prayer and in providing practical support. And we have so much to learn from them."
"Help us to stand with our persecuted brothers and sisters in 2008 – we have much to give them, and they have much to teach us," says Andy Dipper, the CEO of Release International, which serves the persecuted church in 30 nations.
Most persecution of Christians in 2008 is set to take place in the four 'zones' of Islam, communism, Hinduism and Buddhism, says Release. Persecution may stem from the government or its agents, such as the secret police, military or judiciary, or from non-governmental movements, such as militant Islamic groups.