Conversion from Islam is strictly forbidden in Yemen, and even comes with the death penalty – so when Saleh* chose to follow Jesus, you might have thought he’d keep his new faith secret. Instead, he decided to evangelise outside his local mosque. “If we sit at home and do nothing, we would be safe,” he says. “But what kind of a Christians would we be if weren’t risking our life for others to know Life?”   

During his ministry, he has been arrested and harassed by the authorities. Close friends have been locked in prison. He has received death threats, and had his name and contact information shared with those who wish him harm. But he continues to follow Jesus despite the enormous cost. 

“In those tough moments, I would receive a call from someone and they would pray for me, or I would receive text messages from brothers and sisters from the global church, encouraging me that they were praying with us and for us. The church in Yemen is living in very harsh conditions but is growing nonetheless!”  

Saleh lives outside Yemen but still travels back to meet and disciple believers – currently serving 70 Christian families in Yemen. Open Doors local partners are enabling Saleh to give food packages and medical aid, train leaders and provide trauma care and discipleship. 

“We are grateful for your support,” he says to Open Doors supporters. “Without these resources we won’t be able to grow and to serve the church in Yemen. Your prayers are important and uplifting to us, giving us strength and encouragement to keep going.” 

• In the south, fractured governance and Islamist extremist groups pose continuous threats to Christians. In the Houthi-controlled north western regions, pressures are particularly severe – these areas are heavily policed, dissent is brutally repressed, and Christian converts who are discovered could face arrest and torture. 
• Christian women experience increased harsh treatment if their faith is exposed, including abuse, forced marriage and even so-called ‘honour’ killings, as Yemen’s laws favour persecutors over Christians. Many feel spiritually isolated because of the repression they endure and their frequent inability to enjoy fellowship with others. 

• In the war-torn environment of Yemen, Christian men could be forcibly recruited into militias, some even as young as 13. If discovered, converts from Islam could lose their job, be imprisoned or even killed. Once taken from their families, their homes are especially vulnerable financially. Many Christian men choose to flee the country. 

• The experience of believers in Yemen remains much the same and 2025 has seen several harsh attacks against believers – as one Christian leader explains, “Not a single year has passed without a major incident – each time the church is left shaken and gripped by fear.” 

• An extremist-backed media campaign targeted Christian leaders, inducing increased hostility towards Christians and risks to their lives. It has also meant that many believers have ceased meeting together because of the pressures, and some have fled the country. Zahra* says, “The fact that we still meet is a miracle. I do not deny that I am sometimes afraid. I still say, I might leave the house one day and not come back – not only me, but also my brothers and sisters.” 

• Nevertheless, God continues to build His church in Yemen – there are signs of steady growth in numbers of believers and faith, largely because of the witness of other Christians.

Open Doors supports the body of Christ in Yemen by raising prayer, distributing aid, training pastors and believers, giving livelihood support and offering shelter and protection to persecuted believers.