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Staggering Increase of Violence Against Christians: World Watch List

North Korea retains its hold as the most brutal and dangerous country for Christians, but 14 Sub-Saharan African countries (ranked in order: #2–Somalia, #4–Sudan, #5–Eritrea, #7–Nigeria, #15–Mali, #16–Burkina Faso, #21–Mauritania, #22–Central African Republic, #26–Niger, #29–Congo DR (DRC), #37–Cameroon, #39–Mozambique, #43–Comoros, and #48–Chad) comprise the global epicenter of violence against followers of Jesus, according to this year’s World Watch List, Open Doors’ annual compilation of the 50 most perilous countries for believers in Christ.

[ Read SemperVerus articles on the topic of PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS ]

The 14 countries constitute more than 721 million people, nearly half of whom identify as Christian; one of every 8 Christians in the world lives in those countries. Only three countries out of the 50 on the List have the maximum score for violence. All three of them are sub-Saharan: Sudan, Nigeria, and Mali.

Interview With Jason Russell, Founder & President of SEC

SemperVerus interviewed Jason Russell, former US Secret Service agent and founder and president of Secure Environment Consultants (SEC). Jason earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Western Michigan University and a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Security Management from Michigan State University. He started his career at the Lansing Police Department.

[ Bookmark the SemperVerus CHURCH SECURITY INTELLIGENCE CLIPBOARD ]

Please describe Secure Environment Consultants (SEC) and its mission.
Secure Environment Consultants (SEC) is a national security consulting and training firm dedicated to helping organizations protect people, mission, and continuity of operations. Our mission is rooted in prevention, preparedness, and people-first security strategies. We partner with organizations to assess risk, develop clear plans, and train teams to respond effectively to real-world threats. At our core, SEC exists to help leaders make informed decisions that reduce risk, strengthen resilience, and safeguard the communities they serve.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Interview With Christian Clark: Creator of Secure The Church App ]

Among the organizations SEC serves are houses of worship. What top security risks has SEC identified for faith-based organizations?
Faith-based organizations face a unique combination of risks due to their open and welcoming nature. Common concerns include:

Nigeria, Rwanda, China, Mozambique, and Mexico Are the Top Persecutors of Christians: GCR Red List

The organization Global Christian Relief (GCR) has published its annual report for 2026, titled Red List, revealing the top 5 worst countries for Christian persecution across five categories of concern: most arrests & sentences, assaults & abductions, killings, displacements, and destruction of buildings.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Nigeria Is Deadliest Country for Christians: GCR Red List 2025 ]

New this year is the accompanying prayer guide, which shows exactly how you can pray for the concerns and believers in each country.

[ Read SemperVerus articles on the topic of PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS ]

Nigeria leads in the category of killings, with 590 documented and verified killings (as recorded in the Violent Incidents Database) November 2023 to October 2025, according to GCR, out of the total number of 1,972 killings in the top five countries in the category. Following Nigeria are the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with 447 killings, Ethiopia with 177 killings, Russia with 167 killings, and Mozambique with 94.

[ Bookmark the SemperVerus CHURCH SECURITY INTELLIGENCE CLIPBOARD ]

US President Donald Trump added Nigeria to the US State Department’s list of Countries of Particular Concern in 2025, guilty of egregious and unchecked religious persecution, based on the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act.

The Parking Lot: The First Part of a Security Incident

The International Protective Security Board (IPSB) is an independent, nonprofit entity devoted to promoting the protection industry’s interests by focusing on protective security trends, best practices, and professional development.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Protection Book Review: Just 2 Seconds ]

With its Latin motto of “Vigilate” (keep watch or stay alert), “Semper Discentes” (always learning), and “Et Honorem” (and honor), it encompasses all public-facing sectors requiring security attention, including faith-based organizations.

[ Bookmark the SemperVerus CHURCH SECURITY INTELLIGENCE CLIPBOARD ]

Its semiannual publication is The Close Protection & Security Journal. Volume 2, Issue 1 includes the article, “The Parking Lot: The First Part of a Security Incident” (PDF) by Greg Williams and Brian Marren of Arcadia Cognerati, the principles of which can be applicable for church security teams.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, The 5 Lines of Defense in Church Security, Beginning Outside ]

It begins, “Before a school shooter can start killing, before a bank robber can pass a note to a teller, and before someone can rob a gas station, they have to pass through a parking lot. In the parking lot, the element of time and distance between the perpetrator and their victim already exists. You need to learn to exploit it to yield opportunity.”

Bible Use Is on the Rise Again in America, According to State of the Bible 2025

Research published by American Bible Society in its 15th annual State of the Bible report for 2025 shows a renewed interest in Scripture in today’s culture, marked by a notable uptick in Scripture engagement and Bible use—driven especially by men and young adults.

[ Read SemperVerus articles on the topic of the BIBLE ]

What You’ll Find in the Report:

⇨ The Bible in America Today
After a decline, Bible use is on the rise again in America. Unexpected groups are leading this resurgence, engaging with Scripture in new ways.