The walls came tumbling down

In November 1989 the world changed. The Berlin Wall, the most visible symbol of the division between East and West, was dismantled as people asserted their longing for freedom. Our special report looks back at this momentous event and highlights the challenges facing the church in the former communist bloc twenty years on.

The Church Under Communism

Christians faced discrimination. Many met to worship in secret. Some were imprisoned. Those who visited, who took the risks of smuggling Bibles, found a church willing to persevere and trust God.

1. The church behind the Wall
   
   
2. Archive newsletter from 20 years ago
   • Open Doors newsletter January 1990 (PDF format approx 16 MB)
   • Open Doors newsletter November 1990 (PDF format approx 9 MB)
     
     
3. Pastors' testimonies
   • Pastor Nicolai Popov
     
   • Pastor Nicolai Shevchenko
     
     
4. Life for Christians in the former Soviet Union
   
   
5. Galina's story

Prayer Changes Things

In 1982 Open Doors launched a seven-year campaign of prayer for the Soviet Union. In East Germany a tiny prayer meeting grew into the focus for protest. And the walls came tumbling down!

1. A revolution of prayer
   
   
2. When the impossible became possible...
   
   
3. The 1989 Revolution
   BBC report on the momentous events of this year
   
   
4. Matthias' story

Twenty Years On

In parts of the former communist bloc new freedoms meant new challenges for the church. In other parts new repression replaced the old; but it has been no more successful at confining the gospel.

1. The challenge of freedom
   
   
2. Mapping the changes
   
   
3. Interviews with Brother Andrew and Johan Companjen
   
   
4. The growth of the church
   
   
5. Focus on Uzbekistan
   • Pastor Dmitry's Family