In Yemen, death threats don’t deter Saleh from sharing the gospel

Yemen is one of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a Christian – but bold believers like Saleh are sharing the gospel and helping to strengthen the church there. How can you be part of Saleh’s story? 

No matter how the death threat was conveyed, the message was always the same:  

They are searching for you and will find you soon.

You are dead. 

Your days are numbered. 

We know what you are doing; stop it now before it is too late. 

Saleh* is used to the risk of death for his faith. Because of his Christian ministry, Saleh’s name is on the ‘wanted’ list of extremists in Yemen. The authorities would actually grant a reward to anyone who is able to hand him in. Being hunted is nothing new. 

“The authorities have my photo and my name,” he explains. “I usually do not move around much and I do not roam the streets freely at night. I try to be as wise as possible when travelling for ministry.” 

Saleh’s dangerous ministry 

Of course, Saleh has not always been on Yemen’s most-wanted list. He didn’t even follow Jesus until he left home to study and heard the gospel for the first time.  

Once Saleh decided to be a Christian, there was no holding him back. Even though evangelising is very dangerous in Yemen, Saleh and his ministry partner Fawzi* would stand in front of their local mosque and tell people about Jesus. As time went on, they expanded their outreach and ventured outside of their hometown, visiting various places around the country to spread the message of Jesus and salvation. 

Following Jesus in Yemen continues to be extremely dangerous. It’s number five on the World Watch List – Open Doors’ ranking of the countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution. As conversion from Islam is forbidden by Islamic and state law, Christians must keep their faith secret, or risk severe repercussions from their families, the authorities or radical Islamic groups. This can include forced divorce, loss of custody of children, arrest, interrogation and even so-called ‘honour’ killings. Pastors and church leaders are in particular danger of imprisonment and torture. 

Starting a house church network 

Eventually, because of the ongoing war and humanitarian crisis in Yemen, Saleh made his way to a neighbouring country. Once he arrived, Saleh stayed in a camp with numerous other Yemeni refugees. There, he spoke openly about Jesus and many people came to Christ. 

“I became known as the person ‘who knows Jesus’,” he says.  

Yemen was always in Saleh’s heart and on his mind. He loved his native land, and began to ask God how he could continue to reach Yemen for Jesus.  

“We started a church in a ‘safer’ area in Yemen where leaders could come together, study the Bible, pray, get encouraged, get trained and be launched into ministry,” Saleh says. As Saleh knew, any kind of work for Jesus in Yemen carries a risk, but Saleh still says it’s worth it. “If we sit at home and do nothing, we would be safe. But what kind of Christians would we be if we weren’t risking our lives for others to know Life?” 

To this day, Saleh continues to travel into Yemen and other countries where the Yemeni diaspora reside. He travels to disciple, to teach, to encourage, to listen, to help and to pastor. “The church in Yemen is living in very harsh conditions but is growing nonetheless!” he says. “I hope that soon there will be Christians in every corner of the country, that Christians in every village and city will go out to share the gospel in word and deed. My dream goes further than the borders of Yemen; I pray to see the church spreading from Yemen to the outside.” 

How you can stand with Saleh 

Saleh currently serves about 70 families in Yemen. With the help of Open Doors partners, he is able to provide meeting spaces for Christians, provide medical help and transportation, give out food packages, conduct baptisms, train leaders and help set up essential trainings, including trauma counselling, persecution survival training and discipleship. 

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

*Name changed for security reasons