Open Doors Canada invites Canadians to take the One With Them Challenge this June
WATERLOO, ON, June 3, 2025 – The recent release of Iranian Christian Mehdi Akbari after enduring years of imprisonment for “acting against national security by forming a house church” serves as both a powerful answer to prayer and a stark reminder of the profound costs of religious persecution. Akbari, arrested in 2020 and originally sentenced to ten years, now grapples with the devastating loss of his 18-year-old son and ongoing health issues. His story is both a celebration and underscores the urgent need for prayer support for other believers imprisoned for their faith. Open Doors Canada is calling on Canadians to join them in prayer on June 22, 2025, for One With Them: A Day for Christian Captives and to take the One With Them Challenge.
Last year alone, over 4,700 Christians were detained without trial, sentenced, and imprisoned because of their faith, and over 3,700 were abducted.
“We know that the global church is facing rising persecution, which means prayer is more important than ever before,” said Gary Stagg, Executive Director of Open Doors Canada. “I hope hearing stories like Mehdi Akbari’s shows Canadians that prayer truly does make a difference in the lives of our brothers and sisters who share our faith but not our freedom.”
The situation remains dire for many. Maehran, Abbas, and Narges were arrested in Iran this year. Marhran is a 37-year-old musician who was a member of a house church until he was imprisoned in March. His instruments were confiscated, and he was sentenced to ten years in prison. Abbas was also arrested for being a member of a house church; he was sentenced to fifteen years in prison. Narges was sentenced to sixteen years for the “crime” of her religious belief. However, her stakes are higher as she is currently pregnant with her first child. These Iranian believers are being held in the notorious Evin prison for the “crime” of their faith.
The 2025 World Watch List, an annual ranking of the 50 most dangerous countries to live as a Christian, reveals that the arrests and harsh prison sentences faced by Christian converts in Iran are not isolated events but part of a wider pattern of government-led persecution in Iran. Iran is ranked number nine on the World Watch List due to a sharp increase in violence, constant pressure from authorities, discrimination, and targeted government raids.
Throughout June, Open Doors Canada will share stories and prayer requests and host a special One with Them online event focused on educating our family of faith about the plight of Christian captives.
New this year, Open Doors Canada is hosting a five-day One With Them challenge beginning on June 23, 2025.
This challenge will take participants through daily spiritual disciplines to remember and pray for their persecuted brothers and sisters and their families. Every day, participants will hear a story of a persecuted brother or sister of Christ, and will do an act of solidarity with them.
Go to www.onewiththem.ca for more information about One With Them: A Day for Christian Captives, available resources, event information, and One With Them Challenge details.
About Open Doors Canada
Open Doors Canada is affiliated with Open Doors International, a global ministry that has supported and strengthened persecuted Christians in over 70 countries for 70 years. Open Doors provides practical support to persecuted Christians, such as food, medicines, trauma care, legal assistance, safe houses, and schools, as well as spiritual support through Christian literature, training, and resources. For more information, visit www.opendoorscanada.org
About Rev. Gary Stagg
For more than thirty years, Pastor Gary has been involved in full-time ministry with an emphasis on revitalizing Christian communities and establishing systems for assimilation and discipleship. Gary studied education and theology and has used that training to structure his passion for helping people stand firm in their faith and embrace a missional lifestyle.
