AP

A recently released video appearing to show the murder of around 20 Nigerian Christians by Islamic State West Africa Province is designed to strike terror into the hearts of believers around the world. The Islamic State (IS – also known as ISIS, ISIL, Daesh) remains a threat to Christians in many parts of Africa, as well as in the Middle East where the Islamist group originated.

The destabilising of Afghanistan since the withdrawal of Western forces and the Taliban takeover has also aided the growth of IS groups in Afghanistan and the northern regions of Pakistan.    

As well as the violence of committed terrorist groups, Christians in many lands face violence perpetrated by the followers of other religions within their own communities – often, in the case of converts, their own family and friends – or carried out by governments who wish to eradicate the faith.

Barnabas Fund