A woman empowered. A community changed.

Shompa Roy has been persecuted relentlessly in Bangladesh. But because of your gifts and prayers, she keeps sharing the Gospel – and her church is growing.

Women who dare to shine the light of Jesus in persecuted nations often face discrimination on two fronts – one for their gender and one for their faith.

This is Shompa’s reality. In a culture where it’s dangerous and difficult to be a woman and where professing your faith comes at a high cost, Shompa will not be silenced.

This remarkable woman has been persecuted ever since she heard a travelling evangelist share the gospel and gave her life to Christ. It started in small ways, with villagers blocking the only path to the home that she shares with her husband, who is also a believer.

But it quickly escalated…

A group of women tied her up and tried to shame Shompa and forced her to renounce her faith. On another occasion, a Muslim man violently beat her up and attacked her 11-year-old daughter. One day, her cow and goats were poisoned. Then, the family’s only toilet (which they share with the church) was smashed.

Some people’s faith might be shaken amid such relentless attacks. But through your ongoing support of Open Doors, persecuted women like Shompa are given the strength to keep following and sharing Jesus, empowered by His truth about their identity.

Training, prayer and practical help

Your gifts and prayers brought much-needed help and hope when Shompa needed it most. She received a bicycle to safely travel from one village to another to share the Good News, and her church’s facilities were immediately fixed after they were vandalised.

You helped the family financially when persecution prevented Shompa’s husband from finding work. And Shompa could attend in-depth Open Doors training to strengthen her faith and identity as a daughter of God.

Now, this bold evangelist lives as a powerful witness for Christ, taking an unwavering stand against faith and gender discrimination.

“We Christians do not discriminate based on gender. We are equally respected in the eyes of the Lord, so I challenge Hindu men who are derogatory towards women,”  said Shompa, who has brought more than 140 people to the Lord.

“In my church, women are growing spiritually. They are getting more active in the church. I want the women to be effective.”

Because of you, Shompa Roy has been empowered to reach her God-given potential. She’s restored and clothed with dignity and strength – and now she’s transforming the lives of other women, too.

“We are very thankful for your support,” added Shompa. “You have prayed and supported my family and church.”

• Pray for persecuted women like Shompa for the freedom to worship and practice their faith openly. When a woman is the only believer in her household, being part of a local church becomes difficult and often requires secrecy, putting her at great risk.
• Pray for women who convert to Christianity after marriage. The fear of being divorced and losing custody of their children forces them to hide their faith. Pray for their protection and courage, and for God to work in their families.
• Pray for emotional and spiritual healing for women and girls who have experienced trauma and the strength to forgive those who have hurt them. Ask for God’s peace to fill their hearts and calm their fears. 

Let’s stand with and celebrate the brave women in the persecuted world who are sharing the love of Jesus with others.

According to Open Doors Gender Report 2024, the top 5 Gender Specific Religious Persecution (GSRP) pressure points for women are forced marriage, sexual violence, physical violence, psychological violence and abduction. It is in these painful and vulnerable spaces that we are able to help bring healing and restoration to women on the frontlines of religious persecution with your help.

Your gift today can help sustain women who face such pressure by providing discipleship training and workshops, practical aid and much more.

*Any excess funds will be used to strengthen persecuted Christians where urgent help is needed.