Crisis & Disaster Response
Save Afghanistan Christians
- Location Afghanistan , Turkey , Iran , Tajikistan
- Timeframe August 2021 - Ongoing
- People Afghanistan Christians
- Project Goal $500,000
Crisis & Disaster Response
Since the Taliban's takeover in August 2021, Christians in Afghanistan, especially converts from Islam, have faced extreme persecution. The underground church network has been targeted, with Christians living in constant fear of exposure, violence, and death. Women who convert face severe risks, including house arrest, sexual abuse, and even honor killings. Men face ostracization, harassment, kidnapping, and death if discovered. In this hostile environment, the Afghan underground church is at great risk, requiring urgent support and strategic leadership training to survive and grow.
This project focuses on equipping the underground church in Afghanistan through a 12-week Christian Leadership Training Program. The program aims to build a strong foundation for house church leaders, ensuring they are well-equipped to lead their congregations effectively. The sessions will be recorded to create a lasting resource for future leaders. Additionally, the project provides spiritual and practical protection for Christian families, offering aid and assistance during persecution.
In 2021 we assisted in evacuating over 9,000 at-risk Afghans including lawyers and judges who had adjudicated Taliban human rights cases, ethnic and religious minorities, Afghans who worked for the US and Western organizations, and many more being hunted down by the Taliban.
Since 2022, we have evacuated over 500 and resettled over 100 Christians and others at high-risk. With your help we can save more.
Shai Fund is equipping the Afghan Christian community, through a 12-week Leadership Development Program that will train 40-50 Afghan Christian leaders, including those in the diaspora, via weekly video sessions on ministry and church planting. These sessions, recorded and supported by additional resources, aim to build a sustainable foundation for future leaders.
Additionally, the project includes a weekly podcast in Dari to introduce Biblical stories and address questions from Muslims, along with translation efforts to provide spiritual growth materials in local languages.
Support also extends to housing, legal assistance, and essential aid for Christians still in Afghanistan.
Key features of the program:
Future plans involve expanding the program, producing culturally relevant media, and developing leadership within the Afghan church network.
Your investment will help sustain and expand the Afghan underground church by funding leadership training, media production, and direct aid to those facing persecution.
This support is vital for the growth and resilience of the Afghan Christian community under Taliban rule.