Staff Reports
The world was once again reminded of the brutal reality facing Christians in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) this February, when Islamist militants affiliated with the Islamic State carried out a horrific massacre in the city of Kasenga. Seventy Christians were rounded up, tied, and slaughtered inside a Protestant church—many with machetes and hammers—in one of the deadliest attacks in the region’s recent memory. This atrocity is not an isolated incident; since 2017, more than 6,000 Christians have been murdered in the DRC, a staggering toll that underscores the relentless persecution believers face in Africa’s most dangerous regions.
Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, has been a leading voice calling for international action. He has highlighted the targeted, religiously motivated violence against Christians, warning that Islamist groups like the ADF—an ISIS affiliate—are intent on eradicating Christianity from the region. Despite the grave risks, Samaritan’s Purse continues to provide critical aid and spiritual support to the suffering, embodying the Christian call to serve even in the face of evil. Graham’s message is clear: the world cannot remain silent while innocent lives are lost simply for professing faith in Christ.
The tragedy in the DRC is part of a broader, global pattern of Christian persecution. From North Korea’s labor camps to Eritrea’s state-sanctioned oppression, Christians are targeted, silenced, and even killed for their beliefs. Yet, in the face of such adversity, the faith and resilience of these believers shine as a powerful testimony. Their courage is a sobering reminder of the cost of discipleship and the urgent need to defend religious liberty—not just abroad, but here at home.
In the United States, the battle for religious freedom is far from over. The Trump administration has taken decisive steps to protect Christians, issuing executive orders to combat anti-Christian bias and establishing a federal task force to defend religious liberty in every sector of American life. Franklin Graham and other faith leaders have warned that the erosion of these freedoms—whether through government overreach, legal harassment, or cultural hostility—poses a real threat to the nation’s moral foundation. Conservatives have long argued that defending the rights of Christians is not just a matter of policy, but a fundamental duty rooted in America’s founding principles.
As Easter approaches, Franklin Graham is preparing to deliver a message of hope from the ashes of California’s wildfires, reminding believers that faith can rise even from devastation. This year’s celebration is more than a commemoration; it is a call to stand firm, to pray for the persecuted, and to recommit to the defense of religious liberty at home and abroad. In a world where brutality often seems to triumph, the enduring message of the Gospel—and the unwavering support of organizations like Samaritan’s Purse—offers a beacon of hope that darkness will never have the final word.
