Pakistan: Sardar Mushtaq Gill, founder of LEAD Ministries, has called for an international day of repentance for Christians, urging believers worldwide to unite in prayer, advocacy, and action. Drawing on 2 Chronicles 7:13-14, Gill emphasized the urgent need for spiritual humility and moral reflection to confront the growing threats faced by Christians around the world. “Christians in many nations live under constant fear, facing violence, legal discrimination, and attacks on their communities,” Gill said. “Our prayers, advocacy, and solidarity can make a tangible difference for these persecuted communities.” 

Faith matters profoundly, as life’s activities often revolve around it, shaping decisions, relationships, and the values by which Christians live. For those facing persecution, faith is not just a personal belief—it is a source of courage, resilience, and hope amid threats and violence. It informs how they care for their families, engage in society, and maintain moral integrity even in the most dangerous circumstances. Sardar Mushtaq Gill emphasizes that protecting religious freedom is crucial, because it allows Christians to live fully according to their faith, worship openly, and uphold the values that define their communities. 

This day of repentance is not only spiritual—it is a call for practical action. Christians in countries such as Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia, Libya, Sudan, Egypt, and Nigeria face severe persecution. In Pakistan, believers are particularly vulnerable to systemic oppression, misuse of blasphemy laws, forced conversions, and attacks on churches and Christian neighborhoods. In Nigeria, over 3,100 Christians were killed in the past year alone, with thousands displaced due to attacks on churches, schools, and communities. Across these nations, Christians experience harassment, imprisonment, threats, and violence simply for practicing their faith. 

Globally, over 380 million Christians live under high levels of persecution. Thousands have been detained or imprisoned, over 7,600 churches and Christian properties were attacked or destroyed, more than 3,700 believers were abducted, and nearly 3,950 faced sexual violence. This persecution threatens not only individual believers but the very fabric of Christian communities, challenging their ability to worship freely, educate their children in faith, and live according to Christian values. 

The international community must take urgent action to enact policies and laws that ensure the protection of persecuted Christians worldwide. This includes providing refuge in accordance with existing humanitarian and legal frameworks, ensuring safety and access to support systems. Refugee resettlement processes can consider the positive role of shared faith in supporting integration and community cohesion, while fully respecting international laws and protections for all vulnerable groups. By implementing such measures, governments and international organizations can uphold religious freedom, preserve Christian communities, and provide a tangible response to one of the most pressing humanitarian crises of our time. 

At present, immigration and refugee crises are major global issues, and practical solutions are urgently needed for persecuted Christians. Providing safe refuge in countries with support systems that respect their faith can enhance integration and stability. Such measures, implemented within international humanitarian frameworks, allow refugees to maintain their religious practices, contribute positively to host communities, and help address challenges related to migration on a global scale. 

Sardar Mushtaq Gill called on the global Christian community to respond with prayer, advocacy, and practical support. Advocating for the protection of Christians, providing humanitarian aid, legal assistance, and safe spaces for worship are critical steps. By uniting in faith and action, Christians worldwide can stand as a force for protection, justice, and the preservation of their religious freedom. 

Christian persecution in Islamic-majority countries, Pakistan, and Nigeria represents one of the most urgent human rights crises for Christians today. Families live in constant fear, communities are under threat, and believers face imprisonment or death simply for practicing their faith. The international day of repentance proposed by Sardar Mushtaq Gill offers a platform for Christians worldwide to unite, strengthen their faith, uphold their values, and advocate for the protection and freedom of all believers.