How do you reach Christians in North Korea?
How do you learn about the Bible? Perhaps you listen to preaching and teaching in church and at other events, study with other Christians, read books, listen to podcasts – and of course, read the Bible itself.
Now imagine that none of these things are available. Meeting as a church is illegal. Christian books are illegal. The Bible itself is illegal. Even talking about the Bible is illegal. How can you learn about your faith now?
This is exactly the situation facing Christians in North Korea. Every Christian here is a secret believer. North Koreans are expected to believe in the absolute authority of the ruling Kim family, and anyone who believes in a higher power than them is seen as a security threat. Those suspected of such ‘deviant’ beliefs will be arrested, imprisoned, and probably killed.
It’s easy to see how a Christian living in a place like this could become confused about their faith. Brother John*, an Open Doors worker who works with North Koreans, explains, “Some end up with some strange perspectives of the Bible, and some believe in God in a superstitious way, as they lack any additional education on the Bible, or any resources, such as sermons or follow-up Christian teachings.”
Thanks to your prayers and support, Open Doors workers like Brother John are able to provide North Korean believers with biblical training, giving them a strong understanding of what the Bible says and how they can apply its teachings in their lives. But in a place where Christians face such extreme persecution, how can this be possible?
A chance to learn
The in-person training that Open Doors provides for North Korean believers actually happens outside of North Korea, in our safe houses in China. Leaving North Korea without official permission is illegal and can be dangerous, but by the grace of God some believers do make it across the border, where they are able to come to our safehouses.
Brother Simon*, the coordinator for our ministry among North Korean believers, says, “The biblical training at the safe houses depends on the level of knowledge of our North Korean visitors. Generally, we focus on basic knowledge of the Bible. If they have been trained before, we train them in leadership so that they may be able to lead the secret North Korean churches when they go back to North Korea.
“The daily schedule starts with morning prayer and closes with evening prayer. The North Korean believers study the Bible in the day time and read various Christian books on their own. The local workers regularly visit the safehouses for prayer meetings, Bible studies and biblical mentoring.”
Brother John says, “The most important thing for them is to have the opportunity to learn and hear about the Bible as much as possible. They really need those materials that will help them have the right perspective of faith and a theological basis of Christianity.”
Hearing the gospel for the first time
While some North Korean believers come to the safe houses in China specifically to receive biblical training, as well as practical help such as food and medicines, some North Koreans learn about Jesus and the gospel for the first time in these safe houses.
At first workers like Brother John are careful about how much they share with the North Koreans they meet – they have to watch out for North Korean spies. Brother John says, “After several steps of checking, if we conclude that they are really North Koreans traveling in China, not undercover spies, then we start to really train them with the Bible sessions. We never invite the North Koreans to our safe houses before it is checked that it is safe.”
Secret teaching over the radio
The other form of training that Open Doors provides for North Korean believers is transmitting Christian radio programs into North Korea in the middle of the night, so that believers can listen to them secretly.
Brother Simon says, “These days the programs are aired five times a week. I provide a sermon once a week. Two to three North Koreans participate in each program.
“The radio ministry continues to serve those isolated underground believers with the Word of Life. We must continue this ministry to fulfil the spiritual hunger of the underground believers of North Korea.”
The airwaves in North Korea are one area that the government has a harder time controlling. Christians will listen quietly, clinging to the sermons, songs, and readings that they can get nowhere else.
Risks and rewards
Giving biblical training to North Koreans is not without risk. If those who listen to the radio programs inside North Korea are discovered, they could face serious consequences, including imprisonment or death.
And yet, many of our North Korean brothers and sisters are willing to take that risk in order to learn more about Jesus. In one message we received, a North Korean believer shared, “Thank you for the radio programs. The contents of the programs are very helpful in training leaders and believers and in understanding the Bible. Some learned what it was like to live by faith, some experienced and learned more of God’s love, and some became convinced of salvation. We really love the programs. We get strengthened and encouraged in our spiritual life.”
The training sessions in China can also be risky. Brother John remembers, “When I was in the safe house, studying Bible with the North Koreans, even the smallest noise from the outside would cause me to imagine the worst. What if the police slam the door open and come in? What if we are found studying the Bible? Then I would be banished from this country as a foreigner. If the North Koreans are caught studying the Bible at the safe house, they would be sent back to North Korea, and some will be condemned with hard labour for years. If they are regarded as the leader of the guilty act, they will be sent to political prison. And if things don’t work out well, they will be executed.”
But he has also seen how the training he provides has gone on to bear incredible fruit. He remembers one North Korean woman who became a Christian in an Open Doors safe house and received biblical training. “After some time she needed to go back to North Korea. After several months, she contacted me from North Korea. She said she was able to tell people about the gospel and they were now having Christian meetings. This was the first news we had from her so we were very careful to believe her – did it really happen? Later, she sent a secret photo of the back of the people, gathering together!”
This work wouldn’t be possible without your support. Even in the most dangerous place on earth to be a Christian, you are making it possible for our brothers and sisters to grow in their love and knowledge of Jesus, and to be strengthened for whatever may lie ahead.
A letter of thanks
This is a letter written to an Open Doors worker from a North Korean woman who received training in a safe house, as well as practical aid to take back to North Korea:
Dear Teacher,
I am lady H. from North Korea.
I cannot express my thankful heart – how great and how amazing God’s grace is upon me. I am so overwhelmed by God’s grace poured out upon me even though I am less worthy than the insect on the ground.
I cried out so much when I received the supporting materials from you including clothes, medicines and living supplies. The only thing I can say is ‘thank you so much’. I feel so thankful to God’s amazing love.
During this time in China, I saw, felt and realized so many things. When I came out to China, I was so surprised by how many people have been praying for our believers and North Korea.
My parents were church leaders. Even with many sufferings and persecution, my parent raised me and my siblings in the heritage of Christian faith. I have kept the faith through your powerful prayers so far. I could experience the love of God through those who have been faithfully praying for us.
After I go back to North Korea, I do not know what kind of sufferings I may face. But I promise that I will keep my faith until the last day of my life. Please pray for me to be able to stand firmly. Also pray for North Korea to be a country freed in Christ.
I will miss you so much when we are physically far away. However, I will be looking forward to meeting you soon and worshiping God with a loud voice in the unified Korea by Christ’s love.
Thank you so much again. I will remember you in my prayers even when I go back to North Korea. If possible, come to my house. I will serve you a large portion of corn rice.
I pray that you are healthy. In Christ, I say good bye.
