Afghanistan's Underground Church (Part 1)

Hello, friends, and welcome back to Nations 4 Jesus.

Today, I want to talk about a country that touches my heart so much, every time I think about it—a nation that has become much more dear to me since August of 2021. I'm talking about Afghanistan.

This is actually the first of two podcasts on Afghanistan. Today, we're going to look at the current situation for Christians there, the persecution they face, and how we can pray for them. And in our next episode, I'll be sharing my own personal experiences with the growing church in Afghanistan—stories that will surprise you and give you hope even in the midst of terrible darkness.

But first, we need to understand what's happening right now.

Friends, the situation in Afghanistan for Christians is absolutely dire. Afghanistan ranks tenth on the World Watch List 2025 as one of the most dangerous countries in the world for Christians. And since the Taliban retook control of the country in August 2021, conditions have only gotten worse.

The Taliban have said they will kill any Christians, and have gone door-to-door to find believers. Afghan church leaders were specifically targeted—many have disappeared, while others have been beaten, tortured, and killed. One Taliban government minister said recently, "We will cut any Christian we find into pieces."

Let that sink in for a moment. This isn't ancient history. This is happening right now, in 2025. In Afghanistan, leaving Islam is considered shameful by family and community, and conversion is punishable by death under Islamic law. This has been increasingly enforced since the Taliban took back control.

Now, you might be wondering: Are there even any Christians in Afghanistan? Yes, there are. And their story is remarkable.

The US Department of State estimates that there are roughly 500 to 8,000 Christians in Afghanistan, though exact numbers are impossible to verify because the church is completely underground. Most Afghan Christians are converts from Islam, which makes it practically impossible to practice their faith openly.

There are no public churches in Afghanistan, and Christians practice either alone or in small congregations, meeting in private homes. They worship in absolute secrecy. One Afghan Christian said, "We can only practice our faith in the utmost secrecy. We must examine everyone to see if they are friend or foe."

Think about that. Imagine having to scrutinize every person you meet to determine if they might be the one who reports you to the Taliban. Imagine not being able to sing worship songs out loud, not being able to own a Bible openly, not being able to tell your own family members that you follow Jesus.

Here's something many people don't know: Christianity has ancient roots in Afghanistan. Nestorian or Persian Christians established churches throughout present-day Afghanistan as early as the 400s. By 424 AD, there was a bishop in Herat, and in the 6th century, Herat was seen as a Metropolitan See of the Apostolic Church of the East.

Christianity thrived in this region for centuries. But during the reign of Timurlane in the 14th century, Christianity was suppressed under the banner of Islam throughout Central Asia with violence unmatched in human history. The church was almost completely eradicated.

The modern Afghan church began to grow again in the 1970s. The Afghan church grew from a handful of Afghan Christians in the 1970s to possibly 3,000 by the time of the first Taliban takeover in 1995-1996. And despite the persecution—or perhaps because of it—the church has continued to grow.

Friends, here's something that absolutely amazes me. Despite the Taliban, despite the threats of execution, despite the door-to-door searches—the Afghan church continues to grow.

Shoaib Ebadi, president of Square One World Media, believes "the growth of the church in Afghanistan is ten times faster than in Iran"—and Iran is experiencing one of the fastest-growing underground church movements in the world.

How is this possible? Technology. Ebadi said, "And all of them have mobile phones. Short videos about Jesus' teaching and his life are being watched by hundreds and thousands. We teach the Afghan people how to know Jesus and understand his teaching. That's the big thing that can change the hearts of people inside Afghanistan."

The Taliban know this too. At checkpoints, the Taliban are stopping people and demanding to search their mobile phones. They're looking for any evidence of Christianity—gospel videos, Bible apps, Christian messages. If they find anything, the consequences are severe.

The persecution Afghan Christians face comes from multiple directions. First, there's the Taliban government that officially condemns conversion to Christianity as apostasy punishable by death. As the Afghan church has never been recognized by any recent Afghan government, all Afghan Christians, even if second or third generation Christians, are deemed to be apostates from Islam, for which the Sharia penalty is execution for men and perpetual imprisonment for women.

Second, there's the threat from family and community. If converts are discovered, the family, clan, or tribe may try to preserve its 'honor' and deal with the convert through pressure, violence, or even murder. So-called "honor killings" are a very real danger.

Third, there's the threat from extremist groups. Al-Qaeda and Islamic State-Khorasan Province both operate in Afghanistan, and both specifically target those they consider apostates from Islam.

And fourth—and this is particularly heartbreaking—women and ethnic minorities experience additional oppression. Christians among these groups live under unthinkable pressure. Women have no rights in Afghanistan, and women from religious minorities are especially vulnerable to physical abuse, house arrest, forced marriage, or sexual enslavement.

In the face of all this, Afghan Christians continue to follow Jesus. One Afghan believer named Khada said, "I continue to be a servant of Christ, following His example of humility and greatness. In the difficult Taliban regime, we face challenges, but with strong faith, we persevere."

Friends, that kind of faith humbles me. When following Jesus might cost you nothing more than some awkward conversations or social discomfort, it's easy to be a Christian. But when following Jesus could mean your execution, when it could mean watching your family disown you, when it could mean torture in a Taliban prison—that's when faith becomes real. That's when we see what it truly means to take up your cross and follow Christ.

So what do we do? How do we respond to this crisis?

International Christian Concern said it years ago, and it's still true today: "Intervention is not a choice, but a responsibility."

Now, most of us can't physically intervene in Afghanistan. We can't go there. We can't rescue these believers. But friends, we can pray. And never underestimate the power of prayer. Prayer changes things. Prayer moves the hand of God. Prayer sustains believers in the darkest places on earth.

So let me give you some specific ways to pray for Afghanistan. I want you to really join me in these prayers, not just listen to them. Pause after each one if you need to and actually pray.

First, pray for believers in Afghanistan to be protected by the mighty hand of the Lord. Pray for them to put their hope and trust in the Lord and be strengthened by the Spirit of the Living God. Psalm 46:1 says, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." That's what these believers need—God as their refuge and strength every single day.

Second, pray for the Lord to move among members of the Afghan parliament and the Taliban leadership. Pray for their hearts to be transformed, leading them from the violence and oppression they enforce into the liberty and life of Jesus Christ. Second Corinthians 3:17 tells us, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." Pray for the Spirit of the Lord to bring freedom to Afghanistan.

Third, pray for Christian humanitarian agencies to use wisdom in dealing with the threats they face and for the Lord to give them favor with authorities. Proverbs 1:7 says "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." Pray for godly wisdom to guide every decision these agencies make.

Fourth, pray for the Lord to set the people of Afghanistan free from the bondage of Islam, the fear of the Taliban, and the clutches of the enemy. Second Corinthians 4:4 talks about how "the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers." Pray for those spiritual blinders to be removed from the Afghan people.

Fifth, pray for the Taliban to be defeated and for those who have been deceived into fighting for extremist causes to have the opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel. First Timothy 2:4 says God "wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." That includes Taliban fighters. God loves them too and wants them to know Jesus.

Sixth, pray for the Lord to intervene and for Christians throughout the world to pray and stand in the gap on behalf of Afghanistan. Hebrews 13:3 says, "Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." We are called to remember our imprisoned brothers and sisters.

Seventh, pray for believers to be strong and courageous. Pray for them not to be terrified or discouraged, because the Lord our God is with them wherever they go. That's from Joshua 1:9, and it's as true today as it was when Joshua was preparing to enter the Promised Land.

And finally, pray for the Kingdom of God to come to Afghanistan in great power, with signs and wonders. Pray for multitudes of Afghans to put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. In Matthew 6:10, Jesus taught us to pray, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Let's pray that for Afghanistan.

Friends, as I've been preparing this podcast, my heart has been so heavy for Afghanistan. But it's also been filled with hope. Because despite everything—despite the Taliban, despite the persecution, despite the threats—Jesus is building His church in Afghanistan. And the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

In our next episode, I'm going to share some of my own personal experiences with the Afghan church. I'm going to tell you stories that will amaze you and give you hope. Stories of courage, of faith, of God's supernatural provision and protection.

Heavenly Father, You love the people of Afghanistan. You, Lord Jesus, are appearing to so many of them in visions and dreams. Please keep doing this. Please keep drawing them unto Yourself. Help each of us to commit to praying for Afghanistan. Remind us that these are our brothers and sisters. They're part of the body of Christ. And when one part of the body suffers, we all suffer. We stand with them in prayer. We intercede for them before Your throne gracious Father. We ask You to do what only You can do in this dark and difficult place. In the name of Christ Jesus our Lord we pray, Amen. 

Thank you for joining me today in this difficult but important conversation about Afghanistan. I know it's heavy. I know it's heartbreaking. But I also know that our God is bigger than the Taliban, bigger than persecution, bigger than any darkness.

In our next episode, I'll be sharing stories that prove that. Stories of God's faithfulness in Afghanistan. Stories that will encourage your faith and remind you that Jesus really is building His church, even in the hardest places.

Until then, keep your eyes on the nations, remember our persecuted brothers and sisters in your prayers, and trust that God is at work even when we can't see it.

Sources: Open Doors, International Christian Concern, Global Christian Relief, US Department of State, Voice of the Martyrs, Square One World Media

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NEXT EPISODE: Afghanistan Part 2 - How God Called Me to Help