Light in the Darkest Places - Voice of Persecuted Christians

Our theme for 2026

Light in the Darkest Places

Across the world today, countless Christians live out their faith in places of danger and hostility. Some are forced to worship in secret, while many others face suffering, hardship and loss.

However, in that darkness, our brothers and sisters continue to live for Jesus. They show his compassion, they forgive, they share the good news. They are Christ’s light in the darkest places.

Read Their Stories

Every one of these brothers and sisters live for Jesus in the most difficult of circumstances. Read their stories, be inspired by them, learn the lessons they are teaching us that we can live better for Christ here in the UK.

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Rev. Mark Mukan - Nigeria

In Nigeria, thousands of Christians have been killed and many more forced to leave their homes. The violence has created profound suffering and loss. But Rev Mark Mukan will not allow this awful darkness to have the last word. He is committed to pastoral care and training more Christian leaders to reach out with the transforming light of the gospel.

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Severa - Pakistan

In Pakistan, many people consider it shameful to be associated with Christians. Severa faces deep-rooted discrimination at university where she is made to sit in the back row of lectures and other students physically distance themselves from her. Despite this rejection, her faith is strong and she has started a group to encourage other Christian students.

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Rev.Faiz - Iraq

In Iraq, sectarian tensions are high, Christians are treated as second-class citizens, and violent attacks are a continual risk. Rev Faiz leads a church in Baghdad which is committed to serving the Christian community and shining Christ's light into this troubled city.

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Pastor Phouang - Laos

In rural Laos, Pastor Phouang has devoted his life to sharing the gospel with a minority people group. Many have come to faith in Jesus but they face strong opposition from the authorities. To avoid being detected, they are forced to meet together outside their village after dark to pray.

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Luka - Nigeria

In Nigeria, Luka experienced one of the darkest nights of his life when militants attacked his village and killed his wife, parents and children. After going through trauma counselling Luka has committed to forgiving the attackers and using his life to bless others.

Kiflu Gebremeskel: In prison for leading a church

Dr Kiflu Gebremeskel - Eritrea

In Eritrea, Dr Kiflu Gebremeskel has spent more than 20 years in the darkness of a prison cell. He was a senior leader in the Eritrean church and one of the first targets of the country's authoritarian regime. Despite severe pressure he has never denied his faith in Christ.

Light Walk Challenge

Inspired by the courage and faith of persecuted Christians, our CEO Paul Robinson and a team of dedicated supporters carried a large wooden cross to the top of England’s highest peak, Scafell Pike – in the middle of the night.

They set out at 12.30 am on Sunday June 14, 2026, pausing to pray along the route, identifying with many persecuted Christians who can only meet together under the cover of darkness.

Then, as dawn broke, they raised the cross on the summit – a powerful reminder of Christ’s victory over the darkness, the hope that strengthens our persecuted brothers and sisters.

Play Video

Video - 2 Mins

Light in the Darkest Places & the Light Walk Challenge 2026

Introduce your church to this year’s theme through a short video introducing how our brothers and sisters endure and what we did to raise their voice in June 2026.

In the media

The Light Walk Challenge caught people’s imaginations! Paul ended up speaking to several different media outlets, and here is a sample:

It has to be hard

GB News

‘It has to be difficult because the people we are doing it for face challenges I can’t even imagine…’

Paul Robinson explains to GB News why he is hiking for Christians’ right to practice faith freely around the world.

Powerful way to identify

Premier Christian News

‘It will be, I believe, a powerful way of identifying with those who face the far greater challenges of persecution for Christ and the gospel … when the cross is raised at the top of the mountain, we will raise our voices in prayer and worship, uniting in fellowship with our brothers and sisters whose lives continue to shine the light of Jesus into the darkest parts of the world.’

Pictures from the Walk

Some images from before the walk and of the walk itself.

Your response

What can you do to raise their voice?

Countless Christians across the world live under the darkness of persecution. For some this means facing daily discrimination and marginalisation, for others imprisonment, displacement, or violent attack.

We’d love you to get involved in raising the voice of the persecuted, telling their stories and learning the lessons of discipleship they have to teach you. Here are two ideas around the theme of Light in the Darkest Places.

CHURCH LIGHT WALK

01

In the darkness, our brothers and sisters have a unique opportunity to shine the light of Jesus. They show love, they offer forgiveness, they share hope. And they ask us to stand with them in their calling to be light in the darkest places.

This autumn, you could make a visible statement of togetherness with our persecuted brothers and sisters by organising a Church Light Walk.

PRAYERS IN THE DARK

02

In many parts of the world Christians have to meet together in secret. Often this involves gathering under the cover of darkness.

For example, in Laos, Pastor Phouang’s church have to meet outside their village after dark to avoid being detected by the authorities.

Could you identify with them by organising your own Prayers in the Dark?

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:5

Run a Church Light Walk

You can show a visible act of solidarity with our brothers and sisters by organising and publicising a walk in the darkness.

It is also a witness to the church in the UK: a call not to forget the suffering body of Christ, but to stand with persecuted Christians in prayer, compassion and practical support.

Here are some pointers:

Discuss the idea with your church or small group and get the leaders on board.
Choose an evening in autumn and decide on a start time – being sure it’s dark!
Select a suitable route through, or around, your town, perhaps 1-2 miles long.

Organise Prayers in the Dark

In many parts of the world Christians have to meet together in secret. Often this involves gathering under the cover of darkness. For example, in Laos, Pastor Phouang’s church have to meet outside their village after dark to avoid being detected by the authorities. Could you identify with them by organising your own Prayers in the Dark?

Here are some pointers:

Discuss the idea with your church or small group and get the leaders on board.
Choose a dedicated evening in autumn, choose a venue and start time (when it is dark), or integrate a slot into a regular prayer meeting or evening service.
Remember to take participant’s safety into consideration in all your planning.

Presentation - PPTX

Ready-made slides to promote both events

If you need slides to present at church or send to a friend, you can use these. Download the presentation and feel free to use it in your service or group.