***NEWS RELEASE***
For Immediate Release
January 26, 2026
CONTACT:
Hamilton Strategies, Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Bogucki 610.584.1096, ext. 105, or Richard Jefferson, rjefferson@hamiltonstrategies.com
Prepare: Christian persecution rising rapidly, both at home and abroad, warns Dr. Alex McFarland
‘Even as we pray for the brethren around the world, we must stand against mob violence right here, like the Apostle Paul did in Jerusalem’
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Open Doors, a watch organization that tracks the oppression of Christians around the world, released its 2026 Watch List of the 50 nations with the worst persecution for believers, with North Korea, Somalia and Yemen at the top of the list. This list reveals that 388 million Christians are facing high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith — more than one in seven — which marks an increase of more than 8 million compared to last year. This tragic list outlines the horrors millions of Christians face every day, including imprisonment, financial ruin, and even execution.
Even as Christians in America send prayer and encouragement to those persecuted in other parts of the world, they are beginning to taste a similar sense of oppression. After the recent invasion of a church in St. Paul, Minn., many Christians are growing increasingly concerned about the continuous attacks on the Christian community.
“Christian persecution has reached an unprecedented scale worldwide,” commented Dr. Alex McFarland, founder and president of Alex McFarland Ministries. “Christians in places of high oppression are facing atrocities we in America can only imagine. The World Watch List is clear proof that the attack on Christianity is not slowing down. As many sit idly by, unwilling to speak out against attacks on our brothers and sisters, we must stand up and ignite the same fight for the faith as those of martyrs abroad.
“Unfortunately, persecution for our faith is starting to become all the more frequent here in our own borders. Even as we pray for the brethren around the world, we must stand against mob violence right here, like the Apostle Paul did in Jerusalem in Acts 23.”
Alex McFarland currently co-hosts “Exploring the Word” on the American Family Radio Network, airing daily on nearly 200 radio stations across the U.S. He is also the host of the “Alex McFarland Show,” which airs weekly on NRB TV and YouTube. The “Alex McFarland Show” podcast is available here.
McFarland and theologian Bert Harper, veteran cohosts of the nationally syndicated broadcast “Exploring the Word,” are proud to announce their newest book, “100 Bible Questions and Answers on Prophecy and the End Times.” Available now, the book concisely answers biblical questions about God, Scripture, Christian Living, and more. A follow-up to their previous work, “100 Bible Questions and Answers for Families,” this book promises to guide you through some of the most fascinating and frequently misunderstood topics in Christianity: end-times prophecy and life in the everlasting new creation.
Alex McFarland has authored or co-authored more than 21 books, including the newly released 100 Bible Questions & Answers on Prophecy and the End Times,” “10 Issues that Divide Christians,” “The God You Thought You Knew,” “10 Answers for Skeptics,” “10 Answers for Atheists,” “The 21 Toughest Questions Your Kids Will Ask About Christianity,” published by Focus on the Family, and more.
McFarland is a frequent guest on Fox News and has been interviewed by other media outlets including Fox and Friends, Focus On The Family radio, NPR’s All Things Considered, The New York Times, The Washington Post, BBC, CBN, La Vie (France), and various news outlets including CBS, FOX, NBC, CSPAN, SRN, and the Associated Press (AP) wire service. He is a contributing writer in print and electronic media, including LA Times, Boston Herald, OK- Celebrity News Magazine, Christianity Today, Charisma, On Mission, Billy Graham’s Decision Magazine and more.
Learn more about Alex McFarland Ministries at its website, Facebook and Instagram pages, or X feed.
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To schedule interviews with Alex McFarland, contact Hamilton Strategies, media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Bogucki, 610.584.1096 ext. 105, or Richard Jefferson, rjefferson@hamiltonstrategies.com.
