Persecution watchdog, Open Doors USA, has thanked supporters at the end of what is being labelled the "worst year" in persecution against the church.
In a statement, the group recalled 2014's high profile cases, including the release of Sudanese Christian mother Meriam Ibrahim, the suffering of Christians across the Middle East at the hands of Islamist militant group Islamic State and the hundreds of Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram.
"As 2014 comes to a close, we want to thank you for your faithfulness in helping ALL Christians who are persecuted for their faith," the statement wrote. "The year has seen more global persecution of Christians than any other year in recent history."
"Because of you, we have been able to help thousands of displaced Christians in Iraq, Syria and the Central African Republic.
"We were able to deliver thousands of letters to the grieving parents of the Nigerian schoolgirls because of your faithfulness to write letters of encouragement.
"And because of your generous ongoing support...we will be able to help many persecuted Christians whose stories did not make it on the news."
Open Doors has supported persecuted Christians for over 60 years. The organisation releases an annual World Watch List of the worst countries for Christian persecution globally, which has been topped by North Korea 12 years running.
