Advocating for Persecuted Christians Around the Globe

Southern Baptists affirm that every life is worthy of dignity and protection, including the lives of vulnerable people groups. In the 2019 resolution “On Biblical Justice,” Southern Baptists resolved to “address injustices through gospel proclamation, by advocating for people who are oppressed and face wrongs against them.” Additionally, in the 2018 resolution “On Reaffirming The Full Dignity Of Every Human Being,” Southern Baptists resolved that “we affirm the full dignity of every human being of whatever political or legal status or party and denounce rhetoric that diminishes the humanity of anyone.”

Unfortunately, around the world, Christians have become the most persecuted religion. In Nigeria, radical Islamist terrorist groups are murdering Christians in large numbers. In 2025 alone, estimates suggest 7,000, Christians were murdered, or 35 people a day, and 19,000 churches were destroyed. After years of persistent advocacy by the ERLC and other partners, the Trump administration restored Nigeria’s designation as a country of particular concern (CPC), a special status that allows the federal government to impose significant consequences for failing to protect Nigerian Christians. The ERLC is grateful for the State Department’s actions to protect Christians in Nigeria and we urge further executive action that will bolster protections for those targeted for their faith around the globe.