Who We Are
Strengthening the persecuted church.
Strengthening the persecuted church.
In places like North Korea, Afghanistan, India and China, Christians are persecuted and discriminated against for following Jesus. 1 in 7 Christians worldwide are persecuted for their faith.
They are denied access to jobs and education, and excluded from aid and community resources. Many persecuted Christians are attacked and abused. Their churches are demolished, and their businesses destroyed.
Since 1955, Open Doors has been helping people follow Jesus all over the world, no matter the cost. We don’t work to end persecution. Instead, we strengthen the persecuted church by providing discipleship, emergency relief and community development.
In over 70 countries, we help provide the local church with what they need to survive – and even thrive – in the face of persecution through:
Provide Bibles, strengthen faith, prepare people for persecution, and equip believers to share the gospel.
Support Christians in urgent practical need as they face discrimination, persecution, poverty, and war.
Help the local church rebuild and remain in communities that don’t know Jesus, with jobs, loans, and training.
How has our community helped the persecuted church survive in the most dangerous places to follow Jesus? Read about the impact that’s already been made and be inspired by what you could do next!
Discover MoreRead stories from the global church, see the work of Open Doors close up, and gain insight into what following Jesus looks like in some of the darkest places in the world.
Get My Free MagazineWe also are very committed to our values – established by Brother Andrew, and reflected in every Open Doors base around the world. They are:
We also adopt as the Statement of Faith of Open Doors the Apostle’s Creed:
We believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born ofthe Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Amen
"You showed love by caring for those that are suffering, in trauma and trouble. You make them realise that God still exists."
Amina, Nigeria. Received trauma care and emergency relief."Our brothers and sisters are still in prison. While we eat, they have no food. While we are free, they are in chains. But if we are hand in hand, we can do more. "
Helen Berhane, imprisoned for sharing the gospel in Eritrea.“The church in northern Nigeria is alive today because of you.”
Hajaratu, received emergency relief and trauma counselling after her village was attacked by extremists.“Open Doors provides a unique way for us to reach parts of the world that would be otherwise impossible while inspiring our home church to a deeper level of faith in Jesus.”
Pastors Mark and Darlene Zschech, Hope UC."The stories of faith and courage I hear through Open Doors inspire and challenge me to live a life of worship devoted to Jesus."
Cass Langton, Worship and Creative Pastor.CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Adam joined Open Doors in 2021, bringing with him over 15 years of senior leadership experience. He graduated with a BA (Hons) at Macquarie University and a Master’s Degree, Information and Knowledge Management at UTS.
While working in executive leadership roles, he also completed the Executive Stream in Non-profit Management at Harvard Business School, Boston and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Married to Amanda, with four children, Adam and his family have been involved in their local church over the last 17 years. Adam is passionate about the global Church and living out the biblical mandate to support our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ.
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Stephen McNee has decades of experience in NFP leadership and organisational transformation. In each of his roles, his focus has been rigorous financial control while fostering a constructive culture. He loves applying ingenuity, lateral thinking, and problem-solving to business challenges and strategy.
He holds a Master of Business Administration from Oxford Brookes University including a dissertation on the impact of information technology on businesses, and a Bachelor of Commerce with a specialisation in Accounting, Finance & Systems from UNSW.
When he is not juggling budgets and spreadsheets, he is spending time with his four grandchildren who call him ‘Oompa.’
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: PEOPLE, CULTURE AND ENABLEMENT
Emily is passionate about people and culture with a diverse background in teaching, ministry, and Human Resources. She holds a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Teaching, a Master of International and Community Development, and a Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management.
With over 11 years serving on the leadership team at Mayfield Church of Christ, Emily is passionate about the local and global Church.
When she is not working, or being mum to her three kids, you might find her out on the trails having a run. She is grateful to bring her passion and experience to Open Doors and being a part of God’s transformative work.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: PARTNERSHIPS
Gabe, originally from Switzerland, moved to Australia motivated by his interest in the global expression of Christianity. His desire to contribute to unity in the Church led him to join Open Doors in 2019 after completing his Bachelor of Theology.
He believes that each church and individual bears the responsibility, and privilege, of partnering with the persecuted body of Christ. Gabe has met with persecuted believers in Colombia, Mexico, and Egypt, driving his commitment to Open Doors’ contextual approach in strengthening the persecuted church.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: SUPPORTER EXPERIENCE
Anna has spent her career in the not-for-profit sector. She is passionate about Jesus and His Church and strengthening believers who suffer for their faith.
With a Bachelor of Media and Communications (Marketing and Advertising) from UOW, Graduate Diploma of Divinity from SMBC, and a Certificate of Preaching from Cornhill Sydney, she loves communicating God’s Word and what it means for our lives.
Anna is passionate about Christians storing up their treasures in heaven and fighting the message to store up our wealth for ourselves. She’s loved discovering the work of Open Doors, its legacy with Brother Andrew, and the millions of Christians we serve around the world.
Working at Open Doors is so much more than a job. When you join our team as an employee or volunteer, you will get to help strengthen the body of Christ, even in the most dangerous places on the planet.
Use your skills. Develop your knowledge. Help the Church. Strengthen your faith.
Work With Us