Brown: ‘We need the perspective of persecuted Christians who are walking out their faith as they engage culture.’
ORANGE, Calif., Sept. 5, 2023 — As Open Doors US continues to strengthen persecuted Christians around the world — including Syrian believers where earthquake recovery is ongoing — the ministry is excited to announce new leadership. Ryan Brown has been appointed as Open Doors US CEO. In this new role, Brown hopes to help U.S. believers grow their faith as they connect with their persecuted family around the globe.
“I have stepped into this position with the ever-growing conviction that the Persecuted Church has so much to offer us as the Church in the West," Brown said. "We live in a culture that would seek to compartmentalize our faith into ever-shrinking parts of our lives.
“We need the perspective of persecuted Christians who are walking out their faith as they engage culture," Brown continued. “The way we can learn from and help each other is a testament to the beauty of how Christ designed the Church.”
Brown will be in Washington, D.C., next month as Open Doors US partners with World Relief to announce the results of the organizations’ joint study on the impact of persecution on U.S. immigration policy. Open Doors International’s annual World Watch List is a key contribution to the study.
“Around the world, there is great respect for Open Doors' 68 years of work, history and relationships," Brown said. "We have the largest on-the-ground network serving persecuted Christians, starting in 1955 when Open Doors Founder Brother Andrew began his ministry to believers facing persecution in Warsaw, Poland. As we approach the one-year anniversary of Andrew's passing on September 27, I am humbled to be the U.S. leader selected to carry his mantle into the next season of ministry serving the persecuted church.”
The Open Doors US Board of Directors shares its confidence in Brown’s leadership for this next era of ministry: “The Board of Open Doors US is delighted to appoint Ryan Brown as our CEO,” said Open Doors US Board Chair Alan McDowell. “We see in Ryan a true and humble heart, seeking to share the message of how we are serving the persecuted church around the globe, carrying on the legacy of Brother Andrew who started this ministry nearly 70 years ago. Revelation 3 tells us to wake up and strengthen what remains – Open Doors continues that mandate as we seek to strengthen our persecuted brothers and sisters who suffer as disciples of Jesus Christ. We know this is Ryan's passion, too.”
About Open Doors
Open Doors International (ODI) originated in 1955, when a young Dutchman started smuggling Bibles to the persecuted Christians in Communist Europe. He became known as Brother Andrew, and in the six decades since his first journey, Open Doors has continued to seek out and strengthen those who suffer violent persecution and discrimination for their Christian faith. With the aid of the international community, Open Doors is serving persecuted Christians in more than 70 countries, working with churches and local partners to provide prayer, Bibles, Christian materials, training, livelihood skills and advocacy. ODI is known for its annual World Watch List, the ranking of the top 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution. Open Doors US is one of 25 national ODI bases located around the world.
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