The Persecuted

True Stories of Courageous Christians Living Their Faith in Muslim Lands

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For 2,000 years, the persecution of Christians has taken place wherever the Church has been present — essentially, in every corner of the world. More than 260 million Christians around the globe are facing some form of persecution right now, and that number continues to climb each year.

The Persecuted is an astonishing book that tells the real-life stories of brave Christians who are suffering intimidation, oppression, and violence right now as they resolutely live out their Faith in Muslim lands. The author, Casey Chalk, shocked by what he saw as a journalist living overseas, presents with skill and sensitivity these riveting stories that he witnessed firsthand.

This global tour of Christian persecution will take you from the slums of Karachi, where Islamic extremists harass and kill beleaguered Christians, to the bustling, exotic streets of Bangkok, where Christians hide in fear while awaiting adjudication of their refugee applications. You’ll meet brave Christians who escaped Muslim persecution to make a new life in the Netherlands, and others who slipped away only to become trapped in Russia. Casey tells the stories of Christians who were tortured and, in some instances, killed in Muslim nations — and then lays out a strategic plan for rescuing as many as possible from their plight.

Chalk also addresses other fundamental issues, explaining why Islam’s radicals feel they must declare war on Christianity and why they persist in enslaving the Christians in their midst. He also explains how they have managed to get away with this appalling conduct in the face of powerful international organizations—and the Catholic Church herself—spotlighting the persecution and calling for its end.

These harrowing stories bring you face-to-face with fellow Christians enduring the ultimate test in distant lands. They will strengthen your faith and also prepare you for what may lie ahead here in the West if we fail to heed the advice given in this timely and important book.

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Suffering Church

A very personal example of Christ at work. He and his family immerse themselves in the world of the suffering church in Bangkok. If only all Christians does what the the author does , the world would be a very different place. Suffering and pain united in Christ brings in redemptive love. "For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us." 2 Corinthians 1:8-10

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Well worth reading

This is a heart rending story of two refugee families, with a somewhat happy ending. I intend to continue to intercede for persecuted Christians especially during Lent (which starts tomorrow)

Compelling, true personal stories from Pakistan and Thailand

As someone who knew little about the countries of Pakistan and Thailand, or about asylees and refugees, I found this book, The Persecuted by Casey Chalk, to be fascinating and informative. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Its genre is appealingly unique – while reporting on the persecution of Christians in Pakistan and their subsequent difficulties seeking asylum in Bangkok, Thailand, it is also part memoir and part personal spiritual reflection and soul-searching by a devout Catholic author. One of the book’s strengths is in the compelling, detailed, personal stories of the individuals with whom the author developed relationships – their back stories of persecution in Pakistan, their struggles to live and support families as they sought asylee status in Bangkok, Thailand (and ultimately refugee status in a new country) via the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), and their subsequent setbacks or successes. Their initial treatment in Pakistan (coupled with the stories of many others like them) was a revelation to me. Not surprisingly, since as Catholic Christians they represent only about 1% of the Pakistani population, their situation is not well known to Americans like me. In trying to understand their situation in Bangkok, Thailand, I really appreciated the description of local organizations’ involvement, including the Catholic parish in Bangkok, the appalling description of conditions at the Immigration Detention Center (IDC), as well as the discussion by a representative of Caritas, Thailand of pressures facing the UNHCR due to global issues and world politics. (FYI, this reading inspired me to look up the ceiling set on the number of all refugees accepted in the U.S., which dropped from 85,000 in 2016 to 18,000 in 2020). The author does a terrific job of helping the reader understand the issue and the problems involved. By personalizing the content, the author also raises the believability of the persecuted and thereby empathy for them. Readers of this book will not easily forget these individuals and will be more mindful of all those unknown others who continue to be persecuted throughout the world. I’ve read elsewhere that according to the UNHCR, there are now 82+ million people who are forcibly displaced around the world, which is more than at any time in modern history. Especially in this time of global refugee crisis, raising awareness of this problem by developing real relationships with those directly affected from South Asia whose lives happened to cross his path (and sharing that information in such an accessible way to others) is invaluable and greatly appreciated. Kudos to Casey Chalk!

EYE OPENING and ILLUMINATING!!

Casey Chalk incredibly details his family's experience and summarizes his other published works in a "one-stop-shop" in "The Persecuted." His book provides a detailed revelation of what life is like for those who are putting their lives on the line for our Lord, Jesus Christ. Chalk's writing style brings the personal element to the reader - you are able to visualize what his friends' experience, how Chalk and his family struggled to assist them, and how you desire to help the persecuted Church. Chalk provides an illumination on events and stories that are not widely discussed, not shared, and not publicized - THIS STORY MUST BE TOLD! At the end, you are inspired to share and offer your own spiritual and material offerings for those that are suffering, for when they suffer...we all suffer. Chalk provides actionable recommendations on how we can assist persecuted Christians with our prayer and other material gifts and talents.

The Persecuted is an excellent read!

Thank you Casey for sharing experiences of brave Christians living in a Islamic civilization under a political doctrine of absolute power and hate toward Kafirs.