Ten Lessons on Following Jesus from the Secret Church

Across the globe, millions of fellow believers worship, pray, and evangelize in secret as a response to intense persecution from their community and government.

Today, this secret church is seen particularly in the Muslim world, where questioning Islam is discouraged, evangelization is banned, conversion is a blasphemy offense, and following Jesus a dishonor to family and culture. These courageous believers risk losing all relationships, financial security, and even their own lives when they decide to follow Jesus.

Let’s look at 10 lessons we can learn from the secret church that will strengthen our faith and motivate us to support these precious brothers and sisters in Christ. 

1. Following Jesus Is a Daily Choice, Not a One-Time Moment 

When a secret believer in the Muslim world chooses Christ, they do so knowing the many negative consequences that could come from such a decision. Daily, they become aware of the risks they’re taking to take up their cross and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23). The faith that seems so fresh and alive when one accepts Christ is a daily experience for these precious believers.  

2. Wisdom Is an Essential Part of Faithfulness 

Due to the risks involved with following Christ in a Muslim culture, secret believers must exercise wisdom in their daily actions and decisions. They must learn how to speak to outsiders with grace and be wise in what they share (Colossians 4:5-6). Because church meetings and activities often are held in secret, believers must guard their words and actions with wisdom. 

3. Identity Is Rooted in Christ, Not Recognition 

Secret believers learn quickly that their identity must be truly rooted in Christ and not in recognition from others. Their faith often is met with scorn, rejection, and even physical persecution, so they are not out to win the community’s popularity contest. Some pastors, like Kashif in Pakistan, minister anonymously online to hundreds of questioning Muslims who will never know his name. 

4. Community Is Built on Trust, Not Scale 

Secret churches grow and multiply, but accumulating numbers isn't the goal. Their community is first built on trust – trust in God and trust in each other, which builds a stronger foundation and connection. Ibrahim, a pastor from Chad, builds trust with Muslim Background Believers (MBBs) before fully integrating them into a church because, as he says, “going from Islamic faith to church would be a very big step.”  

5. Reliance on the Holy Spirit Is Non-Negotiable 

The Muslim world has proven a hostile environment to Christianity, and secret believers must rely on the Holy Spirit’s direction, intervention, and power so they can survive and thrive. To reach the hearts of Muslims, believers rely on the miraculous work of the Spirit, because as pastor Ibrahim says, “When they see miracles, they know that this is good.” Many Muslims also are dramatically encountering Christ in their dreams. 

6. The Power of God’s Word Sustains in Isolation 

Rejection and isolation are common responses from families and communities toward believers who choose to leave Islam for Jesus. Many say that the Word of God was critical in keeping their faith alive and their hearts encouraged. Because Bibles are banned or hard to come by in many Muslim countries, getting the Word into the hands of these secret believers is a crucial mission of Global Christian Relief. 

7. Unwavering Hope Flourishes in Adversity 

Secret believers face untold trials and tribulations in the Muslim world, but these difficulties have a way of producing profound hope in their hearts. Their strength does not come from social acceptance or belongings or accomplishments because often their family or society has taken these things away. They must then put their hope fully in God and in the life to come (Titus 3:7).

8. Persecution Refines and Strengthens Faith 

No one would suffer persecution for something they don’t really believe. But secret believers in Muslim countries are facing immense persecution, sometimes laying down their lives, just to live out their faith in Christ. This pressure from family, society, and government refines their faith of any impure motives and thus strengthens them to trust in God in the midst of their sufferings. 

9. The Cost of Discipleship is Real and Rewarding 

Secret believers immediately face the cost of following Christ. Jesus declared, “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also,” (John 15:20) and these words become a sobering reality for those choosing Christ against their Muslim societies. Despite these costs and the griefs that accompany them, believers say they are happy to be persecuted and to take up the call of Matthew 5:12, “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.” 

10. Supporting the Secret Church Bolsters Faith, Hope, and Love in the Body of Christ 

There are so many needs of the secret church, ranging from discipleship training, emergency aid, safe houses, Scripture resources, and underground networks of support. When we provide these resources to our Christian family in need, they feel seen and deeply loved by our generosity, and gratitude fills their hearts. But what is even more evident is the connection and fulfillment felt by those who contribute to these precious believers. They say, alongside Paul the Apostle, “… we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35).

As we learn from the secret church across the Muslim world, let’s support these precious believers with our prayers and financial gifts.

• First, your support helps secure safety and shelter for those fleeing persecution and displacement.
• Second, you can turn their isolation into community, connecting these secret believers to underground church networks.
• Third, you can help the secret church receive safe, culturally sensitive discipleship to strengthen new believers in their faith. 

We have an opportunity to protect our family in the underground church so no fellow Christian feels forgotten.