In regions where following Christ can cost you your life, Help The Persecuted’s safe houses are lifelines for persecuted Christians fleeing extreme threats and violence. These small sanctuaries are where persecuted believers can rest, heal, and start again.
Behind every safe house is a network of faithful believers and Field Ministers who work quietly and courageously to rescue those in danger and guide them toward restoration.
Here’s a closer look at how this ministry operates each day in some of the world’s most difficult places.
Finding and Reaching Those in Danger
Many persecuted believers discover Help The Persecuted through underground church networks or discipleship relationships that began long before crisis struck. In some cases, a believer reaches out through secure messaging apps or social media, desperate for help.
Each request is carefully vetted. Field Ministers confirm the situation through trusted contacts to ensure the individual or family is genuine and to prevent infiltration by those seeking to expose underground Christians. Once the danger is verified, the response moves quickly.
If the situation is life-threatening, our team arranges safe transportation, often within hours. Our team doesn’t wait until it’s “safe” to help someone; they act even at great risk to themselves.
That’s why every rescue is an act of faith, built on trust between believers who may never meet face to face.
Inside a Safe House
Help The Persecuted currently operates 19 safe houses across the Islamic World. Each is a rented apartment, usually two or three bedrooms, located in ordinary neighborhoods to avoid drawing attention.
When a new believer arrives, they are welcomed with prayer and practical care. Field Ministers provide clothing, food, and medical support. Residents sign a short agreement outlining shared expectations about cleanliness, cooperation, and respect for one another’s safety.
The standard stay is three months, extendable to six months when needed. During that time, residents receive holistic, wrap-around care that helps to meet their physical, financial, spiritual, and emotional needs.
Help The Persecuted’s largest refuge, The Haven in Lebanon, can host up to 40 persecuted believers at once. A former hotel, The Haven was created in response to the influx of Syrian refugees who fled to Lebanon after the regime change. Today, it serves as a unique place of restoration, discipleship, and renewal for refugees from that country.
Daily Life and Care
A safe house is not a passive refuge. In fact, it’s a carefully managed environment designed to rebuild faith and stability.
Each believer’s stay begins with an intake process. This is our time to listen, assess needs, and begin a plan for recovery. The process is both structured and deeply personal. For many, it’s the first time they’ve ever been asked how they’re doing spiritually and emotionally.
Field Ministers visit frequently, bringing groceries and spiritual encouragement. They coordinate with local pastors and counselors, many of whom are part of Help The Persecuted's Pastoral Care Team, comprised of 10 members in Lebanon and 8 in Syria. These men and women provide Bible studies, prayer, and trauma counseling.
Residents also receive one-on-one discipleship. Mature believers help guide new converts, teaching them how to grow in faith and prepare for the challenges ahead.
When residents leave, they complete an exit evaluation, helping our team understand the progress they’ve made and what next steps are needed.
Stories of Renewal
Soroush and his family fled Iran after his conversion to Christianity placed all of them in danger. “When we realized we had to leave, it was 8 p.m. that evening,” he said. “We booked a flight for midnight and left Iran with my wife and our 18-year-old daughter. The emotional burden was very heavy. We didn’t know how long we would be away, and fear and uncertainty weighed on us deeply. Arriving in Türkiye, we had no idea what to do next.
“The safe house was such a great help for us. In the midst of fear and uncertainty, it gave us a safe environment where we could stay for a time. It was especially meaningful for my wife and daughter, who needed a place of comfort and security.”
In another region, Sakhra, a Syrian believer from a Muslim background, faced death threats from her ex-husband for her faith in Christ. He called her an infidel and threatened to report her to the state as an apostate, a charge that could cost her life. When her situation became critical, our Field Minister coordinated her emergency evacuation to a safe house. She left everything behind to protect her life and find refuge among believers who would walk with her in safety and discipleship.
Each story reveals a different path, but all share the same thread: safety made possible by the prayers and gifts of believers around the world.
Transitioning Toward Independence
The ultimate goal of every safe house stay is independence. When believers are ready to leave, Help The Persecuted provides six months of living support which serves as a bridge between dependency and self-sufficiency.
Some begin new jobs; others launch small businesses through Help The Persecuted's Enduring Livelihood Ministry. Several have gone on to lead home churches or disciple others who once lived in fear as they did.
Our Field Minister in Lebanon said it this way: “Every believer who comes to us is broken and afraid. But by God’s grace, they leave with new strength to stand firm in faith.”
The Power of Holistic Ministry
Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”
Every safe house is a reflection of that truth. Yes, it’s a building, and it’s a picture of God’s care made visible through His people.
- Physical protection.
- Spiritual renewal.
- Emotional healing.
- Practical rebuilding.
This is holistic ministry in action. When believers experience safety in all these areas, the pain of persecution is dimmed, and the testimony of Christ grows stronger.
How You Can Help
More persecuted Christians need safety today.
Your partnership helps open new safe houses, provide pastoral care, and meet urgent needs for believers in danger.
Will you bring the Father’s love to those who have lost everything for their faith? Your gift helps make these sanctuaries possible.
Be part of the rescue. Be part of the restoration. Be part of the sanctuary.