'Now I Dare to Say, Jesus Is Lord and My Savior': How One Christian Ministry Is Bringing Hope to Yemen

Of the 41.4 million people in Yemen, 99.7% are unreached by the gospel. 

Once a thriving center of trade and culture, Yemen bears the rich legacy of ancient kingdoms and influences from the Ottoman Empire, British colonization and local tribal traditions. Renowned for its role in the incense trade and as the birthplace of coffee cultivation, Yemen is steeped in history. Today, however, the country is marked by civil war, suffering and spiritual hardship. 

The official religion is Islam, introduced to the region around A.D. 630. Evangelical Christians make up just 0.02% of Yemen's population, as noted by Joshua Project.  

Since 2014, Yemen has been mired in a devastating civil war that has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis and economic collapse. Amid these challenges, Christians face additional layers of suffering. 

According to Open Doors International, life for Christians in Yemen is extremely dangerous, especially in areas controlled by the Houthis or other Islamist extremist groups. In this country with no religious freedom and a constitution based on Islamic law (called sharia), Christians, particularly those who convert from Islam, face severe persecution, including detention, torture and even death.  

Many secret believers worship in hiding or have fled the country, while others seek spiritual truth through underground networks and online communities. 

Sharing Christ Through a Multiplatform Approach 

As Yemenis struggle to survive, hope can feel unattainable. But TWR’s Hope for Yemen program is making a difference, sharing the hope found in Christ through accessible, multiplatform media: podcasts, online radio, social media and personal conversations with listeners. 

In times of devastation due to war, TWR’s mission involves putting spiritual hope into the hands of the Yemenis. 

The program’s impact is evident in the steady stream of listener responses. Nearly all the messages come from Muslims, many of whom are seeking answers about Jesus and the Christian faith.  

A listener named Ahmed wrote: 

"I’ve seen innocent people die. I was angry at God. But then I heard your message: ‘God sees. God knows. He will restore what is broken.’ Now, I am no longer running from him — I am searching for him. Thank you for answering my questions and helping me understand when I was feeling lost. Now I dare to say, Jesus is Lord and my Savior.” 

Yemen has been deeply affected by years of war involving multiple groups within the country. Still, the gospel is spreading.  

Hope for Yemen now reaches over a million people across Facebook, Instagram and online radio. Thousands of Yemenis send in prayer requests and ask questions about faith. Through follow-up conversations with listeners, lives are being changed.  

We invite you to stand with us in prayer for Yemen. Please ask the Lord to use each Hope for Yemen episode to give listeners joy and peace as they trust in him so that they may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13). 

Images: (top banner) Men gather in colorful fishing boats along the coast of Yemen, (middle, right) Facts and figures gathered from Joshua Project and Open Doors.