Once the land of Paul’s missionary journeys, Turkey is now predominantly Muslim. In response to a failed coup in 2016, Turkey has continued to clamp down on anyone President Erdogan deems an enemy. Anyone seen to be anti-Erdogan can be arrested or removed from their positions, increasing the atmosphere of state control.  Dozens of long-term Christian missionaries have been deported or refused entrance. Predominantly Syrian refugees have overwhelmed Turkey, numbering about four million – the most in the world. Due to the deteriorating situation, the UN pulled out, the Turkish government stopped registering refugees and closed camps forcing refugees to find work in the cities or risk being deported. As a result, anti-refugee attitudes have increased in the wider community. The COVID-19 impact has been significant across the nation, both on the health care system and the economy. Interest in the Gospel has also increased significantly in recent years.

One of the most repressive nations on earth for the past couple of decades, historic meetings between North Korea, South Korea, and USA leaders prompted hope for change, but none have been forthcoming. North Korea spends money on missiles of varying capabilities available to be sold to repressive nations and terrorist groups. Hundreds of thousands of prisoners are held in concentration camps. Experts estimate up to 70,000 of them are Christian Believers. The regime enforces a religion that worships its leaders. Christians face death if found meeting together, even saying the name “Jesus” or possessing a Bible. Believers remain underground but may number as many as 100,000. North Korea has entirely shut its borders to keep out the COVID-19 virus. Intelligence seems to indicate that drought has now resulted in a food shortage of crisis proportions.