In Vietnam, a new restrictive religious law targeting Christians went into effect Nov. 15. Also, Mennonite Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang and five other leaders were given prison sentences for meeting with other Christians and supposedly resisting arrest. All were reportedly beaten while in police custody, according to Compass Direct.

The situation in China over the past six months has been troubling as there has been a concerted effort to clamp down on unregistered house churches, especially in rural areas. Hundreds of church leaders have been arrested, including Pastor Zhang Rongliang earlier this month. He is one of China's best-known and most respected house church leaders.

While there were tears and sorrows among members of the Persecuted Church around the world in 2004, there was also rejoicing in how believers stood firm in their faith and how millions of Christians in the West supported their brothers and sisters - through their prayers and letters.

"I often think of Soner Onder, who was released from a Turkish prison this year," says Open Doors USA President Dr. Carl Moeller. "He was a man who made a decision to stand firm for over 12 years while he was falsely imprisoned. And he said the prayers and cards of thousands of Christians were a real encouragement to him.

"Then I think of Christians in Nigeria, China, Vietnam and all over the world who also faced a critical decision in 2004: 'Will I continue to serve God, or will I deny him because of persecution?' The tens of thousands of believers who made a decision to continue to serve the Lord made 2004 a year of triumph for the Persecuted Church."

Other highlights of 2004 included the early release of Indonesian Pastor Rinaldy Damanik from prison; the release of Indian national Brian O'Connor from a prison in Saudi Arabia and the involvement of thousands of Christians during the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) on Nov. 14.