What does persecution actually look like in the places where the gospel is least known? And how should Christians think about persecution in relation to missions?
In this episode of Theology for the People, Nick Cady speaks with missionary and author Matt Rhodes about his 15 years serving as a church planter in North Africa among a Muslim-majority tribal community. Matt shares stories from the field and discusses the central thesis of his book Persecution and Missions: A Practical Theology.
One of Matt’s key insights is that persecution is not merely an occasional obstacle to mission—it is often a structural reality in places where the gospel is advancing. In many communities, the greatest barrier to faith in Christ isn’t intellectual objections but the social and familial cost of conversion.
Nick and Matt discuss:
Why persecution often prevents people from even exploring Christianity
The immense social cost faced by converts from Muslim backgrounds
Common mistakes Western missionaries make when discipling persecuted believers
The tension between contextualization and compromise in missions
How the New Testament frames persecution through the lens of the Exodus and the Promised Land
Why missionaries must be honest about the cost of following Jesus
The dangers of wealth, financial incentives, and dependency in missions
Matt also shares practical wisdom from his experience serving in a village context in North Africa and offers specific ways listeners can pray for believers who face intense pressure for their faith.
This conversation offers an important reminder: following Jesus has always come with a cost—but the hope of resurrection and eternal reward makes that cost worthwhile.
📘 Matt’s book: Persecution and Missions: A Practical Theology
