Persecution in Missions: A Practical Theology

by Matt Rhodes, Wesley Layton Walters (Narrator)

Understand Why God Allows Suffering and How That's Good News for Christians Facing Hardships

For more than a decade, Matt Rhodes has been a church planter in unreached Muslim countries. In that time, he's risked illness, difficult living conditions, and physical danger. He's also stood with new believers who were attacked for their faith in Jesus. Scripture tells Christians to expect trials in life. For missionaries, knowing God's good purpose for pain is essential for enduring harsh conditions on the field.

Persecution in A Practical Theology presents a scriptural view of suffering, including its role in the Christian life and in the missionary task. Rhodes tackles challenging topics, such as when to flee or face risk, how to minister to those suffering for Christ, and the dangers of downplaying or romanticizing persecution. Reassuring listeners with God's promises of redemption, this compelling study equips missionaries to face suffering and endure with joy.

A Biblical Theology of Explains why it's necessary for believers to suffer and how God redeems pain for his glory Written for Missionaries, Pastors, and New Supports listeners as they fulfill the Great Commission, provide pastoral care, and pursue personal spiritual growth Offers realistic, gospel-centered answers to the issues missionaries face

Audible Audio

Published January 6, 2026

Reviews

[Nick Whitehead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rhodes provides a non-romanticized, biblically-faithful theology of suffering in missions. Despite the missions emphasis in the title, the first four chapters would serve any Christian fighting for joy in Christ on the road of present suffering in this groaning world. Chapters 5-7 are also incredibly helpful and nuanced as he takes on topics such as avoiding unnecessary suffering, Insider Movement methodology, and patronage.

[Garrett Rushing · Rating 5 out of 5]

How should we think about suffering for the gospel of Christ? How does our perspective on suffering affect our perspective on missions? This little book is biblically grounded and eminently practical. Absolutely a worthwhile read.

[Caroline McGill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful book that largely addresses a theology of suffering in the context of missions. This would be especially helpful for those on or considering the mission field, or those holding them accountable. But even the average church member would benefit from a book like this as well to think about suffering in their own lives and to better pray for persecuted believers and missionaries around the world.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

(I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.)

Why does God allow missionaries to suffer?
Why does God allow persecution of Christians?
How do we minister to those who are suffering for Christ?
Do you encourage a persecuted Christian to flee or stay?
Does the church always grow under persecution?

This book is absolutely incredible and, honestly, I wish that it had been written long ago. We’ve needed a book like this.

Not only does this book tackle persecution for the Christian faith, it tackles suffering more generally as well. The author goes straight to Scripture and explains the role of suffering in missions and in the lives of persecuted believers. The author has a lot of personal experience as well, which I believe greatly enriches the message of this book. Not only does the author work to explain the roles of suffering and persecution, but he also seeks to teach others how to minister to those who are suffering for Christ.

Here’s what I really, really loved about this book: This book does an excellent job not glamorizing Christian persecution and suffering. I think this is so important, because these things have been incredibly glamorized by missiologists in the past and some bad advice has permeated on this topic as a result. I could actually talk extensively about this, but alas this is merely a book review. The author acknowledges the kindness and sovereignty of God and His grace in redeeming pain and suffering and using it for good and His glory, but he is faithful to remember that suffering itself is never good. Persecution is always evil. We should never desire these things. Yet, simultaneously, we can rejoice in knowing that God is able to use these things for good if they do become unavoidable–and they often will! After all, we’re promised that the world will hate us as we follow Christ.

This book will help you hold a biblical viewpoint of suffering and persecution in missions and help equip you to suffer well and minister to those who are also suffering.

Highly recommend!

[Neil Burleson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a thought-provoking, challenging, and thoroughly Biblical look into the topic of suffering and persecution of believers, specifically in the context of cross-cultural missions. It looks at the topic theologically, from the perspective of both missionaries as well as those whom they are attempting to reach, and also its impact on missiology. People may not agree with all of Matt's conclusions, but they must grapple with the Scripture he argues from. We need more biblical books like this one that force us to think deeply about trends and popular ministry approaches that may be unduly influenced by an unbiblical theology of suffering.

The first four chapters develop a Biblical theology of suffering in general which is applicable to all believers in any context. Chapter 5 looks at issues faces by ministers of the Gospel who may face suffering and persecution in bringing the Gospel to another land, especially those who might be hostile to the Gospel. Chapter 6 looks similarly at suffering from the standpoint of those who come to Christ in lands where persecution is common. Finally, the last chapter examines approaches to alleviating poverty in cross-cultural situations and some of the pitfalls that can accompany well-intentioned efforts.

Especially in the later chapters, Matt looks at topics such as these:
- how an unbiblical view of "extraction" can lead to unnecessary suffering
- how these views can be fueled by placing church growth strategies above Jesus's commands
- how a theology suffering relates to "insider" missiological strategies
- patronage and giving in developing nations
- business as mission or NGO platforms and considerations in societies of patronage and poverty

I highly recommend this thought-provoking book whether you agree with all of Matt's conclusions or not. It is definitely to reflect on how our missions' practice conforms (or fails to conform) to biblical models.

[Ryan J · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a current pastor and former missionary, I highly recommend this book for all to read—and not just missionaries. While future or current missionaries will read it with personal, relevant interest, all should read it to better understand the role of suffering and persecution in the Christian life and the real circumstances that cross-cultural missionaries will face.

With my pastor hat on, I believe this book will help future and current missionaries have clear eyes as they consider their struggles on the field. With a firm grasp on God’s purposes and God’s use of suffering, I think they’ll find more relief and more perseverance in the daily troubles and the periodic storms. And for believers who may never live on foreign fields but lovingly send and support missionaries, there is vital perspective in this book on how not to romanticize suffering (or the missionaries who face the suffering), how not to rashly encourage fleeing, and how not to ignorantly advise recklessly staying. The supporters play a huge role in how their missionaries will persevere with the way that they exhort and care from the home front, and Rhodes’s book is wonderfully instructive for them.

With my former missionary hat on, I found the book helpful for reflection on some of the things I experienced on the field, both positive and negative. There were victories—episodes of surrender and trust in the midst of trials where the glorious worth of our Savior shone through. And there were failures—times where I bent towards self-pity or escape in my sufferings. But Rhodes’ pastoral heart gently cared for me through all these past reflections and reminded me of the grace of God through each missionary endeavor.

I wish I had this book at the beginning of my fifteen years overseas, and I will emphatically equip each candidate and missionary I shepherd with this wonderful resource.

[Brooks]

A must read for any first world citizen considering spreading the gospel cross culturally and a great read for any believer in general. He digs into things like the problem of human suffering, financial giving, and sacrifice. Some of his takes are tough to chew on yet will pleasantly surprise you. He does a great job looking at things from all angles. He is fair and admits when he makes an argument, statement, or an opinion that cannot be backed Biblically. Though most of the stances he takes are very Biblically rooted and he does a great job sourcing.

[Cole Shiflet · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book from Matt Rhodes on persecution. He addresses the ways that the insider movement and other movement methodologies diverge in their theology of persecution in a way that is helpful and instructive for missionary candidates. His last two chapters on (1) discipling persecuted believers and (2) wealth, poverty, and the missionary were incredible helpful and my favorite two of the book.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

exceptionally timely read. scriptural review of persecution and suffering more broadly. aims to counteract idolization and glorification of suffering or persecution in the believer's life (especially related to missions). several practical and pertinent discussions on topics such as when should someone leave a country bc of persecution, how does our views and use of wealth/possessions/etc impact the way we serve our suffering brothers and sisters overseas.

[Tanusha Attanti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phenomenal resource on the reality of persecution in lives of ministers of the gospel. This spoke to me and my experiences as well as those that I’ve heard from overseas missions. Loved the first half especially!

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very encouraging book on a topic in need of more helpful resources like this

[Moses Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A much needed book. We need to prepare missionaries to suffer well and teach them to teach others to suffer well. Highly recommend.