Persecution might be a strange idea to many Christians living within the United States, where freedom of religion reigns supreme. But in countries around the world — from Afghanistan to Yemen and dozens of others — Christians are persecuted for their faith.

It’s a cold reality for many in the world, according to the Voice of the Martyrs, and it is the group’s mission to get that reality into the open. As part of that mission, the group will have a regional conference April 4 at First Christian Church, 1000 Ky.

Speakers from Pakistan and Iran, as well as Americans who have been abroad, will share stories of persecution and the Christian faith during the conference, which runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The organization, says David Brackemyre, director of the group’s Voice Ministries, sponsored more than 900 projects last year and spent $15 million in the process to help Christians work to end persecution around the world. He says these projects include supplying Christians with what they want and need, including Bibles, pamphlets and in one example, a VHS player so Christians could play a film about Jesus.

Brackemyre says that the focus of the conference is simply to get the word out about persecution. He says there are a number of reasons why tales of persecution don’t make it to Christians within the United States.

“We are isolated by being on the other side of the world,” he says. “And this issue doesn’t get attention on a widespread basis. … You don’t really see it on the news or in newspapers by and large. That’s why I think a conference like this is very important to give people access to that information.”

To attend the conference, register at www.VOMMeetings.com. For more information on Voice of the Martyrs, visit www.persecution.com.