Barnabas Aid Founder Dr. Patrick Sookhdeo Dies at 79

Dr. Patrick Sookhdeo, founder of Barnabas Aid, a charity that supports persecuted Christians worldwide, died at age 79. His death was announced by the organization this week.

Sookhdeo founded Barnabas Aid in 1993 after years of work with persecuted Christian communities in Muslim-majority countries. The organization now operates in more than 60 countries, providing food, shelter, legal aid, and other support to Christians facing discrimination and violence.

He was a prolific author and speaker on the subject of Christian persecution and Islam. His books and lectures drew both praise and criticism. He was known in conservative evangelical circles as a leading voice on religious freedom for Christians in the Global South.

Sookhdeo faced controversy in his later years. He was convicted of sexual assault in 2017, a conviction that damaged his reputation and led to his stepping back from public ministry. He maintained his innocence.

Despite the controversy, many in the Christian community remembered him for his decades of work on behalf of persecuted believers. Barnabas Aid said it would continue its mission under new leadership.

"Dr. Sookhdeo gave his life to serving the most vulnerable Christians in the world," the organization said in a statement. "His legacy is the thousands of lives touched by this ministry."

Barnabas Aid provides emergency relief, supports church rebuilding, funds education for children of persecuted Christians, and advocates for religious freedom at international forums. The organization is based in the United Kingdom and has offices in the United States and other countries.