Contact: Jerry Dykstra, Media Relations Director, Open Doors USA, 616-915-4117, JerryD@odusa.org

NASHVILLE, March 6, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- Open Doors received the prestigious Milestone Award at the National Religious Broadcasters banquet at the Gaylord Opryland and Convention Center Tuesday night.

The Milestone Award is given annually to ministries which have more than 50 years of continuous exceptional ministry in Christian outreach and broadcasting. Open Doors is celebrating 58 years of serving persecuted believers in restricted countries around the world. Ten ministries received the award during NRB's 70th annual convention.

Sealy Yates, Founding Chairman, Open Doors International, accepted the award on behalf of Open Doors.

"On behalf of Open Doors and Brother Andrew (Open Doors founder), it is an honor to accept the Milestone Award from the National Religious Broadcasters," said Yates. "It is also a privilege for me to be here on behalf of all those living under persecution because they have chosen to live their lives with their faith in Jesus Christ...those who cannot be here themselves. I would like to thank NRB for their recognition of all those who are faithfully serving and who have served with Open Doors in serving the suffering Church around the world for more than five decades.

"The Lord has blessed Open Doors since Brother Andrew first delivered Bibles behind the Iron Curtain in 1955. Today Open Doors continues to sustain and strengthen Christians living in hostile environments so they can live out and share the gospel. I thank the Lord for all those who have supported and prayed for our persecuted brothers and sisters over the years."

NRB President/CEO Dr. Frank Wright stated: "For nearly six decades, Open Doors has faithfully served the persecuted church through theological training, community development and distribution of Bibles, training materials and other Christian materials. The ministry has also done a phenomenal job in raising awareness of suffering Christians around the world, and in mobilizing the church in the West to pray. Only God knows the full impact of this tremendous ministry."

Brother Andrew, the author of the best-selling autobiography "God's Smuggler," still travels to dangerous countries with his Bible to proclaim the Word. Open Doors comes along side persecuted Christians in places such as North Korea, Iraq, Nigeria, Syria and Nigeria.

For almost 60 years Open Doors has worked in the world's most oppressive and restrictive countries, strengthening Christians to stand strong in the face of persecution and equipping them to shine Christ's light in these places. Open Doors empowers persecuted Christians by supplying Bibles and Christian literature, training Christian leaders, facilitating social/economic projects and uniting believers in the West in prayer for Christians, who are the most persecuted religious group in the world and are oppressed in at least 60 countries. To partner with Open Doors USA, call toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (888-524-2535) or go to our website at www.OpenDoorsUSA.org.

(For more information, contact Open Doors USA Media Relations Director Jerry Dykstra at 616-915-4117 or email JerryD@odusa.org.)