04.24.2021

BREAKING: Biden Recognizes Armenian Genocide; Turkey Outraged

More than a century after one of the worst massacres of Christians, U.S. President Joe Biden formally declared the systemic killing and deportation of some 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman Empire forces “genocide.”

China Returns Cross To Evangelical Church

An evangelical church in China says it has received back a cross and other items that were confiscated by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Christians Welcome Biden’s Recognition Of Armenian Genocide

Christian rights activists welcome news that Joe Biden will become the first American president to formally recognize the massacre of Armenian people by the Ottoman Empire as an act of genocide.

President Biden Affirms Armenian Genocide of 1915

2021 USCIRF report contains few surprises

There are many layers to foreign policy. One of those layers is religious liberty, and as a nation founded on religious liberty, the United States has a critical relationship with that principle.

FBR: Those Brilliant Eyes

This is a poem written by Suuzanne Eubank while she was with Karen soldiers and villagers who were defending their people from Burma Army attacks.

Saudi Arabia Ex-Muslim Facing Jail For Faith In Christ

An ex-Muslim who became Christian in Saudi Arabia faced a court and possible jail this week for helping his sister, a fellow believer, to escape the Islamic nation, BosNewsLife learned.

China Police Raid Evangelical Church

An evangelical house church in China’s coastal province of Hubei faces uncertainty after security forces stormed its worship place, confiscated most properties, and detained the landowner, Worthy News learned.

Report: ‘Growing Persecution Christians In Europe, North America’

Devoted Christians in Europe and North America are increasingly among those being persecuted for their faith in Christ, a rights report shows.

Eritrea Releasing Dozens Of Jailed Christians; Others Detained

Dozens of Christians detained in Eritrea for unauthorized worship have been released, but many other believers remain jailed, Christians say.

Algeria Pastor, Co-Worker Face Prison For Christian Work

Supporters of an Algerian pastor and his co-worker have urged prayers after an appeal hearing against a lengthy prison term related to their Christian work was postponed.

Please keep Sri Lanka in our Prayers

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’ – John 14:27

Jesus’s comforting words to his disciples remind us that in him, a peace is available to us that transcends any suffering we experience. This week, pray this verse over Sri Lanka.

Sens. Coons, Lankford and Reps. Cuellar, Smith join Manchin and Brownback as bipartisan co-chairs of International Religious Freedom Summit 2021

Shi Minglei: "Why I changed my name to Hope"

In a letter to her brothers and sisters in the church, Hope (Shi Minglei) shares "Why I changed my name to Hope."

President of Chad killed in combat

Idriss Déby, President of Chad for the last 30 years, has been killed. He was visiting the frontlines of fighting against rebel forces.

USCIRF Releases 2021 Annual Report with Recommendations for U.S. Policy

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released its 2021 Annual Report documenting developments during 2020, including significant progress in countries such as Sudan.

Flooding the Streets of Myanmar with Prayer

This powerful, yet heartbreaking video shows Christians in Myanmar on the ground praying earnestly for their country.

USCIRF Reiterates its Call to Urgently Increase the Refugee Ceiling

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) joins in the calls on President Joseph R. Biden to immediately sign the directive raising the numerical ceiling for refugees accepted from abroad through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) for the current Fiscal Year, which runs until October 1, 2021.

Police persecution of Xiamen Xunsiding Church "backfires"

On April 17, police again raided Xiamen Xunsiding Church at the newly rented venue in Pacific Rim Hotel. As dozens of police officers blocked the entrance to the conference hall, they checked each church member’s temperature, noted their ID numbers, and photographed them without their face mask. 

Myanmar crisis sends refugees to Bangladesh and India

Military officials in Myanmar continue targeting their own civilians through shootings and even airstrikes.

Pakistani Christians at risk following TLP unrest

Tension between Pakistan’s government and a radical Islamist group turned deadly this weekend.

ISIS Executes Sinai Christian

‘Bring back our 112 Chibok girls – now and alive!’ Demands for closure and disclosure 7 years on

‘I’m Chibok girl Dad. Bring Back Our Girls Now’ read the white letters on the man’s red T-shirt.

Heated debate surrounds India’s religious freedom status

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom faces pressure on Wednesday’s annual report debut.

Act Now: Ban Anti-Conversion Laws in India

ISWAP Releases Video of Attack on Damasak, Nigeria

The Boko Haram splinter group Islamic State West Africa (ISWAP) released a video on Wednesday showing their weekend attack on the town of Damasak, in Nigeria’s Borno state. In the video, a man can be heard yelling ‘Allahu Akbar’ (Allah is the greatest) while pointing a large automatic weapon mounted in the back of a pickup truck.

Turkish City To Build On Historic Monastery Land

Construction is beginning, to build a multi-level parking lot on land belonging to the Monastery of St. Efrem of the Syriac Catholic Church in Mardin.

Announcement of Anti-Conversion Law Initiates Wave of Persecution in Southern India

On January 6, the Minority Welfare Minister of India’s Karnataka state announced that the state would enact an anti-conversion law to counter the supposed threat of ‘Love Jihad.’ Since this announcement, attacks on Christians and other religious minorities in the state have dramatically increased in both number and severity.

Catholic Orphanage for the Disabled in Hebei to be Shut Down

An orphanage in China’s Hebei province, which hosts dozens of disabled children and young people, is about to be shut down on the orders of local authorities.

Christian Pastor Paraded, Injured, Forced into Hindu Ritual

Church leader in southwest India loses hearing in one ear.

Licensing of Egyptian Churches Reaches Halfway Mark

Authorities passed the halfway mark in the task of licensing churches in Egypt on April 12, when 82 new registrations were approved.

Christians Express Solidarity With Myanmar Muslims as Tatmadaw Kill Man Outside Mosque

Christians are among those who have reached out in solidarity to the Muslim community of Mandalay, Myanmar after a man was shot and killed outside a mosque.

Turkey: Priest Jailed; Christian Crisis in the Making
Ramadan (Muslim month of fasting): 12/13 April to 13 May
Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day: Saturday 24 April.
Orthodox Easter: Palm Sunday 25 April; Good Friday 30 April; Resurrection Sunday 2 May.