07.27.2024

Burma: Praise God that Rev Dr Hkalam Samson has been released!

Earlier this week it was confirmed: Reverend Dr Hkalam Samson has been released by law enforcement authorities in Myanmar/Burma.

China: This Week: Punished for sharing a sermon...

Christian sister Gu Ti from Sichuan was fined 200 yuan (about $27.5 dollars) for sharing a sermon from Pastor Wang Yi in a WeChat group. 

USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom in Turkey

This report examines religious freedom developments in the first half of 2024, as well as ongoing factors affecting freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) within Turkey.

Bangladesh: Protests, an internet blackout, and spiritual darkness

Bangladesh is slowly lifting an internet and communications blackout after crackdowns on riots and protesters killed almost 200 people.

Peace talks on the horizon for Sudan conflict

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Sudan have agreed to US-mediated peace talks.

Attack in India Ends Church’s In-Person Worship Services

Members beaten and shunned; one fired from job.

Pakistan: Young Christian Man on Death Row Shows Remarkable Faith and Hope in Jesus

A young Christian man who is on death row in Punjab Province, Pakistan, for alleged blasphemy has drawn admiration from those around him for displaying such hope in Christ that he passed a high school examination with an eye to the future, Morning Star News (MSN) reports.

Hindu Nationalists Attack Christians in Central India, “This Hostility is Often Driven by a Belief That Indians Ought to be Hindu”

Hindu nationalists violently attacked or threatened Christians on three occasions in the same area of central India within the last month, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.

Pakistan Reverses Ban on Passports for Asylum Seekers

Collective sigh of relief from Christians fleeing persecution.

China: Fined by the CCP for posting a sermon?

Will fining a Christian preacher stop them from sharing the Gospel?

DRC: Islamic Terrorists Murder Three Christians, “We Are Praying to God to Bring This to an End”

Continuing a campaign of slaughter and horror against Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), terrorists affiliated with Islamic State murdered three Christians and kidnapped others during an attack on their village near Mamove on July 16, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.

Church of England Appoints “Overseers” to Support Members Who Do Not Accept Same-Sex Marriage

Amid ongoing division and disagreement over LGBT issues in the Church of England, the CofE Evangelical Council (CEEC) has appointed “overseers” to provide informal alternative spiritual oversight (ASO) to clergy and parishes that do not accept same-sex marriage and who are struggling with their denomination’s progressive moves on the matter, Christian Today (CT) reports.

Fulanis Kill 18 Christians in Benue State, Nigeria

Onslaught continues to grow in central part of country.

Hindu Nationalists Threaten, Attack Christians 3 Times in Two Weeks in Central India

Three times this month, Hindu nationalists have threatened or attacked Christians in the same area of Central India.

Vietnamese Christian Activist’s Extradition Hearing Postponed

Vietnamese Christian activist Y Quynh Bdap, who has been in Thailand since 2018, had his hearing for his extradition to Vietnam postponed until August.

Faith of Christian on Death Row in Pakistan Shines in Studies

‘Blasphemy’ convict focuses on prayer, Bible and academic excellence.

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing: Deteriorating Religious Freedom Conditions in Nicaragua

Please join the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) for a virtual hearing on deteriorating religious freedom conditions in Nicaragua and suggested policy options for the U.S. government.

ARMENIA: Only some conscientious objectors allowed alternative service

On 16 July, one week before his 21st birthday, Baptist conscientious
objector Davit Nazaretyan received the Cassation Court's rejection of his
final appeal against his two-year jail term. 

Local churches press on despite danger in Ukraine

Ukraine’s drone attacks intensify in Russia, damaging at least one major oil refinery.

Saudi Arabia: Churches few but growing in the birthplace of Islam

As relations between countries and militant groups in the Middle East grow daily more complex, a faithful church remains and increases by God’s grace in Saudi Arabia. 

Discipleship method prepares believers to handle tragedy

When Dave MacIntyre worked with at-risk children in Brazil, he noticed a problem.

Indonesia Church Threatened With Eviction

Lutheran Christians on the outskirts of Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, faced eviction from their church on Sunday, but their supporters told Worthy News they have appealed for prayers as they want to maintain a presence in this area of the world’s most populous Muslim nation.

Nigeria Christians Fear More Deaths ‘In World’s Most Violent Place’

Christians in Nigeria say their nation has become one of the most dangerous places in the world, with, on average, one believer being killed every two hours by extremists.

Uzbekistan’s Christian Parents Facing Jail, Fines Over Teaching Children

Uzbekistan’s draft legislation to “further strengthen the rights of children” will lead to government persecution of Christian parents in the former Soviet nation, well-informed sources told Worthy News.

Pastor and Family Devastated by Death of Son in India

Higher-caste Hindu takes brutal revenge on Christian.

India: Radical Hindu Mob Attacks House Church

During the Summer of 2008, almost every church in the Kandhamal area was destroyed by Hindu nationalists aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP party, along with a local government mandate that made Christianity illegal during that time.

Ignored for 24 Years, Indonesian Church Finally Gets Permit

After 24 years of waiting to get a permit to build a church and worship in its own space, the HKBP Binjai Baru Church has received a permit with support from Binjai Mayor Drs. H. Amir Hamzah, MAP.

Helping Persecuted Christians in Kenya ‘Face the Future’

On the night of August 21, 2023, the Somali-based Islamist group al-Shabab committed a devastating attack on a Christian community in Salama village, Lamu County, Kenya. 

Helping Persecuted Women

Much of the research conducted on persecution is not gender specific.

Another Discriminatory Anti-Conversion Law Proposed in India

In an affidavit filed earlier this month before India’s Supreme Court, the northwestern state of Rajasthan indicated that it planned to introduce curbs on so-called forced conversions. 

Chinese Officials Propose Harsher Restrictions for Christians

In late June, Chinese authorities discussed placing major new restrictions on Christians and religion in general.

Christian Father, 29, Gunned Down by Muslims in Pakistan

Catholic was sole provider for family with four children.

Hindu Extremist Attack Shuts Down Church’s Services in India

Police inaction contributes to closure.