08.31.2024

Please continue to pray for Nicaragua

Today our prayers are for Nicaragua, which has seen a huge crackdown over the past month. 

Your September Prayer Force Alert is here!

Uzbekistan Threatens Church Demolition In Crackdown

Members of a thriving Baptist church in western Uzbekistan say local authorities have begun demolishing their worship facility as part of a broader crackdown on devoted Christians.

Pakistan Christian Girl Forced To Marry and Convert; Two Boys Held For ‘Blasphemy’

There was concern Thursday about three Christian youngsters in Pakistan, including a 12-year-old girl who was forced to marry and convert to Islam while two 18-year-old brothers were charged with blasphemy, several sources said.

Nicaragua: Ortega Regime to Begin Taxing Church Tithes and Offerings in Ongoing Crackdown

As predicted by Christian rights groups, Nicaragua’s authoritarian government is set to begin taxing tithes and offerings collected by churches in an effort to tighten its control over religious institutions, Christianity Today (CT) reports.

Uganda: Evangelist Murdered for Leading Muslims to Christ, “We Are Coming for Your Life”

Yowabu Sebakaki, a Ugandan evangelist who led Muslims to Christ and discipled them, was brutally murdered for the Gospel by Islamic extremists in eastern Uganda earlier this month, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. 

Philippines: ICC-Supported Missionaries Share the Gospel on Cult-Controlled Island Magellan's Cross

On an isolated island in the Philippines where two cult groups control all levels of society, one missionary couple is sharing the light of Christ and drawing people out of the darkness.

Afghanistan: Taliban Codifies Sweeping Updates to its Morality Law

Fresh on the heels of a decision last week to block the U.N. human rights rapporteur from entering Afghanistan, the Taliban regime ruling the country published a new set of morality laws that continues its long-running crackdown on human rights.

18-Year-Old Arrested Following False Blasphemy Accusations

Police in Pakistan have arrested an 18-year-old Christian named Tabi after villagers falsely accused him of blaspheming Islam.

Communities in Three Nigerian States Endure Violence, Abductions

Christian communities in three Nigerian states suffered significant attacks in recent weeks at the hands of Islamic Fulani extremists.

Terrorists kill 200 in Burkina Faso; students flee to Christian school

On Saturday in central Burkina Faso, an al Qaeda terrorist branch called the Group for Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) attacked and killed 200 people.

Officials in Pakistan Attempt to Ban Rights March Organizers

Sindh Province Home Department alleges march, not Islamists, incited unrest.

Reminder: U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing   Navigating Challenges and Opportunities for Religious Freedom in Pakistan

In 2024, religious freedom conditions in Pakistan continue to decline. 

Myanmar junta loses grip on northern city

Earlier this month, Myanmar’s ruling military junta lost a key base in the city of Lashio in Shan State to rebel forces. 

Afghanistan: New morality laws from Taliban make gospel resources timely

Government leaders in Afghanistan codified another set of morality laws last week. 

Christians Pray As Indonesia Descents Into Chaos Over Election Reforms

Christians in Indonesia appealed for prayers Tuesday as security forces crushed nationwide protests against attempts by parliamentary allies of outgoing President Joko Widodo to change regional election legislation in their favor.

Christian Girl, 12, Forcibly Converted/Married in Pakistan

Police slow to undertake efforts to recover kidnapped child.

Poor Christian Brothers Charged with Blasphemy in Pakistan

Two illiterate 18-year-olds accused of desecrating the Quran.

Afghanistan: New laws forbid women’s voices in public

Friday marks the third anniversary of the final U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Why are ethnic Malays persecuted?

Gospel opportunities abound if you’re a missionary in Malaysia, but reaching certain people groups for Jesus carries a higher risk.

New SAT-7 program reaches isolated believers in Tajikistan

Less than one percent of Tajikistan’s population is Christian, and believers are rare in rural districts and villages.

Mexico Sees Protests Against the Violation of Religious Freedom for Protestant Community

Mexico last week saw demonstrations against the violation of religious freedoms as protestors gathered in Mexico City and the city of Oaxaca to show their anger about how authorities have subjected a Protestant minority community to discrimination, violence, and arbitrary detention, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports.

Church closure threatened ahead of Nicene Creed anniversary

One city in Türkiye has a single operating church building. Now, that building may be facing closure.

Uncertainty increases Gospel urgency in Iran

Failed attempts to secure a ceasefire and hostage release deal last week raise fears about Iran’s promised retaliation against Israel.

Behind headlines, ordinary people desperate for hope

 In the backdrop of the world’s active conflicts are ordinary people who suffer deeply and need the hope of Jesus. 

Indonesian Pentecostal Leader and Pastor Lumenta Dies At 72 (Worthy News In-Depth)

Pastor Johannis ‘John’ Hus Lumenta, the restless, dedicated secretary-general of Indonesia’s main Pentecostal denomination Gereja Pantekosta di Indonesia’ (GPdI), has died, Christians confirmed to Worthy News early Sunday.

Pakistan: Just 12 Jaranwala Rioters Facing Trial After Hundreds Arrested

One year after the devastating Islamic riot against Christians in Jaranwala, Pakistan in August last year, just 12 of the more than 300 people arrested are facing trials, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. 

Egypt: Imprisoned Christian Activist Launches Hunger Strike in Protest at Maltreatment

Prominent Yemeni Christian activist Abdulbaqi Saeed Abdo has started a hunger strike from prison in Egypt in protest at how the Egyptian government has treated him, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.

China, North Korea Working Together to Persecute Christians

According to a new report, China continues to aid North Korea in its relentless persecution of Christians.

Christian Activist Detained in Egypt Starts Hunger Strike

A prominent Christian activist recently launched a hunger strike, protesting the Egyptian government’s treatment of him while he’s in prison.

India: Nearly 1,700 Arrested in 4 Years under UP’s Anti-Conversion Law

During the last four years, 1,682 people have been arrested, and 835 cases have been registered under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act in the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. 

Taliban Blocks U.N. Human Rights Rapporteur from Entering Afghanistan

The Taliban announced this week that it would not allow U.N. special rapporteur for human rights, Richard Bennett, back into the country. 

DRC: A Sanctuary of Hope

An orphanage in Kasindi, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, stands as a sanctuary for Christian children who’ve lost their families due to the brutal attacks carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

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.