Year: 2002

Vietnam: Christians Denied Right to Exist

Christians in Vietnam are virtually being denied the right to exist, according to a visit there by a representative of a Washington, DC, based ministry recently.

Uzbekistan: Harsh Measures Against Protestants in Karakalpakstan

he authorities in Karakalpakstan, an autonomous republic in the north-west of Uzbekistan, are trying to halt the spread of Christianity among Karakalpakstan’s native peoples (Uzbeks, Kazakhs and Karakalpaks, who are historically Muslims),

U.S. Missionary Hostage Killed in Philippine Rescue Attempt

AUSTIN, Texas, June 7 (Compass) — Kidnapped American missionary Martin Burnham was killed today in a Philippine military raid to rescue him, his wife, Gracia, and a Filipina nurse, New Tribes Mission (NTM) has confirmed.

Turkish Pastor Put On Trial In Diyarbakir

ISTANBUL, May 7 (Compass) — Protestant pastor Ahmet Guvener goes on trial in Turkey’s southeastern city of Diyarbakir in late May, accused by the state prosecutor of making illegal changes in the architectural plan of his nearly completed church building.

Open Doors Asks For Prayers After Church in Turkey Forced to Close its Doors

SANTA ANA, CA (ANS) — Turkish security police ordered a Protestant Christian congregation meeting for 40 years in the southeastern port city of Iskenderun to close its doors in mid-June, declaring the church had “no legal basis” and that its activities were harmful to society, Compass Direct reported today.

Traditional Values Coalition Joins Israel Solidarity Rally In Washington, DC

Washington, DC – This afternoon, Traditional Values Coalition Chairman Rev. Louis P. Sheldon will join with thousands of Christians, Jews, and other religious groups in an Israel Solidarity Rally to be held at the U.S. Capitol Building between 1-3 p.m. An estimated 50,000 Israel supporters will participate in this event. Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to be the featured speaker at this event.

Thomas More Law Center Wins Pro-Life Victory in Montana

(Ann Arbor, MI) — In a ruling the Thomas More Law Center called a “sound victory” for the pro-life cause and free speech, a Montana federal judge signed an order this past week upholding the First Amendment right of pro-life demonstrators to carry graphic signs of aborted babies.

Mob Destroys Church in South Sulawesi, Indonesia

SOUTH SULAWESI, INDONESIA (ANS) — A mob has destroyed a church in the predominantly Muslim city of Makassar in South Sulawesi, according to a report from The Barnabas Fund.

Sudan Amputates Chrstian’s Hand for Theft

ISTANBUL, March 6 (Compass) — The government of Sudan amputated a Southern Sudanese Christian’s right hand for alleged theft in late January, furthering evidence that the Islamist regime has begun enacting harsh Muslim punishments against both Christian and Muslim citizens within the past three months.

Last Two Christian Prisoners Deported From Saudi Arabia

ISTANBUL, April 1 (Compass) — An Ethiopian and Filipino Christian jailed since last summer in the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah were released and deported to their home countries over Easter weekend.

Two Foreign Christians Remain Held by Saudi Authorities

SANTA ANA, CA (ANS) — Terry Madison, U.S. president and CEO of Open Doors with Brother Andrew has said that Saudi Arabia’s treatment of two expatriate Christians is further proof of why this desert Kingdom is among the world’s worst persecutor of Christians.

Russia: Protestants Evicted From Rented Halls

In mid-April four Protestant churches – the charismatic Cornerstone Church and Free Church, the Baptist Free Bible Church and an unregistered Pentecostal congregation – were all evicted from state premises which they had been renting for worship services in the capital of Tatarstan, Kazan.

Students Fight For Right to Express Pro-Life Message in Public Schools

ANN ARBOR, MI – Over twenty-five students around the country during the past school year have sought assistance from the Thomas More Law Center because they were prevented by school officials from wearing pro-life clothing. The Law Center, a national, public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Rock For Life, a division of the American Life League in Stafford, Virginia, have been collaborating to promote the constitutional right of students to express their pro-life message in the nation’s public schools.

Revival Bursts Open in Charleston, South Carolina

by George Whitten, Editor of Worthy News On April 12, 1861, Confederate batteries opened fire on Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. This marked the beginning of the civil war and the division of our country. On Friday, March 22, 2002, over 250 pastors representing approximately ten different denominations gathered together at 1600 Meeting Street in Charleston to begin forty days of prayer and fasting for revival. Who knew that the city where division began would be the city where the spirit of reconciliation would be poured out? This move of God started just over eight months ago, while a … Read more

Rebels Force Churches To Close in Colombia

COCHABAMBA, Bolivia, May 15 (Compass) — In mid April, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) forced 11 evangelical Protestant churches in Arauquita, a town near Colombia’s border with Venezuela, to suspend public worship services.

Christians Secretly Forced to Re-Convert to Hinduism in India

BANGALORE, India (Compass) — The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Organization, VHP) is secretly conducting large-scale conversion drives in India’s Marxist-ruled state of West Bengal. More than 16 tribal Christians were forced to re-convert to Hinduism on April 22 at a purification ceremony in Chopra village in the Malda district about 300 kilometers from Calcutta, NGO sources said. Ten other animist tribals were also converted to Hinduism in the village.

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