China: Church releases statement detailing torture of imprisoned leaders

An evangelical church in China has released a statement detailing torture and maltreatment inflicted on three of the congregation’s leaders who have been in detention since August last year, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports. China ranks 16th on the US Open Doors World Watch List 2023 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.

European Parliament event highlights Christian persecution worldwide

The ongoing crisis of Christian persecution worldwide was highlighted at the European Parliament last week, at a special presentation of the Open Doors 2023 World Watch List (WWL) of the top 50 countries where believers are most persecuted, European Times reports. Open Doors is an international NGO that monitors persecution levels and helps persecuted Christians around the world.

Nigeria: Beloved pastor slaughtered by suspected Islamic State terrorists in Adamawa, “he fought a good fight”

Christian communities in Nigeria’s Adamawa state are deeply mourning the loss of Pastor Jerry Hinjari of Christ Nation International, who was murdered by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists on Thursday, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. The slaughter of tens of thousands of Christians in Nigeria at the hands of Islamic terrorists has gone unchecked by the Nigerian government and the international community for many years now.

Sudan: Christian ministry team murdered by suspected Islamic extremist

A church pastor was among a ministry team of four Christians who were murdered by suspected Islamic extremists in Sudan last week, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Rights groups have reported worsening conditions for Sudanese believers since the 2021 military coup, which overthrew the transitional government installed after brutal dictator Omar al-Bashir was ousted in 2019.

Iran: Christians under increased persecution, but church is growing

Christians in Iran have faced even more intense persecution since the Iranian regime began its violent crackdown on nationwide anti-government protests that took off last year – but the Iranian church continues to grow, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.

Pakistan: National Assembly votes to make controversial blasphemy laws even harsher

Bypassing public debate on the matter, Pakistan’s National Assembly on January 17 voted to make the country’s highly controversial blasphemy laws even harsher than they already are, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports. Pakistan ranks seven on the US Open Doors World Watch List 2023 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.

Iran Detains Christian Converts, Prayers Urged

Iranian Christians requested prayers Thursday for Iranian Pastor Abdolreza (Matthias) Haghnejad and his wife, Anahita (Anna) Khademi, after their detention in northern Iran.

Christian Families Expelled From India Town

Some 13 Christian families in India’s central state of Chhattisgarh spent Christmas outside their homes after being beaten and expelled from a village for refusing to deny their faith in Christ, several sources said.

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