Egypt Registers Hundreds Of Churches Amid Hostilities
Egypt has registered its largest single batch of churches and church-affiliated buildings in a move that Christians hope will reduce hostility towards them in the Muslim-majority nation.
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Pastor: ‘Pakistan Evangelicals Expand In Lahore Despite Hardships’
A pastor in Pakistan’s second-largest city says his evangelical congregation is celebrating its 10th anniversary, and he wants to expand despite the persecution faced by Christians in the Islamic nation.
Muslim Charged With Killing Priest In Egypt
A man has been charged with killing a Coptic Orthodox priest in the coastal city of Alexandria in northern Egypt, Christian sources said Thursday.
Sudan: Pastor attacked by Muslim extremists then charged with breaching peace
Continuing a campaign of harassment against the Sudanese Church of Christ (SCOC) in Sudan’s Al Hag Abdalla, Muslim extremists attacked the church’s pastor on April 10 and then had him charged with breaching the peace, Morning Star News reports.
India State Detains Evangelical Christians
Police in India’s northern Uttar Pradesh state have detained dozens of evangelical Christians for allegedly violating a law banning “religious conversion” after complaints by Hindus.
‘Christian Netflix Service Reaching Mideast Persecuted Believers’
“Isolated Christians in the Middle East,” including many struggling to survive, use their smartphones to connect with other believers through the “region’s first-ever faith-based video-on-demand service,” a Christian broadcaster says.
Russia Pounding East Ukraine, Terrifying Villagers
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says a long-awaited Russian offensive in the east has begun. As Russian forces are attacking Ukrainian positions, church charities stepped up efforts to welcome those fleeing the conflict.
Former Archbishop of Canterbury pushes for conversion therapy ban, says being transgender is “sacred journey”
The former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Rowan Williams has signed a letter asking the UK government to include trans people in a ban on conversion therapy, attesting that being transgender is a “sacred journey of becoming whole,” CBN reports. The ban that is currently set to become UK law covers only people with same-sex attraction, not transgender persons.
Canadian think tank: law must change after houses of worship treated ‘unequally’ during pandemic
A Canadian think tank has published a policy brief calling for a change in Ontario law, after concluding that houses of worship in the province were unequally and arbitrarily subjected to greater restrictions than retail businesses were during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Iran Christian Convert Starts Prison Term
Iranian Christian convert Fariba Dalir has begun serving a two-year prison sentence for “acting against national security by establishing and leading an Evangelical Christian church,” an advocacy group confirmed.
Russian Missiles Hit West Ukraine, Several Killed
Ukrainian officials say Russian missiles have hit the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, killing at least seven people. Moscow’s troops apparently stepped up strikes on infrastructure across Ukraine in preparation for an expected all-out assault on the east.
India:36 Christians arrested after Hindu radicals lock 100 congregants in church
Radicalized Hindus in India’s Uttar Pradesh state on Thursday locked a congregation of 100 Christians in their church and then had 36 of them arrested and jailed on alleged forced conversion charges, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Egypt: Coptic Archbishop stabbed to death, declared a martyr
A Coptic Archbishop who was stabbed to death on a street in Egypt earlier this month has been declared a martyr by the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Alexandria, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Archbishop Arsanious Wadidw was dressed in clerical attire and clearly identifiable as a priest when he was murdered by a lone knifeman as he handed out Ramadan gifts in Alexandria’s Maharam Bek District on April 7.
Report: Putin sends letter to Bennett demanding handover of Old City property
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently sent a letter to Prime Minister Naftali Bennett urging Israel to hand over control of contested church property in the Old City of Jerusalem, the Ynet website reported Monday.
Ukraine Christians Celebrate Easter Despite Russian Shelling
After Pope Francis called for an Easter truce in Ukraine, many Christians in this war-torn land still faced Russian shelling as they prepared for Easter worship, including damaged churches.
Detained Iran Pastor Briefly Home For Easter
A detained pastor of Iran’s largest evangelical network of house churches spent Easter Sunday with his family but was due to return to prison Monday, Worthy News learned.
Algeria Christians Facing New Church Closures
Supporters of Christians in Algeria urge prayers saying Islamic authorities close worship places, including in the Mediterranean port city Béjaïa.
Indonesia Jails Christian YouTuber For 10 Years
Christians urged prayers Wednesday after a Muslim-background Christian was sentenced to ten years in prison for “blasphemy” and hate speech in Indonesia’s West Java Province.
Sri Lanka Christians Pray After Buddhist Attack
Evangelical Christians in bankrupt Sri Lanka were weighing their options Friday after new details emerged of a Buddhist mob storming a church and injuring one believer.
Vietnam Church Face Tense Easter After Raid
Devoted Christians in northwestern Vietnam faced a challenging Easter after government officials raided a Catholic Church service in the region.