Belarus Detains Christian Missionary Amid Crackdown
Belarus has detained a Christian missionary as part of a massive crackdown on those deemed dangerous to the government, Christians told Worthy News.
Faith
China persecution: Officials raid Christian funeral service
As China’s communist regime continues its campaign to suppress Christianity in the country, Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials recently raided a funeral home during a Christian memorial service in Guiyang City, Guizhou province, International Christian Concern reports.
Around 1.2 million Christians live in Saudi Arabia
It is estimated that there are around 1.2 million Christians living in Saudi Arabia, although citizens’ conversion from Islam to Christianity is punishable by death, Christian Headlines reports. Most believers in Saudi Arabia are Filipino expatriates who are allowed to work in the country, but are not citizens.
‘North India Pastor Killed For Sharing Faith’
The wife of a pastor allegedly murdered in northern India for his Christian faith says she will continue his work.
Algeria Christian Appeals Sentence For Abandoning Islam And Spreading Christianity
An Algerian man jailed for abandoning Islam and accepting donations to spread Christianity plans to appeal the sentence, Worthy News learned Friday.
Iran Jails Convert For Refusing To Abandon Christian Faith
A former Muslim who embraced faith in Christ has been ordered to begin a ten-month prison sentence for “propaganda against the Islamic Republic,” Worthy News learned Wednesday.
Nigeria Searches For Over 100 Abducted Christian Students; Schools Closed
Nigerian authorities were trying to establish contact with kidnappers Friday amid mounting concerns about the plight of more than 100 abducted Christian students.
Family Escapes After Saudi Arabia Fines Christian For Converting Muslims
The wife and children of a Christian in Saudi Arabia have left the country after he was fined on charges such as “attempting to convert” Muslims to Christianity, Worthy News learned.
Algeria Jails Christian For Spreading Christianity
A former Muslim who turned to faith in Christ says he has been sentenced to six months imprisonment for alleged unauthorized donations to spread Christianity.
Iran persecution: Three former Muslims become Christians sentenced to prison under new law
Three former Muslims in Iran are the first Christians to be given prison sentences under Article 500, a new amendment to Iran’s penal code that aims to block the spread of the Gospel in the country, Morning Star News reports. Iran ranks 8 on the US Open Doors Watch List of countries that persecute Christians.
Nigeria: Islamic extremists abduct 140 students from Baptist school; “Please pray”
Islamic extremists kidnapped 140 students from the Bethel Baptist High School in Nigeria’s Kaduna state on Monday, International Christian Concern reports. Islamic terrorists are estimated to have abducted 1000 students from schools across Nigeria since the end of last year.
Indian pastor beaten to death; wife says husband is ‘Martyr for his faith’
A pastor in India’s Haryana state was beaten to death on June 30 after sharing the “love and forgiveness of Christ” with a man who then murdered him, Morning Star News reports. India ranks 10 on the US Open Doors Watch List of countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian.
China intensifies censorship of religious books in schools
A rights group that focuses on China has reported that, in the run-up to the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on July 1, the CCP intensified its nation-wide censorship of religious books and materials, Assist News reports. ChinaAid said in its report that a number of schools received notifications forbidding students to read religious books or use other faith-based materials.
Wycliffe Associates Turns to “Old” Technology to Bring the Scriptures to Isolated Language Groups
Wycliffe Associates, an international organization that empowers mother-tongue Bible translators and partners with local churches in the advancement of Bible translation, has begun transmitting Bible translation training and ministry support materials via radio signals.
DR Congo persecution: Islamic terror group believed to have bombed church; “Please Pray”
It is believed that the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) Islamic terror group were responsible for planting the bomb which exploded inside a Catholic church just before the start of a confirmation ceremony in Beni City, DR Congo on Sunday, International Christian Concern reports. While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, the ADF has terrorized DR Congo for decades.
Atheists claim Mississippi’s ‘In God We Trust’ state license plate is unconstitutional
Three atheists have filed suit in a federal court, asserting it is unconstitutional for Mississippi to force all vehicle owners to drive with new state license plates displaying the words ‘In God We Trust,’ or pay a fee for an alternative design, Mississippi Free Press reported. Mississippi began issuing the new plates in 2019, five years after the idea was introduced by Republican lawmakers.
Christian Convert Loses Appeals Court Hearing
Iranian Christians have urged prayers for a Christian convert after an appeals court upheld his 10-month prison sentence for “propaganda against the regime,” Worthy News learned.
India persecution: Tribal animists force Christians to leave their homes
More than 50 Christians from 13 families have recently been forced to leave their villages and escape into the jungle of India’s Odisha state by tribal animists enraged at the believers’ faith in Christ, Morning Star News reported Friday. India ranks 10 on the US Open Doors Watch List of countries that persecute Christians.
China Launches Crackdown On Church Members
Members of one of China’s largest unregistered churches face a new crackdown by Chinese authorities after their leading pastor was sentenced to nine years imprisonment on charges linked to his Christian activities Communist-run nation.
GOP lawmakers question motives of IRS in ruling that could jeopardize tax-exempt status of churches
Several Republicans in the U.S. House and Senate sent a letter to the IRS Friday demanding the agency correct a ruling they say could have major implications for churches and faith-based organizations in the U.S.