18 Priests Kidnapped, 3 Killed In Nigeria
At least 18 priests have been kidnapped, and several were killed in Nigeria this year, prompting church leaders to call for prayers, a Catholic charity said Tuesday.
Faith
Sudan: Four Christians face death penalty for refusal to renounce faith
Four Christian men in Sudan’s Darfur face the death penalty after being tortured and charged with apostasy for refusing to renounce their faith, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reported.
Priest Amodo Abducted In Nigeria As Clergy Kidnappings Rise
Christians in central Nigeria prayed Friday for another priest abducted by suspected Islamic gunmen as kidnappings of clergy continue throughout the country.
Just 3% of global missions focus on unreached people groups
Only 3% of Christian missionaries globally are focused on trying to share the Gospel with the three billion people living in communities that have never been reached or have been reached the least, with Christ’s message of salvation, the Christian Post (CP) reports.
New study shows engaging with the Bible develops hope and resilience
A new survey from the American Bible Society (ABS) shows that those who read and apply the Bible consistently have “greater levels of hope and resilience,” CBN News reports.
Authorities Close India Church Over Hindu Protests
Christians in eastern India are questioning the sealing of their church building after authorities ordered the believers to stop gathering for worship, a rights group said Thursday.
US State Department publishes annual report on worldwide religious freedom
he US Department of State has now published its 2021 Annual Report on International Religious Freedom, setting out the status of religious freedom in each country in the world, International Christian Concern (ICC reports). The USIRF report to Congress found that a number of countries with poor records on religious freedom had made significant improvements: these countries include Morocco, Taiwan and Iraq, ICC said. However, the situation is extremely severe and/or deteriorating in numerous other countries, including Pakistan and Yemen.
India: Christians suffer arrest and imprisonment in Uttar Pradesh, ”Our lives are in danger”
At least 30 Christians were imprisoned on false charges in India’s Uttar Pradesh state last month, as Hindu nationalists continue to abuse the state’s harsh anti-conversion laws and accuse believers of forcing Hindus to convert to Christianity, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Christian humanitarian tells of captivity in Iraq
A French Christian has published a book recounting his abduction and tortuous captivity by Islamic terrorists while on a humanitarian trip in Iraq, the Christian Post reports. The author of the new book ‘Kidnapped in Iraq: A Christian Humanitarian Tells His Story,’ Alexandre Goodarzy recently spoke of his work and captivity with the Christian Post (CP).
EU Cancels Sanctions Against Russian Patriarch
The European Union canceled plans to impose sanctions against Russian Orthodox Church leader Patriarch Kirill after Hungary threatened to veto the bloc’s latest round of measures against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
First transgender Lutheran bishop has been asked to resign
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has asked Megan Rohrer, its first transgender bishop, to resign after the cleric fired a Hispanic pastor on a culturally important religious day for the Latinx community, Church Leaders (CL) reports.
Christians Pray After Islamic Militants Execute 20 Christians In Nigeria
Christians have urged prayers for the surviving loved ones of 20 Nigerian Christian men executed by militants affiliated with the self-proclaimed Islamic State terror group in northeast Nigeria’s Borno State. In May, an Islamic States’ Amaq News Agency video showed the execution of the 20 Christians forced to kneel by knife-wielding militants.
Police Burns Church Building In Central India
Nearly four months after their thatched-roof church building was torched, Christian villagers in central India have expressed concern that the suspect has not been charged.
US Urged To Add Nigeria As ‘Country Of Particular Concern’ After Killing Christians
An influential U.S.-based Christian advocacy group has urged the Biden administration to reverse its “baffling error” and add Nigeria back to its list of “Countries of Particular Concern” (CPC).
‘50 Million Christians To Preach Gospel’
Preparations are underway to turn some 50 million Christians into evangelists over the weekend, with believers worldwide preaching the Gospel, organizers said.
China introducing new financial regulations in clampdown on churches
Continuing its clampdown on churches and other minority religious organizations, China’s communist regime is bringing in new regulations for governing the management of revenues, local and foreign donations and expenses of religious organizations, the Barnabas Fund reports.
Former Muslim becomes Christian after seeing vision of Jesus
A young Iranian woman who grew up in a strict Muslim home said that she became a Christian after she had a vision of Jesus telling her to follow Him, the Christian Post reported.
Eritrea: Christians continue to worship God despite brutal persecution
Christians in Eritrea continue to worship Jesus Christ despite being tortured and imprisoned as enemies of the state, Christian Today reports.
Nigeria: Islamic State release video showing execution of 20 Christians
Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) has released a video showing the execution of 20 men the group said are Christians in Nigeria’s Borno state, Christian Today (CT) reported Saturday.
US: ‘Christian Unvaccinated Cadets Not Commissioned’
Three U.S. Air Force Academy cadets who declined COVID-19 vaccinations citing their Christian faith won’t be commissioned as military officers but will be awarded their degrees, officials said.