China Frees Jailed Preacher To Care For Father
A Chinese Christian evangelist jailed for more than half a year on charges linked to his work has returned home to care for his father, who suffers from COVID-19, supporters told Worthy News.
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A third of UK adults more interested in Jesus after talking with a Christian, survey shows
A new report shows that while just 6% of adults in the United Kingdom identify as practicing Christians, a third of Britons were interested in learning more about Jesus after talking to a Christian, Evangelical Focus (EF) reported. Titled “Talking Jesus,” the report was released by the UK Evangelical Alliance (EAUK), Alpha, HOPE Together, Luis Palau Association, and Kingsgate Community Church.
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: Christian orphanage director finally acquitted of abduction/forgery charges
The Christian founder of an orphanage in Nigeria’s Kano state has finally been acquitted of abduction and forgery after spending two years in jail pending trial, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
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.
Thousands of Christians worldwide were murdered for their faith last year, new report shows
At least 5,621 Christians around the world were murdered for their faith last year, a new report by the Open Doors persecution watchdog reveals. Ninety percent of the Christians murdered last were in Nigeria, Open Doors said in its report.
Eritrea: 44 Christians arrested, imprisoned for unknown reasons
A group of forty-four Christians, most of whom are women, have been imprisoned in Eritrea since their arrest for unknown reasons at the beginning of the year, Voice of the Martyrs Canada reports.
Nigeria: 17 more Christians murdered amid ongoing slaughter; “violations are carried out with impunity”
As rights advocates raise questions about the silence of world powers in the face of the ongoing years-long devastating slaughter of Christians in Nigeria, 17 more Christians were murdered by suspected Fulani militants in Nigeria’s Bauchi and Benue states between Friday and Sunday, Morning Star News reports.
UK: Christian teacher may be banned from teaching for his views on transgenderism and same-sex marriage
A Christian teacher in England may be permanently prohibited from teaching in the UK after referring to a female transgender student as a “girl” and telling another student he is opposed to same-sex marriage, the Christian Post (CP) 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.
Christian persecution sweeping across Africa may result in “vast humanitarian catastrophe,” report says
A new report by the international aid organization Open Doors shows that persecution against Christians in sub-Saharan Africa is now so intense that the continent is in danger of suffering a “vast humanitarian catastrophe,” the Washington Times reports.
Nigeria: Five women abducted, pastor shot and wounded in Katsina church terror attack
Five female church members were abducted, and their pastor shot and wounded during a terrorist attack on their church in Nigeria’s Katsina state on Sunday, Morning Star News reports. The attack is just one more of tens of thousands of attacks, murders and abductions, maimings, and displacements of Christians by Islamic militants since 2015.
Northern Chinese Church Leader Sentenced To Two Years Imprisonment
A prominent Chinese church leader has begun serving a two-year prison sentence for what his family and friends view as trumped-up charges of “illegally holding materials promoting terrorism and extremism,” Worthy News learned Wednesday.
Report: ‘360 Million Christians Persecuted For Faith; North Korea Most Hostile’ (Worthy News In-Depth)
One Christian out of seven in the world suffers high levels of persecution and discrimination for his or her faith, and North Korea appears again as the most dangerous place for devoted believers, an annual report showed Wednesday.
Japan Rejects Refugee Status Of Bangladesh Evangelist Despite Islamic Death Threats (Worthy News Exclusive)
Japan has declined the refugee status of a Christian evangelist who fled his native Bangladesh after Islamic militants threatened to kill him for converting to Christianity and being forced to marry a Muslim woman.
Hungary Condemns Western Denial Of Persecution Christians
Hungary’s rightwing government has condemned the West for allegedly playing down the persecution of Christians after Islamists in Africa killed and injured dozens of believers on Sunday, including a priest.
Congo: Christian woman testifies Jesus is her Shepherd after Islamic terrorists murder her family, abduct, torture, rape her
International Christian Concern (ICC) has published the horrifying account of the most brutally violent Islamic persecution and unimaginable loss and pain endured by a Christian mother in Uganda who ultimately gives glory to Jesus as her Shepherd. ICC confirmed the organization was able to rescue the mother and child, and has helped them to start a new life in which they are healing physically and emotionally.
Indonesia: Christians prohibited from holding Christmas services
Authorities in Indonesia prohibited a building-less congregation from holding their 2022 Christmas services in a local shop as Christians continue to face uphill struggles in obtaining permits for church buildings, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.