Kidnapped Pastor Released Unharmed in Northeast India
The Rev. Tongkhojang Lunkim was released at 1 p.m. on Saturday (March 18) after being held captive for two months by the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA) in Manipur state, Northeast India.
Month: March 2006
Afghanistan Man Faces Execution For Refusing To Give Up Christ, Judge Says
An Afghan man faced an uncertain future behind bars Monday, March 20, after a judge told him he may be executed for converting from Islam to Christianity.
Thousands of Karens Flee Burma Offensive
Over 3,000 terrified predominantly Christian Karen villagers were in hiding Monday, March 20, after new attacks by the Burmese Army in Western and Northern Karen State, a human rights group said.
Media Bias Fans Anti-Christian Sentiment in Turkey
In a country where media often portray the tiny Protestant community negatively, some news organizations here took notice when Muslims threatened Christians at a book fair last week.
24 House Church Leaders Missing After Police Raid in Henan Province, China
China Aid Association learned 24 House Church Leaders are still missing following a police raid on a house church leaders’ meeting in Henan Province. CAA released the Defense Statement today in the case of a controversial religious group leader, Xu Shuangfu, by his defense Lawyers.
Kidnapped Christian Leader Still Missing in India
The Rev. Tongkhojang Lunkim is still missing two months after a rebel army in Northeast India kidnapped the administrative secretary of the Kuki Christian Church (KCC) on January 17, and relatives fear for his safety.
India Police Detains Hopegivers Leader Samuel Thomas, Militants Threaten Orphans
The president of Hopegivers International (HI), one of the largest Evangelical mission groups active in India, was detained Thursday, March 16, by security forces after being on the run to avoid arrest for his alleged involvement in inciting hatred.
Vietnam “Tortures” Christian Montagnards For Refusing to Worship Ho Chi Minh
Representatives of Vietnam’s embattled Degar Montagnard Christians remained concerned Wednesday, March 15, over the whereabouts of fellow believers who they said were tortured and detained by security forces for refusing “to abandon Christianity” by joining a government church “which worships [Communist leader] Ho Chi Minh.”
Christian Families Evicted in Laos
A human rights group expressed concern Wednesday, March 15, over a possible new government crackdown on Christian villagers in Laos.
India Militants Plan Assassination Christian Leaders, Threaten Orphans
Hindu militants have threatened to assassinate the leaders of one of India’s largest evangelical mission groups and plan to take over its orphanages, churches and mission schools in the Indian state of Rajahstan, officials said Wednesday, March 15.
Belarus: Religious Repression; Presidential Election March 19
Belarus is ruled by Soviet-style totalitarian dictator, Aleksandr Lukashenko. Popularly elected in 1994, he has since then maintained his grip on power through propaganda, repression, fraud and violence. In late 2002 Belarus adopted the most repressive Religion Law in all Europe. Unregistered religious groups are illegal, and registration is severely restrictive.
India State Releases Jailed Pastor and Church Members
After nearly a month in jail in the tense Indian state of Rajasthan a Gospel for Asia (GFA) missionary and several other Christians have been released after allegedly being falsely charged with the murder of a child, BosNewsLife learned Thursday, March 16.
New Government Regulations for Home Churches in Cuba Have Some Concerned
Responding to the growth of evangelical Christianity in Cuba, Fidel Castro’s government issued new measures regulating worship in home churches, or ‘casas culto,’ as the formerly illegal practice continues to spread.
Persecuted Christian Refugees Denied Asylum and Protection by U.S.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is currently not permitting persecuted Christian refugees from Burma asylum and protection in the U.S.
China: Registered Church Raided, Leaders Arrested and Released
On March 6th at 11 a.m., Beijing time, the Chinese Public Security Bureau (PSB) raided a registered Protestant church in Qiaozhuang Village, Wangmingkou Town, Xiangcheng County, Henan Province. Among the arrested church leaders were 34-year-old Pastor Liu Tuanjie, 52-year-old Mr. Li Xueqin and Ms. Ma. Shortly after her arrest, Ms. Ma was released when her family paid a fine of $400 U.S. Pastors Liu and Li were not released until the evening of March 10th, after persistent urging from China Aid Association and global prayers for their immediate discharge.
Gospel Message Reaches Large Parts of Europe
Christians in Europe are getting ready for one of the biggest evangelistic outreach programs on the continent. ProChrist will be aired daily from Munich via satellite to 1250 venues in 21 European countries March 19 – 26.
Persecution Continues Throughout Uzbekistan
The persecution of Protestants continues throughout Uzbekistan, says Igor Rotar writing for Forum 18 News Service (www.forum18.org).
Malaysia: Debate Over Conversion Rights Heat Up
Two significant legal developments have left Malaysians hotly debating religious rights and Islamic law (sharia).
Pastor Freed from Prison in Belarus, But Another to be Jailed?
Pastor Georgi Vyazovsky of Christ’s Covenant Reformed Baptist Church in Belarus was freed from a Minsk prison for Administrative Violations Code offenders shortly after midday local time today (13 March) on completion of a ten-day sentence for conducting religious worship in his own home.
Three Church Groups Legalized in Vietnamese City
Authorities have granted longstanding requests of three church organizations to legally function in Ho Chi Minh City, sources told Compass.