Eritrea Frees Dozens Of Christians But Many Still Jailed
Dozens of Christians detained in Eritrea for unauthorized worship have been released, but many other believers remain jailed, Christians said Friday.
Christian Persecution
Algeria Court Postpones Appeal Pastor, Co-Worker, Against Jail Sentence
Supporters of an Algerian pastor and his co-worker have urged prayers after an appeal hearing against a lengthy prison term related to their Christian work was postponed.
Report: ‘Growing Persecution of Christians in North America, Europe’
Devoted Christians in Europe and North America are increasingly among those being persecuted for their faith in Christ, a rights report shows.
Saudi Christian Convert Facing Jail For Helping Sister Escape Islamic Nation
A former Muslim who became Christian in Saudi Arabia faced a court and possible jail Thursday for helping his sister, a fellow believer, to escape the Islamic nation, Worthy News learned.
China Police Attack And Close Evangelical House Church
An evangelical house church in China’s coastal province of Hubei faces uncertainty after security forces stormed its worship place, confiscated most properties, and detained the landowner, Worthy News learned.
Myanmar Christians fear for their lives following coup
Afraid for their lives in the wake of the February coup, some Myanmar Christians have fled their homes to hide and live in the jungle, Christian Today reports. The Myanmar military junta has now taken to raiding churches, as well as homes, offices, and businesses.
ISIS execute Coptic Christian in Egypt
Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has published a video showing their execution of 62-year-old Coptic Christian Nabil Habshi, who was abducted by the terror group in Egypt in November last year, International Christian Concern reports. The video was published on April 17, and the family believes the killing took place in March or early this month.
Another historic church plundered in Turkey
Another historic church was recently looted by treasure hunters in Turkey, International Christian Concern reported Saturday. The Byzantine-era Greek church in the north-coastal city of Samsun is just the latest in a growing long list of foreign religious sites that have been plundered and vandalized in Turkey.
Iran: Christian imprisoned for faith released early with COVID-19; “Please Pray”
MajidReza Souzanchi Kushani, a Christian who was charged and imprisoned in Iran for promoting house churches, was given early release from jail because he caught COVID-19, Christian Response reported Friday. Iran ranks no. 8 on the US World Watch List 2021 of countries that persecute Christians.
Eritrean soldiers raid prayer meetings, detain Christians; “vital to pray”
Thirty-five Christians were arrested and detained in Eritrea after government forces raided two prayer meetings at separate locations last month, International Christian Concern reports. Thirteen of those arrested were still imprisoned as of April 17.
India persecution: Christian family confined to home after tribal animists attack
A Christian family is confined to their home after being attacked and harassed by tribal animists in India’s Jharkhand state, Morning Star News reports. India now ranks 10th on the US Open Doors Watch List of countries where Christians are persecuted: the country ranked 31st in 2013, just before Hindu nationalists Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in May 2014.
Mozambique Christians Among Million Starving After Islamist Attacks
Nearly a million people, many of them Christians, face severe hunger in northern Mozambique after Islamist militants drove them from their homes, aid workers confirmed.
Uganda Mother Attacked For Faith In Christ
A mother of seven children in eastern Uganda has reportedly suffered severe wounds after her husband and other Muslim relatives attacked her on Easter Sunday for putting her faith in Christ.
China Returns Cross To Evangelical Church
An evangelical church in China says it has received back a cross and other items that were confiscated by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
‘Hungary Rescues Syrian Christians’
An archbishop in war-torn Syria has thanked Hungary for enabling hundreds of Christians to return to their homes, Hungary’s government said.
Laos authorities release Pastor jailed for holding worship services
Authorities in Laos have released a pastor who was jailed early last year for refusing to halt worship services at the church he founded in the southeast Asian country, International Christian Concern reports. Pastor Sithon Thippavong was freed on April 9 after just over a year in prison.
Canada: 1,000 people protest COVID-19 physical closure of GraceLife church
Around 1,000 people attended a demonstration outside GraceLife Church in Alberta, Canada on Sunday, to protest against the government’s physical closing of the church’s premises on the grounds it had violated COVID-19 restrictions, Christian Headlines reports. GraceLife is led by Pastor James Coates, who was arrested and detained for holding services in contravention of coronavirus regulations; Coates’ trial is set for May 3.
Nigeria persecution: Eight Christians freed after abductions
Eight Christians who were abducted by gunmen in Nigeria’s Kaduna state last month have been freed and were taken to hospital for medical evaluation, International Christian Concern reports. Nigeria currently ranks 9th on the US Open Doors Watch List of countries where it is most difficult to be Christian: believers in the northern region and in the Middle Belt are vulnerable to abduction, violence, and murder at the hands of Islamic extremist groups such as militant Fulani herdsmen and Boko Haram/ISIS West Africa.
Pakistan persecution: Christian nurses jailed for violating blasphemy law
Two Christian nurses in Pakistan have been jailed for violating blasphemy laws by following a hospital supervisor’s instructions to clean up an area covered with old hangings and stickers, including a half-torn old sticker with a verse from the Koran on it, International Christian Concern reports. Rights groups have said Pakistan’s harsh blasphemy laws are frequently abused; Pakistan ranks 5th on the Open Doors Watch List of countries where Christians are persecuted.
Christians Hiding In Myanmar Jungles After Army Attacks; Many Killed
Tens of thousands of mainly Christian ethnic Karen people were hiding in the jungles of Myanmar on Sunday, after fresh attacks by the military that took power in a coup, aid workers told Worthy News.