Pastor granted asylum, but blocked from leaving Cuba
A Cuban pastor who was imprisoned and then granted asylum by the United States was denied permission to leave Cuba.
Christian Persecution
Egypt: Muslims attack Christians after installation of Church Bell
An exchange of words between a pregnant Christian and a Muslim man over a tricycle escalated into an assault upon the woman and her fellow Christian villagers, resulting in the arrest of one Copt.
Nigerian Christians Call for 21 Day Fast
Many churches throughout Nigeria have begun a 21-day fast to invoke divine intervention and protection from Boko Haram, an Islamic cult that has threatened to attack on the anniversary of the death of the sect’s founder.
Lao Authorities arrest Christians in separate incidents
It’s been a tough time to be a Christian in Laos.
In Luang Namtha Province, Pastor Seng Aroun of Kon church and three other Christians from Sounya village were arrested in July by provincial authorities and detained at Luang Namtha’s provincial prison. Although most were soon released, the authorities ordered all Christians in Sounya village to stop worshiping in private homes, according to Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom.
Children may lose Religious Rights in Tajikistan
The Tajikistan Parliament recently adopted two new laws that could ban children from participating in religious activities.
House Church Pastor In China Detained
Pastor Shi Enhao, deputy chairman of the Chinese House Church Alliance, has been sentenced to two years of “re-education through labor,” an extra-judicial punishment handed out by police that requires no trial or conviction of a crime, Worthy News has learned.
After years of “red tape,” Christians in Turkey finally open House Church
Protestants in the eastern Turkish province of Van have finally succeeded in opening a house church after seven years of struggling with local bureaucracies, yet they are still concerned by the hostile rhetoric coming from their local officials.
17-Year-Old Cease-Fire in Burma Broken; Thousands Flee
Last month, in June, the Burmese (Myanmar) military ended a 17-year ceasefire causing more than 20,000 civilians to flee their homes in Kachin state, Worthy News has learned.
Saudi Arabia Releases House Church Christians
Two Indian Christians of a thriving Pentecostal house church in Saudi Arabia were back in their home country Sunday, July 24, after they were unexpectedly released by Saudi officials from an overcrowded prison, a church official confirmed to Worthy News.
Iran Releases Christian After Huge Bail Payment
An Iranian house church Christian was spending another day in brief freedom Thursday, July 21, after he was temporarily released from jail following the payment of a bail amount of some $101,000 in local currency, Iranian Christians said.
Pentecostal Pastors Accused of Forced Proselytism
Police arrested three pastors of the Gospel Messengers Team along with the couple who hosted them in Bighapur on false charges of forcibly converting people of other religions.
Saudi Arabia to deport Eritrean Christian
Facing a possible death sentence, Eyob Mussie, a Christian refugee living in Saudi Arabia, was instead informed that he will be returned to Eritrea, a nation where returnees often face imprisonment, torture and even death.
Nigeria Islamic Militants Target Evangelical Church After Deadly Violence
Christians prepared for a difficult weekend in Nigeria amid reports of a second bomb attack on a church close to the capital Abuja following deadly violence by suspected Muslim militants that already killed several Christians.
Missionaries Face Severe Opposition in India
Several Gospel for Asia missionaries are encountering intense opposition, but persecution is not uncommon in this part of the world: entire families have been forced to leave their homes and villages because of the cause of Christ.
Unofficial Translation of Pastor Youcef Nadakhani’s Verdict
An unofficial translation of the Iranian Supreme Court’s decision to execute Pastor Youcef Nadakhani was obtained by Worthy News on Monday, July 18.
Armenia Evangelicals Under Pressure Amid New Legislation
Rights activists and religious groups in Armenia say new legislation will increase intolerance towards the country’s evangelical Christians and other minorities, some of whom already face prosecution for their church activities.
Egyptian Ring Uses Sexual Coercion to Convert Christian Girls
Since the Egyptian “January 25 Revolution,” the number of Christian girls coerced into converting to Islam has skyrocketed, according to Father Filopateer Gamil of St. Mary’s Church, Giza.
Nigeria Christians Flee Deadly Tribal Clashes
A feud between the Kona and Mumuye tribes in eastern Nigeria has resulted in the deaths of as many as 100 people, including Christians, more than previous estimates, missionaries said.
Vietnam Massacre of Hmong Christians; Pastors “Beheaded”
Vietnamese security forces beheaded pastors and shot to death “many” other Hmong Christians who gathered to await Christ’s return after a false prophecy by an American preacher, according to a leading advocacy group’s leader.
New South could have consequences for Christians in North Sudan
Amid all the news over the world’s newest nation, South Sudan, Carl Moeller of Open Doors fears something was overlooked.
“We are rejoicing that there are increased freedoms in the South,” said Moeller, “but we have to ask the question: What about the Christians in the North?”