Military-Backed Forces in Burma Beat Two Youth Pastors, Sources Say
Burmese army-backed militia beat two youth pastors in northern Burma (Myanmar) last week, detaining one of them overnight at the force’s base, sources said.
Christian Persecution
China Shutting Down Churches, Seizing Bibles in ‘Ambitious New Effort’ to Eradicate Religion
China is in the midst of an 'ambitious new effort' to lessen or even eradicate the influence of Christianity and religion from the country, according to an investigation by the Associated Press.
Assault on Christian Leader in Nepal Reflects Growing Threat
Pastor Sagar Baizu, 46, had finished one meeting and had an hour before the next one, so he decided to stop at a café on a major thoroughfare in Kathmandu, capital of Nepal, on July 19.
More than 8,000 Rwandan churches closed following government directive
The Rwanda Governance Board continues to close churches it says fail to meet requirements laid down at the beginning of the year. New requirements set in place for those congregations that want to continue ministry are also complicating efforts to comply. Many see the closures as part of an effort by the government to make its aggressive secular stance clear.
Iranian pastor taken to Evin Prison after violent raid on home
Iranian pastor Youcef Nadarkhani has been taken to Evin Prison in the capital, Tehran, after a violent raid on his home in the northern city of Rasht on Sunday (22 July).
Turkey Keeps American Pastor Behind Bars -- At Least for Three More Months
After nearly two years in a Turkish prison, hopes for the release of American pastor Andrew Brunson have been deferred. A Turkish court ordered 50-year-old pastor to remain bars until at least his next hearing on October 12.
Authorities in Algeria Seal Shut Another Church Building
Church leaders didn’t get an explanation for why the seventh worship building to be closed in Algeria since November was sealed last week, but they suspect lack of registration was the pretext.
Christians Forced Out of Nepal; Persecution Intensifies
Nepali Christians are facing new pressures from their government after authorities deported a Christian couple for evangelizing Hindus.
Islamist Violence against Christians in Uganda Injures Pastors, Stops Church Services
In further anti-Christian hostilities in eastern Uganda, Muslims knocked a pastor unconscious at a debate and Islamist threats in another village put a halt to worship services.
Indian Christians Suffer Fifteen Attacks in Fourteen Days
International Christian Concern (ICC) has documented at least 15 separate anti-Christian incidents across India in the past 14 days. These incidents include physical assaults, a church demolition, forced conversions, false accusations of forced conversions, and social boycotts.
60 Churches Bombed or Burned: Kachin Christians Facing Genocide in Burma
Northwood Church founder Pastor Bob Roberts worries if the US Congress doesn't act soon, ethnic Kachin Christians in Burma may face the same plight as the Rohingya. He believes prayer and action can make the difference in saving them.
25 Preachers Accused of 'Forced Conversions' in India
Authorities in India's eastern state of Jharkhand have accused 25 evangelists of allegedly trying to convert tribal Hindu villagers to Christianity.
Death Toll in Jos, Nigeria Attacks at 218, including Pastor, Wife and Son
An Assemblies of God Nigeria pastor, his wife and son were among at least 218 people killed in Muslim Fulani herdsmen attacks on predominantly Christian areas near Jos on June 23-25, a denominational leader said.
'The Death Knell for the Nigerian Church': New Massacre Sparks Fear for Christians
Deadly conflict is raging in central Nigeria as more than 200 people were reportedly killed in a series of recent clashes between Muslim herders and Christian farmers.
No more sending Bibles across the border to North Korea in balloons, says South Korea
One consequence of the ongoing peace initiatives between South Korea and the US with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been the ban on balloon launches for Christian ministries, who used the tactic to send leaflets and Gospel messages to North Koreans.
China: Christians in custody after Henan church raid
More than 10 officials from various government departments, including the local religious affairs committee, raided Gusui Church in China’s central Henan province on May 22. The government agents forcibly removed several congregants and the lecturer for that day’s talk on laws.