BREAKING NEWS: Pastor Shot Dead in Pulpit in Illinois
The sprawling First Baptist Church in the U.S. state of Illinois was without a pastor Monday, March 9, after he was shot and later died of his injuries.
Christian Persecution
China House Church Pastor Detained Despite “Insufficient Evidence”
A well-known house church pastor in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region remained behind bars Monday, March 9, despite a court ruling saying there was “insufficient evidence” to hold him, Christians said.
One Killed, Several Injured In Pakistan Church Shooting
One person was killed and at least 11 injured when Muslim militants opened fire on Christian worshipers during a prayer service of a Presbyterian Church in Pakistan’s Punjab province, Christian rights investigators and police confirmed Friday, March 6.
Christians In Nigeria, Kenya Await Justice
Nigeria’s government came under pressure Friday, March 6, to set up an independent commission investigating deadly attacks against Christians by Muslim extremists, while elsewhere in Africa, in Kenya, an evangelical church expressed concerns over Muslim militants.
Rape Christian Girl Shows “Growing Trend” In Pakistan, Investigators Say
A Muslim man in Pakistan kidnapped, raped and forced a 13-year-old girl to convert to Islam and marry him at gunpoint, the latest in “growing trend” of attacks against Christian women in the country and other Islamic nations, Christian rights investigators told Worthy News Thursday, March 5.
Christian Woman Kidnapped In Pakistan By Muslim Militants
An impoverished father of a young Christian woman was still knocking at the doors of Pakistan’s justice system Sunday, March 1, a year after his daughter was kidnapped by Muslim gunmen who apparently tried to “convert” her to Islam.
Vietnam Police “Kill” Cristian Farmer Amid Rural Crackdown
Degar Montagnard Christians and other believers in several areas of Vietnam’s Central Highlands faced another day of persecution Friday, February 27, after at least one Christian peasant was hacked to death by security forces and an angry mob, missionary workers and a key official told Worthy News.
Nigeria Releases Jailed Christian
A Nigerian Christian who was serving a three-year prison sentence since May 2008 on charges of “blasphemy” against Islam has been released, Worthy News learned Thursday, February 26.
Kidnapped Italian Nuns Freed; “Prayers Answered”
Two Italian nuns kidnapped by Somali gunmen in a cross-border raid into Kenya in November were spent another day in freedom Thursday, February 26, after they were suddenly freed, missionaries confirmed.
NEWS ALERT: Religious Clashes Kill 11 In Nigeria; Thousands Displaced
Thousands of people remained displaced Wednesday, February 25, by religious clashes in the northern Nigerian city of Bauchi which left at least 11 people dead and 100 hospitalized, Christian rights investigators and police said.
BREAKING NEWS: China Releases Four House Church Leaders
Chinese authorities have released the last four house church leaders who were among dozens of evangelical officials detained in Central China this month, an advocacy group told Worthy News Tuesday, February 24.
Pakistan Christian Killed As Kidnappings and Violence Spread (Worthy News In-Depth)
There was concern Tuesday, February 24, over reports of new Muslim violence against Pakistani Christians, which included a murder, rape, and kidnappings of Christians in Pakistan’s Punjab province and other areas, sometimes with support from authorities, local residents and rights investigators said.
Azerbaijan Pastor Receives “Corrective Labor” Sentence
A well-known Baptist pastor in Azerbaijan was weighing his legal options Monday, February 23, after receiving a two-year “corrective labor” sentence for allegedly possessing an “illegal” weapon, trial observers said.
Pakistan Christian Students, Hostel Head Expelled Over Blasphemy
The Christian head of a hostel and two Christian students from a nearby medical college in Pakistan’s Punjab province have been expelled after Islamic extremists wanted to kill them on “false” charges of “desecrating the Koran”, seen as a holy book by Muslims, Worthy News established Monday, February 23.
Christian Killed In Orissa; More Violence Feared
Christians in India’s volatile state of Orissa feared more violence Sunday, February 22, after a Christian man was killed and hard-line Hindus forced nearly two dozen Christian families to “convert” to Hinduism, local residents and rights investigators said.
Egyptian Christian Mother To Appeal Custody Decision
The Christian mother of two 14-year-old twins Andrew and Mario Medhat was preparing legal action Saturday, February 21, after receiving the right to challenge a custody decision awarding her sons to their Muslim father.
Egypt Christians In Jail For Violating Ramadan
Six Christian brothers who refused to close their cafe during the Muslim month of fasting, Ramadan, were behind bars in Egypt Saturday, February 21, after they were sentenced to three years in prison with hard labor, a rights group confirmed.
Turkey Militants Attack Christian Bookshop
Christian workers in southern Turkey faced a tense day Friday, February 20, after their bookshop was vandalized for the second time in a week by suspected Muslim militants, Christians said.
Bangladesh Pastor And Wife Facing Death Threats (Extended)
A Bangladeshi pastor and his wife faced more death threats Friday, February 20, after pressing charges against Muslims of robbery and rape, Christian rights activists said.
Pakistan Militants Rape Christian Girl
A 13-year old impoverished Christian girl in Pakistan’s Punjab province was recovering Thursday, February 19, after she was gang raped at gun point by five Islamic extremists, her family told Worthy News.