Two Bombs Kill Christians in Tentena, Indonesia
Two bombs, timed to inflict the greatest possible damage, exploded in a refugee village for Christians in Tentena, Indonesia, on Saturday morning, killing 21 people and injuring 49.
Christian Persecution
Christian Mission in India Accused of Forced Conversions
Police are currently investigating seven staff members of a Christian mission, the ATMIK Vikas Trust (AVT), in India’s northern state of Uttar Pradesh. A group of disgruntled trainees have accused the staff of “running a gang to convert poor Hindus” by promising them employment.
Iran Islamic Court Spares Life Of Protestant Pastor
Amid mounting international pressure, an Islamic court in southern Iran acquitted Christian lay pastor Hamid Pourmand on apostasy and proselytizing charges which carried the death penalty, BosNewsLife learned Tuesday, May 31.
Hindu Militants Kill Native Missionary in Andhra Pradesh
Hindu extremists allegedly “tortured and killed” a native missionary in India’s southern state of Andhra Pradesh last Thursday, when a court acquitted fellow militants in the murder of another, Australian, missionary and his two children, BosNewsLife learned from local sources Wednesday May 25.
Christian Families Attacked in Maharashtra, India
Hindu extremists physically attacked 11 Christian families from Jamanya village in Jalgaon district, Maharashtra state, on May 16, when they refused to give up their faith. Sources said the mob tried to disrobe women in the group; women and children were also beaten by the mob.
Evangelicals in Mexico Jailed, Fined for Their Faith
Every year since establishing the Fountain of Heaven Church in Cuateceometl in 1997, some members of this evangelical congregation in the Mexican state of Hidalgo have spent short periods of time in jail.
Turkey’s Protestants Face Wave of Attacks
A Protestant pastor in the Turkish industrial city of Izmit woke up yesterday morning to find a huge red swastika painted on his apartment door, with a handwritten hate letter shoved underneath.
Pressure on Minsk, Belarus, Charismatic Church Resumes
Now that the early May state holidays are over, the Minsk authorities are again pursuing measures against the charismatic New Life Church, ASSIST News Service has learned according to a report from Forum 18 News Service.
Jailed Eritrean Pastor Suffers Mental Breakdown
A Protestant pastor arrested four months ago for participating in a church wedding has broken under severe mistreatment at Eritrea’s military training center in Sawa this past week, falling seriously ill and suffering a mental breakdown.
Kidnapped Children Return To Missionaries in Benin, New Church Established
Voodoo leaders in the African nation of Benin who kidnapped and threatened to possibly “sacrifice” the children of a missionary couple to a Voodoo god, have returned them to their parents, missionaries confirmed, Wednesday, May 18.
India Arrests Christian Evangelists After Hindu Attacks, rights group says
India has detained two man and a woman for distributing leaflets of the Bible Society of India (BSI), Christian human rights group Open Doors said Tuesday, May 17.
Iranian Christian Transferred from Tehran Prison
Iranian Christian Hamid Pourmand left Tehran’s Evin Prison by armored car yesterday, en route to his home city of Bandar-i Bushehr to stand trial for his life before a sharia (Islamic ) court.
‘Youth With A Mission’ Team Attacked In India By Angry Mob
An angry mob attacked a team of the international Christian organization Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in India’s southern state of Karnataka and forced them to bow down for an idol in a Hindu temple, BosNewsLife learned Monday, May 16.
India Hindu Militants Attack Pastor And Associate
An uneasy calm returned to a Protestant church in India’s southern state of Karnataka this Pentecost weekend, after dozens of Hindu militants attacked the congregation, injuring the pastor and his associate, a church official said.
Hindu Extremists in India Attack Bible College Students
A group of extremists of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) attacked and beat eight students from Beersheba Bible College, a school affiliated with the Indian Pentecostal Church of God at Maraman, Chettimukku, on May 12.
Saudi Arabia Denies Access to Jailed Christians
Five East African Christians arrested at a private Christian worship service three weeks ago are being refused any access to visitors at the interrogation center where they are jailed in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh.
Nepal “Releases” Christian Couple, But Hindu Militants Plan Protests, Human Rights Group Says
There was concern Thursday, May 12, about demonstrations by Hindu militants in Nepal after reports that authorities released a Christian Indian couple detained for allegedly evangelizing among Hindu orphans.
“New Evidence” Of Religious Persecution in Vietnam Despite Release Prisoner
Human Rights Watch said Friday, May 13, “new evidence” shows Vietnamese security forces continue “to mistreat and arbitrarily detain” Christian minorities, despite reports that a prominent Christian was released after a decade in prison.
Malaysia Court Releases American Evangelists From Detention
A Malaysian court has freed two United States citizens detained for ten days for allegedly distributing Christian pamphlets to Muslims, police and American officials told reporters Tuesday, May 10.
Nigerian Police Arrest Dozens After Religious Violence Kills 18
Nigerian police have made dozens of arrests after religious violence reportedly killed up to 18 people, most of them Christians, including one girl who was first raped and poisoned to death by Muslim militants.