Nigeria: Gunmen abduct Pastor during church Bible study, demand ransom

Suspected Muslim Fulani militants in Nigeria have demanded a ransom of 30 million nairas (US$73,600) for the release of Pastor Otamayomi Ogedengbe of Deeper Life Bible Church, whom they abducted at gunpoint from a Bible study at his church building in Akure, Ondo state on May 10, Morning Star News reports.

Pakistan: Mob of 200 Muslims attack Christian community in Punjab province

On May 15, a mob of over 200 Muslims attacked a Christian community in the Chak 5 village of Pakistan’s Punjab province, ransacking homes and seriously injuring eight people, International Christian Concern reports. Pakistan ranks 5 on the US Open Doors watch list of countries that persecute Christians; the persecution level in the country has been rated as “extreme.”

Four Christians beheaded in Indonesia; “please pray”

Four Christian men were beheaded in Indonesia earlier this month, in what is believed to have been an attack by East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT) Islamic terrorists, Christian Today reports. The horrifying attack was carried out just six months after four Christians were murdered at a Salvation Army outpost in Sigi, Central Sulawesi.

Uganda: Christian leader beheaded, tongue cut out by Islamic extremists

Right after leading six Muslims to Christ during a public debate on May 3, a pastor in eastern Uganda was followed home and murdered by Islamic extremists who cut out his tongue and beheaded him, Morning Star News. The killing was the latest murder of Christians by Islamists in Uganda.

State Dept. releases International Religious Freedom report

The US State Department has published its International Religious Freedom (IRF) Report for 2020, providing an overview of religious freedom and persecution around the world, International Christian Concern reports. This year’s IRF condemned countries including Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, and China for their abuses of religious freedom, and stated that the US would continue to address the issue.

Karen Christians in Myanmar persecuted by Burmese army; “please pray”

Rights groups report that Karen Christians in Myanmar are suffering under attacks and massive displacement by the Tatmadaw Burmese military which wrested control of the civilian government in February, and which carries out violent campaigns against ethnic and religious minorities in the country, International Christian Concern has reported. Prayer has been requested for the Karen Christians and all those oppressed in Myanmar.

Nigeria: Christians continue to be kidnapped Islamic terrorists

As Islamic terrorists continue to kidnap Christians in Nigeria’s Kaduna state, in April a pastor’s wife was abducted from her home, two Christian nurses were taken from a hospital and around 70 residents were kidnapped from a single village, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. According to the Open Doors persecution watch group, 990 Christians were kidnapped in Nigeria last year – the highest number anywhere in the world.

Texas House passes bill to ban abortion once heartbeat is detected

The Texas House of Representatives has passed a Republican-sponsored bill that would ban abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected at around six weeks gestation, Christian Headlines reports. Senate Bill 8 passed 83-64 in the House on Thursday and is expected to be signed into law once the state Senate has reviewed changes made.

Iran Releases Mistreated Christian Men

Four devoted Christian men mistreated while in detention in Iran have been temporarily released due to the coronavirus pandemic, activists confirmed Thursday.

Worthy Christian News