Report: ‘Growing Persecution of Christians in North America, Europe’
Devoted Christians in Europe and North America are increasingly among those being persecuted for their faith in Christ, a rights report shows.
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China Police Attack And Close Evangelical House Church
An evangelical house church in China’s coastal province of Hubei faces uncertainty after security forces stormed its worship place, confiscated most properties, and detained the landowner, Worthy News learned.
Myanmar Christians fear for their lives following coup
Afraid for their lives in the wake of the February coup, some Myanmar Christians have fled their homes to hide and live in the jungle, Christian Today reports. The Myanmar military junta has now taken to raiding churches, as well as homes, offices, and businesses.
ISIS execute Coptic Christian in Egypt
Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has published a video showing their execution of 62-year-old Coptic Christian Nabil Habshi, who was abducted by the terror group in Egypt in November last year, International Christian Concern reports. The video was published on April 17, and the family believes the killing took place in March or early this month.
Another historic church plundered in Turkey
Another historic church was recently looted by treasure hunters in Turkey, International Christian Concern reported Saturday. The Byzantine-era Greek church in the north-coastal city of Samsun is just the latest in a growing long list of foreign religious sites that have been plundered and vandalized in Turkey.
Survey: Most Christans feel encouraged and inspired after church worship services
A new poll released this month shows that a large majority of Christians who attend church worship services are encouraged by the experience, Christian Headlines reports.
‘Medical Apartheid’: 1,200 UK Christian Leaders Warn Vaccine Passports Will Lead to ‘Surveillance State’
More than 1,200 leaders of churches in the United Kingdom have asked Prime Minister Boris Johnson not to establish so-called vaccine passports.
Iran: Christian imprisoned for faith released early with COVID-19; “Please Pray”
MajidReza Souzanchi Kushani, a Christian who was charged and imprisoned in Iran for promoting house churches, was given early release from jail because he caught COVID-19, Christian Response reported Friday. Iran ranks no. 8 on the US World Watch List 2021 of countries that persecute Christians.
Ex-Vice President Pence Feels ‘Blessed’ With Pacemaker
Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, a devoted Christian, thanked hospital staff Thursday after receiving a pacemaker. “My family has been truly blessed by the work of these dedicated healthcare professionals,” Pence said in published remarks.
Uganda Mother Attacked For Faith In Christ
A mother of seven children in eastern Uganda has reportedly suffered severe wounds after her husband and other Muslim relatives attacked her on Easter Sunday for putting her faith in Christ.
China Returns Cross To Evangelical Church
An evangelical church in China says it has received back a cross and other items that were confiscated by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Laos authorities release Pastor jailed for holding worship services
Authorities in Laos have released a pastor who was jailed early last year for refusing to halt worship services at the church he founded in the southeast Asian country, International Christian Concern reports. Pastor Sithon Thippavong was freed on April 9 after just over a year in prison.
Canada: 1,000 people protest COVID-19 physical closure of GraceLife church
Around 1,000 people attended a demonstration outside GraceLife Church in Alberta, Canada on Sunday, to protest against the government’s physical closing of the church’s premises on the grounds it had violated COVID-19 restrictions, Christian Headlines reports. GraceLife is led by Pastor James Coates, who was arrested and detained for holding services in contravention of coronavirus regulations; Coates’ trial is set for May 3.
Nigeria persecution: Eight Christians freed after abductions
Eight Christians who were abducted by gunmen in Nigeria’s Kaduna state last month have been freed and were taken to hospital for medical evaluation, International Christian Concern reports. Nigeria currently ranks 9th on the US Open Doors Watch List of countries where it is most difficult to be Christian: believers in the northern region and in the Middle Belt are vulnerable to abduction, violence, and murder at the hands of Islamic extremist groups such as militant Fulani herdsmen and Boko Haram/ISIS West Africa.
Clergy Kidnapped In Haiti As Abductions Rise
Seven Catholic clergy, including two French citizens, were abducted Sunday in Haiti, where kidnappers increasingly target churches, officials said.
Deaths And Misery Rising In flood-stricken Indonesia
Rescue workers in Indonesia search for scores of people still missing after deadly floods and landslides devastated Indonesia’s most Christian islands and other areas.
Canada: Authorities shut down church and erect fence around building for violating coronavirus restrictions
Officials in Alberta, Canada, shut down a church that broke coronavirus restrictions by erecting chain-link metal fencing around the building.
Nigeria: Pastor found dead after being abducted; ‘please pray for grieving family and all believers in danger’
A few days after being kidnapped by gunmen in Ondo state, Nigeria, fifty year-old Pastor Frederick Ojo Aramuwa was found dead in the bush near his hometown of Ifira, International Christian Concern reported Wednesday. Pastor Aramuwa was killed even though his family paid his captors $5,000 in ransom.
Vietnam Urged To Free Jailed Pastor and Rights Activists
Christian rights activists and other advocates urged Vietnam Tuesday to release four prisoners of conscience in Vietnam, including pastors, amid concerns about their health.
China reported to brainwash Christians held in “transformation” centers
Reports emerged last week that China is working to brainwash its Christian citizens by imprisoning them in mobile “transformation facilities,” Fox News reported. The reports came through Radio Free Asia, which has published accounts of abuse told by a man given the name Li Yuese to protect his identity.