Growth of Christianity in Iran: number of believers approaching 1 million

A new survey on the growth of Christianity in Iran suggests there could soon be 1 million Iranian Christians living in the Islamic Republic, CBN News reports. Carried out by the non-profit Group for Analyzing and Measuring Attitudes in Iran (GAMAAN), the survey questioned 50,000 Iranians, 90% of whom live in the country. The survey showed that 1.5% of respondents identified as Christian.

Belarus Sees More Protests Despite Intensified Crackdown

Police have tried to disperse demonstrators in the Belarusian capital where some 100,000 people demanded the resignation of long-time leader Alexander Lukashenko. Sunday’s rallies in Minsk and other cities came as a police crackdown on dissidents and activists intensified.

Archeologists Discover Key Artifact From Europe’s Early Christianity in Britain

Britain-based archaeologists say they have discovered “one of the most important” artifacts from early Christianity in Western Europe. The 5th-century cup etched with symbols of Christian iconography was unearthed during excavation works at a ruined 6th-century church in Northumberland, northern England, officials said.

Survey: 30% of Evangelicals don’t believe Jesus is God

According to preliminary results of the 2020 State of Theology survey, 30% of Evangelicals and over 50% of all American adults do not believe Jesus is God, the Christian Post reports. The poll was conducted from March 10 to 18 among 3,002 US adults including 630 professing evangelicals. The final report is expected to be published on September 8.

Exiled Belarus Opposition Leader To Address United Nations

The team of exiled Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya says she will address the United Nations Security Council. Her address later this week comes amid mounting pressure in longtime Belarussian leader Alexander Lukashenko to step down.

Montenegro Facing Political Turmoil After Uncertain Government Victory

Official results from Sunday’s parliamentary vote in the Balkan nation of Montenegro suggest that the pro-Western party of the long-serving president Milo Djukanovic may struggle to form a government. Despite its narrow victory, pro-Russian and pro-Russian parties seem in a better position to get enough mandates to form a ruling coalition.

Chinese Security Forces Raid Bible Study

Chinese security forces have raided a Bible study gathering in South China and detained several Christians as part of a government-crackdown on faith, Worthy News learned Saturday.

Research group says one in five churches may close in next 18 months

A Christian research organization has said that one in five churches could close permanently because of COVID-19 shutdowns, the Christian Post reports. According to David Kinnaman, president of the Barna research organization, many churches have seen far fewer people attending since loosened lockdowns, compared to pre-pandemic attendance.

Muslim Fighters Kill, Kidnap Christians In Nigeria

Christians, including children, have been kidnapped and one person was killed and a church destroyed in the latest attacks by Muslim fighters in north-central Nigeria, an advocacy group said Wednesday.

Prosecuted Pentecostal Pastor and Wife Flee Iran

A prominent Pentecostal pastor and his wife have fled Iran after their appeal against a 15-year combined prison sentence for Christian activities failed, rights activists and family confirmed late Tuesday.

New poll finds most pastors are concerned about young people in their church

A new study shows that 85% of pastors are very worried that youth and young adults in their church are spending too much time watching screens on electronic devices, CBN News reported Monday. The poll was released by the Barna Group, and aimed to examine how pastors should disciple young people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Around 86% of churches that responded said they were concerned about their young people having increased online access, but have no strategy to manage the situation.

“Nigeria: A Killing Field of Defenseless Christians” – a further 11 people were slaughtered last week

The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law has published a report called “Nigeria: A Killing Field of Defenseless Christians,” in which it estimates that some 11,500 Christians have been murdered in Nigeria since 2015 by Fulani herdsmen, Boko Haram and highway bandits. Muslim Fulani herdsmen killed a further 11 Christians in the state of Kaduna last week, CBN News reports.

Worthy Christian News