Somali Christian Couple Facing Death For Faith; Prayers Urged
Christians have urged prayers for a couple who could face the death penalty in Somalia on Tuesday for abandoning Islam and “spreading Christianity” after in the Sunni Muslim nation.
Faith
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.
Laos Frees Pastor Jailed For Church Services
A pastor who was jailed in Laos for more than a year after refusing to end his church services has been released, supporters confirmed Thursday.
Biden issues National Day of Prayer Proclamation that does not include the word ‘God’
President Biden has issued a National Day of Prayer proclamation in which the word “God” does not appear once.
Finnish MP charged with “hate speech” for sharing Biblical views on marriage and sexuality
Finnish lawmaker Päivi Räsänen faces imprisonment after being charged with three counts of “hate speech” because she publically shared her Biblical views on marriage and sexuality, ADF International reports. Räsänen was subject to lengthy interviews and a year of waiting before the Finnish Prosecutor General finally decided to bring charges against her.
Tunisia Grants Asylum To Algerian Christian, But Persecution Remains
A Christian man who escaped from Algeria after being jailed and persecuted for “blasphemy” against Islam has received temporary asylum in neighboring Tunisia, Worthy News learned.
China Detains Over 100 Christian Worshipers, Including Children
Chinese police have detained more than 100 Christians, including minors, for attending unauthorized worship and Christian education in southeastern China, several sources confirmed.
Study: Trauma-Informed Bible Reading Reduces Depression, Anxiety, Anger
A recent ABS-commissioned study by Baylor University researchers found that combining education about mental health best practices with Bible reading can have a significant benefit. In their study, this reduced the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and increased forgiveness, compassion, and sense of purpose.
Iran: One Christian released from prison, four more detained
While Christian convert Majidreza Souzanchi was released from Iran’s Greater Tehran Penitentiary on April 8, four other Christians were arrested and detained by Iranian intelligence officials on April 19, International Christian Persecution reports. Iran currently ranks 8 on the Open Doors Watch List of countries where Christians are persecuted for their faith.
China’s five-year campaign to suppress religious freedom affects believers
A major annual report issued by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) earlier this month, has highlighted China’s five-year campaign to suppress religious faith, including Christianity, in the country, CNS News reports. The Chinese Communist party is pursuing a program of “sinification” or “sinicization” of religion that began in 2018 and is set to run until 2022.
Two-thirds of world’s population live in countries which violate religious freedom
Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has published a report showing that around 5.2 billion people live in countries where religious freedom is severely violated and restricted, International Christian Concern reports. These countries include China, India, and Pakistan, which have the world’s largest populations.
Court Postpones Appeal Of Algeria Pastor, Co-Worker Against Prison Sentence
Supporters of an Algerian pastor and his co-worker have urged prayers after an appeal hearing against a lengthy prison term related to their Christian work was postponed.
Eritrea Frees Dozens Of Christians But Many Still Jailed
Dozens of Christians detained in Eritrea for unauthorized worship have been released, but many other believers remain jailed, Christians said Friday.
Algeria Court Postpones Appeal Pastor, Co-Worker, Against Jail Sentence
Supporters of an Algerian pastor and his co-worker have urged prayers after an appeal hearing against a lengthy prison term related to their Christian work was postponed.
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.
Saudi Christian Convert Facing Jail For Helping Sister Escape Islamic Nation
A former Muslim who became Christian in Saudi Arabia faced a court and possible jail Thursday for helping his sister, a fellow believer, to escape the Islamic nation, Worthy News learned.
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.
Eritrean soldiers raid prayer meetings, detain Christians; “vital to pray”
Thirty-five Christians were arrested and detained in Eritrea after government forces raided two prayer meetings at separate locations last month, International Christian Concern reports. Thirteen of those arrested were still imprisoned as of April 17.
India persecution: Christian family confined to home after tribal animists attack
A Christian family is confined to their home after being attacked and harassed by tribal animists in India’s Jharkhand state, Morning Star News reports. India now ranks 10th on the US Open Doors Watch List of countries where Christians are persecuted: the country ranked 31st in 2013, just before Hindu nationalists Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in May 2014.
Grief-Stricken Britain Burying Prince Philip
A grief-stricken nation said farewell to Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, who spent more than seven decades supporting his wife in a role that both defined and constrained his life.