‘I Bless Those Who Have Persecuted Me’: Iranian Christian in Prison for Establishing House Churches Pens Open Letter

‘I Bless Those Who Have Persecuted Me’: Iranian Christian in Prison for Establishing House Churches Pens Open Letter

(World Watch Monitor) — An Iranian convert to Christianity serving ten years in prison for “missionary activities” has written an open letter to the Iranian authorities, asking how his Christian activities could be perceived as anti-state. “Would it even be possible for a committed Christian – who was born and raised in Iran and whose […]

For God or Party? Chinese Christians Face Test of Faith

For God or Party? Chinese Christians Face Test of Faith

NANYANG, China (Associated Press) — The 62-year-old Chinese shopkeeper had waited nearly his entire adult life to see his dream of building a church come true — a brick house with a sunny courtyard and spacious hall with room for 200 believers. But in March, about a dozen police officers and local officials suddenly showed […]

Three Christian Ministry Partners Arrested in India

Three Christian Ministry Partners Arrested in India

India (Mission Network News) — It was an alarming week for Mission India last week. They learned that over the course of four days, three separate ministry partners were arrested. Mission India’s local partners share the Gospel in their communities through Adult Literacy Classes, Children’s Bible Clubs, and Church Planter Training. Erik* with Mission India […]

35 Christians Freed in Eritrea

35 Christians Freed in Eritrea

(Mission Network News) — In a virtually unprecedented move, 35 Eritrean Christians have been released from prison. It’s welcome news in the often disheartening story of persecution in Eritrea. Greg Musselman of Voice of the Martyrs Canada says it all started almost two decades ago, when the Eritrean government decided that evangelical Christians could no […]

Church Demolished as Hindu Radicals Attempt to Create ‘Christian-Free’ Village in India

Church Demolished as Hindu Radicals Attempt to Create ‘Christian-Free’ Village in India

SANGAMESHWAR, Maharashtra — (International Christian Concern) – “All that the Hindu radicals want is for Sangameshwar to be a ‘Christian-free’ village,” Pastor Srinivas Sapa, a 42-year-old Christian resident of Sangameshwar, told International Christian Concern (ICC). “Of all the 50 odd Christians who are native to Sangameshwar, most were born in the village and are now panicked […]

US Pastor Andrew Brunson Now on House Arrest in Turkey, May Not Leave Until October Trial

US Pastor Andrew Brunson Now on House Arrest in Turkey, May Not Leave Until October Trial

(World Watch Monitor) — A crowd of Turkish Christians from Andrew Brunson’s Izmir Resurrection Church greeted their pastor with cries of “We love you, Andrew!” as he arrived home under police escort on Wednesday afternoon, July 25. After nearly 22 months in detention, Brunson was released at 5:30 p.m. from Izmir’s Kiriklar maximum security prison […]

Indonesian Christian Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Facebook Post

Indonesian Christian Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Facebook Post

(International Christian Concern) — International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on July 24, the Medan District Court in Indonesia sentenced Martinus Gulo to four years in prison and a fine of 1 billion Rupiah (approximately 68,914 USD) for religious defamation. He may also choose to serve an additional six months in jail if he […]

Christians in Iran Seized from Homes, Including Violent Imprisonment of Pastor

Christians in Iran Seized from Homes, Including Violent Imprisonment of Pastor

(Morning Star News) – Three Christians in Iran were arrested from their homes today and yesterday following the violent arrest of pastor Yousef Nadarkhani on Sunday (July 22), according to advocacy group Middle East Concern (MEC). Pastor Nadarkhani, a convert from Islam like the others arrested, was awaiting a summons to begin a 10-year prison […]