Iranian Christian Convert Jailed for Involvement in Evangelism and Christianity is Released Four Months Early After Contracting Coronavirus

Friends of Christian convert Majidreza Souzanchi, thankful for his recent release from prison, request prayer. Majidreza Souzanchi Kushani was arrested at a house church in November 2017 and imprisoned in Evin Prison. He was charged with promoting house churches, in violation of Article 498 of the Penal Code. In May 2018 he was sentenced to...

13 Eritrean Christians Remain Imprisoned After Authorities Raid Two Prayer Meetings

According to a Release International report, soldiers raided a prayer meeting last month held by 23 people, mostly women, in Eritrea’s capital of Asmara. Around the same time, 660 miles southeast in the city of Assab, 12 additional persons were arrested while engaging in a prayer meeting in a home. Both groups were taken to nearby...

Somber, Deeply Anglican Funeral Honors Prince Philip for His Service and Devotion

(RNS) — In a funeral service that offered as much military pomp as it did spiritual comfort, the life of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, was remembered Saturday (April 17) at Windsor Castle, the British royal family’s home outside of London. The Right Rev. David Conner, the dean of the chapel, honored Philip’s life of service...

13 Eritrean Christians Remain Imprisoned After 2 Raids on Prayer Meetings

04/16/2021 Nigeria (International Christian Concern) – According to a Release International report, soldiers raided a prayer meeting last month held by 23 people, mostly women, in Eritrea’s capital of Asmara. Around the same time, 660 miles southeast in the city of Assab, 12 additional persons were arrested while engaging in a prayer meeting in a home. Both groups were...

As French Senate Tightens Church Controls, Christian Advocates Avoid Fear

On Monday night, the French Senate passed an anti-terrorism law that has greatly concerned church leaders. Now called the Law to Uphold Republican Principles and the Fight Against Separatism, the bill—approved by a 208–109 vote, with 27 abstentions—intends to combat the Islamist radicalism that has incited numerous attacks on French soil in recent years. However,...

Activists Warns USCIRF is Being Pressured to Drop Recommendation to Label India as ‘Country of Particular Concern’ for Religious Freedom Violations

Allies of the Indian government are working to pressure the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom to reverse its recommendation that the State Department label India as a “country of particular concern” for religious freedom violations, an activist warns. John Prabhudoss, the chairman of the Washington, D.C.-based Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations, spoke at...

Experts Warn Lebanon, a Haven for Christianity in the Middle East, is ‘Moving Rapidly Towards Total State Failure’ if the World Does Not Act

Lebanon, known as a haven for Christianity in the Middle East, is on the brink of financial collapse and teeters on the edge of failed-state status if its path is not quickly reversed, an expert roundtable hosted by a leading Middle Eastern Christians advocacy group warned. “Lebanon is moving rapidly towards total state failure. Full...

Eight Nigerian Christians Abducted by Gunmen from Church Bus Are Released

The eight members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) who were abducted while on a church trip to evangelise have been freed. The General Overseer of RCCG announced the news on Twitter. He said: "Today I got the exciting news that our brethren who were in captivity of kidnappers have all been released...

Over 7 Million in East Africa on Brink of Starvation Amid Pandemic, Violence, and Infestation

Over 7 million people across six East African countries are at the cusp of starvation as communities have faced existential threats from violence, flooding, the pandemic and locust infestation, the evangelical humanitarian organization World Vision has warned. According to the charity, which operates in nearly 100 countries, thousands of children could face death or long-term...

Assyrian Christian Priest in Turkey Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

A priest in Turkey has received a two-year prison sentence for supposedly providing food and water to a terrorist organisation. Assyrian Christian priest Father Sefer Bileçen, known as Father Aho, is the caretaker of the 1,500-year-old Mor Yakub Monastery in Mardin province, southeast Turkey. He was arrested with two others in January in the Assyrian...