Remember Ambassadors

There has been a lot of major persecution news since our last world update.  All around the world our brothers and sisters are being targeted for suffering - and they need our prayers!  Please use these news highlights to guide your intercession for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

China: Persecution Intensifies After Olympics

Eritrea: Officials Imprison 20 Members of Underground Church

India: Destroyed Church Building Leads to Unity

Even in the midst of persecution, believers are praising God for His faithfulness!

Iraq: What’s Behind the Attacks on Christians in Mosul?

Newsweek tackles a tricky, but very important question.

North Korea: Leader’s Reported Health Woes Unlikely to Affect Anti-Christian Policies

Kim Jong-Il has long been one of the world’s worst persecutors, but his illnesses are not stopping North Korea’s program of violence and intimidation against the Body of Christ.

Pakistan: Pastor Suffers Police Attacks, Death Threats

Somalia: Christian Aid Worker Beheaded for Converting from Islam

Somalia is not known for its ongoing persecution, but violence from further north in Africa continues to spread.

It has been a while since we did a World Update, but lots has been happening - please be sure to keep these stories in your prayers!

Bangladesh: Christians Flee After Attack on House Church

Bhutan: Missionary Asked to Renounce Christ

China: Christian Book Store Owner’s Condition Deteriorating in Prison

Shia Weihan was arrested four months ago for selling unapproved Christian books, and his condition continues to get worse as he languishes in prison.

Ethiopia: Muslim Mob Attacks Christians

Extremist Islam is growing in Ethiopia, sparking increasing violence. Ethiopia is not unique in this regard; the Muslim presence throughout northern Africa is causing problems in many countries. Pray for northern Africa!

India: Missionaries, Bible College Students Beaten, Tortured and Jailed

Iran: Christian Couple Dies from Police Attack

Last week, Iranian secret police raided a house church service, brutally beating, arresting, and interrogating many. This is the latest update from this tragedy.

Saudi Arabia: Plans to Deport 15 Christians

The crime committed by these believers was that they held a church service. The were arrested, had possessions confiscated, were mocked and interrogated - and now that they have been released, they face deportation.

Bhutan: Christian Villagers "Expelled"

Bhutan's tiny Christian community has come under increased attack, this time by an angry crowd objecting to the preaching of the gospel. 

China: House Church Raided, Leader Detained

In at least two recent separate incidents, the Chinese government continues to crack down on house churches.

India: Gujarat Enacts Anti-Conversion Law

Gospel for Asia reports that this law could pose serious difficulties in the already dangerous work of spreading the gospel. 

Indonesia: Freedom from Abraham Bentar Rohadi

This man was beaten by an angry mob for sharing his faith–and then detained and thrown into prison, where he has been for two years.  While the mob that beat him almost to death went away free, he was punished after being accused by his own brother-in-law of blasphemy against Islam.

Singapore: Christians Charged for Promoting "Ill Will"

Simply distributing Christian literature that supposedly cast Mohammad in "a negative light" was enough for these Christians to be charged under Singapore's Sedition Act. 

Zimbabwe: Christians Facing Famine and Persecution

Algeria: Believers Face Diminished Freedoms

Algeria is facing a crisis point.  Churches are being forced to close, and elections are coming up, causing the potential for increased violence and religious limitation.

China: 8 Christian Leaders Still in Detention in Sichuan Province

These leaders have been accused of being "evil cult members," a charge often leveled by Chinese authorities against house church members. 

North Korea: Students Arrested for Gospel Materials

India: Film Team Released from Jail After Sharing the Gospel

Gospel for Asia evangelistic teams are in constant danger of persecution.  This team has a message of praise, though, after they were released from prison–and had a chance to witness to the very authorities that were persecuting them!

Indonesia: Over 100 Churches Closed in 3 Years

Indonesia is a predominately Muslim nation, and the attacks of extremists have led to the closure of 110 churches in the time period between 2004-2007. 

Iraq: Religious Cleansing in North

Laos: Pastor Beaten Almost to Death for Refusing to Give up Faith

Pastor Khamxay was arrested for "bringing foreign religions to Laos."  The government tried to make him sign a piece of paper in which he said he would not be a Christian.  He refused to sign, and in his ensuing prison term converted five of his cellmates to Christianity!  When the guards found out about his witness, they beat him almost to death.

China: 70 House Church Leaders Detained in Shangqiu City

70 Christians are being detained under charges of "making use of a cult to violate law enforcement."

Gaza Strip: Murder of Gaza Christians Unresolved as  Threats Continue

We normally think about the turmoil in the Gaza Strip in the terms of the conflict between Israel and the Arab world.  But let us not forget the Christian minority caught in the crossfire!

India: Answers to Prayer Amid Danger

News from India continues to be full of stories of persecution by radical Hindu mobs.  Pastors, especially, have been targeted and persecuted.  But our God answers prayers!

Nigeria: Church Looted and Demolished in Kano State

Nigeria is on the cutting edge of Muslim expansion, and has been the scene for more and more persecution over the last few months.  This is one more example.

Sri Lanka: Pastor Brutally Murdered

It has been a while since we had a world update post, although you can always use "Up to the Minute" in the sidebar to keep on top of the most up-to-date news!

Here's the latest from the persecuted church. 

China: Prominent House Church Leaders Arrested

Three church leaders have been arrested and arraigned on the charges of “gathering in an illegal assembly under the guise of religion.”

Honduras: Pastor Says Robberies Target Ministries

Organized crime is using violence in an attempt to stop Christian work. 

Indonesia:  The Power of Forgiveness

This is an update story on the continued working of God in and through the lives of the two Indonesian girls that survived the vicious attack of Islamic extremists back in 2005.

India: Riot-Hit Christians Still Hiding in Jungles

The aftermath of the Christmas violence against Christians continues for many.  Some are still missing, and others are hiding in the jungles to avoid attack. 

Iraq: Coordinated Blasts Rock Churches

Attackers chose the day of Epiphany to coordinate attacks against 4 churches and 3 convents in Iraq.

North Korea: Government Accused of Running Underground Church "Stings"

Reports indicate that government officials are posing as defectors in order to infiltrate underground churches. 

Russia: Nationalistic Youth Movement Takes Credit for Vandalizing Churches

Bottles and stones with threatening messages were used to vandalize two church properties in the city of Kaluga.