Cuba continues crackdown on religion five years after public protests, report says
HAVANA (BP) – In persistent religious persecution following public protests five years ago, Cuba is cracking down especially on church-sponsored humanitarian aid and prayer, a watchdog group said in a new report.
Report challenges assumptions about Christian persecution in Nigeria
A new report cited by International Christian Concern says Islamic Fulani militias are the deadliest persecutors of Christians in Nigeria, responsible for a far greater share of civilian deaths than Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province combined.
Pastor Ezra Jin safe in U.S. after China frees him in July 4 ‘goodwill gesture’
LOS ANGELES (BP) – Wrongfully imprisoned Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri arrived safely in Los Angeles July 4 after China freed him in what is described as a ‘goodwill gesture’ coinciding with America’s Independence Day, ChinaAid and others announced.
Southern Baptists encourage prayer on June 29 Day of the Christian Martyr
BARTLESVILLE, Ohio (BP) – Centuries ago, a young mother who defied social order by converting to Christianity was martyred in a public execution engaging a rabid cow and a soldier’s sword. While imprisoned, Perpetua recorded her joy and faith in a journal yet preserved.
Venezuela earthquakes leave dozens dead, hundreds injured as Venezuela Baptists begin response
CARACAS, Venezuela – A lethal pair of earthquakes struck Venezuela late in the evening of Wednesday, June 24. Initial reports indicated that 164 people lost their lives. Hundreds more were injured while others were reported missing.
Social hostility against religious groups spreading globally, Pew reports
WASHINGTON (BP) – The Hamas attack on Israel and rioting against Ahmadi Muslims in Bangladesh were among rising social hostilities targeting religious groups globally in 2023, Pew Research Center said in releasing its latest numbers in the trend, while Russia’s war on Ukraine elevated such incidents in Europe.
Fulani militants killed most Christians in Nigeria in past year, USCIRF says
WASHINGTON (BP) –- Militant Fulani killed more Christians in Nigeria over the past year than any other aggressor, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) said May 8 in naming the militants a nonstate violator of religious freedom.
Antisemitism spurs Millennial to help young evangelicals grasp biblical view of Israel
RUCKERSVILLE, Va. (BP) – Aaron Evans was fresh from viewing an Auschwitz exhibit at the Reagan Library on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas launched the deadliest attack on Israel since the Holocaust.
Russian Orthodox church complicit in kidnapping, housing Ukrainian children, expert tells USCIRF
WASHINGTON (BP) – The Russian Orthodox Church Moscow Patriarchate (ROC-MP) is helping the Russian government kidnap, house and falsely indoctrinate Ukrainian children, according to expert testimony before the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).
Baptist pastor could be removed from Russian-occupied Ukraine
Vladimir Rytikov, a pastor in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine, could be forced to leave his home country for “illegal missionary activity.”
