The Persecuted Church

WASHINGTON (BP) – China is the most religiously oppressive government globally, Pew Research Center said in its latest study of 193 countries, citing the banning of religious publications, broadcasting and worship among 20 categories of persecution.

KARNATAKA, India (BP) – A mob of 300 people beat and threatened to kill a Christian couple at a police station in Karnataka State, India, after the wife was falsely accused of forced conversion, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) said Jan. 23.

BRIDGEVILLE, Pa. (BP) – Attacks on churches and Christian properties in 2023 increased 700 percent over the previous year, including 10,000 church closures in China, Open Doors U.S. said Jan. 18 in its latest World Watch List of the 50 worst countries for Christians. 

PLATEAU, Nigeria (BP) – Terrorists killed more than 200 Christians in a series of Christmastime attacks on villages in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and the northeast, humanitarian and advocacy groups reported.

NASHVILLE (BP) – The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) recently joined several human rights organizations and religious freedom advocates in signing a letter urging Congress to address the ongoing religious persecution taking place in Nigeria.

Nigeria – a nation the U.S. Department of State has failed to designate as a Country of Particular Concern – is among the worst persecutors of Christians, an international religious freedom watchdog group reported.

BENUE, Nigeria (BP) – For the family of 80-year-old Washima Erukaa, a Nigerian Christian and government official, the 5-million-naira ransom his kidnappers demanded was out of reach.

GAZA CITY, Gaza (BP) – Christians are sheltering in two churches in North Gaza where Israel has threatened a ground offensive in the Israel-Hamas war, International Christian Concern (ICC) told Baptist Press.

ASMARA, Eritrea (BP) – Eritrea released 13 wrongfully imprisoned Christians after a global prayer campaign led by Voice of the Martyrs (VOM), the ministry to persecuted Christians said Aug. 9.

Rest. It’s a four-letter word. There’s no rest in war. There’s no rest amid the missiles and gunfire that have plagued Ukraine for the past year.