The long-awaited National Commission for Minorities, now inaugurated in Pakistan on 5 May, has been welcomed as “an important step” in the country’s “continuing journey towards the protection of religious freedom” by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). Commissioner Johnnie Moore added that the formation of the minorities commission is “undoubtedly a… Continue reading Pakistan Minorities Commission Enacts New Religious Freedom Law
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USCIRF Welcomes Establishment of Pakistan’s National Commission for Minorities as a First Step
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomed the Pakistani government’s recent establishment of the National Commission for Minorities to oversee religious minorities’ rights.. In a June 2014 ruling, the Pakistani Supreme Court directed the government to form a commission “to monitor the practical realization of the rights and safeguards provided… Continue reading USCIRF Welcomes Establishment of Pakistan’s National Commission for Minorities as a First Step
More Good News for Sudan Christians
KHARTOUM – Life for Christians is beginning to change for the better in Sudan. Mission Box News published a story on March 20, 2020, reporting that Sudan’s Transitional Government had disbanded the “church councils” operating under the previous 30-year regime of dictator Omar al-Bashar. The so-called “church councils” were fronts for persecuting Christians and demolishing… Continue reading More Good News for Sudan Christians
USCIRF Says Hazara Shi’a Scapegoated in Pakistan Amid Coronavirus Lockdown
WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today expressed its concern over reports of the provincial government of Balochistan, Pakistan targeting Hazara Shi’a for the spread of COVID-19 amid the Coronavirus lockdown. “We are troubled that government officials in Balochistan are scapegoating the already vulnerable and marginalized Hazara Shi’a community… Continue reading USCIRF Says Hazara Shi’a Scapegoated in Pakistan Amid Coronavirus Lockdown
Activists Press Trump Administration to Aid Embattled Nigerian Christians | The Washington Times
The International Committee on Nigeria (ICON) launched a campaign Wednesday titled the “Silent Slaughter” to raise awareness about the estimated more than 60,000 Nigerians who have died as a result of religious conflicts since 2001. Already this year, ICON reports more than 400 Nigerians were killed because of their Christian faith, with thousands more displaced.… Continue reading Activists Press Trump Administration to Aid Embattled Nigerian Christians | The Washington Times
Wife of Abducted Malaysian Pastor Raymond Koh Honored as ‘Woman of Courage’ by State Dept. | The Christian Post
WASHINGTON D.C. – The wife of a Malaysian pastor who was abducted in 2017 was among 12 women honored Wednesday with the U.S. State Department’s International Women of Courage Award. Susanna Liew, the wife of pastor Raymond Koh, was honored by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and first lady Melania Trump for fighting on behalf… Continue reading Wife of Abducted Malaysian Pastor Raymond Koh Honored as ‘Woman of Courage’ by State Dept. | The Christian Post
Nigeria’s Government Agrees: Islamist Terrorists Target Christians | Christianity Today
NIGERIA – The Nigerian government now agrees with what church leaders have been complaining for years: Christians are the target of jihadist terrorism. “In the wake of a renewed onslaught by our tireless military against Boko Haram and their ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province) allies in recent times, the insurgents have apparently changed their… Continue reading Nigeria’s Government Agrees: Islamist Terrorists Target Christians | Christianity Today
A Militant Group You May Not Know Kills Hundreds of Christians Every Year
NIGERIA – The recent news reports about Christian persecution coming out of Nigeria are horrifying. A day after Christmas, extremists who identified themselves as part of ISIS murdered 11 Christians in Nigeria. A few weeks into the new year, on Jan. 19, the Islamic State of West Africa released a video of a child —… Continue reading A Militant Group You May Not Know Kills Hundreds of Christians Every Year
Copts Fear Retaliation for Speaking Publicly About Persecution
WASHINGTON — The National Prayer Breakfast is an annual event attended by more than 3,000 individuals from more than 120 nations. One would think it is the perfect platform to create awareness of the plight of Copts in Egypt and to solicit international assistance to improve it. That said, every individual Copt that Coptic Solidarity… Continue reading Copts Fear Retaliation for Speaking Publicly About Persecution
Iran Arrests Christian Convert Activist After Criticizing Regime’s ‘Soft Repression’
TEHRAN – Concerns are being raised internationally about the well-being of an Iranian Christian convert who was arrested during an anti-government protest in Tehran last week. The Human Rights Activists News Agency first reported on the arrest of 21-year-old Christian convert Fatemeh Mohammadi, who prefers to go by the name “Mary” since her spiritual conversion.… Continue reading Iran Arrests Christian Convert Activist After Criticizing Regime’s ‘Soft Repression’
The Hidden Persecution of Christian Refugees
BEIRUT, LEBANON – Missions Box News has published myriads of articles over the past several years informing our readers of the global refugee crisis. The families displaced by the Syrian conflict have been a major focal point of the crisis for global media outlets.Recently, reports have begun to surface, not only about the common plight… Continue reading The Hidden Persecution of Christian Refugees
Open Doors’ 2020 World Watch List Reveals Surge of Violence, ‘Human Rights Nightmare’ in China
WASHINGTON – Today Open Doors announced the 2020 World Watch List of religious persecution offenders at a press conference in Washington, D.C, and revealed that Christians living in China are experiencing unprecedented levels of persecution, and their quality of life is deteriorating at an alarming rate. China jumped four spots, from #27 in 2019 to… Continue reading Open Doors’ 2020 World Watch List Reveals Surge of Violence, ‘Human Rights Nightmare’ in China
The Barnabas Fund: British Aid Agency to Persecuted Christians
COVENTRY, ENGLAND – On May 7, 2019, the military council in control of Sudan declared that Sharia would continue to be the rule of law throughout the country. By July, it had become clear that Christian women and children comprised the majority of those imprisoned under the strict Islamic law codes. The Barnabas Fund, based… Continue reading The Barnabas Fund: British Aid Agency to Persecuted Christians
Vision 2025 Publishes First Annual Report
ATLANTA, GA – When Mission’s Box News introduced our readers to Vision 2025 in February 2019, we asked Dr. Michael Youssef if he really believes that it is possible to lead 1,000,000 people to Christ by 2025. This is what he said: “God has given us the goal and positioned us to reach it. The… Continue reading Vision 2025 Publishes First Annual Report
Anti-Semitic and Anti-Christian Poster War in Turkey
KONYA, TURKEY – Make note of the poster in the photo that accompanies this article. Copies of it were displayed at bus stops around Konya, Turkey, during the week of September 20. Read it carefully. In case your Turkish is rusty, here is an English translation of the sign, a quote from Surah Al-Maidah 5:51… Continue reading Anti-Semitic and Anti-Christian Poster War in Turkey
The Word of God Came at Night
This is a true story. Ahmed was sleeping when he heard the knock at his door in the middle of the night. He opened the door to find a man clothed in white, but it was not someone Ahmed recognized. In fact, Ahmed couldn’t even see the man’s face. It wasn’t that the man was… Continue reading The Word of God Came at Night
Pompeo Speech Defends Religious Freedom
ROME – When the United States Secretary of State speaks, it is usually about political affairs of state. When Mike Pompeo addressed a symposium in Rome on October 2, his message was about increasing global threats to the right of religious freedom. Secretary Pompeo was a featured speaker at a symposium about the work of… Continue reading Pompeo Speech Defends Religious Freedom
A Christian Missions Report Card: You Decide
WILLS POINT, TX – Progress cannot be measured without data and evaluation. Imagine how surprised some students are when they enter the working world where they think they won’t have to worry about bringing home a report card. They soon find that report cards are not something they have left in their past. Instead, report… Continue reading A Christian Missions Report Card: You Decide
Christians Facing Persecution Ask Wycliffe Associates for Technology to Assist Bible Translation
ORLANDO, FL — Wycliffe Associates an international organization involving people in the advancement of Bible translation, has received requests from some of the most persecuted places in the world for Christians: Africa, Asia, and Indonesia for 1,525 computer tablets to aid in Bible translation. The tablets play a valuable role in the MAST (Mobilized Assistance… Continue reading Christians Facing Persecution Ask Wycliffe Associates for Technology to Assist Bible Translation
Facing the Islamic Challenge
CHINO, CA – Have you ever wondered what Muslims believe? Have you ever wanted to know how to answer their objections to Christianity? Ministry to Muslims has been active for the last 20 years by training Christians in apologetics and polemics and leading outreaches all over the United States. We would like to offer you… Continue reading Facing the Islamic Challenge
Woman Becomes a Christian & Her Inlaws Become Outlaws
KAMPALA, UGANDA – Last September, her world was turned upside down when her husband passed away. The 54-year-old mother of eight children was now a widow with a family to support. Searching for hope, she placed her faith in Jesus Christ when the pastor of a small church shared the Bible with her. Joy returned… Continue reading Woman Becomes a Christian & Her Inlaws Become Outlaws
How Should Christians Respond to the Crisis in Kashmir? — Joseph D’Souza | Newsmax
Rev. Joseph D’Souza, one of the most widely considered as one of the most influential voices of global Christianity discusses how Christians should respond to the crisis in Kashmir, and perspective for all Indian, Pakistani and all Christians to have in this dire situation. Christians around the world ought to pray for Kashmir as tensions… Continue reading How Should Christians Respond to the Crisis in Kashmir? — Joseph D’Souza | Newsmax
48,000 Mosques. No Churches.
KABUL – That is one way to describe Afghanistan: 48,000 mosques; no churches. Our mental picture of Afghanistan is a country torn by Taliban tribal warfare and a haven of ISIS. That vision includes thousands of U.S. troops in-country and many more whose return to “normal life” has been hindered by afflictions that range from… Continue reading 48,000 Mosques. No Churches.
Wycliffe Associates Partners with Persecuted Christians to Bring Momentum to Bible Translation
ORLANDO, FL — Wycliffe Associates is working to accelerate Bible translation in Indonesia, the largest Muslim nation in the world. There, the Christians facing persecution daily are still without the Bible in their language. Wycliffe Associates provides computer tablets and training to mother-tongue translators around the world, so they can translate the Bible quickly and… Continue reading Wycliffe Associates Partners with Persecuted Christians to Bring Momentum to Bible Translation
Introducing Ananias House
HOUSTON – Ananias House is a ministry dedicated to “empowering the growth of the body of Jesus Christ in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA region).” The ministry of Ananias House in the strife-torn MENA region is three-fold: Making disciples and planting churches Offering sustained hope and comfort to people suffering from conflict and… Continue reading Introducing Ananias House
Christians Endure Mass Killings, Attacks on Houses of Worship Around the World
WASHINGTON — Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), co-chairman of Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission along with Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), today held a bipartisan hearing on the perilous state of religious freedom for Christians in China, Nigeria, Iran and other places around the world. Ambassador-at-Large for Religious Freedom Sam Brownback, head of the U.S. State Department’s Office… Continue reading Christians Endure Mass Killings, Attacks on Houses of Worship Around the World
Do You Believe in Miracles Today?
According to The Outreach Foundation, “more [ Muslims ] have come to Christ in the last 17 years than in the previous 1,400 years combined,” a fact confirmed by the Christian Broadcasting Network. How can that really be true? Answer these questions first. Do you believe that “God so loved the world that He gave… Continue reading Do You Believe in Miracles Today?
Family Research Council’s Travis Weber Speaks at the Taiwan International Religious Freedom Forum
WASHINGTON —Travis Weber, Vice President for Policy and Director of the Center for Religious Liberty at Family Research Council, spoke in Taiwan at the Taiwan International Religious Freedom Forum (TIRFF) on the importance of promoting religious freedom around the world, particularly in China. The conference is a joint effort of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan,… Continue reading Family Research Council’s Travis Weber Speaks at the Taiwan International Religious Freedom Forum
Evangelistic Campaign Draws Death Threats
BWERA, UGANDA – Several Christian churches in western Uganda began an outdoor evangelistic campaign in Bwera on May 20. It was evident that the event was going well as Muslim people listened and responded positively to the Gospel message.Because so many were publicly professing their faith in Christ, Muslim leaders began staging demonstrations. The demonstrations… Continue reading Evangelistic Campaign Draws Death Threats
Chinese Government Agency Hosts a Seminar on ‘Enormous Harm’ of Christianity to China
A local government communications agency in China held a seminar in April to discuss with Communist Party members the “enormous harm” the growth of Christianity is to the atheist nation. The Chinese Christian persecution watchdog China Aid raised an alarm about the event, titled “Christianity’s Enormous Harm on China’s Security,” held on April 22 in the… Continue reading Chinese Government Agency Hosts a Seminar on ‘Enormous Harm’ of Christianity to China
Asia Bibi Is Free at Last
OTTAWA – Asia Bibi is finally free 10 years after being imprisoned on spurious charges of blasphemy in Pakistan. She spent eight of those years in a cell on death row while Christians around the world prayed for her health, safety, and release. According to reports from the Canadian Broadcasting System and the British Pakistan… Continue reading Asia Bibi Is Free at Last
Asia Bibi Finally Out of Pakistan — Release International Calls for Repeal of Blasphemy Laws
‘Overjoyed that Asia is finally free – but why has it taken so long?’ Asia Bibi is finally out of Pakistan. Officials have confirmed that Asia has been released. Her lawyer has told CNN she is now in Canada, where two of her daughters have already been granted asylum. The Christian woman was acquitted of… Continue reading Asia Bibi Finally Out of Pakistan — Release International Calls for Repeal of Blasphemy Laws
Heaven Is Open During Ramadan
NAPIERVILLE, IL – Ramadan is the holy month of fasting for Muslims around the globe. From Mecca to Michigan and from Medina to Malaysia, faithful Muslims observe sawm (a fast) from sunrise to sunset. In 2019, Ramadan begins on May 6 and ends on June 4. They awake early to partake of a carefully prepared… Continue reading Heaven Is Open During Ramadan
Religious Freedom Report Offers Grim Review Of Attacks On Faith Groups
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has released its annual report in the aftermath of attacks on mosques in New Zealand, churches in Sri Lanka and synagogues in the United States. “It’s coming at a time when religious freedom concerns, for lots of reasons, are getting more attention across the board,” USCIRF Commissioner Johnnie… Continue reading Religious Freedom Report Offers Grim Review Of Attacks On Faith Groups
USCIRF Report: China, Two Dozen Other Countries Top Religious Freedom Offenders List
WASHINGTON — With its particular focus on China’s oppression of religious and human rights, an independent watchdog group has decried in its annual report the state of religious freedom across the globe. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, a bipartisan organization created 20 years ago, concludes in its Monday (April 29) report that “innumerable… Continue reading USCIRF Report: China, Two Dozen Other Countries Top Religious Freedom Offenders List
Death Toll Rises Following Easter Sri Lanka Church Attacks
SRI LANKA – As Easter celebrations were taking place across Sri Lanka in particular within the cities of Colombo and Negombo – where the largest Christian communities exist – a series of bomb attacks on churches and exclusive hotels brought terror to revellers and tourists. Early reports focused on eight explosions but by the end… Continue reading Death Toll Rises Following Easter Sri Lanka Church Attacks
When an Imam Comes to Christ – Pray for Podo
NAIROBI – When a young Muslim imam in the eastern Uganda village of Kerekerene began missing prayers at the local mosque, his family and friends became concerned. Three weeks passed before they found him. Rather than relief, their concerns escalated. Someone had spotted him on March 16, entering a building where they would have least… Continue reading When an Imam Comes to Christ – Pray for Podo
[Update] Crisis in Yemen
SANAA, Yemen – We live in an age filled with “wars and rumors of wars” (Matthew 24:6) – an era where men speak of “‘Peace, peace!’ when there is no peace.” (Jeremiah 6:14). However, embraced by a culture steeped in self-gratification, the preference of many is to relax in comfort while multiple millions of people… Continue reading [Update] Crisis in Yemen
“If Heaven is Made for ISIS, I Would Choose Hell”
KOBANI – Open Doors’ most recent World Watch List noted that, although persecution of Christians in the country at large appeared to have diminished, there was “a spike in violence” against Christians perpetrated by ISIS-backed rebels. Expression of Christian faith are strictly prohibited in areas controlled by radical Islamic forces. Countless church buildings have been… Continue reading “If Heaven is Made for ISIS, I Would Choose Hell”
[Update] China Continues Campaign Against Christianity
HENAN – Reports continue to stream from China regarding the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and it’s actions to eliminate Christianity from the country. Crosses have been removed from church buildings, churches have been subjected to electronic monitoring whilst others have been closed. The First Commandment has been declared illegal. The Bible is being retranslated to conform… Continue reading [Update] China Continues Campaign Against Christianity
Frontiers – Reaching the Unengaged
PHOENIX, AZ – Several things make Frontiers unique among foreign missions agencies. One of those is the catalyst that led Greg Livingstone to begin the ministry in 1982. He was already heavily involved in missions, but the agency for which he worked confronted him with, “Greg, you must stop recruiting; we’re full. We’re getting swamped… Continue reading Frontiers – Reaching the Unengaged
Seeing Christ in the Syrian Crisis
The Syrian Civil War has been an epic crisis as the Assad regime attempts to retain its rule whilst ISIS rebels and others seek to wrest control as part of an attempt to establish an Islamic caliphate. About half of the Christian population has disappeared from the country either by death or diaspora. Yet, despite… Continue reading Seeing Christ in the Syrian Crisis
Vision 2025: One Million Souls for Christ
ATLANTA – Dr. Michael Youssef is best known for his 30 years of ministry through Leading the Way broadcasted primarily from the Church of the Apostles which he pastors in Atlanta. The 70-year preacher is leading a new project, Vision 2025, through which he hopes to engage Christians around the world to win 1,000,000 souls… Continue reading Vision 2025: One Million Souls for Christ
Christian and Missionary Alliance Impacts the World for Jesus
COLORADO SPRINGS – The Board of the Christian and Missionary Alliance recently published its 2018 Impact Report. The Alliance, founded over 130 years ago by A.B. Simpson, continues to express the love of Jesus Christ by sharing His Gospel with those who have yet to hear the Good News. Dr. John Stumbo, C&MA President describes… Continue reading Christian and Missionary Alliance Impacts the World for Jesus
The Light of the Cross Stirs Malaysia
PENANG – During the recent testing of lighting fixtures at a residential high-rise under construction in the city of Penang, a local Muslim mufti complained to local authorities because the resulting pattern was in the shape of a cross. The mufti insisted that the authorities investigate why the lights had been arranged as a cross… Continue reading The Light of the Cross Stirs Malaysia
The Islamabad Declaration
ISLAMABAD – News agencies out of Pakistan reported today that a petition has been filed in the Supreme Court requesting the imposition of Sharia Law as the governing law in Pakistan. Meanwhile, 500 senior Muslim leaders signed the Islamabad Declaration which denounces Islamic terrorism, violence committed in the name of religion, and fatwas issued by… Continue reading The Islamabad Declaration
First Commandment Now Illegal in China
HENAN PROVINCE – On November 30, 2018, Chinese communist authorities ordered a church in Henan Province to remove its display of the first commandment of the Ten Commandments. The directive came during a regular inspection of a church affiliated with the government-approved Three-Self church movement. Freedom of religion in China has been a consistent and… Continue reading First Commandment Now Illegal in China
Not Forsaken – A Modern Day Paul in China
CHENGDU – Last week Chinese authorities detained Pastor Wang Yi and 100 members of the Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, Szechuan, China.Bob Fu, the president of ChinaAid, said that “the massive overnight attack . . . represents a major escalation of religious persecution in China.”Former U.S. Senator and current U.S. Ambassador at Large for… Continue reading Not Forsaken – A Modern Day Paul in China
Maintenance of Religious Harmony in Malaysia and Singapore
SINGAPORE – Maintenance of religious harmony. It sounds wonderful. An idea that promotes people getting along together. True freedom of religion. But the artwork of legislative ambiguity is misleading in many countries, such as Malaysia and Singapore, the city-state at the southern end of Malaysia. Two men and two women, residents of Finland, were detained… Continue reading Maintenance of Religious Harmony in Malaysia and Singapore
Asia Bibi Acquitted but Still Facing Execution
ISLAMABAD – Christians around the world rejoiced when the Supreme Court of Pakistan announced last week that it had acquitted Asia Bibi of the charges of blasphemy for which she had been held on death row since 2010. Although the court issued an order to do so, she has yet to be released. As expected,… Continue reading Asia Bibi Acquitted but Still Facing Execution