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
Results for "Islam"
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
Good News for Sudanese Christians and Churches
KHARTOUM – The nation of Sudan has been a veritable poster child for the persecution of Christians. Recent news, however, indicates that things may be about to change. The World Watch List 2020, published by Open Doors, ranked Sudan as the seventh most dangerous country for Christians, mainly due to extremely high levels of violence.… Continue reading Good News for Sudanese Christians and Churches
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
Does Anyone Give a Damn About the Innocents Dying Every Day in West Africa?
ADAMAWA, Nigeria – More than 100 members of the Islamic State of West Africa, also known as Boko Haram, recently swarmed northern Adamawa, a state in northeast Nigeria, and set at least five churches ablaze while they opened fire and indiscriminately killed residents, according to Sunday reports. The violence targeting Christian churches in northern Nigeria… Continue reading Does Anyone Give a Damn About the Innocents Dying Every Day in West Africa?
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
‘Real-Time’ Interactive TV Program Brings Hope to Iran’s ‘Secret’ Christians
Amid U.S.-Iran tensions, broadcaster SAT-7 gives Iranian Christians first opportunity to share with millions of viewers, many from extremist backgrounds EASTON — Pioneering broadcaster SAT-7 today announced a virtual, “real-time” television news-talk show — Signal — that is the first program of its kind encouraging Iran’s “secret Christians” — at a time when U.S.-Iran tensions… Continue reading ‘Real-Time’ Interactive TV Program Brings Hope to Iran’s ‘Secret’ Christians
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’
Too Many to Count: The Global Persecution of Christians | Frontpage Magazine
Recently we observed one of the International Day[s] of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (known by the acronym IDOP). Initiated over 20 years ago by the World Evangelical Alliance, 100,000 congregations around the world and millions of Christians participate on this day. “Let us unite in prayer for our persecuted brothers and sisters,” IDOP said… Continue reading Too Many to Count: The Global Persecution of Christians | Frontpage Magazine
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
Sudan Removed from State Dept. List of Worst Religious Freedom Violators after Dictator Ousted
The U.S. State Department removed Sudan from its list of governments that are engaging in or tolerating systemic and ongoing religious freedom violations and has placed Nigeria, Cuba, and Nicaragua on a special watch list for “severe violations of religious freedom” for the first time. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Friday the State Departments’… Continue reading Sudan Removed from State Dept. List of Worst Religious Freedom Violators after Dictator Ousted
An Amazing Story from The Timothy Initiative
RALEIGH, NC – The Timothy Initiative (TTI) began as a small, faith-based, church-planting organization. Its original name clearly identified the group’s original vision: Project India. Within its first year of operation, the project had trained more than 3,000 church planters. By 2011, 7,000 had completed the training using TTI’s own 10-volume curriculum. Having changed its… Continue reading An Amazing Story from The Timothy Initiative
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
How God Changed a Sheikh to His Sheep
CAIRO – Last month, Missions Box News ran the true story of how Jesus came to visit a Middle Eastern man at night and dictated the entire Gospel of John to a Muslim man. The amazing part of that story is not what, but why it happened. Because God so loves us that He will… Continue reading How God Changed a Sheikh to His Sheep
7 Reminders About the 10/40 Window
WILLS POINT, TX – The primary ministry of Gospel for Asia and numerous similar efforts are focused on a portion of what has become known as “The 10/40 Window.” A recent article published by Advancing Native Missions, “What Is the 10/ 40 Window and Why Is it Important,” prompted this writer that it is time… Continue reading 7 Reminders About the 10/40 Window
‘Convert or Be Killed!’ Expectant Mother Pays Ultimate Price in Jihadist Massacre | CBN
NIGERIA – The Jihadist massacre lasted for five hours. Esther listened from the makeshift outhouse as she hid behind the door. “Convert or be killed!” shouted Boko Haram militants. Their commands were followed by screams, the popping of machine guns, and the smell of burning flesh and hair as they made their way through the… Continue reading ‘Convert or Be Killed!’ Expectant Mother Pays Ultimate Price in Jihadist Massacre | CBN
Bringing Hope to Family of Kidnapped Syrian Christian
ALEPPO – Jina was married to Rober in 2011. Their son, Abraham (known as Apo), was born in 2012. Rober was kidnapped in 2013 in Syria – targeted because he is a Christian. They don’t know if he’s alive. Jina and Apo live in Aleppo, Syria, where they are supported by Open Doors partner Pastor… Continue reading Bringing Hope to Family of Kidnapped Syrian Christian
Action Against Hunger & Mercy Corps Return to Nigeria
ABUJA, NIGERIA – Faith-based organizations Action Against Hunger and Mercy Corps were forced to suspend operations in northeastern Nigeria in mid-September. The Nigerian army closed two Action Against Hunger offices and four Mercy Corps facilities based on allegations that both agencies were aiding terrorist groups Boko Haram and the Islamic State. Action Against Hunger vigorously… Continue reading Action Against Hunger & Mercy Corps Return to Nigeria
Africa Inland Mission: Reckless Obedience Since 1895
PEACHTREE CITY, GA – The reckless obedience of the Christians involved in the outreach ministry of Africa Inland Mission (AIM) may have grown out of the passion of its founder, Peter Cameron Scott. He had the vision to establish a network of mission stations from the southeastern coast of Africa all the way to Lake… Continue reading Africa Inland Mission: Reckless Obedience Since 1895
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
International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church – November 3, 2019
NEW YORK, NY – Christians around the world are invited and encouraged to engage in prayer and supplications on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Christ who are being persecuted for their faith. Sunday, November 3, has been set aside as the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. We should not be… Continue reading International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church – November 3, 2019
Is This the Great Iranian Awakening?
TEHRAN – By nearly all accounts, more people in Iran are forsaking Islam and becoming followers of Jesus Christ than in any other country in the world. FAI Studios, producers of the movie “Sheep Among Wolves,” commented that “Muslim-background Iranians are leading a quiet but mass exodus out of Islam and bowing their knees to… Continue reading Is This the Great Iranian Awakening?
Obvious Obstinacy: The Plight of Christians in Egypt
CAIRO – It was only a decade ago that the Muslim Brotherhood – recognized by the United States as an Islamic terrorist group – seized control of the Egyptian government. Although Egypt is a Muslim nation, the March 12, 2013 edition of the Egypt Daily News cited the Brotherhood as the enemy of Egypt just… Continue reading Obvious Obstinacy: The Plight of Christians in Egypt
Refugee Camp in Syria Becoming Safe Haven for ISIS
AL-HOL, SYRIA – The refugee camp at al-Hol is currently home to 70,000 refugees from the Syrian Civil War. Contained in close quarters in a space initially occupied by 9,000 persons, the population now includes about 11,000 widows, wives, and children of ISIS fighters. Local and international authorities believe that ISIS is attempting to muster… Continue reading Refugee Camp in Syria Becoming Safe Haven for ISIS
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
NGOs Are Under Attack in Nigeria
ABUJA – Conducting charitable humanitarian work in any developing country or crisis situation is difficult at best. Working in disease or conflict-ridden regions is not only hard but sometimes downright dangerous.This is rapidly becoming the scenario for NGOs working in strife-torn Nigeria where Boko Haram rebels are attempting to establish the Islamic State in West… Continue reading NGOs Are Under Attack in Nigeria
US Evangelicals Visited Saudi Arabia on Eve of 9/11
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – A high profile group of US Christian leaders visited Saudi Arabia on the eve of 9/11. During their visit, the delegation issued a statement including why their visit coincided with the 9/11 tragedy. “While it may surprise some that we would choose the week of September 11 to visit the Kingdom,… Continue reading US Evangelicals Visited Saudi Arabia on Eve of 9/11
ECWA Says Leah Sharibu Still Alive
ABUJA, NIGERIA – On August 1, Missions Box News published an article entitled “65 Dead in Boko Haram Attack at Funeral.” In that article, we reported that Leah Sharibu, a Christian teenager who had been abducted in early 2018 along with more than 100 Chibok school children early in 2018, may have been killed by… Continue reading ECWA Says Leah Sharibu Still Alive
Christian Flag Goes Back to Court
BOSTON – Liberty Counsel was in court yesterday presenting oral argument regarding its motion for summary judgement requesting the United States District Court in Boston to rule that Boston resident Hal Shurtleff and his Christian civic organization, Camp Constitution, can fly the Christian flag on Boston’s City Hall flagpoles on the same terms as other… Continue reading Christian Flag Goes Back to Court
India’s Protection of Rights on Marriage Law Is Major Breakthrough for Women
NEW DELHI – Missions Box has steadfastly supported effective action to protect women from abuses wherever they occur. Mistreatment of women takes many forms across the entire globe but nowhere else is that abuse so apparent as it is in developing countries where women are traditionally held in low regard.The Provisions of NGOs South Asia… Continue reading India’s Protection of Rights on Marriage Law Is Major Breakthrough for Women
Day of Global Recognition of Violence Against People Based on Religion or Belief
NEW YORK – August 22, 2019, marked the first International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief sponsored by the United Nations. Missions Box News first became aware of the proposed special day in July 2018 when members of the British parliament were called to consider supporting a proposal… Continue reading Day of Global Recognition of Violence Against People Based on Religion or Belief
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.
Government Restrictions Against Freedom of Religion Are Growing Globally
WILLS POINT, TX – The closure of yet another Christian church and its Bible school by authorities in Algeria spurred one of our reporters to dig a little deeper. He decided to investigate government restrictions and political persecution against the Church. He didn’t have to look far. A recent report by the Pew Research Center… Continue reading Government Restrictions Against Freedom of Religion Are Growing Globally
Ahead of U.S. Visit, Yael Eckstein Tours Security Projects in Israel Funded by The Fellowship
JERUSALEM — Throughout much of its existence, The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) has stood in the gap between the support people feel they need in the vulnerable parts of Israel and what the government has had the capacity and capability to provide. “No government in the world protects its people as… Continue reading Ahead of U.S. Visit, Yael Eckstein Tours Security Projects in Israel Funded by The Fellowship
Can Pakistan End Child Marriage?
KARACHI – The Pakistani Senate has passed a bill to end child marriage, making marriage illegal for girls under the age of 18 to marry. That sounds like good news in a country where it is estimated that 21% of girls under 18 are married, often being forced to do so as early as age… Continue reading Can Pakistan End Child Marriage?
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?
Christian TV Network SAT-7 Releases ‘Sequel of Hope’ for World Refugee Day, Featuring Myriam – Girl Who Forgave ISIS
Iraqi girl who ‘captured millions of hearts’ urges Christians to pray, bring hope to refugee childrenEASTON, MD — A refugee girl in the “cradle of Christianity” – who captured the hearts of millions on TV and social media with a message of hope and forgiveness – is calling on Christians to take action on World… Continue reading Christian TV Network SAT-7 Releases ‘Sequel of Hope’ for World Refugee Day, Featuring Myriam – Girl Who Forgave ISIS
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
Rockets Barrage Southern Israel – IFCJ Responds with Eight Mobile Shelters, Work on Fifty-Three More
JERUSALEM — When Hamas and Islamic Jihad began to barrage southern Israel with over 600 rockets in less than 24 hours, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews immediately began to assess the effects of the attack on its program recipients and to enact their broader emergency response plan only deployed when Israel teeters on the brink of… Continue reading Rockets Barrage Southern Israel – IFCJ Responds with Eight Mobile Shelters, Work on Fifty-Three More
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
Sri Lanka & South Asia: Guessing as to What Comes Next
COLOMBO – “You can’t say the threat is over but the situation is well under control.” That is the assessment of Sri Lanka’s Health Minister, Rajitha Senaratne, as of May 3, mere days following the terrorist bombings of several churches and hotels in this island nation. Senaratne told reporters that, internally, “Everyone is giving information.… Continue reading Sri Lanka & South Asia: Guessing as to What Comes Next
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
British Foreign Office Issues Interim Report on the Persecution of Christians
LONDON – Missions Box News reported on December 28, 2018, that British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt had ordered a review into the escalation of persecution of Christians around the world. The task was assigned to the Anglican Archbishop of Truro. The complete report was originally scheduled to be released in time for Easter Sunday. However,… Continue reading British Foreign Office Issues Interim Report on the Persecution of Christians
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
Gospel For Asia Supports Grief-stricken Sri Lankan Communities as Death Toll Rises Over 250
Humanitarian Agency Gospel For Asia (GFA) Grieves its Social Worker’s Five Family Members Killed in Sri Lanka Easter Terror Bomb Attacks on Two Different Churches WILLS POINT, TX — Humanitarian agency Gospel For Asia (GFA), today announced that one of its social workers in Sri Lanka lost five family members in the Easter Sunday terror… Continue reading Gospel For Asia Supports Grief-stricken Sri Lankan Communities as Death Toll Rises Over 250
You’ll Be Surprised Where Christianity Is Growing – And Where It Is Not
FORT WASHINGTON, PA – Operation World (OW) is an organization of Evangelical Believers that provides information for Christians along with a “definitive prayer guide to every nation.” While OW strives to maintain the latest, up-to-the-minute data, it recognizes that is an impossible task. The entire world would have to come to a standstill for any… Continue reading You’ll Be Surprised Where Christianity Is Growing – And Where It Is Not