MOZAMBIQUE – When a young African boy saw the unguarded cell phone, he knew it might be his only chance to ever have one. It is doubtful that he even knew how to use one. Imagine his surprise when he played with the buttons and discovered that what he had taken was not a cell… Continue reading He Thought He Stole a Cell Phone. Was He Surprised!
Results for "Persecution"
No Matter the Danger, 600-Plus Language Groups Request Bible Translation Training, Technology from Wycliffe Associates
Orlando, Florida, USA — Church leaders from more than 600 language groups around the world have asked Wycliffe Associates for the technology and training to start translating the Bible using a translation method known as MAST (Mobilized Assistance Supporting Translation). “They have the commitment to proclaim Christ, even in the most dangerous areas,” said Bruce… Continue reading No Matter the Danger, 600-Plus Language Groups Request Bible Translation Training, Technology from Wycliffe Associates
Sanhedrin to Reenact Daily Offering on December 10
JERUSALEM – Nightfall on Monday, December 10th marks the end of the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah. Also known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. This year the last day of Hanukkah will be marked by the consecration of a stone altar that has been prepared for… Continue reading Sanhedrin to Reenact Daily Offering on December 10
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
ACLJ Releases Petition to Free Wrongfully Imprisoned U.S. Pastor
WASHINGTON – On November 15, 2018, the American Law and Justice Center (ACLJ) published a petition to release John Cao, a U.S. pastor imprisoned in China on fabricated organizing illegal border crossing charges. Cao, whose family resides in North Carolina, was arrested by Chinese officials in March 2017 as he crossed the border between Myanmar… Continue reading ACLJ Releases Petition to Free Wrongfully Imprisoned U.S. Pastor
Pondering Paradise Lost
PARADISE, CA – “Workers fanned out across the cinders, looking for those who didn’t escape the inferno that transformed this town into a wasteland.” That was the lead-in of a Daily Beast article about the California wildfire that destroyed the town of Paradise, California. The fire came upon the people so quickly that there was… Continue reading Pondering Paradise Lost
Crowdfunding for the Persecuted Church
CONROE, Texas — The 2018 International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church was observed by tens of millions of Christians worldwide on Sunday, November 4th. Now many of those believers are seeking tangible ways to help their brothers & sisters in Christ and local churches & ministries which are embedded in areas where persecution… Continue reading Crowdfunding for the Persecuted Church
Forgotten Missionaries International | Missions Box Spotlight
Forgotten Missionaries International: Building partnerships to empower indigenous church plantersThis is the second article in our new “Spotlight” series that homes in on our primary intent of “Connecting the Church in the West to news of what God is doing through nonprofits around the world.” This article shines the Spotlight on Forgotten Missionaries International (FMI),… Continue reading Forgotten Missionaries International | Missions Box Spotlight
International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church November 4, 2018
Missions Box News invites you to join tens of thousands of Christians on Sunday, November 4th, in prayer for our brothers and sisters around the world who are persecuted and are suffering because of their faith in Jesus Christ. It’s not likely that most who read this have ever faced persecution. Yet, persecution of Christians… Continue reading International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church November 4, 2018
World Missionary Press | Missions Box Spotlight
World Missionary Press: Free Scripture Booklets for the WorldMissions Box News was established by Gospel for Asia (GFA) to “highlight the good works of nonprofits from around the world.” Most often we do that by reporting news “that pertains to the hardships of living in this world” to show the needs of people burdened by poverty… Continue reading World Missionary Press | Missions Box Spotlight
What Christian Leaders are Saying about Gospel for Asia
Gospel for Asia (GFA World) is a nonprofit founded in 1979 committed to serving “the least of these” in Asia. GFA supports national field workers who in turn bring the love of Christ to those living in rural and under-served areas. Whether it’s providing the opportunity for a brighter future for a child in Asia… Continue reading What Christian Leaders are Saying about Gospel for Asia
American Pastor Imprisoned in Turkey Is Set Free
IZMIR – Pastor Andrew Brunson is on his way home to North Carolina after more than two years either in prison or, more recently, under house arrest in Turkey. The Trump administration has been tightening the screws on the Turkish economy for its part in getting Pastor Brunson released. While the diplomatic efforts of the United… Continue reading American Pastor Imprisoned in Turkey Is Set Free
Reaching a Captive Audience
IRAN – Mojtaba Hosseini was arrested for being a threat to the national security of his home country of Iran. His crime was being a leader of a house church group. When he was originally arrested, he was placed on probation and warned to cease his church activities. I wonder what I would have done… Continue reading Reaching a Captive Audience
Good News from Sudan!
SUDAN – Good news is getting hard to find. It just doesn’t seem to be sensational enough to make compelling headlines. Missions Box News is seeking to change that by reporting the good news that Christians should know. Some exceptionally good news has come out of Sudan over the last several days. Sudan is currently… Continue reading Good News from Sudan!
Making Sense of Myanmar – The Chin, Kachin, Shan, and Wa States
YANGON – Myanmar, formerly Burma, may best be described a line from Rogers and Hammerstein’s “The King and I” in which the king exclaims, “It’s a puzzlement.” In a recent article, we related the story of a Christian pastor in a small village in the Chin state in northwest Myanmar. The gist of the story… Continue reading Making Sense of Myanmar – The Chin, Kachin, Shan, and Wa States
Insight into Being an Outsider – Christians in Myanmar
RANGOON – Most Western people still know Myanmar as Burma – a country somewhere in South Asia. Situated east of the Bay of Bengal, Myanmar borders Bangladesh, India, China, and Thailand. Myanmar, then Burma, was evangelized in the early 1800s by Adoniram Judson who also completed the first Burmese language Bible. In 1950, there were… Continue reading Insight into Being an Outsider – Christians in Myanmar
NFL Stars Team Up with Biblica for Sports-Themed Outreach, Game of Life, in South Asia
Former Chicago Bears back ‘Game of Life’ distribution to fans of ‘the other football’ COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Four NFL veterans have teamed up with Biblica, the International Bible Society (www.biblica.com), to throw their weight behind a sports outreach that aims to score with thousands of young people in South Asia through “the other football.”… Continue reading NFL Stars Team Up with Biblica for Sports-Themed Outreach, Game of Life, in South Asia
The Silent War Against Christianity in Scotland
EDINBURGH – While nearly the whole of Christendom is aware, at least to some extent – of the persecution being wrought upon the followers of Christ in many countries, the same are blissfully unaware of the attacks upon the church by humanism and secularism. These twin threats to the faith once delivered the saints are… Continue reading The Silent War Against Christianity in Scotland
“Lack of Religious Freedom Anywhere Is a Threat Everywhere”
WASHINGTON, DC – Sam Brownback, the U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom open the first meeting of a three-day Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom conference in Washington DC sponsored by the U.S. State Department. In his opening speech on 24 July, he said, ‘ The lack of religious freedom anywhere is a threat everywhere.” His… Continue reading “Lack of Religious Freedom Anywhere Is a Threat Everywhere”
DHS Comes to Aid of Stranded Iranian Christians
WASHINGTON DC – The subject of immigration has become a tinderbox of contention among many Americans as well as Europeans and Australians. The substance of immigration issues is often obscured by a fog of conflicting opinions between personal compassion and the government’s responsibility to ensure the general welfare and domestic tranquility of its current residents.… Continue reading DHS Comes to Aid of Stranded Iranian Christians
London Man Arrested for Reading the Bible Aloud on Church Property
LONDON – Imagine, if you will, a 55-year-old man reading the Bible aloud in front of a church. Imagine that it is not just any church, but the iconic St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. Then imagine that the church staff asking him to stop reading the Bible and leave the property, after which he was… Continue reading London Man Arrested for Reading the Bible Aloud on Church Property
Peace in Eritrea and Ethiopia May Open Doors to Share the Gospel
ADDIS ABABA – The North African nations of Eritrea and Ethiopia have formally agreed to end the longest-running war on the continent. Christians in Ethiopia are praying that the agreement will present new opportunities to spread the Gospel. “With this new peace agreement, borders will be reopened and trade reinstated between the two countries. The… Continue reading Peace in Eritrea and Ethiopia May Open Doors to Share the Gospel
Walk Free Foundation Releases 2018 Global Slavery Index
NEDLANDS, WESTERN AUSTRALIA – Slavery is not a thing of the past. Despite the efforts of William Wilberforce, Abraham Lincoln, and others, slavery did not end in the 19th century. In fact, according to the 2018 Global Slavery Index, over 70 million people are caught in the throes of 21st century slavery. More than 70… Continue reading Walk Free Foundation Releases 2018 Global Slavery Index
CAM Brings Healing to Vietnam Hospitals
HO CHI MINH CITY – Hospitals and churches something in common. They are places where many people do not want to go. Unless they are hurting. People suffering from pain will often eagerly seek a place that can bring relief. Hospitals and churches are recognized as places for healing. Some of Christian Aid Mission’s (CAM)… Continue reading CAM Brings Healing to Vietnam Hospitals
Turkish Court Keeps Pastor Andrew Brunson Jailed
IZMIR – Despite heightened optimism that a Turkish court might release U.S. pastor Andrew Brunson from prison today, expectations were dealt a blow when the court ordered him to remain in custody. The next hearing, his fourth, is scheduled for 12 October 2018. Brunson, 50, a native of North Carolina, has lived in Turkey for… Continue reading Turkish Court Keeps Pastor Andrew Brunson Jailed
Released Boko Haram Captive Pinning Her Problems to the Cross
ABUJA – The militant African group Boko Haram has terrorized Nigerians for nearly 10 years, destroying churches, schools, and homes. The infamously mass murder entire villages of people before burning the villages to the ground. They have taken more than 3,000 women and schoolgirls captive and attempt to convert them to Islam. Those who refuse… Continue reading Released Boko Haram Captive Pinning Her Problems to the Cross
Bibles For The World Encourages and Equips Chinese Believers in Light of New Policy Governing Religious Belief
Using nationals to reach nationals, organization promotes evangelism and Bible distribution under stricter laws COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — As the Chinese government clarifies its religious beliefs policy, Bibles For The World (BFTW) President John Pudaite says his organization will focus on the urgent need for effective Scripture distribution while helping believers understand their religious rights. According to Pudaite,… Continue reading Bibles For The World Encourages and Equips Chinese Believers in Light of New Policy Governing Religious Belief
You’ll Be Amazed to Learn Where Most Christians Live
HAMILTON, MA – The estimated total population in the world is between 7.3 and 7.6 billion people. (It’s hard to keep an exact count. The number keeps changing!) It is probably even more difficult to assess how many Christians there are and where they live. First, by the time a count is determined, it has… Continue reading You’ll Be Amazed to Learn Where Most Christians Live
Freedom of Religion Endangered by New Law in Laos
VIENTIANE – The constitution of the nation of Laos guarantees its citizens freedom of religion. Specifically, it recognizes their “right and freedom to believe or not to believe in religion.” In addition, Laos is “a state party” to the seven core international human rights treaties under which they are obligated to “respect, protect, and fulfill… Continue reading Freedom of Religion Endangered by New Law in Laos
[ICC] Diverse Projects Spotlight ‘Broad Challenge’ of the World’s 2 Billion Unreached People
International Day for the Unreached organizers emphasize need for whole church to respond to Jesus’ Great Commission COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – United by a single goal, the champions of missions to the unreached follow a wide range of paths in taking the gospel to those who have yet to hear of Jesus. The breadth of… Continue reading [ICC] Diverse Projects Spotlight ‘Broad Challenge’ of the World’s 2 Billion Unreached People
Deny Yourself to Live
It was a momentous day for the Apostle Peter. He declared his faith that Jesus is the Messiah. The moment after, Jesus starts talking about His upcoming suffering, death and resurrection. All of a sudden, the momentous day for Peter takes a turn. He tells Jesus that he’ll never allow that to happen. Jesus rebukes… Continue reading Deny Yourself to Live
South Korea Bans Voice of the Martyrs’ Bibles in Balloons
SEOUL – One of the chief ministries of Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) is getting Bibles to nations where the Word of God is restricted. The ministry uses innovative means to place Bibles into the hands of people – in their own language – who would otherwise live their lives without ever reading the Good… Continue reading South Korea Bans Voice of the Martyrs’ Bibles in Balloons
UNHCR Report Reveals Startling Facts About Global Refugee Crisis
GENEVA – “Wars, other violence, and persecution drove worldwide forced displacement to a new high in 2017 for the fifth year in a row, according to UNHCR’s annual Global Trends report, released on 19 June 2018. The report showed that 68.5 million people were displaced as of the end of 2017. Overwhelmingly it is developing… Continue reading UNHCR Report Reveals Startling Facts About Global Refugee Crisis
Prayer Requests for Afghanistan
Imagine a country where you had to keep your faith silent for fear of being arrested. There are many people living in countries throughout the world that face this threat. Afghanistan is one of them. There are no churches, but mosques can be found on every street corner in the rugged and mountainous terrain of… Continue reading Prayer Requests for Afghanistan
Understanding the Refugee Crisis on World Refugee Day
NEW YORK CITY – Wednesday, 20 June 2018, is World Refugee Day. The day is especially important because there is, as most people know, a global refugee crisis. The crisis is compounded by the emotional and political conflict regarding the status of refugees. More about that in a minute. First, here are some facts about… Continue reading Understanding the Refugee Crisis on World Refugee Day
9 Things Christians Need to Know About Korea
SEOUL – North and South Korea have made a lot of headlines in the past year, including North Korea’s ballistic missile tests and nuclear potential, South Korea’s hosting of the Winter Olympics, and the historic meeting between North Korea’s Kim Jung Un and U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore. While the complete denuclearization of North… Continue reading 9 Things Christians Need to Know About Korea
Need for Aid Increasing in Myanmar
YANGON – Life goes on as normal for Christians and Muslims in Myanmar, just as life goes on as normal for Christians and Muslims in America. Normal is the operative word because what is normal for them is at the extreme opposite of what normal is for us. We often refer to normal as “the… Continue reading Need for Aid Increasing in Myanmar
Death Penalty Now Mandatory for Apostasy in Mauritania
NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania – On 27 April 2018, The National Assembly of Mauritania passed a law that makes the death penalty mandatory for anyone convicted of “blasphemous speech” and acts deemed “sacrilegious.” Human rights experts from the UN, the African Commission of Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR), and more than 20 NGOs have called upon the… Continue reading Death Penalty Now Mandatory for Apostasy in Mauritania
Texas Senator Ted Cruz to Address Capitol Hill Policy Day
WASHINGTON, DC – Texas Senator Ted Cruz heads the lineup of speakers and panelists featured at the Capitol Hill Policy Day at the Capitol Visitor Center on June 5, 2018. The conference, sponsored by International Christian Concern, will focus on “the crisis of violence in Nigeria brought about by both Boko Haram and Fulani militants.”… Continue reading Texas Senator Ted Cruz to Address Capitol Hill Policy Day
Gospel for Asia Founder Expresses “The Power of Oneness”
Wills Point, Texas – GFA (Gospel for Asia) Founder, Dr. K.P. Yohannan recently expressed several powerful insights into the power of oneness in his blog post entitled “When Believers Unite in Doing God’s Will Nothing Will Be Impossible” Acknowledging that the idea of “united we stand; divided we fall” is universal, his article suggests that Christians… Continue reading Gospel for Asia Founder Expresses “The Power of Oneness”
Egyptian Cabinet Certifies 166 More Churches [Update]
CAIRO – On 11 March 2018, Missions Box News reported that Egyptian government officials had granted licenses for 53 churches as a “first block” toward compliance with the legal requirements. The licensing mandate which had been proposed by the Housing Ministry became law in August 2016. Yesterday the Egyptian Cabinet approved the legalization of 166… Continue reading Egyptian Cabinet Certifies 166 More Churches [Update]
Here’s How to Pray for Missionaries and Pastors
How should we pray for overseas missionaries and pastors? I want to pray, but what do they need? This is a question that often crosses our minds when we hear of the adversity facing those who serve the Lord in areas that are volatilize and prone to hostility. Tamang is a pastor in South Asia who… Continue reading Here’s How to Pray for Missionaries and Pastors
International Christian Concern Helps Egyptian Widower Rebuild His Life
ALEXANDRIA – A terrorist attack on two Coptic Christian churches on Palm Sunday 2017 left more than 40 people dead and 125 injured. It also made several men, women, and children widows, widowers, and orphans. One of the deceased was Hanan Dreas, a wife and mother of two children ages six and 10. Her husband,… Continue reading International Christian Concern Helps Egyptian Widower Rebuild His Life
Nigerian Girl Refuses to Renounce Christ Remains Captive of Boko Haram
DAPCHI, Nigeria – Leah Sharibu is 15 years old. She is one of more than a hundred Nigerian school girls who are either missing or held in captivity by the Boko Haram. Although the terrorist group, known for kidnapping school girls en masse, agreed to return the girls in exchange for the release of several… Continue reading Nigerian Girl Refuses to Renounce Christ Remains Captive of Boko Haram
Christians Concerned About Turkish Presence in Syria
Turkish Army Takes Afrin, Syria from Kurds AFRIN, Syria – Turkish forces have overtaken the Syrian town of Afrin, driving the Kurdish forces out. To most readers in the Western Hemisphere, this news has little relevance. Most us have no idea who’s who or what is where in the conflict in Syria. The situation for… Continue reading Christians Concerned About Turkish Presence in Syria
Kazakh Woman Not Guilty of Illegal Missionary Activity
SHYMKENT, Kazakhstan – A Christian Kazak woman who had been charged with “illegal missionary activity” was acquitted on 13 March by the South Kazakhstan Regional Court. Her illegal activity? Showing another woman how to download a Bible app on her smartphone. The woman for whom she downloaded the app then file a complaint with the… Continue reading Kazakh Woman Not Guilty of Illegal Missionary Activity
Pakistan Judge Rules Citizens Must Declare Their True Religious Faith
ISLAMABAD – It has been a rule of law that citizens of Pakistan must self-identify their religion on their passports. Now a judge on the Islamabad High Court has extended the rule to greater lengths. In a ruling delivered on Friday, 09 March 2018, Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui has ordered that Pakistan citizens must also… Continue reading Pakistan Judge Rules Citizens Must Declare Their True Religious Faith
Mohabat TV Receives International Impact Award
NASHVILLE – Mohabat TV, the media arm of Heart4Iran, has received the highly-coveted 2018 International Impact Award from the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) at their annual convention in Nashville, Tennessee. Mohabat TV and Heart4Iran work in collaboration with more than 80 other ministries to spread the Gospel in the Middle East. The satellite TV network… Continue reading Mohabat TV Receives International Impact Award
GFA Concerned About Widespread Violence Against Women
WILLS POINT, Texas – Gospel for Asia (GFA) has published an authoritative article about the seemingly endless global problem of violence against women. The euphemism of “domestic violence” used in America does not begin to describe the depth of persecution that women suffer in many other countries around the world. For many women, “the greatest… Continue reading GFA Concerned About Widespread Violence Against Women
Syrian Christians Displaced But Helping Others in Need
Syrian Christians are part of one of the oldest churches in the world. They used to be one of the major political forces in Syria , until ISIS started coming after Christians because they believe in an all Islamic state, also known as a Caliphate. BBC explains, “The founder of the Baath Party, which has ruled… Continue reading Syrian Christians Displaced But Helping Others in Need