A Christian ministry in Indonesia runs four “blessing houses” that serve as temporary safe houses for Christian converts from Islam who are from one of Indonesia’s largest minority groups. These houses also serve as places of worship, discipleship and skill development centers for persecuted Christians. A front-line worker there said that every week she experiences “small-scale persecution” in the community.
Read MoreAfter a secret Christmas program at Saiful’s house church in late December 2024, someone obtained photos and exposed the church on social media, prompting outrage against Saiful and the church from several nearby mosques. Within hours, the situation escalated until a large Muslim crowd marched to the church, threatening violence. Police intervened to stop the procession, but the leaders of the rally vowed to return with more people to burn Saiful’s house. Local authorities have granted permission for the Christians to continue meeting, but Saiful has been warned to take safety precautions.
Read MoreMina, an Afghan Christian, was forced by her father to marry an abusive Muslim man because of her faith. The twenty-year-old became a follower of Christ after meeting some Christians online, and through her online community, she continued to grow in her faith. One day a neighbor overheard her worshiping God through an open window. The neighbor informed Mina’s father, and he beat her severely. He then forced her to marry an older Muslim man.
Read MoreWhen Momina’s family rejected her because of her faith, the body of Christ took her in. After the death of her husband, Momina was the sole provider for their young son, Mohammed. She met two Christian women who shared the gospel with her, and through their persistent witness, she came to faith in Christ. Soon after, the Muslim woman whom Momina lived with kicked her out of the house; her Muslim family members tried to kidnap Mohammed; and they refused to help Momina when she was hospitalized for a serious illness in 2024.
Read MoreA pastor in Laos was arrested and accused of distributing Christian materials to local schools. In a part of northern Laos where Christians have faced harsh persecution, a church received a call from the district chief of police on Dec. 18, 2024. Two government primary schools had mysteriously received Bibles and pamphlets about salvation in Christ, enough for each student to have one. The police believed the members of this church were responsible for the distribution, which was illegal, but the pastor insisted that he had never even seen the pamphlet before.
Read MoreA pastor named Hira Singh has used notoriety from being persecuted to share the gospel with even more people. In 2000, Hira Singh, who was formerly from a high-caste Hindu background, came to faith in Christ in Himachal Pradesh. This region is a North Indian state known as Dev Bhoomi (Land of Gods) and a prominent Hindu pilgrimage destination. In the early years of his Christian faith, Hira faced opposition from his family and community.
Read MoreKitessa was a dedicated church leader murdered by armed militants, leaving behind his wife, Melke, and five children. Because of his passionate evangelism, Kitessa was warned he would be killed if he did not stop preaching the gospel. Still, he remained committed to sharing the gospel and leading a church in his community. On Aug. 25, 2024, Kitessa was returning home after preaching a Sunday service when armed militants opened fire on him. Kitessa’s wife, Melke, was within earshot of the gunfire and quickly tried to reach her husband by phone.
Read MoreA believer named Faraj has needed multiple surgeries after severe persecution. Faraj would carefully place Bibles on empty bus seats in Iran, praying people would find them, read them and come to know Jesus like he did. Eventually, Iranian authorities discovered his clandestine Bible distribution program and arrested him. His jailers tortured him, knocking out numerous teeth and breaking his back. When they stopped their abuse, Faraj fled to Turkiye, where the body of Christ helped provide for replacement teeth and two back surgeries.
Read MoreNorthern Cameroon is a dangerous place for Christians, but that hasn’t stopped gospel workers from working to advance God’s kingdom in the region. The Islamist group Boko Haram regularly attacks Christians, and followers of ethnic animistic religions also persecute family members who become followers of Christ. One pastor is helping a widow whose husband was murdered by his own Muslim father after he became a Christian. The pastor said Bibles, especially audio Bibles, are needed for that area to help bring freedom to those enslaved to false ideologies.
Read MoreLike many Bangladeshi Christians in the months since the August 2024 overthrow of the government, Arif has faced increased pressure from Muslim extremist groups because of his faith in Christ. Witnessing this, Arif’s brothers, who are still Muslim, have declared their support for him and their opposition to the Muslim clerics who have harassed Arif. Pray for Arif to stand firm in the truth of 2 Corinthians 4:17–18, verses he shared with front-line workers: “For this light momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.”
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