Regional instability has created an environment causing some Syrians to be more receptive to the gospel. “Syria is at a turning point,” said a front-line worker, telling how Islamist attacks against an Alawite community in March 2025 led some Alawites to question their faith and be more open to Christ. Additionally, battles between Sunni Bedouins and Druze militias in July 2025 also resulted in disillusionment with Islam. “We need to pray for the church to be ready for the harvest,” said the worker.
Read MoreAccording to an announcement issued by the Xi’an Civil Affairs Bureau on July 29, 2025, Xi’an Living Spring Church was determined by the government to be an illegal social organization and banned. Because of the government’s coercive efforts for total control, many house churches do not register, making them highly vulnerable to crackdowns from authorities. Such incidents usually occur out of public view, so it is difficult to accurately estimate the number of churches affected.
Read MoreOn Oct. 12, 2025, three families in a remote area of Laos were driven from their homes while villagers demolished their houses and confiscated their land and livestock. This attack followed weeks of growing aggression that included the chaining of a local Christian leader, Lom, to a house post for four days; Lom’s family was among those driven from their home. Since the attack, the families have been forced to live under a lean-to in the center of the village, closely watched and prohibited from seeking help.
Read MoreDespite its long presence in the area, a Kazakh church was fined for holding an unauthorized gathering. In the 20th century, the Soviet Union attempted to quash Russian churches, often by arresting and imprisoning pastors and church members. Some of the imprisoned Russian Christians stayed in what is now Kazakhstan after they were released and formed an independent church in 1970, which has continually faced opposition. “This church is definitely battle-tested and knows how to endure persecution,” a front-line worker said.
Read MoreTwo young women have been rejected by their families for placing their faith in Christ. Nathalie’s conversion to Christianity three years ago angered her Muslim parents, who then tried to force her to marry an older Muslim man. She escaped the arranged marriage by running away from home and enrolling in a trade school, but her parents found her and have continued trying to force her to return to Islam. “I have no intention of turning away from Christ,” Nathalie said. Another young woman, Daniela, has also faced family pressure to renounce Christ since she became a Christian two and a half years ago.
Read MoreIn a village in northern Laos, five Christian families have faced increasing persecution because they will not return to spirit worship. The village head confiscated their family registration books, which contain vital records including birth and marriage certificates, residence permits and education and professional records. This village head has refused to register births, issue marriage licenses and legally register a motorbike. Without registration books, some members have had difficulty getting medical care. The village head also decreed that Christians must be excluded from all village activities.
Read MoreA young Christian woman is being pressured to leave the country. Her father, a pastor, is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence for leading a house church. The Iranian government views such Christian fellowships as “enemy groups” and as threats to national security. A front-line worker met with Narine, 20, in another country where she is safe for the time being. “She’s quite stressed and alone,” said the front-line worker.
Read MoreA young Christian has fled his family after they beat and threatened him. Adnan grew up in a predominately Muslim area of northern Nigeria and loved to study the Quran. When he noticed contradictions between what he had been told about Jesus and what he read in the Quran, his teachers told him to stop asking questions. He then secretly visited a church where Christians welcomed him. He also enjoyed the music and the teaching. Later, he met privately with a pastor who answered his questions, and he placed his faith in Christ.
Read MoreIslamist militias attacked three different villages in eastern Burkina Faso on and shortly after July 19, 2025. “Eleven Christians have been killed, and others have been taken hostage or are missing,” said a front-line worker. He added that many Christians in the area have fled their homes, and one pastor was evacuated to another city to receive medical care after suffering a serious injury. The incidents occurred near the Mali border, where numerous jihadi groups are based. “Please pray for the church in Burkina Faso as they continue to face attacks on nearly a weekly basis,” said the front-line worker.
Read MoreIn a series of raids on July 17, 2025, Nicaraguan national police took Pastor Rudy Palacios Vargas and seven other Christians into custody without warning or warrants. The families of those detained have been unable to locate their loved ones. One family member reported that they were being charged with treason and “undermining national integrity.” Vargas had been forced into exile in 2018 after he and his congregation brought food and medicine and offered prayer to students protesting the authoritarian Marxist regime of President Daniel Ortega.
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