On 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.
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After traveling to a large Indian city to study God’s Word for several days, a group of young Christians returned to their predominantly Muslim village emboldened in their Christian faith. The youth, all of whom were related as either siblings or cousins, had come to know Jesus Christ through the witness of older relatives. After studying God’s Word, something impossible for many of their parents who cannot read, they learned firsthand the cost of following Christ in their Muslim community. But when everything seemed hopeless, the Holy Spirit led them and others to boldly stand for Jesus. False Accusations While the youth were away for Bible training, neighbors questioned their parents about where the children had gone. Soon, various rumors began to spread through the community, including allegations of sexual abuse that made their way to the ears of Islamists. As a small minority in the area, Christians must keep their faith secret. Believers often hide their Bibles, understanding that their discovery by Muslim neighbors could result in violence. “We know people from this community who have had their house burned down, been beaten, been kicked out of their home and kicked out of their family,” said Aarav, a front-line
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Shahrokh came to know Jesus Christ while struggling with drug addiction. After overcoming his addiction and placing his trust in Christ, the former Muslim began leading his own addiction-recovery group, walking participants through a 12-step program that acknowledges a higher power without mentioning God or Jesus. In Iran, where it is illegal to leave Islam, that’s the only way he can operate. Group leaders like Shahrokh know that if they are caught leading Muslims to Christ they can be charged with “acting against national security,” a common charge against Christians in Iran. So when an Iranian security official suddenly summoned Shahrokh to his office to discuss his work, Shahrokh had a good idea of what to expect. The security official knew Shahrokh had become a Christian and wanted to prevent him from sharing his faith with others. He tried to corner Shahrokh with his questions during the interrogation, but the Holy Spirit gave Shahrokh the right words to say. Surprised by His Boldness Acknowledging his role as a group leader in the city, Shahrokh told the official that he maintains regular contact with group members as they work to overcome their addiction. And he reminded the official that the group
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.
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Mina always felt a deep sadness when the Islamic call to prayer filled the air. Growing up as a Christian in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim country, her heart ached for those who didn’t know Jesus Christ. Then, one day in 2010, she felt compelled to do something about it: She decided to love and share the gospel with her Muslim neighbors. One of the first women she approached in the streets of Makassar cried as Mina shared her testimony. Mina, who was still a teenager, held out her hand and asked the woman if she could pray for her. After praying, she invited the woman to study the Bible with her. The woman not only agreed but brought six other women to the Bible study with her. “We would sing and I would read the Bible,” said Mina. “I told my pastor, ‘I think this is what the Lord wants me to do.’” A Growing Love for Muslims Mina’s pastor connected her with a longtime missionary, who taught her the methods that she had used to effectively reach Muslims with the gospel. “The more I learned, the more my love grew for them,” Mina said. The work, however,
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In Matthew 10, Jesus tells his followers not to worry when they are called before authorities to explain their faith. Bassam, a believer living in the Arabian Peninsula, has heeded this admonition many times when confronted by bosses, judges and angry family members. The year 2013 was a turning point in Bassam’s faith. Though he had come to know Jesus Christ eight years earlier, he had kept quiet about it, meeting privately with the man who had led him to Christ and worshiping at the only Christian fellowship in the area when he was able. “He was like most Muslim background believers in our area,” said Surur, a front-line worker. “[They] keep to themselves and do not share their faith.” Then, one day, Bassam came to Surur with an announcement. “I’ve been spiritually sleeping all these years,” he told his mentor, “and I can no longer keep my faith in Christ to myself. I feel strongly compelled to tell everyone about the only true God, Jesus.” That is when Bassam’s walk of suffering began. First, his wife rejected him, telling everyone in her family that she was married to an unclean man. And since Bassam worked for the police, she
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