In the kingdom of Bhutan, only a small minority – about 25,000 people – are Christians, and only about a quarter of the country’s 20 provinces have any local churches. Nidup and some fellow pastors have launched the Love Bhutan Initiative, sending Bhutanese Christians as missionaries into the parts of Bhutan least reached with the gospel.
Read MoreIn February 2023, jihadists burned and destroyed Pastor Laurent’s church in eastern Burkina Faso. Then, in March 2023, jihadists abducted Pastor Laurent when he traveled to attend a regional pastors’ meeting. As the kidnappers forced him into the bush, he sent one text to his family, who haven’t heard from him since.
Read MoreMilitant rebel groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) occasionally raid villages, burn buildings, and murder residents. Eight-year-old Divine is one of their victims. In June 2022, rebels entered her village and burned several churches and homes.
Read MoreWhen Bassam committed his life to Christ, it enraged his Muslim wife. She couldn’t believe he had changed his religious beliefs as their country of residence is less than 1% Christian. She immediately kicked him out of the home and sent family members to attack him; they beat him and burned his car.
Read MoreBecause Brother Karna is a Christian, the government of Bhutan refuses to issue him a citizenship ID, without which he is unable to find a job. He reported that authorities often confiscate the crops of Christians who do not have IDs, knowing that these Christians do not have a legal way to protest this treatment.
Read MoreThough evangelism is restricted in the isolated, majority-Buddhist country of Bhutan and believers face serious consequences when their faith is known, Christians continue to boldly share Christ. Front-line workers in Bhutan report that many children’s programs impact churches throughout Bhutan.
Read MoreSeveral years ago, a group of militant Fulani Muslims based in Burkina Faso crossed the border into neighboring Togo, raided numerous villages, and kidnapped a pastor.
Read MoreIn September 2008, one day before 19-year-old Kyung Jae Kim planned to escape from North Korea, security forces raided his home and arrested him. The raid was part of an operation to gather Christians who had been carrying the gospel secretly into North Korea for many years.
Read MoreIn April 2020, 13 churches in southern Burkina Faso were attacked and severely damaged or destroyed by followers of traditional religions. Many of the communities, including the village of Obire, have been planning to rebuild. On February 27, 2023, armed bandits attacked Obire again, killing three people.
Read MoreThe Indian state of Manipur is experiencing mass protests and fighting among indigenous tribal groups and ethnic Meiteis. The government is considering granting Meitei people the same government benefits as the tribal groups, which has led to widespread demonstrations and fighting.
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