This story has a little of everything. It’s a love story, with a suspected demon possession among a people group of firework makers — and a plot twist.
More than 50,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria over the past two decades, and “the silence from Western nations on this genocide is appalling,” a new report from International Christian Concern asserts.
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom again has recommended that the State Department designate Pakistan as a “Country of Particular Concern,” citing the country’s blasphemy laws as a prime reason.
“Why do I remain hopeful? I’m hopeful because the harvest has never been more plentiful, and revival may very well be on the horizon.” writes Wes Fowler. “’Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning’ (Psalm 30:5).”
Fruitfulness, faithfulness and vision characterize the persecuted church in many parts of the globe, an advocate for international religious freedom says.
As we celebrate the birth of our nation, it is important to remember that many who rallied to arms did so with the call for religious freedom ringing in their ears.
Village officials in central Laos recently arrested a pastor and five other Christians as they prayed in preparation for worship services the next day, according to a rights watchdog.
Police in Pakistan on June 23 arrested a Christian under blasphemy laws as part of his siblings’ effort to retaliate against him over a property dispute, Morning Star News reported.