Myanmar’s youth fight for their future
Myanmar had long been in the grip of a brutal military junta. But in 2011, democratic reforms began. A year later Aung San Suu Kyi, who received a Nobel peace prize for her non-violent resistance against the regime, won a seat in parliament and was elected as leader of the nation in 2015. The country seemed to be firmly on
Continue ReadingIsolated BTJ Workers Go Hungry and Ask For Prayer
In a recent article, we shared about increasing pressures on food supplies in North Korea resulting from the long border closure in response to Covid-19. First and foremost, these shortages are affecting regular families of North Koreans. But foreigners residing in North Korea are not safe from food shortage either. The Russian diplomat family who recently left the country, told
Continue ReadingWednesday Ultimatum for Pastor Abducted by Boko Haram
Your prayers are once again urgently needed on behalf of the church in Nigeria. Pastor Bulus Yakuru was kidnapped by Boko Haram two months ago, in a Christmas Eve attack on a Christian village near Chibok. Seven people were killed and Pastor Yakuru was taken alive. His captors have now set an ultimatum for this Wednesday. If the government does
Continue ReadingNorth Korea: Russian diplomat reveals food crisis
It was an unusual picture. A Russian diplomate, his wife and children and a bunch of suitcases on a hand powered railway trolly, pushing their way over the North Korean- Russian border. They were part of a small remaining expat community in Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital. Since China’s first Covid outbreak, North Korea has shut its borders, in an attempt
Continue ReadingTerrorists on the move in Nigeria
Last Saturday, Boko Haram showed the world once again that Islamist extremism is not just a religious issue. Yes, Christians have been targeted over and over by the blood thirsty militias operating in Northern Nigeria. But targeting day labourers for hurting their pride is not beneath them. A group of labourers gathering the rice harvest in Borno state in the
Continue ReadingNigeria: Death is not the only danger
We have been reporting regularly on the fate of Christians in Nigeria, who are being killed at alarming rates. However, the number of deaths does not adequately reflect the magnitude of suffering. Christian Concern recently shared a report that about 100 villages in Kaduna state in Nigeria’s Middle Belt have been taken over by Fulani militants. This means that an
Continue ReadingKidnapped for ‘Marriage’; Persecution of Christian Girls
‘Mum, can we pray for this girl?’ my daughter asked me as she was scrolling her phone. She had read about a victim of what must be one of the most tragic forms of persecution, the kidnapping of (often very young) Christian girls, for the purpose of forced marriage to a Muslim man. It is common in several counties where
Continue ReadingYoung Nigerians and their cry for justice
Nigeria has been in the news this past week with nation-wide protests and unrest. For those far away, this may seem like yet a typical African problem. A corrupt government, lots of unemployed young people, and poverty made worse by Covid, it all forms a perfect recipe for some chaos on the streets. But let’s not jump to conclusions quickly
Continue ReadingBack to Jerusalem with the Nigerian church
In previous articles we have talked about the types of persecution the Nigerian church faces and who is after them. But why is Nigeria such a persecution hot spot? And why should we pay attention? As Christians we believe both a seen and unseen reality. And when it comes to persecution there are causes that are earthly and causes that
Continue ReadingWhy is persecution in Nigeria so bloody?
Nigeria is a country with a Christian population of over a hundred million and freedom of religion. It does not fit the mould of many of the 10/40 window countries where Christianity is outlawed. How is it that persecution is such a problem there? And why is it so violent? There are two main types of persecution. One type is
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