Get your prayer in gear for Ramadan
In urban areas in the UK, Muslims have a strong and visable presence. This means Christians in the UK cannot ignore Ramadan as an exotic cultural expression of far-away nations. Muslims are their neighbours, their teachers, their class-mates, their collegues, their doctors and their friends. In this article, one British sister shares about her desire to make this time or
Continue ReadingChina Bans Online Bible Sales
China continues to persecute Christians. On April 4, 2018, China produced White Papers, a list of new legislation that clarifies existing laws. This move is very unique. The first publication of this kind was produced in 1997, but that was more than 20 years ago, and China is a different place today than it was when these were first produced.
Continue ReadingPulled from the digital shelves, what is next?
Is the Bible available in China? According to the Chinese government, upwards of 160 million Bibles have been published in the country, in over one hundred languages; this includes 80 million in Chinese, as well as a number of ethnic minority and braille publications. Various international news sources report that up to half of the Bibles published have been exported,
Continue ReadingSocial Credit to Discredit Christians
In a horrific display of persecution with online data as its primary weapon, the Chinese government has reached a sinister level of oppression. This approach is geared toward essentially paralyzing Christians who operate outside the Three-Self Movement church structure. What are they doing? Employing new laws. Such new laws impose fines on anyone who would host a Christian gathering;
Continue ReadingWhite paper speaks of freedom?
“We want to protect religious freedom.” This is the premise of the latest white papers the Chinese government released in early April. On the surface, we can all get on board with protecting religious freedom. But further investigation of the recent papers tells a completely different story. In fact, this “protection” includes such acts as removal of crosses from over
Continue ReadingChina’s Crackdown on Christians
Last year BTJ was among the first to report about new Chinese laws that persecute Christians. Several Christian organizations working in China were skeptical, and even openly challenged the reports. By the time the Communist Party met together in Beijing in October of 2017 however, it was clear that the new laws were real, and they were being pushed by
Continue ReadingNorth Korea Still Worse Country for Christians
North Korea continues to rank at the top of the list as the worst country in the world for Christians. 2017 is the 16th year that North Korea has ranked as #1. Persecution against Christians is institutionalized by one of the most secretive tyrants in the world. Christians are routinely thrown into gulags where they are beaten, raped, starved, tortured,
Continue ReadingMartyrs for Christ
We can say that 90,000 Christians were killed for their faith last year, but what does that actually mean? What is the tangible impact on our lives? Another Christian being killed for their faith can become just another number, even to fellow believers, but each and every one is known and treasured by God. They are not just ‘some Christians,’
Continue ReadingNot What You Would Expect of a Woman in the Middle East
The Middle East is not known as an area where it is easy to be a woman. Patriarchal structures run deep, not only among Muslims, but also among Christians. Therefore, it is remarkable that the National Evangelical synod of Syria and Lebanon recently decided to ordain their first two female pastors. For the National Evangelical Church of Beirut, it was
Continue ReadingKidnapped by a Cult
Kidnapped by a Cult “April 16, 2002, is a day that I will never forget.” “Although it began just like any other, it lead me down a road that would forever change my life and the lives of thirty-four of my closest coworkers.” “On that day, I foolishly walked into a carefully laid trap that had taken years to plan
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