(Morning Star News) – In a West African country that now ranks 28th on Open Doors’ 50 most dangerous countries for Christians after not appearing on the list the previous year, suspected jihadists killed 24 Christians during a church service on Sunday (Feb. 16) in Burkina Faso. The church pastor was among those killed, and […]
Suspected Jihadist Attack on Church Service Kills 24 in Burkina Faso
Pastor slain, 18 others wounded.
February 21, 2020 By -
Harsh Sentence for Pastor Wang Signals Severe Crackdown in China, Sources Say
Early Rain Covenant Church leader given nine years in prison.
January 3, 2020 By -
(Morning Star News) – The sentencing of pastor Wang Yi to nine years in prison this week for “subversion” and “illegal business activities” shows how authorities in China are increasingly intolerant of unregistered churches, sources said. Pastor Wang of Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, capital of southwestern China’s Sichuan Province, was sentenced in closed-door […]
Crackdown on Christianity in China Ramps Up
Persecution rising toward levels under Chairman Mao, sources say.
December 16, 2019 By -
(Morning Star News) – As more government officials in China are empowered to close churches and a “social credit” system threatens to block Christians from schools, bank loans and jobs, authorities have taken harsh measures against more churches, sources said. Early Rain Covenant Church elder Qin Defu was sentenced to four years in prison on […]
Priest from Northeastern Syria Killed as Christians Suffer in Turkish Offensive
Syrian church facing violence from both Islamic State and Turkey.
November 13, 2019 By -
(Morning Star News) – Islamic State (IS) militants claimed responsibility for killing an Armenian Catholic priest and his father on Monday (Nov. 11) in eastern Syria, where they had traveled from their home in a northeastern town hit by Turkish air strikes and terrorist bombs. In the wake of a Turkish military operation into Syrian […]
Girls, Staff Members Kidnapped from Christian-Run High School Released
Hostages reportedly tortured to extract ransom from parents.
November 9, 2019 By -
(Morning Star News) – Six girls and two staff members from a Christian-run high school in north-central Nigeria have been released after torture and payment of a ransom, according to local reports. The girls and staff members kidnapped at gunpoint on Oct. 3 in Kaduna state from Engravers’ College in Kakau Daji village, Chikun County […]
China Adds Charge against Pastor, Coerces Christians to Accuse Him Falsely, Sources Say
Church leader in another province takes his life in protest of crack-down.
July 24, 2019 By -
(Morning Star News) – Authorities in China have added “illegal business activities” to the subversion charge against pastor Wang Yi and have coerced congregation members to falsely accuse him, according to advocacy and media reports. Pastor Wang, of Early Rain Covenant Church (ERCC) in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, was detained in a Dec. 9 raid along […]
Police Responsible for Disappearance of Pastor in Malaysia, Rights Commission Concludes
Calls made for government to reopen investigation.
April 4, 2019 By -
(Morning Star News) – A human rights committee in Malaysia has concluded that police officers were responsible for the 2017 disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh, according to published reports. The prime minister of Malaysia told reporters late Wednesday (April 3) that the government would investigate the abduction of the pastor and the 2016 disappearance of […]
Couple Beaten, Congregation Member Missing in Persecution of Church in China
Authorities abuse, humiliate Christians.
March 15, 2019 By -
(Morning Star News) – Following the arrest of 44 worshipers from house church meetings in southwestern China in February, police in Chengdu this month arrested a married couple from the church and beat them during interrogation, the church reported. The couple, identified as Liu and his wife Xing, of Early Rain Covenant Church, were visiting […]
China Cracks Down on Unofficial Church, Arresting Pastor and 100 Members
Leader of prominent congregation charged with 'subversion.'
December 13, 2018 By -
(Morning Star News) – Authorities in China have detained the pastor and more than 100 members of a prominent, unofficial church since Sunday (Dec. 9), according to media and advocacy agencies. Security authorities raided the 800-member Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, Sichuan Province at about 6 p.m. on Sunday (Dec. 9) and also took […]
Police in Laos Arrest Grandmother, Three Other Christians During Worship
Christianity considered enemy of the country, rights group says.
December 12, 2018 By -
(Morning Star News) – Police in Laos arrested a grandmother and three other Christians while they were worshipping last month, according to an advocacy group. Raiding a church service in Keovilai village, Vilabouly District in Savannakhet Province, local police on Nov. 18 arrested the 78-year-old woman identified as Grandma Bounlam and three men identified by […]