Digital persecution is on the rise, the WWL 2020 shows. Asia Bibi’s release was one of the the good news.

The spread of violent Islamic militancy across Sub-Saharan Africa and South-east Asia, and the rise of Christians targeted by organized crime in Latin America, are some of the trends of the 2020 Open Doors WWL.

Growing pressure on Christians in China, Algeria, Burkina Faso, according to the 2020 Open Doors World Watch List. Christians face severe persecution in 73 countries.

The “aggressions and hostile rhetoric” threaten the presence of the Christian minority, says the global evangelical body. “Pray for and end to the cycles of violence and death that beset the Middle East”.

Around 1,000 people joined silent protests on the same evening. “The fate of those persecuted for their faith should not leave us cold”.

It can be tempting to rush to act or just to ask for help but not actually make it possible for this assistance to be given.

“Let’s begin to raise awareness, respond to this responsibility before God. Let’s plant churches, but also trees”, said Lowell Bliss co-director of the Christian Climate Observer Program.

The German-American preacher dedicated most years of his ministry to preach the gospel in the African continent.

“As Christians, it is up to us to become key actors in the climate crisis and lead a change”, says Juliana Morillo, member of the Christian Climate Observer Program.

The World Evangelical Alliance's General Assembly 2019 in Jakarta, Indonesia, brought together 800 evangelicals from 92 countries to pray, worship and cast vision for the new decade of holistic discipleship.

An official survey shows that evangelicals are now 15.3% of the population. It is the faith group with the highest church attendance.

A line borrowed from the Lord’s Prayer, “Your Kingdom Come”, served as main theme of the summit, uniting 92 national alliances. The General Assembly of the World Evangelical Alliance closed on 13 November with a final pledge.

A report summarizing the highlights of days 2 to 4 of the World Evangelical Alliance General Assembly in Jakarta, Indonesia.

In the opening evening, between six and seven thousand attendants packed the hall. The vast majority were Indonesian evangelicals who had been anticipating the global event for a long time.

Peaceful demonstrations call authorities to “stop closure of worship places”. Churches re-organise themselves in houses as the government threatens to close more buildings.

Armed herdsmen stormed the community and shot indiscriminately into houses, forcing residents to flee into bushes surrounding the village.

During the 42nd session of the UNHRC in Geneva, the World Evangelical Alliance called on the international community to protect religious freedom and peace.

The US President presents a plan that includes the creation of “a coalition of businesses for the protection of religious freedom”.

The WEA has launched the project AD 2020 Global Year of the Bible “to highlight the Bible as the enduring foundation for unity, freedom, development and quality of life today and for the years to come”.

Part one of five.

Jesus taught his disciples to love their enemies, and pray for those who persecute them.

August 22 is the International Day commemorating the victims of acts of violence based on religion or belief. More than 4000 Christians were killed in 2018 because of their faith.

“Many more churches are threatened with closure, amid denial of formal registration and recognition by authorities”, the World Evangelical Alliance says in a statement.

The dynamics of global collaboration among Christians are changing. Not only Skype, Whatsapp and Zoom are used frequently, but also smaller, more specific tools are of great use in specific mission contexts.

The centre of gravity of Christianity has shifted from Europe to Africa, says Nana Yaw Offei Awuku, Director of the Lausanne Younger Leaders Generation initiative.