Perspectives on freedom of worship, poverty, education and sexuality are given. “Evangelicals are worried about the growth of the extremes”, says CNEF President Étienne Lhermenault.

Gavin Matthews on Arkady Ostrovsky’s The Invention of Russia.

The man was sent to jail for declining to sign a document denying his evangelical faith and agreeing to contribute to the Traditionalist Catholic festivals.

After 10 years, Christel Lamère Ngnambi will leave his position to pursue a PhD. Advocate for religious freedom, Arie de Peter will take over the role.

In his first National Prayer Breakfast, the President of the USA says he will eliminate the Johnson Amendment to “let religious representatives speak freely without fear of retribution”.

Two other Christians, a pastor an a student were also sentenced to 12 years, on charges related to “espionage.”

“This demolition was done out of injustice and discrimination”, said Rev. Musa. Six more churches are due to be demolished.

“Unique” was the theme of this year’s Week of Prayer in Europe. A summary of the highlights in Italy, Austria, Spain, Switzerland and the Czech Republic.

“We can really be a force for good”, says Leif Nummela, Editor-in-Chief for the Finnish Christian magazine Uusi Tie, in an interview about the importance of investigative journalism.

Plans for a new constitution would make it easier for the head of state to order a state of emergency. The post of Prime Minister could be abolished. 

According to Open Doors, 215 million Christians suffer “high, very high or extreme persecution”. North Korea continues at the top of the World Watch List. Africa is the region in which more Christians are killed because of their faith.

Jamil, a former Muslim: “Yemenis follow Christ with all their hearts. There is no way back. We all know that. Becoming a Christian will cost you much”.

Have I ever felt hated or rejected or made fun of? Yes, I have.

Three others (including Czech aid worker Petr Jasek) remain in jail. Attorneys are hopeful that they also will be released soon.  

Christel Lamère Ngnambi, Brussels Representative of the European Evangelical Alliance, talks about religious freedom and freedom of conscience.

The police and Islamic religious authorities in these countries are highly vigilant against any attempts by Christians to reach Malay Muslims with the gospel.

The situation of Christians in North Korea does not seem to have improved during this past year.

About 400 Christians publicly showed their solidarity with the Persecuted Church in three Swiss cities on Human Rights Day.

Outside the heavily guarded court, those opposing Ahok chanted, “Jail Ahok, jail Ahok, jail Ahok now”. Muslim clerics refer to the Christian politician as a “son of Satan”.

Nadia Murad and Lamiya Aji Bashar survived Daesh slavery. “There remain more than 3,500 child and women held hostage as slaves under Daesh. Every day they die a thousand times”, they told MEPs.

MEPs criticise the alarming lack of freedoms after the failed coup attempt in July. Christians in the country denounce growing pressure on churches.

“Organ pillaging in China is a crime in which the Communist Party, the health system, hospitals, and the transplant profession are all complicit”, Human Rights activist David Kilgour tells Canadian lawmakers.

In the region, almost 40% of the Protestant churches have become secret churches. “We do not want to be associated with anything illegal and our desire is to be law-abiding citizens”.

For 20 years, IDOP has united millions of Christians to denounce and pray for those who suffer persecution. This year, events are being held the first three Sundays of November.

“Russian evangelical Christians have a call to be model citizens but now they are at risk of being considered lawbreakers for their loyalty to Jesus Christ”, the Spanish Evangelical Alliance says.