World

(Christianity Today) Missiologists have long spoken of the explosive growth of the church in Iran. Now they have data to back up their claims—from secular research. According to a new survey of 50,000 Iranians—90 percent residing in Iran—by GAMAAN, a Netherlands-based research group, 1.5 percent identified as … [Read more...] about Researchers Find Christians in Iran Approaching 1 Million

(International Christian Concern) According to the media outlet Naya Daur, at least 42 blasphemy cases have been registered in Pakistan in the last 30 days. This data was reportedly compiled by a social media user and published on Twitter. Most of the 42 blasphemy accusations were made against the Shia community with charges coming under Section 295-A and Section 298 of the … [Read more...] about Pakistan Records 42 Blasphemy Accusations in 30 Days

(Crux) Parts of Syria’s north where Kurds, Christians and Yazidis have practiced religious freedom in recent years are reportedly again under attack by mainly Turkish military and their allied Syrian Islamist fighters. The Syrian Democratic Council, which oversees the autonomous northeast of Syria, condemned Turkey’s cutting off the water supply to the area’s main city, … [Read more...] about Christians, Others Warn Turkey Is ‘Weaponizing Water’ in Northeast Syria

(The Guardian) A 5th-century chalice covered in religious iconography has been discovered in Northumberland, to the astonishment of archaeologists, who describe it as Britain’s first known example of Christian graffiti on an object. With its complex mass of crosses and chi-rhos, angels and a priestly figure, as well as fish, a whale and ships, it is believed to be without … [Read more...] about Hadrian’s Wall Dig Reveals Oldest Christian Graffiti on Chalice

(ChurchLeaders) On Aug. 11, a Chinese preacher in Yunnan province received a notice from the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau (ERAB) that he would be fined nearly $3,000 for holding an online Bible study. Regarding the penalty imposed on Zhang Wenli, International Christian Concern said, This shows that it will be increasingly risky for any Christian in China to hold … [Read more...] about Man Fined $2,900 for Holding Online Bible Study in China