World

(Christianity Today) For over 50 years, Jesus’ baptismal site was a casualty of war. Now, it is a casualty of the new coronavirus. Last week in time for Easter, the UK-based demining specialist HALO Trust group exploded in chain reaction the final 500 landmines at Israel’s Qasr al-Yahud monastery complex. “We got the churches together, all eight different … [Read more...] about Cleared of Landmines for Easter, COVID-19 Keeps Jesus’ Baptism Site Closed

(Open Doors USA) Another Iranian Christian convert, Fatemeh (Aylar) Bakhteri, has been told she does not need to return to prison to complete her sentence. The 36-year-old was released temporarily from Tehran’s Evin Prison on March 15—as one of tens of thousands of prisoners in Iran released due to the coronavirus outbreak. Earlier this month, Aylar was told her … [Read more...] about Iranian Christian Fatemeh (Aylar) Bakhteri Freed on Easter Sunday

(ChurchLeaders) The coronavirus pandemic has not stopped the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from persecuting Christians in general, and it has not stopped the CCP from oppressing Early Rain Covenant Church (ERCC) in particular. Authorities arrested several of the church’s members as they were participating in an online service on Easter Sunday. “At that time I was … [Read more...] about Police Threaten, Arrest ERCC Members on Easter Sunday

(JNS) Early this month, more than 35,000 Christians and Jews from around the world gathered virtually to learn about Israel’s response to the coronavirus and rising anti-Semitism. Organized by the international grassroots organization Combat Anti-Semitism Movement (CAM) and the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ), the digital event featured keynote speakers from … [Read more...] about Christians and Jews Meet Online to Probe Israel’s Response to Pandemic

(AP) Muhimman proudly writes his name slowly, carefully, one letter at a time, grinning broadly as he finishes. He’s just 11 years old and was a good student who had dreams of being a doctor. School frightens him now. Earlier this year, a cleric at the religious school he faithfully attended in the southern Punjab town of Pakpattan took him into a washroom and tried to rape … [Read more...] about Child Sex Abuse in Pakistan’s Religious Schools Is Endemic