A Christian MP in the new Finnish government has been given a fresh court summons over her trial for tweeting a Bible verse. Dr. Päivi Räsänen is a former Interior Minister and Christian Democrat. She must attend the Court of Appeal on 22nd August, with Bishop Juhana Pohjola (who is […]
Europe
Top German court rules pro-life group may pray near abortion organisation
Germany’s top court for disputes between citizens and the state has ruled in favour of a pro-life group that had been banned from praying near an abortion clinic. In their decision, the Leipzig-based Federal Administrative Court determined that blanket bans against peaceful prayer gatherings near abortion organisations are impermissible. “I’m […]
Baptism by flood: Kherson Christians persevere after Ukraine dam’s destruction
Originally published in Christianity Today For eight months, the Ukrainian city of Kherson endured Russian occupation. Now — along with at least seven churches — it is underwater. Experts estimate that the collapse of the Nova Kakhovka dam, 44 miles upstream, released an amount of water equal to the Great Salt Lake. A […]
Christian to stand trial after sharing ex-gay testimony
Originally published in Christian Today A Christian man in Malta is being prosecuted after he shared his testimony about leaving behind homosexual relationships in an interview with a local media outlet. In what is believed to be the first case of its kind, Matthew Grech will stand trial on 3 […]
Evangelist persecuted in Denmark fighting legal battle after Florida judge denies his asylum request
Originally published in CBN News A Florida immigration judge has denied evangelist Torben Søndergaard’s request for asylum. Judge Yon Alberdi, an appointee of Obama Attorney General Eric Holder, ruled Søndergaard did not meet the requirements for asylum. Søndergaard’s attorneys are filing an appeal. They have also filed a defamation lawsuit […]
Ukraine prison ministry showing love of Jesus to Russian captives
Originally published in Worthy Christian News A Ukrainian prison ministry has begun caring for Russian prisoners of war that were captured in the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, Christianity Today (CT) reports. Affiliated with the international network of the Chuck Colson–founded US prison ministry, Prison Fellowship Ukraine (PFU) was […]
Miraculous escape: Ukrainian pastor survives Russian imprisonment and takes family to freedom
Originally published in Faithwire As Russian troops are facing increasing strain with the Ukrainian army seeking to retake the southern city of Kherson, stories of atrocities, persecution, and God’s deliverance are emerging from the occupied territory. Residents of Kherson are boarding buses under forced “evacuation” orders from the Russian army, […]
Pro-Russian forces shutting down churches, arresting pastors in Ukraine
Originally published in Christian News A religious freedom watchdog has warned of Pro-Russian forces persecuting non-Orthodox churches in Ukraine. According to Release International, forces occupying areas in Ukraine have closed down the three largest evangelical Protestant churches in Melitopol and shut down churches in Mariupol. In another raid, soldiers reportedly […]
Volunteer chaplains killed while ministering on the front line in Ukraine
Originally published in Christian News Military Ministries International (MMI) have told Premier that volunteer chaplains have been killed during the war in Ukraine. MMI have been hosting daily prayer meetings for Ukraine since the war began and receive regular updates of the atrocities. The charity’s mission is to support military […]
WEA update on partnering with churches in helping war victims in Ukraine
By Brian C Stiller, global ambassador, World Evangelical Alliance As pictures of Russia’s attack on Ukraine appeared on media, some asked me: “What can I do?” Within hours, a couple of friends decided there was something they could do. They promised to supply some funds and asked: “Can you get […]