WASHINGTON (BP) – Militant Fulani killed more Christians in Nigeria over the past year than any other aggressor, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) said May 8 in naming the militants a nonstate violator of religious freedom. But USCIRF fell short of recommending the U.S. State Department designate the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN)as an Entity of Particular Concern (EPC). The MACBAN represents Fulani herdsmen in general, but not … [Read more...]
From broken bones to unshakable faith, Pedro’s light shines in Mexican village
by Chris Doyle/IMB MEXICO (IMB) — In one small Mexican village, life comes with a hard, practical rhythm. Children finish eighth grade and are quickly pulled into the fields or the factories that pay just enough for a family’s basic needs. Most men walk a mile or more just to catch the only truck that will ferry them to work. This is the village where Pedro lives. By the time he was 10, his bones began to break without warning. Doctors eventually diagnosed him with a brittle bone … [Read more...]
Missionary kid returns to mission field for all the right reasons
Like many missionary kids, Lauren Hou didn’t initially feel comfortable in the U.S. after she first arrived to attend university. Many of her formative years were spent overseas, and it felt like home. At first, she wanted to move back overseas as soon as possible, but by the end of her freshman year at California Baptist University, after she plugged into campus ministry and attended a women’s retreat, God challenged and convicted her. “I felt convicted to give all my plans to … [Read more...]
Nigeria convicts nearly 400 on terrorism charges as murders of Christians continue
ABUJA, Nigeria (BP) – A Nigerian federal court convicted nearly 400 individuals on terrorism charges this month in what persecution watchdog International Christian Concern (ICC) said is one of the largest criminal crackdowns in the nation’s history, but none appeared to face murder charges. The Abuja high court convicted 386 individuals linked to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), ICC and others reported, with those convicted sentenced to prison terms … [Read more...]
Russia’s deadly strike on busy Ukraine Baptist church ‘wasn’t an accident,’ advocates say
ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (BP) – Russia’s deadly strike on a Baptist church in Zaporizhzhia during an April 16 prayer meeting was a targeted atrocity against Christianity and benevolence, religious freedom advocates including those associated with the church told Baptist Press. At least one person was killed and at least eight others were injured when Russia launched a bomb on The House of the Gospel Church of about 300 members that had served the community for years, the Embassy of Ukraine … [Read more...]
Mixtec musician’s call to worship changes after conversion
MEXICO (IMB) – A locally renowned musician found himself sitting in the one-room jail cell of the local police station. In addition to an illustrious career as a pianist in a band, he was his community’s cantor. Unflustered at his current situation, Thiago patiently waited, praying and contentedly waiting for the Lord’s will to be done. Let’s back up a little bit. Call to worship Communities, especially in rural areas in Mexico, elect a member of the community, a cantor, to be a … [Read more...]
Dozens killed in Nigeria as violence mars Easter celebrations in several nations
CENTRAL NIGERIA (BP) – At least 54 Christians were killed early Easter in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, many during worship, with dozens more abducted from Evangelical Church Winning All Souls and other sites, International Christian Concern (ICC) reported. Murders and abductions in several communities in Benue, Kaduna and Nasarawa states were reported, but authorities had not released the total casualty count, ICC said April 6. Violence against Christians in Nigeria was the most severe as … [Read more...]
Two young leaders impact church growth in Guinea
by Chris Doyle/IMB The African nation of Guinea, formally known as the Republic of Guinea, is a country of roughly 14 million people, yet it has only nine Baptist churches nationwide. Ninety percent of the population is Muslim, and less than one percent identifies as evangelical Christian. The Baptist movement is barely three decades old, and most of its leaders grew up in Muslim families, never having seen a thriving local church structure. In this environment, finding, training … [Read more...]
Baptist chaplains transform Kenya’s hospitals, prisons, schools
NAIROBI, Kenya (IMB) – Supporting a family ending the life support of a loved one. Ministering to prison inmates and officers. Counseling students. God is using more than 300 Kenyan Baptist chaplains to transform lives — and eternities — across the nation. International Mission Board missionary Patricia Woolsey said many names are being added to the Book of Life. Patricia and her husband, Ray, serve in Nairobi, training and equipping the current and future generations of chaplains who … [Read more...]
Baptist denomination banned in Nicaragua as religious persecution grows, CSW reports
MANAGUA, Nicaragua (BP) – The Nicaraguan government stripped an entire Baptist denomination of its legal status, banned the entry of Bibles and revoked the citizenship of various religious leaders in escalating religious persecution, CSW said March 30 in a new report. The Association of Independent Fundamentalist Baptists is one of 18 religiously affiliated organizations the government banned in 2025, including 15 Protestant and three Catholic groups, in addition to hundreds of civic … [Read more...]
Israeli Christians serving Jesus amid missile blasts as Passover nears
TEL AVIV (BP) — Passover plans this April 1 are a tossup for Israel, including the nation’s 20,000 to 30,000 Christians. “We’re at war, and we have rockets every day, and missiles falling every day,” Tel Aviv Messianic pastor Avi Mizrachi told Baptist Press. “It’s a real challenge. We make plans, but we don’t own the time, because things can change every day.” Mizrachi, founder of Adonai Roi Congregation and the humanitarian outreach Dugit Ministries, was driving to a desert in … [Read more...]
IMB missionaries in Central Asia reflect on first year
By Kristen Sosebee/IMB Sometimes it takes two hours just to get groceries. A doctor’s visit will most likely require Google Translate at some point. Air pollution skyrockets during winter months. Language learning is not for the faint of heart. And yet, showing up is more important than saying the right thing. Children are magnets for meeting people. And, even when it takes three hours of tea to get to a gospel conversation, making Christ known is worth it. These are just some of … [Read more...]
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