The Lausanne Persecuted Church Initiative is organizing an online global prayer gathering focused on English, Portuguese, and Spanish-speaking Africa (EPSA). The event aims to unite believers in solidarity with Christians facing persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ. Rev Clement Hlama and Dr Yousaf Sadiq from the initiative will lead the session. The gathering seeks to lift up the persecuted church, pray for strength and perseverance, and stand alongside those continuing to follow Christ despite difficult circumstances. The Lausanne Movement states that the global church remains united through faith and hope amidst hardship. This initiative highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Christians in the specified regions.
A national leader has implemented a policy of religious sinicization to align faith groups with Communist Party ideology. This campaign, enforced by state departments, aims to eliminate ideological rivals and tighten oversight over religious institutions. The policy has led to the imprisonment of Muslim minorities in a specific western region and the detention of Christian leaders. Authorities are removing religious symbols and altering texts to ensure loyalty to the state. This move marks a shift from previous accommodation of civil society toward stricter ideological control and surveillance across the country.
A major Christian movement reports that believers in Nigeria face severe persecution from militant groups and armed herders. Thousands have been killed or displaced, while authorities often downplay the crisis. This violence poses an existential threat to the church, causing some to abandon their faith. The report urges global Christians to support the Nigerian church through prayer, unity, and advocacy to help it survive the ongoing terror. The outlet emphasizes the urgent need for international solidarity to protect vulnerable communities in this region.
Reports indicate that authorities in China are enforcing stricter political control, impacting both local believers and foreign Christian workers. While previous decades allowed some openness for urban house churches and foreign residents, new regulations have made it harder for unregistered groups to operate. The government now views foreign religious activities as potential security threats, leading to the departure of hundreds of foreign workers. Local officials face pressure to enforce these rules, resulting in closures of large house churches and increased surveillance. The outlet notes that tolerance for foreigners not contributing to national goals is waning, requiring contingency planning and greater indigenization of church leadership.
According to the Lausanne Movement, Christianity faces severe persecution in North Korea, where believers are banned from worship or owning Bibles. Despite this, the group reports that an underground church is growing. International aid groups provide humanitarian assistance, such as food and medical care, often smuggling Bibles with supplies. The outlet notes that some recipients have converted, leading to increased arrests and executions. Nevertheless, the movement claims the faith remains resilient, with new house churches forming even among those returning from labor camps. This activity continues largely unnoticed by the global community focused on nuclear issues.
The Lausanne Movement has expressed concern regarding recent court decisions in Malaysia that restrict the use of the word Allah by Christians. The article highlights the Federal Court's refusal to hear an appeal and the Court of Appeal's ruling that such usage is not an essential part of the Christian faith. These legal outcomes have intensified tensions between Christian and Muslim communities in Malaysia. The organization argues that treating religious practices as privileges rather than fundamental rights reduces the public space for non-Muslim faiths. It calls for a legal approach that ensures complete religious freedom and promotes social cohesion in the multi-religious nation.
Churches in Syria confront severe challenges including psychological shock, mass displacement, and terrorism. In a specific city, the Christian district was heavily bombed, forcing the majority of residents to flee. Hundreds of thousands of Christians have migrated from the country over recent years due to threats from extremist groups. Local churches are prioritizing humanitarian aid and theological reflection on persecution. This engagement has led to increased conversions among refugees in neighboring Lebanon, where churches provide essential services to displaced populations.
China presents mixed signals regarding Christian groups, with attacks on registered churches in one region contrasting with new dialogue with unregistered house church leaders in the capital. Officials demolished churches and removed crosses in a specific city while a presidential commission met with house church representatives to discuss legalization and theology. Analysts suggest this may reflect internal political shifts or a move toward conservative ideology. Despite the violence, some leaders view the talks as a potential breakthrough for legal recognition, which could allow churches to operate openly and expand global missionary efforts in the coming years.
The Lausanne Movement reports that Christianity in Sri Lanka faces persecution and fragility due to Buddhist nationalism and the legacy of the civil war. The outlet states that evangelism is often labeled as colonialism, while new non-denominational churches struggle with mismanagement. Established denominations contend with theological liberalism. Despite these pressures, the report notes that committed leadership and inter-denominational cooperation are helping to forge a path for the future of the church in the country.
According to the Lausanne Movement, India and several South Asian nations have implemented laws restricting religious conversion, which critics argue undermine religious freedom. In India, states like Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have enacted 'Freedom of Religion Acts' that penalize conversions allegedly induced by force or fraud. Human rights groups report increased violence against Christians, often fueled by these legal frameworks and rhetoric from ruling party members. The article notes that convictions under these laws are rare, yet they foster hostility. Similar constitutional or statutory restrictions exist in Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar, creating a regional trend that threatens minority rights.
Indonesia’s former Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, known as Ahok, was sentenced to two years in prison for blasphemy following a contentious election campaign. The Lausanne Movement reports that this verdict has deepened national divisions and exposed rising Islamist radicalism. The outlet attributes this shift partly to well-funded Saudi networks establishing mosques and schools, such as LIPIA in South Jakarta, which promote Wahhabism over Indonesia’s traditional moderate Islam. This influence has historically fueled conflict and supported extremist groups. In response, authorities are investigating radical leaders and planning to ban Hizb ut-Tahrir, aiming to protect the state philosophy of Pancasila from growing authoritarian and religious extremism.
The Lausanne Movement reports that Nigeria remains one of the most dangerous countries for Christians, ranked seventh globally by Open Doors. Recent data highlights thousands of killings and church attacks, with northern Nigeria facing severe discrimination. The article details the 2020 beheading of a reverend by Boko Haram, which sparked national outrage and protests. While religious leaders and groups like the Northern Elders Forum condemned the violence, the Buhari administration faced criticism for failing to ensure security. The report emphasizes the systemic nature of these attacks and the government's inadequate response to the crisis.
The Lausanne Movement reports that Christians in India face increasing discrimination and violence under the current Hindu-majoritarian government. The outlet attributes this trend to the Bharatiya Janata Party and the RSS, which promote Hindutva ideology and a vision of a Hindu Rashtra. This political shift has led to anti-conversion laws in eight states and targeted attacks against minorities. The report notes that while India was founded as a secular nation with constitutional protections for religious freedom, these principles are now under strain. Christians, who contribute significantly to education and healthcare, are often falsely accused of forced conversion, resulting in social unrest and legal challenges.
A Lausanne Movement report highlights the paradox of Nigeria's vibrant Christian presence alongside sustained persecution in northern and central regions. While large churches thrive in the south, extremist groups and armed herdsmen target Christians with religiously motivated violence. The article argues these attacks constitute persecution rather than general insecurity. In 2025, US officials including President Donald Trump and Bill Maher drew global attention to the crisis. However, Nigerian government officials, including Minister Mohammed Idris, deny the existence of religious persecution, attributing violence to ethnic or criminal factors instead.
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