International Christian Concern has published its 2026 Global Persecution Index, analyzing Christian persecution in over 20 nations. The report, titled Faces of the Persecuted, combines statistics with personal testimonies to inform policymakers and supporters. It specifically highlights worsening conditions in Nigeria, Syria, Russia, Nicaragua, and India, naming leaders such as Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. ICC President Shawn Wright stated the index aims to raise awareness and urge action for religious freedom. The organization continues its mission of assistance and advocacy for believers facing violence and state control.
New arrivals in Canada, including thousands in British Columbia, encounter significant hurdles such as high housing costs, employment barriers, and restrictive immigration policies. Organizations like New Hope Community Services Society provide temporary housing and orientation in Surrey and New Westminster to help refugees from countries like Afghanistan and Syria integrate. Government data shows over 74,000 refugees became permanent residents in 2023. Reports from Global News and CityNews highlight vulnerabilities, including homelessness among displaced families. Churches and agencies are urged to offer practical support in housing, employment, and community integration to address these ongoing challenges. (Canada)
Christians face severe challenges across multiple regions. In South Sudan, intercommunal clashes in a specific area killed over 70 people, disrupting church services and causing grief. In Jordan, gunmen attacked a funeral at a Greek Orthodox church in a southern city, killing at least nine people and injuring 40 others. Meanwhile, in India’s Chhattisgarh state, tribal Christians endure floods and intense hostility, including forced evictions and property destruction by vigilantes. Additionally, Rohingya Christians in Bangladesh and India face statelessness, attacks, and false accusations. These events highlight ongoing security threats and religious persecution affecting minority communities in these countries.
Kehillath Tsion, a Messianic Jewish congregation in Vancouver, Canada, purchased the former Knight Road Gospel Chapel building in June 2026. The group held its inaugural service on August 1, attracting over a hundred attendees. The congregation aims to support Jewish believers in Jesus while maintaining their cultural identity. Leadership includes Marty Shoub and Daniel Nessim. The purchase provides the community with a permanent home, enhancing its credibility within both Jewish and Christian circles in Metro Vancouver. This development marks a significant milestone for the group, which traces its roots to early 20th-century missionary efforts.
The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) is scheduled for November 1, 2026, in Canada. Seven Christian ministries, including Open Doors Canada and Voice of the Martyrs Canada, are collaborating to promote the event. According to Open Doors Canada, more than 388 million Christians face high levels of persecution globally. The campaign urges Canadian churches to use provided resources, such as sermons and videos, to highlight these struggles. The 2026 theme is titled 'Do You Know Our Suffering?' Organizers aim to foster solidarity and prayer for believers facing harassment, imprisonment, or death due to their faith.
A Christian ministry in Türkiye supports Syrian refugees in border camps with food, housing, and spiritual care. Missionary workers report that families endure poverty and harsh tent conditions. The group distributes relief supplies like clothing and Bibles in local languages. Reports indicate the ministry has facilitated conversions and baptisms among displaced individuals, some of whom move to urban areas for work. The organization continues providing emotional and spiritual support to those affected by the conflict, ensuring basic needs are met while offering religious guidance to vulnerable populations in the region.
In Haiti, gang violence has displaced thousands of residents, with attacks targeting Christian communities causing significant casualties and kidnappings. Similarly, in Sudan, armed groups have attacked religious sites in the Nuba Mountains, resulting in deaths and looting of church property. These incidents highlight the severe persecution faced by Christians in these regions. Meanwhile, an Iranian Christian convert, who was deported from the United States, has been granted asylum in Canada following advocacy by international human rights groups. This case underscores the ongoing dangers for converts in Iran and the international efforts to protect them.
Mary Anne Connor founded NightShift Ministries in Surrey, Canada, to support homeless individuals and those struggling with addiction. The organization provides food, shelter, and counseling based on Christian principles. Connor left a successful business career to address the needs of vulnerable populations after a personal spiritual experience. The ministry operates without government funding, relying on donations to maintain its values. It has gained support from local leaders, including former mayor Dianne Watts, who praised the program's approach to recovery. Connor continues to lead the outreach despite challenges, aiming to offer dignity and long-term support to those in need.
The Talitha Koum Society opened Hope House, a new bridging home for women and their children, in Coquitlam, Canada, in August. Executive director Odo Nkum stated that the facility provides low-cost accommodation and support for program graduates. The project was funded by the Bitelli Family Foundation, CA Church of Coquitlam, and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver. Volunteers from the St. Vincent de Paul Society assisted with preparations. The society operates several facilities based on Christian values and 12-step recovery principles to help clients overcome addiction.
Missionaries in India report significant spiritual growth and personal transformations through their ministries. A ministry in a tribal region has planted over 130 churches among local groups since the mid-1980s. Meanwhile, an evangelical fellowship in southern India shares the story of a man who found hope after losing his wife. These efforts highlight the impact of evangelism and discipleship on individuals and families across the region. The organizations attribute these changes to their faith-based outreach and pastoral care, demonstrating the enduring power of religious commitment in challenging environments.
Star chef Robbie Brooks has secured a three-year contract to provide 2,000 fresh meals weekly to nine schools in School District 42, Metro Vancouver. The initiative, managed through Ridge Church, aims to replace unpalatable pre-packaged food with nutritious options. Brooks, who previously worked with Youth Unlimited to improve school menus, seeks volunteers and qualified chefs to support delivery and service. The project requires high accuracy in matching meals to student needs and timely delivery. This effort represents a partnership between the church and local schools to address food scarcity and foster community relationships in Maple Ridge and surrounding areas.
In China, a pastor remains imprisoned on fraud charges, while his wife endures persecution facing church leaders. In Ethiopia, a drone strike on a monastery in the Amhara Region killed clergy and worshippers amid conflict with local fighters. In Pakistan, the Supreme Court acquitted all suspects in a brick kiln murder, drawing criticism from rights groups. Meanwhile, in Ukraine, a Russian missile attack on a village killed five members of a local family. In India, seven Christians in Madhya Pradesh received five-year sentences for alleged forced conversions, disrupting local church communities. These events highlight ongoing global challenges for believers.
Churches of Ayacucho missionaries, partnering with Intercede International, operate a feeding and education center in Cedepa, a shanty-town near Ayacucho, Peru. The program serves 70 to 100 impoverished Quechua children daily, providing meals, homework assistance, and Bible instruction. COA leader Francisco B. reports that the ministry also offers counseling for vulnerable teenagers and supports families facing domestic instability. The initiative aims to provide hope and stability to youth affected by historical violence and current poverty in the Andes region. The group states that the program fosters responsibility and community belonging among participants.
Christians in Surrey, British Columbia, are invited to participate in the March for Jesus celebration on Saturday, September 19. Organized by Julia Poole, the event begins at 10 a.m. at Whalley Athletic Park and proceeds along University Boulevard to Holland Park. The day features public worship, music, and fellowship under the theme 'Walk in Faith.' Rev. Gwen Dreger and other organizers emphasize that the gathering is a joyful declaration of faith rather than a protest. The event aims to foster Christian unity and community engagement, welcoming people of all backgrounds to celebrate together in a public space.
Canada enacted Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act, on June 18, 2025, following Royal Assent. The legislation amends the Criminal Code to address antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of discrimination. A key change is the removal of the 'good faith religious belief' defense for hate speech charges. The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada argues this weakens religious protections, while the Justice Minister maintains that preaching and teaching Scripture remain legal. Public pressure led to clarifications ensuring that good faith religious practice is considered in the definition of hatred. Prosecutions still require Attorney General approval.
Founded in London in 1846, the World Evangelical Alliance now represents approximately 650 million Christians across 163 national alliances. The organization advocates for religious liberty and supports persecuted believers in regions such as India, North Africa, and Central Asia. It holds recognized status at the United Nations and in Geneva to influence international human rights policies. Despite its significant global reach and theological influence, the group faces ongoing funding challenges because its work focuses on infrastructure and advocacy rather than direct aid. The article highlights the alliance's role in uniting diverse evangelical voices worldwide.
The Lausanne Movement has launched a free five-part video series titled 'Becoming a Global Disciple.' According to Light Magazine, the resource aims to help believers connect personal faith with global mission. The series includes discussion guides and devotional plans for churches and small groups. Michael Oh, the movement's global executive director, states the goal is to widen love for the worldwide church. Contributors such as Pearl Ganta and Jason Watson provide teachings on prayer, learning, and collaboration. The content addresses the gap between global awareness and faithful action identified before the Fourth Lausanne Congress. The resource is available online at lausanne.org/globaldisciple.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a new Ebola outbreak has emerged in a northern region, complicating efforts to aid Christians already fleeing violence from armed groups. The World Health Organization declared a global health emergency, noting that armed conflict hinders medical access. Meanwhile, in a northeastern Indian state, Christians remain displaced three years after ethnic clashes between local communities. Official records show nearly 59,000 people in relief camps, with converts facing continued persecution in areas dominated by one group. A Christian forum has urged the state leader for intervention to restore stability and protect religious practices amid ongoing segregation.
Christian ministries in Kenya and India are providing aid to widows facing poverty and discrimination. In a city in Kenya, a ministry offers counseling, medical treatment, and small business loans to help widows survive. In another region, another organization runs women’s groups focused on tailoring and farming, while also distributing goats to needy families. Meanwhile, a ministry in India operates a shelter in a village for abandoned widows in a specific province, offering food, medical care, and skills training in tailoring. These organizations aim to restore dignity and economic independence to vulnerable women through practical support and spiritual care.
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