Mission Network News Headlines

Internet connectivity flickers in Iran

Wed, 27 May 2026 05:00:43 -0400

Iran (MNN) — Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian announced this week that internet access will soon be restored to Iran. The news comes after nearly three straight months of a government-imposed blackout, according to internet monitor NetBlocks. An Iranian court has suspended the presidential order for further judicial review, but shifts have already begun. Edwin Abnous with Heart4Iran said on Tuesday, “Even though NetBlocks confirmed that there has been a partial restoration of internet connectivity, even then this communication is still not back to the normal [levels] yet.”

Photo of Tehran, Iran courtesy of Hamid Mohammad Hossein Zadeh Hashemi via Unsplash.

Meanwhile, the United States strikes on southern Iran this week have stirred up more uncertainty for Iranian families. Abnous says they already carry a heavy load. “The economic pressure, the fear of another round of strikes or retaliation, and just not knowing what tomorrow is going to bring, it's there,” he says. The US strikes (which it claims were defense measures) have not derailed a potential deal between the US and Iran. If agreed upon, the deal will set a 60-day negotiation period for further dialogue. “They're really worried about their future. They don't know what this war is going to bring them," says Abnous about Iranians. "They thought it was a short-term war [where] they’re going to change the regime around, and we're going to experience freedom in the country. But the war is dragging longer than what they expected." Lost school days, soaring food prices, and gaps in medical care are all part of the daily human cost of war for Iranians. Yet Abnous says tragedy has opened peoples’ hearts to God. “People [who] might not have been interested before suddenly want to talk about hope, about what happens after life,” says Abnous. “They want to have peace in their hearts, and naturally, especially for Iranians, they gravitate towards God more.” Heart4Iran’s Christian satellite TV signals can’t really be jammed by outside forces. Please pray that the gospel reaches more families in Iran. Pray for them to find their hope and future in God, whatever political events unfold. “That is where they hear the message of the gospel,” Abnous says about Heart4Iran's broadcasts. “They’ll understand [the gospel] is the place they can rest in God and receive assurance for the future — and also for their soul and spiritual needs.” Header photo: Babolsar, Mazandaran Province, Iran (Stock photo courtesy of Amirhosain Gazor via Unsplash)

Is there really “persecution” of Christians in Israel? A Messianic Jew’s perspective

Wed, 27 May 2026 05:00:17 -0400

Israel (MNN) — Are Messianic Jews and traditional Christian communities persecuted in Israel? Pavel Shifman, Trans World Radio's director for Israel, says the answer to that question is no. “Israel really supports like a multinational, multi-faith community in its country, and we are all witnesses to that,” he says. In late April, two incidents brought a surge of attention to Israel. One was an Israeli soldier destroying a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon. Another was a Jewish man attacking a French nun in Jerusalem. Shifman points out that the Israeli government took swift action and condemned both events. “That Jewish man [was] in prison for a month,” he says of the IDF soldier in Lebanon. “You can't use the word ‘persecution’ in that case. That was kind of a one-time thing.” In the Jerusalem incident, the man who committed the attack was “charged with assault causing tangible bodily harm motivated by hostility toward a religious group,” The Times of Israel reports. “When you see the whole video of this attack on that nun — basically, there were Jewish people actually protecting her, helping her, and restraining that man actually from harming her further,” says Shifman.

Where pressure does come from

Although Israel’s government and broader society do not systematically persecute believers in Christ, Shifman clarifies that pressure does come from some religious Jewish communities. Groups like Yad L’Achim openly oppose what they call “missionaries and cults.” From their perspective, their actions protect Jews. But Shifman says that, from the victims’ perspective, their actions are questionable. Some instances can even turn into a court case over individual rights and freedoms. Because of the influence of groups like Yad L’Achim, Messianic Jews may lose jobs or business contracts, or face other forms of social bullying. “The religious groups basically control all the spheres of life of the Israeli society, I would say this way. Like the birth, the death, the wedding, you need to get a blessing from the rabbi,” says Shifman. “They can make a phone call to your boss or to your company, and say, ‘This gentleman or this lady is a believer in Jesus, and we don't think that she should work at your company, because you are a faithful Jew.’ They can print out your picture and post it on the streets of your neighborhood and tell everybody that you believe in Jesus, and you betrayed your country.” This kind of persecution happens in many different places, Shifman says. Even so, believers have direct channels to report serious concerns to Israeli authorities. “Praise the Lord for that, and thank them really,” he says.

Prayer for the bigger picture of Israel

“We're just a month-and-a-half after one of the most devastating wars in the history of Israel with Iran. It's pretty heavy on people, you know. It's still hard for them to get back to their life,” Shifman says. Rising crime rates among youth are also deeply concerning. “Some young guys have been killed by other young people, and it's just within Israeli society. That’s another terrible thing that is taking place,” says Shifman. “Please pray for healing. We know that the healing comes from Lord Jesus, who can heal your body, heart, spirit, and your soul. They need that restoration and recovery after this post-war period. People are anxious.” Pray for the gospel of Christ to spread even to those who oppose it. Shifman says his team at TWR Israel is going through the same physical, spiritual, and emotional challenges as others in Israel. They need God's healing, but at the same time, they remain on mission. “They are eager. They still want to share the good news of Jesus with their neighbors and with other Jews in the country, including the religious ones," says Shifman. Learn more about TWR Israel here.

Bible translators gain consultant-style support through book packages

Wed, 27 May 2026 05:00:37 -0400

International (MNN) -- Consultants play a vital role in the Bible translation process, yet they aren’t always accessible. unfoldingWord created software called “book packages” to overcome this hurdle. “They can go where Western missionaries can't go,” unfoldingWord’s Perry Oakes says.

“A lot of the people using these book packages are in really difficult situations. We know of partners that, you know, bombs are going off while they're translating the Bible.”

Book packages provide the digital tools translators need to check their work. “We're putting in their hands what a consultant would do for them,” Oakes says. “[Book packages contain] a literal translation, a simplified translation, a set of verse-by-verse notes that alert the translator, 'Okay, here's some problems that you're going to encounter in this verse or in this passage,' and then we also have a dictionary with definitions of difficult words.”

(Photo courtesy unfoldingWord)

Book packages have been completed for 53 of the Bible’s 66 books. Pray for wisdom as unfoldingWord creates software for the remaining 13 books. “We are getting a lot of feedback from the field on both how useful the book packages are and how they could be delivered better, and so the software that delivers all of these resources is continually being tweaked,” Oakes says. Ask the Lord to guard Bible translators who are using book packages. “Pray that they would be protected from governments that don't want them to be doing this, from wars that are happening around them.” Consider partnering with unfoldingWord to help the ministry develop additional resources. Header and story images courtesy of unfoldingWord.

Sacrifice and the search for truth: Eid al-Adha opens the way for spiritual conversations

Tue, 26 May 2026 05:00:29 -0400

International (MNN) — For many Muslims around the world, Eid al-Adha this year begins the evening of May 26. The holiday commemorates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. “Muslims think that it wasn't Isaac — it was Ishmael. There is a big discussion about it,” says Pastor Saleem Shalash. He serves at Home of Jesus the King Church, a partner of Beit Hallel Congregation in Nazareth, Israel.

Sacrifice is central to Eid al-Adha (Stock photo courtesy of Diyar Shahbaz via Unsplash)

Despite these differences between Christians and Muslims, the theme of sacrifice is a common thread between them. The holiday provides a unique opportunity for Christians to have gospel conversations with Muslim friends and neighbors. “In this holiday, they give a sacrifice for their sins. And it reminds us of the real sacrifice: Jesus,” says Pastor Shalash. Around 1.5 million Muslims are on pilgrimage to Mecca this week as part of their annual Hajj. Pastor Shalash says that Christians should be confident to speak out about Christ with Muslims. “People are more open and not like before. Today we have a lot of ways to start asking about reality, about the truth, and Muslims start to ask,” he says. If you know Christ and have Muslim friends or neighbors, invite them to explore who Jesus — called Isa in the Quran — really is. Pastor Shalash says they can even begin by examining what the Quran says about Him. He points to Surah At-Tawbah 9:31 and Surah Maryam 19:33 as starting places. “A lot of Muslims, leaders (sheikhs), if you ask them who is the one that will come back to judge the world, they will tell you the Messiah, Isa, and they admit it,” says Pastor Shalash. “If Jesus is the one that is coming to judge, that means He is representing God, because the one who judges is just God Himself.” Shalash encourages Muslims to wrestle seriously with the Quran's descriptions of Isa.

“Who is this prophet? Who is this one that He will judge? Who is this one that He can create life? Who is this one that He can raise dead people? You need to ask this question, and then you will recognize that you are talking about God Himself. No doubt about it.”

He also encourages Muslims simply to read the Bible for themselves.

(Stock photo courtesy of Afiq Fatah via Unsplash)

Shalash speaks directly to Muslims, and you can too: “It’s time to search, it's time to ask, it's time to show your questions to everyone around you. They will help you, they will lead you. And most important, ask God Himself. Ask God Himself to show you what is the truth, and He will lead you.” Ask God to give you boldness and opportunities to speak to Muslims about Jesus. Even if your Muslim friends are not ready to receive this message now, Pastor Shalash points back to biblical truth about Jesus: “It was through Jesus Christ, the Messiah, Isa, that He came, and He was the real sacrifice, and He was crucified for our sins, and He is the one that is coming back to judge the world. If He is coming back to judge the world, that means He is God. There is no doubt about this truth.” Header image is a stock photo courtesy of Masjid Maba via Unsplash.

What can the Western Church learn from North Korean believers?

Tue, 26 May 2026 05:00:51 -0400

This article has been corrected from its broadcast, which incorrectly stated that North Korean believers “gathered less often.” Meetings were already highly restricted and nearly impossible both during and after COVID. North Korea (MNN) — North Korean believers face severe restrictions that prevent them from openly sharing or practicing their faith. Yet when the Gospel is not tied to buildings, programs, or public institutions, it often becomes the central focus of people’s lives.

Korean Commons Translations Bible Anglican Edition 1999 (photo courtesy of Alvis Jean via Wikimedia Commons)

While the world faced hardship and isolation during COVID, many North Korean Christians experienced a season of growth. Eric Foley with Voice of the Martyrs Korea says officers avoided entering homes because “they worried they might get infected with COVID and spread it to the rest of the neighborhood, and then they would be held responsible.” Christians used that opportunity to spread the Gospel more freely. Foley says, “They were home in the daytime. It meant it was possible for them to listen to illegal Christian radio broadcasts.” Through radio, people heard the Gospel day and night. Demand for Bibles also grew. Foley says, “In North Korea, COVID is remembered as a time of great, great church growth.” When restrictions ended, the state tightened control again. Still, Foley says:

“Holding on tightly to the message of the Gospel, which is what saves and brings eternal life, is what allowed the North Korean church to grow.”

If believers depended mainly on church buildings or worship styles, the state could weaken their faith through persecution. Foley says, “They teach us to hold on to the form of church loosely while holding on to the Gospel tightly.” Pray the Gospel continues to sustain North Korean believers. Pray also that churches worldwide would put the Gospel above forms and traditions so they can remain strong under pressure. Pray Voice of the Martyrs Korea can continue supporting local believers through radio broadcasts, Bible distribution, and other outreach efforts based in South Korea. Header photo: Man reading the Bible (representative photo courtesy of RDNE Stock project via Pexels)

Summer full of evangelism opportunities

Tue, 26 May 2026 05:00:58 -0400

USA (MNN)—As summer comes around the corner for Americans, Helen Williams of World Missionary Press encourages Christians to keep an open mind and heart for evangelism opportunities.

“This is a season when people are out, they’re about, they’re not maybe as wound up in details of life as at other times of year, and so they’re open to receiving the word," says Williams. "It’s just a matter of being out there.”

World Missionary Press, an interdenominational faith ministry, produces a variety of free booklets, many of which are evangelism-based, including coloring books with scripture, their new “Power of Hope” booklet, their "Path to Life" foldout, as well as Bible studies. These booklets are great for passing out at parades, children’s clubs, cultural fairs, and other summer events. They also offer booklets in several different languages, for those going on overseas events. Williams notes they have a partner who passes out booklets by the subways in New York, and another who does so outside of the Kentucky Derby.

"It’s just having your eyes and your heart opened—the Lord’s going to bring the opportunities."

To order booklets, go to wmpress.org/order.

Williams also asks Christians to be praying for World Missionary Press—that God would remove obstacles keeping them from shipping ready materials to other countries, and that He would send the ministry partners to help keep up with increasing shipping costs. While the ministry’s booklets are in high demand during the summer, donations also tend to slow during this season, while shipping costs continue to increase. To learn more about partnering with World Missionary Press, go to wmpress.org.

Header photo courtesy of World Missionary Press.

Hajj begins: What happens when Muslims don’t find what they’re looking for?

Mon, 25 May 2026 05:00:17 -0400

Saudi Arabia (MNN) – Today is the first full day of the Hajj, a pilgrimage to Mecca that nearly all adult Muslims are expected to complete at least once in their lifetime. Every year, roughly two million Muslims embark on this spiritual journey. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam.

Nehemiah with FMI explains, "Hajj is one of the most spiritually significant moments in a Muslim's life. Many pilgrims travel carrying deep questions, burdens, and sincere desires to find forgiveness and peace with God."

(Photo courtesy of Haidan/Unsplash)

But what happens when pilgrims on the Hajj don’t find what they are looking for? When Muslims return home from their pilgrimage, they may be disillusioned, confused, and even depressed. Nehemiah shares how his extended family saw this firsthand. “My father, when he was Muslim, his elder sister committed suicide after returning from Hajj. She gave up her life. So there are many situations at the Hajj, and people have many questions and burdens.” FMI equips Christians reaching Muslims with the true hope of Jesus Christ.

“Many of our indigenous partners across Pakistan, Afghanistan, Morocco, and the Muslim-dominated nations intentionally engage Muslims before and after pilgrimage seasons.”

Pray for Muslims on the Hajj to, instead, find Gospel truth and even have dreams and visions of Jesus.

(Photo courtesy of FMI)

Also, Nehemiah asks, “Pray for protection, wisdom, and boldness for indigenous believers serving in difficult and restricted regions. Pray that the audio Bible storyteller devices and Gospel resources would reach the right people at the right time.” Find ways to support FMI at forgottenmissionaries.org. Header photo courtesy of Ekrem Osmanoglu/Unsplash.

Jordan’s tourism industry plunges, seeks to rebuild

Mon, 25 May 2026 05:00:44 -0400

Jordan (MNN) – Economic fallout from war in Iran has country-specific ramifications across the Middle East. Samuel with Redemptive Stories says in Jordan, war’s chief byproduct is a significant drop in tourism. Without a peace agreement in Iran, safety concerns persist, returning tourism levels in that country to something like those during a COVID slump several years back. “We’re back in that doldrum where you have places that are supposed to have thousands of visitors daily – amazing places like Petra and Wadi Rum – which have very few tourists coming; and so that is having a deep effect on a massive swath of the population of Jordan,” Samuel says. The dearth hits acutely for more than 300,000 Jordanians whose livelihood is directly tied to tourism, the traffic of which is facilitated primarily by budget airlines. “As soon as action happens in our part of the world, those budget airlines shut off and don’t travel,” Samuel points out. “So a part of it is also just trying to communicate that the region is safe again.” Until the situation cools, a diminished tourism sector will have ripple effects throughout society. In the church’s case, believers will have to grapple with fewer formal outreach opportunities. Still, there is a hopeful side of war and its consequences. “It creates opportunity for more spiritual dependency, and an opportunity in the moment to engage families that are suffering and struggling that maybe weren’t before,” Samuel says. In addition to encouraging tourism to Jordan, Samuel calls for people to be the hands and feet of Jesus through partnerships with organizations like Impact Middle East, CRU, and many others serving in the area. “One of the deep prayers that I have for Jordan is that the church would be a light in the midst of this dark time, and that they would have wisdom, resources, and courage to show up for their greater community.”

Wadi Rum, or Valley of the Moon. Courtesy of Lior Dahan. Featured photo courtesy of Ahmad Qaisieh.

The Gospel gains ground in war-torn Myanmar

Mon, 25 May 2026 05:00:11 -0400

Myanmar (MNN) -- Famous Christian author C.S. Lewis once said, “God whispers to us in our pleasures... but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” Sometimes, that pain looks like war. In Myanmar, “There's a whole generation of people that have just lived in war and instability,” Greg Kelley of Unknown Nations says.

“They're ready for something new, and the Gospel is making great inroads right now.”

For decades, ministries took a “from the West to the rest” approach to missions. In other words, missionaries from the U.S. and Europe would raise funds to serve the Lord in a distant land. Today, indigenous outreach has shifted to the forefront of missions. Instead of a Western-driven approach, missionaries are now going “from everywhere, to everywhere.”

(Photo of child in Tambon Mae La, Kayin State, Myanmar courtesy of Z via Unsplash)

Unknown Nations partners with local believers to reach communities that have never heard the name of Jesus. “[In] places like Myanmar, there's no other option,” Kelley says. “For us to send missionaries from America, Europe, or even other countries in Asia is almost impossible right now. We have to invest in the local, indigenous Body of Christ and help it be able to deploy in more effective and strategic ways.”

Local believers reach frontier communities

Together, believers seek “frontier” communities, or places where the Gospel has never been heard before. By meeting urgent physical needs and introducing the hope of Christ, believers create sustainable pathways for long-term church planting and discipleship among the unreached. In Myanmar, Unknown Nations seeks to strengthen and multiply local church leadership. Here’s how you can help. “There's always going to be an element of underground churches and people gathering together to serve Jesus. But if leaders are not being raised up and developed, then all of that becomes very fragile,” Kelley says.

“The strength of the Church in Myanmar is going to be their ability to create healthy disciples, because they're living in such a challenging, hostile environment.”

Myanmar is primarily a Buddhist nation, but some ethnic groups – primarily the Chin and Karen – identify as Christians. Pray that many people in Myanmar will find the hope and peace only Jesus can offer. “Only about five percent of the country would be evangelical followers of Jesus. Most have never heard the Gospel message,” Kelley says. Header image depicts an agricultural scene in Bagan, Myanmar. Photo courtesy CILER YILDIZ via Pexels.

American missionary doctor contracts Ebola, evacuates DRC

Fri, 22 May 2026 05:00:07 -0400

DRC (MAF/MNN) – Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) is conducting essential evacuation flights in response to the Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

MAF recently transported the family of Dr. Peter Stafford, an American doctor who tested positive for Ebola from the DRC to Uganda. Dr. Stafford had been working at Nyankunde Hospital and was evacuated separately to Germany for specialized treatment. While still symptomatic, his condition seems to be improving.

Nyankunda Hospital walkway to patient wings. (Photo courtesy of MAF)

Passengers on the MAF flight included Dr. Stafford's wife—also a physician—their children, and another doctor who had been exposed to the virus. Prior to this mission, MAF had conducted an earlier evacuation flight for another mission family. All evacuation operations are conducted in close coordination with public health officials and government authorities.

MAF is a Christian mission organization that uses aviation to support missionary and humanitarian relief efforts for remote communities around the world. MAF has served in the DRC since 1961. This is the 17^th recorded Ebola outbreak in the country since 1976.

MAF has an established Ebola Management Plan (EMP), which has been successfully implemented during previous outbreaks. The EMP includes strict measures such as passenger temperature checks, mandatory use of personal protective equipment, comprehensive aircraft sanitization procedures, and other safety protocols. MAF flight operations will continue under these procedures to ensure the safety of both passengers and crew.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The outbreak is centered in the Ituri Province, where Bunia—the provincial capital—also serves as the base for MAF’s operations in eastern DRC.

Nyankunde airstrip (Photo courtesy of MAF)

All MAF staff remain in good health and are taking appropriate precautions in their daily activities. A dedicated Crisis Management Team has been established and is working closely with the East DRC team to monitor developments, provide support, and guide operational decisions.

Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids. While it is not transmitted through the air, the virus can remain viable on hard surfaces for several days, making strict hygiene and sanitation practices essential.

This outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. Unlike the more common Zaire strain, there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment available for this variant. Exposure risk is considered low while protocols are being followed.

MAF asks you to pray for impacted individuals and their families, and for the swift containment, effective response efforts, and continued safety and health of our staff. Please pray specifically for Dr. Stafford's healing.

Header photo: The mission hospital in Nyankunde. (Photo courtesy of MAF)

War and displacement deepen Lebanon’s economic crisis

Fri, 22 May 2026 05:00:14 -0400

Lebanon (MNN) -- Lebanon’s economy is suffering another blow as war and displacement deter visitors at the start of the tourism season. Economy Minister Amer Bisat says Lebanon has lost an estimated $2 billion since the beginning of March, approximately 7 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP). The Lebanese terror group Hezbollah renewed strikes on Israel on March 2, effectively ending a 2024 ceasefire. According to analysts, the latest clashes between Hezbollah and Israel are costing Lebanon’s economy up to $100 million a day. “In October 2023, Hezbollah dragged Lebanon into 14 months of war with Israel,” Heart for Lebanon’s Camille Melki says.

“You add that war, plus what's going on right now – we've been in almost two and a half years of major destruction of the southern part of Lebanon.”

Economic struggles

The latest economic drain couldn’t come at a worse time. Following the financial collapse in 2019, Lebanon lost approximately 64 percent of its nominal GDP in one of the world’s most severe economic crises since the 19th century. Then, the Lebanese pound collapsed, losing 98 percent of its value practically overnight. Unfinished reforms, overlapping crises, and widespread destruction in southern Lebanon make sustained recovery nearly impossible. “You have anywhere between $20 and $22 billion of destruction; so many villages that have been completely wiped out, completely destroyed,” Melki says.

“Recently, the interior ministry in Lebanon declared that over 42 percent of the Lebanese population is living at the poverty line, or even below that.”

Believers’ response

These monumental challenges create more work for Heart for Lebanon.

May strength, comfort, and restoration reach every family navigating the difficulties of this time.
(Photo, caption courtesy Heart for Lebanon)

“We had to add 2,600 new families to our beneficiary list. This is over and above the 5,200 families that we were helping early in 2026, and this is only a drop in the bucket of the needs around us,” Melki says. Yet more work means more opportunities to share the Gospel, especially as summer begins. Pray for wisdom for ministry leaders. Support a family in need here. “We are in serious conversations as a management team about some of our programs, how should we shift some, align others? Maybe even create new programs,” Melki says. “To be more effective and capable, and to reach new territories in Lebanon where IDPs live, we have forged a partnership with 50 local churches. Through those small local churches, we can provide support and the resources they need to love and care for people in their own circles of influence.” Header and story images courtesy of Heart for Lebanon.

Bibles for the World Partners with GO Day to spread the Gospel

Fri, 22 May 2026 05:00:16 -0400

International (MNN) – The Gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives and yet many people are hesitant to talk about their faith. GO Day is a movement designed to equip and inspire people to share the Gospel.

GO Day: May 23, 2026

John Pudaite with Bibles for the World explains. “GO Day is an initiative of the Global Outreach Movement, or GO Movement, which is an evangelistic movement that now has chapters or country leaders in over 100 countries of the world. Their entire focus of this movement is to inspire and motivate people to share the Gospel one-on-one with people that they come across – with people that they know: family, friends, or out in the public areas.”

(Representative image courtesy of Mizuno Kozuki via Pexels.)

The goal this year is to mobilize at least ten million Christians to share the Gospel with at least one person each. This goal sounds amazing and yet when it comes to real people, it can be difficult for people to boldly share the truth about Jesus. Pudaite says, “Fear of rejection, of course, here in the US and developed countries is there. I mean, I think that's everywhere. Also, in some countries you have more restrictive governments, laws, things in place. But we're commissioned to share the good news of Jesus Christ. So that's all part of this movement is helping people get the confidence to overcome any inhibitions, any restrictions that they may face.”

Sharing the Word of God

Bibles for the World is partnering with GO Day to provide Gospels of John in 51 different languages to be distributed in 24 countries. Distributions will take place across Africa, Europe, Asia, Indonesia, and countries like India and Pakistan. Also in the US there will be Gospels available through their office.

(Representative image courtesy of Bibles for the World)

“We are printing 1,363,300 Scriptures, Gospels of John, for this initiative. It might be a record in terms of how many Scriptures will be distributed on that very one day, in a single event. So we would just ask that listeners would pray for these Scriptures as they go out. Pray for the people who are carrying them, that they will have the boldness to share the Gospel [and] that they will be able to communicate the simple truth of salvation through Jesus Christ.” Bibles for the World shares God’s Word in many places. To support Bibles for the World, click here. If you’d like to join the GO Day initiative, click here. Representative header image courtesy of Leonardo Dourado on Pexels.

Pakistan tops Global Terrorism Index as attacks intensify

Thu, 21 May 2026 05:00:36 -0400

Pakistan (MNN) – Two bombing attacks last week in northwest Pakistan targeted a market and a military outpost. Twenty-four people were killed, and dozens more were wounded. The Pakistan Taliban (TTP) has claimed at least one of the attacks. Nehemiah with FMI says Pakistan’s disturbing terrorism trends are only getting worse.

(Photo courtesy of FMI)

“This is one terrorist activity recently, but we see in the last five months in 2026, Pakistan is highly impacted by terrorist activities – not only in the border areas in Afghanistan or with Iran, but in the capital of Pakistan as well, Islamabad.”

According to the 2026 Global Terrorism Index, Pakistan surpassed Burkina Faso to take first place for worst terrorism impact. “For many ordinary Pakistanis, especially believers and minority communities, this growing instability creates fear, uncertainty, and isolation. Ministry work becomes increasingly difficult in these conditions. Local Christian workers often travel carefully, avoid public gatherings, and minister quietly through trusted relationships.” Despite the dangers in Pakistan, the Lord is moving and FMI is seeing people come to Jesus. "Much of the ministry now focuses on strengthening indigenous believers who already live within these communities," says Nehemiah. "Instead of relying on large public events, ministry outreach often happens through personal discipleship, small house fellowship, audio Bibles, storytelling devices, and humanitarian care."

Baptism in Pakistan. (Photo courtesy of FMI)

Nehemiah asks, “Please pray for protection over indigenous ministry leaders serving in dangerous areas. Pray for wisdom as they navigate increasing security and political instability. Pray that those trapped in fear and violence would encounter the peace of Christ. "Finally, please pray for FMI partners, that Pakistani partners would remain steadfast, compassionate, and bold even during this rising wave of terrorism in Pakistan.” Header photo of Pakistan flag. (Photo courtesy of Abuzar Xheikh/Unsplash)

Sudanese refugees find Gospel hope amid civil war trauma

Thu, 21 May 2026 05:00:22 -0400

Sudan (MNN) -- Sudan’s army advanced in Blue Nile state this week, yet the civil war is far from over. While the army has improved its position in central Sudan and Khartoum, rebel forces remain deeply entrenched in Darfur and Kordofan. A Rapid Support Forces commander known as “the butcher of El Fasher” is reportedly out of prison and back in combat, boosting morale among rebel forces and spreading fear among survivors.

Flag of the Rapid Support Forces
(MartinKassemJ120, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons)

The RSF detained Brigadier General al-Fateh Abdullah Idris, known as Abu Lulu, after multiple social media videos showed him committing atrocities against unarmed civilians in the fallout from last year’s battle for El Fasher. The trauma inflicted by Abu Lulu and others demonstrates how citizens pay the heaviest price of Sudan’s civil war. Neither of the warring sides offers protection or help, and aid workers cannot reach starving communities. John of Greater Reach Alliance explains, “There are no safe corridors for humanitarian aid access inside Sudan right now.” If Sudanese people cross into a neighboring country, they still struggle to find food, clean water, and shelter. “This is not only in refugee camps, but in Sudan itself, because basic infrastructure has been destroyed,” John says. “Water systems, electricity – all the things that make up a functioning civil society have been destroyed.”

Hope amid loss

Sudan's civil war began in April 2023. Since then, at least 59,000 people have lost their lives, and 30 million Sudanese require support to survive. Church planters supported by GRA offer biblical trauma healing and targeted relief aid. “There's only one source of healing that we can offer them, and it is the Gospel,” John says. In dozens of locations, GRA teams encounter Sudanese refugees and displaced families who are desperate for hope. “People are deeply, deeply exhausted, and they're living under constant fear,” John says.

“They carry such deep trauma from the loss of family, of home, and dignity. This trauma is shaping their daily lives and how they view the future.”

Even in places marked by fear, loss, and displacement, the Lord is drawing people to Himself and bringing His peace.
(Photo, caption courtesy of Greater Reach Alliance)

More than 300 graduates from GRA’s school of mission and 28 church-planting teams are serving Sudanese people in refugee camps in three countries. During every encounter, believers offer the compassion of Christ. John says the response to believers’ kindness often goes something like this: “We've been told Christians were evil. How can you love us like this? We've been taught to hate you.”

How to help

UNHCR’s 2026 appeal describes Sudan’s war as the world’s largest displacement, humanitarian, and protection crisis. While humanitarians struggle to raise the funding needed to address needs en masse, you can help Sudanese people directly through GRA. Your gifts enable Gospel workers to meet physical and spiritual needs. Although it’s primarily a church-planting ministry, GRA’s targeted relief efforts include food, shelter, and medicine as the Lord provides. “God has miraculously opened the door for us. Even though these ministries weren't our wheelhouse, God has said, ‘Yes, I'll be with you,’ and He is,” John says. “Pray that God would bring into our hands the means to provide food and shelter. We've done that many times,” he continues.

“The shelter is a tarp over their head, because that's all we had, but they're sitting in the middle of the sun in some of these areas – that's 110 degrees.”

Pray that the Sudanese people will surrender their lives to Jesus as they encounter Him through the GRA teams. Pray they will accept the Gospel as truth. “We've had our tragedies, and there will be tragedies to come. How do we as Christians get through them? It's because the Gospel is true,” John says. Header image is an AI photo generated by ChatGPT.

Engaging Gen Alpha with the Gospel

Thu, 21 May 2026 05:00:45 -0400

USA (MNN)—Every major technological advancement—from the wheel, to the printing press, to the phones in our pockets today—creates an impact. As new tech takes shape, it shapes the way we as humans work, play, learn, and relate to others—even God. These impacts can create noticeable differences between generations, which are even more obvious during our time of exponential technological advancement.

“Gen Alpha and Gen Z—they’re clearly living in a video-first world,” remarks Greg Yoder of Keys for Kids.

According to a recent report, YouTube commands 78% of viewership among U.S. children aged 2-12 and is the most popular of media platforms, especially among younger viewers—87% of children aged 2-5, 74% of children aged 6-9, and 68% of those aged 10-12 prefer YouTube. Research also shows frequent binge-watching behaviors and growth in short-form content, as younger generations increasingly turn to social media apps as search tools.

Yoder notes that Keys for Kids, which produces and distributes resources to evangelize and disciple kids and their families, is paying attention to these trends.

“They get all the information in a short-term video shape, and it shapes the way they learn, it shapes the way they search for things, how they decide what's worth their attention. So, for Keys for Kids Ministries, that means that we need to show up where they are.”

He says the ministry’s goal is not to chase trends, but to communicate eternal truth in ways younger generations will notice, such as more short-form videos.

“So more visual storytelling, more platform-native content is something that we're going to be doing—but we really need to make sure that we see this kind of content as a doorway and not a destination,” says Yoder. “The written devotional content still has a deep place because it slows a young person down and it helps them reflect on Scripture or the Bible rather than just scroll past it, so I don't think it's an either-or.”

He also notes the danger that comes in trying to reduce the Gospel itself into short-form content.

“The gospel is simple enough for a child to understand like that, but it's not shallow. We need to be bathed in God's word. We need to abide in Him, and abiding in Him doesn't mean 30 to 90 seconds. Discipleship is long-form. Short-form content is an excellent way of sparking curiosity, maybe answering one question or pointing a kid to Jesus, but it can't replace scripture. It can't replace conversation.”

For parents who want to disciple their children but aren’t sure where to start, Keys for Kids offers devotions for kids and teens available on their app, as well as other resources. Go to keysforkids.org to learn more.

Header photo courtesy of Keys for Kids.

War allies and gospel workers vie for the heart of Iranians

Wed, 20 May 2026 05:00:19 -0400

Iran (MNN) — May 20, 2026, is day 82 of the United States-Israel war on Iran, and day 43 of the fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran. Lana Silk with Transform Iran says the US-Iran ceasefire has been extremely helpful to the Iranian regime. “It's given them an opportunity to catch their breath, to regroup, restrategize and strengthen themselves, really, for whatever rounds are coming next,” she notes. In the meantime, the people of Iran continue to be harassed and helpless under increasing economic and government pressures. Silk heard about a recent message delivered by a key Islamic leader in Iran:

(Stock photo courtesy of Javad Esmaeili via Unsplash)

“He was talking about donations for missiles and how there needs to be public participation in financing military costs because of this incredible ‘holy war’ that Iran is on,” she says. Pressures also come from international forces. “We've had reports of Iraqi forces circling in Iran,” says Silk. “Sort of these caravans driving around in towns and cities on their motorcycles, shouting, ‘Haydar, haydar’ — or ‘War until victory,’ basically — and really just creating an atmosphere of fear and tension and the sort of Islamic objectives really pushed in people's faces.” But Iraqi Muslim people aren’t the only ones traveling across Iran with a mission.

“We have church members still traveling place to place, sharing the gospel,” says Silk. “We’ve had stories of salvations, people taking great risk, because they know that this bread of life that they carry is so much more important than regular bread that people are desperately seeking.”

Pray for God to speed and protect these believers as they bring the gospel of hope. “They're desperate to share it with people and make sure that as many people as possible are brought into the kingdom of light while they still have time,” says Silk. “Pray for the church to continue courageously and be protected. Pray for the hope and the future that God has for our country.” Learn more about Transform Iran’s mission and ministry to the people of Iran here. Header photo of Tehran, Iran (Stock photo courtesy of Seyed Amir Mohammad via Unsplash)

Esther offers ancient hope in modern Iran

Wed, 20 May 2026 05:00:33 -0400

Iran (MNN) – As unrest persists in Iran, International Media Ministries (IMM) offers Gospel hope. The war in Iran produced some changes in leadership. However, Denise Godwin with IMM says that many are anxious about the current regime. Killings remain commonplace and people feel unsafe. “There's just a very overwhelming desire among the expat Iranian community for this regime to fall. There seem to be discussions also that there are people inside who desire that fall that they have to guard themselves for the right moment, so that they're not killed before a new regime can be put in place.”

Openings for the Gospel

Godwin says people are exhausted with the conflict. The need for rest is one reason there are fewer uprisings and protests at the moment. People struggle with the pain of seeing loved ones killed and the homes they love in turmoil. However, Godwin sees God at work. “What I think is interesting is these kinds of disruptions to normal services also cause people to look beyond their circumstances for hope. This gives an incredible opportunity to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That includes the people on the ground. That includes media partners who are using online platforms or Zoom platforms [or] satellites. While connections are erratic and interspersed, people are working on connecting with the outside world. They want to know what's happening.”

A Story of Hope from Ancient Persia

In this time of unrest, IMM is working on post-production for the story of Esther. This project, Esther: Queen of Hope will be a six-part series that focuses on God’s work in His people and in the Persian Empire. This project has the potential to speak hope clearly to the Iranian people as they see God at work in the kingdom of their ancestors.

(Image courtesy of IMM)

“As we continue to edit the story of Esther: Queen of Hope, I am surprised and amazed at how God puts stories in the Bible that are actually reflected again and again through history,” Godwin says. “What we see is Haman in the story of Esther as an outsider who's been in the empire of Persia for a long time. He chooses to influence the situation in a way that is against their principles. They were not a society that did genocide. Well, you fast forward to today, and the people you speak to – especially who are outside the country, who have the freedom to share what they feel and think – say they feel like Persia (the original place that is now Iran) has been hijacked by a radical Islamic regime that is not reflecting the norms of Persians, of the people. That's a pretty incredible, if you want to call it, coincidence from the Bible to today.” IMM plans to release the first episode this summer and then have the final five episodes completed in the fall. They pray that this historic story not only will inspire hope for Iranian Christians today, but that it will open doors for believers to share that God has worked in Iran before. He cares about Iranian people.

Sharing the Gospel with the Unreached

(Image courtesy of IMM)

Godwin shares that one of IMM’s goals is being able to serve unreached people with Bible stories that occurred in their cultures. “To serve people who are unreached people groups that have so little content in their language – that we could serve them in a way that maybe bigger media organizations can't. That's just the beauty of being a media missionary group. We want to invite people to join us in praying and giving and connecting people, so we can do more and get to the ends of the Earth with the word of God sooner.” If you’d like to join the work of IMM, click here. Header image courtesy of International Media Ministries.

Christian broadcasters offer hope in the midst of Haiti’s instability

Wed, 20 May 2026 05:00:56 -0400

Haiti (MNN) — On May 18, Haitians celebrated the creation of their flag over 200 years ago during the Haitian Revolution. “It's a very significant day. It’s a day of pride for Haiti’s people,” says Kate Michel with Radio-TV 4VEH, a partner of TWR. “It's usually celebrated with parades and marching bands and people dressed in Haitian national costumes.” The team at Radio-TV 4VEH (The Evangelistic Voice of Haiti) provided live coverage of the Flag Day parade in Cap-Haitien. (Glimpse the recorded coverage here to get a taste of what it was like!)

Haitian women at a market in Port-au-Prince, Haiti (Stock photo courtesy of Heather Suggitt via Unsplash)

But the backdrop of Haiti’s Flag Day 2026 remains sober, amid the country’s ongoing security concerns. Last week, Haiti’s prime minister, Alix Didier Fils-Aime, announced yet another delay in the country’s election timeline. He said August 2026 elections are not possible, suggesting the end of 2026 instead, with the idea of a new president taking office on February 7, 2027. Michel says delayed elections are nothing new to Haitians. “In general, people are looking for change and hopeful for change, but skeptical about the change that is promised,” she says. “I think most people are of the attitude, ‘Wait and see. We want this to work. We’re hopeful, but we need to see the proof.’” Into this mix of hope and hard realities, 4VEH serves Haitians right where they are at. Its broadcasts include gospel programs, Bible readings, farming resources, sports coverage, and more. Michel says that this summer, 4VEH is preparing special coverage of Haiti’s soccer team, which qualified for the FIFA World Cup.

“Haitians are sports fanatics, especially of football or soccer,” says Michel. “We want to be able to reach Haiti’s people who are sports fans, but may not yet be Jesus fans. It's a way to serve Haiti’s people and provide some great content for them, which will include some gospel messages as well.”

Please pray for equipment issues to be resolved before the World Cup. Pray also for God's blessing over 4VEH’s summer youth programs, beginning in June. Then, praise God! Over the Easter weekend, Michel says 160,000 people watched The Jesus Film on 4VEH’s online platforms. One viewer asked a poignant question that Michel says gets at the heart of religion in Haiti: “Can you be saved while you're observing the law?” “People understand about God, but it’s based on works. It’s based on the things that you need to do for salvation or the things that you need to do to appease the voodoo spirits,” she explains. “We're able to say Jesus offers us salvation freely. We're able to come to Him exactly as we are, and He accepts us and will forgive us. That’s great news in Haiti.” Above all, keep praying for Haiti. “It's a very complex country, with very deep, significant needs for Haiti's people," says Michel. "Keep praying that God will bring peace and stability, and that people will have hope in the Lord, despite what's going on around them.” Header photo courtesy of Radio-TV 4VEH.

Nigerian and United States forces kill top ISIS leader in Nigeria

Tue, 19 May 2026 05:00:47 -0400

Nigeria (MNN) — A joint operation by Nigerian and United States forces over the weekend of May 16–17 killed a top ISIS leader based in Nigeria. US President Donald Trump described Abu-Bilal al-Minuki as “second in command of ISIS globally.” The US and Nigeria also conducted additional air strikes against ISIS forces on Sunday.

(Photo courtesy of Unknown Nations)

Greg Kelley with Unknown Nations hopes for a little more stability in Nigeria now that al-Minuki is reportedly gone. “This individual was largely behind a lot of the organization and the instabilities — not just in Nigeria, but this has spilled over into neighboring countries,” he says. (More on al-Minuki here.) Other leaders within ISIS will fill the gap left by al-Minuki soon enough. But there’s something more Kelley doesn't want us to miss.

“The encouraging thing about this that we haven't seen in the last 15 years is a robust involvement from the Nigerian government and military,” Kelley says of the joint Nigeria-US operation.

“A lot of the people that we know that we've spoken to are encouraged that there's accountability finally taking place. The Christian church is encouraged today. They've been praying for accountability.” Nigeria’s response to Islamic insurgents has often been criticized. Government leaders maintain that extremists target people of all faiths, not mainly Christians. Yet according to Open Doors, more Christians were killed in Nigeria between October 2024 and September 2025 than in the rest of the world combined. Of the 4,849 deaths recorded in their reporting period, 3,490 were believers in Nigeria.

Find your place in the story

Regardless of political debate, Kelley says the need for gospel workers remains urgent. Nigeria’s estimated 237 million population is divided nearly in half between Muslims and Christians. “This [joint operation] is putting [Nigeria] on the front lines and to the front of our attention, so that we can be praying for northern Nigeria,” Kelley says. Among northern Nigeria’s unreached people groups are the Fulani, the Hausa, and the Kanuri.

“Pray for laborers that would be sent forth into these [northern] areas,” says Kelley. “There are 100 million Muslims in northern Nigeria, and well over 95% of them have never heard the gospel message.”

Many of these missionaries could come from southern Nigeria, which Kelley explains is predominantly Christian. Pray also for gospel resources and godly leaders to reach into the north. “We need to pray for resources like our solar-powered audio Bibles in the Hausa, Fulani, and Kanuri languages that can be sent in there,” says Kelley. “We need to send mature leaders who are strong in the Word of God, who understand the Quran, who can help educate and lead these people to Christ.” The header image is a stock photo of a region in north central Nigeria, courtesy of Mathias Owa Martins via Unsplash.

Hajj during Middle East tensions: What’s happening and how to pray

Tue, 19 May 2026 05:00:22 -0400

International (MNN) — The ongoing war in the Middle East is affecting this year’s Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. This year, Hajj takes place May 25 through 29. Usually, millions attend, but ongoing regional instability could impact travel plans and security. Airspace around the Persian Gulf remains unstable, making safety difficult to guarantee. Pierre Houssney of Horizons International says, “A lot of airline companies are not willing to fly in the region.”

Crowd in Mecca, Saudi Arabia (photo courtesy of Fahad Puthawala via Pexels)

The conflict also raises questions about whether Shiite Muslims will attend this year’s pilgrimage. Houssney explains, “There has been war now between the Shiites and the Sunnis across that Persian Gulf.” Because of these tensions, Saudi authorities will likely remain on high alert for possible terrorist threats during the pilgrimage season. Even so, Hajj continues to hold deep spiritual significance for Muslims worldwide. “Muslims around the world actually see making that pilgrimage as a kind of goal in life,” says Houssney. For many of them, Hajj reflects a deep longing to draw near to God. “Muslims are looking toward these physical acts that you can do to receive the forgiveness of sins,” he adds. Many Muslims believe their salvation can be earned through religious acts such as making the pilgrimage, reading the Quran, giving to the poor, or fasting during Ramadan. Yet many remain unsure if they have truly pleased God. Outwardly, they may appear devout while inwardly longing for His love and acceptance. Pray, “That they would be able to find the only true way to receive forgiveness of sins, which is through Jesus’s sacrifice, not through their own actions.” Please pray also for the nearly 2.06 billion Muslims worldwide — both those attending Hajj and those staying home — to find true hope in Christ. Visit Horizons International to learn more about fulfilling the Great Commission and supporting ministry work in Muslim communities. Header photo: Men praying in Mecca, Saudi Arabia (courtesy of Mido Makasardi via Pexels).

Heart4Iran marks two decades of Gospel outreach

Tue, 19 May 2026 05:00:54 -0400

Iran (MNN) -- Iran’s ambitions keep it a player on the global stage. Today’s headlines spotlight Iran’s role in a regional conflict. In the spring of 2006, nuclear aspirations pitted the Islamic Republic against the West. That same year, another ambitious effort sought to reach Iran for Christ. Mohabat TV began as the first 24/7 Christian satellite channel broadcasting to Iranians in Farsi. “At first, we thought it was going to be a lot of struggles, and people are not going to be receptive. But we were shocked,” Heart4Iran’s Edwin Abnous says.

“Not too long after the launch, a lot of calls and contacts started coming in; we processed about 700 contacts a day.”

Heart4Iran: a history

(Photo courtesy Ram Singh/Unsplash)

In the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, two intersecting trends presented a unique Gospel opportunity in Iran. First, Abnous says, “A couple of leaders went inside the country and experienced the revival that was happening there.” Second, the growing prevalence of satellite television enabled ministries to bypass government restrictions that hindered traditional evangelistic methods. “They (Heart4Iran founders) thought, ‘Okay, this is the time to start a satellite channel to preach the Gospel and provide discipleship in Iran,’” Abnous says. Mohabat TV officially launched on March 1, 2006, as the first continuous Farsi-language Christian broadcast accessible inside Iran. The satellite channel also reached Farsi-speaking audiences in Afghanistan and Tajikistan, as well as the Persian-speaking diaspora. Soon after the launch, audience response revealed a need for structured pastoral care. Mohabat TV creators developed a follow-up system that incorporated trauma care, round-the-clock accessibility, and privacy.

“God started writing a beautiful story for Iranians, and we're glad that God has allowed us to be part of this,” Abnous says.

(Photo courtesy Heart4Iran)

The ministry later added a training series for house churches. In 2018, the partnership approach that catalyzed Mohabat TV’s launch matured into a formal platform called Heart4Iran. The network eventually grew to include more than 100 partner ministries, with each contributing to evangelism, discipleship, Scripture distribution, and media production. Months before COVID-19 lockdowns began, Mohabat TV launched a digital church. The fellowship became a lifeline for countless Persian-speaking believers who needed a safe, consistent connection and discipleship during the pandemic. Expanded satellite reach and digital capacity allowed Heart4Iran to respond rapidly to regional crises, including the 2021 Afghanistan crisis.

Openness and opportunity

The Body of Christ in Iran has also grown rapidly over the past two decades. “During the Shah’s time, we just had 500 Muslim background believers. In 2020, a survey came out, and [it found that] 1.5% of the Iranian population is now Christian,” Abnous says. “This is about 1 million Muslim background [believers]; that's a huge increase!”

For the past 20 years, through Heart4Iran, God has used His Word to bring light into dark places. As Bibles are placed into waiting hands, pray that each one finds the right person at the right time. Pray for hearts to be open.
(Photo, caption courtesy of Heart4Iran)

Today, many Iranians are disillusioned and searching. You can help them find Jesus through Heart4Iran. “Iranians are very much open to the Gospel,” Abnous says.

“Islam is bankrupt in Iran, and people are looking for alternative answers. The beautiful answer that they can find and they're receptive to is the Christian faith.”

Pray for the Heart4Iran team as it expands family discipleship programs, strengthens leadership formation, and develops greater regional production capacity. “Iranians are moving from [an] organized Islamic government and theocratic situation to a nation that is looking for new opportunities or new alternatives,” Abnous says. “This door, I'm not sure how long it would be open, and we want to make sure we take advantage.” Header image courtesy of Heart4Iran.

Who will shape China’s next generation?

Mon, 18 May 2026 05:00:23 -0400

China (MNN) — The recent arrest of six Christians in southwest China highlights growing religious freedom concerns in the country, and the question of who will shape the hearts of China’s next generation? Todd Nettleton with The Voice of the Martyrs USA explains that these six believers were apparently involved in church activities for children. Yet the charges against them make their actions sound far more serious: “‘Organizing minors to engage in activities undermining public order.’ That is not a religious charge,” says Nettleton. “That is a ‘you're undermining the government’ charge, and so that could carry quite a serious penalty.” Teaching religion to children in China has been banned for years. Yet believers have faithfully worked to reach the next generation. “There are risks for meeting together with other Christians in China. That risk grows if you have people under 18 in those meetings, so they certainly would have known the risk of what they were doing and counted the cost ahead of time,” says Nettleton. He says the detained Christians will likely receive significant prison time. The arrest of the six Christians is only one example of the Chinese Communist Party’s push for the “sinicization of religion.” That is, bringing religion under state ideology and control. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom issued a report in May 2026 on how China’s laws are increasingly restricting freedom of religion or belief.

(Photo courtesy VOM-USA)

“They would say [sincization] is more of a cultural thing, but the reality is, it's a control thing. The Chinese Communist Party wants to control the hearts and minds of China's people,” says Nettleton. “That's the position of the Chinese Communist Party, that you are undermining the government when you are training children in biblical values and biblical truth.” How can we be praying for China? Last week, May 14–15, United States President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Beijing. Ask God to raise more advocates in the government and other spheres who will speak up for persecuted Chinese Christians. Pray also for the encouragement and strengthening of imprisoned believers like Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, Pastor Wang Yi, and others. “We want to pray for them in the way that we would want to be prayed for if it were us who were behind the bars,” says Nettleton, pointing to Hebrews 13:3. Header photo courtesy of The Voice of the Martyrs USA.

Foiled assassination plot in Syria points to a need for Christ

Mon, 18 May 2026 05:00:51 -0400

Syria (MNN) – Earlier this month, Syrian authorities said they had arrested a Hezbollah-linked cell accused of plotting to assassinate governmental officials. Samuel with Redemptive Stories views this as an example of the current administration’s work to tighten its hold on the country’s security situation. “Even though the roots of this government are much more extreme, I think that they are trying to find a way to work towards a state that is controlled,” he says. President Ahmed al-Sharaa will continue to target Hezbollah, a Shia paramilitary group, due to its connection with the previous regime. “When they do things like this, it shows that they have the ability to protect minority groups, including the Christians, that are still living there,” Samuel says. “And so that could be viewed as a positive.” At the same time, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom has recommended Syria as a Country of Particular Concern in light of deteriorating religious freedoms over the last year. In the face of mixed or unclear motives, Samuel believes Kingdom eyes will see one thing clearly: the opportunity to pray. From a Great Commission perspective, it’s a matter of playing the long game. “I think the final thing is long-term ministry connectivity, not short-term connectivity,” Samuel says. As Syria rebuilds, investment by international organizations in the local church and community could be a boon for economic transformation. In the meantime, while the lack of infrastructure makes ministry difficult: “I think it’s also the opportunity for Christians to walk in and be part of that infrastructural change that needs to take place,” Samuel says. He points out that Christians have the opportunity to meet people at the intersection of immense physical and spiritual need:

“To really truly walk in with open hands, with love for the Syrian people, and then meet real needs and help be part of the transformation.”

Please pray for Christian brothers and sisters in Syria, and ask the Lord to have His way in the hearts of leadership there.

Courtesy of Ahmed Akacha via Pexels. Featured photo courtesy of Omar Ramadan via Unsplash.

Summer Reading Clubs develop lifelong habits

Mon, 18 May 2026 05:00:34 -0400

USA (MNN) — Keys for Kids Ministries’ eighth annual Summer Reading Club begins June 1.

Families can have daily WORD with Zach devotional materials mailed to them or can listen to the content online.

Teens can also participate in the Summer Reading Club with mailed Unlocked devotionals or online content.

Greg Yoder with Keys for Kids says that the online devotionals work well to bring new people in and allow the material to go farther around the world. However, 60% of the teenagers who use the materials prefer the printed format so that they can dig into the studies with friends and take notes.

(Photo courtesy of Keys for Kids Ministries on Facebook)

Between WORD with Zach and Unlocked, Yoder says, “We have hundreds and hundreds of kids, literally around the world, reading every day from June to the end of August.”

Yoder says there is an opportunity to develop amazing Bible study and daily devotional times with the hope that kids will continue these practices throughout adulthood.

“I'm amazed at how many parents have told us, because of the Summer Reading Club, their kids have gone day after day after day after day studying God's Word,” Yoder said.

Parents are encouraged to use the “SOAP” method of studying the Bible with their children so that they can better understand the Scriptures and allow them to transform their lives.

“S” stands for Scripture reading, “O” stands for observing what’s in the Scripture, and “AP” stands for applying Scripture to their lives.

Yoder says some kids have “Soaped” for up to 400 or 500 days in a row.

Yoder says, “You hear parents saying things like, ‘My kids never really wanted to read the Bible before, and now, because of Keys for Kids and the Summer Reading Club or Unlocked and the Summer Reading Club, they’re doing that more. It’s become family time together. It’s created that time where we’re all just going to be a part of the Summer Reading Club right now.’”

Kids in the Summer Reading Program are encouraged during the study through monthly prize drawings upon completion of that month's devotions.

To join the program, go to wordwithzach.org/ or unlocked.org/summer/.

“You can sign up anytime you want during the whole program. You can even make up some of the days if you want to qualify for the prizes,” Yoder says. “But, we're encouraging people to do it now and kind of get ready to download calendars to check off when you do your daily reading.”

Please pray that families will get involved and that kids will draw near to Christ through their time in God’s Word.

Header Photo provided by Keys for Kids.

Lebanon peace talks raise hopes and risks

Fri, 15 May 2026 05:00:08 -0400

Lebanon (MNN) -- Peace negotiations between Israel and Lebanon are underway in the United States. The discussions come as the U.S.-backed ceasefire nears its expiration on Sunday.

(AI-generated photo by ChatGPT)

Nuna of Triumphant Mercy Lebanon says, “The peace talk is not just military; though, of course, it involves the military side, it’s much more than this.” As part of the peace talks, U.S. President Donald Trump is urging Lebanon’s government to repeal a 1955 law. “In our Constitution, there is a [clause] that says Lebanon has no connection with Israel, so we need to change that clause,” Nuna explains. Under that 1955 law, “everything is very, very closed, and people are not allowed to have any communication with Israelis,” she continues.

“We don’t have the right to have any communication – by phone, by message, anything – with anyone in Israel. [If suspected,] you have to go to Security, where they will ask you questions, take your phone, and check it.”

If negotiations succeed and the Lebanese government normalizes relations with Israel, Nuna says, “Everything will change, not just on the political ground, but it’s going to change the whole face of Lebanon.”

The cost of peace

Although a ceasefire has been in place since mid-April, the Iranian-backed terror group Hezbollah continues to attack Israel.

Hezbollah flag
(Photo courtesy mhrezaa/Unsplash)

“Hezbollah is affiliated with Iran and wants to keep Iranian influence over Lebanon, but Lebanon is trying to get free from it. The whole contention is between these two,” Nuna says. Lebanese people remain divided over an alliance with Iran. Though Hezbollah represents approximately one-third of Lebanon’s population – followers of Shia Islam – representatives of other major groups seek peace. “Lebanon submitted an official complaint against Iran for the first time this week. This is unprecedented,” Nuna says. Lebanon’s government is taking steps toward peace with Israel and independence from Iran – but at a cost. “The Shiite community is really strong in saying, ‘We don’t want this,’” Nuna says.

“The threats in the streets [are] that ‘We’re going to turn our weapons against all the people who are for the change and for the peace treaty.’ It’s becoming like a civil war.”

Nuna says these threats raise an important question: “Do we go through a civil war so that we can have peace, or do we forget the peace and keep the status quo in Lebanon with Hezbollah in charge?”

Christian aid

Fighting between Hezbollah and Israel has driven more than one million people from their homes in southern Lebanon. “There are so many displaced people,” Nuna says.

(Graphic courtesy Triumphant Mercy Lebanon)

“They have no homes, no shelter, no food, no revenue, no work – nothing. We’re still there to help them, but we’re also trying to talk about this peace.” Pray for Lebanese Christians as they care for displaced people in Jesus’ name, and partner with Triumphant Mercy Lebanon to support relief efforts. “We need to not only bring in humanitarian aid, but also talk about God’s purposes and God’s ways and God’s plan, and bring people into alignment with God,” Nuna says.

“It’s not just a one-way Gospel, just salvation and that’s it, it’s also realignment with God’s purposes.”

Header image depicts working-level peace talks between Israel and Lebanon at the White House in Washington, D.C., April 23, 2026. (Official State Department photo by Freddie Everett)

$10 million cover-up: Report rocks Nigeria’s Christian persecution crisis

Fri, 15 May 2026 05:00:48 -0400

Nigeria (MNN) – A new report from International Christian Concern reveals what they’re calling a $10 million genocide cover-up by the Nigerian government.

Floyd Brobbel with The Voice of the Martyrs Canada says, “Their report claims that since 2009, at least 190,000 Nigerians were killed, and about 70% of that would be Christians. So there seems to be a very clear targeting of the Christian community in northern Nigeria.”

(Photo courtesy Voice of the Martyrs USA)

The report lays out how Nigeria has been hiding the genocide of Christians through misinformation campaigns and misleading narratives. Instead, government officials have described the violence as regional instability and even attributed it to climate change. “The Christian cry within the North that our government is not doing anything to counteract these problems is true, and it's well documented.” Boko Haram and Fulani extremists attack Christian communities and others who stand in the way of their goal to establish an Islamic caliphate. Brobbel encourages believers around the world to take action for our Nigerian brothers and sisters in Christ.

“We need to be raising a voice and asking our governments to hold the Nigerian government accountable to these things that are happening in their country. Like, what are they doing to counteract these problems?”

(Photo courtesy VOM USA)

Pray also for the persecuted Church in northern Nigeria to be salt and light, so they can reach their persecutors for Christ. Brobbel urges, “We really need to pray for those that remain and for those that flee, that they would be effective and bold in their Christian faith and continue to proclaim the Gospel courageously, because this is how things change.” He also asks Christians to pray for Muslim extremists in northern Nigeria, that they would:

encounter God's Word and have visions of Jesus.
have their hearts softened and eyes opened to biblical truth.
be held accountable for their actions.
give their lives ultimately to Christ.

Get involved with VOM Canada at vomcanada.com/engage. Header photo: Nigerian believers pray for intervention. (Photo courtesy of VOM Canada)

Keep showing up: what faithfulness in all seasons looks like in Haiti

Fri, 15 May 2026 05:00:49 -0400

Haiti (MNN) — Standing firm through both the good times and the bad sends a powerful message. Roseline DeHart says For Haiti With Love is there for every season. She says candidly, “In Haiti's term, it's 'bad times' or 'very bad times.'” DeHart says many Haitians they serve are exhausted by the struggle for daily needs. “Sometimes they don't want to hear the gospel. So we show them love. We show them what the gospel is,” she says. “Then they will listen when we tell them about Jesus, when we tell them about the gospel.”

Food distributions
(Photo courtesy of For Haiti With Love)

The ministry provides food, clothing, shelter, medical care for burn victims, and more. That work can only be done with God’s help, given the chaos in Haiti today. The nation has lacked a stable central government since the assassination of its president nearly five years ago in July 2021. “A lot of people are leaving the cities where the gangs are, for safety. Nothing they can do about it,” says DeHart. In the northern city of Cap-Haitien, the infrastructure can’t handle the influx of people fleeing gang violence. “Kids on the streets, families on the streets — and trash has doubled. There is so much trash in Cap-Haitien now,” DeHart says. Haiti's reality continues to be sobering, but God’s promises remain.

“We need people to pray for Haiti,” says DeHart. “Without God's help, Haiti cannot change at all.”

In this hard season, For Haiti With Love continues to see glimpses of God’s work. DeHart says former patients from the burn clinic have returned to say they are now attending church. “All because of showing them God's love,” she says. Another story that encouraged DeHart was when one of the ministry's security guards shared that he had become a Christian.

Survivors from a boat explosion receive treatment at For Haiti’s burn clinic. (Photo courtesy of For Haiti With Love)

"It's all because of contributors helping us to do what God is sending us to do in Haiti," DeHart says. Remember the people of Haiti in prayer. Ask God how He may want you to take part in His work there. “Haiti is a beautiful place, and its people are even more beautiful,” says DeHart. “They're being forgotten. But they're God's children too, and they need help.” Header photo courtesy For Haiti With Love.

UN warns Haiti violence worsening; churches welcome fleeing families

Thu, 14 May 2026 05:00:03 -0400

Haiti (MNN) – New waves of gang violence in Port-au-Prince are sending more Haitians fleeing the capital. Armed groups now control most of the city, and the violence has spread far beyond neighborhood shootouts. Families are escaping kidnappings, looting, and deadly clashes.

The United Nations reports that, from the first quarter of 2026, at least 1,642 Haitians have been killed and 745 injured.

For Christian World Outreach's partner churches in rural Haiti, the crisis is bringing new faces through their doors.

Haitian community (Photo courtesy of Heather Suggitt via Unsplash)

CWO's Greg Yoder says, “They are still seeing people coming – fleeing from the places where the gangs have taken over. They're seeing people come to the Lord, people becoming members of the churches and joining those fellowships."

The violence follows years of instability after Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in 2021. Despite international security efforts, gangs continue tightening their grip on Port-au-Prince while expanding into surrounding areas.

Yoder says the movement of civilians out of the capital has not stopped.

“I think it's just been a continual exodus, trying to find relief from not being able to either sell in the marketplace [or] just live a peaceful life,” he says. “People are still trying to get away from that gang violence.”

Aspects of CWO's ministry has been disrupted by the unrest. “We had to shut down our Feminine Training Center in Mirebalais because the gangs came and took over that town,” Yoder explains.

Churches in Haiti are all about music ... and the CWO churches are no different. Choirs, musical instruments and songs of praise make these churches come alive! (Photo, caption courtesy of CWO)

Meanwhile, churches outside the capital are growing as displaced Haitians arrive searching for safety and hope.

“I think anytime there's either a natural disaster or...in Haiti, the gang issue, people are looking for some place to put their hope,” Yoder says.

“When the churches can reach out to these people [and] help them in their need, that opens the door to sharing the Gospel and that God is our hope.”

That growth also brings pressure. Some smaller towns are struggling to absorb new arrivals.

Yoder shares, “People left with nothing but what they had on them, and so they left everything behind. They have to start over, and the Haitian people are generous!"

CWO is helping partner churches with relief funds and leadership training for pastors carrying the weight of overwhelmed communities.

Please pray for peace in Haiti, protection for vulnerable families, and endurance for church leaders serving on the spiritual front lines of the crisis.

Learn more about CWO's Haiti ministry here.

Header photo from 2020 of a suburb of Port-au-Prince. (Photo courtesy of Reynaldo Mirault via Unsplash)

North Korea removes reunification goal, raising questions for ministries

Thu, 14 May 2026 05:00:44 -0400

North Korea (MNN) — North Korea has changed its Constitution to remove any goal of reunification with the South. But what does this mean for ordinary Koreans and believers? Eric Foley with Voice of the Martyrs Korea says, “this is a serious change that has major ramifications politically, certainly, but also with regard to ministry.”

North and South Korea at night (photo courtesy of NASA via Wikimedia Commons)

The historical context

The Korean War never officially ended because no peace treaty was signed. Both Koreas historically claimed authority over the entire peninsula in their constitutions. That allowed North Korean defectors to automatically become South Korean citizens and permitted ministries like Voice of the Martyrs Korea to conduct outreach into the North from the South. “This division of Korea into two countries by North Korea raises the question of how South Korea will respond,” Foley explains. If South Korea were to officially recognize North Korea as a separate nation, North Koreans could be refused entry into the South or required to complete a difficult citizenship process. Ministries might also be banned under South Korean law from doing work directed toward North Korea. So far, South Korea has condemned the move as a major escalation because the new constitution does not clearly define North Korea’s borders but insists on the country’s right to defend them. Seoul still supports peaceful reunification but has increased security readiness.

How can it affect the ministry work?

Foley says a permanent two-state system could create serious ministry challenges: “It [might have] serious impacts on ministry, because our work at Voice of the Martyrs Korea is in support of underground North Korean Christians.”

Democratic People's Republic of Korea E-Passport passport (photo courtesy of PRADO EU via Wikimedia Commons)

South Korea could eventually join North Korea in restricting or banning such ministry work if cooperation between the two governments increases. The ministry also serves North Korean laborers overseas and women trafficked into China and forced into marriage. Foley says that outreach could eventually become illegal under South Korean law, not just Chinese and North Korean law. At the moment, North Korea’s decision has not changed ministry operations. However, how the situation develops will depend on future diplomacy and South Korea’s response. “So the change in the Constitution is really a matter of prayer for believers,” Foley says. An estimated 100,000 underground Christians remain in North Korea. Pray Voice of the Martyrs Korea can continue supporting local believers through radio broadcasts, Bible distribution, and other outreach efforts based in South Korea.

“Pray that while it is still light, that the Lord will permit us to do the ministry that we do. We don't take for granted any day,” Foley says.

Header photo: North Korean men reading news, Pyongyang, North Korea (photo courtesy of Random Institute via Unsplash).

Bible club offers hope to child laborers in India

Thu, 14 May 2026 05:00:13 -0400

India (MNN)—In India, it’s estimated there are 1.8 to 3.3 million child laborers aged 5 to 17, according to a 2024 UNICEF report. Mission India is striving to provide these children with help, hope, and an opportunity to be introduced to Jesus, through their Children’s Bible Clubs.

Raina Miller of Mission India notes poverty is the root of India’s child labor problem: “India's dealing with so much poverty that there are often times where we see cases of children being sent to work with their parents out of total desperation. So there are some parents who would love to give their kids an education, but if they're not going to have dinner tonight, then they feel like the option is to send their child to work instead, just to make sure that kids aren't going to bed hungry.”

Children can find themselves in a variety of jobs, such as selling balloons, working in tea stalls, or picking through trash to find things they can sell.

“This was the Bible club," says Miller. "This was who the Bible club was reaching.”

Mission India’s Bible Clubs include singing, prayer, scripture memorization, and discipleship. They also offer holistic support, teaching children the importance of bathing, wearing clean clothes, and brushing their hair. Ultimately, as these children grow through the club, it can impact their entire families.

Atul

Atul is one of these Children. His father was a daily wage laborer who mixed cement in brickyards, and their family lived in a home made of bricks and tin sheets with water pooling on the floors any time it rained.

“If his dad couldn't find work that day, the kids went to bed hungry that night, and as you can imagine, if you're desperately hungry, it's really hard to focus at school,” says Miller. “So Atul began skipping school. Pretty soon he was working alongside his parents and became a child laborer.”

When Atul found the Bible club, he discovered he was not alone—and so much more.

“All these kids struggled with poverty and fear and hunger, and yet at the Bible club, they could find joy, and they had each other, and they had community, and it was a place where they could just be kids again, unlike in their day-to-day lives. So Atul really grew and thrived in that environment.”

His confidence grew, he began helping to teach his little sister and others in the club, and he has been attending his regular school more frequently. Now, he wants to become a teacher, so he can help other children. When someone asked Atul what had caused this change in him, he told them it was because he went to the Children's Bible Club every day, describing it as “another school that's filled with love and laughter.”

Pray that Atul and his family, who have already experienced growth through the Bible club, would fully accept the salvation of Jesus.

As the school year is coming to a close, the year-long Bible clubs will also be wrapping up—however, more will start in the fall.

“We would love to welcome as many of India's child laborers and other kids as possible to join year-long Bible clubs and to have an experience like Atul did,” says Miller. “A $24 gift would reach another child like Atul with Christ-centered love, Bible-based lessons, and a space to just be a kid and receive discipleship from a caring Christian leader.”

You can donate to the Children’s Bible Clubs at missionindia.org/single-gift-donation/?referral=MNN2605.

Header photo courtesy of Mission India.

Lebanon seeks U.S. pressure on Israel ahead of peace talks

Wed, 13 May 2026 05:00:38 -0400

Lebanon (MNN) -- Lebanon wants Israeli attacks to stop ahead of peace talks in the United States on Thursday and Friday. On Monday, Lebanon’s president asked the U.S. to pressure Israel to halt its strikes. Hostilities have continued, mostly in southern Lebanon, since U.S. President Donald Trump declared a ceasefire on April 16. Israel has set up a self-declared security zone in the south, saying it aims to guard against Hezbollah attacks. Heart for Lebanon’s Camille Melki says Washington is not an unbiased host for peace negotiations between Israel and Lebanon. “The U.S. interest is to end conflicts in the Middle East, especially between Israel and its neighboring nations. The U.S.'s desire is that Israel sign a peace agreement with the other neighbors, as it did with Egypt and Jordan,” Melki says. However, peace won’t come easily in Lebanon, especially amid the war involving Iran. Yesterday, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem announced that the terrorist group would not surrender and called for an end to direct negotiations between Israel and Lebanon. “How can we even ensure a ceasefire when the ones sitting at the table are not the ones shooting at each other?” Melki asks.

“The Lebanese government is negotiating with Israel, but in fact, it's Hezbollah that is carrying the gun and shooting at Israel.”

Why the ceasefire is complicated

Although Lebanon’s government agreed to a temporary ceasefire with Israel, several factors have made the truce largely ineffective on the ground.

Hezbollah flag
(Photo courtesy Paul Keller via Flickr)

First, Lebanon’s government does not control Hezbollah. “Hezbollah’s loyalty is to the Iranian regime – the ones who pay the bills, the ones who provide the weapons,” Melki explains. “A lot of the decision makers among Hezbollah are Iranians as well.” Second, approximately one-third of Lebanon’s population is Shia Muslim, and that community is represented in Lebanon’s government by officials closely aligned with Hezbollah. Last week, Lebanon’s parliament speaker, Nabih Berri, rejected any peace negotiations without guarantees that ‌Israel would halt attacks. “The Speaker of the House, though it sounds like he's speaking on behalf of Lebanon, in fact is representing the Shia population, seeking their best interest and protecting one group, not the entire nation of Lebanon,” Melki says. “Unfortunately, Lebanon is, though we try not to admit it, a very sectarian nation. The president of the country is always a Christian Maronite, the Speaker of the House is always a Shia Muslim, and the Prime Minister is always a Sunni Muslim,” he continues. “That's in our constitution, but it also infiltrates almost every other position in our government.”

How to help

Some 1.2 million people have been driven from their homes in southern Lebanon. Continued conflict won’t stop believers from caring for the displaced.Here’s how you can help. Pray for Heart for Lebanon teams as they distribute practical aid and Gospel hope. “It is important that everybody we come in contact with knows and understands what drives us,” Melki says.

“We are sent in with the love of Jesus Christ, sharing it with everyone in need, regardless of their faith, their ethnic background, and their political affiliation.”

(Photo courtesy Heart for Lebanon)

Praise the Lord for positive developments among Lebanon’s leaders. “Our Lebanese government recently declared all military activity by Hezbollah illegal. The Lebanese government has declared the city of Beirut arms-free,” Melki says. “A lot of these decisions that our government is making are new. They're fresh, they're encouraging, and they're promising for a better future for the people of Lebanon.” Header image courtesy of Heart for Lebanon.

Renewed attacks leave Colombians searching for hope

Wed, 13 May 2026 05:00:47 -0400

Colombia (MNN) — In late April 2026, an outbreak of terrorist attacks in Colombia killed at least 20 people and injured dozens of others. But the tragedies did something more. To Estela Ferrucho with RTM Colombia, they were stark evidence that Colombia has regressed to where it was some 20 years ago. Ferrucho is the executive director for RTM Colombia, a branch of TWR in Latin America. She explains that years ago, traveling along Colombia’s highways could be deadly. Guerrilla groups set up illegal roadblocks, and travelers risked kidnapping or even murder. Although Colombia has changed since then, trafficking (of multiple kinds) remains a hard reality. Today, Ferrucho says, the illegal armed groups in Colombia have increasing access to technology. She says government forces aren’t able to keep up due to dwindling manpower. “The state military forces are in retreat because these groups have equipment — drones, weapons. The population is terrified for this,” says Ferrucho, speaking through a translator. Ferrucho says the attacks in April have also heightened uncertainty ahead of the May 2026 presidential elections. She says many Colombians live in a state of uncertainty, worry, anxiety, and mistrust — mistrust of everything and everyone. Into this sobering context, RTM Colombia’s team broadcasts Bible-based content. Ferrucho says Thru the Bible is their flagship program. “This is more for Christians, because people study the Bible deeply,” she says. But RTM Colombia also speaks to the broader experiences of Colombians. Another program called Claro y Contundente (Clear and Concise) shares the insights of a Christian psychologist. “She presents the dilemma and the reality with how people can face that, applying the Word of God and the value of the Word of God,” says Ferrucho. The team is also preparing content that offers hope and help to those imprisoned in Colombia and their families.

Please pray

As security concerns continue in Colombia, Ferrucho says the next generation has received distorted messages about how to live.

(Photo courtesy of TWR)

“The situation is that we have youth in rebellions, youth that don't want to work, youth that are dishonest, and youth that do not respect anyone,” says Ferrucho. Pray for transformation. Ask God to raise up godly young people in Colombia. Pray also for their protection from recruitment by guerrilla groups. Read more about RTM Colombia's story here. Header photo courtesy of Alejandro Ortiz via Unsplash.

Loving the hard to love: Lessons from addiction ministry

Wed, 13 May 2026 05:00:57 -0400

USA (MNN) — One tactic of spiritual warfare is convincing people that some individuals are beyond love. That is a daily reality in ministry to those struggling with addiction. Brandon Bower of The Lighthouse says serving people in recovery can be incredibly difficult, but it is what God calls believers to do. Bower recalls a young man named Chris who battled multiple addictions: “Chris actually stole money from us, and the process of forgiving him for stealing that money rocked his world and Chris is now hungry for God's word.”

Representative photo: praying over a man (photo courtesy of
Jon Tyson via Unsplash)

Later, Bower walked into a room and found Chris reading his Bible. “He looked up, smiled, and said, ‘This is so amazing — what God’s done for me,’” Bower says. Though Chris still faces the challenges of recovery, Bower says the transformation following that incident was remarkable and points to a bigger truth: “All believers have a responsibility to care for the broken,” just as Christ cared for them in their brokenness. Another example is Matt, a man whose poor hygiene made him unwelcome in local churches. After repeated rejection, he eventually came to The Lighthouse. “Some of the first things we talked about were that big guys have to shower, and you have to shower well,” Bower says. The team lovingly taught Matt how to care for himself. By looking past outward appearance, they saw the value of his soul and encouraged him in recovery. Bower says showing Christ’s love is often practical — helping people relearn hygiene, daily habits, and emotional control. At the heart of it all, Bower says, “If we're not loving others well, we're not representing Christ well.” But what if loving someone feels difficult? He says acts of love can be simple:

“Sit down with coffee. Read a book together. Buy them donuts and just show them you love them.”

Pray believers would faithfully show Christ’s love to broken people in their communities, even when it feels uncomfortable or difficult. Pray also for The Lighthouse team as they engage in spiritual battles for each person they serve. Visit The Lighthouse to learn more about how they walk alongside people on the journey to recovery. Header representative photo: group of friends (photo courtesy of Thomas Benedetti via Pexels).

Ukrainian children find hope through trauma-focused devotionals

Tue, 12 May 2026 05:00:12 -0400

Ukraine (MNN) -- The European Union sanctions 16 individuals and entities who allegedly helped Russia abduct tens of thousands of children from Ukraine. The EU froze assets tied to nine individuals and seven centers accused of indoctrinating children; the measures also included travel bans. Abduction isn’t the only threat to Ukraine’s children. They face a daily combination of physical danger, repeated displacement, and unresolved family separations. Greg Yoder of Keys for Kids Ministries says, among the families the ministry serves, “A lot of these kids already know Jesus, but they're struggling because of the fear and anxiety that comes with war.”

Ukrainian teenagers Diana and Alina read Unlocked.
(Photo courtesy Mission Eurasia via Keys for Kids Ministries)

New devotionals address trauma

Partners in Ukraine recently distributed 200,000 special-edition devotionals from Keys for Kids Ministries, designed to help children and young adults process trauma.

Yoder says the latest delivery “gets us close to a million copies that we placed in Ukraine since the war began.”

Developed by Keys for Kids Ministries and Mission Eurasia, the special-edition devotionals offer biblically grounded, trauma-focused material tailored to a Ukrainian context. Read more about the development process here. Mission Eurasia’s team in Ukraine offered more than translation services. Ukrainian believers helped contextualize the Keys for Kids and Unlocked stories. “We had some references to, I think, baseball. We had to pull those out and replace them with soccer,” Yoder says. “Things that would normally fit well in the United States just didn't fit well in Ukraine.”

Nelia finds peace

Although they were distributed less than a month ago, the devotionals are already helping children like Nelia. “She has never known anything but war,” Yoder says.

Nelia shows her Keys for Kids devotional.
(Photo courtesy Mission Eurasia via Keys for Kids Ministries)

“Her mother had a copy of the new Keys for Kids devotional, and she sat down with her (Nelia) and said, ‘Pick any story in it.’ [Nelia] picked the topic, ‘Medicine for Peace,’ [because] something about it spoke to her,” he continues. The story features a little girl who couldn't fall asleep because she was overcome by worry and fear. Her grandmother “helped her understand the true peace found in Christ alone,” Yoder says.

“When they finished, Nelia’s mother looked at her and tenderly said, 'You see, we don't have to be afraid all the time. We can rely on someone closer than a brother: Jesus Christ.'”

After a thoughtful moment, Yoder says Nelia “realized, yes, I don't have to be in fear, because God is in control.”

Find your place in the story

According to Save the Children, children in Ukraine have endured approximately 4,000 hours of air-raid alarms since Russia invaded in 2022 — more than five and a half months of alerts. The sirens don’t scare Nelia anymore. “The book pointed her to where she needed to place her hope,” Yoder says. You can help children and teens find hope and peace in Jesus by supporting Keys for Kids Ministries’ work in Ukraine. “Camps are coming up this summer, and obviously, the supply that we provided will probably cover that, but I don't know if they'll have enough for Christmas outreach or back-to-school outreach,” Yoder says. As you pray for these efforts, Yoder asks you to remember Ukrainian pastors. “Pray for the pastors because they're tired,” he says. “Imagine every day having to be 'on' with no rest, [and] bombings, missiles, drone attacks daily.” Header image courtesy of Keys for Kids Ministries.

One ministry’s FCRA avoidance may increase pressure on Christian ministries in India

Tue, 12 May 2026 05:00:44 -0400

India (MNN) — What happens when Christians disobey laws that are being used to hinder the gospel from spreading? Believe it or not, it’s not always good. A man we’ll call Paul is a pastoral coach supporting work in India. He explains that India’s majority-Hindu government has a vision for India to become a Hindu Rashtra, or state. “For that, they have to plug every hole — that means anything which is going to be a hindrance to that vision of establishing a Hindu Rashtra,” says Paul. To Hindu leaders, Indians who follow a religion other than Hinduism have betrayed India’s heritage and given allegiance to foreign nations, says Paul. By extension, that means evangelical Christian ministries are not viewed favorably. As one strategy to combat foreign influence, India created the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act in 1976. It has put red tape on non-profit organizations that receive foreign funding. In recent years, the government has effectively canceled the FCRA licenses of more than 20,000 organizations. Many were Christian-led. Without that license, these ministries are effectively blocked from receiving foreign funding.

But here’s where the uncomfortable problem comes in: when Christian orgs dodge the system, they put not only themselves but others at risk.

“The problem I see is many Christian agencies were not following, or they were not being compliant, in that sense,” says Paul of the FCRA licensure.

(Photo courtesy of Mahmut Yılmaz via Pexels)

He gives a hypothetical scenario in which one FCRA license holder allows other groups or individuals to route money through their account. “Now, with the current realities, you're going to be in deep trouble, because they are really monitoring every penny you spend,” he says. “[If] they even see a slightest error or discrepancy, they are canceling your FCRA account.” Recently, an evangelical Christian NGO was exposed as part of a network that was using United States–based debit cards in India. It was not even registered under the FCRA. It is now under investigation by India’s Enforcement Directorate.

“[The government is] going to weaponize that to further say ‘This is what we have been telling over the years, how Christian organizations, Christians in India — and there is collaboration with the Western world — are trying to convert us Hindus in India,’” says Paul. “This is what they have been [saying]. Propaganda is going on. Massive, big-scale now, all over India.”

The situation is complicated. Please pray for wisdom for Christians to respond to these circumstances. Pray that the Church, both within India and outside of it, spreads the gospel in a way that honors God.

India is around 80% Hindu, with an estimated 1.15 billion adherents according to Joshua Project (Photo courtesy of Wevlog Vijay via Pexels)

Header photo: Believers in West Bengal, India (Photo Courtesy of Ranit Das via Pexels.)

Education and care — helping Lebanese children holistically

Tue, 12 May 2026 05:00:49 -0400

Lebanon (MNN) — Refugees in Lebanon face uncertainty about survival and the future. More than 1.1 million people have been displaced, including nearly 390,000 children. The ministry supports children through education and practical aid. Good news from Lebanon: Horizons International is launching its third school for refugee children today! Pierre Houssney highlights the importance of recognizing children’s needs amid the nation’s overwhelming challenges. “Their whole purpose in life has disappeared. Their parents no longer have work. They've been kind of reduced to survival mode,” he says. He explains that this constant fight for survival can quickly become normal for children who are still learning how to navigate life. One story especially impacted the ministry team.

Two kids walking (representative photo courtesy of Zeynep Kahya via Pexels)

“One refugee girl told our staff member that she and her brother trade off nights on one foam mattress,” Houssney says. One night, the girl sleeps on the mattress while her brother sleeps on the concrete floor. The next night, they switch places. Deeply moved by the situation, the team provided mattresses not only for those two children, but for every child in the community — many of whom faced the same problem but never shared it. This is one of the reasons Houssney says house visits and regular check-ins are essential to the ministry’s outreach, alongside its education efforts. Horizons International partners with Lebanese churches to serve people affected by war and demonstrate the love of Christ in tangible ways. “The way that we work is we directly resource the church to draw people in, so the church can be the hands and feet of Christ,” says Houssney. So when the local churches work with local people it builds the community around them where people can grow in the knowledge of Christ. “We are ambassadors of Christ, and we are there to be with them in their time of difficulty,” explains Houssney. The ministry asks believers to pray for the new school and for ongoing projects across Lebanon. Supporters can also partner financially to help provide resources and expand Gospel outreach. Visit Horizons International to learn how you can help.

“Anybody who could help with these resources should know that there is a huge Gospel impact from this,” says Houssney.

Header photo: Kids in Bqaa Kafra, North Governorate, Lebanon (photo courtesy of Hussein Haidar via Pexels).

Gospel enemies or gospel targets? Fulani militants in Nigeria are both

Mon, 11 May 2026 05:00:48 -0400

Nigeria (MNN) — The United States House Appropriations Committee has advanced a State Department funding bill with strings attached for Nigeria. If signed into law, the bill would cut aid to Nigeria in half… unless its government meets three conditions. Those conditions hinge on stopping what US lawmakers are calling a genocide against Christians in Nigeria. Here are those three requirements:

“taking effective steps to prevent and respond to violence and hold perpetrators accountable"
“prioritizing resources to support victims of such violence, including internally displaced persons”
“actively facilitating the safe return, resettlement, and reconstruction of communities impacted by the violence.”

Greg Kelley with Unknown Nations says that the nomadic Fulani people have become the main attackers of believers in Nigeria. Yet they are more than just enemies. “They're fiercely opposed to the gospel. Yet what makes them very significant is they occupy more than 12 countries throughout Central Africa,” he says. “The largest concentration of Fulani happened to be in the country of Nigeria, where a lot of these atrocities that we're speaking about are taking place.”

These disciples of Christ are passionately sharing God's Word in North Eastern Nigeria.
(Photo, caption courtesy of Unknown Nations)

The Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa reports that the Fulani Ethnic Militias were responsible for nearly half of the 36,056 civilian deaths they documented across Nigeria between October 2019 and September 2024. The violence has only continued since then. (Read a May 2026 report on Fulani militants from the US Commission on International Religious Freedom here.) Kelley says the clash comes down to Fulani herdsmen and Christian landowners. “[The conflict zone] has largely been an area in the northern part, but as grazing lands have changed, and the Fulani are moving into territories further south, that’s what's causing the increase of these hostilities," he says. "But they're very aggressive. I mean, you don't tell a Fulani ‘no.’ If you own land, and they come through and trash your land, the farmers are not happy about that. There's a confrontation.”

What’s the answer?

The population divide between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria is right around 50/50. Kelley says the biggest frustration is over the Nigerian government often looking the other way as Christians are killed. “You're talking about 100 million Christians are saying, ‘When is the government going to finally hold these people accountable?’” he says. The gospel is the answer. Kelley notes that some of Unknown Nations’ best missionaries are former Fulani militants who have had an encounter with Christ. Pray for more such men and women. “Yes, the people that are terrorizing, the people that are killing, they are our target, and we share the gospel of Jesus Christ with them,” Kelley says. “We've heard so many stories of Fulani coming to know Christ. It’s the Apostle Paul's story.” One way to reach the Fulani is through audio resources, since they are oral learners. That’s why Unknown Nations has distributed thousands of solar-powered audio Bibles, micro SD cards, and their Bible app into northern Nigeria, “because they gather around and they listen to the Word of God, and God changes their hearts," says Kelley.

“Praying for the same-culture missionaries that are Hausa, that are Fulani, that are Kanuri is going to be how we reach northern Nigeria with the gospel of Jesus Christ."

Header photo: Audio Bibles bring the Gospel to people from oral cultures. (Photo courtesy of Unknown Nations)

Egypt legalizes 191 more churches: What it means for local believers

Mon, 11 May 2026 05:00:12 -0400

Egypt (MNN) — Good news out of Egypt: 191 more churches have received legal status. Many Christian leaders had waited years for state approval. The decision comes under Egypt’s 2016 Law for Building and Restoring Churches. It marks the 30th group of churches approved by the legalization committee. To qualify, churches must meet structural and safety standards, prove land ownership, and pay required fees.

The Hanging Church, Cairo, Egypt (photo courtesy of Dilip Poddar via Unsplash)

Duane Friesen with Voice of the Martyrs Canada says, “There is dramatic difficulty for the Christian community within Egypt, but to see a step toward allowing facilities for their weekly worship is a good step, and I hope it grows.” Still, the approvals meet only a small part of the need. Tens of thousands of churches are still seeking legal recognition. Friesen notes that, “[Believers] still face the reality that they are a minority in a country that has long struggled to support the existence of other religious groups around them.” “They've had, even recently, major challenges as families try to prevent their daughters from being forced into Muslim marriages.” Friesen also adds that if a man’s Christian beliefs become known, he may struggle to find work to provide for his family.

So, the approval of another batch of churches could be a positive sign for greater Christian recognition and freedom in the country.

At the same time, Friesen urges caution. As pressure for church registration grows, so can government oversight of Christian activity. Still, the process may also help strengthen Christianity’s legal standing in Egypt.

Please pray these developments would lead to greater acceptance and security for believers in Egypt and, as Friesen says, “that is equal citizenship within Egypt that they have the protections, the rights and the freedoms to be what God's called them to be.” Visit Voice of the Martyrs Canada to learn more about the challenges facing persecuted Christians around the world. Header photo: Cairo, Egypt (Photo courtesy of PhotoByMau via Pexels).

The Gospel harvest continues amidst persecution in Sudan

Mon, 11 May 2026 05:00:44 -0400

Sudan (MNN)—As a brutal civil war and extreme persecution rage on in Sudan, Christian ministries continue to see God moving in powerful ways. John, a Gospel worker focused on Sudan, notes that, instead of persecution inhibiting the message of Christ, ministries often see the two together—"We don't find them separated in any way.”

He shares one story of an 18-year-old Sudanese woman who found Christ.

“We have translation ministries in 13 unreached people group languages, and each one is led by a graduate from our school of mission. And so one of the leaders--first believer in his tribe—his sister found his Bible and secretly began to read it and, through several months, on her own, made a decision to follow Christ.”

When the young woman’s family found out, she was beaten, locked in the house without a phone, and told if she did not recant her new faith, she would be disowned by the family and possibly killed. She managed to get out of the house and went to a church pastored by another leader from the same ministry as her brother. From there, a partner ministry, Samaritan’s Purse, was able to get her to safety.

“Our team sat down with her and said, ‘We really want you to think about this decision and the consequences, because it is life and death.’ They were very serious and wanted to make sure she knew what she was doing, and she said, ‘Now that I know God, they can take my life. I will not turn back.’”

She is currently living with female students of the ministry’s school of mission and taking Bible classes.

The ministry John serves continues to see persecution. Indigenous Gospel workers have been shot and had their small businesses destroyed—“And it just goes on after that,” he says. “But in the context of that, there are baptisms in the face of persecution, because the Spirit of God is moving.”

According to John, Muslims who are also fleeing from the war are taking note that it is often Christians who are bringing food and medical help, listening to survivors, and offering hope. In one refugee camp where a Gospel worker was previously shot, a ministry leader and Christian convert has since been elected as the community leader.

“They said, ‘We want you, because you're fair and because, although they're different than us, you've brought people who have loved us.’ So God is doing amazing things.”

Continue to pray for the safety of Gospel workers in Sudan and for the work the Holy Spirit is doing there. Header photo by Mohamed Zekry via Pexels

Lebanon faces renewed uncertainty as Israel strikes Beirut

Fri, 08 May 2026 05:00:42 -0400

Lebanon (MNN) -- Fallout from the Iran war continues as Israel hits Lebanon’s capital for the first time in weeks, killing a senior Hezbollah commander. Tit-for-tat strikes between Hezbollah and Israel have spared Beirut until now. Combat in southern Lebanon lingers despite an April 17 truce agreement. “Two nations have signed a ceasefire, but here we go again. The conflict continues,” Heart for Lebanon’s Camille Melki says.

“Though we have a ceasefire, we really don't have a cessation of fire. Every day, there has been death, there has been destruction.”

U.S. pushes for peace

Diplomacy runs parallel to ongoing violence. The United States confirmed yesterday that it will host new talks between Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors next week. “Lebanon and Israel, for the first time in decades of conflict, have agreed to sit face to face in negotiations, rather than have a third party mediate the negotiations back and forth,” Melki says. In past years, “it was always some third party that dragged us into a conflict. Before, it was the [Palestine Liberation Organization]. Now, it's Hezbollah. Previously, it was the Syrian regime that occupied our territory,” Melki says.

“Right now, the United States and the Lebanese people are seeing hope that, for the first time, the Lebanese government can speak for the citizens of Lebanon, and the Lebanese citizens can decide for themselves.”

Earlier this week, Lebanon’s parliament speaker said there could be no negotiations with Israel until fighting stops. Yet the U.S. continues to push for peace. Washington’s “best interest is to separate Lebanon from the control of the Iranian regime,” Melki says.

(Photo courtesy Heart for Lebanon)

Gospel hope and humanitarian help

Continued fighting in southern Lebanon means higher displacement and more people in need. Heart for Lebanon recently added 2,600 new families to its aid roster. Your gifts help the ministry meet increasing costs. Pray for believers distributing physical help and Gospel hope. “Prayer for wisdom, perseverance, for the ability to focus on what's more important,” Melki says. “What’s more important is that the Gospel is spread, the love of Jesus Christ is shared, and the message of encouragement is given alongside all the humanitarian aid that we provide.” Header and story images courtesy of Heart for Lebanon.

Retaliatory attacks in eastern Kenya have communities on edge

Fri, 08 May 2026 05:00:10 -0400

Kenya (MNN) — A series of attacks in communities along a key highway in Kenya have left families mourning and looking for justice. One incident in late April saw seven Christian farmers killed by Muslim Somali herdsmen in Kwa Kamari in Mwingi North, Kitui County. A few days later, gunmen also killed a local child. Residents in the Mwingi area responded by blockading the Garissa-Mwingi highway in protest, calling for justice against the suspected attackers. These are only two incidents in a string of retaliatory attacks where both Somalis and local residents have suffered loss or death. Government leaders say the escalating situation should be declared a national emergency.

City scene in Nairobi, Kenya (Photo courtesy of Nicholas Gray/Unsplash)

To Greg Kelley with Unknown Nations, the Church in majority-Christian Kenya has a clear mission. “There are all kinds of Christian churches — hundreds and hundreds of evangelical, amazing churches in Nairobi that really need to begin mobilizing and sending workers to the east," he says. Many Somali Muslims live in eastern Kenya, which borders Somalia. That neighboring country is where the Islamic terrorist group al-Shabaab is based. “All of the tensions in Kenya are happening along its eastern border (which is entirely with Somalia) and its northern border (which is with Ethiopia and Sudan). Those are the entire areas where the unreached people groups live in Kenya,” says Kelley. “These attacks and tensions that we're hearing are happening on the road that goes to Somalia. But now that it's creeping closer to Nairobi, all of a sudden people are starting to raise the alarm and having concern.” Pray for the Kenyan Church to rally on mission for Somali Muslims. Kelley says that this people group is less than 1 percent Christian. “Kenya has every opportunity to reach the Somali people inside of Kenya with the gospel of Jesus Christ,” says Kelley. “And what that will do is trigger a movement of Somalis who then go back to their country, taking the gospel with them.” Header photo of children in Mwingi, Kenya (Photo courtesy of Oscar Omondi via Unsplash).

India’s political scene changes, but gospel ministry does not

Thu, 07 May 2026 05:00:45 -0400

India (MNN) — The latest elections in India have brought the leading Hindu nationalist party back from a 2024 slump, with concerning implications for religious minorities across the country. Two years ago, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi lost its national majority. It had to form a coalition with other parties, called the National Democratic Alliance. But on May 4, 2026, the BJP claimed its first-ever victory in West Bengal State. The party now governs 18 of India’s 28 states — 21 states if we count the entire National Democratic Alliance’s reach.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing at the joint SCO-CSTO Outreach Summit on Afghanistan, through video conferencing, in New Delhi on September 17, 2021.
(Wikimedia Commons)

Duane Friesen with Voice of the Martyrs, Canada says the BJP’s growing influence raises many serious questions for India’s Christians. “If the Hindu nationalists continue to grow in their control over the country, will it cause some of the legal ramifications for the Christian community to be challenged? Will equal citizenship be lost even more than there already has been? I think that's a legitimate concern,” Friesen says. “The more that Modi has influenced, the more — it seems — that Hindu nationalism results in a direct confrontation with the Christian community.” In the past 12 years of Modi’s tenure as prime minister, anti-conversion laws have risen as a source of pressure for Christians. Since 2017, nine states have passed laws regulating religious conversion. These laws often land Christians in jail with charges that their words, prayers, church services, or more have enticed someone to convert to Christianity. (More on anti-conversion laws here.) Other pressures on Christians come from living in a Hindu-majority culture. For example, this week Friesen heard of believers whose community denied them the right to bury their dead. This is all too common in India. Friesen says Christians are preparing for more challenges ahead. Yet the call to share the gospel is not dictated by political realities.

(Photo courtesy of Voice of the Martyrs Canada)

“India is 1.4 billion people, with an opportunity for the gospel to expand,” he says. “I think we pray for our Christian brothers and sisters there, that in the midst of whatever challenges they are facing, God opens the door for them to see the next person come to understand the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.” Pray for strength, courage, and joy for India’s believers. “Whenever there's opposition, there is opportunity. I know that their heart has been to keep focused on the calling [of God] in their life. So let’s pray with them,” says Friesen. Header photo courtesy of Tom Chen via Unsplash.

Israeli believers help new immigrants start over

Thu, 07 May 2026 05:00:07 -0400

Israel (MNN) – Israel saw an increase in immigration last year from Western nations, including the United States, France, and the UK. There was, however, a sharp decrease in Jewish immigrants coming from Russia in 2025 following the surge prompted by the Ukraine war. Pastor Kostia Tsivin with Beit Hallel Congregation says several new arrivals today are immigrating to escape rising antisemitism in the West. When they get to Israel, many come with very little.

(Photo courtesy of Beit Hallel Congregation)

"Of course, it's a very difficult period of time because a lot of people left everything – houses, businesses, families," says Tsivin.

"They need to begin from the very beginning, from zero.... It's a different culture, it's a different country, everything is different."

Messianic believers at Beit Hallel Congregation are serving immigrants with food, clothing, and even bomb shelter supplies like mattresses and pillows. Tsivin says, "We help to organize and manage bomb shelters so that they will be more 'cozy' – if we can use such a word for a bomb shelter – because sometimes we have three or four sirens during the night. Of course, you just sleep in the bomb shelter because you can't go back and forth from your apartment to the bomb shelter. You just sleep there. So you need a lot of stuff there."

Relief supplies distributed by Beit Hallel Congregation. (Photo courtesy of Beit Hallel Congregation)

Although immigrants in Israel face many new challenges, Tsivin says they’re also hearing Gospel hope. "We have a lot of people, mothers with kids, and it's difficult for them to go to a shop because you never know when the siren will be and where you will hide.... So we try to help and provide them with food and help with this," he says.

"We just do whatever we can do right now...and of course, we encourage people. We pray for them. We encourage them with the Word of God."

You can support Gospel ministry with Beit Hallel Congregation at beithallel-israel.org. Header photo courtesy of Beit Hallel Congregation.

Graduates ready to share the Gospel with Native America

Thu, 07 May 2026 05:00:16 -0400

USA (MNN) – In the US, May brings a flurry of graduations and excitement for the future. Ron Hutchcraft with Hutchcraft Ministries says their students in the On Eagles’ Wings Leadership Center program share those high hopes. “There's excitement here. There is anticipation and there is a little apprehension, because they have been here at the Leadership Center since September. 245 hours of classroom that has covered everything from systematic theology to how to cook.”

Next Steps

In addition to comprehensive classroom instruction, students had the opportunity to live out their learning on a weekly basis with their student life directors. Then, in early spring, each student completed an internship with a trusted partner on a reservation. This field work gave students a taste of full-time Native ministry, from family life to planning and executing events. Hutchcraft says the internships serve as a launchpad for the next steps of these young leaders.

(Representative photo courtesy of McElspeth via Pixabay)

“Almost all of them – and very maybe all – either are have something set up. In one case, one of our young men has been accepted to go to Moody Bible Institute this fall. I don't think that would have happened, but for his year at the Leadership Center – that he would have even applied there.”

Hope for the Young

Students are encouraged to do additional education if they want to go into a ministry setting. However, some students already have jobs lined up from their internships. These young, God-loving students are a valuable resource for Native ministry. Many young people on reservations have never met a Native person their age who loves Jesus. “There are three words that very seldom go together: young, Native, Jesus-loving. There are young Natives, but they don't love Jesus. There are Natives who love Jesus, but they tend to be grandmas. To find a young, Native, Jesus-lover is very rare, and therefore very valuable. What's rare is valuable. There are a number of reservations – and we have contacts with a lot of them – that are desperate for somebody to come in and be a model of hope, who is the age of the most important people to reach the young people.”

Join the Work

Many of the graduating students are joining a summer ministry team that will visit six of the most unreached reservations in the country. Hutchcraft asks for prayer for this team. Please pray that God would provide enough sponsorships for the team to do their work.

(Representative photo courtesy of pedroivo via Pixabay)

Hutchcraft also asks for prayer for the students’ faith. The momentum they have right now is high and they are passionate about their work. “Pray for their courage to resist the tentacles of home and family that maybe are not sympathetic to their faith. There are a lot of things pulling at them, to other people who have a different kind of plan for their life. So pray for them to be able to continue with courage in their calling.” If you would like to support these students or ministry financially, visit Hopefornativeamerica.com. Representative header photo courtesy of M4tthew via Pixabay.

India’s ruling BJP party expands its political control

Wed, 06 May 2026 05:00:14 -0400

India (MNN) — India’s political landscape has shifted, with several concerning implications for religious minorities. Elections this week in four of India’s states and one territory have returned the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to dominance. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP leads a coalition of parties called the National Democratic Alliance. With the BJP’s landslide victory in West Bengal State this week, it now leads 18 of India’s 28 states. That’s nearly 80 percent of India’s population, according to a poll analysis by the TV network India Today. Add to that the fact that the NDA coalition (including the BJP) governs 21 of India’s 28 states, and you have a major political force. A man we’ll call Paul serves as a pastoral coach in support of work in India. According to Paul as well as other reports, the BJP’s campaigning in West Bengal was less than honorable. It involved the presence of many soldiers. “My friend who lives there [said], ‘It looks like there's a war taking place in West Bengal,’” says Paul. “They went 'all out' and did every unethical, immoral way to defeat [the incumbent chief minister]. And they won — a massive victory, 200-plus seats.” Irregularities included a voter list overhaul that removed some 2.7 million voters. A disproportionate number of those voters were Muslims. That’s according to an analysis from independent research organization SABAR Institute, based in Kolkata.

What’s next for India?

Several concerning realities may come from the BJP’s expanded reach.

Sonajhuri Haat Bolpur, West Bengal, India (Photo courtesy of Ratul Pal via Unsplash)

The first thing to expect comes from the party's record, says Paul. “Every state they [the BJP] captured, they immediately brought in this anti-conversion law,” he says. Anti-conversion laws can be framed as protections for religious freedom. But in practice, they are anything but. Such laws are currently present in at least 12 of India’s states. Then, on a national level, Paul believes the BJP will push to change India from a secular republic to a Hindu republic. “They were short one state, and now they won West Bengal. So we can expect that a constitutional amendment will be happening very soon,” he says. If these predictions come true, Christians and Muslims in India have testing times ahead. “Especially in terms of missions,” says Paul. “We’ll have to relook at how we do missions completely — probably have to go underground. It's already happening. Many churches are shut down in the states where these [leaders] have passed this anti-conversion law. Many churches have closed down.” These changes and challenges are no surprise to God. Please pray! “Pray that the Church will stay strong, united,” says Paul. Pray for wisdom for churches about complying with government regulations. “Pray for us [that] as a church and leadership will come together and come up with some more concrete plans and strategies to live out our faith in the midst of this context,” says Paul. Header photo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing at the joint SCO-CSTO Outreach Summit on Afghanistan, through video conferencing, in New Delhi on September 17, 2021. (Wikimedia Commons)

Turkish youth are “diamonds waiting to be polished”

Wed, 06 May 2026 05:00:03 -0400

Türkiye (MNN) — 92% of the Turkish public believes youth crime and violence are increasing. A recent school shooting in Kahramanmaraş that killed eight students and a teacher has intensified these fears. Turkish believers acknowledge the problem and are praying to be effective in reaching local youth.

Istanbul (photo courtesy of
ONUR KURT via Unsplash)

Patrick Anthony from FMI says teenagers often fall through the cracks of society. “They're oftentimes caught in between childhood and adulthood, and oftentimes they're kind of unseen, or invisible to the rest of the population,” Anthony says. Yet God places special value on young people. One FMI partner in Türkiye who works with youth shared, as quoted by Anthony:

“He likes to think of children in this teenage group as diamonds waiting to be polished,” Anthony adds.

Many teenagers are struggling with anxiety and depression, with some turning to smoking or alcohol at an early age to cope. Moreover, more than 2 million children in Türkiye are outside the formal education system, making them more vulnerable to exploitation and involvement in crime. “That can foster a desire in teens to seek significance in unhealthy places, which can lead to extreme behaviors,” says Anthony. Hopelessness is especially prevalent in economically strained areas. Many teenagers and young adults are also wrestling with deep questions about the meaning of life and their future.

"They're diamonds waiting to be polished"; diamond (photo courtesy of Long Truong via Unsplash)

“The invisibility and the oftentimes the lack of attention and care can really exacerbate these kinds of problems,” he adds. One solution, Anthony says, is to reconsider how the church views its youth, while also fostering healthy relationships between mature believers and teens. “That can really help a teen find their place and feel like they do belong,” Anthony says. Pray that Turkish churches respond to the hopelessness of local youth with practical Gospel hope. “Pray for creative solutions and building bridges to teens,” Anthony says. Visit FMI to learn about the ways their empower indigenous church planters. Pray also for an FMI partner in Türkiye who leads a children’s outreach ministry in his community. He organizes summer camps and plans to host four camps for kids this year. Pray for the team’s protection and for transformed lives among the children. Header photo: Young men standing in Istanbul, Türkiye (Photo courtesy of Ibrahim Guetar via Unsplash).

New program tackles sign language Bible translation bottleneck

Wed, 06 May 2026 05:00:59 -0400

International (MNN) -- A new program is helping Deaf leaders become Bible translation consultants faster. DOOR International’s Rob Myers says sign language Scripture is severely lacking worldwide. “Out of over 300 sign languages, a vast number of them don’t even have a Bible translation started,” he explains. Groups like DOOR recruit and train Deaf Christians to translate God’s Word. Learn more here. However, the lack of Scripture creates a significant challenge.

(Photo courtesy DOOR International)

“In most Deaf communities, Deaf leaders lack a background in the Bible because they haven’t been able to access it. These Deaf communities have been lacking the Gospel for millennia,” Myers says.

“You may have a few Christians, but because they don’t have access to the Bible, they struggle in having a deep walk with Christ.”

Why consultants matter

Translation consultants help Bible translation teams understand Scripture’s original meaning and context and determine how “to translate it in a way that’s natural for their communities,” Myers says. “It’s a very specialized field, but it’s critically important to help make sure that Bible translation is done in an accurate way,” he continues. “Translation consultants [ensure] communities get God’s Word in totality, in an accurate format, so churches can then take it and use it for everything they need, including sharing the Gospel, making disciples, and planting churches.”

The lengthy training process means Deaf consultants are rare.

Equipping a Deaf leader to serve as a translation consultant can take seven years or more. “One of the critical bottleneck pieces [in sign language Bible translation] is a lack of access to translation consultants,” Myers says.

(Photo courtesy DOOR International)

CEDAR sets new pace

DOOR’s CEDAR Institute – Consultant Empowerment Development And Resources – expedites the training process for Deaf leaders. “The approach that we’re taking is called competency-based training,” Myers says. “Typically, when a person is recruited as a translation consultant, they’ve already had a lot of experience in Bible translation. So, rather than coming in cold, they come in with a lot of background,” he continues. “That extensive background allows this program to target areas that are critical for a translation consultant. [This approach] has allowed us to reduce that (training) time from 7+ years to a three-year process.” DOOR needs your help to keep the CEDAR Institute going. Connect with DOOR International here. “The very first step is to pray. Pray that God would raise up (Deaf) men and women to fill these roles so that more Bible translation can happen,” Myers asks. “We would also ask that you consider coming alongside us financially to see more Deaf translation consultants trained and deployed into the field.” Header and story images courtesy DOOR International.

Proposed National Christian Welfare Board is not what it seems

Tue, 05 May 2026 05:00:32 -0400

India (MNN) — A proposed National Christian Welfare Board in India may sound helpful at first glance, especially in a country where Christians make up an estimated 2.3% of the population according to the last census. But a new bill put forward in April 2026 has many believers concerned. They fear it’s another attempt at government control. “What has so far kind of leaked out that this welfare board is to address community issues: marriage, funeral rights, interfaith marriage issues, things like that,” says John Pudaite of Bibles For The World. The issues Pudaite names are all legitimate challenges that Christians face within India. “But since it [the bill] is linked to the FCRA amendment bill, it just raises a lot of question and caution as we give this some thought here,” he adds. The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) governs how non-governmental organizations can receive foreign money. A 2026 amendment bill for that act was tabled earlier this year after significant protests. If passed, it would have allowed the government to seize the assets of any NGO that lost its FCRA license. (Read our report here on why the FCRA amendment would be deeply concerning for Christian NGOs.)

Bibles For The World works in areas where there is restricted access to God’s Word, where copies are scarce or among peoples where Christianity is beginning to take root — such as Nepal, Cambodia, areas of India, and other Asian and SE Asian nations. (Photo, caption courtesy of Bibles For The World)

Yes, it’s complicated. But here’s the connection between the two bills: According to a report from Christian Today, the National Christian Welfare Board could potentially be the “Designated Authority” that the FCRA amendment would assign to handle any seized NGO assets. “Whoever is in power is going to just stack that board with people that are sympathetic to their political position,” says Pudaite. The good news is that the proposal for a National Christian Welfare Board is only a proposal. However, it’s yet another potential tool in the Indian government's already wide arsenal. Christians are staying vigilant and speaking out. “I know that [a lot of] the Christians will join hands with some of the other minorities in India and begin working to try to get this removed," says Pudaite. Please pray that God will open the eyes of those opposing the Body of Christ. Pray also for the faithful witness of Christians, that they will reach many with the hope of Christ. In the challenges, they are not waiting for easier times. Pudaite says that Bibles For The World recently printed 500,000 copies of the Gospel of John in nearly a dozen languages for distribution across the country. “We just continue to see amazing growth and amazing — what would I say? — passion to share the gospel,” Pudaite says. Header photo: Woman in Bengalaru, India (Stock photo courtesy of Marie Couffon de Trevros via Unsplash)

Hormuz becomes a pressure point; U.S.-Iran dialogue falters

Tue, 05 May 2026 05:00:25 -0400

Iran (MNN) -- Tensions are once again centered on the Strait of Hormuz as U.S.-Iran peace talks falter. After rejecting Iran’s latest proposal on Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump launched "Project Freedom” to guide stranded commercial ships through the strait. Leaders in Tehran call the plan a ceasefire violation and threaten military action. Is Tehran bluffing? Iran’s missile and drone attacks yesterday on the United Arab Emirates, a key U.S. ally, suggest otherwise. Still, Iran’s messaging, particularly toward the West, is not always straightforward. “There's some very clear directives in the Quran in how you are to deal with infidels,” Lana Silk of Transform Iran says.

“Being duplicitous, lying – these are not just allowed, but encouraged, to get your objectives in line with your religious ideologies.”

Citing the U.S. political calendar, Silk says Tehran’s bluster could be for show while Tehran is “playing the long game” with Washington behind the scenes. “Trump is out of time; in a few years, there's going to be a new president,” she explains. “So, there has to be a sense in the Iranian regime of 'Well, if we just wait this out, then things will be back to normal.'”

(Graphic courtesy Transform Iran)

Life in Iran

As events unfold in the Strait of Hormuz, one reality remains in Iran: life is getting more difficult for ordinary people as the war drags on. People are still buying bread, going to markets, and trying to work. Yet the combination of soaring prices, damaged hospitals, a long internet blackout, fear of renewed strikes, and political repression is making life much harder. “A lot of what we're seeing is a physical expression of what is happening in the spiritual domain,” Silk says. “The Iran situation is an extremely powerful demonic stronghold, and all that's been happening over the last few months has been an escalation of the war between light and darkness,” she continues.

“Our enemy, the devil, does not want to lose a stronghold; he has been very successful in reaping destruction and death coming out of Iran.”

How to help

Pray Matthew 4:16 over the people of Iran:

“The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.”

Consider partnering with Transform Iran to send urgent relief aid to Iranian Christians. Recent pastoral visits combined encouragement, prayer, and simple, practical help.

Iranian Christians helping people in need.
(This photo is AI-generated by ChatGPT)

Several families who were worried about jobs and injuries told Gospel workers that the Lord had given them fresh peace as they kept praying and fixing their eyes on Jesus. Food package deliveries moved many to tears as Iranians spoke of answered prayers and the clear reminder that God hadn't forgotten them. “As Christians, we need to be wise. We need to discern what is happening in the Spirit and get our prayer muscles working, really engaging in the spiritual fight,” Silk says. “We've been told in Ephesians that we are extremely powerful players in this spiritual war, and God has equipped us and given us weapons of warfare… As we unite in prayer, I believe we will see a breakthrough.” Header image is a representative stock photo courtesy of Hisham Zayadneh/Pexels.

Does a good God exist? Supporting Iranian children’s biggest questions

Tue, 05 May 2026 05:00:58 -0400

Iran (MNN) — As Iran faces ongoing crisis, many children are searching for identity and questioning the existence of God. The ministry is preparing to come alongside them. Iranian children are often forced to grow up quickly amid the country’s ongoing turmoil and war. As the crisis deepens, so do their questions: Does a good God exist? And if He does, why do my parents or neighbors suffer? Keys for Kids Ministries is preparing to enter Iran to walk alongside these children, says Greg Yoder. “Children are always looking for some kind of spiritual truth. They want to have an understanding of who God is,” Yoder says.

Boy runs in Mashhad, Iran (photo courtesy of Mohamadjavad Yavarinaman via Unsplash)

Keys for Kids stories are designed to help children wrestle with these questions in their own language. A team on the ground works to ensure each story connects with everyday life. “They're taking these stories and updating them, contextualizing them to their culture,” Yoder says. Stories that originally include Western references are adapted to reflect Iranian experiences — often using Farsi terms of endearment, play, and even cuisine. Every detail is intentional. Yoder says everything is done with the goal “that the Holy Spirit will speak in and through these stories to draw individuals to Himself.” The ministry asks for prayer that the country would open up. Pray also for more voices within Iran — people who love Jesus and want their nation to find lasting hope, especially among children. “We only want to equip them with the resources they need,” explains Yoder. Pray for Iran’s freedom and future, shaped by its children. Pray also for the Keys for Kids Ministries as they prepare to serve the nation. Learn how they are already reaching Afghan children — here. Questions often arise about how God works in times of crisis, but Yoder points to an encouraging truth:

“God works miraculously in ways we can’t fully comprehend or imagine, and we believe that’s happening in Iran as well.”

Header photo: Boys standing outside (Photo courtesy of Rehman Yousaf via Pexels).

Wells bring hope as Kenyans grapple with drought

Mon, 04 May 2026 05:00:36 -0400

Kenya (MNN) — Below-average rainfall in Kenya in October-December 2025 and again March-May 2026 has led to another drought affecting millions. It has called up memories of the 2020-2023 drought in the Horn of Africa.

(Photo courtesy of Kenya Hope)

Bryan Haley with Kenya Hope points to climate change: “Even this last season of drought that we're just coming out of was more severe than it would have been had they missed their short rain season a decade or two ago.” No surprises: drought brings livestock losses, crop failure, hunger, and worse. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification projects that between April and June, 3.7 million Kenyans in the country’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) will face crisis levels (or higher) of acute food insecurity. Already, 3.3 million people are in this stage of emergency. Kenya Hope has already stepped into the crisis with practical, long-term help. Haley explains that one of the first things they do when they enter a community is drill a borehole well. They currently serve 17 distinct communities in Kenya. One woman recently told Haley she hadn’t recognized the effects of the water her family collected from local rivers and dams. “They didn't realize how sick their kids were — waterborne illnesses like diarrhea and all of these different things,” says Haley. “But as soon as they had clean, safe drinking water, those health issues were erased.” As part of Kenya Hope’s long-term maintenance of each well, local families contribute to a small fund to support the well's upkeep. “So their community is actively engaged in providing for the services to keep it ongoing and to keep it accessible for their entire community, which is really just a beautiful thing to see people participate in,” says Haley.

One particular community has always used this river as its source of water. They have never known anything different. Today, this community now has clean, clear water!
(Photo courtesy of Kenya Hope)

A well is more than just water. “It's an automatic level of trust that you're earning when people are just not sick anymore because of something simple, like water,” Haley explains.

“Clean water really opens the door to education, food security, dignity for widows, and increasing income. And that all leads [to] or is the chance to share the hope of the gospel or living water.”

Would you prayerfully consider supporting Kenya Hope’s future well projects? Visit kenyahope.org to learn more. “When someone helps fund a well in Kenya, they’re not just giving water, but they are giving children a safer childhood and a healthier future,” says Haley. “It really impacts an entire community with just a few dollars.”

Kenya: Acute Food Insecurity Situation for January - March 2026 (left) and Projection for April - June 2026 (right). (Map courtesy of IPC)

Header photo courtesy of Kenya Hope.

What Country of Particular Concern status could mean for persecuted Christians in Pakistan

Mon, 04 May 2026 05:00:57 -0400

Pakistan (MNN) — The persecution of believers in Pakistan continues to escalate, highlighting the urgent need for an international response. A recent annual report from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom calls for Pakistan to be redesignated as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC). Pakistan has been designated a CPC status since 2018, with continued listings in recent years as persecution cases rise.

Reasons for the listing

Extremist groups have pushed boundaries with increasing boldness, targeting not only places of worship but entire communities. Some pastors, like Kamran Salamat, have paid with their lives so their people could hear the hope of the Gospel. Greg Kelley of Unknown Nations says: “They [extremists] will attack churches. They will go after families. And so there's tremendous adversity that the Christian church deals with inside of Pakistan.”

Protest against forced conversion of Christian girls in Pakistan (photo courtesy of Banksboomer via Wikimedia Commons)

One of the most alarming patterns involves forced marriages. Christian girls — some as young as 12 — are kidnapped, forcibly converted, and married. Families often receive little more than official notice that their daughter is now considered a Muslim wife, with courts offering little recourse. However there is more. “There's an aspect of vigilante justice that takes place,” adds Kelley. Mob violence adds another layer of danger, especially when Christians are accused or when conversions draw attention from influential figures.

How CPC listing might help

Kelley says international pressure could help shift the situation: “I think any international pressure, particularly from the U.S., can bring about change.” At the same time, there are signs of internal resistance. Many moderate Muslims reject these extremes, and local believers are increasingly speaking out — drawing growing international attention. “We can stand with our brothers and sisters as they boldly stand up to the majority Muslim leadership in Pakistan,” adds Kelley. Ultimately, lasting change may depend on the strength and resilience of the Church itself.

“The stronger the Church is, the more influence it will have,” says Kelley.

Global intercession remains a critical way to support believers facing persecution in Pakistan. Spread awareness about the persecution facing believers in Pakistan so more people can stand in prayer. Pray that Pakistan is included on the 2026 CPC list and that international pressure is used to protect religious minorities. Visit Unknown Nations to learn how they partner with indigenous missionaries to bring the Bible to barrier-ridden people groups. Header photo: Christians demonstration in Pakistan (photo courtesy of Voice of America via Wikimedia Commons).

God changes hearts using struggles to sanctify

Mon, 04 May 2026 05:00:50 -0400

USA (MNN) — God can use addiction and suffering to point us to Himself. Brandon Bower with the Biblical Life Recovery Center, “The Lighthouse,” says that God uses suffering to sanctify us and set us apart for His glory.

“God uses our struggles to grow us, not to punish us,” Bower says.

In the context of addiction, Bower says that is why the struggle is continual. “Scripture tells us that we all have sins that so easily beset us," Bower says. “We all struggle with different sins. Some of us, it's eating, some of us it's things like pornography or addiction, but we all have that one sin that we go back to for comfort, for satisfaction, for meaning.” Addiction is just one of many sins, but because of the effects of drugs and chemical reactions in the body, it can cause different reactions, and people can develop dependence on them, making addiction so difficult to overcome. While our sins are a lifelong struggle, there is value in learning to deal with them by turning to God rather than to sin and by bringing others into the healing process rather than isolating ourselves. Bower says it’s a question of who we are going to worship.

“Are we worshiping ourselves? Our own satisfaction?” Bower asks. “Or are we worshiping the God who created us and loves us and has our best interests in mind?”

God does not approve of sin, but He has the power to use it to guide, direct, and grow us. “I think some people see suffering as a sin,” Bower says. “They see it as that I'm not strong enough, or if I grow more spiritually, I won't struggle, or God must be disappointed in me, or victory means I will never struggle again. And I think we need to reset our focus, that struggle doesn't mean you're not growing in victory. Often it looks like a continual fight of faith.” The Lighthouse residential program can last from 30 days up to 2 years, depending on the needs of each of the men. There, Bower says, residents learn Bible literacy, and that temptation isn’t sin. Sin is giving in to temptation. Beginning with the gospel, men in the program learn that “We are all low-down, dirty-dog sinners, but God loves us, and He created a cosmic plan to rescue our souls by sending His Son Jesus to earth to live a perfect life and to die a painful death. In exchange, He gives us His righteousness and takes our sins, and that's the greatest gift that we can ever receive.” Diving into deeper theological questions, the program addresses things like temptation, lust, idols, and that God allows these struggles.

“He allows struggles to expose idols, to be able to direct our hearts, to point them towards Him,” Bower says.

The ministry does evangelistic and discipleship work, introducing residents to Jesus and sharing the love of the Father with them. Post-program, the ministry continues to stay in touch with these men, continuing to point them in the right direction.

“The love of God radically changes hearts, and that's what we're seeking to do,” Bower says. “We're seeking to introduce people to Jesus, who is Love, who is Transformation, and then, as we're doing that, building in spiritual disciplines and encouraging and equipping them to live life in a proper, God-honoring way, that glorifies Him.”

To learn more about the Lighthouse or if you know someone interested in the program, reach out via phone or email. Bower says people can also share the information via social media so that people can hear the hope of the gospel that's happening at The Lighthouse. Please pray that the people who need this discipleship will be connected with The Lighthouse’s services and that they will receive the love of Christ in a way that makes a tangible difference in their lives. Representative photo of a man praying over his Bible (photo courtesy of Malachi Cowie via Unsplash)

Flares of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah strain fragile ceasefire

Fri, 01 May 2026 05:00:37 -0400

Israel (MNN) – A fragile ceasefire is at risk. The U.S.-brokered deal is two weeks into a six-week ceasefire. The deal still allows Israel to act in self-defense, and Hezbollah did not participate in the agreement. Flares of fighting continued this week, with Hezbollah drone attacks and Israeli strikes along the border.

Eric Mock with the Slavic Gospel Association (SGA) says, “People in northern Israel are constantly in fear. Some are not able to go to jobs, maybe some of the jobs have stopped, and they're in great need.”

(Photo courtesy of SGA)

Amid the uncertainty, SGA supports Russian-speaking churches in Israel that are encouraging people with tangible aid and Jesus' love.

“About 20% of the population of Israel are Russian-speaking and Russian-speaking immigrants," says Mock. "We work with a network of Russian-speaking Bible-teaching churches who are reaching their own. These are Russian-speaking immigrants, primarily from Ukraine and Russia.... Imagine a people that are even today considered somewhat Samaritans, and they are faithfully ministering with the Gospel.”

Mock says ministry efforts offer tangible relief and Gospel hope. “In these difficult times, people are looking for answers. SGA has been able to...support these faithful servants and their churches [with] resources for taking food to those people who are displaced, who are struggling in the middle of the rocket fire in the north.”

(Photo courtesy of SGA)

Through SGA’s Israel Relief fund, local pastors receive support to continue their work.

“By supporting this, you're not just handing food to people," says Mock. "These people are hearing the Gospel. These people are hearing a message of hope that will be unshakable.”

Header photo: Israel-Lebanon border. (Photo courtesy of Eternalsleeper | Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9439853)

Three years later, Manipur State still without peace

Fri, 01 May 2026 05:00:31 -0400

India (MNN) — Christians in India’s Manipur State need your prayers for wisdom as peacemakers in a deeply complex conflict. May 3, 2026, marks three years since ethnic violence erupted between the Hindu Meitei majority and the mainly Christian Kuki-Zo tribal people. In the first few days, dozens of people were killed, and hundreds of homes and houses of worship were destroyed. Today, it is estimated that 260 people have died and over 60,000 have been displaced in the conflict. (More on the reasons behind the conflict here.) For three years, Manipur has remained divided, with ongoing unrest. “This is something that we've been right in the thick of, as we have a large mission base in the southern part of Manipur state,” says John Pudaite with Bibles For The World.

Manipur church, c. 2023 (Photo courtesy of Bibles For The World)

Buffer zones between villages and even a year of tight central government control (called President's Rule) have not brought lasting peace. “They have installed sort of a caretaker government right now, and they're trying to continue to police these areas,” says Pudaite, “but we're seeing already some attacks, incidents of violence, against the tribals happening at some of these flashpoints at these buffer zone areas.” Attacks happen on both sides. A bombing on April 7, 2026, killed two Meitei children. Kuki-Zo militants deny responsibility, but the incident sparked new protests and clashes with police. Despite the long instability, Pudaite says, “God is good, and His people are extremely resilient. We have not seen any of the churches in the area whose faith is shaken. Rather, it's been strengthened.” Pudaite also shares the incredible news that the southern part of Manipur is "completely evangelized.” Ask God to help believers in Manipur State spread the gospel and build true peace in this conflict. Header photo: Aid distribution in Manipur villages in late 2023. (Photo courtesy of Bibles For The World)

Bibles reach people in the right places, at the right times

Fri, 01 May 2026 05:00:48 -0400

China (MNN) — Over the past six years, ministry in China has changed and become more difficult. However, Kurt Rovenstine with Bibles for China says that despite this, seekers are still receiving Scripture. The only thing changing is who does the boots-on-the-ground Bible distribution.

“It's more difficult than it used to be in terms of the details and getting that all set up, the funds in, and the Bibles purchased and delivered, but it's still effective, and the product and resources are still there, and the opportunity still exists,” he said.

Not only are people getting scripture, but lives are being changed. For example, Rovenstine recently attended a Bible forum where different organizations shared stories about the efficacy of spreading the Word. One of these organizations shared the story about one of their current gospel workers in the Muslim world. About 40 years ago, this man’s father had been a seafarer and received a Bible at a port in New Orleans. This Muslim seafarer was grateful for the gift, but tucked it away and took it home and neglected it, Rovenstine said.

(Image courtesy of Bibles for China)

Years later, his son found the Bible, and it became the pathway to faith in Jesus for him. Over time, this man came to faith and was able to connect with Christians, creating content online.

“It was an encouragement to know that the Word of God, at the right place, at the right time, can make a difference,” Rovenstine said.

One of Bibles for China’s ministries is to provide Bibles to chaplains who reach out to the Seafarer community. And they have a New Testament that is specifically designed in English and Mandarin to give to Chinese seafarers that chaplains distribute at ports all over the world. Rovenstine says, “We are approaching another printing of that particular piece, and we'd love to have help in that process.” “The process is still moving forward.” Rovenstine says, “We're placing Bibles through networks that we've created and partnerships that we've created in China. Bibles are printed in China under the press. The oversight there is impeccable, and the scriptures have integrity. They're not altered. They're not changed. We help to purchase those Bibles and get them to locations where people may not have the opportunity to have a Bible (otherwise).” The work of chaplains at these seaports is difficult, Rovenstine says. Often, it feels like the work does not make a difference, but now and then a conversation or a Bible placed in someone's hands really does. Please pray that Bible distributors will be encouraged and that chaplains reaching out to seafarers will have appropriate responses for those with difficult lives. Pray for those who receive the Word that they're drawn to it, that they read it and respond to the truth, that they find God and engage with Him. Header image courtesy of Bibles for China

Insurgent groups join forces to seize key Mali city

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 05:00:39 -0400

Mali (MNN) – Kidal, a strategic city in northern Mali, has been captured by radical fighters, and the country’s defense minister has been killed. Several other key cities were also targeted in the coordinated assaults. Mali Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maiga is encouraging citizens "not to give in to panic." The attackers were al-Qaeda-linked Islamists and Tuareg separatists – two distinct groups united in their goal to destabilize the government.

Flag of Mali (Stock photo courtesy of Aboodi Vesakaran via Pexels)

Todd Nettleton with The Voice of the Martyrs USA (VOM) says, “That's what we saw over the weekend was coordinated attacks between these two groups in four different parts of Mali all at the same time, including an assassination of the defense minister. So a very significant, very coordinated effort that really shows the level of cooperation between these two groups has grown significantly.”

Mali is roughly 95% Muslim, and extremist factions there want to set up an Islamic caliphate. Meanwhile, Tuareg separatists have a different objective. "The Tuareg is a nomadic tribal group, [and] there are many Tuareg in the country of Mali," Nettleton explains. "They want a separate area. They want a...Tuareg nation, so they are fighting to carve out part of Mali to be independent." Though their end goals differ, the two groups have joined forces – proof that “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.” Together, they are driving a wave of chaos and fear across Mali. Although Mali's national military is responding, civilians and minorities will likely be caught in the crosshairs.

Pray for Mali. (Photo courtesy of VOM USA)

According to the 2026 World Watch List, Mali ranks 15th among the worst countries for Christian persecution. Primary persecution threats come from Islamic oppression, organized corruption, and crime.

“Christians are only 3% of the population in Mali, so they are a small minority. They face pressure. Often, the first line of persecution is your own family members if you are a follower of Christ, if you leave Islam to follow Jesus," says Nettleton.

"So [be] praying for them to stand strong in faith, praying for God's protection over them. I think we also want to pray for some stability in Mali not only because it's affecting Christians in Mali. It's affecting Christians in Burkina Faso and Niger as well. [Pray] for some pathway to a stable government and a stable nation that would certainly be a blessing to Christians there, as well as to Muslims who would like to live in safety as well.” Find more ways to support Christians in Mali at persecution.com. Header image by Peggy und Marco Lachmann-Anke from Pixabay.

Bill submitted to Indian parliament could further complicate FCRA-rejected organizations

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 05:00:23 -0400

India (MNN)—Christian organizations in India already impacted by changes to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) may face a new challenge, in the form of a bill sent to the Indian parliament at the end of March.

Proponents of the amendment say its purpose is to ensure foreign money is not misused to fund activities detrimental to national interest. However, John Pudaite of Bibles For The World states it would allow the Indian government to take control of assets from organizations that have had their FCRA registration canceled or suspended.

“The government could basically confiscate all assets you have were created with foreign contribution,” says Pudaite. “So an organization that had planted and built a number of churches, even if it was 20, 30 years ago—all of those churches could be confiscated if they were under scrutiny by the government.”

According to recent counts, approximately 22,700 organizations have lost their FCRA registration, and thousands are under suspension pending further investigation by the government. This bill would still apply even to assets surrendered by organizations outside of the country to their partner organizations within the country.

“It talks about the government being able to establish a designated authority there—that's the words of the bill—that will take possession of those assets,” explains Pudaite. “So let's say there's a ministry that has a mission hospital, half a dozen schools, and 30 churches, and their FCRA has been suspended or canceled. The government, through its designated authority, can essentially take control of all of those properties if they if they have been created with even any percentage from foreign contributions.”

The bill did pass in the cabinet and went to the parliament floor—however, it received pushback and has been retracted. It’s expected to be resubmitted at a later parliament session.

“But that's the type of thing that's happening behind the scenes,” says Pudaite. “They're trying to take over all the property of the church and of Christian ministries in India.”

Pray lawmakers in the Indian parliament would act in the best interests of fairness and religious freedom, and pray on behalf of Christian ministries within the country.

Header photo is a representative stock image courtesy of Zoshua Colah via Unsplash.

Words of hope that saved an inmate’s life

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 05:00:22 -0400

United States (MNN) — Hopelessness can lead to terrible choices in any person’s life. But for prison inmates, it carries a particular weight. Dee Peterson is the director of discipleship at Prisoners For Christ. She believes that some of the strongest emotions surrounding incarceration have to do with forgiveness: Some inmates feel there is none left for them. “When the human soul is feeling that they can never be different, they cannot be restored, that who they are at that moment, that that's it, that is how they will always feel, that’s who they will always be… That is just a dire hopelessness,” she says.

(Stock photo courtesy of Harry Shelton via Unsplash)

According to the United States Department of Justice, the number of suicides in state and federal prisons increased 83 percent between 2001 and 2019, totaling 4,500 people. Each one of those men and women could have found life in Jesus — the only way to truly reckon with their pasts and face their futures with hope. Prisoners For Christ enters this battle for hope not only with in-person ministry to inmates. The staff and volunteers in their literature department mail out more than 4,000 Bibles and biblical resources to reach prisoners each month. It’s work that’s worth the fight. One inmate wrote back to PFC saying he had decided to end his own life but then had picked up one of their special-edition Bibles. “I wanted to see what the Bible says about suicide,” he later wrote to PFC. “I couldn't find anything, so I started just flipping through the pages. I stopped at the addiction and trauma section, and my attention was directed toward the end of it, where it said, ‘No matter how unloved and worthless you feel, God loves you and values you highly. God has good plans for your restoration. God has the power to transform any life. I am rooting for you. Blessings, Sister Dee.’ “Sister Dee and Prisoners For Christ were used by God today to save my life,” he wrote. “Talk about impact,” Peterson says. “We were blown away by it and encouraged and just so grateful to God that He uses our ministry.” If you know a prisoner, connect with PFC today. Prison chaplains or family members of inmates can request biblical materials to be sent to their loved ones. These resources include booklets, books, devotionals, Bibles, Bible studies, and even a special newspaper called Yard Out, created by inmates for inmates.

(Image courtesy of Prisoners for Christ)

If you want to help more inmates find hope in Christ, consider financially standing with Prisoners For Christ to cover the cost of postage and new biblical resources. “[Prison ministry] transforms people at their lowest point in life. To be a part of that is a huge privilege, and it’s important,” says Peterson. “And that's not just one life. That has the potential to affect generations of families. That's a mom or dad who leaves prison or jail a changed person.” Learn more about PFC’s work in the United States and around the world here. “We know that the Lord is working. We can't even fathom everything that He is doing, but we know He is good and He transforms lives,” says Peterson. “No one is beyond that forgiveness and redemption. No one.” Header photo courtesy of Hasan Almasi via Unsplash.

Iraq caught between Western pressure and Iranian-backed militias

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 05:00:31 -0400

Iraq (MNN) -- Iraq feels the heat from the West as Iran gives field commanders free rein. Iran recently allowed militia groups to carry out operations, including those targeting the U.S., without first getting permission from Tehran. The U.S. is pressuring Iraq to keep Iran’s proxies in check. “At least [the] Iraqi central government is a little bit stronger in order to fight some of these things,” Samuel* of Redemptive Stories says.

“But I hear [from sources] on the ground, it's getting closer and closer to another internal armed conflict within Iraq.”

Proxy war

Late last month, Arab neighbors sent Iraq’s government a similar warning: Get control over Iran’s proxies.

(AI-generated by ChatGPT)

“There are PMF factions within Iraq sending small arms forces into the Gulf states, and even into Jordan, on behalf of Iran,” Samuel says. “That benefits them (Iran) in pressuring the Gulf states, and in particular Jordan, while somehow maintaining ‘plausible deniability’ under international law, similar to the model being used in Lebanon and Yemen.” Analysts say Iran builds a shield around itself by attacking the U.S. and its allies through proxies. At the same time, it leaves countries like Iraq footing the cost. “The Iraqi government continues to want Arab normalization with the rest of the nations around it, but it struggles because of the internal factions like the PMF that answer to Tehran, instead of being connected with Baghdad,” Samuel says.

How to help

Iraq’s religious minorities are not immune to the fallout of war. “The civilian and humanitarian costs of this instability are real, but they're also largely invisible right now, given all that's going on around it,” Samuel says. “We’re hearing from brothers and sisters in Erbil that some of their church buildings have been damaged. You hear of Kurds feeling caught between everybody…they just feel like pawns in the middle of everyone's chess game.” Pray for Iraqi Christians as they serve the Lord amid escalating tensions.

(AI-generated by ChatGPT)

“As the conflict deepens, we're seeing believers open their homes, their churches, their networks, to displaced families. Regardless of religion or ethnicity, it is the Church that will continue to stand in this gap to care for [its] neighbor,” Samuel says.

“It's this time when followers of Jesus move towards the suffering rather than away from it.”

Pray also for the Lord’s will to be done in Iraq. “We need to continue to pray for peace, that there would be a strong enough government to squelch the PMF and other forces that are attacking the neighboring nations, and that there would be a push out of Iranian influence,” Samuel says. *Pseudonym Header and story images are AI-generated by ChatGPT.

Children watch and learn how to respond to trauma in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 05:00:47 -0400

Lebanon (MNN) — Nearly 400,000 children in Lebanon have been displaced since Hezbollah resumed firing on Israel on March 2. As the "ceasefire" between Lebanon and Israel continues with strikes between Israel and Hezbollah, that number can only grow. Many kids are traumatized by the sights and sounds of war. Yet they often take their cues from their parents on how to respond, says Pierre Houssney with Horizons International. Depending on their background, the influence of a child’s parents can be an anchor or an added push toward fearful responses. Houssney explains that many in his generation grew up in Lebanon’s civil war and carry trauma. “Their hands will shake, and their breathing will change, and you'll see them visibly experience fear whenever there are sounds of war going on around them,” he says. “And kids are uniquely gifted in picking up on those things.”

Tripoli, Lebanon (Photo courtesy of Rudy Issa via Unsplash)

In contrast, Houssney didn’t grow up in Lebanon during the civil war and doesn’t carry those same marks. These days, he and his children hear airstrikes, drones, and sonic booms near their home in Lebanon. “They're aware of what's going on. They understand the seriousness of it, but at the same time, they are not showing signs of being traumatized or too fearful about it,” he says. It’s a gift from God that he knows could easily change. “If we lived in a different location that was closer to where airstrikes were happening, it could be a totally different situation,” he adds. “There are people who have had strikes in their building or strikes in their neighborhood, and had the dust of air strikes come down and settle on them, and they're breathing it, and they're seeing the people running and screaming and things like that. It's a very, very difficult situation.” Please pray for children in Lebanon to find the true source of strength.

“We are simply trying to do our best to help other people in this situation, through the trauma, through the physical needs and the spiritual needs,” says Houssney.

“Be praying for spiritual renewal, for repentance, for connection with God, that God's healing would go out throughout the region.”

Pray also that world leaders would take steps to build peace across the world, “because if no world powers intervene when these wars are happening, then they're just going to continue happening,” says Houssney. Header photo courtesy of Horizons International.

World Missionary Press publishes new booklet offering hope

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 05:00:27 -0400

International (MNN)—For anyone who is struggling, World Missionary Press has recently released a new scripture-filled booklet, The Power of Hope. This booklet, created in-house by the organization, has been three to four years in the making. Originally intended for those facing persecution and other severely difficult situations, the booklet grew over time to a message of hope to anyone in need

“I really believe this is one we're going to be able to provide for a lot of people,” says Helen Williams. “In here, [the author] says, ‘Hopelessness is a universal problem.’”

The booklet covers a variety of topics and does not need to be read cover-to-cover. Readers can easily consult the table of contents and choose a section based on their current need. Ultimately, Williams notes, the booklet points not to an earthly hope, but to an eternal one.

“God is the God of hope, and he wants us to abound in hope.”

The booklet is currently available in English, and World Missionary Press is working to finish a Spanish translation within the next few months. They’ve also sent copies to each of their national coordinators and are waiting on requests for other translations.

"We did an initial printing, and that's gone very quickly," says Williams. "So we are doing a major printing, again, and when that's available, then we'll have a lot of inventory."

Those interested can request a copy at wmpress.org/order/ or read it online at wmpress.org/read-booklet/.

You can also help cover the costs of printing this booklet by partnering with World Missionary Press. Learn more at wmpress.org/give/.

Header photo courtesy of World Missionary Press.

Iran’s human rights record faces scrutiny after UN appointment

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 05:00:43 -0400

Iran (MNN) -- Human rights observers say Iran has been killing more protesters since the war began in late February. Executions have taken place nearly every week since mid-March. In the last month, 16 men – eight political prisoners and eight protesters – have been hanged in Iran. At the same time, a 54-nation UN panel chose the Islamic Republic to oversee a committee that shapes human rights policy. The United States was the only member nation to object to several selections, including Iran’s.

(Photo courtesy Transform Iran)

“It's just so obviously ridiculous,” Lana Silk of Transform Iran says.

“On what level does this make sense?: A country that is one of the world's worst perpetrators of human rights violations, particularly for women's rights, sitting and influencing human rights on an international level.”

UN watchdogs are calling on member nations to explain themselves. “The timing is extremely suspicious,” Silk says.

“Iran has been a violator of human rights for 47 years, but aggressively so in the last few months. Why is this (UN appointment) happening now?”

Faith grows amid rising persecution

More than 1,600 people were executed by the Iranian regime last year, breaking a 1989 record. While atrocities advance, so does the Gospel. “Even just this morning, I was speaking to one of our ministry leaders about some missionary trips that we're lining up for the next few weeks,” Silk says.

“People are active and wanting to spread the Gospel, and those hearing it are responding positively.”

Read about life inside Iran during the ceasefire here. Transform Iran supports indigenous Gospel workers on several fronts, including evangelism and church planting, as well as relief and recovery. Learn more about its efforts here. “In some of these harder spaces, where all this ugliness is going on, we see darkness. Behind the scenes, God is redeeming people, and we are seeing salvations constantly in Iran,” Silk says. “What would be good for us is to dig beneath the surface, learn about ministries working in these spaces, allow our spirits to be encouraged by the good work that God is doing, and then join in – help advance it, empower it, pray for it.” Header image depicts Iranian security forces opening fire on street protestors in January 2026. Header and story images courtesy of Transform Iran.

A glimpse into ministry strategy across the MENA region

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 05:00:10 -0400

MENA (MNN) — The Middle East and North Africa, while united in the acronym MENA, represent a diversity of cultural, religious, and political landscapes. Ministries spanning this region often mirror that diversity in their engagement strategies. Rita el-Mounayer with SAT-7, a Christian satellite television ministry in MENA, says in Egypt and Lebanon, for example, the Christian church is respected; and ministries like SAT-7 are relatively protected. But in other countries across the MENA region, the work of ministry must be carried out almost, if not entirely, underground.

In these situations, el-Mounayer says the goal is to protect underground Christians by reducing their exposure to potentially antagonistic people.

“This happened in Morocco,” she says. “One person took photos of all the underground people in the church and posted them on Facebook, and suddenly there was a big problem in Morocco and then the government wanted all the missionaries to go.” Thus, across North African countries, SAT-7 ministry team members take the role of engaging spiritual seekers via social media while minimizing overt social networking. “When it comes to the underground church, we’re very careful,” el-Mounayer says. “So what we do is let the church contact these people but not the people contact the church.” Iran, on the other hand, is a different story entirely. “In Iran, our only contacts are Iranian expatriates with Iranians inside the country. A lot of times we won’t have the privilege or opportunity to connect with the Christians in Iran,” el-Mounayer explains.

She says those from a Muslim background are especially hard to engage, as this group faces extreme backlash from the Iranian government and their own communities.

Still, untold numbers of Iranians are trading the fear of Islam for the love of Jesus. Even among young people who are not explicitly choosing to follow Christ, many are questioning their religious upbringing. A 2020 survey of Iranians found the following: “Approximately half of the population reported losing their religion . . . Around 6% of the population said they had converted from one religious orientation to another.” Confusion around matters of religion presents the underground church and Iranian ministries with immense opportunity and responsibility. As people across the MENA region continue their search for truth, would you pray that the Holy Spirit will lead them through His church to Jesus Christ?

Courtesy of Raandree via Pixabay. Featured image courtesy of Moaztobok via Pexels.

Addiction recovery through the father heart of God

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 05:00:01 -0400

USA (MNN) — Statistically, people raised without a father are 2-3 times more likely to develop substance use problems. Those working in recovery settings consistently observe a pattern. Brandon Bower of The Lighthouse Recovery Center says many men battling addiction lack an active father figure in their lives. “Majority of men who are struggling with substance abuse do not have fathers, and or if they do have fathers, their fathers are distant and not active in their lives,” says Bower.

Man sitting (photo courtesy of Fagner Silva via Pexels)

Many of the men in recovery carry deep wounds from childhood. Bower says many experienced childhood sexual abuse and, without parental protection, turned to substances to numb the pain.

Recovery: physical, emotional, and spiritual

Recovery in this context goes beyond physical sobriety. Men are not only working through detox and rehabilitation, but also rebuilding their understanding of God as Father. The ministry holds about 16 support groups each week, including one that specifically focuses on the father wound, the mother wound, and learning how to be a godly man. Bower notes the emotional intensity many men face in the process: “There are times where guys get so angry in those groups, because there's so much pent up anger and angst towards their family.” Recovery of God’s image starts with an introduction to His love: “It starts with the Gospel. God loved you so much that He sent His Son to die for you,” says Bower, adding that sometimes it takes weeks or months until people fully understand the message.

Representative photo of a man praying (photo courtesy of RDNE Stock project via Pexels)

One 52-year-old man had gone through multiple rehab programs. At The Lighthouse, he finally confronted childhood sexual abuse his father failed to protect him from. That moment of confession released years of bottled-up anger — and brought hope. Bower quotes him saying, “I’ve been to 20 other programs, and no one has addressed my sexual abuse as a child. Maybe that’s what I need to stop drinking.” Bower explains that no other program was addressing the root causes and that they were only trying to deal with the addiction itself.

A call for churches to fill the gaps

Healing also includes practical restoration, as the ministry team teaches men everyday life skills. “There are days,” says Bower, “where I’m in the bathroom showing a 21-year-old man how to shave, because no one has ever shown him how to shave.” They also teach men how to manage finances, dress, and function in society — gaps often left by absent fathers. Bower says this is where the Church is called to step in, caring for the fatherless as Scripture commands and filling those gaps with love and practical skills. Visit The Lighthouse to learn more and support their work helping men rebuild their lives in God's fatherly love. Header photo: Help sign (Photo courtesy of RDNE Stock project via Pexels).

Iran ceasefire tested as believers face worsening conditions

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 05:00:54 -0400

Iran (MNN) -- To be or not to be? That’s the question surrounding a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran. While official on paper since April 7 and extended indefinitely, the truce is being tested by saber-rattling and limited strikes. Lana Silk of Transform Iran doesn’t expect peace between the warring powers anytime soon.

(Graphic courtesy Transform Iran)

“We (the U.S. and Iran) define the word in different ways,” Silk says. “We have completely different objectives on how we want to coexist with each other.” A war of words keeps the world on edge, with each side agreeing to talks mediated by Pakistan – and then backpedaling. The U.S. and Iran take turns escalating rhetoric – and then proposing peace. “You can see so much political power play happening, and ‘Let's see who dominates in the end.’ I pray it's the Americans,” Silk says. “We have more work to do to have any kind of long-term stability and peace with Iran that spills over beyond the Middle East. If we leave things as they are – if we slap a peace sticker over the situation as it is today – then the situation has not changed,” she explains.

“All we have done is buy the Iranian government time and a deeper resolve to continue down the same path they were on two or three months ago.”

Growing pressure

Transform Iran supports indigenous Gospel workers who are sharing Christ and making disciples inside Iran. More about that here. Believers report that, “The situation in Iran is, if anything, worse than what it was a couple of months ago. If the government is left unchecked, all they're going to do is strengthen their position,” Silk says.

(Graphic courtesy Transform Iran)

“In the last few days, a senior cleric called on citizens to financially support the war efforts, saying [Iran needs] wealth sacrifice campaigns to dedicate assets for missiles. This is apparently during the ceasefire,” she continues.

“Iran is not changing its story or objectives, but it might play along for a bit to catch its breath and regroup.”

As politicians play their games, life on the ground gets harder. Pray believers will have strength to endure. Pray desperate souls will find hope in Jesus. “Under the cloak of ceasefire within Iran, we have ramped up executions. We have foreign militia invited in to further harass and threaten the Iranian people,” Silk says. “We have businesses coerced to cooperate with the IRGC. We have young people – 12, 13, 14-year-old boys – forced into military action.” Header and story images courtesy Transform Iran.

“God’s people can’t be forgotten”: Ministry urges prayer and action on Haiti food crisis

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 05:00:19 -0400

Haiti (MNN) — While many families choose their meals based on budget or preference, in Haiti circumstances leave limited room for choice. “The little food that they do have right now is just very expensive, and people can't afford it. They're living from day to day,” says Roseline DeHart with For Haiti With Love.

Haitian community (Photo courtesy of Heather Suggitt via Unsplash)

Many Haitians rely on a basic, carb-heavy diet when they can access it. Beans are the main source of protein, but not everyone can afford them. Recent flooding also prevents farmers from sowing seeds. “And they just can't plant anything,” DeHart says. Nearly half the population faces acute food insecurity. High fuel prices and gang violence continue to disrupt food transport. Poverty also fuels gang recruitment of children, perpetuating the cycle.

“They're God's people and they're beautiful people, and they need help just like anybody else. They can't be forgotten,” urges DeHart.

The ministry provides food to up to 2,000 people across different parts of Haiti. “We go out to several places, go out in the countryside, go out in rural areas, in the cities, so we can help as many in need as we can,” DeHart says.

View of Haiti taken during ISS Expedition 20 (photo courtesy of ESRS Unit, JSC via Wikimedia Commons)

However logistics remain a major challenge. Shipping costs have risen to as much as $15,000 for a container of nutritional food packets, yet the need is hard to overestimate. People are in urgent need of both provision and hope for another day. This is where the Gospel meets their deepest needs. “If you have the food [and Gospel] with you, you feed the soul and you feed the body at the same time,” DeHart says. Please pray for provision for the next container of food for Haitians and for sustainable peace in the country. Consider partnering with this ministry to meet these needs. Visit For Haiti With Love to learn how you can support people in Haiti and Gospel outreach efforts.

“Haiti needs change, and only God can do that,” DeHart says.

Header photo: Houses built on the mountains just outside of Port-au-Prince (Photo courtesy of Heather Suggitt via Unsplash).

Uganda training equips teachers to reach the next generation

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 05:00:11 -0400

Uganda (MNN) — Teachers are called to pour into the next generation, yet they also need to be poured into. That’s the focus of this ministry’s work. From the beginning, God encourages people’s thirst for knowledge. At the same time, Scripture places a high level of responsibility on those who teach: to model Christlike behavior, remain faithful to the truth, and both encourage and correct others. Jason Taylor with Set Free Ministries says this is why building up teachers is so important in their ministry.

Photo courtesy of Set Free Ministries

That focus is behind the Teachers Training Conferences in Uganda, starting in the beginning of May. “Every year we've made a priority to build into our teachers and develop them,” explains Taylor. Taylor says they will meet with around 230 teachers from their school network across the country. And in this ministry, fellowship and training go hand in hand. “We all come together,” says Taylor, “to encourage one another, to worship together, and to receive teaching from the Word that will fuel the fire for the rest of the year.” The teachers are skilled in their work, but they also need to be poured into. That’s why discipleship is central to the training, because discipled adults are better equipped to disciple children.

Photo courtesy of Set Free Ministries

“We see it as a way to develop the whole person, the whole the men and women that teach in our schools,” adds Taylor. Through its network of 12 schools, the ministry is reaching more than 5,000 students — and that number continues to rise. “We're in a season of growth right now,” he says. Yet Taylor notes that growth can be challenging. Pray for the team to have the resources they need to manage the increasing demand for education. Visit Set Free Ministries to learn more about their work in the region and around the world. Header photo courtesy of Set Free Ministries.

Heart4Iran keeps a gospel mission focus in the midst of Iran political hopes

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 05:00:19 -0400

Iran (MNN) — Iran’s exiled crown prince, Reza Pahlavi, visited Germany this week to continue his campaign for political change for Iran. Pahlavi was in Germany in mid-February too, as part of the Munich Security Conference, just a few weeks before the United States-Israel war on Iran began. The 65-year-old is the son of Iran’s former shah deposed in the 1979 Islamic Revolution. He has proposed to lead a transitional democratic government in the event of Iran’s regime falling.

HIH Reza Pahlavi, Crown Prince of Iran (Photo By FDD - FDD Maximum Support: Operationalizing the Other Iran Policy Event, CC BY-SA 2.0)

Talk of regime change has become familiar to Heart4Iran’s team, says Edwin Abnous, the ministry's executive director. The team feels the tension between their spiritual mission and the political hopes of those they serve. Yet in these tensions, the ministry holds to a few guiding principles.

“We want to make sure that our approach is Christ-centric, and we want to make sure we care about the good of the nation, rather than siding with certain political opposition,” Abnous says. “We want to make sure that we are outspoken and echoing the realities on the ground anytime there is an injustice, especially for the Church.”

This requires sensitivity. Abnous explains that Iranians in the diaspora can risk political statements that those within Iran can’t. That is especially true for Christians in Iran. Under the nation’s Islamic theocracy, calling Christ Lord is seen as political opposition. “[Christians] cannot call Khamenei or his son ‘Ayatollah,’ which means ‘the sign of Allah’ or ‘appointed by Allah,’ because they do not believe in Allah. They do not believe that Allah will assign someone to oversee the country,” Abnous explains. Christians are especially vulnerable after uprisings or external threats are removed — such as the extended reprieve of the United States-Iran ceasefire. Christians are historically labeled “Zionists” or accused of working with enemy governments. Abnous says that events like this ceasefire give the regime space to refocus on internal control. Just one example of regime crackdown is the 56-day internet blackout (as of April 24, 2026) that Iranians have endured.

(Photo courtesy of Gilles Lambert/Unsplash)

“Especially in the West, we look at internet access as a convenience. But for Iran, it is oxygen — not only for the Iranian citizens, but also for the Christians,” says Abnous. “If you cannot connect with [the underground church] and help them and provide pastoral care, that is a huge interruption to our ministry.” Since connection is so critical for discipleship, Abnous says Heart4Iran’s contingency plan focuses on resilience and redundancy. “We do not rely on a single communication channel. We want to make sure that we are providing all different types of mediums for [Iranians] not only to consume, but also to be able to connect with us,” he explains. “We structure our ministry so we can function even if we are isolated."

Heart4Iran's mediums include satellite TV, social media, a 24/7 call center, Bible distribution, and more. Just one of their two satellite signals is estimated to reach 810,000 to over 1 million viewers.

Please pray for endurance, open communication lines, and emotional resilience for Iran’s people. Heart4Iran’s staff regularly find themselves offering trauma support to Iranians who contact them. “The majority of the calls and the contacts [Heart4Iran received] even prior to war were trauma-related,” says Abnous. “Iranians are a traumatized nation because of living under oppression for the past 47 years, and that has increased after the latest oppositions and uprising.” Learn more at Heart4Iran's website about how you can partner with them to reach Iranians with the hope of Jesus.

(Photo courtesy of Denis Oliveira/Heart4Iran)

Header photo of protest in Stockholm, Sweden, c. 2022 (Photo courtesy of Artin Bakhan via Unsplash)

Strait of Hormuz tensions strain aviation fuel for Gospel outreach

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 05:00:38 -0400

International (MNN) – The standoff over the Strait of Hormuz continues to intensify, raising concerns about global trade and energy supply. Iran recently released videos appearing to show the seizure two cargo vessels. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the U.S. Navy to target any boats laying mines in the vital shipping lane. Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, making it one of the most critical chokepoints for global energy. Even the threat of disruption can send ripple effects worldwide — including ministry operations.

Strait of Hormuz (By MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC - Image by Goddard Space Flight Center of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under Photo ID: 2018-12-10., Public Domain)

Stan Unruh, Vice President of Aviation for Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), says, “MAF's vision is to reach isolated people. So it makes sense, of course, that our aircraft and crews are positioned in remote regions...to reach isolated people. That means that, by default, we're exposed to fragile supply lines for our fuel products.”

Those vulnerabilities are now being tested. For example, Unruh explains, “Africa gets 80% of their crude and refined products through the Strait of Hormuz, so we're quite concerned about the potential supply disruptions because of the conflict there.” While fuel supply isn’t suffering yet, the price tag for jet fuel is already up and MAF is feeling it. In East Congo, MAF has a team based in Bunia where they use aircraft to support humanitarian and missionary efforts.

(Photo courtesy of MAF Guinea)

Unruh says, "At the end of the day, supply disruptions and cost increases have an impact on Gospel ministries that we're supporting. So it'll have a direct impact on [Bible] translation work, on famine relief work, some conflict mitigation that our teams are involved with there in East Africa, and medical work.”

Despite the uncertainty, Unruh encourages believers to remain prayerful. "My prayer would be that the effects of this crisis in the Middle East...is mitigated, and that we come to a peaceful conclusion soon," Unruh asks. "But also, [pray] that the long-term effects of that are mitigated for the people that we serve."

Pray for MAF’s Gospel work to continue without interruption, and for stability in a region whose impact reaches far beyond its borders.

Learn more about MAF's ministry work and ways to come alongside at maf.org.

Header photo courtesy of MAF.

Global Hackathon works toward Bible translation solutions

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 05:00:22 -0400

International (MNN)—From April 27 through May 1, volunteer software developers will join together across the world—from Columbia, to the U.S., to France and India—online and at multisite locations, for unfoldingWord’s Hackathon, where they’ll work to solve some of the toughest technological problems for Bible translators of our time.

“A hackathon is a time for developers to come together and think about problems that are on the horizon, technology that's on the horizon, things that are coming right now that the programmers have been curious about,” explains Birch Champeon. “In our case, a week of time dedicated to just focusing on a tough problem and coming up with software solutions for that particular problem.”

The Hackathon will explore solutions to four different problems:

Delivering translators the information they need, when they need it: “We would give them the answers and resources that they can refer to without them having to wade through a large amount of information—that it would be filtered in such a way that it's readily available and exactly what they need.”
Multi-modal drafting: Bringing together the work of different translators, whether typed or audio translations, so they can easily be compiled and checked together.
The feedback bottleneck: During trial editions of a translation, the drafted and checked text will go out into the community. “However, getting the information back, getting it into a useful form, and applying it to the translation is has always been a very difficult process, because sometimes it comes back as handwritten notes, sometimes it comes back as audio recordings, sometimes it comes back through a response on a phone. And so, how do we take all that disparate information, bring it together, and then make it into actionable items, so that the translators can improve their translation?”
Distribution lag: Creating easy-to-use and nearly instantaneous ways of distributing and publishing scripture, so there can be “more publishing happening, and happening more frequently, so that there's this continuous delivery of Bible translation.”

(Photo courtesy of unfoldingWord)

“These are key tools in the translator's toolbox, whether it helps with drafting or with checking or with publishing,” says Champeon.

However, these problems can vary in complexities and nuance across regions—a solution that would work perfectly in one area of the world may not solve things in another area.

“That's why we need developers from around the world working on these problems. If you have developers on the ground that are in these churches, that are currently translating the Bible, then they know the problems that the team is facing. They know the specific problems of their region and challenges there. So that's why we want a global hackathon of developers coming in and preparing these tools to make them available to Bible translators around the world.”

Pray that this ministry of software development focused on getting the Word into people’s hands would continue to grow—that more software developers would hear about programs like the Hackathon and choose to contribute to the work.

Interested in getting involved? unfoldingWord is still accepting registrations.

“If you are a software developer that would love to work on this and help us, we would love to have your time and your skills applied to this ministry,” says Champeon. “There are many developers worldwide, sitting in churches, not knowing how their skills could be used for the kingdom of God.”

Header photo courtesy of unfoldingWord.

Pressure on energy infrastructure and shipping routes is “the new standard for warfare”

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 05:00:09 -0400

International (MNN) — The Strait of Hormuz continues to “open” and “close” with no end in sight. On Tuesday, United States President Donald Trump extended the US ceasefire with Iran, but also promised to continue the US blockade of Iranian ports until Iran had put forward a ceasefire proposal. This did not make Iran happy. On Wednesday, Iran’s navy seized two ships that it claimed were “attempting to exit the Strait of Hormuz covertly.” Later on Wednesday, the speaker of the Iranian parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, stated that reopening the Strait of Hormuz would be “impossible” while the US and Israel committed “flagrant” breaches of the ceasefire, The Guardian reports. Amid the back-and-forth of the Middle East conflict, Brother M with Global Catalytic Ministries says victory won’t be decided by who has the best weapons. Instead, the question will be, Which nation’s systems will endure the longest?

(Photo courtesy of Lara Jameson/Pexels)

“Energy infrastructure is being targeted specifically. Shipping routes are being threatened,” Brother M says. That includes not only the Strait of Hormuz but also the Red Sea, which the Houthi rebels in Yemen are affecting. From Iran’s position, Brother M says the strategy goes beyond winning individual battles. “The goal is to try to apply pressure across an entire society in the West, which is really the new standard for warfare. It stretches systems — until something breaks,” he says. Rising gas prices and energy shortages are only the tip of the fallout of the past nearly eight weeks of the US-Israel war on Iran. Brother M says it has become a regional war. On that level, Brother M says a new Middle East is being shaped, which he sees as an outworking of Isaiah 19. “[Isaiah 19] describes an entire region in turmoil. It speaks of Egypt in a state of confusion, that there's internal strife, economic disruption, fear, systems not functioning the way that they should,” he said.

(Photo courtesy of Jonathan Castaneda via Unsplash)

“It doesn't stop there. It moves towards something that we have not yet seen but is happening, and things are being put into place. It speaks of a highway between Egypt, Assyria, and Israel. It speaks of former enemies becoming connected. It speaks of blessing coming out of a region.” Brother M describes the recent events of the Middle East as a “pressure phase.” “There's a pressure that's forging alliances, that's forging systems, that's breaking structures, and it's creating this biblical pattern that's going to lead us into an Isaiah 19 moment. It's part of the process, and it's leading us somewhere,” he says.

“It's real pressure. It's heavy pressure. And I don't see this being resolved quickly, regardless of what you hear from the President [of the United States].”

Find your place in the story

Where do Christians find their place amid the geopolitics? Brother Phil with Global Catalytic Ministries points to the Great Commission in the world’s chaos.

(Photo courtesy of Kyle Glenn via Unsplash)

“Yes, there are wars, there's famine, there's fuel shortages, but we lose the plot if we make that the main thing,” he says.

“I think Jesus' point in Matthew 24 is ‘all this will be going on in the background, but don't be afraid. Focus on the main thing that's happening: The gospel will go to the ends of the earth.’”

The Strait of Hormuz will likely remain a revolving door. Believers must stay grounded in God’s mission and pursue their places in His Kingdom story today. “I'm encouraging people not to dissect whether war with Iran is fulfilling this verse of Revelation. I’m trying to help them to keep the big picture,” says Brother Phil. “If we make wars and famines the main thing, then we do what someone has referred to as ‘letting the devil set our agenda.’ We end up being focused on what he's doing, rather than on the things that Jesus has called us to do.” Header photo: By MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC - This image or video was catalogued by Goddard Space Flight Center of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under Photo ID: 2018-12-10., Public Domain)

SGA brings aid to Ukrainians with nowhere to go

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 05:00:17 -0400

Ukraine (MNN) – Eric Mock of Slavic Gospel Association (SGA) recently returned from distributing aid in Ukraine near the front lines of the war with Russian forces. SGA works with local church partners to hand out food, medicine, and other daily essentials. Mock says the villages he went to were covered in craters from rocket and drone fire, and roughly half the homes were destroyed.

Nowhere to Go

(Photo courtesy of SGA)

"I encountered...an entire facility that was built underground with the capacity to teach over 500 children in an elementary school. The city administration headquarters, everything was underground, under reinforced concrete – in other words, like a bunker. This was their life," Mock says.

"You may ask, 'Why would anyone live there?' Well, simply, the people that are there have nowhere to go. A majority are either elderly or single moms with children, and they literally have nowhere to go."

Mock describes visiting one church building that expected maybe 30 people to show up. The room was instead filled with 70 Ukrainian grandmothers, all hoping to get some food and basic medications.

(Photo courtesy of SGA)

He says the elderly women "came up to me just flooded with tears, saying, 'Please, thank the people. We are so hungry and in so much pain.' They didn't have simple medicines like Advil or Tylenol,...or simple foods to make it through the day. They were desperate. "They wanted to know why. Why would someone help people that seem to feel there was no help? I said, 'It's because of God's grace upon us. Nothing we have was not meant to be shared. But ultimately, it's about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.'"

Monster Trucks and the Heart of a Child

When Mock left for Ukraine, he wasn’t just bringing supplies from SGA. His young grandson, Asher, also sent his favorite toy monster truck to be gifted to a child in Ukraine. Then, while Mock was distributing aid, he met a toddler named Danil.

Eric Mock giving Danil the toy monster truck. (Photo courtesy of SGA)

"He's standing there dirty, and you could hear the explosions in the background, and you see the difficulty of his living. I knelt down and handed him this monster truck. He looked at me for a second in pure shock. But...in the midst of everything, he literally dropped down in the dirt, making engine sounds, and started playing with his truck in the dirt." Mock says, "He didn't care about all the circumstances. He didn't know what would come tomorrow. He just knew in that moment that he had been given a gift, and he wanted to have all of the gift and experience it. May we, too, be the same way with our Heavenly Father when He gives us these good gifts." Ask God to uplift Ukrainians’ hearts like young Danil.

"Do not lose sight of the needs that are there," Mock urges. "The need is overwhelming in Ukraine.... The lives they live over there are stunningly difficult."

You can support SGA's relief efforts in Ukraine at their website. He asks, "Pray that they would be faithful in the middle of these difficult times, and their witness would lead us in whatever we face to be faithful." Header photo courtesy of SGA.

What ‘Ethnic Unity’ laws mean for China

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 05:00:03 -0400

China (MNN) — On March 12th, China’s National People’s Congress passed a law promoting ethnic unity and progress that will go into effect on July 1st. Kurt Rovenstine with Bibles for China says the Communist Party's goal is to keep the peace.

“Their goal is for there to be harmony and unity within China, and for them, that is the majority, Han-based, Mandarin-speaking harmony, communist ideology,” Rovenstine said.

From their perspective, if the government can maintain harmony, it can provide for the comfort and prosperity of its people.

(Image courtesy of Bibles for China)

“They're simply governing their country in a way that they deem best, in their opinion,” Rovenstine said. To Rovenstine, this is not a surprising move on China’s part. It’s Communist China being Communist China. At the government level, it would be easier to govern China through control, demanding one language, a singular culture, and a mindset that is “best for everyone.” However, diversity and independent culture suffer.

“There is a very real opportunity for abuse and overreach in a policy such as this,” Rovenstine says.

While this is not an overt attack on Christianity or any other religious or ethnic minority groups in the country, it could be used as the next in a string of policies in China that seek to control, suppress, and assimilate people. If this new law does lead to religious persecution, Rovenstine thinks individual provinces and leaders will take advantage of this. To the people in China, Rovenstine says this is not new. “They learn how to make adjustments in ministry, whether it's a registered church, house church, or just somebody trying to live their life in China,” he says. Please pray for wisdom for those who are wondering how this policy will affect their ability to share the gospel and live their lives in a way that's consistent with Jesus’ model. Pray for the wisdom to know when to pivot and that believers will be encouraged and will continue to live in obedience to God and to serve in the country where God has placed them. (Photo courtesy of Karwin Luo/Unsplash)

Is the North Korean church disappearing? Not at all

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:00:58 -0400

North Korea (MNN) — Christians are aware of many events in the global Church, but some news stays hidden because of government policy. When it comes to North Korea, it’s easy to forget how little reliable information actually gets out. What would you do if headlines claimed North Korea had nearly wiped out underground churches? Eric Foley of Voice of the Martyrs Korea urges a fact check. Recent reports made that claim, but the reality is more complex. “We have to be really careful readers about information about North Korea,” Foley says.

A militaristic North Korea poster (photo courtesy of Mark Fahey via Wikimedia Commons)

First, because the authorities try to withhold the true facts from the outside world, especially about Christians. “When the North Korean government carries out its policies successfully, what that means is no information about North Korean Christians leaks to the outside world,” Foley explains. Secondly, they don’t make announcements about believers in this manner. “They'd have to admit that they [Christians] existed, and they'd have to admit that there's no freedom of religion in North Korea,” Foley says. And this would go against their public statements about religious freedom. “Their goal is to eliminate any news going to the outside world indicating that Christians are facing horrible persecution in North Korea,” Foley adds.

Korean Commons Translations Bible Anglican Edition 1999 (photo courtesy of Alvis Jean via Wikimedia Commons)

Foley says the opposite of eradication is happening: churches are growing. “In North Korea, the nature of church growth and persecution continues to develop,” he says.

So what can we do?

First, pray for North Korean believers without ceasing. And second, “Let's not rely on media to set our prayer calendar,” Foley says. Even when there’s little or outdated news, it doesn’t mean nothing is happening — it just means the facts are concealed. Reach out to ministries or media engaged in intercession or working with the North Korean church to inform your prayers, including VOM Korea. Header photo: Woman embroidery in North Korea (photo courtesy of David Clayton Ellsworth via Wikimedia Commons).

Christian radio team stands with communities affected by Kenya flooding

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:00:46 -0400

Kenya (MNN) — Kenya’s rainy season arrived earlier than usual in this year, in late February/early March instead of late March, with devastating impact. “People were not prepared — even our systems. It appeared that our systems are not ready to handle the kind of flash floods,” says Njoki Chege, the executive director of TWR Kenya and SIFA FM stations. CARE International reported that more than 70,000 people were displaced by flooding in western and central Kenya. Floods killed at least 108 people and destroyed thousands of acres (over 1,200 hectares) of cropland. Chege says the flooding has been described as apocalyptic, with images of destruction that people initially thought were AI-generated rather than reality. “It has been a tough season for Kenya and Kenyans. But it has also been a season of introspection about asking questions around disaster preparedness and how we can prepare for such occurrences — because this is indeed a possibility to happen again next year,” she says. More than 80 percent of Kenya’s land is classified as arid or semi-arid, making communities highly dependent on rainfall patterns. Floods and droughts are both familiar challenges across the country. “We feel a sense of responsibility and the heaviness of the task to speak hope to people who otherwise would have given up hope because of the dire situation,” says Chege. TWR Kenya shares programs on topics like flood safety and climate awareness, alongside Bible preaching and teaching content. For low-income rural communities, TWR Kenya comes alongside them with specialized development programs and occasionally radio set distributions. "Our job has been to speak hope in the form of devotional programs — unpacking the Bible and unpacking biblical lessons around hoping God, about trusting God, and about leaving everything to God while also doing our part," says Chege. "We have also been involved in minimal food distribution. That's not what we do normally, but because of the situation and the places that we find ourselves, people actually lack basic food, basic needs." Many of TWR team members are themselves living in places the Kenyan government classifies as “hardship areas.” Chege asks for prayer for strength, encouragement, and provision for their gospel-centered work. “We also want to pray that God continues to guide us in this noble task. It takes a special kind of grace [to speak hope], and so we are asking for the guidance of God,” she says.

(Photo courtesy of Bennett Tobias via Unsplash)

The TWR Kenya team is grateful for the support of partners, which has brought the organization to its 50th anniversary this year. They are also celebrating the recent addition of new staff members, whom Chege describes as "mission-driven, willing and able to use the gifts God has given them for the advancement of His kingdom through the media." Despite the challenges Kenya is facing today, Chege wants others to know that Kenyans are not in a state of despair. “People have lost their property, they've lost their loved ones, but we still remain very hopeful,” she says. “Yes, we went through some really tough times, but we are also a very resilient people, and we have bounced back. Now people are moving on. They're recovering, and I'm really grateful to see that.” Learn more about TWR Kenya’s work and how you can partner with their ministry by visiting their website. This story has been updated from its broadcast with a more recent death toll from Kenya's flooding: 108 people instead of 88 as originally reported. Header photo of woman and child in Samburu, Kenya (Stock photo courtesy of Polina Koroleva via Unsplash).

Ethiopian believers prepare for freedom ministry conference

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:00:54 -0400

Ethiopia (MNN) -- Years of faithful ministry have led to new possibilities in East Africa. Set Free Global began freedom ministry in Uganda in 2005. Now, Director Jason Taylor says, “Because of our presence there, over two decades, we're starting to get more and more opportunities in the nearby countries.” Specifically, ministry leaders are eyeing neighboring Ethiopia. In partnership with Cru and Freedom in Christ Ministries, “We are going to be hosting a freedom ministry training event for around 200 to 300 Ethiopian believers from multiple churches,” Taylor says.

“This is an unprecedented opportunity. This is going to be a multi-organization event where we are collaborating together and representing the body of Christ.”

The Gospel isn’t new to Ethiopia. Featured in Acts 8, a high-ranking Ethiopian eunuch undoubtedly carried the Good News home with him after being baptized by Philip. “The Ethiopian Church is one of the oldest churches in the entire world,” Taylor says. “Today, they're serious about discipleship, but they're finding themselves getting stuck in different ways.”

Faithful ministry to vulnerable children in Uganda has opened doors for freedom ministry in Ethiopia.
(Photo courtesy Set Free Global)

Set Free Global helps people get “unstuck.” Learn more about the process here. Taylor explains, “We walk people through the seven steps to freedom to help them go through the cleansing process God designed for all believers: confession and repentance.” Set Free conferences start in East Africa on Monday. Pray that the U.S. team arrives safely. Pray that Ethiopian Christians find freedom in Christ. “We're asking for prayer that we would effectively walk people through the seven steps of freedom in a group format, but make it personal so that each person can experience the freedom of Christ for themselves,” Taylor says. Header image depicts a church in Ethiopia. Photo courtesy Valera Rychman/Pexels.

Stricter anti-conversion law passed in India Chhattisgarh State

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 05:00:38 -0400

India (MNN) — India’s Chhattisgarh State has passed a revised anti-conversion law, despite protests from the minority Christian community. “[The new law is] framed with the title of a ‘freedom of religion’ law, but it's actually the exact opposite,” says John Pudaite with Bibles For The World. Believers have reason for concern. Instead of truly protecting people from being forced to change their faith by fraud or any form of coercion, anti-conversion laws are easily wielded against Christians across India. Christian Solidarity International reported in February that in 2025 alone, more than 400 believers were arrested, with 125 remaining in jail under false charges.

A church in Hyderabad, India. (Photo courtesy of Paul Silvan via Unsplash)

“It really is a case of ‘guilty until proven innocent,’ the way that these laws have been implemented and enforced throughout India,” says Pudaite. A simple statement of belief in Christ can become grounds for an accusation. People can claim that the music a church congregation plays might entice others to attend its gathering and perhaps change their faith. Chhattisgarh’s new anti-conversion law carries stricter fines and prison sentences than its previous 1968 law. People accused of illegally converting others will not be eligible for bail, and a conviction of a mass conversion could even carry a lifetime prison sentence. “They define ‘mass conversion’ [as] two or more persons in a single event. Even two people, say a husband and wife from the same family, deciding to follow Christ at a single event, this now becomes a ‘mass conversion,’” says Pudaite. Online content is also fair game under the law. “Somebody who just makes a post on their Facebook page that's pro-Christianity could be charged under this law. It depends how far they want to take it,” says Pudaite. Notably, conversion to Hinduism from other religions is exempt. "That's where we see the most movement, is people coming out of Hindu backgrounds, Muslim backgrounds, Buddhist backgrounds, and Sikh and [Jainism] into Christianity," says Pudaite. "They [Hindu leaders] want to stop this flow out of their traditional religions into Christianity."

The constitutionality of anti-conversion laws under scrutiny

Chhattisgarh’s updated law comes at the same time as a nationwide review by India’s Supreme Court of anti-conversion laws. India’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion, which anti-conversion laws seem to limit. That future Supreme Court ruling could bring relief for Christians harassed by false accusations of forcibly converting others, but so far, the legal process has been slow.

Woman in Bengalaru, India (Stock photo courtesy of Marie Couffon de Trevros via Unsplash)

“This case got on the docket back in September of last year. The can keeps being kicked down the road on this, but it is a standing order from the Supreme Court. They're asking each state to give substantiation for their passing of an anti-conversion law,” says Pudaite. Twelve of India’s states currently have anti-conversion laws in place. Pudaite says the challenges have not stopped Christians from their mission to share Christ. “This [law in Chhattisgarh] is going to kind of drive things more underground, as it were,” he says. However, “There are pastors and missionaries that are continuing to share their faith boldly.” Pray for endurance for Christians in Chhattisgarh State who will have to endure the new anti-conversion law. Pray for a fair future ruling by India’s Supreme Court about these kinds of laws. Continue to monitor India closely regarding concerns about freedom of religion.

Bible translation advances among Sudanese refugees

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 05:00:50 -0400

Sudan (MNN) -- Seven years after protests and a military coup removed dictator Omar al-Bashir from power, Sudan still has no leader. When a transition to civilian rule failed, two generals began a war in 2023 for control of Sudan. Three years later, Sudan’s leadership remains in flux as the civil war rages on, but one constant remains: Islam is the national religion. Persecution continues as Islamists have targeted and killed Christians and attacked churches. In refugee camps in countries surrounding Sudan, believers can share the Gospel without fear of the government. John of Greater Reach Alliance adds, “We have (Bible) translation in 13 unreached people group languages, and each one is led by a graduate from our school of mission.”

Romans 8:28

Problems arise from time to time. “The reality is that Muslims are refugees. They're fleeing the same war that Christians flee,” John says.

Sudanese refugees who have fled the conflict in Sudan register for food aid in neighboring Chad.
(Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

“They've never been in a situation where Islam didn't dominate and control everything, and so they try to recreate that dominance of Islam in the refugee camps.”

Yet the Lord works every hardship to the good of those who follow Him. John says, “In one camp, where [we planted a church], they shot one of our leaders. The community itself, mostly Muslims, said to the violent Muslims, 'No more, no more!’” When the time came to elect a new Community Leader, Muslims chose the church's pastor. “They said, ‘We want you because you're fair and because you've brought people who have loved us,’” John says. Attracted by the love of Christ, Muslims who show interest in the Bible begin studies with Gospel workers trained by GRA. Scriptures translated into minority languages by church-centric Bible translators make this possible.

Remaining work

Sudan has over 100 languages, with Sudanese Arabic dominating nationally but a wide mix of indigenous languages spoken locally. With the help of unfoldingWord, GRA translation teams have completed Open Bible Stories in 15 languages.

(Photo courtesy of unfoldingWord)

The New Testament in Sudanese Arabic has been completed, and the Old Testament will be near completion this year. GRA translators will finish the Masalit New Testament early next year. Pray for wisdom as believers live out the Gospel in refugee camps. “We have 106 translators. They're all from a Muslim background. They are living out that biblical worldview in the context of removing the chains of Islam,” John says. Header image depicts Sudanese refugees. Photo courtesy DFID - UK Department for International Development, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons.

FARMS International combats poverty around the world

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 05:00:43 -0400

International (MNN)—At a time when approximately one in ten people live in extreme poverty today, FARMS International is equipping families with the means for self-sufficiency. Some of their recent and upcoming work includes agricultural training in Honduras this month, an upcoming program in Southeast Asia, as well as early efforts to expand their presence in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“FARM's basic and fundamental goal is to strengthen the global church, and we want to do that by focusing on our brothers and sisters in Christ who are in, you know, places of physical poverty,” explains Scott Clifton.

(Photo courtesy of FARMS International)

FARMS works through local churches to provide loans, technical support for income generating projects, and spiritual training for families. Loans are repaid to a revolving fund, and recipients agree to tithe to their local church. However, there are three criteria that need to be met in order for an organization to qualify for a loan:

Global church—There must be a spiritual emphasis and biblical principles, acknowledging individuals’ roles as a stewards, not owners, and upholding the value of a local community that is seeking God together.
Local ownership—The project must be sustainable and genuinely desired by the local leaders and participants. It is their program; FARMS is just helping them to create it.
Livelihood development—The project must include humanitarian elements.

“We can see, if we remove any one of them, how that has the potential to negatively impact our ultimate goal," says Clifton. "If we took out the church and we had a great organization focused on local ownership and really helping people develop their livelihoods, then that could be great in a lot of ways, but we have to wrestle with, you know, what does it profit a man to gain the world but lose his soul? So then you think about if there isn't local ownership, we have to be really careful, because we might be contributing to harmful dependency, which is actually going to increase the need later on. And the third thing, if you take livelihood development out of the picture, we have to wrestle with the words of James, and he says faith without works is dead. What good does it do to pray for someone without taking any sort of action to help them, you know, overcome their physical barriers that they're experiencing? So when those three things intersect, that's really where FARMS sees ourself participating in the context of development and ministry around the world.”

This can mean saying no to organizations, like it did for an opportunity FARMS was pursuing in Honduras.

"We had an initial trip last November, and we went in with some ideas. When we highlight local ownership, the idea is that we're not forcing a solution, but it's actually desired by people who are there, and it fits within livelihood development as well," describes Clifton. "So when we went there, we had an idea of 'We're going to start a loan program for a group of farmers.' But then we gathered farmers around and we listened—we just asked some basic questions and got some answers, and realized that if we were to start a revolving loan program, they were not ready for it. We would have been setting them up for failure, because they wouldn't have ever been able to repay those loans. Yet it would have been really hard to say no to, you know, a source of funds. And so we realized that it wasn't the right time for that, but we could do an agricultural training where we could introduce them to some methods, like farming God's way."

Joe & Pat Richter with one of the FARMS project holders in Thailand. (Photo, caption courtesy of FARMS International)

FARMS partnered with Equipping Farmers International to conduct the training this month. FARMS is also developing a new program in Southeast Asia, based around a program they've seen success with in Thailand. "This program in Thailand has been going for about 30 years, and they've been asking the last year to start another one in this neighboring country, and so we have the opportunity to do that. We're actually doing that as a matching fund, where we provide some of the funds, and that program in Thailand is also going to provide some of the funds." Meanwhile, they've hired a regional coordinator based out of Zambia, with experience in agricultural and small business training, to help FARMS expand their work in Sub-Saharan Africa. They also have relationships and programs in the Caribbean, throughout central-eastern Africa, in the Philippines, Thailand and Sri Lanka, among other countries. You can support FARM’s mission by partnering with them financially. Go to farmsinternational.com to learn more. Header photo courtesy of FARMS International.

Modern-day slavery threatens Christian girls in Pakistan

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 05:00:33 -0400

Pakistan (MNN) — Being a Christian girl in Pakistan means living as a target. Teenagers Maria, Sidra, Niha, and Elishba are just four of countless girls who have been abducted from their homes and forced to convert to Islam in the past year. Sidra and Niha were both abducted less than a month ago, in March 2026. The abuse goes beyond kidnapping. Maria was taken in July and forced to marry a 30-year-old Muslim man. She later gave a statement saying she had done so of her own will and was now a follower of Islam. Despite the efforts of Maria’s parents in court, a Pakistani high court has ruled that the marriage was valid. Sidra and Neha are very likely on the same path with the same outcome.

Pakistani girl (Photo courtesy of Assad Tanoli via Unsplash)

“While this may appear to be a legal matter on the surface, it reflects such a deeper and painful reality faced by many Christian minority families in Pakistan,” says Nehemiah with FMI.

He calls the situation “modern-day slavery,” as underage girls are kidnapped and then pressured into conversion to Islam and marriage.

“When I say underage girls, we are not talking about 17 or 18 years old, but we are talking about 12-, 13-, 14-year-old girls,” he says. This pattern has been going on for years. When Christian or Hindu daughters go missing, their families often encounter police inaction, falsified birth records for their underage daughters, and long legal battles. Even if a girl escapes or the marriage ends, says Nehemiah, she may still be in danger from her captors and unable to reunite with her family. That’s because Islamic marriage ceremonies require a profession of faith in Allah. “Once someone is recognized as a Muslim, leaving Islam, known as apostasy, is not permitted,” says Nehemiah. “In some strict interpretations [of Islam], the penalty for apostasy can be death. And it's very, very common in Pakistan.”

Pakistani girl (Photo courtesy of Muhammad Taha Khan via Unsplash)

FMI partners share the hope of Christ in the midst of these realities — trusting that even in suffering God is at work. One partner shared Romans 8:38-39 with Nehemiah, remembering that nothing is able to separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus the Lord. “The situation is like walking on thin ice, yet they continue to bring hope, truth, and the message of Christ to those who are searching,” says Nehemiah. Pray with believers in Pakistan for protection for their young women. “Pray for justice and meaningful legal reforms in Pakistan’s legal system, and pray for courage and safety for FMI partners serving on the ground,” says Nehemiah. “Pray for healing for victims and their families. And pray that even in the midst of suffering, many will encounter the love and hope found in Jesus Christ.” Header photo of Pakistani young women is a stock image courtesy of Assad Tanoli via Unsplash.

A call for prayer for South Sudan

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 05:00:47 -0400

South Sudan (MNN) – The East African proverb, “When elephants fight, the grass suffers,” is playing itself out in South Sudan. There, Stephen Wesley with Voice of the Martyrs Canada has just been on the ground, getting a sense for what it’s like to be “grass” under the feet of warring elephants. “It’s the women, it’s the children, it’s the men, it’s across the nation because the men are the ones going to war – there’s just devastation,” he says. Wesley and his team recently visited partners in South Sudan to encourage, teach, and provide trauma counseling. He says touching down in the capital city of Juba didn’t raise immediate societal alarms. But when he spoke with people: “All they would talk to you about was the fact that civil war is looming and that they don’t want it to come,” he says. Since gaining independence in 2011, South Sudan has struggled to establish national unity, with skirmishes involving both ethnic and religious groups within the country and neighboring countries outside it. Furthermore, Wesley says corruption complicates a worsening situation. “Here’s the heartbreaking thing: aid is trying to come into the country, and it’s being robbed.” He says International Aid Agencies are working to help where they can. “Now they’re considering air dropping things to the needy people – to the camps – but it costs 17 times more to do it that way. And yet, if you don’t, what is that going to look like?” Wesley asks. Yet against this heartbreaking reality stands another one: hope found in the doors of unassuming church

South Sudan flag. Courtesy of Aboodi Vesakaran via Unsplash. Header image courtesy of Speak Media Uganda via Pexels.

buildings and the hearts of humble Jesus-followers. In his experience of congregational worship, Wesley says the people’s joy and exuberance were unmatched. “I was overwhelmed. They have tapped into the reality that God is their strength in the midst of this hardship,” he says. And the substance of their supplication is clear. “The number one prayer is peace,” Wesley says. Without peace, war will continue to impede almost every kind of progress: economic, societal, educational. Please pray that spiritual progress would be the exception, and that God’s Word would go out with more force and power than any earthly weapon being wielded. “If there’s any believer out there who’s listening to my voice, and you’re hearing this story about South Sudan, join with us in praying for South Sudan,” Wesley requests. “All of the prognostications are that it’s going to go into civil war, and it’s going to go downhill. But God.” Let us pray for the Holy Spirit’s convicting work to transform leadership and the economic landscape in South Sudan. Pray for peace in hearts and peace in this nation, and ask the Lord to do a mighty work in this most difficult place.

Fighting for every life in Switzerland

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 05:00:56 -0400

Switzerland (MNN) – As the abortion rate in Switzerland continues to rise, LIFE International joins with a local partner to provide training. The most recent reports from 2024 show the abortion rate in Switzerland to be 7.3 abortions per 1000 women aged 15-44. This means a record high of 12,434 abortions that year. Switzerland also recently passed a landmark measure requiring health insurers to cover the full cost of abortions starting in 2027.

Training the Church in Switzerland

Despite this news, Luke Salik with LIFE International says there is passion for the pro-life movement in Switzerland. One of their hub leaders is fighting for every life in his country. “He's doing a lot of work really trying to unite kind of a fractured pro-life movement in a lot of ways – a lot of different organizations that struggle to trust each other. He's done awesome work and really achieving some of that unity, a lot of learning along the way in that. We worked with him to get this training scheduled. So, three of us went out to lead the prayer initiative before the training happened in late March.”

(Photo courtesy LIFE International)

This training sought to bring people and churches together under the goal of protecting life. LIFE International provided training specific to the context and culture of Switzerland to help the church defend the defenseless. However, this training is just the start. Salik asks for prayer that God would unite the church in Switzerland on the issue of abortion. He also asks for prayer for their team. “Pray for the LIFE International team in Switzerland, that they would continue to grow in their ability to hold these trainings and spread this message themselves, and that they would see this movement grow. They're so on fire for this. So pray that fire would continue, that they would endure, not grow weary of doing good.”

Equipping the Saints for Life-Giving Ministry

The battle for life and truth is not a simple one. There is a lot of hurt and pain in this space and many people who are affected. LIFE International offers support as well as a variety of resources in the pro-life space. From partnering with local maternity homes and child-feeding programs to offering training workshops, LIFE International seeks to equip men and women for life-giving ministry. One free resource available is their training series, "Journey of a Life-Giver". If you or someone you know would like to access this resource, click here. Salik says, “In the end, our goal is that in all these areas of the world there is a self-sustaining movement for life with this kind of DNA moving through the leaders in that context… It's really cool to see that happening in Switzerland, and we just hope to fuel that fire, however we can.” If you’d like to help support LIFE International, click here. Header and story photos courtesy of LIFE International.

Ukrainian church destroyed in Russia’s deadliest attack this year

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 05:00:44 -0400

Ukraine (MNN) – Yesterday, Russia launched its deadliest attack on Ukraine so far this year – almost 700 drones and dozens of missiles. Eighteen people were killed and over 100 wounded.

One building destroyed was not a military target, but a church building in Zaporizhzhia. Yet, Eric Mock with Slavic Gospel Association (SGA) says the church lives on through the people of God.

The church in Zaporizhzhia destroyed by Russian drone and missile attack. (Photo courtesy of SGA)

Mock was in Zaporizhzhia recently, visiting ministry partners. He shares, "Church leaders and pastors there who traveled to multiple villages that were in an area called the gray zone, which is about 20 miles away from the front lines. "[It was] close enough that we could hear the rumble of explosions in the distance, and close enough that the people lived in terror every single day of small drones that would fly around with explosives and take out people. These villages were literally decimated." For these pastors, going to the mission field looks like putting on literal body armor along with the spiritual armor of God. Mock says they’ve counted the cost.

“These pastors were there because they could not live with the thought that someone could perish apart from the Gospel. And so they come.”

Mock explains, "In these villages with these pastors, we help them do what they cannot do by providing the resources. And they do what we cannot do, which is almost daily wearing body armor [and] heading into the front lines to advance the Gospel and the goodness of God to a people who are hurting and lost."

Eric Mock (center right) in a village near the front lines. (Photo courtesy of Eric Mock/SGA)

As the war drags on, embattled Ukrainians are struggling for hope. “Generations are being impacted by this. So pray, first of all, that the believers would not be discouraged, that they would not be indifferent or lose heart, that they would remain faithful," he asks. "But mostly, pray for faithfulness in the midst of what the Lord continues to allow for His purposes.... Churches are being planted, congregations are moving forward, and God is continuing to be glorified in difficult times." You can support SGA's relief efforts in Ukraine at sga.org. Header photo: The church in Zaporizhzhia destroyed by Russian drone and missile attack. (Photo courtesy of SGA)

Israel-Lebanon ceasefire still needs more peacemakers

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 05:00:42 -0400

Lebanon (MNN) — A 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon began at midnight, Beirut time. But will Iran’s proxy, Hezbollah, abide by that agreement? Whatever Hezbollah's response, Israel and Lebanon still took a significant step this week, with their first direct diplomatic talks in decades. Fadi Sharaiha with the MENA Leadership Center says the US-hosted talks on Tuesday were good news for the Lebanese people. “Hezbollah is kidnapping the country, and Iran is kidnapping Hezbollah, which means that Iran is in control of what's happening in Lebanon,” says Sharaiha. “So what the US is trying to do also is to take away this card from Iran and give it back to the government of Lebanon.” This temporary ceasefire could bring much-needed relief. Since March 2, nearly 2,200 people in Lebanon have been killed by Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah. Before moving past those numbers, remember that each person had a name and a family they left behind.

Refugee child in Lebanon. (Photo courtesy of Ahmad Bader/Unsplash)

“Those are parents, children, brothers, sisters, wives, husbands, daughters,” Sharaiha says. “We need to remind ourselves that people who are dying are created in God's image.” Many victims were simply at the wrong place at the wrong time, unknowingly near someone from Hezbollah. “One story is like, one delivery boy was part of Hezbollah. He was delivering something, and he was having a meal or something in one of the apartments of the building. Then, Israel bombed the whole building, and they [other people] were collateral damage,” says Sharaiha. He urges Christians not to accept news about war and bombings as normal, but instead to respond through prayer. “We are called as a Church for peace. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers.’ We should be also calling for justice,” he says. "We know that we are here to glorify God, to enjoy God, and also to reach out to people who are lost for the kingdom of God.

“God is sitting on the throne, and God's hand is on the hearts of the kings and the presidents and the prime ministers. So please pray that the Lord will move their hearts for peace.”

As Israel and Lebanon continue diplomatic talks, remember that for Christians, the deeper battle is spiritual and is fought through prayer. “You are moving the hand of God in the region,” says Sharaiha. “Pray for us and pray for the different churches and ministries that are doing so much good in the region, trying to build peace and also build the capacity of those ministries in the Middle East and North Africa." Header photo is a stock photo taken in Lebanon courtesy of Nathan McBride via Unsplash.

Syrian refugees head home as Lebanon struggles under mounting pressure

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 05:00:13 -0400

Lebanon (MNN) -- In a move that may ease pressure on war-torn Lebanon, Syrian refugees are increasingly returning to their homeland. Heart for Lebanon’s Camille Melki says the country’s infrastructure is at a breaking point. “Electricity, water, sewage, roads, everything is affected right now, with extra harm caused by this recent war and having 20 percent of our population forced to find a place of refuge overnight,” Melki says.

Life is “becoming very, very difficult.”

Refugee returns

Lebanon has the highest number of refugees per capita in the world, with roughly one-quarter to one-third of its population being made up of refugees. Most are Syrian; others include Palestinians, Iraqis, and Sudanese.

(Photo courtesy Heart for Lebanon)

“Lebanon cannot afford to host such a large refugee population and care for its own people in great need,” Melki says. “As Christians, we cannot prefer a people group over others, and that's not what I'm saying. What I'm saying is right now, Lebanon as a nation and the Lebanese as a community have so much pressure that they're finding it very difficult to care for refugees.” Over 200,000 people have crossed from Lebanon into Syria since the war began. While 95 percent are Syrian refugees, the rest are Lebanese people looking for stability. “Whether from Syria, Palestine, or Iraq, a large return of individuals to their countries will definitely lift some economic [and] socio-political strains on our society,” Melki says. Following Christ’s example, Heart for Lebanon cares for those who remain, whether refugee or national. Believers’ unbiased attention often leads to Gospel opportunities. “Desperate people take desperate measures,” Melki says.

“There is a vacuum in their life. It can either be filled by people who give them food to control and indoctrinate them, or it's our opportunity to come alongside and lead them out of despair into hope in Christ alone.”

Relational care

Heart for Lebanon’s threefold approach is holistic, meeting the felt needs of every man, woman, and child. Here’s how you can help. “First, we provide the basic essentials for survival: food and hygiene, blankets, mattresses, warm clothing, some medicine when available. It’s rainy season in Lebanon, and people on the run live with the clothes on their backs,” Melki says. The ministry’s Hope On Wheels team helps kids forget the war raging around them.

Through our partnership with Samaritan’s Purse, we are delivering special gifts to children in the war-torn South. These "Gifts of Joy" are tangible expressions of God’s love and a reminder to these children that they are not forgotten.
(Photo, caption courtesy Heart for Lebanon)

“We go to schools that are being used as shelters for internally displaced people. We go to church parking lots, to villages, and do fun activities for children, giving them the opportunity to play in a safe environment, to laugh again,” Melki says. Finally, a third team addresses families' emotional and spiritual needs.

“Our relational engagement team spends long hours every day visiting, encouraging, listening to the stories of the people who are afraid, and even questioning the existence of God.”

Every touchpoint is another step toward the ministry’s goal: “To win the trust of the people we serve and to answer the Jesus question: where is Jesus? Who is Jesus? Who is the God of Christianity?” Melki says. “I cannot tell you the joy we receive as we see people in tears, coming to faith, and the Bible studies, discipleship classes, and church attendance have increased significantly.” Header and story images courtesy of Heart for Lebanon.

When peace means something different: a clash of worldviews behind the US-Iran ceasefire

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 05:00:06 -0400

Iran (MNN) — As the United States and Iran edge toward another round of talks, Lana Silk with Transform Iran says they aren’t speaking the same language. “Our definitions of words like ‘peace’ and even ‘negotiation’ are different,” says Silk. “We have different values in our Western values — really, our Judeo-Christian values — and Iran's Islamic value system. There isn't a middle ground.” To many Western minds, “peace” means coexistence with mutual respect. But for the Iranian regime, “They are not talking about that [coexistence] when they talk about peace. They want to dominate. They want submission of everyone to Islam,” Silk says.

A ceasefire not to be celebrated

The US-Iran ceasefire set to expire on April 22 has not been good news for many Iranians. "When I heard the news of the ceasefire, my immediate reaction was disappointment, like a heart-sinking feeling," says Silk. “Every Iranian I've spoken to since then, inside and outside the country, has had the same negative reaction to the ceasefire."

Azadi Square, Tehran, Iran (Stock photo courtesy of Erfan Ro via Unsplash)

Here is what one person told Transform Iran:

“Despite all the hardship, the sound of explosions, damage to homes, and even personal injuries suffered, many of us believed that this war might finally bring us to a point of deliverance and freedom. For that reason, the announcement of a ceasefire was not seen as a sign of comfort, but rather as the loss of a hope that had begun to form in our hearts.”

The temporary pause in hostilities has also made room for the Iranian regime to focus on "internal threats." “I read a report that one of the judicial leaders had actually made a call to expedite executions, now that they are not in the midst of a war,” Silk says. No matter where talks between the US and Iran go, she says to remember that the Iranian regime has not changed. If anything, concerns should be heightened. “Our struggle with Iran — the same security concerns, the same freedom concerns — are still there,” she says. “Iran has been humiliated. They would acknowledge that, though not publicly. Now it's all going to be about regaining their honor and power. They still have money, weapons, their country, their resources. So this is going to be serious.”

Fight with prayer

All geopolitical concerns aside, Silk urges Christians to remember the spiritual battle.

Iran (Representative stock photo courtesy of Zahra Amiri via Unsplash)

“Iran has been a spiritual stronghold for the enemy for some time. He’s been using it for evil intent, and the fight is intensifying,” she says.

“The church has been growing in number and in strength. The global church has been paying attention, and we are fighting — by fighting, I mean praying.”

Please join in praying through the requests shared below. Take God at His word that it makes a difference, as James 5:16 says: “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” As an outworking of your prayers, consider financially supporting Transform Iran's multifaceted work. Their team is delivering aid, expanding trauma counseling, and training evangelists to serve people across Iran. “We're training evangelists because what the people really need is Jesus,” says Silk. “We want to make sure that we're meeting that need as well as their practical needs right now.” Header image is a stock photo courtesy of a user named mhrezaa via Unsplash.

An update on global terror and a reminder of the Great Commission

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 05:00:20 -0400

International (MNN) – A new report shows that of the five countries accounting for the highest numbers of terrorism related deaths, only two nations are experiencing a recent uptick in violence: Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Nigeria saw a 46% jump from 2024 to 2025, with 750 total deaths by terrorism last year. In the DRC, the toll rose from 365 in 2024 to 467 in 2025, a 28 percent increase. While global deaths from terror have dropped in the last year, Boko Haram in Nigeria and the IS-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in the DRC continue to plague those countries with terrorist activity. Greg Kelley with Unknown Nations says location is not coincidental, as terrorists have a clear strategy. “They look for vulnerable areas: places where they can create more strongholds with their radical ideology. Northern Nigeria is a representation of that. [Democratic Republic of Congo], because of its instability, is representative of it.” Kelley says the absence of government response in these areas emboldens the terrorists. For the church’s part, many Christians in Nigeria’s south struggle to empathize with or minister to their northern Muslim neighbors. But there, in predominantly Muslim communities, the believers have a different outlook.

“If you go to the North,” Kelley says, “and you meet someone who came out of Islam who would be a Muslim Background Believer, when they come to faith in Christ, they become infernos for the Gospel.”

He points out that the believers’ insistence on staying in their area mobilizes ministry partners to join the work. “We constantly have to move missionaries. The reality is that’s where the mission need is. It’s not in the South. It’s in the North.” Meanwhile, in the DRC, ongoing conflict and humanitarian need further expose the vulnerable citizens of that nation. Kelley says where the battleground exists, our mission should follow. “Where are the battlelines? Where is the threat coming? That’s where we need to mobilize and deploy our resources, which in this case is Northeast Congo,” he says. “That’s the location that people listening to this, praying for this, need to center their targeted resources: prayer, finances, personnel.” The citizens of these countries are suffering, and they represent the least of these Jesus talks about in Matthew 25:40. Without diminishing the call to meet their physical needs, Kelley reminds us of another instruction from Jesus: one in Matthew 28:18 - 20. “We need to look at these places and then ask the next question, which is, ‘What is the nation or people group being affected? Have they had a Gospel witness, or have they not?’” Kelley says. “Because you could be responding to a humanitarian need in a place that’s 95% Christian. That’s wonderful. No one is telling you to stop doing that. But that can’t be your only expression of the Great Commission.” Please pray for Nigeria and DRC, including the various people groups represented within these countries. Pray for the Lord of the harvest to send forth workers, and pray for a plentiful harvest as a result. Please also pray for the families, communities, and nations affected by global terrorism. Ask the Lord for protection, courage, and resilience as believers live out their faith in the toughest of circumstances.

Pray also for the terrorists, whose hearts of darkness mirror those of every sinner in need of our glorious Savior, Jesus Christ.

May the Lord be glorified as these souls find hope in Him!

Above image courtesy of Prince Kwembe via Unsplash. Featured image courtesy of Ian Panelo via Pexels.

When war redirected the flight, God redirected the mission

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 05:00:48 -0400

Bangladesh (MNN) – A routine ministry trip turned into a midair emergency – and nearly canceled a key pro-life training. When conflict recently broke out between the U.S. and Iran, a team with LIFE International was en route to Bangladesh to conduct their Redemptive Conversations workshop.

Luke Salik, LIFE International's pastor of partner care, says, “Halfway through that flight is when the U.S. and Israel did the joint attack on Iran. We didn’t find out until I got woken up by the intercom there and the pilot explaining the situation and diverting us to Cairo rather than Doha.”

Training with LIFE International partners in Bangladesh. (Photo courtesy of LIFE International)

The LIFE International team eventually had to return to the U.S. But in Bangladesh, ministry partners were already gathered. Rather than cancel the training altogether, the local leaders pivoted.

“When they found out that we weren't able to make it, they decided to hold the training anyway."

Salik says, "The leadership team, they're from several different countries in South Asia, they kind of banded together and thought, ‘Hey, what can we do together to help equip a lot of these pastors or ministry leaders who are coming together?’" The leaders went on to conduct training sessions with the attendees — turning a potential setback into a locally led effort. The training equips Christian leaders to support women facing crisis pregnancies in light of biblical hope. Its tools are also applicable to many other crisis counseling situations. Salik explains, “We're spending time giving people tools to love people well, listen to people well, and be a place where they can safely talk about their situation."

(Photo courtesy of Theodore Goutas/Unsplash)

At its core, pro-life trainings with LIFE International point people to lasting hope and make known the Father's heart for life.

“The goal...is to specifically bring the redemptive work of Christ into the story," Salik says.

Pray for the leaders in South Asia who stepped up to continue this training, that God would strengthen and equip them for further ministry. Ask the Lord to open doors for future life-affirming trainings to happen safely and effectively. Finally, pray that women facing crisis pregnancies would ultimately encounter the hope of Christ and choose life! Learn more about LIFE International at lifeinternational.com. Header photo: Training with LIFE International partners in Bangladesh. (Photo courtesy of LIFE International)

Sudan civil war enters year four

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 05:00:11 -0400

Sudan (MNN) -- Today, Sudan enters year four of a brutal civil war between the army and the militia known as Rapid Support Forces, or RSF. Fighting shows no signs of slowing down as a third faction rises to rule. John of Greater Reach Alliance says, “There's a strong influence from the Muslim Brotherhood, and the Muslim Brotherhood is seeking to take over through the army.” Recently designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S., the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood could seek to capitalize on an opportunity. Fractures within the army led to restructuring last week.

(Representative AI photo created with ChatGPT)

“Because of this, coordination within the army is weakened, making it harder to effectively fight the RSF,” John says.

“Our team on the ground thinks it's more likely to make the war longer than shorter.”

Hundreds of thousands of people have died since the civil war began. Millions are living in displacement camps. One in three Sudanese people needs humanitarian aid to survive. RSF rule does not promise a brighter future. “If the RSF gains control, there's a great fear of increased violence,” John says. “They enacted, on behalf of the previous administration, genocide against black Sudanese tribes in Darfur and the Nuba mountains.”

Hope and help

With the help of Greater Reach Alliance, Sudanese Christians are sharing the hope of Jesus in displacement camps. Read more here. Ask the Lord to give believers strength. Pray that the war will end soon. “The best hope is strong international pressure for a return to the civilian leadership that was intended after Bashir was removed,” John says.

(Representative AI photo created with ChatGPT)

“They (civilian leaders) are still in the country. But it would take a very strong international intervention to make a restoration of civilian government possible,” he continues, requesting prayer for Western involvement.

“A return to some kind of civilian leadership is really the answer, because if either side of this conflict wins, the picture for Sudan continues to be extremely bleak.”

Header image depicts a Sudanese combatant with G3 rifle. Steve Evans, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons.

It matters how Christians interact with kingdoms on earth

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 05:00:11 -0400

International (MNN) — In North Korea, the principle of juche means “self-reliance” — not self-reliance as individuals but rather as a nation under the Kim family. It’s part of Kimilsungism-Kimjongilism, the system in which North Koreans are taught from infancy to revere the Kim family as supreme authorities, bordering on deities. But Floyd Brobbel with Voice of the Martyrs Canada says idolizing a leader isn’t just a North Korean issue. “Children of God have always faced times in their lives where someone rises up to be kind of like a god-like, savior-like figure,” he says. In some cases, the societal pressure to worship is explicit — like when early Christians were required to treat the Roman emperor as divine. Or in the case of North Korea’s Kim dynasty.

Mansudae Grand Monument in Pyongyang, North Korea, depicts Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-Il (Image courtesy of Peteranta of Pixabay)

“Instead of the 10 Commandments, [North Koreans] have the 10 Principles,” says Brobbel. “They have hymn books, and the tunes will be very familiar, except that they've changed the wording and it's all pointed to the Supreme Leader.” But in other parts of the world, societal pressure to idolize a leader can take subtler forms, calling for great discernment. “There are tensions that we have in place as Christians,” says Brobbel. “The Bible urges us to respect the governing authorities. But also recognizing that that respect is not limited [to total acceptance], right? So this means that real authority always needs to be accountable.” Brobbel reminds others that God calls His people to be lights and witnesses to the truth, in whatever earthly kingdoms they live in (Matthew 5:13-16; Acts 1:8). “Christians have a responsibility, therefore, to stand up to recognize when power is stepping into places it's not meant to. We serve as an example and a witness to the world of the power of God, the glory of God, the supremacy of God in all things,” Brobbel says.

“We do so, again, gently with love but boldly with truth. And we pray that that would make a difference to those that we're speaking to, or those that are watching.”

Take a moment for a heart check. Are you placing your hope in Christ alone? Do you worship Him in the way Romans 12:1 calls for, with your entire being as a living sacrifice to Him? Pray for greater boldness and truth in your Christian witness, wherever you live. “We’re not disparaging others, but we simply call in truth into the situation. We readily recognize that when we do so, there needs to be a willingness to suffer,” says Brobbel. “I think the average person we meet on the street is just as confused and searching as other people are. There's an opportunity to engage them.” Header photo courtesy of Amir Mortezaie via Unsplash.

How do you take the Gospel to the Argobba people on the move? Move with them!

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 05:00:50 -0400

Ethiopia (MNN) — Many ethnic groups in Ethiopia are still unaware of the hope found in Christ. The Argobba people are one of them — but reaching them comes with a unique challenge: they are constantly on the move. The Argobba are a traveling people, an unreached Muslim group of no more than 250,000. Farming and trade shape their daily lives. However, external pressures continue to disrupt their stability.

Argobba people in Koremi, Ethiopia (photo courtesy of Ahron de Leeuw via Wikimedia Commons)

Greg Kelley with Unknown Nations says, “They’re in the middle of a massive tribal conflict between these majority people groups.” Many of these groups are pastoralists who depend on grazing land, making territory a major source of tension. Conflicts between larger groups, including the Tigray and Amhara, have gone on for years. “And you’ve got this small group,” Kelley explains, “like the Argobba, who just want to live peacefully and tend their plots of land. But others are coming in, pushing them out, and moving them from place to place. Those are the dynamics that make Gospel witness very challenging.” As their land and resources are threatened, many Argobba are forced to move. This is where ministry partners with local believers who know their country. Kelley explains, “They’re distributing our solar-powered Audio Bible in their local dialect, their local language, and listening groups are forming.” As a result, Argobba people are beginning to know Jesus as they hear the Gospel. “It’s because of the hands and feet of brave Ethiopian nationals who are going into these areas,” says Kelley.

The Gate of Mercy, that served merchants handling trade from Argobba, an Afar region (photo courtesy of Bikoadem via Wikimedia Commons)

It highlights the work of local evangelists answering the call of the Great Commission. While on earth, Jesus cared for people from many different groups. His ability to focus on the few and reach the many is a model we can follow. The Argobba are one of those “few” we are called to reach. “It requires great determination from the body of Christ to find people groups like the Argobba — dedicated men and women who love Jesus, who will lean into that apostolic calling to take the Gospel where it’s never been,” adds Kelley. Pray for the Argobba people of Ethiopia to learn about their Savior. Pray also for the evangelists who pursue them — wherever the road leads them. Visit Unknown Nations to learn more about unreached people groups and support the mission to bring them hope. Header photo: A crowded market place in northern Ethiopia (photo courtesy of Lesly Derksen via Unsplash).

Myanmar coup leaders remain in power

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 05:00:28 -0400

Myanmar (MNN) -- Myanmar’s crisis deepens after a widely disputed election. Coup leader Min Aung Hlaing has been sworn in as the country’s new president, five years after he ousted a government chosen by the people. “It's essentially a continuation of the old guard,” Greg Kelley of Unknown Nations says.

“Nobody recognized this election as legitimate. Most of the opposition groups were excluded from it. There was no voting in huge swaths of the country because of the ongoing civil war.”

Min Aung Hlaing, Senior General of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, in Tianjin, China on August 31, 2025.
(Prime Minister's Office (GODL-India), GODL-India, via Wikimedia Commons)

Fighting shows no signs of slowing as the conflict continues. “The military only [controls] about half of the country,” Kelley says. “The other half is [controlled by] the various rebel groups that banded together in their common goal of fighting against the military… leading to further displacement of people and deaths,” he continues. “The hope is that the people can take back their country, so there could be a legitimate election that is a voice of all the people, instead of just people who are in power.”

Christians respond

Myanmar has been engulfed in tragedy since the 2021 military coup. “Over three and a half million people have been displaced [and] nearly 10,000 people have been killed,” Kelley says. Yet hope remains. “Churches [and] Christians are targeted, but the Gospel is moving forward in Myanmar,” Kelley says.

“There are amazingly brave and courageous men and women of faith who are sharing the Gospel in the midst of this civil war.”

Myanmar is still largely unreached — only about five percent of the population follows Christ, and millions have never heard the Good News. But local believers are taking action. With help from Unknown Nations, “Burmese are multiplying themselves; they're raising up healthy disciples,” Kelley says.

How to help

Please pray for peace in Myanmar. Ask the Lord to protect His followers. “Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers among the Burmese people and help them to understand the truth of Christianity, the love that Jesus represents,” Kelley requests. Support Unknown Nations’ work among unreached people groups here. Header image is a representative stock photo depicting the flag of Myanmar.

Live out Hebrews 13:3 for detained Missionary Park Tae-yeon

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 05:00:01 -0400

Russia (MNN) — Hebrews 13:3 today calls Christians to remember imprisoned believers as if we were there with them. You can live this out today by joining Voice of the Martyrs Korea’s petition on behalf of a missionary named Park Tae-yeon and praying for her release. Eric Foley with VOM Korea explains that after decades of faithful service in Russia, 70-year-old Park was stopped on her way home to South Korea in January. She’s now in a Russian holding facility, facing alleged immigration charges that could carry an up to 17-year prison sentence. VOM Korea has ensured that Park has an attorney, a critical part of the process. “She says that while she's reading her Bible daily, and she's confident in the Lord, she just wants to come home,” says Foley. The charges against Park are a mask for Russia’s underlying issue: her missionary work among children. “That's what happens in countries, whether it's North Korea, China, Russia, or other countries. Rarely do you hear about religious charges,” Foley says. “Instead, what you get are charges like in China, the charges against pastors these days are that pastors are committing fraud. In Russia, a lot of charges these days relate to immigration.”

(Photo courtesy of VOM Korea)

Your advocacy can make a difference! But the how matters. Foley warns against two common mistakes Christians make when responding to persecution. “One is that they say nothing,” he says. “The other is that they speak so loudly and stridently that they demonize the government about whom they're speaking.”

Foley says that in VOM Korea’s decades of advocacy for Christian prisoners, “Not one of them has ever said, ‘I wish you would have been quiet when I was in prison.’ So we don't need to yell and be human rights crusaders. We do simply need to tell the truth about what's happening.”

Even the simple act of signing a petition shows a government that people around the world know what is happening and that they are willing to speak the truth about it. Pray especially for favor as VOM Korea delivers the signed petition to the Russian embassy very soon.

“When you visit an embassy with a petition, they don't welcome you in and serve you tea,” Foley says.

“It’s an experience for which we really request a lot of prayer, because sometimes the gates get shut, sometimes the tables get turned, and the people who deliver the petitions end up being seen as the disturbers of the peace.” Header photo courtesy of VOM Korea.

What does an Afghan child want? A gift few can offer

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 05:00:38 -0400

Afghanistan (MNN) — For many Afghan children, “peace” is often an unknown concept, as they have been born into and raised in environments marked by conflict and survival. But that is something they deeply desire to have. Greg Yoder with Keys for Kids Ministries says, “Most of these kids are struggling with just having peace.” He explains, “There have been tremendous amounts of war, rumors of war, terrorist activity in Afghanistan.”

Afghan children (Photo courtesy of KFK)

This instability has driven many people to seek peace for this life and beyond in the prevailing religion. However, often used as a tool within the dominant system, it has largely produced fear and uncertainty about one’s worth and eternity. It has also shaped childhood for many. So when God opened the door for Keys for Kids Ministries to enter Afghanistan, He also provided people willing to distribute Gospel materials there — including devotionals and solar-powered MP3 players loaded with the Audio Bible and Keys for Kids stories. “It's designed to allow them to listen, in a kind of an entertaining way, to the story, but then the story points them back to Scripture,” says Yoder.

Testimonies from local partners

In one case, an 11-year-old Afghan boy was living in an orphanage after his parents were killed in a suicide bombing. While in the orphanage, he was also trying to support his three siblings. But one event change his life forever.

Representative photo: Traditional Afghan Attire in Rural Setting (Photo courtesy of Faruk Tokluoğlu via Pexels)

“He was asked to be a child actor on our storytellers,” says Yoder. Though the boy knew the Quran by heart, it did not give him peace. But as he learned more through stories about Jesus, he encountered the unconditional love and hope of Christ. He accepted the Gospel and began sharing it with other children in the orphanage. But that's not all. “He went back to his own village,” adds Yoder, “and he shared the Gospel with one of the village elders, and he came to faith in Christ!” Another testimony, Yoder says, is of parents being saved through these materials. When children listen, their families listen too — and they begin to seek the same peace and hope.

Afghan kids play with a kite (Photo courtesy of Farid Ershad via Unsplash)

“Since it's such a simplistic way of explaining biblical truth, the adults are understanding it. It's speaking to them!” says Yoder. So, this impact is being seen not only in the lives of children, but also in their families and communities — which is why many churches are being planted across the nation. You can help bring the Gospel to more Afghan communities! Support Keys for Kids Ministries, and also pray for the courage and wisdom of those sharing these Gospel tools in Afghanistan. They often risk their health and lives to bring the Gospel to their nation and need your faithful intercession. Header photo: Afghan kids play with a kite (Photo courtesy of Farid Ershad via Unsplash).

Lebanon believers coordinate for ministry together on the long road ahead

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 05:00:12 -0400

Lebanon (MNN) — Potential talks between Lebanon and Israel this week depend in part on how negotiations between Iran and the United States unfold. But no matter what happens politically, believers in Lebanon have a long road ahead. “Things are really very difficult, and getting even more difficult,” says Pierre Houssney with Horizons International. “We’ve gone through a lot of crises in Lebanon, but this one definitely feels different.” Even after the 2024 ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel continued near-daily strikes on Lebanon. “We see this new round of war, which has been about 40 days now, as kind of an escalation. But it's not like there wasn't war or strikes happening before," says Houssney. But last Wednesday, things became much worse. Hours after a temporary ceasefire was announced between the United States and Iran, Israel struck more than 100 targets in Beirut in 10 minutes. The strikes killed over 300 people and wounded more than 1,160, according to an initial count by Lebanon’s civil defense. During that 10-minute span, Houssney was at a gathering with 90 pastors seeking to work together better. They heard the boom of the strikes and realized what was happening.

Smoke from the explosion in Beirut. (Photo courtesy of Horizons International)

“We were actually launching a website which was helping us to coordinate needs and resources,” says Houssney. He says the then-recent US-Iran ceasefire wasn’t discussed. “The operating assumption of everybody was that, ‘Hey guys, let's unify more and more practical unity, working together in the Kingdom.’” Houssney says many people felt the Wednesday attack was like the August 4, 2020, Beirut port explosion: It came out of nowhere and demanded that people leap into emergency mode. He describes a rush on hospitals, chaos, and fear. “So many families that got disconnected from one another, don't know if the other one is alive. Or losing family members, you know. Their whole world [was] falling apart on that day. So it's been quite intense and difficult,” he says. At the pastors’ gathering, one leader reminded Houssney and the others that God looks at their hearts, not whether they can meet every need around them.

“I thought that was quite deep and important, because sometimes we do want to meet all the needs and we feel like we fail to do so,” says Houssney. “The point is we respond with our full capacity, making sure that we are being faithful.”

Today’s headlines may feel overwhelming, but Houssney urges believers to stay focused on the gospel mission wherever they live.

Throughout Lebanon, Horizons staff members meet with people in their homes to share the Gospel and pray together.
(Photo, caption courtesy of Horizons International)

“I always have to come back and just recognize my own human limitation, but then also my calling, that the Lord has called me to spread the gospel to everybody that's around me,” says Houssney. “That is absolutely the best thing, the most impactful thing that I can do in the light of these headlines.” As you pray for Lebanon and Israel, pray also for direction and boldness to reach your own circle of people with the gospel of Christ. Then go knowing that your brothers and sisters in Lebanon are doing the same. Header photo courtesy of Horizons International via Facebook.

Forgiveness and fruit in conflict-ravaged South Sudan

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 05:00:26 -0400

South Sudan (MNN) – In South Sudan, where years of conflict and a looming civil war plague all levels of society, the church is no stranger to poverty and destruction. But Stephen Wesley with Voice of the Martyrs Canada says believers are fixing their eyes on the abundance of Christ, rather than poverty of their circumstances. Helping them do this is the team at VOM Canada, who recently returned from South Sudan, where they held training in trauma counseling and forgiveness. Wesley says the Holy Spirit was so present that several individuals were convicted of their need for repentance and forgiveness mid-conference. “There was such a gracious anointing there as they were responding to the Word,” he says. “So they weren’t just hearing it. They weren’t just writing it. They were now living it.” Even before the conference had ended, stories were surfacing of its impact. “We heard testimonies from the people who were there who were holding onto unforgiveness because of people who had killed their family members. Yet in hearing the training, they forgave,” Wesley says. The impact of a faithful church, even (or perhaps especially) in dire economic circumstances, cannot be understated. One attendee, for example, a young church leader who Wesley likens to the Biblical church leader Timothy, is being sought out by local government officials needing leadership advice. “When the church is doing the church right, even the world will recognize it and want to hear from you and want to have participation with you because they recognize that you can bring a difference and a positive result,” Wesley says. Yet this reality does not negate another: persecution. Two weeks after the conference, another attendee’s husband was murdered by gunmen targeting him for his faith. “I come away from that, and I’m thinking, ‘How gracious, in one sense, that this was available to her before the fact, and now after the fact we can do something to help and support them,’” Wesley reflects. His hope is that regardless of circumstances, the true church of Jesus will showcase the glory of God: “By loving, by serving, by forgiving, by caring,” he says. For more information on VOM Canada’s training and resources on suffering, listen to Greg Musselman’s complete interview with Stephen Wesley.

Dinka tribe, South Sudan. Courtesy of Randy Faith via Unsplash. Header photo courtesy of Speak Media Uganda via Pexels.

The antidote to “When are you going to get a real job?” and other challenges that missionaries face

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 05:00:55 -0400

International (MNN) — “It is hard to stay on the mission field,” says Denise Godwin with International Media Ministries (IMM). Godwin knows this from past experience serving in missions. But more recently, dozens of short-term mission workers joined her team at IMM. They raised personal support to help complete a 90-day filming project of the biblical story of Esther, created for an Iranian audience. That experience reminded Godwin of both the challenges of missions and the urgent need for more workers. With IMM, Godwin sees the growing need for media content that can reach closed parts of the world. But one essential resource is often overlooked. “It requires not just funding and not just bodies in chairs,” she says. “It requires dedication.” Internships and one-year mission trips can be awesome ways to explore God’s calling. But Godwin says, “I still would insist that you feel like God has prompted you to do that year, that two years, because you will learn so much and you will grow so much. It's a good way to find out if you have enough passion and enough dedication to continue to be on the mission field.”

(Photo courtesy of Jon Tyson via Unsplash)

Yet for many missionaries confident of their calling, family voices can be a challenge at every step. “It's hard when someone back home, who you love very much, just wants you to come home and have a normal life,” says Godwin. There's a lot to navigate in family relationships and pressures like that. But we have to remember that in the Lord’s economy, every Christian has a role in sharing the gospel with the world. More than simply asking whether we are givers, pray-ers, or goers (or all of the above), Godwin encourages believers to consider one critical factor: how dedicated are we to the roles God has given to us? “It's only going to work for all of us in every role that we play with the inspiration and aid of the Holy Spirit,” she says.

Dedication is the antidote to any contrary voices that deter gospel ministry. If you know a missionary or ministry worker, take time to ask about their calling. Listen to their passion — and ask God to show you your place in their mission. And then dive in with total commitment.

“Pray for people you know who are in missions already. Pray for ministries that are trying to recruit people to come to them, and for the fundraising. These are all aspects of the whole job of missions. We can't do it without this community of believers around us,” says Godwin. “It's so important that you find people to pray for that you're passionate about, and things to give to that you're passionate about, because you are included in whatever [fruit] we find out in heaven. Whatever blessings come from what we do, it is shared with everyone who gives, it’s shared with everyone who prays.” Learn more about International Media Ministries' limited series about Esther here.

Clip from Esther: Queen of Hope. (Photo courtesy of IMM)

Header photo is a stock image courtesy of Jason Hogan via Unsplash.

The Iran war’s long-term cost

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 05:00:13 -0400

International (MNN) — Delegations from the United States and Iran meet in Pakistan tomorrow after the temporary ceasefire in the Iran war was announced earlier this week. But even if negotiations are more than another impasse, the conflict has already set up long-term threats of terrorist attacks in the region. “After all that’s happened,” says Samuel* with Redemptive Stories, “and how Iran has been attacked and at least perceived by some as dishonored, the honor and shame part of the culture of this part of the world means that the fight might take a pause — but it will still go on.” He points out that situations in the Middle East are always intertwined. Hezbollah connects to Iran, connects to Syria, connects to Iraq, etcetera.

“It may not happen in two weeks. It may not happen in two months. But I wholeheartedly believe that there will be ongoing attacks against US interests in the region for the time to come, as retaliation for what has taken place over the past month-and-a-half,” Samuel says.

That risk assessment is concerning not only for Western or US interests in the Middle East, but also for local Christians. “The evangelical Church in this part of the world, for better or for worse, is often connected to the US,” Samuel says. “Therefore, these will have implications on evangelical churches in Iraq, perhaps even in Lebanon."

(Photo courtesy of Lara Jameson via Pexels)

He also expects an impact on the underground Church in Iran: "I'm assuming there will be significant crackdowns once the dust settles a little bit.” Pray for protection, boldness, and strength for brothers and sisters in Christ in the Middle East as they speak about the hope of the gospel. “God always uses these chaotic moments to bring people to Himself. We've seen it all throughout the region, and we see it over and over again,” says Samuel. “I'm sure that they are also praying that in the midst of the chaos that's happened in Iran and in Lebanon and somewhat in Iraq, that God would, by His great grace, bring some of those who have been affected to Himself. So that is [local Christians'] prayer, along with security and safety." *Pseudonym Header photo courtesy of Saifee Art via Unsplash.

Every 8 minutes, a child in India is trafficked

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 05:00:53 -0400

India (MNN) – Did you know that every eight minutes, a child in India disappears due to human trafficking? It’s a heartbreaking statistic – each number representing a child taken, exploited, and often forgotten. Mission India regularly encounters adults who were trafficked as children and teens. Broken and abused, they are in desperate need of life skills and Christ’s love. Mission India’s Raina Miller says, “In India, there's not the hope of Christ, by and large. A lot of people don't know who Jesus is. Ninety percent of the people groups are unreached by the Gospel. So if they're living in hopelessness, they're desperate."

Nanya (Photo courtesy of Mission India)

That desperation often leaves children vulnerable. Miller shares the story of Nanya, a young woman who came out of bonded slavery. “Her dad, who was an alcoholic and really struggling, he had sold her off into a bonded labor contract for two years," Miller says. "She was sent off to work for a family [with] crazy hours – like 5 am to 11 pm for two years straight. She just had no life outside of that.... When she was working, she earned none of the money. It all went to her dad.”

When Nanya gained her freedom at 18, she didn’t know where to go next and couldn’t read or write. Eventually, she joined a Mission India Adult Literacy Class.

“She learned, first of all, how to read and write," Miller explains. "Second, she learned how to save and earn money in ways that had dignity and were something that she can be excited about.” The best part? Miller says, "She also discovered the love of Jesus and received him as her Savior!" Today, Nanya runs her own business as a beautician and shares her skills with other young women.

Adult Literacy Class (Photo courtesy of Mission India)

Miller says, "Adult Literacy Classes are meeting people in their hardest, deepest, scariest moments and helping them find a way out. Sometimes that's trafficking; sometimes that's other situations that they're stuck in. But our Adult Literacy Classes also provide education around these issues to help prevent them in the future.... We're really excited about that aspect of our Adult Literacy Classes and just the holistic impact that they make."

This month, there’s an opportunity to help more people like Nanya.

Every donation to Mission India will be matched up to $300,000. Normally, $40 covers the tuition for one Adult Literacy Class student — but through the end of April, that same $40 will allow two students to enroll.

You can give today at missionindia.org.

Header photo courtesy of Deepak Kumar/Unsplash.

Book packages aim to speed Bible translation worldwide

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 05:00:58 -0400

International (MNN) -- The first Scriptures were translated from Hebrew to Greek before Jesus was born, and there have been Bible translation projects ever since.

(Photo courtesy unfoldingWord)

Bible translators have brought God’s Word to roughly 4,000 language communities since the first century, yet serious needs remain today. Perry Oakes of unfoldingWord says, “There are thousands of languages that still need Bibles and only a few hundred Bible translation consultants – most of them around my age and thinking about retirement.”

Discovering a problem

Trained as a Bible translator, Oakes later became a translation consultant. While a translator creates the translation, a consultant reviews it for accuracy, clarity, and faithfulness to the original text. “I was trained in the traditional way: go to a tribe, learn their language, and translate the Bible,” Oakes says.

“It became pretty clear that this was a very slow process, and probably would not get the job done all over the world if they (language communities) were relying on people like me.”

Oakes says the lack of Western translation consultants creates a bottleneck, stopping progress worldwide. Furthermore, “The people need to do it for themselves, not only because there aren't enough of us, but also because languages change,” he explains. “They're going to want to revise their Bibles in the future, and we're not going to be around to do that.”

Creating a solution

Software from unfoldingWord called “book packages” allows indigenous translators to check their own work, removing the need for Western consultants and keeping projects on track. “We're putting in their hands what a consultant would do for them. These tools not only allow them to translate the Bible, but maintain those translations forever,” Oakes says. “The core of the book packages is a literal translation – this is what the Greek says, this is what the Hebrew says – and then a simplified translation to go alongside it,” he continues.

“With those two things, a translator has a lot of what he needs to translate the Bible into his language.”

Along with the two translations, book packages contain a set of verse-by-verse notes and dictionary definitions of difficult words. “Maybe there's some difficult grammar, or some idiomatic phrases, or some metaphors – the notes alert the translator to those things. Then, if the note just isn't enough, there's always a link from that note to an article about that issue,” Oakes says.

(Photo courtesy unfoldingWord)

Prayer and partnership

Oakes and his team develop the book packages in English first. Then unfoldingWord teams up with other major networks of believers to translate the resources into Gateway Languages such as Russian or Modern Standard Arabic. See how unfoldingWord’s Gateway Languages Strategy helps minority language communities receive God’s Word. unfoldingWord is developing software for each book in the Bible. “We have 13 more book packages to put together, including some of the really big, difficult books of the Old Testament like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel,” Oakes says. “We will be tackling those this year and putting out at least phase one, but we do want to go back and further refine them as we get feedback from the field and have a little bit more time to go over them.” Pray for Oakes and his team as they strive to complete the remaining book packages. Pray for clarity and that the completion process will be smooth, with no major obstacles. Consider partnering with unfoldingWord here to help them develop additional resources. Header and story images courtesy of unfoldingWord.

No respite for Lebanon after Iran ceasefire

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 05:00:30 -0400

Lebanon (MNN) — Hours after the announcement of a ceasefire in the United States-Israeli war with Iran, Israel launched intensified strikes on Beirut, Lebanon. “In ten minutes, we had like 100 strikes,” says Nuna with Triumphant Mercy Lebanon, referring to a report from the Israeli military. “[The strikes] are so violent and strong.” Nuna says the increased Israeli military response came because Israel can now focus on a single military front. “But also they have intelligence on where the people who are involved in any military activity against Israel are located,” she adds. “All these military people are trying to find refuge in places that have nothing to do with the conflict” — places such as civilian apartment buildings.

(Stock photo courtesy of Etienne Boulanger via Unsplash)

The fact that Hezbollah members are positioning themselves among civilians adds a challenging layer to Lebanon’s strife: It is dangerous for others to help the displaced. Many of the more than 1 million people displaced since Hezbollah fired on Israel on March 2 are Shia Muslims, the same branch of Islam that Hezbollah springs from. This causes others to fear that the family or individual at their door could be affiliated with Hezbollah and might put them at risk of collateral damage if Israel conducts a strike. The Iran ceasefire has also started an exodus homeward. “Because of the ceasefire in Iran, we had so many trying to go back to the south, or to areas in the south,” says Nuna, describing traffic jams in Beirut on Wednesday. “Now with the strikes, it's a very difficult time, because people are thinking of leaving. Some of them are on the road. Some of them have somebody in one of the regions that were targeted on the way back.” Communication lines have also been disrupted. Yesterday, someone at a Triumphant Mercy Lebanon center said they could not reach their son and daughter by phone. “The emotional trauma is very high, especially when you're not able to communicate,” says Nuna.

What will it take for peace?

Any ceasefire for Lebanon must address the root issue of the conflict with Israel: the disarmament of Hezbollah. Otherwise, Nuna says, “It will just lead to another round of hostilities in a few months, in a few years.”

“Let's finish completely. Let's remove the weapons of Hezbollah,” she says. “I don't want people to die, but I want this dealt with so that Lebanon will be with one government, one police, one military, one just one entity, and not have all these militias inside that are another government within our own government.”

Please pray for Triumphant Mercy staff as they continue sharing the hope of Jesus while under heavy strain themselves.

(Photo courtesy of Triumphant Mercy Lebanon)

“Everybody's on high alert. It’s like, ‘Do you want to close the center early? Do you want to let everybody go early?’ And at the same time, it's not safe to let them go early because we don't know, so [we should] keep them inside,” says Nuna. The hope of Jesus is the foundation of the work Triumphant Mercy Lebanon does. (More on that here.) “How can we even give an encouraging word, or a word of hope of a future, if we didn’t have the gospel? Without the gospel, I can tell you, we are nothing,” says Nuna. Ask God to mercifully allow change to come to Lebanon quickly rather than through prolonged conflict. Nuna asks for this based on Jesus’ words in Matthew 24 and Mark 13. In those passages, Jesus teaches about the signs of the end of the world and the calamities that will occur in those times. “Pray that the time would be shortened, because otherwise nobody can sustain it,” she says. “This is what I'm praying, that what God wants to do in this country — the way God wants to cleanse the country, or revive the country — will be done quickly. The time and the extension of time is so tiring and draining and emotionally hard.” Header photo of Beirut, Lebanon courtesy of Michael Starkie via Unsplash.

Europe’s classrooms reflect surge in antisemitism

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 05:00:30 -0400

Europe (MNN) – A new UNESCO report shows surging levels of antisemitism among young people in Europe. According to the study, more than three-quarters of teachers in the EU have encountered antisemitic incidents in their classrooms, highlighting the widespread nature of the problem across the region. Pastor Kostia Tsivin with Beit Hallel Congregation in Ashdod, Israel says he’s not surprised by the report.

(Photo by RDNE Stock project: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-boy-wearing-traditional-headwear-6114279/)

"We see how many Jewish people who go just as tourists to Europe or live there, they have big problems and they live in real fear. They are scared for their lives, for the lives of their kids.

"I think we will see more and more Jewish people who will come to Israel from Europe in upcoming months and years because antisemitism will continue to rise." Antisemitism has been increasing globally in recent years, with a sharp rise in incidents following the October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel. Across Europe, Jewish communities have reported heightened threats, harassment, and violence. Pastor Tsivin says when he travels to Europe now, he exercises greater caution as a Jewish pastor from Israel.

"When you're somewhere in...public places, of course, you just use another language. Usually, you don't speak Hebrew loudly because...if you can, it's better to use any other language. No attention to yourself, because you understand that these attacks and this hate to Jewish people is real.

(Photo courtesy of DAVIDSON L U N A via Unsplash)

"For example, I know Russian. It's my first language. I'm Jewish from Russia originally; I was born there. So if I'm somewhere in Europe, especially in the cities where I know that antisemitism is on a high level, I use Russian or English." Even amid rising tensions, Messianic Jewish believers continue to share the Gospel and meet practical needs. "War is a time when people are more open because when you are in fear...you start to think about God [and] something bigger than your life," says Tsivin. "It's a time when people are ready to hear; they are ready to receive. So pray that we can reach more people with the Gospel." Pray also for Jewish people to know their God-given value and find hope in Christ. "Every prayer is really important now, and we feel all the prayers. It's so touching when you know thousands and thousands of people are praying for Israel, for the Church, and of course for our church, especially." Learn more about Beit Hallel's ministry at beithallel-israel.org. Header photo: EU flag (Photo courtesy of Alexey Larionov/Unsplash)

Amid chaos, Haiti faces a humanitarian and spiritual crisis

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 05:00:24 -0400

Haiti (MNN) — Haiti is unraveling under gang control, pushing the nation closer to failed-state conditions. A recent gang massacre in Haiti’s Artibonite region killed at least 70 people, destroyed more than 50 homes, and forced about 6,000 to flee. Even as National Police deploy armored vehicles, gangs controlling much of the capital continue their brutality, with instability spreading beyond Port-au-Prince. “This is both a humanitarian crisis and a spiritual crisis,” says Brian Dennett with AMG International. Families are living in constant fear. There have been kidnappings, shootings, and destruction of property — evidence of a broader collapse in Haiti, with very few basic services available. Hospitals have shut down due to the violence, and more than 1.4 million people have been displaced, fleeing their homes.

(Photo courtesy of AMG International)

As violence has overtaken the capital, many families have fled, heading south of Port-au-Prince. “These regions, which were very quiet previously, are now pretty overwhelmed with all of these displaced people. And many of them are arriving with nothing,” adds Dennett. As systems collapse, ministries are stepping in. “We came up with a strategy with our team," explains Dennett, "there to enter specific communities where there were a lot of displaced people.” They are providing food, clothing, water, and shelter while also establishing churches and hosting outreach. The Gospel follows the aid. "People are are looking for hope. They're looking for truth, and so as we come alongside and meet their most desperate needs, we are also sharing the love of Jesus and the Gospel with them," says Dennett. They have expanded Bible school work, equipping a new generation of pastors and leaders. Their hope is to reach tens of thousands of people with the Gospel, while also providing support during this difficult time. “I think this is a really unique opportunity in Haiti for the church to rise up in a time where their systems really have collapsed,” adds Dennett. Pray the Church will shine in the chaos, and that ministries have the resources to continue serving those in need. Visit AMG International to partner with them in supporting the Haitian church. Header photo courtesy of AMG International.

Years of a “perpetual spiral of instabilities” leaves the DRC vulnerable

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 05:00:18 -0400

Democratic Republic of the Congo (MNN) — On April 1, the ISIS-affiliated terrorist group known as the Allied Democratic Forces killed at least 43 people in northeast Democratic Republic of the Congo. According to a March report on the DRC from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, attacks by the ADF such as the April 1 incident in Bafwakoa have escalated in the majority-Christian, resource-rich nation.

Photo of North Kivu and Ituri Provinces courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

“Congo has unfortunately been in this perpetual spiral of instabilities for decades,” says Greg Kelley with Unknown Nations. “And you know, the last five years in particular, they see an opportunity, and so they're trying to move into these areas, which are heavily Christian areas.” The DRC's situation is not the same as Nigeria's. In Nigeria, there is a sharper divide between Muslims and Christians within the country's north. But in the DRC, that element of antagonism is less prevalent. “More of the commonality that the DRC and Nigeria have is the instability, and so it's opportunities for them to really establish a Muslim beachhead,” says Kelley. "[In northern Nigeria,] it's had the Boko Haram activity, the Fulani herdsmen. They're literally trying to eradicate Christianity in the north." But Kelley notes that in the DRC, the ADF isn’t targeting only Christians. “These are just kind of almost generic brutalities, killing, raiding villages, trying to take ground, trying to get people to just pack up their bags and move on so they can control territory,” Kelley says, “because again, this is some of the wealthiest real estate, not just in Congo, not just in Africa, but in the world.”

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (Photo courtesy of Johnnathan Tshibangu via Unsplash)

Yet statistically speaking, believers do endure the brunt of ADF attacks. That's because 95 percent of the DRC's population identifies as Christian, according to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom report. Recent attacks on Christians took place in March and February. There are likely more that have not made it to mainstream media. But the big picture trend is clear: According to a report from International Christian Concern, the ADF claims that it has killed more than 700 Christians since December 2024. “It's spiritual warfare, attacking God's people in a place where the gospel, in the midst of all the instability, has grown tremendously. It’s a real success story,” says Kelley. Ask God to raise up more Christians to serve as gospel workers in the DRC. “It's not the first place that a missionary is going to want to go. But missionaries are being mobilized in the Congo right now,” says Kelley. “We have a training center near Kinshasa that's mobilizing missionaries to go into French-speaking areas. But when you see these kinds of things happening [attacks on Christian communities], they'll be able to divert resources and go into that area. So pray for training efforts.” Header photo: Portrait of a Taabwa Catholic priest at the historic mission in the city of Moba, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. (Photo courtesy of IMB)

New movement in Raymond Koh case

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 05:00:40 -0400

Malaysia (MNN) -- A new development in the case of the missing Malaysian pastor, Raymond Koh, is both a praise report and a reminder to pray. First, the praise. In 2019, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) investigated the 2017 forced disappearances or abductions of Koh and Shia convert Amri Che Mat. Todd Nettleton of The Voice of the Martyrs USA says, “There was a special task force report about the two abductions” released after the investigation, but the government withheld this report from Koh’s wife, Susanna, and her lawyers. “The government said, ‘No, that's a top secret report. We can't show that to you,’ and there was a lot of back and forth during the court case,” Nettleton continues.

Last week, “The government was ordered by the judge [to] turn over the report to Susanna (Koh) and her attorneys.”

This report should help Susanna Koh understand, at least in part, what happened to her husband when he was abducted by police in broad daylight nearly ten years ago. You can see our coverage of the Raymond Koh case here.

Roadblocks remain

Susanna Koh is suing the Malaysian government in search of answers, and she had a huge win last fall. "The victory that she won in November was very remarkable. It was a milestone victory," Nettleton says. “The judge said that it was the police who abducted Raymond Koh and ordered the government to pay damages and compensation to the Koh family until Raymond Koh was located. That dollar amount is going up every day until Raymond Koh is found or there's an explanation of what happened to him.”

Pastor Raymond Koh, center, with his wife Susanna and their family. (Photo courtesy of The Voice of the Martyrs USA)

Now, the reminder to pray: “The government immediately went into court and appealed that ruling, including the ruling that the police had to reopen the investigation, and the government was issued a stay,” Nettleton says.

“Essentially, the whole thing is on hold while that stay is in place. Susanna told me it could be two to five years while that works its way through the legal system.”

How to pray

Pray for strength and endurance for the Koh family. “Pray for Susanna and her attorneys. This is a long, hard road,” Nettleton says. “This was a years-long legal process to get to that verdict, and now she's facing another years-long legal process to fight the appeal and get through to hopefully confirming the verdict. It would be easy to grow weary and discouraged.” Pray for courage and faith for persecuted Christians throughout Malaysia. Nettleton says, “The Raymond Koh case really is kind of a warning to Malaysian Christians: ‘We can find you. We can punish you.’” Header image courtesy of The Voice of the Martyrs USA.

When geopolitical tensions interfere with Bible distribution

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 05:00:10 -0400

Uganda (MNN) — Global wars and economic instability are making it harder for the Gospel to reach people worldwide. Even shipments of Bibles and Gospel materials face long and difficult journeys to their destination ports. Jason Woolford of Mission Cry says, “[Global] instability is disrupting shipping routes and affecting humanitarian work around the world.”

Photo courtesy of Mission Cry

A few months ago, Mission Cry sent a container of Bibles and Gospel materials to Uganda, where many people are eager to own a Bible and grow in faith. The shipment was delayed at sea, like many others, and route managers began making changes. “They were rerouting it, which was going to take it into a Muslim port, which would have been continuous problems,” says Woolford. Now, however, the container is headed to its intended port. It carries $500,000 worth of free Bibles and Christian books, ready for distribution through local partners. Woolford says, “We're seeing a very big need in Malawi and Uganda and some of these countries that are landlocked.” He adds that these regions are often overlooked due to logistical challenges and cost. As the geopolitical landscape shifts and economies remain unpredictable, pray that ministries involved in humanitarian aid and logistics will find creative solutions in Christ. It is urgent. “These disruptions have slowed, or hurt the Gospel from reaching people who are waiting for it,” Woolford adds.

Photo courtesy of Mission Cry

Pray for ministries navigating present challenges. Consider donating spare Bibles or biblical materials to Mission Cry, and pray for provision to deliver them to communities hungry for the Word of God. Woolford points to the urgency of the need: “There are people in one of our shipments to China who risked their lives for a copy of the book of John and to distribute it in the north. And so there’s a real need.” Header photo courtesy of Mission Cry.

Lebanon’s instability drives refugee return to Syria

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 05:00:45 -0400

Syria (MNN) -- Syrian refugees are on the run again as life in war-torn Lebanon becomes increasingly volatile. Nearly 120,000 Syrians have returned to their home nation since Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the wider Iran war on March 2. “Depending on their ethnicity and religious affiliation, they are either returning to Syria or looking for some other country to settle in [during] these difficult times. We have seen, of the individuals that we serve, around 200 families who have chosen to return,” Heart for Lebanon’s Camille Melki says.

“Syria is not the most stable country to return to, but compared to what's going on in Lebanon right now, they feel safer heading back home.”

(Photo courtesy Heart for Lebanon)

Most of the returnees are Sunni Arabs, Melki adds. Syrian minority groups like Christians, Kurds, and Alawites aren’t taking any chances. “There [is] still persecution [against] the Christian villages in Syria, and the Christian families are not feeling safe, so they have taken their chances the other way – believing that they can find safer places in Lebanon despite the war we are experiencing,” Melki says. “The Kurdish population and the Alawite population that have come to Lebanon from Syria are petitioning the United Nations for further protection. [They know] that they cannot return to Syria, at least in the foreseeable future, because of the current regime’s stand against the Alawites and against the Kurds.”

How to help

Heart for Lebanon cares for thousands of refugees and displaced Lebanese people, providing help and hope in Jesus’ name. You can support those efforts here. When war began in early March, “Heart for Lebanon added another 2,600 families overnight, over and above the many thousands of families that we care for,” Melki says. Ask the Lord to strengthen believers as they care for refugees and displaced Lebanese in Jesus’ name. Pray that refugees would be drawn to Christ through the tangible demonstrations of His love. “Heart for Lebanon has a comprehensive approach to crisis; we address it on the physical, the emotional, but also on the spiritual level,” Melki says. Header and story images courtesy of Heart for Lebanon.

Mining massacre highlights Gospel need in South Sudan

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 05:00:30 -0400

South Sudan (MNN) – The recent killing of more than 70 people in South Sudan gravely underscores the country’s worsening situation and need for the hope of Christ. Increasing numbers of rebel forces plague an already fractious society, where Stephen Wesley with Voice of the Martyrs Canada says true persecution against Christians is taking place. “But then on the other side: you’re seeing, really, brother against brother, ethnicity against ethnicity, tribe against tribe – both of whom are calling themselves Christians but are not living it. And so this has to get worked out,” he says. Wesley recently returned from Juba, South Sudan, where his team and ministry partners held a theological training on persecution and discipleship. “I heard some of the leaders from South Sudan speaking at our conference and basically calling out the South to say, ‘If you name the name of Christ, then you cannot kill your brother,’” he says. Wesley notes there were several testimonies of people impacted by the teaching, including a high ranking army official: “[He] heard the teaching and wants to take [it] to the government and show them that what they’re doing is the opposite of what they should be doing.” Wesley says a transformative idea for warring believers is an understanding that our identity should be in Christ. “And where the world’s culture has infiltrated the church, it needs to go out,” Wesley exhorts. Instead, we need to usher in Christ’s kingdom, one that works together in unity. As lessons from this training continue to take root, please pray that people will continue to respond to the messages they heard, and pray for an end to the growing violence.

“My confidence is that there is a number of key leaders that God is raising up in that land right now, in the midst of it, that are going to be influential to benefit both the church and society no matter what’s happening in the culture or the country,” Wesley says.

Sudanese combatant with G3 rifle, courtesy of Steve Evans via Wikimedia Commons. Header image courtesy of Ahmed Abubakar via Pexels.

Preparing the Arabic-speaking Church for ministry after war

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 05:00:40 -0400

Middle East/North Africa (MNN) — In recent decades, conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa have uprooted the lives of untold millions of people. Yet for displaced, Arabic-speaking Christians among them, life in a new place can still be a fruitful season for gospel ministry. That’s because of the work of organizations such as the Program for Theological Education by Extension (PTEE). Erin James with PTEE explains that their team stands in the gap for Christians living in areas with low access to seminary. “We provide classes and training for refugees who have fled high-conflict areas and who desire to return after the conflict is over,” she says. “The target [students are] the ones that either don't have the money, no ability to move, or the ones that are working full time and can only handle one class at a time.”

Christian Ethics class.
(Photo, caption courtesy PTEE)

PTEE’s fully accredited program has been in place for more than 30 years and today offers certificate, diploma, and bachelor’s tracks. James says it was started to meet a felt need among Arabic Christians from different backgrounds to better understand the Bible. “We want them to be able to teach Sunday school, be pastors, lead women's ministry, children's ministry, but from a biblically sound foundation,” says James. James says their education by extension methodology has been tested and proven. Coursework, group discussions, and tests are an integral part of the program. “It originally came out of South America. It’s been used in Asia,” she says. “So we started creating the classes where the cost is minimal. [Students] can meet in their local church or even a house, and study the Word.” Please pray for PTEE’s current students to grow in their faith and understanding of how to serve Christ in their unique contexts. “Lord-willing, when the conflict ends, then they have this solid biblical foundation to go back and be able to teach the Bible,” says James. “Then they can reach, talk to the people that stayed, that are now going, ‘Wait, who is God? We've lived through this thing, this horrible conflict,’ and they're looking for a deeper understanding of the meaning of life, or just a deeper understanding of the Bible.” Pray also for funds to support PTEE’s growing work. “We’re doing a mobile program as well. [Pray] that we'd be able to expand the work and reach more Christians who desire to study the Word,” says James. Header photo courtesy of PTEE.

Amid massacre and displacement, Sudanese church planters press on

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 05:00:18 -0400

Sudan (MNN) -- More than 9 million people remain internally displaced as Sudan’s civil war approaches its third year. Sudan’s civil war, which erupted on April 15, 2023, is a violent power struggle between the national army and the Rapid Support Forces. Civilian deaths continue amid ongoing drone attacks, Radio Dabanga reports, and “the humanitarian situation there is rapidly deteriorating” as fighting blocks aid access. Strikes also continue throughout Darfur State as the war rages on. Tens of thousands of people were executed in El Fasher, Darfur, in December and January. At least 6,000 people were slain in just three days. John* partners with dozens of Sudanese church planters. “Many of them are from Darfur,” he says.

“The statistics are not statistics to them; they’re losing family, friends, and property. In the middle of that loss, they’re trusting God.”

Masalit tribal dancers at a 2014 event in Darfur, Sudan.
(Photo courtesy UNAMID via Flickr/CC)

Believers are not only trusting God but also continuing to serve Him. In the refugee camps they now call home, “Where the dominant tribe [in the camp] is Masalit from Darfur, with the greatest persecution and death, there are Masalit house churches,” John says. “We’ve started literacy classes so they can learn to read and write their own language.” With the help of Greater Reach Alliance, believers are making Christ known among the Masalit. Consider supporting church planters through GRA here. “We started in 2018 with the first known two believers from the Masalit tribe,” John says. “We’ve now graduated [28] from our school, and we have 15 [leaders] involved in (Bible) translation in their language. Our Masalit team translated The JESUS Film and Magdalena film for women.” Fourteen graduates from GRA’s school of mission lost family and close friends in the massacre at the end of 2025. Pray they will experience the peace only Jesus can offer. *Pseudonym Header image is a representative AI photo created by Chat GPT.

Finland hate crime ruling echoes in Canada Bill C-9 debate

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 05:00:15 -0400

Canada (MNN) — A hate speech case in Finland is drawing international attention and reigniting debate over Canada’s proposed Bill C-9. On March 26, Finland’s Supreme Court convicted former Interior Minister Päivi Räsänen (header photo) and Bishop Juhana Pohjola of a hate crime. The case stands out not only for the conviction itself, but for how it was prosecuted. Authorities used the “war crimes and crimes against humanity” section of Finland’s criminal code — a category typically reserved for far more severe offenses. The charges stem from a pamphlet published more than 20 years ago, in which the two outlined a biblical view of family and expressed concerns about gender-related issues. Päivi Räsänen has also previously faced accusations of hate speech for citing Scripture, including the book of Romans, though she was acquitted of those charges in earlier court rulings. Floyd Brobbel of Voice of the Martyrs Canada explains the legal basis behind the ruling: “It’s under a hate speech law that has a very loose or vague definition of hate, that these two were convicted.”

From Finland to Canada's Bill C-9

The decision is now echoing beyond Finland, fueling renewed discussion in Canada over Bill C-9, also known as the Combatting Hate Act. For more background on the bill and its potential impact on religious groups, see our previous coverage (here and here).

(Photo courtesy of VOM Canada)

Brobbel says the concern lies in how “hate” is defined and applied: “The concern remains that the loosening of the definition of hate could, in fact, in the long run, do exactly what they say the bill will not do.” At a deeper level, the situation raises questions about how religious beliefs are interpreted in modern legal systems — whether they are assessed on evidence or increasingly through the lens of perceived offense. Some observers see parallels between the developments in Finland and what could potentially unfold in Canada. Bill C-9 has already passed the House of Commons and is now before the Senate. If it advances, it will return to Parliament for final reading. As lawmakers consider the bill, Brobbel is calling for prayer: “Pray that they would have the wisdom to carefully consider the implications of this bill and tighten up some of the descriptions that need to be tightened up.” Visit Voice of the Martyrs Canada to learn more about how they serve the persecuted Church. Header photo: Portrait of Päivi Räsänen (photo courtesy of FinnishGovernment via Wikimedia Commons)

Mission Cry braces for repercussions in China from war in Iran

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 05:00:37 -0400

China (MNN)—Amidst global unrest, Mission Cry has sent two more containers worth half a million each, full of Bibles and Christian books, to China.

The ministry distributes free Christian literature to spiritually-needy people, by asking people to donate from their bookshelves and then sending these resources around the world. These resources are then distributed within three to four days, reaching approximately 30,000 people per container. While the Bible is not banned in China, access to it is limited. However, Mission Cry President Jason Woolford notes government policies and attitudes can shift quickly.

“We look at what's going on with Iran right now, we see the alignment with China and Russia, and you know, history has shown us that doors for the gospel don't stay open forever,” says Woolford. “Right now, we still have the ability to ship Bibles and Christian books into Hong Kong and the surrounding region. But this global climate right now could change very, very quickly.”

According to Woolford, many other ministries no longer have these same opportunities to get resources into China.

“So we need to get the Word of God into that area as much as we can, especially with the tensions that are going on,” says Woolford. “So the need is great, and we just need to keep getting the word into these areas.”

Woolford asks for prayers for Mission Cry’s missionaries on the ground in Hong Kong and the relationships they’ve built with businesses there, which allow them to creatively get the Word of God into the area; for their team that goes into mainland China and into the north, where they risk imprisonment and possible death by taking the Word of God into these areas; and that they would get the sponsorship needed to ship more containers of resources to those in need while they can.

How else to help:

Donate books: Christian books in English are accepted by Mission Cry, as English is widely spoken in Hong Kong and mainland China.
Donate funds: It costs Mission Cry about $11,000 to ship a container, worth half a million dollars in free Bibles and other resources.

Header photo courtesy of Mission Cry.

Israel faces mounting trauma as Iran war fuels constant missile threat

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 05:00:58 -0400

Israel (MNN) — With no end in sight for the Iran war, the conflict is leaving invisible scars across the Middle East. In Israel, the trauma runs deep. “Iran continues to launch its ballistic missiles and hit Israeli cities. Many people live in kind of an anxiety-filled environment,” says Pavel Shifman, Trans World Radio’s director for Israel. In the weeks since Israel and the United States attacked Iran on February 28, Israel has also received missile strikes from Iranian proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon and, most recently, Houthi rebels in Yemen. “The situation of the war is not something unusual for the Israelis. Since the establishment of the State of Israel, it has been going through a major war or conflict every 10 years,” says Shifman. “But the interesting part is that Israel did not start those conflicts. [Yet] Israel always won those conflicts.” He ascribes these victories to God protecting the Jewish people and fulfilling Old Testament prophecies where He promises to gather His people back to the land. In this latest conflict, the TWR Israel team says many people have stopped responding to sirens, “because they can't handle the stress of running to bomb shelters three, four, five [times] a day or night,” says Shifman. “They haven't slept well during the last 30 days because Iran deliberately attacks the civilian population and shoots missiles like every other hour. So some people just decide to stay at home, and whatever happens, happens.”

TWR Israel on the move

With Passover being celebrated this week, it’s a critical time to be praying for the Jewish people. “We want to show them who Yeshua is, who Jesus is,” says Shifman. “Israel lives in kind of a two-name reality. They never pronounce His name correctly. In fact, they refer to Him in history as ‘that man.’” “Yeshua” means “salvation.” But many Jews refer to Jesus as “Yeshu.” Shifman explains that "Yeshu" is “basically a curse that says, ‘may his name be wiped out from our tradition and our history.’ They don't even understand that, but that's how things developed over the years.” TWR Israel’s team shares the gospel of Christ through social media channels, Bible distribution, and Zoom calls with people who are interested in learning more about the Bible, Jesus, and faith. Shifman says the Zoom study calls are important because, “According to the National Bureau of Statistics, 43% of Israelis identify themselves as secularists. They don’t believe in the Bible. We need to bring the reality of God into their lives, to connect all the dots and bits and pieces and show them that their God is there.” Isaiah 53 and Jeremiah 31 are key passages, Shifman says, that point to the Messiah and to the New Testament (or new covenant).

Pray for Israel

Pray for open hearts among the Jewish people to Christ the Messiah, especially during Passover celebrations, which have many signs that point to Jesus. Shifman adds another prayer request: “The rise of anti-Semitism is really high these days. We want people to change their attitude towards the Jewish people, and see how God loves His people, and so we do too, especially as believers and followers [of Christ].” Header photo courtesy of TWR.

Sri Lanka Christians prepare for Easter amid memories of deadly 2019 attacks

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 05:00:33 -0400

Sri Lanka (MNN) – In Sri Lanka, Easter is a day mixed with both joy and sorrow ever since the 2019 Easter bombings that killed nearly 300 people and injured hundreds more. The coordinated attacks targeted churches and luxury hotels, carried out by Islamist extremists during Easter services. The bombings deeply traumatized the nation and exposed security failures, leaving lasting concerns for the country's Christian minority.

Kandy, Sri Lanka (Photo courtesy of Antonio Cogo/Unsplash)

Although it was seven years ago, Rajeeve Sathianathan, Sri Lanka director of Christian World Outreach (CWO), says the government is taking steps to help restore Christians’ confidence and protect their freedom to worship this Easter.

“In big cities, they are sending security forces to guard the big churches so that incidents like what happened a few years ago won't happen again," says Sathianathan. "But that protection is there only in big cities. In remote villages, that's a challenge.”

Christians make up a small minority in Sri Lanka, where the majority of people are Buddhist, along with significant Hindu and Muslim populations. This can lead to persecution, especially in rural areas.

A woman in Sri Lanka. (Photo courtesy of Gemmmm/Unsplash)

On top of less security in Sri Lanka’s villages, rural Christians often face opposition from their neighbors. Sathianathan says, “Most of them are like house churches. So the landlords tell them, ‘Hey, we need to kick them out of this place because we don't want them to use this property to invite people in.’” Easter is just around the corner this coming Sunday. Pray for Sri Lankan Christians and CWO partners.

“Pray for them, for strength, because sometimes the fear comes when you experience this kind of restriction," Sathianathan asks. "That's what I continue [to pray] for protection and also pray for wisdom.”

Learn more about CWO's Sri Lanka ministry at cwomissions.org/srilanka/. Header photo courtesy of Vinnath Satharasinghe/Unsplash.

Deaf church planters bring Gospel hope to remote communities

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 05:00:52 -0400

International (MNN) -- Reaching Deaf people with the Gospel isn’t always easy, but it’s happening. Deaf leader Allan Orozco oversees DOOR International’s church-planting program. He says Deaf communities in distant regions of places like Nepal often keep to themselves. “Many Deaf individuals find it hard to navigate the city, so they often remain in their villages in these remote mountain areas,” Orozco explains.

(Screenshot)

Through a program called “2-by-2,” DOOR helps pairs of church planters begin work in unreached Deaf communities. In Nepal and other difficult regions, 2-by-2 workers travel to places inaccessible by car. See a 2-by-2 team in action here. “2-by-2 workers have motorbikes that they can navigate up these big mountains and engage with the individuals in these communities, sharing Jesus with them,” Orozco says. “Some of them are from generational-Deaf families – the parents are Deaf, the siblings are Deaf, aunts and uncles, and so on. They’ll (2-by-2 teams) go out to these villages and engage with them, share the Gospel.”

How 2-by-2 works

DOOR International currently supports 40 2-by-2 teams serving Deaf communities worldwide. No matter where they’re working, the teams’ mission is the same: introduce the Deaf to Jesus.

“Many of these Deaf communities have no Deaf leadership, no Deaf churches that are accessible,” Orozco says, “so we send these two workers to begin interacting and engaging with the community.”

The 2-by-2 program trains and pairs Deaf leaders gifted in evangelism with Deaf leaders gifted in teaching. Those with an evangelism skill set are typically outgoing and able to begin relationships easily. As the evangelist teammate meets Deaf people and invites them to a Bible study, “the Chronological Bible Teaching approach allows these two workers to see some [Deaf people] being saved and continuing in that journey of discipleship with them, teaching and training,” Orozco says. “The teaching gifts come into play in the discipleship journey of those who are becoming saved, and hopefully leading to reaching the [entire] community.”

Why support and prayer matter

Reaching the Deaf for Christ is a monumental task – fewer than two percent of the world’s 70 million Deaf people know or follow Jesus. Connect with DOOR here to help this work continue.

(Photo courtesy DOOR International)

“Often, we're sending Deaf missionaries who don't have a community to raise support through, whether it's a communication barrier, or [having few people] in their network to ask for support,” Orozco explains.

“We want to see their ministry continue regardless of this lack of support, so providing support from the outside can be so beneficial.”

Most importantly, pray. You can download a prayer calendar here to intercede for Deaf Gospel workers throughout the month. “Like the Bible says: ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to provide more workers for His harvest field.’ That is our prayer: to raise up more Deaf leaders to go out to the harvest,” Orozco says. Header and story images courtesy of DOOR International.

Palm Sunday attack on Christian community leaves over 30 Nigerians dead

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 05:00:56 -0400

Nigeria (MNN) – At least 30 people in Nigeria’s Plateau State were killed by Muslim militants on Palm Sunday. Todd Nettleton with The Voice of the Martyrs USA (VOM) says, “People came in on bikes and motorcycles, opened fire. The initial reports were at least 30 people killed. I think that number is going to rise as some were badly injured." This coordinated attack targeted believers, as the affected community in northern Jos is almost entirely Christian.

"The gunmen were yelling, ‘Allahu akbar,’ or ‘Allah is great,’ as they were conducting this attack," Nettleton says. "So there clearly was an Islamist ideology that was driving this – and the fact that it was on Palm Sunday, I don't think that is insignificant in this story as well.”

(Photo courtesy Voice of the Martyrs USA)

Northern Nigeria remains a hotspot for Christian persecution. That reality makes it difficult for believers to discern between empty threats and imminent danger. Nettleton says, "Our Nigerian contact said there had been threats in Jos. Even in the last two or three weeks, there had been threats made against Christians, against churches.... The threat level is always elevated. So [it means] differentiating between, 'Is this sort of a regular threat? Or is this really serious? Do we need to pay extra attention to this?'" Boko Haram and Fulani militants frequently carry out attacks on Christians in Nigeria's Muslim-majority north. While neither group has officially claimed the attack in Jos, Christian holidays often become opportunities for Islamist violence.

“One of the things that we...at The Voice of the Martyrs try to do is bang the drum for us to remember Christians are at extra risk on these holy days – on Christmas, on Easter. During times when there are a lot of Christians gathering, the gatherings are obviously known. They're very public, and so the risk is greater in these holidays.”

(Photo courtesy of VOM USA)

With Easter quickly approaching, the Church in Nigeria needs your prayers. Nettleton urges, “Think about brothers and sisters who are worshiping and celebrating the same resurrection we are, but they're doing it in a place where they are in danger, where the threat is very real to them – to pray for them, to remember them as Hebrews 13:3 tells us to do. I think, honestly, that adds a depth to our celebration of the resurrection.” Header photo courtesy of VOM USA.

Believers hold hope out to Lebanon’s displaced this Easter

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 05:00:18 -0400

Lebanon (MNN) — Moments of beauty still touch Lebanon even as Israel continues its “leave or die” evacuation orders for southern Lebanon in order to create a buffer zone against Hezbollah. “It's Hezbollah who dragged the whole nation of Lebanon into a war with Israel,” says Camille Melki with Heart for Lebanon. “The Lebanese people did not choose that, do not want that. In fact, we long for a lasting peace for the entire region.”

(Photo courtesy of Heart for Lebanon)

A month into the renewed war, Melki says the Lebanese government and army’s response has left a serious leadership vacuum, “which means that Hezbollah has a free rein in those areas, and Israel has a free rein to retaliate and attack Hezbollah in those areas.” Yet beauty remains. Last weekend on Palm Sunday, children carried olive and palm branches down church aisles, singing “Hosanna, Hosanna!” “You know, that word ‘God save us’ has a whole different meaning for us in times of war,” says Melki. The UN Refugee Agency reports that a round 14% of Lebanon’s territory is now under Israeli evacuation threats. About one in five people in Lebanon have been displaced, according to a report from NPR. Melki says Heart for Lebanon is now serving 7,200 families with aid and care. “Our team had to add 2,600 new families to our beneficiary list. This is a 45% increase,” he says. “This is a lot to take. We need wisdom. We need protection, and we need the prayer of perseverance, as we ourselves are faced with security threats and difficulties maneuvering aid from one place to the other. We are always trying to reach out to the families who are on the move.”

Heart for Lebanon’s focus on holistic, relational, and unconditional ministry allows believers to reach and engage refugees in relationship.
(Photo courtesy of Heart for Lebanon)

Heart for Lebanon has given this Holy Week the title “Hope In the Resurrection.” Pray that their Good Friday and Easter services will bless many and point them to Jesus. “Our hope is found in Christ resurrected, the victorious over death,” says Melki. “I hope that gives us a reminder that eternal peace is only given to us through Jesus Christ.” Pray also for the Heart for Lebanon team for the long road ahead. “We look at the moment where we will be all together in heaven, worshiping the Lamb. But in the meantime, we stand in solidarity with one another,” says Melki. Header photo courtesy of Heart for Lebanon.

Book packages help Bible translators in the MENA

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 05:00:56 -0400

Middle East/North Africa (MENA) – In the Middle East/North Africa region, also called the MENA, following Jesus often means walking a dangerous road. Governments monitor Christian activity. Believers risk rejection, arrest, and worse. And yet, the Gospel is not bound. Dane of unfoldingWord says partners are bridging the gap for minority-language communities.

(Photo courtesy of unfoldingWord)

“In partnership with the Bible Society of Jordan, unfoldingWord is trying to equip church networks with free and open Scripture text, translation tools, [and] translation training materials,” Dane says, “to meet the Scripture and discipleship needs of all the minority communities in the Middle East and in North Africa.” Although the Bible is available in Modern Standard Arabic, most people in the MENA speak either a variant, a dialect, or a completely different language. In other words, a majority of MENA communities do not have the Bible in their mother tongue. Thanks to unfoldingWord, MENA church networks are gaining the tools needed to translate Scripture into unreached languages. “unfoldingWord has 27 ‘book packages’ for the New Testament in English,” Dane says. “We hand them off to people like the Bible Society of Jordan, [who translate] them into gateway or strategic languages of the world. That's what makes Bible translation wisdom, skill, and knowledge available to church networks translating the Bible for their own people.” Visit unfoldingWord’s website to learn more. Each of the 27 “book packages” contains “a literal translation of the Bible, a simplified translation of the Bible, a verse-by-verse translator guide, definitions of key terms, [and] short articles about handling Bible translation issues,” Dane explains.

(Photo courtesy of unfoldingWord via Facebook)

“They're all linked to the words in context. and the original languages, in a software package.” Pray for receptive hearts across the MENA to encounter the truth of Jesus. Pray for wisdom and discernment as the unfoldingWord team strives to complete more book packages. “Our team finished all of the book packages for the New Testament, but they're still working very hard on the Old Testament. I think they're about halfway through,” Dane says. Header photo courtesy of unfoldingWord.

Syrian churches limit Easter celebrations in solidarity with attacked Christian town

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 05:00:50 -0400

Syria (MNN) — This year, many churches in Syria are restraining their Easter celebrations as an expression of solidarity with a Christian town that was attacked over the weekend. Samuel* with Redemptive Stories says multiple reports are circulating, but the basic outline is this: Muslim men were allegedly harassing a young woman in the predominantly Christian town of Suqaylabiyah on Friday. When men in the community came to her defense, it quickly escalated. “There were reprisal attacks on the people who were harassing her," says Samuel. "Then the group that was harassing the young lady attacked a Christian village."

A girl in Syria (Photo courtesy of Ahmed Akacha via Pexels)

The National reports that on Saturday, gunmen entered Suqaylabiyah and damaged businesses, cars, and a statue of the Virgin Mary. Thankfully, no casualties were reported. In response to the attack, Syria’s Greek Orthodox and Catholic patriarchs have issued a joint statement: Easter this year will be celebrated “only with prayer inside the churches.” Maronite Archbishop Joseph Tobji was careful to say that it was not a decision made out of fear. Samuel puts it this way: “Not the whole of Syria, but a lot of Christian communities are standing with this one community that was attacked. In solidarity, they're limiting their celebrations external to the church over Holy Week.” Samuel says that especially in Syria, Easter is normally a time of great celebration, with marching bands and songs of lament and joy. That makes this restrained observance of Easter “a sad realization of the pressures that Syrian Christians face these days," he says. Please pray for believers in Syria. Ask God to bless them in unexpected ways this Easter, even though it won't look like what they had hoped. “As the government becomes more restrictive in Syria, [pray] that the Church will just continue to be a bright light in the midst of that,” says Samuel. "[Pray] that Christians would not leave the region, because the more Christians leave, the less the voice of the Church can be powerful to communicate hope." Header photo: Syria (Stock photo courtesy of Abd Alrhman Al Darra)

Seeing people God’s way in a world of categories

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 05:00:18 -0400

International (MNN) — A hardened heart doesn’t happen all at once — it often begins subtly. When people stop seeing others through God’s perspective, prejudice can quietly take root. That shift, says Ron Hutchcraft of Hutchcraft Ministries, puts someone in a spiritually dangerous place: “When your heart starts to turn cold toward any people and hard, you are entering into a spiritual danger zone.” It’s common for people to sort others into categories — by nationality, religion, or appearance. These labels are often shaped by distorted narratives or difficult personal experiences. But this tendency isn’t new. Jesus Himself warned about the consequences of a broken world, saying that as lawlessness increases, “He said the hearts of many will turn cold,” says Hutchcraft.

Photo courtesy of Luis Georg Müller via Unsplash

For believers, the risk is especially significant. Making quick judgments based on limited understanding doesn’t just harm relationships — it can obstruct the message of the Gospel. But there is a different way forward — one that restores clarity and compassion. Hutchcraft points back to God’s perspective: “Let’s think about what our Creator sees. He doesn’t see categories. He sees, first of all, individuals made in His image.” That truth reframes everything. Scripture consistently shows that Jesus came for individuals, not groups. His ministry reflected this in the people He chose to follow Him — tax collectors, zealots, and others from vastly different social, political, and educational backgrounds. Despite their differences, they were unified in something greater. As Hutchcraft explains, “They are disciples of Jesus Christ, and those differences, those categories, apparently don’t matter. It is submerged into a new identity.” And that identity carries profound worth.

“God sees people He considered so valuable that each one was worth the life of His own Son,” says Hutchcraft.

The challenge for believers today is to adopt that same lens — to see individuals, not categories, and to let that perspective shape their role in the Great Commission. Pray that God’s view of people will guide and transform the hearts of those sharing the Gospel. Visit Hutchcraft Ministries to learn more about sharing the Gospel effectively. Header photo: People walk (Photo courtesy of Ryoji Iwata via Unsplash).

Bibles travel and reach new people

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 05:00:45 -0400

USA (MNN) — Mission Cry has sent nearly $500 million dollars’ worth of free used Bibles and Christian books to 180 nations around the world.

(Photo courtesy Mission Cry)

As Mission Cry sent a much higher volume of donated materials this year than in the past, the organization invites people to join in the mission, searching thrift stores, rummage sales, churches, and their own shelves for materials to donate.

Mission Cry President Jason Woolford says, “There are so many organizations and churches that give Bibles to the point that the average home, not the saved home, not the Christian home, the average home in America has 6 Bibles sitting on its shelf.”

Mission Cry began its Bible-sending ministry 70 years ago when a junk dealer found a Bible sitting in a garbage can. Not wanting to throw it away, he began collecting a box full of Bibles, which he sent to India, and since then, Mission Cry has grown into what it is today, reaching many around the world.

In the U.S., Bibles and Christian materials abound. However, in other places around the world, people desperately want these materials.

“With the state of everything going on in the world, there's a great need that we’re seeing, more than ever before, where people are requesting and just desiring the Word of God and not desiring a brand new Bible with a sticker on it,” Woolford says.

Woolford says that donating allows people to be missionaries, sending the Word of God around the world without even leaving their homes.

To donate to Mission Cry’s semi-annual Bible drive, take a box and pack it with materials to send to Mission Cry as Media Mail. People can also reach out to state coordinators, who can collect the materials and take them to Mission Cry.

“This is a spiritual battle that we're in. We’re sending the Word, the only thing that doesn’t return void,” Woolford says. “God says that faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of God alone.”

Please pray for the state coordinators who collect the Bibles, and that a state coordinator will be found for the state of New York.

Pray for the funds to send containers around the world.

Please pray for those who are sharing the Word of God in difficult countries around the world. Pray that as they get the materials to people who do not yet know the Lord, individuals will be blessed by the books and that people will put their faith in Christ.

Header Photo provided by Mission Cry

As war fears rise, ABTS cares for the displaced in Lebanon

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 05:00:24 -0400

Lebanon (MNN) -- Israel expands its military footprint in southern Lebanon, reportedly to deter rocket fire from Hezbollah. Israeli leaders described initial actions in the region as “limited,” but many in Lebanon fear an all-out ground invasion. Staff at the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary outside Beirut have little capacity to worry. ABTS Director of Partnerships Loulwa El Maalouf says they’re busy hosting hundreds of displaced people.

"Our guests come from different backgrounds and areas across Lebanon. Yet amid uncertainty, we see them gather hand in hand to assist the kitchen staff in preparing meals. Join us in prayer that during this season of hardship, just as these meals nourish their bodies, the word of God may also nourish their spirits."
(Photo, caption courtesy ABTS)

“This word ‘balance’ doesn't exist in our dictionary, especially during this time,” she explains. When the crisis began in early March, “so many members of our staff spent more than 12 hours at work, and no one is complaining.”

ABTS serves amid crisis

ABTS offers undergraduate- and graduate-level education to believers across the Arab world through traditional and hybrid programs. More about that here. For ABTS students, Lebanon’s current emergency is nothing new. “We have students from Morocco, Yemen, Iraq, Sudan, Syria,” El Maalouf says.

“Our students are used to living in crises.”

Even so, “We want to be an example for our students,” she adds, stressing the importance of combining practical demonstration with classroom learning. “We equip them to be the salt and light within difficult circumstances, so it's very important for us to be able to do what we preach.”

Displacement pushes Beirut to the limits

Israel’s defense minister says his country would establish a “security zone” in southern Lebanon and take control of key river crossings, a move that would stop over a million people from ever returning home. These displaced masses are filling every nook and cranny of Beirut, a city already strained by overlapping disasters. According to the UN, many newly uprooted families lack basic necessities such as shelter, food, and medical care.

(Photo courtesy ABTS)

Faced with ever-increasing need, believers press on. “They're preparing for what might be a long-term war; some of them had to relocate because their areas are not safe. However, they are serving wholeheartedly with a smile on their face,” El Maalouf says.

“This is truly only possible through the strength of the Holy Spirit.”

Pray that displaced families will come to know Jesus through the word and deed of ABTS staff. “Our prayer and our plan is that everyone will hear the Gospel and have a clear understanding of why we are doing what we are doing,” El Maalouf says. Ask the Lord to continuously strengthen believers, and consider supporting emergency efforts here. “We are sharing regular updates on our website,” El Maalouf says, and if “someone is interested in providing meals or accommodation, they can also financially support” ABTS work. Header image depicts Israeli air strikes in Beirut early in the current crisis. Header and story photos courtesy of ABTS.

Satellite TV station meets Iranians searching for peace with the hope of Jesus

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 05:00:01 -0400

Iran (MNN) — Iran’s internet blackout has entered its 32nd day, according to global internet monitor Netblocks. Iranians pay big money and risk arrest to connect to the outside world via Starlink or other forbidden means. And when they do connect, ministries like Heart4Iran want to be right there with the hope of Christ. Every second counts. Heart4Iran’s Edwin Abnous says, “When they call us, they cannot stay on the telephone for long — less than two minutes, and they have to cut the connection.” Abnous says that when the war started, the signal was suddenly blocked for Mohabat TV, Heart4Iran’s 24/7 Farsi satellite station. Their team scrambled to switch to a different satellite provider so that they could continue reaching into Iran. Not long after, a man named Armin managed to call Mohabat TV.

(Photo courtesy of Heart4Iran)

Armin told the call center staff member that he lives in a city near Tehran and was hearing missile strikes. “He was very nervous, and he said, ‘I want peace. That's why I called Mohabat TV,'" says Abnous. "And after that conversation, he gave his heart to Jesus.” Please pray for call connections and great wisdom for Heart4Iran call center staff. Consider supporting their work as a tangible expression of your prayers. “Moments like this [call with Armin] are very emotional to me, when I hear and see things like that happen. If two minutes of phone conversation and an opportunity to get into the country provide such a life-changing experience for a person that will impact his eternity... God knows through [Armin] how many will be impacted, how many more people can be touched [by] Jesus' gospel that we're preaching into the country,” says Abnous.

Iran (Representative stock photo courtesy of Zahra Amiri via Unsplash)

God is responding to the prayers of people like you and is moving in Iran. “The more prayer warriors, the better. We need to stand in the gap and make sure the Iranian people receive the protection, especially the Church in the inside of the country," says Abnous.

"A friend of ours, a partner, shared with me a picture of a house church baptizing while this is happening. [During] this uprising of protest, the church is still active and going."

Header photo: Tehran, Iran (Stock photo courtesy of Seyed Amir Mohammad via Unsplash)

Are Bibles banned in China? Not quite

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0400

China (MNN)—Kurt Rovenstine, of Bibles for China, disagrees with recent claims that China is one of the countries leading a trend of banning the Bible, as reported in a recent article.

“The way these articles are framed and the statements that they make, I think you have to be able to dig a little bit deeper to find out what is really the issue,” says Rovenstine.

So what is true?

In the article referenced, China is mentioned alongside Saudi Arabia and North Korea as some of the most dangerous countries to possess a Bible—Rovenstine notes this misrepresents the reality. China is not in the top three for limited access, but it is on the list of countries where access to the Bible is most restricted.

The article also claims the Chinese government is “removing the Bible from online retailers and replacing it with a ‘sanitized’ version.”

“We've not seen any of that,” says Rovenstine. “Nobody who's claiming that has ever shown us that or actually produced one of these compromised Bibles.”

Most significantly, he notes the Bible is not banned in China—but it can be difficult to get one.

“Right now the Bible is relatively accessible. I mean, we still have a great number of requests and opportunities to do Bible distribution.”

(Photo courtesy of Bibles for China via Facebook)

Having a Bible or buying one is not illegal in China. People traveling to China can also bring their Bible, even as a gift for someone within the country. However, they can’t be purchased just anywhere, and printing of the Bible is limited by the government. Bibles for China works with Amity Printing Press, which has approval to print a limited number of Bibles a year.

“They're printed by the millions,” says Rovenstine. “That's not enough, but we want to make sure that what is being printed is accessible to those who may not have the opportunity to possess a Bible.”

There are still several challenges with distributing the Bible in China. There simply are not as many Bibles available as there are people who want access to one, and the underground church faces greater challenges than the registered church. On top of that, there is still a need to reach areas of China that are more rural or have lower economic positions. Rovenstine notes there are some places the Bible could be available but not accessible simply because it hasn’t been translated into different minority languages.

“There's still challenges, absolutely, but there's still opportunity that we need to be pursuing and taking advantage of, until those opportunities are not available to us anymore.”

He asks believers to continue supporting Bible translation and distribution around the world.

“Over a million Bibles that Bibles for China has had the privilege of helping to distribute are in the hands of people just like me who are reading those Bibles, and the Holy Spirit is working on their lives in those moments. I thought that's really cool, that the Bible is doing its good work, and we need to make sure that good work is available to anybody who has a desire for that.”

How to Pray:

Pray for the good work of Bible translation and distribution.
Pray Bibles for China continues to have opportunities to do the work they’ll called to—that roadblock and logistics would be eased, so they can continue to put Bibles in the hands of those who desire them.
Pray God would soften the hearts and attitudes of those in China who are making decisions around distribution.

Header photo courtesy of Bibles for China.

Lebanon’s Christian organizations stand together as humanitarian crisis worsens

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 05:00:04 -0400

Lebanon (MNN) — After four weeks of renewed war between Hezbollah and Israel, at least 1.2 million people in Lebanon are displaced, according to the Lebanese government. The war has killed more than 1,090 people as well, says the Ministry of Public Health.

Bint Jbeil Road, Southern Lebanon (Photo courtesy of Ahmad Bader via Unsplash)

For many of the displaced, it’s not the first time they’ve been uprooted from their homes in southern Lebanon, says Nuna* with Triumphant Mercy Lebanon. “They went through it one time. They went back. They tried to rebuild home, lives, schools… and here we go again,” she says. “So people are disgusted and angry and really hopeless, and many want to leave the country.” Nuna says people are angry with Hezbollah for attacking Israel on March 2, 2026, and dragging Lebanon into the Iran war. The conflict in Lebanon has created further divisions among its people, as many fear proximity to Shia Muslims who might be affiliated with Hezbollah and thus a potential Israeli target. “So now Sunnis, Christians, like everybody is against the Shiites, and nobody wants the Shiite people to come into our area,” says Nuna. This places pressure on Christians, who must be very cautious about how they help — or do not help — others. It also makes life extremely difficult for Shia Muslims, who are being denied places to rent.

Refugee child in Lebanon. (Photo courtesy of Ahmad Bader/Unsplash)

“They're not finding a place. They have to take places by force, and the Hezbollah people are now trying to hide among civilians. That's basically the situation on the ground,” says Nuna. Tensions also continue to escalate between Lebanon’s government and Hezbollah. Last week, the government ordered Iran’s ambassador to Beirut to leave the country by March 29. Hezbollah sharply criticized this decision, and its government representatives responded further by boycotting a Thursday cabinet meeting. “It's like we are hostages, you know, of this political group, military group, that is doing whatever they want,” says Nuna. Yet in these troubles, God has strengthened the partnerships between Triumphant Mercy and other local Christian organizations. Despite increasingly limited resources, they still serve as the hands and feet of Christ. “We have been in wars and many different crises, but we never worked like with each other like we are now,” says Nuna.

(Photo courtesy of Triumphant Mercy Lebanon)

“The unity starts with us. You know, we want unity in the country. I believe it starts with the church. It starts with people who are from different churches, different backgrounds, and different work focuses, yet working together. And I think this is a beautiful thing that the Lord is doing.”

Please pray for peace to come to Lebanon and for people to be able to return to their homes and have their needs met. Pray that these partnerships among Christians will remain strong and help spread the gospel to the hopeless. “Yes, we don't have many resources to do, but we can do programs. So we're doing youth, or women, or kids' [programs]. We are distributing lots of Bibles. We have people joining in our Bible study in our center,” says Nuna. *Pseudonym Header photo is a stock image courtesy of Ian Panelo via Pexels.

Ethiopian Church faces a rise in persecution

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 05:00:11 -0400

Ethiopia (MNN) – Renewed instability in Ethiopia includes a rise in persecution, especially in the Tigray and Oromia regions. The Tigray conflict that lasted from 2020 – 2022 took a high toll on the area. Even with a peace deal that was reached in 2022, tensions have remained high. Lately, conflict has increased.

Persecution or War?

Todd Nettleton with The Voice of the Martyrs USA says with such longstanding volatility, it can be challenging to discern what some of the violence means. When a group of Christians are attacked, is it part of the violence of war or is it targeted persecution? Nettleton says, “That's one of the things that's happened over the past couple of years in Ethiopia, is we've seen these attacks. It's like, okay, was that warfare? Was that persecution? But when you see none of the other buildings in the neighborhood got blown up, except the church, it's like, well, wait a minute, somebody was targeting that church. That was persecution. That was a targeted attack against that church.”

(Representative image courtesy of Hervé Clootens via Pixabay)

Violence crossed the line into persecution in February. There was an attack at a market in the East Arsia Zone in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. This region is home to the Oromo ethnic group which is primarily composed of Muslims; however, it also includes a significant Orthodox Christian population. “In this attack, twenty Orthodox Christians were killed, as well as a Muslim guard at the market. Some others are missing, so they are believed to have been kidnapped by the attackers. A priest was among those who were killed when the attackers actually entered into a church building. So again, this is not just a market. This is a church that they entered into. They were shouting religious chants as they went in,” Nettleton says. “So this does seem to be a very targeted attack.”

Stand with the Church in Ethiopia

As the Church in Ethiopia faces increased warfare and persecution, Nettleton notes that Christians need prayer. Pray for safety, but also for a heart to continue to share the Gospel. “I think we want to pray for God's protection over them, obviously, but also, I think just praying for a spirit of forgiveness. Praying that this won't create bitterness and anger within the hearts of Christians as they face this kind of pressure. As they face these kinds of attacks, it would be very easy to grow weary. It would be very easy to grow bitter. And so pray that the Lord will help them to keep a soft heart towards the people around them, and even for opportunities to share the Gospel.” If you want to help support persecuted Christians through the ministry of The Voice of the Martyrs USA, click here. Representative header photo courtesy of Tep Ro via Pixabay.

Hope for addiction through God’s renewal

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 05:00:37 -0400

USA (MNN) — The Bible urges believers not to conform to the patterns of this world, but to be transformed through the renewing of their minds (Rom. 12:2). For Brandon Bower of The Lighthouse ministry, that truth is central to understanding — and overcoming — addiction. “If we truly believe that God can change souls, we’ve got to turn to the Bible as the number one place to find help for hurting people,” Bower says. He explains that real help begins at the level of the soul. Addiction, he says, reflects a broken pattern — one shaped by the world’s misplaced attempts at hope, healing, and purpose.

“Addiction is a pattern of this world. It’s a faulty pattern of where people try to find hope, help, and healing, but they’re mistaken,” says Bower.

While addiction may offer temporary relief, it leaves lasting damage — especially in the brain. Breaking free often requires significant effort and support. Yet Bower notes that even those who pursue secular counseling can still come away feeling empty: “People were still left without a purpose. They were left empty.”

Reading Bible (Photo courtesy of
Priscilla Du Preez via Unsplash)

What’s missing is something only God can provide. What’s broken, only He can restore. He recalls one man who grew up in the foster system, turned to drugs, and eventually landed in jail — angry, isolated, and without hope. But through consistent time in Scripture with The Lighthouse ministry, his life was transformed. "Now he cares deeply for others — he pursues them when they’re struggling. He has a heart to help people change because he’s seen how much God has transformed his own heart. Today, he’s even on staff with me,” says Bower. Bower emphasizes that true healing comes through turning away from destructive patterns and turning toward God. “A lot of healing in the addiction world is turning from and turning to the God who actually has the power to transform,” says Bower. Pray for those trapped in harmful thought patterns that lead to addiction — that God would rescue and renew them. Pray, too, for Lighthouse ministry, that it would have the resources and opportunities needed to reach those still searching for hope. Visit The Lighthouse website to learn more about the work they do. Header photo: Man standing crossroads (photo courtesy of Vladislav Babienko via Unplash)