Evangelism and discipleship in the restricted Maldives is done strategically, seeking out "people of peace" like Hamko. A man and his family have come to Christ through strategic evangelism efforts of Christians in the Maldives. To avoid drawing persecution from Muslim fundamentalist groups in this restricted nation, Christian workers must be intentional about how and with whom they share the message of the Gospel, using creative approaches to discipleship. Hamko and his fami

SOURCES: Morning Star News, Punch, Leadership, Mission Network News, BBC, Voice of the Martyrs CA Three Christians were killed and 15 others kidnapped when gunmen raided a night prayer vigil on 23 May. At least 10 attackers invaded the gathering in the community of Ori-Oke Ajaiye, located on the outskirts of Ikiran in Nigeria's western state of Kwara. The violent assault sparked widespread terror throughout the region, causing villagers to flee for safety. State police office

Local ministers across Central Asia can face repercussions for carrying out Christian acts of worship, such as baptisms. A young pastor has been arrested and sentenced to eight years in prison for his ministry. Not long after this pastor had launched a church in Central Asia, local and secret police arrested him for simply conducting Christian ministry, actions considered by many Muslims to be offensive and even illegal in that region. “The young pastor has a wife and little

Sources: Church in Chains, Voice of the Martyrs CA A report has recently surfaced, indicating that 24 Eritrean Believers were released from prison in early April. While most of the freed Christians had been detained for more than two years, one of them endured imprisonment for over 18 years. As is often the case, few details have been made available, and no official explanation was given for the releases. This latest development brings the total number of Christian prisoners

Pastor Vincent and his wife Agnes have been harassed by voodooists but still reach out to them. A pastor in Benin requests prayer for a voodooist despite being persecuted by him. Pastor Vincent spent months planning and gaining permission to host an evangelistic meeting in his community in Benin. But on the scheduled day, the community rallied against it and demanded to speak with the outreach organizer. The Christian group was forced to leave, a tactic typical of voodooists

In February 2026, agents with the Iranian regime arrested a group of Christians. Those detained include some who had previously been arrested, served long sentences and even been tortured in prison for their faith in Christ. “They are still being held and interrogated,” said a Front-Line Worker. Because of the internet blockage within Iran, local ministers are having trouble gaining information about their cases or updates on their condition. The newly arrested Christians joi

A young woman fled rather than participate in a secret society initiation. In Sierra Leone, secret societies practice demonic rituals that include bodily mutilation of members as well as the ritualistic killing of humans to appease local spirits. Lucee lived in a Muslim village where one of these secret societies is active. As her initiation approached, she visited a church and heard the pastor talking about evils done by secret societies. Afterward, she went home and told he

Fighting among militant groups in Yemen increased in early 2026, during which time several Christians were arrested for unknown reasons. A pastor and other Christians have been jailed indefinitely since early 2026. Pastor Jon has served Christ in Yemen for many years despite repeated threats on his life. In 2012, Islamist militants rushed into his church, and one held a gun to his head. He fully expected to die, but the militants did not kill him that day. In early February 2

Source: Morning Star News; Voice of the Martys Australia Kalegeya Faruku, 40, of eastern Uganda, accepted Christ in early March. Having received threats on his life, Faruku returned home briefly on 17 April to collect personal belongings before relocating to a safer place. Muslim relatives ambushed him upon his arrival. “I found my brothers waiting for me, as if they had been informed,” Faruku said. “My elder brother approached me and pretended to ask about my whereabouts. Su

Christians in Sri Lanka are at risk of attack even meeting for prayer in private homes, as Oshana's family did. Five Christians in a majority-Buddhist area of Sri Lanka were beaten and jailed after false allegations against them led to a mob attack. Oshana and her family were conducting a prayer service in their home in November 2025 when an angry crowd arrived, claiming that the church intended to close off a local roadway. When Oshana’s adult sons tried to address the probl