Ms. Park Tae-yeon is a recently retired Korean missionary who served in Russia as a children's ministry worker with Child Evangelism Fellowship. At the age of 69, she decided that it was time for her to retire and return to Korea. Reflecting on her 33 years of ministry, the Christian woman described herself as "married to Russia."
In January 2025, 41-year-old Ghazal Marzban was detained in Tehran's Evin Prison after being sentenced to six months' imprisonment and 74 lashes. The charges against her included "propaganda against the regime" and "appearing in public without a hijab." Ghazal, a Christian convert from Islam, had initially been arrested in November 2024 while participating in protests against government oppression. She was released from prison in 2025 after serving two months of her initially sentenced term.
In both Russia and areas of Ukraine that are currently occupied by Russian troops, unregistered churches have been experiencing increasing pressures. Officials have forced some congregations to close, while threatening others with penalties if they continue to gather for worship.
