Featured

Heightened Concerns for Christian Prisoners

A small group of people are gathered near the entrance of Evin Prison.
Evin Prison in Tehran, Iran.
Photo: Flickr / sbzphoto (CC)

As political conflict continues in Iran, serious concerns have been raised about the safety of the country's prisoners of conscience, including at least 48 Christian captives. In June 2025, Evin Prison was struck by an Israeli missile, resulting in major damages to the facility which houses many religious and political prisoners. Those in custody were transferred to other locations of the country where they were imprisoned amid unsanitary and overcrowded conditions until the repairs were completed. Human rights advocates warn that the renewed instability raises the risk of similar incidents occurring.

Featured

Church Elder Released After Five Years' Imprisonment

Elder Zhang Chunlei is holding a large bundle of flowers. There is a cross on the wall behind him.
Elder Zhang Chunlei
Photo: ChinaAid

Zhang Chunlei is an elder with the Ren'ai Reformed Church in Guiyang, China. Following his arrest in March 2021, he was sentenced to five years in prison for allegedly "inciting subversion of state power." The Christian leader also received accusations of fraud relating to the receipt of church offerings – a charge commonly used to suppress unregistered congregations. Fellow believers describe the elder as a "gentle, yet firm spiritual leader."

Featured

New Charges Filed Against Retired Missionary

Ms. Park Tae-yeon is smiling.
Ms. Park Tae-yeon
Photo: VOM Korea

In January, Ms. Park Tae-yeon – a long-serving missionary who lovingly cared for children in Russia – was planning to retire after 33 years of ministry. However, before she could return to South Korea, Russian authorities prevented the Christian woman from leaving the country. In the process, they also arrested her for alleged immigration violations. (For more details, see this report.)

Featured

Pastor Detained After Posting Video

A police car in Cuba.
A police car in Cuba.
Photo: Wikimedia / Dickelbers (CC)

Each week, Pastor Rolando Pérez Lora visits a park in Matanzas, Cuba, where public Wi-Fi is available, to film a series of Bible teachings for his YouTube channel. As he records, people often gather around to listen, sometimes asking him for prayer.

Featured

New Policy Restricts Travel for Clergy Members

A man is holding out a passport for China and a card that is similar in appearance to a North American driver's license.
A passport and travel pass in China.

Religious rights advocates are raising serious concerns regarding the increased level of control that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is presently exerting over the Roman Catholic church in China. As a result of a 2018 agreement between the Vatican and the Chinese government, state officials have already been given the authority to appoint bishops – ensuring that the church's leadership remains amenable towards the policies of the CCP.

Featured

Local Residents Oppose Church Renovations

A church is brightly illuminated in the sun.
A church in Indonesia.
Photo: PxHere

The Batak Protestant Christian Church has been meeting at its current location in the village of Kulim Jaya since 1995. In addition to receiving official registration with the government, this congregation holds a documented proof of property ownership. Unfortunately, their church building has deteriorated significantly over the years and is now considered unsuitable for regular gatherings. These Christians have been planning renovations – including the construction of a new foundation – since 2010. However, residents of the community have consistently opposed these efforts.