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DEMOCRATIC COUNTRIES NOT NECESSARILY A ‘NO PERSECUTION’ ZONE FOR CHRISTIANS

USA – In 1994, the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act came into law. This Act, broadly speaking, was intended to prevent the use of or threat of, physical force towards those attending abortion clinics, and those coming together in their places of worship.
During a recent Judiciary hearing in the USA Congress to evaluate and oversee the activities of the government department in relation to the implementation of the FACE Act, the following alarming statistics were revealed:
1.The Family Research Council identified “436 hostile acts directed at churches just in 2023 These attacks included hundreds of acts of vandalism, dozens of arson attacks, and incidents involving guns or bomb threats” This was a 800% increase over the last 6 years.
2. It was also revealed at a previous Senate hearing, that over 100 crisis pregnancy centres (CPCs) – buildings of pro-life organizations (many run by Christians) – have been attacked with some more than once – during 2024. These are centres where pregnant  women are able to receive counselling on the dangers of abortions, and are offered alternatives to abortions – such as receiving support during and after a woman’s pregnancy, and assistance in adopting the baby out, if that is the mother’s wish.
It was pointed out that there have been zero — zero — prosecutions under the FACE Act for the violence or destruction carried out against the churches, and only two charges laid in connection with the 100 plus acts of violence done to the pro-life centres.
3.   However, it was revealed that in the past 3 years, the US Federal Department of Justice (DOJ), had brought a total of 24 FACE Act prosecutions against 50 pro-life defendants – mostly Christians. Figures revealed that the DOJ obtained 34 convictions, with sentences of up to 10 years jail time for those Christians who were praying and/or demonstrating peacefully outside and inside abortion centres.
Please pray for the Christians who have been imprisoned for their faith, and pray for the safety of those Christian who work in the crisis pregnancy centres. [From LifeNews.com and other media sources.]

CHRISTMAS – AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE CHRIST WITH HINDUS
Sharing a meal is an effective mission field reaching out to Hindus in Panama. Meals are an important part of building relationships among the Hindu population whether it’s in a restaurant or over a cup of chai at a festival. Shibu with Operation Mobilisation (OM) says time spent around the table leads to meaningful conversation. Hindus celebrate Christmas in addition to their faith’s many other festivals. This creates opportunities for Jesus followers to share with Hindu neighbours about the meaning of Christmas. Shibu (who comes from India) says they share the Gospel with many Hindu families in the lead up to Christmas. We invite them to Christmas programmes, he says. We share food with them, and we feed them the Gospel as they eat. Hindus greatly revere Jesus and would assimilate Jesus into Hinduism if only He would renounce His exclusive claims. [Source: Operation Mobilisation]

PRAYING FOR CHRISTIANS IN BETHLEHEM THIS CHRISTMAS
Christians in Bethlehem, are facing ongoing struggles. This historic city is witnessing challenges that threaten the survival of its Christian population – once thriving – but now dwindling due to political instability, economic hardship and limited opportunities. This Christmas marks the second year without the usual Manger Square celebrations, as ongoing conflict and war in the region continue to disrupt lives. The conflict has also led to a collapse in the tourism industry, leaving many Christians, who rely on the tourist industry, without work.
“Living conditions have been greatly affected,” said a Barnabas Aid project partner. “A large majority of the population – including Christians – continues to be unemployed and struggles with getting food and necessary items.” We also welcome your prayers on behalf of our suffering brothers and sisters. [Source: Barnabas Aid]

 ‘HOPE PACKS’ CHANGING THOUSANDS OF HEARTS AND LIVES BEHIND BARS
While Christmas is a time of joy and family for many, countless men and women behind bars face profound loneliness during the holiday season. This year, a gift of hope and the message of the Gospel are reaching across prison walls, reminding inmates they are not forgotten, but are values, seen and loved.. Good News Global, a nonprofit ministry, is delivering 65,000 “Hope Packs” to inmates in 23 states and 20 countries, from Virginia to Venezuela. Each pack contains practical items like socks, puzzles, and snacks, along with a Gospel message—a tangible expression of love for those who often feel isolated. “We call it ‘the gift … and the Gospel,'” says Jon Evans, President of Good News Global.
For many recipients, the Hope Pack is the first gift they’ve received in years. Evans explains the impact can be life changing. “Annually, we see over 50,000 people make a decision to follow Christ, through the work of chaplains and volunteers,” he said.  Chaplain Richard Van Arsdale, a former inmate who received Hope Packs during his own incarceration, now delivers them and shares the Gospel firsthand. “I actually received Hope Packs three years in a row while I was in prison,” Van Arsdale shares.
Now standing on the outside of the cell, he knows the value of not being forgotten. “Some inmates receive lots of mail, while others on the same cell block receive nothing,” Van Arsdale said. “Even if it’s just for a day, the Hope Pack changes the atmosphere because everyone receives a gift—not just snacks, but the gift of the Gospel. They receive hope.” Good News Global has 75 US and 200 overseas chaplains working with the ministry. [Source: CBN news]

BANNED FROM THEIR VILLAGE – CHRISTIAN REFUSE TO RENOUNCE THEIR FAITH.
INDIA – At least 40 Christians in India remain sheltered at their church two weeks after the village council banned them from the community unless they renounce their faith. These Christians are among many more impacted by a joint resolution adopted by village councils in the Sukma District of Chhattisgarh State. The resolution threatens that Christians who don’t denounce Jesus must leave the villages or their fields, belongings and property will be looted. When the Christians in one village tried to file a police complaint, they returned home to find a mob of at least 1,500 looting their agricultural harvests and demanding they renounce their faith.
Police did not intervene, despite the guarantee of freedom of religion or belief in the Indian Constitution. Baptist Press reports that the Christians sheltered at the church are receiving daily meals and provisions from international organizations. [Source: Baptist Press]

UNDER 18s BANNED FROM ATTENDING CHURCH
CHINA – Atheism is what the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) wants all of China to align with. Short of that, they are pressing for the “sinicization” (or adaption to Chinese culture and values) of five recognised religions in China – Buddhism, Catholicism, Daoism, Islam, and Protestantism. Erik Burklin with China Partner says The CCP’s prime target is children. He told Mission Network News one of the big concerns for pastors is that the government is now enforcing the law of not being allowed to share the gospel with minors. Anybody under the age of 18 is not allowed to go to church, he says. In some areas children are not allowed to even enter a church building [Source: Mission Network News]

THE GOSPEL IMPACTS REFUGEES IN TURKEY
The Gospel is making progress among Turkey’s 300,000 refugees. Turkiye hosts more refugees than any other nation, especially coming from Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and Syria. The Unknown Nations mission is seeing people from these majority Muslim countries responding to the Gospel. Greg Kelley with Unknown Nations says the Turkish government isn’t nearly as concerned about this as they are about opposing the Gospel reaching their own people. Any time the Gospel makes inroads, it becomes a threat, and the government response will be swift, he says.
Mr Kelly told Mission Network News the Turks are one of the largest unreached people groups in the world. Christians make up less than one percent of the country’s 85 million people. Unknown Nations work within Turkiye to bring the Gospel to Turks and refugees alike. Currently, their focus is on training refugee Christians to return to their own countries as missionaries. [Source: Mission Network News]

– compiled by Guido Kettniss