A Sense of Belonging

When You Can’t Return Home

We had just prepared our letter to loved ones in America. Corona is spreading everywhere, I wrote, but we are on lockdown, and perhaps safer here than we would be in the States. We have money, food, and good relations with neighbors. We plan to stick it out here. And then the announcement was issued … Continue reading →

Iran Releases a Third of Christian Prisoners Due to Coronavirus Concerns

This article was first published at Christianity Today, on March 23, 2020. Forced by the new coronavirus, Iran took the tiniest of steps to placate global advocacy for religious freedom. A temporary release of about 85,000 prisoners to curb the spread of COVID-19 disease included Ramiel Bet Tamraz, an Assyrian Christian serving a four-month sentence … Continue reading →

Despite a Murder and Visa Denials, Christians Persevere in Turkey

This article was first published in the March print edition of Christianity Today. Five days after her husband’s murder, Jung Kyung-In named her newborn daughter “God’s Goodness”—in Turkish, not Korean. Jung moved to Turkey with her husband, Kim Jin-Wook, in 2015. The Korean Christian couple found a place to live in an impoverished district of … Continue reading →

Nigeria’s Government Agrees: Islamist Terrorists Target Christians

This article was first published at Christianity Today on March 2, 2020. The Nigerian government now agrees with what church leaders have been complaining for years: Christians are the target of jihadist terrorism. “In the wake of a renewed onslaught by our tireless military against Boko Haram and their ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province) … Continue reading →

Christians Defend Cultural Heritage in Muslim-Majority Countries

This article was first published in the November 2019 print edition of Christianity Today. Dozens of men with sledgehammers pound slabs of stone in an otherwise empty mountainous field. Filmed in 2005 by the prelate of northern Iran’s Armenian church, Bishop Nshan Topouzian, the clip purports to show the destruction of khachkars, ornately carved headstones … Continue reading →

Closing the Bible Gap in the Gulf

This article first published at Christianity Today, on February 5, 2020. Joining 80 leaders from 24 countries in Washington, DC, last September, the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) announced 2020 to be the Global Year of the Bible. “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ,” said WEA general secretary Ephraim Tendero. “In contrast to the sacred … Continue reading →

Religious Freedom Comes to Europe’s Second-Newest Nation. But Christians Are Concerned.

This article was first published at Christianity Today, on February 4, 2020. Deep within the Orthodox heartlands of the Balkans, one might expect local evangelicals to celebrate the passage of Montenegro’s first religious freedom law. Instead, as tens of thousands fill the streets to protest against it, the relative handful of believers find themselves on … Continue reading →

Nigerian Christians Marched Sunday to Protest Persecution

This article was first published at Christianity Today on February 3, 2020. Having finished his Sunday sermon from Psalm 18 on God as a stronghold who delivers his people from their enemies, Enoch Adeboye then led them to a cemetery. It was an ironic yet appropriate choice. Wearing a bright green tuxedo, the General Overseer … Continue reading →

13 Christian Takes on Trump’s Peace Plan for Israel and Palestine

This article was first published at Christianity Today, on January 28, 2020. After three years of anticipation—and dread—President Trump announced the launch of his “Deal of the Century” to achieve peace between Israel and Palestine. With Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his side, he outlined details for a proposal that would recognize a Palestinian … Continue reading →

Soleimani’s Death Doesn’t End Iran’s Influence on Middle East Christians

This article was first published at Christianity Today, on January 28, 2020. Middle East Christians might shrug their shoulders. They might even fret and worry. But perhaps Qassem Soleimani got what he deserved. “We regret what happened. We do not want anyone to die, because Christianity wants the good of all,” said Ashty Bahro, former … Continue reading →

This Minnesota Monk Saves Middle East Manuscripts and Testifies to God’s Providence

This article was first published in the December print edition of Christianity Today. The shooting started right away. Columba Stewart had just touched down in Timbuktu when Islamist militants launched another attack. The fighters were trying to retake control of Mali, after United Nations forces had pushed them back. As Stewart made his way through … Continue reading →

The Top 50 Countries Where its Hardest to be a Christian

This article was first published at Christianity Today on January 15, 2020. Every day, 8 Christians worldwide are killed because of their faith. Every week, 182 churches or Christian buildings are attacked. And every month, 309 Christians are imprisoned unjustly. So reports the 2020 World Watch List (WWL), the latest annual accounting from Open Doors … Continue reading →

Pastor Turns Terrorist Hostage Video into a Testimony

This article was first published at Christianity Today, on January 13, 2020. A hostage video released last week by Boko Haram did far more than issue another Nigerian plea for rescue. It revealed a modern-day Shadrach. “By the grace of God, I will be together with my wife, my children, and my colleagues,” said Lawan … Continue reading →

Sudan Lets Christians March for Jesus Again

This article was first published at Christianity Today, on December 28, 2019. “Hallelujah! Today, we are happy that the Sudanese government has opened up the streets for us so we can express our faith,” said Izdhar Ibrahim, one of the marchers. Some Christians had been frightened before “because we used to encounter difficulties.” The changes … Continue reading →

11 Nigerian Christians Executed in ISIS Christmas Video

This article was first published by Christianity Today on December 28, 2019. In another filmed massacre, 11 Nigerian Christians were executed by the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) over the Christmas holiday. Wearing the orange jumpsuits made familiar by similar executions of Egyptian and Ethiopian Christians in Libya, the first Nigerian victim was shot … Continue reading →

Senate’s Genocide Vote Not the Only Good News for Armenian Christians

This article was first published at Christianity Today, on December 13, 2019. Following years of frustration, Armenian Christians worldwide received a double blessing this week. For the first time in its history, the US Senate recognized the Armenian Genocide. And after 11 years of practical vacancy, the Armenian community in Istanbul, Turkey, elected a new … Continue reading →

Christmas Celebrations Canceled in Iraq After Deaths of 400 Protesters

This article was first published at Christianity Today, on December 9, 2019. Distributing food to protesters with 40 fellow church members under the Jumariyah bridge near Tahrir Square in Baghdad, Ara Badalian made a poignant observation. “This movement is a flood, occupying the hearts of the youth and the poor, without any religious discrimination,” the … Continue reading →

Egypt’s Christian Women Treated Like Muslims in Inheritance. Until Now?

This article was first published at Christianity Today, on December 5. Two stories here, so the article deck is an important follow-up to the headline: Meanwhile, Coptic activist who insists true religious equality does not yet exist goes to prison on terrorism charges. Here’s the intro to the first: Coptic lawyer Huda Nasrallah may have … Continue reading →

Should Lebanon’s Christians Join Protests? Viral Sermons Argue Yes and No.

This article was first published at Christianity Today on November 27. Does a revolution need a leader? As the rocks rained down near the tent of Ras Beirut Baptist Church’s effort to discuss the question, suddenly the faith of the Christians gathered there was put to the test. For the past month, Lebanese evangelicals have … Continue reading →

Palestinian Evangelicals Gain Official Recognition

This article was first published at Christianity Today on November 27. After 12 years of waiting, evangelicals in Palestine now claim they have greater civil rights than their fellow believers in the Holy Land. Earlier this month, the president of the Council of Local Evangelical Churches in the Holy Land—which represents congregations and ministries located … Continue reading →