Jul. 17, 2025 | Syria

"A Nightmare Come True"

[71] prayers in [10] nations have been posted for Syrian Christians.
The aftermath of a deadly June 22 attack on a Syrian church during services.
The aftermath of a deadly June 22 attack on a Syrian church during services.

On Sunday evening, June 22, 2025, a suicide bomber entered the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Elias in Damascus during a service, started shooting, and detonated an explosive belt. The explosion killed at least 20 and seriously injured more than 50 others. Syrian Christians say it is the most violent attack on a Syrian church in recent years, and local officials say the attacker was affiliated with the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS). "Since the attack, fear and anxiety have spread quickly among Christian communities, especially as threatening messages against other churches and leaders started circulating on social media," a front-line worker said. Read More.

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Kane and Mae continue to lead the Christian fellowship in their community.
Jul. 17, 2025 | Laos

Church Threatened Over "Foreign" Faith

A church in Laos has been told by authorities to stop meeting, and an evangelist has been threatened. When Kane, 28, moved to his wife's village in a minority area of Laos, he was the only Christian. But he shared his faith with his wife, Mae, and her parents, who came to faith in Christ. They, in turn, became bold witnesses throughout their community. By the end of 2023, 25 Christians gathered for worship each week. The village head tried to stop them, calling Christianity a religion belonging to foreigners, but the church continued to meet. Read More.

Afghan refugees worry they could be arrested on Tajikistan's streets and forced back to Afghanistan.
Jul. 17, 2025 | Tajikistan

Afghan Refugees Ordered to Leave

On July 9, 2025, the Tajik government ordered all Afghan refugees to leave within 15 days. Tajikistan hosts around 13,000 Afghan refugees, the largest number in Central Asia. Most of the refugees fled their homeland when the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021. Some of the Christian refugees have been active in spreading the gospel to the displaced Afghan population in Tajikistan. "Please pray for these refugees," said a front-line worker who worries about what could happen to Afghan Christians if they are forced back across the border. Read More.

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