Many churches in Turkiye have struggled since international ministry workers were forced to leave.
Oct. 22, 2026 | Turkey

Churches Growing Amid Loss of Missionaries

The Turkish government has deported around 200 missionaries plus their families from the country in recent years, leaving many local churches to survive with limited leadership experience. "In the long term, it is going to be good because now we are utilizing many more local people," said a senior Turkish pastor. "But in the short term, it has really impacted Turkish churches." Read More.

Rural Kyrgyz who convert to Christianity are often restricted in where they be buried or graze their livestock.
Oct. 22, 2026 | Kyrgyzstan

Christians Opposed on Many Fronts

Kyrgyz converts from Islam to Christianity face various forms of harsh persecution. In many rural villages, Christian burials are prohibited. One Christian convert's body was exhumed by villagers angry that it had been buried in a traditionally Muslim cemetery, and they forced the family to rebury the body far away in a cemetery designated for Christians. One village prohibited Christians from grazing their animals, forcing them to choose between recanting their faith or allowing their livestock to die. Read More.

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The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) serves persecuted Christians in the world’s most difficult and dangerous places to follow Christ. Pastor Richard Wurmbrand and his wife, Sabina, founded VOM after being imprisoned for their Christian witness in Communist Romania. Since 1967, VOM has been dedicated to inspiring all believers to a biblical faith by telling the stories of persecuted Christians, thereby inspiring a deeper commitment to Christ and the fulfillment of his Great Commission, no matter the cost.

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