16
Aug
2018TAJIKISTAN – Christians arrested and fined
We have been informed through our partner that 10 Christians were arrested by the security police in Tajikistan on August 7. The group had gone to the Pamirs mountain area to share the gospel and hand out Christian literature in Russian, Tajik…
02
Aug
2018INDIA – Christians injured and ‘traumatised’ by mob attack
A partially blind girl was among those beaten by a mob of masked Hindu extremists during a recent attack on a church in Uttar Pradesh, northern India. After the attack in July, which ‘traumatised’ families, nine of about 50 injured Christians needed…
26
Jul
2018PASTOR ANDREW BRUNSON RELEASED FROM JAIL IN TURKEY
A US pastor accused of spying in Turkey has been released from prison and placed under house arrest following international pressure. Christians around the world are delighted that Pastor Andrew Brunson has at last been released from prison. He has been let…
26
Jul
2018ARCHBISHOP THANKS RELEASE FOR REPORTING NIGERIA ATTACK
Nigerian Archbishop Benjamin Kwashi has thanked Release International for raising international awareness of the recent attack against his home. Armed Fulani herdsmen raided the archbishop’s compound in Jos and stole his cattle. Archbishop Kwashi remained indoors to protect the many orphans in…
25
Jul
2018Pakistan elections – Christians likely losers as extremists tilt agenda
Whoever wins today’s Pakistan elections, Christians and religious tolerance are likely to be the losers, as extremists press into the mainstream, calling for tougher blasphemy laws. Whatever the outcome, Release International will keep campaigning for the notorious blasphemy laws to be repealed Whatever…
21
Jul
2018PREMIER RADIO – INTERVIEW WITH PETR JASEK, CHRISTIAN WORKER IMPRISONED IN SUDAN FOR SPYING
Listen to Petr Jasek being interviewed on The Profile at Premier Christian Radio today (Saturday July 21st) at 4pm. If you can’t make that time, the interview will be available to listen to as a podcast here.
19
Jul
2018Pastor Andrew Brunson sent back to jail
American pastor Andrew Brunson’s hopes of being released from jail in Turkey have been dashed yet again. Yesterday, a judge ordered Pastor Andrew to remain behind bars, despite intense international lobbying raising hopes he would be freed. Turkey has just declared an…
19
Jul
2018New developments in Eritrea
A report from our Eritrean partner: After Ethiopia appointed a new prime minister, Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, in April 2018, things started to change quickly in that country and their neighbours. Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali has a Muslim father and an Orthodox…
12
Jul
2018Algerian Christians under growing pressure
Our Algerian family is facing mounting pressure – but standing strong. Officials in Algeria are using ‘legal technicalities’ to close down churches and put pressure on Christians. Release sources say Protestant churches are being subjected to ‘health and safety inspections’ – by…
11
Jul
2018Running 50 @ 50 in support of Release International
As Release International and Simon Harris both celebrate their 50th birthdays, please support Simon with his personal challenge to run 5 x 10km timed runs during 2018 or 50 @ 50! Simon writes, ‘As I celebrate my 50th year I’ve decided to…
11
Jul
2018Laurie’s 4000ft Cross-Scotland Trek
That’s not just walking 4000 feet – it’s walking across Scotland from Aberdeen to Fort William, up and down NINE 4,000 ft hills along the way!! Laurie writes, ‘Last year I had the opportunity to visit Egypt and see at first hand…
09
Jul
2018EXTENDED INTERVIEW WITH PETR JASEK, CHRISTIAN WORKER IMPRISONED IN SUDAN FOR SPYING
Listen here to an extended interview with Andrew Boyd in conversation with Petr Jasek. (You can also download a transcript of the interview here if you prefer.) Czech-born Petr Jasek, a champion of the persecuted church, was accused of spying in Sudan…
05
Jul
2018Express reports Release concerns about Nigeria attacks
The Express has picked up on Release International’s story about the ongoing attacks against Christian in Nigeria. Their story headlined, Christianity crackdown: Church attacked by mob in Nigeria ‘genocide’ crisis highlights the crucial questions being raised by Release CEO Paul Robinson. The…
02
Jul
2018ATTACK ON HOME OF NIGERIAN ARCHBISHOP BEN KWASHI
Fulani raiders claim 11 more lives. Release warns of campaign to drive Christians from northern Nigeria, calls for government protection Cattle rustlers have attacked the home of the Nigerian Archbishop of Jos, Benjamin Kwashi. The Anglican Archbishop was at home at the…
02
Jul
2018AUDIO REPORT: Nigeria violence death toll ‘exceeds 200’
Andrew Boyd is interviewed on Premier Christian Radio about the continuing violence in northern Nigeria which has resulted in the deaths of over 200 people and the displacement of thousands.
02
Jul
2018PETR JASEK THANKS RELEASE SUPPORTERS FOR YOUR PRAYERS
Listen here to an interview with Andrew Boyd in conversation with Petr Jasek. (You can also download a transcript of the interview here if you prefer.) A Czech missionary who was facing death in Sudan for reporting on the persecuted church, has…
29
Jun
2018CHRISTIAN DEATH TOLL IN NIGERIA RISES. RELEASE WARNS OF STRATEGY TO DRIVE CHRISTIANS FROM NORTH
Release International warns of strategy to drive Christians from north Nigeria and asks: ‘Who is arming and training the attackers?’ As the death tolls mounts in Fulani attacks against Nigerian Christian villagers, Release declares June 29 Martyrs’ Day. The death toll from…
28
Jun
2018200 Nigerian Christians slaughtered in village attacks
200 Nigerian Christians slaughtered in village attacks More than 200 people in mainly Christian villages in Plateau are reported dead after Fulani herdsmen went on a killing spree at the weekend. Attackers armed with machetes and guns raided ten communities near the…
18
Jun
2018100 churches closed in China province
Scores of churches have been shut down in a central China province as the crackdown on Christianity continues. By the end of May, almost 100 house churches had been forcibly closed in Henan, according to Release partner China Aid. Even state-registered churches…
15
Jun
2018Release International’s Martyrs’ Day (June 29)
Be Prepared for Martyrs’ Day on 29 June 2019 In our 50th year we launched Martyrs’ Day – on June 29 – to remember today’s courageous Christians who suffer for their faith in Jesus – even to the point of death. Please…
06
Jun
2018MYANMAR MILITARY LAUNCHES BRUTAL ATTACKS ON CHRISTIAN AREAS
Our family in Myanmar are in desperate need of our prayers as the military renews its offensive against the Christian Kachin people in the north of Myanmar. Troops using artillery, helicopter gunships and infantry are reportedly setting fire to homes, forcing people…
05
Jun
2018BURMA: RELIGIOUS CLEANSING SPREADS TO CHRISTIANS
RELEASE CALLS FOR HALT TO ATTACKS BY MYANMAR MILITARY. The Burmese military has renewed its offensive against the Christian Kachin people in Myanmar (Burma), displacing thousands. Release International, which supports persecuted Christians worldwide, fears Christians face a repeat of the brutal ethnic…
05
Jun
2018Andrew Boyd Speaks about the recent attacks on Kachin Christians in Burma
Release’s Andrew Boyd speaks on UCB Radio and Premier Christian Radio about the recent attacks on Kachin Christians in Burma. UCB Radio Report (June 5th, 2018) mp3 6MB 4m 17s Premier Christian Radio Report (June 6th, 2018) mp3 6MB…
25
May
2018Andrew Boyd Speaks about the Great Outdoors Church Service
Click here to listen to Release’ Andrew Boyd speaking about the Great Outdoor Church Service on Premier Radio’s Newshour programme. mp3, 160kbps, 4m 35s
21
May
201850th Anniversary Service of Thanksgiving
Join us for a 50th Anniversary Service of Thanksgiving on Thursday 4th October, 7.30pm, at the Emmanuel Centre, 9-23 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 3DW. Download the flyer for more details. Entry is by advance FREE ticket only and spaces are…
21
May
2018THEY LISTEN IN SECRET
THEY LISTEN IN SECRET In Afghanistan, they still stone followers of Jesus. So, telling others about your faith is a risky business – for you, and for them. Encouragement is in short supply, as is sound Christian teaching. But both can be…
14
May
2018INDONESIA – Churches hit by horrific attacks
Our brothers and sisters in Indonesia urgently need our prayer – after a family with children launched suicide attacks on three churches in Surabaya city yesterday. A woman is believed to have blown up herself and two daughters in an attack on…
14
May
2018CALL FOR OPEN-AIR PRAYER TO STAND WITH INDONESIAN CHRISTIANS
CALL FOR OPEN-AIR PRAYER TO STAND WITH INDONESIAN CHRISTIANS Release International is calling on Christians to hold open-air services to stand in solidarity with Christians slaughtered in the Indonesian church bombings. Report of courage as security guard gives his life to save…
23
Apr
2018‘NOW IS THE TIME TO GET OUT OF OUR CHURCHES AND STAND WITH THE PERSECUTED’
Release invites Christians to hold open air services on May 27 to identify with believers whose churches have been destroyed Churches in the UK and Ireland are being challenged to take their services out into the open air in May, whatever the…
19
Apr
2018PAKISTAN: Christians shocked and fearful after third attack
Azhar and Rahib were shot in broad daylight on the streets of Quetta city this week – the third extremist attack on local Christians in just four months. Christians in southern Balochistan province are now living in fear as 15 believers have…
06
Apr
2018PAKISTAN: Four members of Christian family killed in Easter attack
Easter should be a joyful time for family gatherings but for one family in the Pakistani province of Balochistan their celebrations came to a sudden and brutal end. Four members of the same family, who had come together for Easter from different…
05
Apr
2018Egypt election – Premier Newshour Interview
Release’s Andrew Boyd speaks on Premier Christian Radio’s Newshour programme about the recent presidential election in Egypt. Click the icon below to listen. mp3 (6MB) 128kbps 6m 14s
03
Apr
2018Protect Your Persecuted Christians, Mr President
Abdel Fattah al–Sisi has been confirmed as President of Egypt after a low-turnout election for which there was no effective opposition. Most of Mr al-Sisi’s opponents declined to stand in the elections, citing intimidation. A former army chief was arrested after declaring…
19
Mar
2018GATHERING STORM IN CHINA
COMING STORM FOR CHINESE CHRISTIANS UNDER ‘EMPEROR’ XI Latest crackdown tears Christian mural from home, arrests pastor. Video clip. A leading campaigner has warned of a gathering storm for persecuted Christians in China. Release International partner, Bob Fu, says the persecution of…
08
Mar
2018Childrens’ Prayer Sheet – Easter 2018
Here is the Children’s Prayer Sheet for Easter 2018 (Click the image to download) You can download previous Children’s Prayer Sheets here
06
Mar
2018Interview opportunity with leading China persecution campaigner Bob Fu, in the UK in March with Release International. Also new book on persecution.
Former house church leader, prisoner of faith, and one of the leading voices for the persecuted Church in China, Bob Fu contends that the persecution of Christians in China is worsening and is now as severe as at any time since the…
26
Feb
2018INDIA: 7TH STATE PASSES ANTI-CONVERSION LAW
‘Law is an instrument of persecution to prevent Christian witness’ – Release International A seventh state in India has become the latest to pass an anti-conversion law, which Christians say will be used as a tool of persecution by right-wing Hindu nationalists….
16
Feb
2018Thank God for the release of Lao Christians!
Six Christians in Laos who spent more than a month in jail for celebrating Christmas have now been set free. Release contacts say the Christians in Vientiane province were taken into custody because they had not sought official permission to hold a…
16
Feb
2018AUDIO REPORT: Chinese New Year – New restriction on Christians in China
A new year means new rules. Year of the Dog looks set to be Year of the Underdog for Christians in China. Release’s Andrew Boyd warns persecution is set to rise as new rules given to local authorities are being used to further…
15
Feb
2018CHINESE NEW YEAR HERALDS NEW RESTRICTIONS FOR CHRISTIANS
New year, new rules as Year of the Dog looks set to be Year of the Underdog. Release warns persecution set to rise as new rules clamp down on the Church. The Chinese New Year looks set to be a year of…
07
Feb
2018NK PRE-OLYMPIC MILITARY PARADE MUST TRIGGER PRAYER FOR PERSECUTED
The North Korean missile crisis must be turned into a rallying cry for prayer for persecuted Christians in that country, says Release International, which supports Christians under pressure around the world. North Korea is staging a massive show of military might ahead…
31
Jan
2018Theresa May in China – ‘Use your influence, Mrs May, to press for religious freedom’
Prime Minister Theresa May is in China for a three-day visit to bolster trade. But concern is growing about the rising persecution of Christians in China. In January, officials dynamited a 50,000-strong megachurch and have fined Christian leaders elsewhere for taking up…
26
Jan
2018New religion law in Vietnam fuels Christians’ fears
Please pray for our family in Vietnam as new laws on religion threaten to limit their freedoms. Vietnam’s Law on Belief and Religion, which came into force on January 1, has alarmed Christians because it insists religious groups must be registered and…
22
Jan
2018RELEASE 50YR MILESTONE PROMPTS PERSECUTION CALL TO ACTION
Release International has reached a significant milestone – the 50th year of its ministry in serving persecuted Christians around the world. ‘Since 1968, the prayers and gifts of supporters throughout the UK and Ireland have helped thousands of Christians who are persecuted…
19
Jan
2018CHINA: 200 Chinese Christians arrested in ‘cult’ crackdown
A crackdown on ‘cults’ in Yunnan province has led to mass arrests of Christians – with many now facing long jail sentences. Six members of a church in the Lincang area have just been handed sentences of up to 13 years –…
09
Jan
2018KYRGYZSTAN – ‘AMAZING SIGN’ ENCOURAGES CHURCH AFTER BOMB ATTACK
A church in Kyrgyzstan was badly damaged in a firebomb attack but one thing survived and has now inspired the congregation. Muslim militants used Molotov cocktails to set fire to the Evangelical Christian Baptist Church in Kaji-Say in the early hours of…
08
Jan
2018MILITANTS BURN BAPTIST CHURCH IN KYRGYZSTAN. ALTAR BIBLE SURVIVES BLAZE UNHARMED
Muslim militants have firebombed a Baptist church in Kyrgyzstan, causing extensive damage. The Bible on the altar survived the arson attack, encouraging Christians to stand firm in their faith. Radicals doused the Evangelical Christian Baptist Church with petrol and set it on…
29
Dec
2017MANY SPARED AS EGYPT CHURCH BOMB ATTACK FAILS
Terrorists strike as Egyptian churches brace for violence. Nine killed, but many spared as bomb attack fails. Release calls for prayer for Egypt’s Christians. The death toll in an attempted suicide bomb attack on a church in Egypt [Friday Dec 29] has…
28
Dec
2017PERSECUTION TRENDS 2018: AS CHINA TRIES TO BAN CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS RELEASE WARNS OF CHURCH CLAMPDOWN
Countries of concern for 2018 in new Release report include China, Nigeria and India. China has been cracking down on Christmas celebrations in some districts, banning Santa Claus and Christmas hats to further tighten its squeeze on Christianity. China is a key…
18
Dec
2017CHRISTIAN GROOMING EPIDEMIC IN EGYPT
Girls and boys targeted for kidnap and conversion. Release urges Egypt to protect its Christian minority. Christian girls in Egypt are being targeted for kidnapping, forced marriage and conversion, says Release International, which supports persecuted Christians around the world. Release describes an…
15
Dec
2017THANK YOU FOR YOUR FAITHFUL PRAYERS IN 2017
We believe in the power of prayer so we’re hugely grateful to you for interceding on behalf of our persecuted family this year. Your prayers help sustain prisoners behind bars, bring comfort to those who mourn and remind those who are suffering…
08
Dec
2017INDIAN PASTOR AND WIFE BEATEN UP
Please pray for Indian pastor David Livingstone and his wife Aram, who were beaten up when Hindu extremists attacked their church in north Karnataka. A group of about 25 extremists interrupted a church service, and dragged the pastor and his wife outside,…
29
Nov
2017Persecution turns to joy for Indian Christians
Next time you pray for someone to be healed, spare a thought for six Indian Christians who paid a heavy price for doing just that. As they prayed over a woman who was sick, Hindu extremists attacked them. Then, when police were…
16
Nov
2017PAKISTAN – PRAY FOR OUR BROTHER ZAFAR WHO IS IN PRISON AND IN DISTRESS
Our brother Zafar is facing the prospect of spending the rest of his life behind bars in Pakistan over false accusations of ‘blasphemy’ – and really needs our prayers. Zafar Bhatti, who is being held in Adyala Jail in Rawalpindi, was sentenced…
24
Oct
2017MORE SUDAN CHURCH LEADERS ARRESTED
Faced with the threat of arrest would you continue to worship God? That is the challenge being faced on a regular basis by Christian leaders in Sudan. On Sunday police arrested five Sudanese Church of Christ (SCOC) leaders after they refused to…
11
Oct
2017TURKEY – Worship rises from pastor’s prison cell
Our American brother Andrew Brunson is still behind bars in Turkey – a year after he was arrested – yet his faith remains strong. He faces four life sentences based on allegations that he was involved in the plot to overthrow the…
02
Aug
2017IRAN – MARYAM RELEASED FROM PRISON!
Thank you for your prayers for Maryam Naghash Zargaran, an Iranian convert to Christianity, who, we are delighted to report, was released from prison yesterday. Maryam has served a four-year sentence in the women’s ward of Evin Prison in Tehran. She was…
12
May
2017ANOTHER CHRISTIAN FALLS VICTIM TO PAKISTAN’S BLASPHEMY LAW
Zafar Bhatti faces the prospect of spending the rest of his days behind bars after a court in Pakistan sentenced him to life in prison for ‘blasphemy’. A judge in Rawalpindi found Zafar guilty of sending blasphemous text messages from his mobile…
11
May
2017YOUR PRAYERS ARE POWERFUL: THANK GOD FOR THE RELEASE OF PRISONERS IN SUDAN!
We’ve just heard that Pastor Hassan Abduraheem Kodi Taour and Abdulmonem Abdumawla have been freed from prison in Khartoum today. The two men have been in jail since they were arrested along with our Czech brother, Petr Jašek, in December 2015. In…
13
Mar
2017IRAN – ONE SMALL STEP FROM BAPTISM TO DETENTION
An Iranian mother and son have paid a heavy price for turning to Christ – just months after they were baptised. Veronika and Augustine were arrested in Urmia, northwest Iran, on February 20 and haven’t been seen since. Please pray that they…
27
Feb
2017SUDAN: FREEDOM FOR OUR CZECH BROTHER PETR
Czech Christian aid worker Petr Jašek is reported to be safely back in Prague after Sudan’s President pardoned him and released him from jail yesterday. The Czech Foreign Minister brought Petr home last night after flying out to Khartoum to negotiate his…
22
Feb
2017MALAYSIA: ABDUCTION FEARS FOR MALAYSIAN CHRISTIANS
Three Christians have gone missing in Malaysia – and friends fear they have been abducted because of their church work. Pastor Raymond Koh was reportedly taken from his car in Petaling Jaya city last week. Another pastor and his wife, who have…
21
Feb
2017MALAYSIA: ABDUCTION FEARS FOR MALAYSIAN CHRISTIANS
Three Christians have gone missing in Malaysia – and friends fear they have been abducted because of their church work. Pastor Raymond Koh was reportedly taken from his car in Petaling Jaya city last week. Another pastor and his wife, who have…
15
Feb
2017WILL THEY BE LASHED FOR TAKING COMMUNION WINE? IRANIAN CHRISTIANS AWAIT VERDICT
Three Iranian men are waiting to hear whether a court will uphold their sentence to 80 lashes for taking communion wine. Their appeal decision is expected within 20 days. Release International is calling on the Iranian authorities to overturn the sentence. Yaser…
04
Oct
2016CHINA – HOUSE CHURCHES ACROSS CHINA ‘ORDERED TO REFORM’
China’s house churches are under fire again – as the authorities step up the pressure on congregations across the country. Please pray for our Christian family in China, facing what appears to be an official crackdown spreading throughout the country. The warning…