Christians in this Buddhist nation have been awaiting a decision on whether they will receive official recognition, but it appears they will first see a measure against fraudulent conversion that the prime minister acknowledges is essentially designed to deter evangelism.

Located at the eastern end of the Himalayas, Bhutan is a land of mystery. Did you know:

Last week Open Doors had the opportunity to go to Washington D.C. to advocate on behalf of persecuted Christians. While there we held a press conference at The National Press Club.

Christians faced increased hostilities in Sudan over the past few weeks, culminating in an attack on a Christian compound in Khartoum by a throng of Muslim extremists armed with clubs, iron rods, a bulldozer and fire. The assailants set fire to the Gerief West Bible School and the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church building; also damaging three other places of worship and other buildings in the same compound. Also damaged were a clinic, a home for the elderly, classrooms and living quarters. Authorities held the mob back about a kilometer from the compound, but the assailants dispersed and found their way back early in the afternoon. All the Bible school’s office equipment, library books and students’ personal belongings were destroyed by fire. Some students, staff and members of some of the churches were beaten.

In July of 2011, South Sudan succeeded from the North, becoming the newest nation on earth. Though the newer part of the nation is not even a year old yet, there is a great deal of history. Did you know:

From King Tut, to the Great Pyramids and the Nile, Egypt is a country which has imbedded itself into historical and modern culture. Did You Know:
 
·         Egypt has gone through five different flags since 1922
·         Cairo is Africa’s largest city
·         Egypt’s music is influenced by indigenous, Mediterranean, African and Western elements
·         Egypt has been a part the Olympics since 1912
·         The first Egyptian novel was published in 1913
·         The Suez Canal Bridge of Egypt connects the continents of Africa and Asia?
 
Since the revolution of January 2011, levels of violence against Christians have increased. Salafi Muslim attacks on churches led to the massacre at Maspero where the military did nothing to protect Christians and even participated in the killings. In rural areas, Copts are constantly terrorized, while security forces turn a blind eye; Coptic girls are abducted and forced into Islamic marriages. Support for the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafists is growing, but the army still retains power.

Do you have a desire to help persecuted Christians in a new and impactful way? Check out the Bridgebuilder program!