Eric Foley with Voice of the Martyrs Korea says, “this is a serious change that has major ramifications politically, certainly, but also with regard to ministry.”

North and South Korea at night (photo courtesy of NASA via Wikimedia Commons)

The historical context

The Korean War never officially ended because no peace treaty was signed. Both Koreas historically claimed authority over the entire peninsula in their constitutions. That allowed North Korean defectors to automatically become South Korean citizens and permitted ministries like Voice of the Martyrs Korea to conduct outreach into the North from the South.

“This division of Korea into two countries by North Korea raises the question of how South Korea will respond,” Foley explains.

If South Korea were to officially recognize North Korea as a separate nation, North Koreans could be refused entry into the South or required to complete a difficult citizenship process. Ministries might also be banned under South Korean law from doing work directed toward North Korea.

So far, South Korea has condemned the move as a major escalation because the new constitution does not clearly define North Korea’s borders but insists on the country’s right to defend them. Seoul still supports peaceful reunification but has increased security readiness.

How can it affect the ministry work?

Foley says a permanent two-state system could create serious ministry challenges: “It [might have] serious impacts on ministry, because our work at Voice of the Martyrs Korea is in support of underground North Korean Christians.”

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea E-Passport passport (photo courtesy of PRADO EU via Wikimedia Commons)

South Korea could eventually join North Korea in restricting or banning such ministry work if cooperation between the two governments increases.

The ministry also serves North Korean laborers overseas and women trafficked into China and forced into marriage. Foley says that outreach could eventually become illegal under South Korean law, not just Chinese and North Korean law.

At the moment, North Korea’s decision has not changed ministry operations. However, how the situation develops will depend on future diplomacy and South Korea’s response.

“So the change in the Constitution is really a matter of prayer for believers,” Foley says.

An estimated 100,000 underground Christians remain in North Korea. Pray Voice of the Martyrs Korea can continue supporting local believers through radio broadcasts, Bible distribution, and other outreach efforts based in South Korea.

“Pray that while it is still light, that the Lord will permit us to do the ministry that we do. We don’t take for granted any day,” Foley says.

Header photo: North Korean men reading news, Pyongyang, North Korea (photo courtesy of Random Institute via Unsplash).

India’s Supreme Court (Photo courtesy of Subhashish Panigrahi via Wikimedia Commons – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0)

The bill is made worse because Maharashtra is the economic center of India and the second-most populous state, says Greg Kelley with Unknown Nations. “Because of its influence, because of its power, that probably is just going to continue now, the cascading domino effect of additional states coming along [with their own such laws].” 

Twelve Indian states already have anti-conversion laws in place. They are meant to protect people from being coerced into converting through force, fraud, or inducement. However, Kelley says the laws disproportionately target Christians.

“I’m sure there are some bad actors,” he concedes. “And this isn’t just Christians, but it’s also dealing with Hindus marrying Muslims, for example, and forcing them to become Muslim. So there are other dynamics. But Christians, being the minority, are persecuted and targeted by not just Hindus but also Muslims.”

Anti-conversion laws require the accused to prove that any conversion(s) in question was not done through force or allurement. In other words, they must prove themselves innocent. 

Kelley says that although the Maharashtra bill has a few more legal hurdles to jump through, it’s basically certain. “Because of the precedent that’s already been set by 12 other states, this is just going to kind of push through the process. It’s not chartering new ground. This is becoming an established pattern.”

One piece of good news is that India’s Supreme Court is in the process of a landmark review of anti-conversion laws and their constitutionality. Their ruling will affect all of India’s states, including Maharashtra and Bihar States, which are both at different stages with anti-conversion legislation.

In the meantime, don’t miss the bigger picture of the Great Commission in India. 

“What most people don’t realize is that within probably the next 25 years, India will simultaneously be the most populated Hindu country and the most populated Muslim country,” says Kelley.

“So it is ‘ground zero’ for what we call unreached people groups. So the church has to have a missional presence in India. [There are] over 1.2 billion people living there, and most of them without a gospel witness. It has got to be a priority.”

Photo from Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, India (Courtesy of Jannes Jacobs via Unsplash)

Pray for wisdom for gospel workers in Maharashtra State, as they will soon have to navigate the effects of the new law. Pray for innocence and also shrewdness as they pursue the call to share Jesus.

Pray for a stronger Christian presence in India. Pray for India as a whole. Learn how you can partner with gospel workers already there, making Jesus known in India alongside Unknown Nations. 

Header photo is a stock image courtesy of Joe Gratz/Flickr. 

In the court order released last month, the Allahabad High Court affirmed that distributing Bibles and preaching religion are not crimes. This isn’t the first time a court in Uttar Pradesh has safeguarded the legal right to share one’s faith — see this 2023 ruling. 

The judges in Allahabad also critiqued the complainant’s charge on several points. They noted that it lacked any victim of alleged forced conversion, although a specific victim is required by law for such charges. To address this and other critiques, the court directed the state counsel to provide several pieces of information in a counter-affidavit.

“It’s been very, on one hand, reassuring that the courts are reading things according to the constitution and in favor of religious freedom,” says John Pudaite with Bibles For the World about this case. “At the same time, we continue to see these anti-conversion laws being used against the Christians, against pastors, against any assembly of worship, even in house churches. It’s a way that they can harass the Christians.”

An Indian woman holds her Bible (Photo, caption, courtesy of IMB)

Harassment can take many forms, but very often what it costs is time. This recent Uttar Pradesh accusation was filed in August 2025, and almost five months later, it is still ongoing. In a similar case, Christians were accused in 2022 of anti-conversion violations and not released from the legal battle until October 2025.

Please pray

Thank God for what appears to be swift justice in this recent case in Uttar Pradesh. Also, India’s Supreme Court is in the midst of reviewing the constitutionality of anti-conversion laws across the nation. Pray for a breakthrough against these laws.

Finally, pray for courage for Christians as they endure further legal challenges.

“Keep lifting up the Body of Christ here, and the pastors, the leadership. They’re the ones who are always facing the brunt of these attacks,” says Pudaite.

“We’ve been seeing some of our partners really step it up in terms of their work, their ministry, and their outreach. I’ve been really encouraged by that. They’re not backing down.”

Header photo of an Indian woman courtesy of IMB. 

“You’ve got a new government trying to enact a new system of law and even create a new constitution over the next four years,” says Samuel* with Redemptive Stories. “There’s a lot at stake for what [this election] means, particularly for minorities.” 

Samuel notes that under the previous al-Assad regime, women held respected roles in society. But in last week’s election, only six women and 10 members of minorities were among the nearly 120 seats chosen. Two of those seats went to representatives for Christians — less than 1% of the total 210-member parliament.

A minaret and a church steeple side-by-side in Syria. (Photo courtesy of Ali Wassouf/Unsplash)

“With a more Sunni conservative government, those voices will be pushed more or brushed more aside,” Samuel says of women and minorities. 

That’s not the only factor complicating Syria’s government. Elections for 21 more parliamentary seats were delayed in two Kurdish-controlled provinces as well as one in the south of Syria. The delay stems from the government’s continued tensions with  Kurdish-led forces in northeast Syria as well as predominantly Druze communities in Suwayda.

Another 70 seats in parliament (one third of the total body) await direct appointment by President Ahmed al-Sharaa. It’s possible that his appointments could correct the imbalances in the new government.

What does this election mean for believers in Syria?

“I think more and more Christians are realizing that this is not a place that will be safe for them,” says Samuel. “What this mean[s] for the Church is that that ethnic Christian [population] will continue, I think, to decrease.”

Syrian children (photo courtesy of Jonathan Ramalho via Unsplash)

Ethnicity is no barrier to God or the gospel, of course. But it is a factor in Syria, where certain people groups are considered to be Christian.

“The prayer would be that there would be more of a desire of Christians to stay and to remain in order to be a light for their community,” says Samuel. “But as those numbers continue to probably actually dwindle, then the church also needs to be engaged in raising up leaders from a Muslim background, Alawite background, Druze background [and] Kurdish Muslim background in order to fill in the gap where the ethnic Christian churches might exit.” 

Please join in praying for Syria at this fragile time. Ask God to open the way for the gospel to reach across Syria’s ethnic and religious divisions. Pray for greater national stability that could allow greater spread of the gospel. 

*Pseudonym

Header photo: Women wearing niqabs, veils worn by Muslim women that cover all of the face except the eyes, walk down the road in Damascus, Syria. (Photo courtesy of IMB)

Todd Nettleton with The Voice of the Martyrs, USA explains the potential ramifications. 

“So if you are sharing your religion and it’s making people of another religion angry, well, then you’re upsetting public order, and public order is a higher value than religious freedom, which has been guaranteed in the constitution,” he says.

(Photo courtesy of Voice of the Martyrs)

“I would love to know the discussions behind the scenes between the various attorneys and how he (the judge) came to this decision. But it does show what the Hindu nationalists believe: that ‘if we let the Christians propagate their religion, if we let the Muslims grow in influence, that is going to upset the public order, that’s going to bring about hassles and upset and upheaval that we don’t want. So we need to stop those. Therefore, we need these anti-conversion laws that we have, even though clearly they violate the constitution that promises the freedom to freely propagate your religion.”

Anti-conversion laws are used with relative impunity to justify attacks on Christians and other minority religions. One India-based monitor verified 640 violent or discriminatory acts against Christians in 2024. That’s likely only a fraction of what really happened. 

“It’s the government that’s driving this persecution, and as I say, the trend is unfortunately much more persecution today than there was even five or 10 years ago,” says Nettleton.

In 2024, Voice of the Martyrs changed how it classifies India, moving it from a hostile area to a restricted nation. (More on that here.) The ministry comes alongside Christians in India with legal assistance, help for families of imprisoned Christians, audio Bible distribution, and more.

Lawyers are frequently needed these days. Nettleton explains that Christians accused of coercing someone to change their religion can spend months, even years in prison — before a court ruling. 

“Sometimes the challenge is just enduring while you wait for the process to go forward,” he says. 

Find your place in the story with your brothers and sisters in Christ. 

“We want to pray for them. We want to stand with them where we can,” says Nettleton, “and I hope that we’re inspired to be bold. If a pastor or an evangelist is willing to go to jail to share the gospel, am I willing to walk across the street to my neighbor? Am I willing to strike [up] a conversation with someone?”

Header photo courtesy of Voice of the Martyrs.

That same day (29 January), military leaders associated with his administration suspended the nation’s 12-year-old constitution. It could take up to four years, al-Sharaa has said, to hold official elections, and up to three to draft a new constitution. They also declared that all military factions are dissolved — including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. 

It’s a fragile time to say the least. 

Fadi Sharaiha with the MENA Leadership Center says his concerns remain despite the promises of Syria’s new leaders. “You know, in four years you could do whatever you want in the country,” he says. 

To him, actions speak loud, and he says al-Sharaa has acted by appointing only people from his own party to lead.

Another concerning point for Sharaiha and others came early January, this one affecting the children of Syria. 

“They want to change some of the books, the textbooks for schools, the curriculum,” he said. The changes in the amendment would remove any positive mention of the al-Assad regime and revise certain facts, with a strong Islamic leaning.  

“Now we don’t see so far [them] putting Christians in jail or anything. But it’s tough what’s happening,” Sharaiha says. 

Yet in all the news of Syria, remember that God still has the Good News for the nation.

MENA Leadership Center partners with more than 132 ministries throughout the Middle East and North Africa.
(Photo courtesy of MENA Leadership Center)

“God loves the people of Syria — all of them — and He wants people to come to faith in His Son, Jesus Christ,” Sharaiha says. 

That’s why your prayers right now matter. Would you stop whatever you’re doing to pray for Syria? Remember them this week. 

Then, praise God for keeping the door open for training Syrian leaders. The MENA Leadership Center has been able to continue reaching Syrian Christians through their online courses, Sharaiha says. 

Learn more about MLC’s mission and vision here. 

Header photo courtesy of ErikaWittlieb via Pixabay.

Local application of laws

Although Indonesia’s constitution protects certain minority religions, including Christianity, Bruce Allen with FMI says, “One of our partners, [a pastor] on the island of Java, says, ‘While the laws are made to protect the equality of all people, including religious equality, the problem is that at the level of implementation it is unequal.’”

Indonesian believers worshipping (Photo courtesy of FMI)

For example, it is relatively simple to gain permission to build a mosque, but it can take years of red tape to be allowed to build a church.

“In June of last year, Catholics in the city of Pinang were finally able to open the doors of their church after a 33-year struggle,” says Allen.

Another example comes from the school system.

“Indonesia’s education system in some districts mandates the wearing of a hijab if you’re a female student, even if you’re not a Muslim. Non-compliance can mean that students can be prevented from attending class.”

The lack of consistency in laws applied is partly due to the fact that Indonesia is a nation with six thousand plus inhabited islands.

“There is so much variety, so [many] different cultures on these different islands that what happens locally is much more important than what the federal government says,” Allen explains. 

So although the Constitution may speak of equality, “locally, it doesn’t always play out that way.”

Federal and political changes ahead

In addition to local governments, which Allen says “are increasingly codifying discrimination against religious minorities,” another concern for religious freedom comes from a law passed in 2022.

At a federal level, Indonesia has a new criminal code scheduled to take effect in 2026. Among other changes, it will further criminalize blasphemy laws, which are already used against Christians. (Read the full outline in the USCIRF report of the concerns that this code raises.)

Indonesia, July 2019 (Photo courtesy of FMI)

There are political pressures facing Indonesian believers today as well.

“What is putting the Christians on edge is that this is an election year. Their presidential elections are coming up February 14. Of the three leading candidates, one is very blatantly wanting to go toward a more radical Islamic bent for the nation. The other two are a little bit more moderate.”

Pray for civility and nonviolence in the upcoming election, and for leaders to be chosen who will protect the rights of all Indonesians. Ask God to enable believers to persevere with confidence in Christ, “as victors, not victims,” says Allen.

“Pray for the Lord’s favor in these issues of getting permission for church site construction. FMI was honored to be able to assist with five such projects last year. There are more in the pipeline.”

Click here to learn more about how FMI partners with local church planters in Indonesia and around the world.

Header photo courtesy of FMI. 

FMI is a ministry with a specific focus in Bangladesh because it is the world’s third-largest Muslim majority nation. A Gospel worker who used to work with FMI says the amendment has caused minority groups concern.

The worker says, “When you have a majority, they already have the advantage of population. They already have the advantage of over-representation in the houses of government. I think this kind of amendment can just set it over the top. It can make officials and bureaucrats feel justified in giving certain privileges and advantages (kind of under the table) to those who are a part of what’s declared as the state religion.” 

A difficult choice

Many in minority religious groups want better representation, or even to have the amendment removed from the constitution. Read more here.

But the worker says Bangladeshi Christians face a difficult choice in this regard: “That’s a much more difficult situation outside of Western countries. If you raise your voice, you may or may not be heard. You may or may not be persecuted and further oppressed. So pray for Christians that they would have wisdom. Should they protest? Or should they just try to live in the grace of God in the current situation as it is?” 

The Holy Spirit isn’t restrained by the Bangladeshi government or any other. Ask God to build His Kingdom powerfully through the churches in Bangladesh.

Header photo courtesy of jorono via Pixabay.

In 2020 and 2021, parents learned that their children were being exposed to unethical indoctrination on everything from sex to politics. Now, these parents are fed up and ready to take school boards to task for allowing Satan clubs to meet in their child’s schools.

This controversy over Satan clubs in public schools has rocked several communities, including Moline, IL; Lebanon, OH; York County, PA; Bakersfield, CA; Greensboro, NC; and Chesapeake, VA.

To the surprise of many, however, CEF upholds the right of Satan clubs to be present in public schools.

(Photo courtesy of Child Evangelism Fellowship)

CEF spokesperson Lydia Kaiser explains the ministry’s position: “While we abhor everything they stand for, we acknowledge they also have the right to free speech and religious expression. A SCOTUS ruling in 2001 clarified that equal access must be given to all clubs which are able to follow the school’s rules in order to meet on school property after school.

“Parents are actually the gatekeepers because all children must have a signed permission slip to attend any club.”

Kaiser explains when parents protest vigorously against the formation of after-school Satan clubs, sometimes schools either close down all religious clubs or refuse to grant permission to the Satan club to meet. This results in TST suing the school district, winning, and using those funds for further mischief.

It also results in promoting the unconstitutional public perception that no one, Christians included, may express religious faith in the public arena.

So What Can Parents Do?

(Photo courtesy of Child Evangelism Fellowship)

CEF encourages parents to attend school board meetings to express their concerns, but to follow this advice:

1) Thank school boards for following the law and then call the bluff of TST. If a Satan club starts, and parents simply don’t sign the permission slips for their children to join, the club itself will not survive.

2) Expose the false narrative of TST — that they aren’t interested in indoctrinating children regarding Satanism. Even the name of the club will encourage children to someday become active in the occult as if it’s something good or innocuous. The TST mascot is a statue of elementary-aged children adoring the Baphomet figure of Satan with all the occult symbols. Furthermore, they claim to teach “individual sovereignty” which is idolatry and anti-authority.

3) Do something positive to counter the dark influences that lure kids. Volunteer in a Good News Club! Children attending Good News Clubs get to hear how God created them in His image and loves them. They learn about Jesus, His sacrifice for them, and His plan to give them a hope and a future.

Kaiser says, “While we have great sympathy for the frustration of these parents, we urge them to look at the larger issues at stake.”

People can learn more about Good News Club at cefonline.com.

Header photo courtesy of Kyo Azuma via Unsplash.

This isn’t the first time Lebanon has gone without a President, says Camille Melki with Heart for Lebanon. “In fact, this is the third time we have had an extended vacuum in the top role of our Lebanese leadership. Now, the difference this year from all others is that we are also without a prime minister and without a ruling government. So basically, we have a vacuum in all the executive levels.”

“We have a caretaker government that is not allowed to convene by the constitution.”

Parliament can only meet to elect a new president. So nothing is getting done in Lebanon. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund can’t aid the country. Melki says, “Think about it in a US context. All lights are off at the White House. All lights are off anywhere else except Congress. That is only allowed to convene to elect a president.”

Economic troubles

In 2022, over 65 percent of all Lebanese households could not pay for heating. Over 55 percent couldn’t afford clothing or education. Over 40 percent couldn’t afford medicine or transportation.

Despite this, less than five percent of Lebanese households received government assistance. Melki says, “We have doubled the refugee families that we serve, as well as the Lebanese families that we serve. We have doubled the student population, which is still a small drop in the bucket. We are loving and caring for 5000 roughly 5000 families every month. That’s an average of 28,000 individuals.”

Pray the love of Jesus would touch many lives in Lebanon. And ask God to strengthen the staff at Heart for Lebanon. Melki says, “When there are so many needs around you, caregivers get tired. They see, day in and day out, the same stories. They experienced the same hardships. It makes us physically and emotionally tired.”

Header photo courtesy of Heart for Lebanon on Facebook.