But Floyd Brobbel with Voice of the Martyrs Canada says idolizing a leader isn’t just a North Korean issue. 

“Children of God have always faced times in their lives where someone rises up to be kind of like a god-like, savior-like figure,” he says. 

In some cases, the societal pressure to worship is explicit — like when early Christians were required to treat the Roman emperor as divine. Or in the case of North Korea’s Kim dynasty.

Mansudae Grand Monument in Pyongyang, North Korea, depicts Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-Il (Image courtesy of Peteranta of Pixabay)

“Instead of the 10 Commandments, [North Koreans] have the 10 Principles,” says Brobbel. “They have hymn books, and the tunes will be very familiar, except that they’ve changed the wording and it’s all pointed to the Supreme Leader.”

But in other parts of the world, societal pressure to idolize a leader can take subtler forms, calling for great discernment. 

“There are tensions that we have in place as Christians,” says Brobbel. “The Bible urges us to respect the governing authorities. But also recognizing that that respect is not limited [to total acceptance], right? So this means that real authority always needs to be accountable.” 

Brobbel reminds others that God calls His people to be lights and witnesses to the truth, in whatever earthly kingdoms they live in (Matthew 5:13-16; Acts 1:8).

“Christians have a responsibility, therefore, to stand up to recognize when power is stepping into places it’s not meant to. We serve as an example and a witness to the world of the power of God, the glory of God, the supremacy of God in all things,” Brobbel says. 

“We do so, again, gently with love but boldly with truth. And we pray that that would make a difference to those that we’re speaking to, or those that are watching.”

Take a moment for a heart check. Are you placing your hope in Christ alone? Do you worship Him in the way Romans 12:1 calls for, with your entire being as a living sacrifice to Him? Pray for greater boldness and truth in your Christian witness, wherever you live.

“We’re not disparaging others, but we simply call in truth into the situation. We readily recognize that when we do so, there needs to be a willingness to suffer,” says Brobbel. 

“I think the average person we meet on the street is just as confused and searching as other people are. There’s an opportunity to engage them.”

Header photo courtesy of Amir Mortezaie via Unsplash.

In a ruling publicly released February 2, the high court over Utter Pradesh, India’s most populous state, stated that permission is not required for religious prayer gatherings held on private premises. The ruling came after petitions were filed by two Christian organizations, in response to frequent police disruptions of prayer meetings on private property.

“There was an act by a couple of states to try to even illegalize, basically, prayer in the home. They’re trying to attack the house churches and small groups or fellowships that are meeting in homes,” says John Pudaite of Bibles for the World. “It’s a tough situation there for the body of Christ when they can be dragged out of a church or a worship.”

The court ruling was based on the Indian Constitution, which states individuals have the freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion. This decision offers hope to Christians in India in the face of anti-conversion laws, which have been used to unjustly arrest religious leaders and have fueled persecution against Christ.

“We have anti-conversion laws in 12 states. Many have been arrested under those laws,” notes Pudaite. “To date, no one has been convicted under those anti-conversion laws in any of those states, so that’s a victory on one side, knowing that when the body of Christ is practicing, professing their faith, meeting for worship, things like this, they are protected by the Indian constitution, and it’s still being upheld by the by the courts, whether state High Court, Supreme Court. But at the same time, those conversion laws still give them that opportunity to harass the body of Christ, harass believers, harass pastors in that way.”

How to pray for India:

• Pray that the courts in India would continue to show impartiality and hold firm in their reading and interpretation of the Indian Constitution, as they did in this recent ruling.
• Pray for strength and encouragement for believers in India, that they would continue to trust in Jesus as Lord.

“We know how the story ends, but along the way, the enemy is just going to make it difficult for those who follow Jesus to continue to follow Him, and so he’s going to try to do anything he can to discourage us,” says Pudaite, reminding believers, “Christ has paid the price. He is the victor. The story is going to end up with a happy ending.”

Header photo is a representative stock image courtesy of Naveed Ahmed via Unsplash.

Like many kids in India, she grew up in a home filled with idols and rituals. Worship was familiar — but Jesus was not. Still, something about the songs, stories, and kindness of her Bible Club leaders drew her in.

Rohitha’s life was changed forever at a 10-Day Children’s Bible Club. (Photo courtesy of Mission India)

“She loved hearing about Jesus healing the sick, and His sacrifice on the cross really resonated with her,” says Mission India’s Raina Miller. “So by day seven out of 10 at the Bible Club, she was reflecting on her life and the concept of forgiveness, and she couldn’t stop thinking about Jesus.

“On day nine out of 10, Rohitha invited Jesus into her heart, and she received Him as Savior — and on day 10, she declared her faith publicly!”

Now, Rohitha is part of a local church and prays daily for her parents to know the same hope she’s found.

Stories like hers are why Mission India continues to host 10-Day Children’s Bible Clubs across the country — and why their matching challenge that launched today matters so much!

From now through December 31, a generous partner will match every gift toward Mission India’s 10-Day Children’s Bible Clubs up to $1.1 million.

“Normally, one dollar lets one child attend a Bible Club,” Miller explains. “But through this match, one dollar reaches two children. So this is giving them the chance to attend a Bible Club where they can hear about Jesus — many of them, for the first time.”

Miller adds, “It’s just incredible to see what can happen in the span of only 10 days. You would think that’s such a short time, but kids’ lives turn around in that short amount of time, and they’re introduced to Jesus. It changes their lives forever, and it gives their parents the chance to have their lives changed as well.”

You can double your impact and help reach twice as many children with the Gospel at www.missionindia.org/double!

Header photo courtesy of Mission India.

President Yoweri Museveni has held office for nearly 40 years. Ever since he seized power in 1986, Uganda has been “comparatively stable, but increasingly authoritarian,” according to a 2025 report from the U.S.-based Congressional Research Service. Uganda has never had a democratic transition of power.

Whether or not Museveni receives a seventh term in office will be determined in the January general elections. But Uganda’s 2021 elections were marred by a number of killings, enforced disappearances and other human rights abuses. Months ahead of the elections, David Durance with TeachBeyond said local staff are starting to see more of the same.

(Photo courtesy of TeachBeyond Uganda)

“[They tell us] that this is much more intense than it has been before, that there’s already pressure and even violence,” he said. 

As in most cases, the outcome of national government elections will affect ministry. Durance says there are two dimensions that TeachBeyond is mindful of and praying about. The first layer is that education policy changes can change the landscape. 

“[For example,] we spent years working on a school project that’s now open and really flourishing. But one swipe of a pen in Kampala could wipe that away,” Durance said.

The second layer that TeachBeyond is praying about is practical. Political unrest can prevent students from attending school or even make parents hesitant to send kids to a Christian school. 

“There’s all these [underlying] tensions that happen that impact our ability to really reach the communities that we’re trying to reach,” Durance said in summary. 

Yet in Uganda’s turbulence, Christians carry the gospel as the answer. One Sunday, Durance visited a Ugandan church where half of the worship songs were prayers for their nation. “It was amazing to see how this community of believers recognized that it was their responsibility as followers of Jesus to be praying for their country and that they want to be the active agents of having the gospel heard,” he said. 

“I thought what was interesting was not that they were actually praying for some sort of political revolution or even change. They were praying that people would turn to Christ, knowing that all those other things will fall into place.”

Pray with TeachBeyond for political favor for ministry and for the next generation of Ugandans to be grounded in the Lord.

(Photo courtesy of TeachBeyond Uganda)

Header photo from Iganga, Uganda courtesy of Zach Wear via Unsplash.

“The prisoners gathered in the courtyard, and they were able to get a copy of a Bible, and they were able to do worship songs,” says Reverend Jason Woolford with Mission Cry.

Mission Cry missionary partner and prison director of a prison in Honduras (Photo courtesy of Mission Cry)

“Our missionaries were able to share the salvation message with them and witness them reading their very own Bible. It was so beautiful. [As] the team was leaving, many inmates shook their hand[s] and thanked them for coming.”

This moment happened because Mission Cry missionary partners had favor with prison officials, which Woolford says is happening not only in South America. 

“We’re seeing it in Africa. We’re seeing it in the Philippines. You name it — we’re seeing where doors of these prisons are starting to open. Wardens who are not even believers [are] allowing us to come in and preach the gospel by giving them the Word of God.” 

If you know Christ, think of how the gospel has transformed your life. God can do the same work in a prisoner’s life and community. 

“When these men or women get out of prison and they come back and their families are able to see that God touched them and did something in their lives, how that will impact generations to come,” Woolford says. 

Find your place in the story

More Bibles await sponsorship at Mission Cry. 

“The Bible that we give, it’s very strategic. It’s the Mission Cry Bible in Spanish. It’s the New Testament, and it has a discipleship program in the back, and [other study helps]. We produce this Bible and get it in the hands of people around the world absolutely free for $2 a Bible.” 

Visit missioncry.com to partner with their team on their upcoming shipments. Please pray as well!

“You’re making a difference in the lives of people around the world with the Word that is the only thing that doesn’t return void,” Woolford says. 

“Pray for protection over our leadership, our Mission Cry missionaries on the ground and [for] favor — that God would continue to prompt and prick the right hearts at the right time so that we can continue to do what we do by people that partner with us in giving.”

Header photo courtesy of Mission Cry.

Indonesia (MNN) — Everything changes when fear of the spirit world turns to faith in Christ. Nathan Fagerlie is a pilot with Mission Aviation Fellowship. He shared a story about an Indonesian community where MAF was a lifeline for local missionaries. 

“Often, without the airplane and without missionaries coming into a village, the infant mortality rate is about 80%, meaning four out of five kids do not make it past the age of two,” he says.

Papua, Indonesia (Courtesy of Mission Aviation Fellowship)

One couple in the village had lost five children. When their sixth child was born, a girl, the father said she would die too and rejected her. 

But her mother believed that naming the child Madhu (meaning “worm”) and disfiguring her would keep evil spirits away. 

“She took a knife and cut off both pinky fingers off this beautiful infant baby, and then took the knife and just made multiple cuts on her face and body,” Fagerlie says. “The whole point was to try and make this child as unappealing as possible, so maybe the spirits would leave her alone and that she wouldn’t die.

“The gospel comes in, though, and it changes. It changes people, changes the cultures. In this area now, instead of feeling like they’ve got to mutilate or harm their kids in order to keep them alive, they start using the names of the kids as a way to celebrate the attributes of God.” 

Today, parents in the area might give their children names with meanings like “God hears us” or “Compassion.” And that little baby girl, Madhu? …

“This girl that her father rejected, that was mutilated, is now a strong, faithful believer, and she’s known in the village for producing some amazing songs that glorify her Father in heaven, who hasn’t rejected her,” Fagerlie says. 

Praise God for his redemption in hard stories like these, and pray for missionaries that MAF supports in other spiritually dark communities!

“They’re in a constant battle in that sense, too, spiritually, as they’re trying to bring light into a place that resists it,” says Fagerlie. 

Pray that these missionaries would be protected and see the gospel change people’s lives.

You can learn more about MAF here. 

Header photo of Papua outdoor education, 2025, courtesy of Mission Aviation Fellowship.

Leaders from across the world will be in attendance at the funeral on April 26. 

To talk about this event, we connected with Chris Ruge at Prayercast, a ministry that raises prayer in the global Church for the lost.

(Photo courtesy of rawpixel via Unsplash.)

“We always look at the events going on around the world and ask the question, ‘how does this impact people who are lost around the world in one way or another?’” says Ruge.

Whether or not you are among the more than 1.4 billion people in the Catholic Church today, Ruge invites you to pray about this change. 

“No one wants to see the gospel advance around the world more than God does,” he says. “So we pray for whoever is installed as the next Pope, that that person will be a key figure in leading a significant portion of God’s Church and shepherding that flock in a way that expands God’s worship and His praise around the world.” 

Ruge points to 1 Timothy 2, which calls for Christians to pray for kings and all those in authority. He says it’s undeniable that the Pope will hold significant influence to speak to modern-day issues. 

“So we come alongside and ask for God’s wisdom, for His mercy, and that He would continue to purify His Church in all of its forms around the world,” he says, “that His Church would be a pure bride and a reflection of His light, truth, love, justice, righteousness and holiness.”

Join in praying for the College of Cardinals who will be choosing the next Pope in the coming weeks.

Header photo of Vatican Obelisk, St. Peter’s Basilica (Photo courtesy of Castielli via Wikimedia Commons – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0)

“In the countries we serve, Easter has greater prominence among the churches even than Christmas,” says Erick Mock with Slavic Gospel Association. “Easter becomes a profound time of worship.”

The victory concept carries a particular poignancy in countries like Ukraine, Israel, Russia and many others where SGA partners with local churches. Destruction and discord have loud voices. Yet Mock tells the story of one woman who discovered God’s voice even in mayhem.

While in Ukraine, he met an older woman who had lost her family and home. She often didn’t know where her next meal would come from. But she wore a beautiful smile.

“Please tell me why you’re smiling,” he said after hearing her story.

In a time of great uncertainty, God is bringing help, healing, and hope to the people of Ukraine through SGA-supported pastors, churches, a seminary and SGA-supported Compassion Ministry.
(Photo, caption courtesy of Slavic Gospel Association)

“Because everything tragic that happened in my life led me to this place where I found the grace of God,” she replied. “God has filled my heart with peace and joy, independent of my circumstances, and I know heaven is before me. Whatever happens to me, heaven is there.” 

That same hope in Jesus’ resurrection is yours today, if you know Christ. 

”Even as you watch the chaos in this world, or even some of the chaos in our own country, [I encourage you] to see Easter as a point of victory, a point of celebration that our lives are not determined by our circumstances — both positive and negative — but it’s the hope we have in Jesus Christ, by His grace, through faith,” says Mock. 

This Easter, SGA is boosting support to missionary pastors so they can deliver more aid to their neighbors in the name of Christ. It opens the way to invite people to church and hear the gospel — like it did for Sergei in Belarus. Pray for many people to be drawn to Jesus this Holy Week.

Learn more about SGA here. 

Header photo: In a time of great uncertainty, God is bringing help, healing, and hope to the people of Ukraine through SGA-supported pastors, churches, a seminary and SGA-supported Compassion Ministry. (Photo, caption courtesy of Slavic Gospel Association)

Together, the Congress participants in Incheon, South Korea are engaging in vital conversations around God’s mission, our obedience to Jesus’ Great Commission, and the church’s calling in today’s rapidly changing world. The Congress theme – ‘Let the church declare and display Christ together’ – is positioned as a rallying cry for God’s people to proclaim and demonstrate the gospel of Jesus Christ faithfully. Collaboration and partnership is a key frame for this Congress, much like the three previous Congresses in 1974 (Lausanne, Switzerland), 1989 (Manila, Philippines), and 2010 (Cape Town, South Africa).

Reflecting on the Congress theme, Patrick Fung, chair of the Congress program theme, shared the significance of a strong emphasis on unity, noting that ‘A divided church has no message for a divided world. God has called us to a unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.’

The opening session began 22 September 2024 with a time of celebration and reflection. Highlights included an opening address and introduction to the Congress by Michael Oh, globally represented worship led by Keith and Kristyn Getty, and an introduction to the Congress’ focus on collaborative action. More than 5,000 participants joined the Congress onsite in Incheon, South Korea.

Incheon, South Korea (Photo courtesy of Daesun Kim/Unsplash)

The Congress is being held at the Songdo Convensia, a premier conference venue in Incheon. Beyond the plenary sessions that feature a global lineup of more than 50 speakers and contributors including Anne Zaki (Egypt), Ronaldo Lidório (Brazil), Bishop Hwa Yung (Malaysia), and Rick Warren (United States), there are multiple additional engagement opportunities around the Congress venue including various arts spaces and installations, storytelling booths where participants are invited to share their reflections and testimonies, optional sessions for those interested in workplace ministry and learning more about North Korea, and a Digital Discovery Center that features 40 ministries and projects that are influencing this critical mission arena.

The Congress is hosted in partnership with an Asia Co-Host Committee chaired by Rev. Jaehoon Lee of Onnuri Church. The logistical preparations of the Congress have been championed by over 1,400 operations personnel in 47 teams led by the Korean Preparatory Committee handling aspects of transport, security, visa assistance, venue preparation, catering, broadcasting, and much more. An additional 400 staff, volunteers, and service providers from around the world are working in 17 departments, including operations, communications, program production, registration, and other vital support areas.

Beginning yesterday, the Congress Virtual Experience (VX) allowed thousands more to join remotely, further expanding the reach of the global dialogue. This hybrid format ensures that participants, both onsite and online, can contribute to the shared vision of the Congress. Congress VX features a curation of plenary session content, engaging sessions of collaboration, and a virtual lounge.

Another key highlight is the release of the Seoul Statement, which, alongside the State of the Great Commission report, serves as an informative and inspirational tool throughout the Congress. These two documents form a foundation for deep theological reflection and strategic action, addressing both biblical and missional gaps that have been identified through a comprehensive listening process.

(Photo by Cherry Laithang/Unsplash)

Congress director, David Bennett, notes that ‘the Seoul Statement stands as part of the larger collection of key documents within the Lausanne Movement, building on the legacy of the Lausanne Covenant, the Manila Manifesto, and the Cape Town Commitment. It is designed not to replace, but to complement these foundational documents, providing fresh insights into contemporary theological and missional challenges.’ The statement addresses key theological gaps deemed necessary for strengthening global mission today, drawing on the work of the Theology Working Group — a collective of global theological thinkers and practitioners.

Under the leadership of Ivor Poobalan and Victor Nakah, the Theology Working Group engaged in a rigorous process of reflection and collaboration, producing a document that encourages clarity and conviction in the face of theological and missional confusion. Participants are encouraged to interact with the Seoul Statement during the Congress and engage in meaningful conversations about its implications for the global church.

As the Congress unfolds, the gravity of this moment is evident. The global church, men and women from across spheres of society and sectors of influence, is gathering not only to reflect but to act — collaborating on how to meet the challenges of our time, listen to what God is doing in diverse contexts, and move forward in unity for the sake of the gospel.

For more information about the Fourth Lausanne Congress and to follow the livestream, visit congress.lausanne.org.

Header photo courtesy of Lausanne 4.

That’s the principle Heart for Lebanon stands on in the deeply divided Middle East. 

“The question you want to ask (is), ‘How can you get people on a Sunday morning to sit in one room and worship Jesus Christ?’” says says Elio Constantine with Heart for Lebanon. “(Keep) in mind that these people have been programmed and brainwashed for centuries and centuries that from a human perspective, they should be enemies.”

(Photo courtesy Heart for Lebanon)

Heart for Lebanon’s Middle East Center for Justice and Missions advocates for biblical responses to injustice, for the glory of God. They want people to discover how to break these cycles of violence and hatred.

“The answer is easier said than done: It’s through Christ and Christ alone,” Constantine says. “How do we do that? Through unconditional love, patience, grace, and mercy.”

Their team goes out and befriends families from different ethnic backgrounds in Lebanon — whether Syrian, Kurdish, Lebanese and others. They spend countless hours visiting, offering prayer, giving aid and showing true friendship. 

Their love has led to hearts opening to the gospel and two diverse churches gathering. 

These principles of love are Christ-centered. Constantine says they can be applied anywhere in the world.

(Photo courtesy Heart For Lebanon)

“That’s what The Middle East Center for Justice and Missions is here to advocate for. We’re here to show the picture, to show our experience, what we have done in Lebanon, how we — now, God never tells us any indicator of success — but what our hard work has yielded,” Constantine says. 

Would you take this unfolding story into your own heart? Consider who you perceive as an enemy, or who you have been taught is your enemy. Then, commit yourself to obey Christ and show your “enemies” the same love He has given you. (See 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 about this “ministry of reconciliation.”)

“That is the only way to move past and break the cycle of hatred and despair that we’ve been living in globally,” says Constantine.

“Anywhere on planet Earth, the answer is simple. But the work is much harder. We need to have the intention and the discipline to show love unconditionally to anyone we meet along the road.”

Header photo courtesy of Heart for Lebanon.