News from the Field: Church raided, 15 Christians charged

KAZAHKSTAN: Church Meeting Raided by Police

On May 24, a church was raided during Sunday morning services in the city of Semey (far eastern Kazakhstan). According to police, someone called the Kazakh police emergency number to report religious activities of an unregistered community. “A police squad of about 10 people arrived during the service,” said one church leader. “After the service ended, everyone present except for mothers with children was told not to leave. Officers explained the reason for their visit and said that the church members were violating the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan by performing religious rites.” Fifteen church members, including the pastor, have been charged.

SUDAN: Five Pastors Accused of Spying

Radical Muslims have made false accusations against the pastors of several churches in Sudan. Five pastors were ordered to appear in court on June 16 to answer charges of being spies and of evangelizing Muslims. The hearing was postponed, and no new date has been announced. Despite the accusations, the pastors remain committed to continuing in ministry. “We trust God, knowing that nothing will be successful in stopping the ministry,” one of the pastors said. “Not the government and not fanatical Muslims.”

TURKMENISTAN: Pastor’s Widow Thankful for Letters Sent to Him in Prison

The widow of a formerly imprisoned pastor expressed her thankfulness to people around the world who wrote letters to her husband while he was imprisoned for his gospel work. Maya’s husband was arrested in 2010 in southeastern Turkmenistan. In an interview with VOM Radio, Maya said a prison custodian told her husband that he had received many letters from around the world. She said he was never allowed to see or read the letters but was greatly encouraged to know that Christians had not forgotten him. He passed away from an illness in 2024. Listen to Maya’s complete interview on VOM Radio. PrisonerAlert.com is an online tool to help Christians write letters to imprisoned Christians and to government officials in restricted nations.