ICC Global Digest: Hundreds of Churches at Risk

        Source:                      www.persecution.org
Date:                           July 21, 2025

A WEEKLY SUMMARY OF CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION NEWS

Hundreds of Churches at Risk

Pray for the churches as they are scrutinized and threatened with demolition. 

Pray that the church structures are not demolished and that the churches remain united against the threats. Pray also that they continue to show the love of Christ.

FEATURED ARTICLE

Indian State Plans to Demolish Hundreds of ‘Unauthorized’ Church Structures

Within six months, the government of Maharashtra in India is planning to investigate and demolish hundreds of churches that it claims are unauthorized structures, most of which are in tribal regions.

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Pray that Christians in China would remain rooted in Christ as they face a new level of persecution from the communist government. 

Pray that churches in China will find new, safe ways to gather and worship.

BREAKING NEWS

China Expands Crackdown on Independent Churches 

Recent reports and firsthand testimony from Christians in China indicate that the Chinese government is persecuting the church with renewed vigor as it implements new regulations on foreign missionaries and the worship practices of local believers. 

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Pray for Shamloui, who will likely be beaten and tortured while in an Iranian prison. Pray that he keeps his faith.

Pray for his family to be supported while he is in prison. Pray for his swift release. 

BREAKING NEWS

Turkey Deports Christian Facing 10-Year Prison Sentence in Iran

Mehran Shamloui, an Iranian Christian convert, was deported from Turkey to Iran on July 3 after he attempted to escape imprisonment in Iran for his faith. Iranian authorities detained Shamloui after he landed at Iran’s Mashhad International Airport.

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Pray for Apollinaris Darmawan as he starts life over again. Pray that he can reconnect with family and friends in a meaningful way. 

Pray for Darmawan's spiritual, mental, and physical health to be restored now that he has been released. 

BREAKING NEWS

Elderly Christian Released from Prison in Indonesia 

After serving more than four years behind bars, an elderly Christian man has been released from prison in Indonesia.

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Pray that more Christians would take seriously the spiritual act of giving to church offerings. 

Pray that more churches in the U.S. would financially support persecuted Christians.

ICC FELLOWS

From Suffering to Thanksgiving: God’s Design for the Offering 

The Lalibela churches represent radically distinct forms when contrasted with Protestant evangelical churches in the U.S. Being Coptic Orthodox churches, they look different from the earliest churches of the New Testament as well. But in at least one way, the Churches of Lalibela look much like the New Testament: the offering.