Category: News Briefs

Source: Mission Network News, September 25, 2025

Nigeria’s prisons are becoming unlikely centers of revival. Through Prisoners For Christ’s (PFC) International Bible Institute, inmates across Nigeria are not only finding faith in Jesus but also becoming Christian leaders who disciple others.

“It’s a Bible college inside the prison for inmates,” explains Don Szolomayer, Director of International Affairs at PFC. “There are 143 total lessons in the whole course. So, it takes about three to four years, depending. But the goal is once they go through all of that, those who graduate from it now become what we call an inmate chaplain.”

These inmate chaplains are trained to evangelize, teach, and disciple others through Scripture. The impact of this ministry is spreading.

Recently, Nigeria’s prison chaplains took their training to a new level. “About three or four weeks ago, they held a crusade with all of their inmate chaplains [who] have graduated,” says Szolomayer.

“They got permission from the officer in charge to go cell-by-cell evangelizing. Then on top of that, they had a full crusade out in the yard. This all went on for over a week and a half!”

Read the full story or learn more about Prisoners for Christ. In another MNN story, PFC reports that terrorists are finding Christ behind bars. Speaking of which, we were recently reminded of an unusual prayer campaign, Adopt a Terrorist for Prayer. It’s been updated with 2025 profiles.

Source: Back to Jerusalem, September 22, 2025

Papua New Guinea made a huge step and passed a new constitutional amendment officially declaring to the world that they are a Christian nation.

The [March 2025] proclamation was led by Prime Minister James Marape, who added to the Constitution’s preamble acknowledging “God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit” as “our Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe and the source of our powers and authorities.”

The move affirms Christianity’s foundational role in the nation’s identity, with more than 90 percent of its 11 million citizens identifying as Christian. announcement comes as Papua New Guinea celebrates its 50th ndependence Day, marking half a century since gaining sovereignty from Australia in 1975.

The nation’s Prime Minister described the amendment as a way to anchor national values in faith and to recognize the long-standing contribution of churches in serving remote and underserved communities.

The full story comments: “Some critics worry the symbolic shift could lead to the persecution of other faiths, but, as has been seen time and again, people of all faiths find the most freedom of expression for their religion under the umbrella of Christian nations.”

Another article from BTJ comments on a nationwide communication blackout in Afghanistan as an attempt to block access to immoral (Christian?) content and enforce Islamic values.

In other news, after a 30-year advocacy effort, Argentina has now officially recognized the legal status of non-Catholic religious organizations (Evangelical Focus).

Source: Beyond, September 24, 2025

Yom Kippur (October 2), the Day of Atonement, is the holiest and most solemn day of the Jewish year. It concludes the Ten Days of Awe, which begin with Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year). Together, these days call for honest reflection—looking back in repentance for past sins and looking ahead to a new year cleansed and renewed.

We hear of the Day of Atonement in Leviticus (16:29), underscoring its profound importance. On this day, both the high priest and the people had roles to play. The priest performed sacrifices of atonement while the people refrained from work and humbled themselves before the Lord.

Leviticus 16 outlines the high priest’s unique responsibilities. Clothed in white linen as a sign of purity, he would enter the Holy of Holies with offerings: a bull for his household and a goat for the sins of the people. A second goat—the scapegoat—was symbolically burdened with the sins of Israel and sent into the wilderness, signifying removal of guilt and cleansing of the community.

Even today, observant Jews prepare for Yom Kippur by spending the Ten Days of Awe seeking reconciliation with others. The belief is clear: one must be right with one’s neighbor in order to be right with God. This reflects the commandments to love God wholeheartedly (Deuteronomy 6:5) and to love one’s neighbor as oneself (Leviticus 19:18)—commandments Jesus also affirmed again in Mark 12:30–31.

Traditions include sharing a meal before the fast begins, lighting memorial candles for deceased parents, and observing a 25-hour period of fasting and abstinence. According to Jewish law, this “self-denial” includes refraining from eating, drinking, bathing, wearing leather shoes, and marital relations. These practices create space for prayer, repentance, and deep dependence on God’s mercy.

At its heart, Yom Kippur is a day of humility and hope—an invitation to turn from sin, repair relationships, and seek forgiveness from the God who cleanses his people.

Read the full story includes six ways you can pray for Jewish people during this time. 

1. Nepal: We Pray for Peace and Stability
2. Iran: A Secure VPN to Protect Believers
3. World: From Iran and Mexico to Discipling the Displaced Everywhere
4. Australia: New Online Platform Launched for the Auslan Bible
5. India: Between the First Believer and the Next One

Read or share the email edition.

Source: Mission Network News, September 15, 2025

The internet is a great tool to learn more about the situation in the world, deepen one’s knowledge of a certain topic, or find an answer to a burning question. But under Iranian laws, some innocent searches can land a person in jail.

Despite the risks, Iranians search for news, popular movies and songs, and truth beyond Islam. They often turn to local VPNs—tools meant to hide their identity online. However, these are often unsafe.

Many local VPNs are run by the government to leak personal data. Whether it is a question about the divinity of Jesus or a desire to check the news from government-disapproved websites, a quick search may lead to years of trouble.

Transform Iran responded by offering a free VPN. “It is high speed, it’s reliable, it’s secure, but also our users can be confident to know that their data truly is secure and won’t be sold out to the government,” says [Transform Iran spokesperson Lana Silk].

Read the full story.

See also two more stories related to technology:

• Dreams and Digits: every mission team needs a digital media strategy (Ted Esler)
• What if Language Were Not a Barrier? Apple AirPods & Live Language Translation (Pioneers-USA)

Source: Global Partners, September 1, 2025

When Liz and Hamed first met in Central Europe, they brought together two distinct cultures and stories of God’s relentless pursuit of their hearts across borders. Both immigrants, their experiences ultimately shaped their calling to minister to displaced people across the world.

Hamed’s journey began in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Hamed was exposed to the gospel through his brother, who had immigrated to the United Kingdom. After becoming a believer and getting baptized, Hamed began telling others about Jesus and started an underground church in his parents’ house.

Hamed was kidnapped by the secret police, tortured for three days, and told he would be executed. By God’s grace, he escaped and fled to Central Europe, where he received asylum.

Liz’s story began in Mexico, where she was born before immigrating to the United States as a teenager. She attended church for the first time in America and decided to follow Christ shortly after. At only 14 years old, she received her call to missions and has followed that call ever since.

Together, Liz and Hamed planted several international congregations with members from Iran, Syria, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan. They held baptisms every three months with as many as 50 new converts each service.

In 2023, they moved to the United States, where Liz developed a curriculum to train ministry leaders working with diaspora groups and asylum seekers and made it available for anyone to use.

In 2024, they began discussions with Global Partners about training British pastors to reach immigrant communities using Liz’s curriculum. The couple plans to support immigrants living in Birmingham while addressing the spiritual and physical needs of the persecuted church.

The full, very multinational story includes contact info for those who want to learn more or access the curriculum.

See also How to Offer Jesus Naturally to Your Neighbors and the Nations (Jeannie Marie). This one-hour training video will only be available through Sunday, September 21, but Jeanie offers many other resources.

Source: United Bible Societies, September 9, 2025

A significant step forward in Bible accessibility has been achieved with the launch of a new online platform making Scripture available in Auslan, the sign language of Australia’s Deaf community.

The Auslan Bible Translation Project has been steadily progressing for almost 30 years, led by the Auslan Bible Committee in partnership with Bible Society Australia. Since 1997, the goal has been clear: to ensure Deaf Australians can engage with God’s Word in their first language—fully, naturally, and clearly. In 2023, Wycliffe Bible Translators Australia joined the effort, further strengthening the translation work.

With the launch of the new website, the Auslan Bible has an accessible home. It offers video translations of Scripture, including the books of John and Acts, alongside a growing library of children’s Bible stories. A “passage of the day” feature provides daily encouragement, and the platform explains how translation happens and how the wider community can support the project.

Read the full story or visit the Auslan Bible website.

2025 has been a year of Bible  breakthroughs. As of August 1, just 544 of the world’s 7,396 living languages remain on the waiting list for Bible translation to begin. A year earlier, the number was 985 languages. In 2020, it was more than 2,000. In 1999, it was more than 5,000. To learn more, see 2025 Global Scripture Access (Wycliffe Global Alliance).

Source: Mission Frontiers, September 2025

It was springtime in India, and the local Saraswati festival was quickly approaching. A new Hindu friend had invited me to join his family’s celebration at their home for this religious holiday. Saikat had quickly become something of a local host for me, and I was grateful to be invited to his extended family’s gathering.

After everyone had eaten, I told Saikat’s father how much I enjoyed being welcomed by his family and his many relatives. He looked a bit sad as I said this, so I asked if any relative was missing. “Only my brother,” Saikat’s father replied. “Three years ago, he became a Christian. Since then, he never comes to our home or visits us on any of the holidays.”

His words impacted me deeply. Here I was, a follower of Jesus who had left my family and hometown 8,000 miles away to share about Jesus with Hindu people. Yet the Hindu family that I was trying to reach had already experienced the hoped-for miracle that someone in their family might begin to follow Christ. Unfortunately, Saikat’s uncle’s conversion had left only painful wounds for the rest of his family. The gospel of Jesus, at least how Saikat’s family understood it, had been distinctly not good news.

Read more. Pray for movements that overcome cultural obstacles and extend from one family member to the next.

This issue of Mission Frontiers also includes articles about conversion and transformation among Muslims, Buddhists, and other groups.

1. Eritrea: Letter Calling for Release of “The 7” Refused
2. Nigeria: Delivering the Good News in 500+ Languages
3. Russia: Baptist Activities Banned but Gatherings Continue
4. Middle East: Believers from Muslim Backgrounds Offer Hope to Suffering Sudanese
5. Pakistan: “We Are Watched All the Time”
6. India: New Restrictions on Worship in House Churches

View or share the email edition, or scroll down for more.

Source: Christian Freedom International, August 21, 2025

The Eritrean Embassy in Washington D.C. refused to accept a hand-delivered letter calling for the release of seven church leaders who are imprisoned with no charges, no court cases, no legal representation, [and] no family visits for over 20 years. The letter was addressed to the Embassy of Eritrea and signed by a dozen organizations and over 60 individuals.

The letter reminds Eritrean officials of their obligations under international treaties and the Eritrean Constitution.

Eritrea, a small country in Africa, is often referred to as the “North Korea of Africa” due to its lack of freedom. The government exerts control over nearly every aspect of life, including religion, forcing many Christians to practice their faith in secret. Many believers are imprisoned or locked in metal shipping containers under the scorching sun.

Read the full story for details about these believers.

Also see a prayer resource about these men from Church in Chains.