Missions Catalyst

Source: Back to Jerusalem, January 4, 2026

Nigeria is one of the most dangerous areas in the world to be a Christian. An average of 32 Christians are killed in Nigeria every day. That is one every 45 minutes.

However, something amazing is happening! Islamic fighters are leaving their weapons and coming to Christ in large numbers.

Africa’s most deadly Muslim terrorists, who have been killing thousands of Christians every year, are being baptized and leading house churches in Nigeria. The Muslims who [convert] to Christianity are showing an open act of defiance, and this can lead to death. Muslims in Nigeria who become Christians are literally signing their death warrant, but that is not stopping them.

In a rare video posted on X, a former Muslim fighter is leading a house church of local believers and running a Sunday School.  He is not alone. In the last six months, more and more videos of former Islamic terrorists can be seen boldly sharing the gospel message with believers in house churches.

See the full story with video clips. Have you heard anything more about this from other sources? Let us know.

For a bit more nuance, a recent prayer email has this to say about Nigeria (Justin Long):

“Pray for the spread of the gospel in northern Nigeria, and for the protection of believers. The violence in the area is a combustible mixture of ethnic tensions, militias, warlordism, banditry, and Islamic fundamentalism. Christians are sometimes targeted for being Christians, but also sometimes because they are the “other tribe” or in a desired village or because they have not paid what amounts to bribes for protection. Pray for the church to endure, to be a bold and loving witness, and for many persecutors to become followers of the King of Peace.”

Want to pray with others for the Muslim world? 30 Days of Prayer starts February 18.

Source: The Christian Post, December 11, 2025

The pilot of a Samaritan’s Purse plane that was recently hijacked told the attempted hijacker that God loves him, according to the Evangelical nonprofit’s CEO, the Rev. Franklin Graham.

Graham talked with the pilot after the incident, who described what it was like when the individual who snuck on board tried to take over the airplane. Graham said the pilot made an effort to “try to convince him not to do this, but the guy said, ‘I’m going to kill you and I’m going to count to three and I’m going to kill you.’”

“So, the pilot realized this isn’t going to turn out well,” said Graham. “So, [the pilot said] I’m just going to tell him that God loves him. The guy surrendered, and so we are just grateful.”

“We work in dangerous parts of the world; that’s part of it.”

Traveling to Maiwut, South Sudan [on December 2], the plane was en route to deliver medicine to a mobile medical unit operated by Samaritan’s Purse when it was hijacked.

“We praise God that no one was seriously injured, and we are grateful to the security forces for their support and swift action on the ground to resolve the situation and bring a safe outcome,” Samaritan’s Purse said in a statement.

Read the full story.

Also from Africa, read about a Ugandan pastor brutally attacked and accused of misleading the community’s children by encouraging them to attend church (Morning Star News) and the Rwandan president’s defense of the closure of thousands of churches (Arab News).

Meanwhile, in Asia, an influential Chinese church reports arrests as the crackdown on Christians intensifies (BBC).

Source: Haggai International, December 10, 2025

Aleth Joyce Cubacub had already built a respected career in the Philippines as both a lawyer and a public accountant when she began to sense that her profession could do more than resolve legal problems. She believed it could also open doors to restoration.

This conviction deepened after her Haggai Leader Experience. Through Haggai’s internationally developed and facilitated curriculum, she unlocked a vision of how her legal expertise could contribute to systemic change. She saw how intentional acts of bold faith could transform lives when leaders step forward with purpose and creativity. The experience moved her to pursue opportunities she once assumed were outside the scope of her profession.

As a managing partner of Cubacub Hernandez and Associates, she often spent long periods outside cramped courtrooms with her clients. What could have been idle time became moments for quiet ministry. She chose to speak with them about hope, forgiveness, and the presence of Christ in times of legal hardship. Within her firm, she encouraged midday Bible studies for employees and fellow attorneys. These gatherings helped create a culture of scripture and prayer that steadied the demanding pace of litigation.

Read the full story. We praise God for raising up people to make a difference in many spheres of influence and all over the world.

Source: International Christian Concern, December 18, 2025

According to a report by the local media outlet CentroAmérica360, notices were posted at bus terminals in Costa Rica warning travelers that they could not bring Bibles into neighboring Nicaragua. Other prohibited items on the list included sharp objects such as knives, drones, and perishable food.

The restrictions seem to have come down from the Ortega-Murillo dictatorship ruling Nicaragua and were enacted earlier this month, according to CentroAmérica360. Other sources, however, indicated that the policy is months old and was implemented earlier this year.

Magazines and newspapers are also banned from entering the country, according to the notice. Nicaragua has lacked an independent press since 2021, when the government raided the headquarters and halted the operations of the influential La Prensa newspaper.

Before the raid, the government had used other tactics, such as preventing it from accessing paper and ink. Some members of the La Prensa team now operate in Costa Rica, where the notices banning Bibles and newspapers were posted.

The move to ban Bibles from entering the country is a concerning development. While the Nicaraguan government has been escalating its persecution of the Catholic church for years, most of that attention was focused on the church as an institution rather than on associated elements like access to scripture.

Read the full story.

This is a good reminder that even when Scripture is available in the heart language, Bible access poses challenges. As we’ve previously reported, Bible translation is flourishing. See Wycliffe’s 2025 Impact Report or watch the related video below, also below.

1. Jewish World: What is Hanukkah?
2. A Star in the Sky: Worshiping Jesus with Arabic Christmas Carols
3. Yemen: Muslim Becomes Christian After Journey to Mecca
4. Morocco: Christmas Gifts Open Gospel Doors in Mountain Villages
5. The Hardest of the Hard Places: Breakthroughs in Bible Translation

Read or share the email edition.

Source: Various

If you only have a few minutes to learn about Hanukkah (or Chanukah), read Understanding Your Jewish Neighbor: Hanukkah (part of a series from the Lausanne Movement), scroll through a roundup on the holiday from 1440, or watch this engaging four-minute video (also below) from a Jewish nonprofit media studio, BimBam. 

If you have the time and interest, read an opinion piece making the case that Jews need a new story of Hanukkah or risk losing next Jewish generation to disillusionment (Jerusalem Post).

We are also praying for those impacted by Sunday’s shooting in Australia, which targeted a group celebrating the first day of Hanukkah. You can find news and opinions on many channels, but if you don’t know where to start, see Bondi Beach Shooting Live Updates (ABC Australia) and watch a six-minute commentary on why the Bondi Hanukkah shooting is particularly vile (from a source called Leviticus Is Fun).

Consider praying the Mourner’s Kaddish in English which encourages those who mourn to look up and affirm God’s goodness (Hebrew for Christians).

Source: Arab Vision, December 11, 2025

Last week, we recorded more than 70 Christmas and worship songs. With unique Arabic music, we celebrate the love, peace, and salvation of Christ. The songs will be broadcast on satellite television and numerous social media platforms. We believe that music is the ultimate means of getting to know Jesus. We are eager to share this with everyone throughout the Arab world.

The full story includes a one-minute teaser video; also below.

Source: Back to Jerusalem, December 7, 2025

Raised in a devout Muslim family [in Yemen], John Ghanim embarked on a pilgrimage to Mecca which left him feeling the lack of meaning in Islam. He later became a refugee in Greece where someone shared Jesus with him, eventually leading him to Christ.

Since John’s public declaration of Christ, his life has been in danger, which unfortunately is very common for any Muslim who coverts to Christianity. In Yemen, conversion is against the law and punishable by death.

Despite these challenges, John has become a prominent Christian influencer and evangelist on social media, sharing his testimony and advocating for religious freedom.

Read the short article and watch John tell his story.

Speaking of Mecca, read or listen to a report about Saudi Arabia from INcontext International. It, too, includes a short video. See below.

Source: Mission Network News, December 12, 2025

In the mountains of Morocco, children recently received warm clothing from a Christian ministry leader. But the real gift wasn’t something they could wear—it was the first glimmer of a story they had never heard.

When the [ministry leader] shared the Christmas message of Jesus with kids and their families, they asked him to come back.

“They want to know more about this Jesus,” [said Patrick Anthony of FMI]. “The children asked him, ‘Well, who is this Messiah? Is he Santa Claus?’

Read the full story with commentary and prayer points.

See also A Persecuted Christian Discovers the Joy of Christmas in India (Global Christian Relief).

Source: Wycliffe Bible Translators, December 5, 2025

Home to more than 840 languages, Papua New Guinea has always stood out as one of the most linguistically diverse—and most challenging—places for Bible translation. But now the nation is on the verge of a historic milestone: Only 111 languages still need Scripture [translation] to begin.

This remarkable progress is the result of decades of prayer and the faithful obedience of local churches and determined translation partners who said, “We want God’s Word in our own language—and we’re willing to help make it happen.”

East Asia remains one of the toughest regions for translation; yet God is clearly at work. Local pastors and church leaders are receiving training—sometimes across borders and often online—to guide new translation efforts.

Technology, including emerging AI, is opening new doors for collaboration and learning. Though the path ahead isn’t always clear, we’re walking through every door God opens, trusting Him to show us the way forward.

Just a year ago, Indonesia had 159 languages waiting for translation to start. Now that number is down to 53. Of these languages, 26 are considered the most challenging; yet work has already begun for several of them. Local churches, field partners and other organizations are uniting to see every community receive God’s Word. Despite political sensitivities and religious complexities, people’s hearts are opening and momentum is building.

Read the full article, Beyond Vision 2025: Until All Have Encountered Jesus. Pray for Bible translators. Today, the vast majority of them are indigenous.