In another example of the ongoing crackdown against house churches in China, house church pastor Shi Enhao was sentenced to two years in a labor camp last month. Pastor Shi, who serves as deputy chairman of the Chinese House Church Alliance, was charged with “illegal meetings and illegal organizing of venues for religious meetings.” The charges stem from the fact that Pastor Shi’s house church of several thousand meets in different sites around Suqian city.

Ninety Christians have been arrested in Eritrea in the last two months, as authorities continue a campaign against Christians that began in December. Six of the 90 arrested have been released, but the location of the other 84 is unknown.

South Sudan--Christians Remain at Risk VOM Canada, Middle East Concern 2 Timothy 1:7-12 South Sudan officially gained independence from Sudan on July 9, becoming a new nation. The secession follows a long history of violent conflict, including two civil wars between the largely Islamic north and the Christian and animist majority in the south. Christians, in particular, have endured severe oppression. Although many have expressed hope for a more peaceful future, it is clear that Christians on both sides of the new border remain at risk. Violence erupted in several areas in the months leading to South Sudan's independence. Government agents and Islamic militants looted churches and killed Christians in parts of South Kordofan state. Many are concerned that churches in Sudan may face further restrictions on freedom of worship if the government implements a strict form of Islamic law. As Christians continue to flee to South Sudan, it is also feared that believers who remain in the north may be especially vulnerable to violence, pressure and accusations of defaming Islam. Pray that Christians in both Sudan and South Sudan will continue to entrust themselves to Christ, knowing that he is sovereign over kings of the earth. Nigeria--Maiduguri Christians Face Extremist Threat Release International, Compass Direct News 2 Corinthians 5:18 Christians are fleeing the northern city of Maiduguri amid threats of further large-scale attacks by Islamic extremists. Most churches in Maiduguri have been boarded up and are under police or military guard as rumors spread that Boko Haram militants are planning a "massive attack" for the end of July. The widely anticipated assault would mark the two-year anniversary of the death of the group's founder, Mohammed Yusuf, who died in police custody. Church attendance in Maiduguri has reportedly fallen dramatically following a series of bomb attacks on churches there. Leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria have advised churches to suspend or reschedule services, and several have changed service times to try to outwit potential attackers. Church leaders fear that this extremist threat could deepen the divide between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria. "This Boko Haram has to be dealt with before they plunge the entire nation into a very serious crisis," a church leader in Maiduguri told Compass Direct. Pray for the safety of Christians in Maiduguri, and pray that Muslim extremists will see that they can be reconciled to God only through Jesus Christ.

Our sister ministry, The Voice of the Martyrs Canada, has a really cool post on their blog today, about how children learned about being a missionary by helping to raise funds for bibles in China.

It has been quite some time since we've shared about the DVD series Underground Reality, so today I thought I'd share it with you again, since it's summer and you may be interested in purchasing the DVD's for your summer time enjoyment.

Many Christians have fled the city of Maiduguri in northern Nigeria, fearing large-scale attacks by Islamic extremists after months of escalating violence. In the past few weeks, church attendance has dropped drastically and police have boarded up many churches and placed them under police or military guard, according to Compass Direct News. Leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have advised churches that remain open to suspend or reschedule services to outwit potential attackers.

Have you ever been sitting around with your buddies or family and telling them about the ministry of The Voice of the Martrys, and yet wish that you had something to share with them so they could know more?

Every once in awhile we see a cool story that we just have to share with you. Today, Fox News is reporting that the tomb of the Apostle Philip has been discovered in Turkey. As you may recall, Philip was from the town of Bethsaida.