An Egyptian court has sentenced a man to death for killing six Coptic Christians and a Muslim policeman in January 2010. Mohamed Ahmed Hussein was found guilty of premeditated murder for his role in a drive-by shooting outside a church in Nag Hamadi, in southern Egypt. VOM assisted some of the Nag Hamadi victims with medical care and recovery.

Our good friends at Mission Network News are reporting that at least 70 Christians have been arrested in Iran since Christmas.

He’d heard the rumors. In fact, Thomas had heard it directly from other disciples who had seen the Master alive. At least that’s what they had said. “When I see his hands and put my fingers into the nail holes, when I put my hand into the hole in his side made by that Roman spear, then I’ll believe he is risen,” Thomas had said.

Since Christmas, more than 70 Christians have been arrested in Iran in a large, well-coordinated strike. Most of those arrested belong to the house church movement. Many were released from custody, but a dozen or more remain in detention. Those charged with trying to convert Muslims face the possibility of a death sentence. Officials say that more detentions are possible, and Tehran’s governor said in a recent speech that evangelicals are “corrupt and deviant.”

In other news concerning Asia Bibi, the Hellenic News of America website is reporting that there are many Muslims who are demanding the death of Asia and any other person who blasphemes Muhammad.

Today I wanted to give you another update with what is being reported concerning Asia Bibi, who I hope you are still praying for.

Several months ago a church in Florida planned to publicly burn the Quran as a statement against Islam. I hope you were appalled, as I was, that this church chose to send a message of hate in the name of Jesus instead of reaching out in love. The story gained immediate attention in the media, and Christians came out on all sides of the issue. The pastor, Terry Jones, took advantage of opportunities to further proclaim his views through talk show and morning news invitations. In the end, the Jones and his church did not hold the Quran burning, and a local car dealer rewarded Jones with a new Hyundai.