American pastor Andrew Brunson’s continued imprisonment in Turkey following a July 18 court hearing is probably an act of political maneuvering rather than Islamic persecution, two Islamic studies professors say.

Last fall, Vice President Mike Pence Pence said persecuted minority Iraqi communities would receive support directly from the U.S. Agency for International Development to help them rebuild. But most parties involved say they are increasingly concerned even the most successful rebuilding program faces a vexing issue—security.

Paul Msiza, president of the Baptist World Alliance, stressed in his report to the BWA General Council that “a church can never be an institution owned by human beings.”

Elijah Brown stressed the power of Scripture to transform lives and the importance of building bridges as he welcomed the global Baptist community to the historic city of Zurich in his opening remarks to the Baptist World Alliance General Council.

Advocating for religious liberty in eastern Ukraine, protecting women and girls, and keeping immigrant families together were the focus of resolutions the Baptist World Alliance General Council approved at its meeting in Zurich July 2-6.

As the Buddhist listened to his friend sing Christian songs, a sense of peace overcame him. As they spent more time together, his friend shared the gospel while explaining the meaning behind the songs. His friend told him if he received Jesus as his Savior, he would find spiritual peace and eternal security.

Christians who convert to Islam in East African countries often become targets for recruitment by extremist groups such as the Islamic State and al-Shabab, the al-Qaida affiliate in East Africa.

A study by the Pew Research Center confirmed what the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and other human rights advocates already reported—increased government restrictions on religion around the world.

During a Christ at the Checkpoint event, conservative evangelicals sipped coffee and orange soda with a self-described Palestinian “freedom fighter” in a remote West Bank village.

About 70 percent of mosques in Egypt have separate prayer areas for women. But a move to introduce women preachers in mosques marks the first time females have addressed worshippers formally in these spaces as officially sanctioned clergy.

When Kim Hak Song asked his captors what hostile acts he reportedly committed against North Korea, he was told his crime was prayer. He thought prayer was normal. The North Korean government did not.

When President Donald Trump meets with North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un—assuming the on-again, off-again summit proceeds as scheduled—a broad-based group of faith leaders and human rights activists wants religious freedom included on the agenda.