World - Baptist Standard

North Korea again tops World Watch List of persecutors

North Korea returned to the top spot on Open Doors’ World Watch List after scoring its highest level of persecution ever, following an increase in arrests of Christians under its “anti-reactionary thought” law.

01/18/2023 - By Emily McFarlan Miller / Religion News Service

European Baptists pray for peace in Ukraine

Even before Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops to observe a 36-hour ceasefire for Orthodox Christmas, the European Baptist Federation and Ukrainian Baptists planned a Christmas Eve prayer vigil for peace.

01/06/2023 - By Ken Camp / Managing Editor

Ukraine women crochet angel ornaments to thank donors

Light is scarce as Ukraine suffers a bombed-out power grid. Yet, women there are using their light this Christmas to crochet angel ornaments to send churches and other supporters in the U.S.

12/19/2022 - By Diana Chandler / Baptist Press

Missionary pilot still in custody in Mozambique

Missionary pilot pilot Ryan Koher was arrested in southern Mozambique. Six weeks later, he remains in jail, with no end to his imprisonment in sight.

12/09/2022 - By Bob Smietana / Religion News Service

Russia ‘trying to freeze’ Ukrainians, seminary president says

Russian missiles that have fallen closest to Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary President Yaroslav “Slavik” Pyzh’s home destroyed an electrical substation in Lviv.

11/18/2022 - By Diana Chandler / Baptist Press

Ukrainian Baptist leader sees God-ordained role

Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary President Yaroslav “Slavik” Pyzh expressed confidence God positioned him to serve the seminary during Russia’s attack on Ukraine.

11/08/2022 - By Diana Chandler / Baptist Press

Religious freedom panel criticizes China-Vatican deal

Members of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom criticized a recently renewed Vatican deal with China, saying it emboldens the Chinese government to crack down on Christian communities.

11/01/2022 - By Claire Giangravé / Religion News Service

Religious freedom group seeks inquiry into Iran’s crackdown

The U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom called on the Biden administration to establish a commission of inquiry at the United Nations to examine Iran’s brutal suppression of protests.

10/17/2022 - By Yonat Shimron / Religion News Service

Baptist pastor and wife kidnapped in Ukraine

A Baptist pastor and his wife remain missing after being kidnapped Sept. 21 from their church in Russian-occupied Mariupol, Forum 18 News Service reported Oct. 6.

10/11/2022 - By Diana Chandler / Baptist Press

Queen Elizabeth II spoke openly of her Christian faith

Elizabeth II of England, Britain’s longest-serving monarch and official head of the Church of England, died Sept. 8 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland at age 96.

09/09/2022 - By Catherine Pepinster / Religion News Service

China guilty of serious violations, UN report says

A United Nations report found China has committed “serious human rights violations” and possibly “crimes against humanity” toward the Uyghur people and other ethnic minorities.

09/06/2022 - By Tom Strode / Baptist Press

Ukrainian Baptists suffer pastoral leadership loss

About 400 Ukrainian Baptist congregations have been lost in Russia’s war on Ukraine, seminary president Yaroslav Pyzh said. The real challenge is to rebuild pastoral leadership in places where ministers have been displaced, he added.

08/16/2022 - By Diana Chandler / Baptist Press