This small island nation, which includes a mix of Sunni and Shiite Muslims, is connected to Saudi Arabia by a causeway and is frequently referred to as the “Saudi Playground” because Saudis can leave their oppressive homeland and enjoy more freedom in Bahrain. While maintaining a distinctly Muslim identity, Bahrain has experienced significant religious, political and economic division.  This unrest, coupled with the faithful witness of Arab and immigrant Christian workers, has led to a season of openness in some response to the gospel among those indigenous to Bahrain.

 

What it means to follow Christ in Bahrain: Christian converts from Islam often lose their jobs, families and positions in society however, some still gathered to worship in secret.

 

Access to Bibles: Bahraini’s have access to scriptures through the Internet, bookstores and churches.

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  – Luke 9:23

 

The Gospel of Jesus reached Afghanistan by the second century, but today there are no physical church buildings in the country. This ancient central Asian country is full of cultural and religious opposition to the gospel that, along with the serious lack of security, continues to greatly challenge all missions efforts. Indigenous, near-culture Persian and expatriate believers are using every possible opportunity to see believers gathered, discipled and integrated into house churches. A unique unity exists among Christians laboring here. Church growth has been slow among more than 50 unique people groups. However, there has been significant Christian growth among the Hazara people.

 

Afghans who are followers of Jesus must hide their faith and cannot worship openly. Evangelism is forbidden. Waves of Christians have emigrated to neighboring countries in order to worship openly. Still, Afghan house churches continue to grow. A small number of believers are martyred every year but numbers are not published as Christian converts from Islam are often killed by family members or radicals before legal processes are utilized.

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Genesis 3:1-10

 

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For many of us, these are familiar verses. The first two chapters of Genesis speak of God’s amazing Creation. Chapter 3 speaks of the rebellion of humankind. And the remainder of the Message details God’s intricate and loving plan to redeem, restore and reconcile creation back to Read more…