Faith Facts

• Karmella Borashan, speaking at the International Religious Freedom Summit, warned that Assyrian Christians in the Middle East face the threat of extinction and called out Western countries for repeated failures to support them.
• The Assyrian Christian community has seen its population plummet from 1.5 million to fewer than 300,000 due to systematic persecution, violence, and laws forcing religious conversion.
• Experts at the summit also drew attention to ongoing Christian persecution in Sudan and Yemen, where believers suffer under war, discrimination, and lack of basic rights.

Assyrian Christians, whose faith dates back over two millennia, endure harsh persecution and diminishing communities throughout the Middle East. Their suffering is a sobering call for believers to stand up for religious freedom, drawing on our Biblical mandate to defend the oppressed.

“The West has repeatedly failed Assyrian Christians in the Middle East, abandoning them to the prominent powers that have persecuted and massacred them for generations.”

As advocates highlight the struggles faced by Christians in places like Sudan and Yemen, our faith challenges us to pray, speak out, and act for those enduring hardship because of their belief in Jesus Christ.

Let us lift up the persecuted Church in prayer and urge our leaders to champion liberty and justice rooted in Judeo-Christian values.

Read more at The Christian Post

Faith Facts

• Christian leaders affirmed every person is made in God’s image.
• The demeaning video featuring the Obamas was removed after condemnation.
• Calls for accountability came from faith-based and conservative voices.

President Donald Trump shared a video that depicted former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama with disrespectful imagery, sparking strong condemnation across the nation. Prominent Christian leaders and Republican lawmakers denounced the content, emphasizing that every person possesses God-given dignity.

The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention stated, “Regardless of the circumstances in which the video was made or shared, the depiction of the Obamas was inexcusable, and we are glad the video was taken down.”

The video, which contained unbiblical and dehumanizing portrayals, was quickly deleted after widespread outcry and outreach from leaders including Senator Tim Scott. President Trump acknowledged he did not view the offensive segment of the video, expressed disapproval of that portion, but maintained he did not regret reposting it.

Faith leaders and trusted voices such as Pastor Jack Graham declared, “Let’s be clear … every form of racism is sinful and despicable. Loving Jesus means loving people and never demeaning another person.”

As Christians, we are called to honor every person’s inherent worth, following Christ’s teaching to love one another. It is essential to promote reconciliation and Christian values even amidst passionate disagreements.

Stand strong in your faith, reject any form of dehumanization, and encourage your community to uphold biblical standards in public life.

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Faith Facts

• A faithful pastor, his daughter, and her husband were slain by armed assailants in Plateau state, Nigeria, leaving a 3-month-old granddaughter wounded but alive.
• The family was traveling to a new mission station when they were ambushed; their loss reminds believers of the deep cost many pay to stand for Christ.
• Persecution and violence against Christians in Nigeria continue at alarming rates, with thousands suffering for boldly sharing their faith.

The tragic loss of Rev. Bulus Madaki and his family is a solemn reminder that Christian witness in Nigeria demands great bravery and often comes with grave sacrifice. The surviving infant, wounded yet spared, testifies to God’s mysterious providence amid the darkest circumstances.

“In Nigeria, the gospel is often preached at the cost of blood and tears, the blood and tears of missionaries who choose to follow Christ no matter the price.”

Christian believers in Nigeria remain resolute, praying for those who persecute them and continuing to proclaim the gospel despite relentless threats.

Courage springs from faith, and many stand firm, trusting God’s justice and comfort in the face of ongoing attacks and significant hardship.

“No retreat, no surrender. Nothing shall separate us from the love of Christ. May God comfort the church and the entire family.”

The threat of violent extremists—some operating in the name of radical Islamism—places countless lives in jeopardy, especially in the country’s Middle Belt and northern regions.

Even amid such tribulation, Christians are committed to sharing hope and truth, with steadfast prayers for divine intervention, comfort, and lasting peace.

“He is speaking even right now concerning this present situation. May God grant us the needed grace to believe even when we don’t loudly hear Him as He speaks in Jesus’ name. Divine comfort we pray.”

The persistence of attacks and abductions brings pain, yet also a stirring resolve anchored in faith. Let us stand with the persecuted, praying for God’s deliverance, and emboldened to defend freedom of faith for every believer.

Now is the time for Christians everywhere to unite in prayer and support for our brothers and sisters in Nigeria. Stand strong in the faith, confident that God is near to the brokenhearted and mighty to save.

Read the full story at Christian Today