The Supreme Court has issued several petitions for Rajasthan to justify the anti-conversion law’s constitutionality, which allows state officials to seize property and demolish homes based on allegations of forced conversion.

(Photo courtesy of Bibles For The World via Facebook)

John Pudaite, President and CEO of Bibles For The World (BFTW), says it’s part of a broader legal battle as India’s Supreme Court takes a magnifying glass to anti-conversion laws across multiple states.

“They are questioning how this current government — the BJP government — can continue to steamroll across the country and pass these anti-conversion laws, which are nothing but an attack primarily on Christianity,” he says.

This new scrutiny may also cause those who target Indian Christians using anti-conversion laws to think twice.

“As they felt impunity, they would attack the churches and attack the Christians,” says Pudaite. “People are realizing that the laws they thought covered them may not have as much strength…as they had hoped.”

(Photo courtesy of Bibles For The World via Facebook)

Looking ahead, Pudaite urges the global Church to take this critical case, and others like it, before the Lord.

“We need to continue to pray for the Supreme Court and those justices, that they can be impartial in their evaluation of the evidence and of those laws. We can pray that they will not be politically influenced or otherwise influenced.”

Pudaite also encourages believers to keep the Gospel in sight — with hearts to reach their persecutors with the Gospel.

“Especially as we go into this Christmas season, pray that this may be a special time for the Body of Christ to be able to share the Good News of the birth of Jesus Christ…. Pray that the true spirit of Christ in Christmas may be able to shine.”

Header photo: Architecture in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. (Photo courtesy of Dexter Fernandes/Unsplash)

So-called Gen Z protests have rocked Nepal for weeks, leaving the future of the former Hindu kingdom in question.

PG Athui with Zim Zam Global says, right now, “The protesters are calming down, just seeing how the temporary leadership will take over.”

Demonstrations began earlier this month when the government ordered a shutdown or ban on 26 social media platforms. Young people viewed the ban as censorship and the latest power move by a decrepit system of elites. So, they took to the streets.

Gen Z movement against corrupted government.
(Wikimedia Commons)

As a result, ministry plans went askew. “We were planning to have four more trainings in Nepal in October and November,” Athui says.

“We are now uncertain, which is really stopping the Gospel [from moving] forward.”

Economists warn that, because protests took place during the tourist season, Nepal — already impoverished — will lose billions of dollars. Ripple effects are likely to hit Christians even harder. Poverty rates among believers tend to be higher than the national average.

“With that protest and many things happening, it’s really hard for them even to survive,” Athui says. “[The Christian community looks] for provision from many leaders around, and we cannot reach them.”

Pray that the Lord sustains His disciples in Nepal. Ask God to help Zim Zam Global connect with its partners. “Pray that God will comfort them, and also the big thing is God’s provision for them to live, to have their own daily survival: food, the necessities,” Athui says.

Header image depicts Nepal’s Gen Z protests against corruption on September 9, 2025. (Wikimedia Commons)

In Iran’s restrictive environment, many Iranians are afraid to voice their questions to a real-life person (Stock photo courtesy of Florin Palamarciuc via Unsplash)

Lana Silk with Transform Iran explains that in Iran’s restrictive environment, many Iranians are afraid to voice their questions to a real-life person. Yet the number of Christians in Iran is growing, and so is the number of Muslims seeking answers about their faith. These are just a few reasons that Kairos, a newly launched AI model from Transform Iran, is such a timely resource.

“It’s always been an age-old problem for Christian ministry in Iran to keep up with the demand,” Silk said.  

Silk explains that if you ask AI systems like ChatGPT about faith or Christian doctrine, “you will get very humanist, sort of ‘open to all possibilities’ kinds of answers, and sometimes favoring false doctrines as well.”

Not so with Kairos. It pulls only from a carefully vetted library of resources from Transform Iran’s Christian apologetics center.

“What people can do with Kairos is ask those questions and have a conversation with a system that understands Christianity thoroughly and understands how it interacts with Islam, and all of the questions that Muslims have about that sort of conversion,” said Silk. 

Kairos offers Iranians safety and anonymity. It also responds as a baseline counselor. By gathering information from the topics and even the word choices people use, Kairos will suggest to them when human counseling is needed. It can point people to contact Transform Iran’s follow-up counseling team. 

You can try Kairos out for yourself! The model is tailored for the Farsi-speaking world but is available in over 250 languages. Transform Iran intends to train Kairos to operate in many of Iran’s ethnic languages as well. 

“Pray for the people involved on this project. Pray for the project itself that it will withstand the attacks of the Iranian government, who will try their best to derail it,” said Silk. “Then pray and see if the Lord might have you invest in it, because there [are] some really exciting new things we’re wanting to build into it.”

Header photo courtesy of Ashkan Forouzani via Unsplash. 

Local partners of FMI say that in late June, leaders in Landak Regency, West Kalimantan Province issued a new regulation. It requires all religions to follow animistic traditions in worship services.

The decision came from the Dayak Customary Council. The Dayak are an indigenous, historically animistic people group. Bruce Allen with FMI explains the regulation means all prayers must be offered to the spirits of rocks, trees, rivers, etc., not to God.

“I think about Daniel in the lions’ den. [He faced] regulations that were set up specifically to threaten him because he had the reputation for praying to Yahweh, not to the pagan deities,” Allen says. 

“Yet Daniel didn’t change his habit — his spiritual discipline of prayer to God. He was willing to pay the price, the penalty for that.”

Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation. Its constitution guarantees freedom of religion. But Allen says, “That’s a piece of paper. Even though it’s on paper, [it] doesn’t mean that there aren’t challenges at the very local, neighborhood level.” 

For example, Allen knew of a church years ago that was set on fire by an arsonist. The church members called the fire department. But the firefighters delayed a response. By the time they showed up, the  building had been reduced to ashes.

Traditional Dance from Dayak ethnic at International Dance Day 2019 in Digulist Park, Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. (Photo, caption courtesy of Ainun Jamila via Unsplash)

In West Kalimantan, Christians make up more than a third of the Muslim-majority population. Compare that to the 3.2% nationwide evangelical Christian presence in Indonesia. 

“There has been incredible fruit in this area,” Allen says. “There’s got to be some spiritual warfare going on.” 

Those who break this new prayer law will face the threat of fines or even being expelled from the community. Pray as FMI and local believers respond as people who worship the one true God.

“The Christian community in this regency (county) is just wrapping their minds around, ‘What does this mean? What are its implications, and do we take them to court over this?’” says Allen.

“Number one, [pray] for their courage and willingness to not compromise. Then number two, [pray] for wisdom, for the Christian leaders to know, ‘Okay, how do we as a group of Christian churches advocate on behalf of our church members to the authorities?” 

Header photo courtesy of FMI. 

Earlier this month, over 7,000 young people from across the region gathered at KwaSizabantu Mission for a week of worship, teaching, and spiritual renewal.

Dr. Peter Hammond addresses the KSB youth conference. (Photo, caption courtesy of World Missionary Press)

One speaker at the KSB youth conference, Dr. Peter Hammond with Livingstone Fellowship, brought more than a message. He brought Gospel booklets printed by WMP.

Helen Williams with WMP says, “The service was overflowing, and they passed out two tons of World Missionary Press Gospel booklets in Zulu to this mission in time for the youth conference!”

The truth of Scripture is especially needed in South Africa. Although Christianity as a religious label is increasing across the country, mainline denominations are decreasing. More and more South African youth are drawn to heretical offshoots of Christianity, prosperity gospel, and cults.

By reading and knowing God’s Word, young people can better discern false teachings and follow Jesus in wisdom and truth!

Williams says, “It’s encouraging! I can just see this guy in South Africa handing out two tons – 4,000 pounds – of booklets, and all these young, eager Christian South Africans from the region ready to go out with their Zulu booklets.

“Only the Lord can do all of this – lay out this plan of distribution, and us taking the money that is sent to us and the prayers that are given for us. We just print [the booklets] and then we send them, and the whole plan just amazes me.”

(Photo courtesy of World Missionary Press)

WMP works with trusted ministry partners like Dr. Hammond to get Gospel material to the ends of the earth.

“This is what our people in various countries do. They don’t just sit on it. They don’t just wait for someone to call. They find these opportunities, and they get the material out into the hands of people.”

From the rural mission base in KwaZulu-Natal, the ripple effect of this youth outreach is just beginning. The hope is that each booklet given out will find its way into a home, a school, or a village – and a heart.

Pray for conference attendees to share their faith boldly, using WMP Gospel booklets as a resource! As South Africans encounter Scripture, may they be drawn to the Lord’s truth and lovingkindness.

You can support WMP’s ministry here!

Header photo courtesy of World Missionary Press.

But today, bureaucratic restrictions and delays challenge Christians hoping to build new churches. It’s just one of many ways they are treated as second-class citizens. 

“The Egyptian government for a long time had no place for [new churches],” says Erik Ouimette with Uncharted Ministries. “Then a number of years ago, they changed [their] way in response to some heavy persecution from the Muslim Brotherhood and the presidential administration at the time.”

In 2016, Egypt’s parliament passed the Church Construction Law, which ostensibly created a legal path for church licensing. Critics said it still discriminated against Christians. Even so, thousands of churches have been licensed in the nine years since.

“It’s a big deal to license a church,” Ouimette explains. “That means you can call a pastor, pay a pastor; you can be officially recognized and officially protected by the government. In most churches in Egypt, there are police outside if not 24 hours a day, [then] definitely any time that there are people in the building. There’s government-sponsored security in front of the church to protect them. The government is not wanting there to be Muslim and Christian fighting.”

Getting a church in the first place, however, is still far from simple. Corruption and bribery are common obstacles in the process. One church building project Uncharted Ministries is involved with in central Upper Egypt has come to a standstill.

“This church might be many years away from being a church in licensed legality. Or it’s possible the Lord could show up in a beautiful way and get the glory for doing something that right now looks impossible,” Ouimette says. “I would love that to be the story of this church.”

Ancient Egyptian Christian Bible (Photo courtesy of Ben White via Unsplash)

But one thing is certain: if a church is built, a mosque will soon follow. 

“It’s amazing how quickly mosques are not only licensed and approved, but built. They are built like crazy because the money comes in in floods,” Ouimette says. Muslims around the world often sponsor a new mosque construction. “They are leaning into part of the Islamic beliefs, both in the Quran and the Hadiths, that to build a mosque is of highest order.”

He adds, “The very land [in Egypt] where churches are being built, the Muslims in the community view as Islamic land.” 

If you live in the West, chances are your church building is spacious and safe. Ouimette reminds us that such freedom is a recent anomaly, virtually unheard of for Christians in many parts of the world today, and across history. 

“All throughout the 2,000 years of our faith, the label of being a Christian has been an affront to authoritarian government, an affront to other beliefs that say, ‘No, there’s a multitude of gods.’ Or, ‘Oh no, you’ve missed it. Jesus is not who you believe Him to be.’ Thus, from the very beginning, Christians have humbly met in homes, small groups, home churches,” Ouimette says.

“I think our hearts then go out to those who are trying to build a humble church for thirty, forty, fifty people. I think we need to pray into that more maybe than we do.”

Header photo of Kairo Wan, Ash Shamashargi, Egypt is a representative stock photo courtesy of Sophia Valkova via Unsplash.

Dr. Hormoz Shariat serves with Iran Alive Ministries and is himself an Iranian Muslim-turned-Christian.

“Just think of it. There is no church in Iran. No mature Christians — [or] very few mature Christians in Iran,” he says. “Pastors? None. So just think of Iran as a family full of children, spiritual children.

“They’re coming to Christ by thousands every month, but they’re children. They need parents, they need teaching, and they’re hungry. A healthy child is hungry.”

Discipleship is a key focus of Iran Alive Ministries. 

“[We] not only evangelize — which we see amazing results [from]. We just passed 105,000 registered salvations,” Dr Shariat says. “But we [also] try to teach them, connect them to the Word of God, help them to walk with God and obey God.” 

Iran Alive has 5,000 students registered in their online school. But the current team can only mentor a fraction of them!

“These are good problems to have. Many are coming to Christ,” Dr. Shariat says. “Evangelism is easy in Iran, but we need to work together to disciple that nation.” 

He points to a ticking time bomb. 

“I wish I could show you the curve of evangelism. We have been on satellite channels since 2001, after 9/11. We have kept the numbers, and when you see the curve, you see the exponential growth of number of salvations the last few years,” Dr. Shariat says.

“Urgency. That’s my point. Iran is open. But don’t think that’s going to last forever. The Iranian government may come down and things may change. [The] spiritual atmosphere of Iran could change within a few weeks or in a few months.”

Tehran, Iran (Representative stock photo courtesy of Zahra Amiri via Unsplash)

He reminds us of Jesus’s words in John 9:4,“We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.”

“I want to say it’s urgent that we join together to transform Iran, because Iran can be the first Islamic nation that turns to Christ — and I’m serious about it. It is possible if we work together.”

Find your place in the stories God is working out with Iran Alive Ministries.

Header photo of Sistani students in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran (Representative stock photo courtesy of Mohammad Moslehi via Unsplash).

“Dorood” means hello in Persian. As many Iranians turn to social media to seek truth beyond government censorship, a simple greeting from a friendly evangelist with a powerful message can change their life forever.

Farzad’s* journey with Christ began in his teenage years, influenced by his siblings’ faith, movie “The Gospel of Luke” (1979) and Yahoo Messenger chats in Iran. He says: “There was [an] online church in Farsi. They said, Kelisaye Interneti. And I found many friends there.” He also explored a Muslim Yahoo chatroom but grew discouraged by constant Sunni-Shia debates. The Christian chat felt different. “I could feel Holy Spirit among them,” he says.

Woman behind laptop (photo courtesy of Krismas via Unsplash)

The seeker became the Messenger!

Today, Farzad is a dedicated internet missionary. He once used Instagram and Facebook but now finds Telegram most effective. In the past two years, he has led twenty people to Christ! His method is simple: he creates a Christian profile, joins Persian chats, and builds friendships. “The best thing in Telegram is going to a group with a few members, for example, 200-300 members, and being with them, being among them and just talking with them — not directly about God, but without hiding your faith,” Farzad explains.

People notice his avatar and start asking questions: What do you do in Christianity? Do you fast? Do you have namaz (prayer)? They’re curious about the differences between Christianity and Islam, but most importantly, they want to hear his personal story.

“Then I share my testimony in a voice message. And it takes one hour, usually, because it’s not just my testimony, it’s my life story — from when I was five to now. I explain how I became a believer, how my parents, how my siblings… and it takes time. Then they always need time to process, to think about it, and the prayer helps a lot,” says Farzad.

It takes time, Farzad says, but after a few months, some return with a clear desire to know Christ. “If it’s time, I give them the salvation prayer, and I say, ‘Do you want me to pray with you? You can do that by yourself.’ From each group, usually at least two or three people come with their questions and get discipled.”

And after a simple greeting and a season of searching, an Iranian soul finds its rest in Jesus’ embrace.

Find your place in the story!

Many ministries are reaching out to Iranians, but the need for online evangelists is greater than ever. So next time you go online and meet an Iranian, don’t hesitate to say dorood! Your conversation might be the very start of their exciting journey to knowing Christ.

*Full name withheld for security.

Header photo courtesy of Haftohasht Innovation Studio via Pexels.

From sunrise to sunset, Ramadan observers do not eat or drink. Nazanin Baghestani with Heart4Iran says they want to hear from God, and this is an opportunity for believers to pray that they will. 

“These are critical times, and these are exact times where God can meet them right where they are,” she says. 

We can pray that God would reveal himself as savior, and that Muslims would come to understand His redeeming love for them. 

Many Iranians, or Persians, observe Ramadan as more of a cultural tradition than a religious ritual. Overall, Persians are becoming less religious, Baghestani says, in part a result of oppression from Iran’s Islamic regime. 

“Ramadan is a way for them to have fun, to feast with their friends at the end of the day,” she says.

Muslims feasting after sunset during Ramadan. Courtesy of Pixabay.

Still, many Muslims remain observant. The sincerity of their faith, while misplaced, is a commonality with Christians that can open evangelistic doors. 

“That’s where we get to pray with them, and we get to evangelize and share the Gospel,” Baghestani points out.

On the other hand, Muslims’ ingrained desire to remain pure can inhibit interaction with believers. 

“They don’t want to get themselves unclean. Christians are unclean,” she says. 

Baghestani says Muslims’ openness to Christianity varies by individual and is a matter of the heart. 

“Are they really wanting to know God, or are they just wanting to practice a ritual in their religion of Islam?” she asks. 

Through their call center, Heart4Iran reaches out to spiritually curious, and often hungry, Iranians. Especially during Ramadan, the ministry receives many calls. Baghestani says they challenge callers to seek the true God in prayer. 

“All these years you’ve prayed in the Islamic way. Now try in this new way,” they tell callers. “We challenge them: try, let’s see what happens.”

During these seasons of Lent and Ramadan, please pray for the Lord to open the minds and hearts of Muslims. Pray that believers would have opportunity to meet Muslims and wisely speak Gospel truth into their lives. 

“Even if we want to share a story from the Bible, we have the similar stories that are in the Quran, but in another version,” Baghestani explains, “So it’s very important how we share these stories.” 

Pray that Christians would speak in a winsome way that does not offer offense, and pray that there would be much spiritual fruit during this season of widespread fasting.  

Featured photo courtesy of Unsplash

The story of Sanatani: Karma Hi Dharma seems to blame Christians for illiteracy, superstition, and other societal problems in India. John Pudaite with Bibles For the World says, “That premise alone is false, but that is how this whole film develops the story.”

The film was released on February 7 in the main language of India’s Odisha State.

“[Odisha] 15-16 years ago saw some of the most terrible persecution against the Body of Christ. Yet the church has remained strong. Recent statistics show that in Kandhamal District, where a lot of the violence previously was centered, that has now reached 20% Christian,” Pudaite says.

Bibles For The World works in areas where there is restricted access to God’s Word, where copies are scarce or among peoples where Christianity is beginning to take root — such as Nepal, Cambodia, areas of India and other Asian and SE Asian nations.
(Photo, caption courtesy of Bibles For The World)

“They’re strong in their faith and continuing to grow and continuing to share the gospel in that area. So this film coming out [or] being placed in that state, it’s really significant.”

Odisha — like most of India, says Pudaite — has seen an increase of violence and persecution against Christians in recent years. Believers across Odisha feared that the film’s message would stir up attacks against Christians. They petitioned officials to prevent Sanatani’s release but to no avail.

Here’s one example of the film’s messaging: “The conversion scene that is portrayed in this film, the woman is offered money to become a Christian, to join the church. This is the misconception that just pervades across India,” says Pudaite. That is, many people in India don’t understand that Christianity is not about material goods or financial gain; to be a Christian is to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

The film also depicts a Christian leader not standing for education, medical treatment or law enforcement, Pudaite says. “These are complete falsehoods. Christians have been at the forefront of education in India. They’ve been at the forefront of medicine. They have been law-abiding citizens.”

He adds, “I’ve gotten a sense [that Christians] are kind of bracing for the backlash that will come because of this.”

Pray that the people of India realize the truth about Christ and what faith in Him really means. Pray that Christians will stand strong in faith and wisely navigate cultural pressures and dangers. 

“Pray that the truth will show itself forth here in this situation, even though it’s being painted so terribly,” Pudaite says. 

Header image is a representative stock photo courtesy of Avin CP via Unsplash.