“It’s pretty rough at the moment; military movement is pretty serious,” says FMI’s Nehemiah, adding that “challenging” developments require him to change ministry plans frequently as new obstacles arise.

Islamabad (Photo courtesy Pixabay)

An attacker targeted a busy court building in Islamabad yesterday, killing 12 and wounding dozens. A breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban initially claimed responsibility for the Islamabad bombing, though later denied it.

Terror linked to Taliban rule

The explosion came less than a day after militants attacked a military college in northwestern Pakistan. Nehemiah says Taliban rule in neighboring Afghanistan provides the perfect cover for attacks like these.

“The government or administration of the Taliban in Afghanistan has very little experience managing peace or building infrastructure. As a result, their rule has created an environment where extremist groups can regroup,” Nehemiah explains.

“This includes the Pakistani Taliban [or TTP], who frequently cross the border to carry out attacks inside Pakistan and then retreat into Afghanistan for refuge.”

Because militants receive shelter and resources in Afghanistan, Nehemiah says, “Pakistan continues to suffer from terrorist attacks targeting security forces, civilians, churches, Christians, or even the Shia (Muslim) minority.”

Moreover, “sustainable peace will require more than negotiation or ceasefire agreements,” he adds. “It demands a transformation of mindset and structure. The Taliban must go beyond their military identity and learn the principles of peace, building, governance, and coexistence.”

Crackdown slows ministry but not the Gospel

Volatility makes ministry work challenging as extra security measures hinder movement. Despite restrictions, Christians continue to bring the hope of Jesus to those in need. Pray for stability in Pakistan so Gospel work can flourish.

(Photo Courtesy FMI Pakistan)

“Pray for transformation in the hearts of extremists and political leaders, that the Prince of Peace will reign in the hearts of men,” Nehemiah requests.

“We believe that Jesus is the only hope for [the Taliban].”

In partnership with Keys for Kids, FMI continues work on audio recordings of Scripture and daily devotional content on MP3 devices in the Dari language. Pray for the resilience of FMI partners and the vocalists involved in the Dari recording project.

“We were about to start distribution in Afghanistan,” Nehemiah says, but rising tensions between the Pakistani government and the Taliban in Afghanistan have made cross-border travel nearly impossible. More about that here.

“Right now, we have the devices in Pakistan, but we are not able to ship [them] into Afghanistan. We have partners who always carry these devices with them into Afghanistan [but] they’re not able to do it.”

Learn how you can support FMI’s work in Pakistan here.

Header image depicts a busy street in Pakistan. Photo courtesy of FMI. 

Aimed at preventing renewed border clashes, discussions orchestrated in Qatar led to a brief pause in fighting. However, negotiations collapsed during the second round of talks last week.

“This ongoing conflict between Pakistan and Taliban highlights the deep complexity of achieving peace in this region,” FMI’s Nehemiah says.

“While there have been repeated calls for a ceasefire and reconciliation, the reality on the ground makes it extremely difficult to sustain peace.”

Afghanistan’s acting foreign minister blames Pakistan for the collapse, saying Islamabad’s demands were “not reasonable or feasible.” Meanwhile, Nehemiah points to the Taliban’s diplomatic naiveté.

Taliban fighters patrol Kabul, August 2021.
(Wikimedia Commons)

“Their entire framework of power and survival depends on conflict and control through fear, not cooperation or civic administration,” he says.

“After taking control of Afghanistan, the Taliban has struggled to transition from insurgency to governance.”

Faith amid conflict

FMI supports indigenous church planters in both countries, helping believers carry the Gospel to those who need it most. The ministry also operates a safe house in Afghanistan and provides discipleship training. Learn more here.

Right now, however, “Our partners, who have dual citizenship, are not able to travel inside [or] outside; they are just trapped,” Nehemiah says.

The Taliban’s brutal regime creates a hunger for the Gospel in Afghanistan. Pray that believers will have supernatural boldness to share the hope of Christ.

One pastor recently watched The JESUS Film with his tribal chief, FMI shared in a recent newsletter. Another pastor hands out 10 Bibles every day – an act which could get him killed if he were discovered – but he feels he’s not doing enough to meet the demand.

Subscribe to FMI’s prayer newsletter here.

Prayers for the faithful

Now that you know, how will you respond? “Please pray for financial, spiritual, and emotional resources for our partners,” Nehemiah requests.

“Ask God to provide for their needs and sustain their families as they serve faithfully under hardship.”

Pray that the Lord will surround FMI partners and their families with His divine protection as they serve in areas affected by violence, terrorism, and political unrest.

“When I was talking to our partner in Afghanistan, he quoted from Psalm 91:4, saying, ‘He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge. His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart,” Nehemiah says.

“This is what he’s telling his partners on the ground as he’s leading a very small congregation in Afghanistan.”

Header image is a representative photo depicting a Taliban fighter in Afghanistan. Photo courtesy of Global Catalytic Minitsries. 

Nehemiah with FMI says the Taliban-run nation lacks basic infrastructure, including heavy machinery for disaster relief. “Afghan people, they are digging the rubble with their bare hands and trying to find out their loved ones who are buried or who are down in the rubble,” he says. 

Afghanistan is prone to earthquakes, and the mud and wood that many Afghan homes are made of can’t withstand many tremors. Most recently, a 6.0-magnitude quake struck eastern Afghanistan one night in late August, killing more than 2,200 people.

(Photo courtesy of FMI)

Today, survivors of the November 3 quake need tents, food, blankets, and basic medical help, says Nehemiah. Yet Taliban control is another factor that hinders much-needed help.  

“They [the Taliban] do not want [others to] see what’s going on on the ground. So they don’t want any aid from foreign countries,” he says. “There are very, very few non-profit humanitarian organizations who work in Afghanistan, so they have very limited access to these affected areas.”

An August 2025 report from the U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction documented how the Taliban diverts U.S. humanitarian aid for its own purposes. That environment presents a challenge for FMI partners, too. 

“This is very, very strange situation,” says Nehemiah. “It’s very difficult sometimes to proclaim the gospel when you don’t have food to eat, when you don’t have [a] place to stay.” 

But FMI partners still point people to Christ. One partner recently visited a family that had no home and was living under the open sky. He was able to give them some aid, and he told them, “This is a gift from your Father.”

“We don’t have a father,” they said, confused.

“Father means Jesus Christ,” the man explained. 

Nehemiah says, “This is very important. Sometimes just a simple sentence, not even sharing [the] gospel, but just a simple word that really encourages these families who are stranded in such situation.”

Please pray for gospel hope to reach survivors. Support FMI’s relief work in Afghanistan with a gift of any amount at this critical time.

“Please pray for them. Come forward, support them, and try to be an echo for these brothers and sisters who are voiceless,” Nehemiah says. 

Header photo: A boy stands by the side of the road in Afghanistan. (Photo courtesy of IMB — Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International Public License)

“This is another story: how brutal Taliban is in Afghanistan and how they are limiting access to human’s basic needs in Afghanistan.” 

Since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, Afghan citizens have battled a challenging political and economic landscape, marked by limited or restricted access to rights, education, and even food and water. 

The Taliban cited concerns over pornography access as the reason behind the most recent internet blackout.

“However, many observers believe the move is less about morality and more about information control and isolation,” Nehemiah says. 

In Afghanistan’s most rural areas, some villages are regularly without internet or mobile network access. Between existing access challenges and imposed shutdowns, Nehemiah says universal connectivity across the nation remains elusive.

“Even though the media is claiming that the internet has been restored in Afghanistan, still there are many cities with no internet,” he says. 

He points out that pastors and underground leaders rely on digital communication. 

“Messaging apps, online trainings, coordination with overseas partners: this blackout tries to smear these lifelines.”

But shackled internet cannot thwart the purposes of the Lord. Nehemiah says blackouts are an opportunity for people to ramp up use of solar-powered audio players distributed by FMI and Keys for Kids. Each device contains pre-downloaded Scripture and devotional content, which means sunshine, rather than wifi, is its fuel. 

“This device does not require any internet. It is built-in devotional tools in their own language,” Nehemiah says.  

He reminds us that the church is not called to wallow in darkness but to stand forth in light. 

Please pray for the people of Afghanistan. Pray that they will hear, believe, and trust in the Word of the Lord, and pray that any ongoing or forthcoming Taliban restrictions will be an opportunity to seek Him more heartily. 

For any areas still affected by the shutdown, please pray for restoration of access, and continue to ask for the Lord’s favor and protection as FMI and partners distribute resources. 

Nehemiah reminds us that one kind of connection is sure:

“Spiritual communication – prayer, scripture, fellowship – that does not require any signals and wires,” he says.  

All images used in this article by courtesy of Pixabay

Across Türkiye, pastors faithfully serve their communities, nurturing believers and guiding churches to maturity. As one congregation grows strong and vibrant, the next step — multiplying into new fellowships — can bring its own challenges. Still, many continue seeking ways to extend the Gospel’s reach to places where it has not yet been heard.

Patrick Anthony from FMI says, “One of the biggest challenges is finding those people in a country with a Christian population that’s so small in percentage.”

Türkiye’s Christian population is less than one percent. Though most Turkish Muslims are cultural rather than devout, the Church often feels isolated. Yet the need for hope and the Gospel remains great — a need made especially clear after the earthquake two years ago.

“Muslims were coming to faith in Christ,” Anthony recalls, “because of the way the Christian community was caring for them in the aftermath, compared to the government.”

Yet with the great need, there are not enough people. Anthony says FMI looks for pastors to work alongside who meet certain criteria:

• deeply rooted in their faith,
• grounded in Scripture,
• experienced in leading the Church,
• genuine in their relationship with Jesus,
• and most importantly, they understand the need for the Church to multiply and reach more people.

Bustling Istanbul Bazaar (Photo courtesy of Ugur Tandogan via Pexels)

Anthony explains that a true church planter is someone who can “raise up a church and mature and disciple a church for the purpose of those people’s spiritual health, and also the multiplication of the church.”

Encouragingly, this work is happening in some areas of Türkiye.

“They [Christian leaders] are in one neighborhood with hundreds of thousands of people, and they’re pastoring the only known evangelical church there. They’re praying and planning to plant another church in a nearby suburb — also with hundreds of thousands of people — and they don’t know of any evangelical churches there,” Anthony says.

Yet one challenge is that many areas remain unreached, and there is a growing need for strategic planning. In addition, Turkish law doesn’t allow the construction of new church buildings; believers must use existing structures or, when that’s not possible, rent office space. This reality highlights the urgent need for prayer!

Please pray for workers to be found, as the harvest is ready! Visit FMI to learn more about their work and the ways you can help.

Abandoned 18th Century Brick Church in Turkiye (photo courtesy of Meriç Tuna via Pexels).

In a unique occasion, victims of the August 2023 Islamist attacks on Christians in Jaranwala ended an unprecedented 17-day protest on September 2.

Nehemiah from FMI says, “Protest wasn’t just about property damage or compensation; it was about justice, accountability, and being heard. The community felt neglected by those claiming to advocate for them.”

More than 25 churches and 85 Christian homes were damaged or burned, yet despite such massive destruction almost nothing was done. Clear clues pointed to the attackers, but the investigation stalled for two years as perpetrators were freed and victims remain helpless.

The Victims Committee Jaranwala was created to advocate for those affected.

Jaranwala railway station (courtesy of Fahads1982 via Wikimedia Commons)

“They can file complaints,” says Nehemiah, “and pursue prosecution, even though in many cases arrests or prosecutions have been inadequate. And negotiation committees, including women, are meeting with federal institutions and using local religious press to raise awareness and public pressure.”

Women joined this protest despite greater danger, playing a significant role. “They joined the protest,” he adds, “leaving daily chores, fasting, and making their voices heard.”

Unlike Western protests, these demonstrations are tightly controlled by the government. Nehemiah explains:

“They allocate you one specific spot where Christian community is allowed to sit and file their record as a protest.” Sometimes it’s only two hundred square feet that you can’t leave.

Yet, it was a significant event.

“It marked the first time Christians in their area collectively protested for their rights in such an extended and visible way,” says Nehemiah.

The Victims Committee Jaranwala led the protest saying: “Insaf, Aman, Masih Ke Naam!” meaning “Justice, Peace, in the Name of Christ!”

Restricted space kept many from joining, but another goal was achieved: “To register their protest, or simply let the international community know what is happening in Pakistan with Christians.”

Their plea has reached you!

Pray for justice for Jaranwala victims. Pray that as the protestors boldly intercede for their rights, they will be wise and protected — especially the women.

Pray for FMI Pakistan who serve in this challenging environment and bring hope to the hopeless.

Header photo courtesy of The Voice of the Martyrs USA.

But for local women, the quake is only one crisis among many. Since the Taliban took over Afghanistan four years ago, the militant group has tightened restrictions on women’s travel, education, employment, and even the use of their voices. The UN reports that these abuses of women’s rights are being normalized. 

Recently, Nehemiah* with FMI heard directly from Afghan pastors about the social boycott women are enduring: “Many women feel trapped, silenced and powerless. This isolation has further increased levels of depression, anxiety and hopelessness among women, while also placing immense pressure [on] families who relied on women’s income.”

(Photo courtesy of FMI)

Yet in places of despair, the light of the gospel shines. It just has to be shared carefully. In Afghanistan and similar cultures, a man may only speak with a woman if they are related. 

“In many cases, FMI’s pastors, their wives are the ones who go and talk to these deprived women who [do not find] hope in [the] Taliban system, but they find hope in Jesus Christ,” says Nehemiah. “This is the only channel we have at the moment where women feel connected and encouraged.”

Recently, one pastor’s wife showed the Jesus Film to a dozen women. Pray that many more will know the hope of Christ! 

“Pray for FMI partners in Afghanistan and their wives, who are really struggling and [who] put their life on [the] line every day,” says Nehemiah.

“Pray for their safety, their wisdom. [Ask] God [to] open avenues and doors for these pastors and their wives so they can connect with other Afghan families, women, children, so they can do ministry.”

Learn more about the work of FMI here. 

Header image is a representative stock photo courtesy of Farid Ershad via Unsplash.

Ten people have been killed and at least 1,042 were taken to hospitals, according to the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation.

FMI’s Bruce Allen explains, “Anti-government protests in recent days have spread to 32 of the country’s 38 provinces. Across major cities on multiple islands, government buildings [and] police stations have been attacked and burned – some in locations where our FMI-supported church planters serve.”

Protestors are angry with lavish government spending and police abuse. But the protests turned violent after a police vehicle ran over a young motorcycle taxi driver who was not part of the demonstrations.

“Overall, the public feels betrayed and that the government officials and police are being very callous toward them,” says Allen. “The heavy-handed response of the authorities has only really served to incite further backlash from the public.”

Pastor Bakti of Sumatra, Indonesia, expounds the Scriptures to a congregation of about 80 people. (Photo, caption courtesy of Bruce Allen/FMI)

Some pastors fear the unrest could revive the authoritarian policies of the late 1990s, when churches were systematically targeted and destroyed.

Allen says, “In speaking with some of our ministry leaders in recent days because of these protests, they’re sensing that there’s a real possibility that martial law could be imposed within the next few weeks.”

Yet, Indonesian churches are setting an example of peace through prayer.

One regency had recently passed restrictions on Christian worship. But when local pastors were invited to government headquarters to pray for peace, they agreed.

Allen says, “The video of that prayer meeting brought me to tears this morning as I watched. I’m sure that was a very refreshing moment for the church leaders of that regency as well. So prayer is a major point.”

You can link arms with Indonesian believers who are seeking to be a Gospel light. Allen asks, “Pray that the Christian community is a visible demonstration of Christ’s compassion.”

Header photo: Graffiti from anti-government protests in Indonesia earlier this year, March 2025. (Photo by Rafael Christopher and Vanesh De Gabze, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=162786473)

Shakemap from USGS for the magnitude 6.0 earthquake in Afghanistan August 31, 2025. (Courtesy of United States Geological Survey, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons.)

Among other aftershocks, a 5.2-magnitude quake struck in the same region on Tuesday. 

Road damage and landslides have hindered rescue efforts. Nehemiah with FMI shared a report from a local partner: “Nearly half of the villagers remain trapped under the rubble, and survivors are desperately trying to dig them out with their bare hands.

“There is nobody who would come and help them, so villagers or survivors are helping themselves.”

Houses made of wood and mud-bricks were nothing against the first quake. It struck around midnight Sunday when most people were asleep and vulnerable to structural collapse.

“This disaster is especially devastating because it is human-made,” said Nehemiah. “In a sense, the fragile building practices driven by poverty and limited infrastructure have turned a national event into a disastrous tragedy.”

Nehemiah said FMI church planters stand in the gap to serve isolated villages at this time. “They are distributing food, organizing emergency shelters and offering prayers, even risking their own lives and own safety.” 

Other powers are in motion to help. The Taliban government has appealed for international aid. India has already sent food and tents for immediate relief. The UN and United Kingdom have also promised emergency aid. But what FMI partners are asking for is your prayers! 

“Pray for safe delivery of aid into accessible areas. Pray for wisdom, protection and spiritual strength for our church planters on the ground,” Nehemiah said. 

“Pray that in the darkest moments, the light of Christ will shine and bring hope to those who have lost so much.”

An example of a house in eastern Afghanistan, Nuristan Province (Photo courtesy of Mustafa via Unsplash)

Header photo courtesy of Joel Heard/Unsplash.

Despite international scrutiny, Islamist rule remains entrenched as the Taliban enforces strict Islamic laws, erases religious freedom, and shows little intent to ease restrictions. Nearly half of Afghanistan’s population — around 23 million people — now require humanitarian aid to survive, with widespread food insecurity, poverty, and insufficient resources.

Nehemiah with FMI says, “Over the last few years, since the Taliban have been in power, the situation has gotten worse in Afghanistan. The situation has fallen apart dramatically.”

FMI receives continual reports from partnering indigenous pastors and Gospel workers in Afghanistan and Pakistan. More about that here.

Believers expected more persecution under Taliban rule, but surprisingly, “Taliban are not going after Christian workers in Afghanistan,” Nehemiah reports.

Instead, “they are hunting down other religious (groups) or sects within Islam. So even Shias are being severely persecuted.”

However, Gospel workers did confirm that women face severe pressure. “Women are restricted from most employment,” Nehemiah says.

“The girls are banned from secondary schools and universities, depriving them of the opportunity to pursue knowledge and a future career. For many families, this has extinguished hope for generational progress.”

Photo is a representative stock image courtesy of ArmyAmber via Pixabay.

Afghan Christians persevere

Though they work in secret, FMI walks in lockstep with Afghan pastors. “We support (workers) financially, and we provide them with Bibles in their language, Pashto and Dari Bibles,” Nehemiah says.

“We collaborate with other missionary organizations and [send our partners] evangelistic tools.”

Ten Afghan leaders gathered recently with FMI for updates and fellowship. “It was a wonderful time,” Nehemiah says.

“We spent a few days together, and we [reviewed] the situation, what happened previously, and they named this conference, [the ‘Reemergence] of Ministry in Afghanistan,” he continues.

“They are re-emerging in Afghanistan, and we have very, very high hopes. We believe that God is going to do a lot of miracles, spiritual miracles.”

Keep Afghanistan in your prayers. “I would request our listeners to please pray for the Taliban that they find hope and salvation in Jesus Christ, because the only solution for Afghanistan is in Jesus Christ,” Nehemiah says.

“Pray for the leadership of [FMI’s] Afghan team and the people who work there, that they can lead their pastors and the ministry in a very positive way.”

Help Afghan Christians through FMI here.

Header image depicts Afghan Christians who escaped to Pakistan with help from FMI in 2021. (Photo courtesy of FMI)