In this week's podcast from Church In Chains, we have news from Nepal where Christians are are falling foul of the country's so-called anti-conversion laws, and where sharing the faith, even when being invited to do so, can land you in some serious bother with the authority. This in a country that prides itself on the guarantee of religious freedom in its constitution. News also on the imprisonment of a Chinese Christian woman for selling Bibles. It's not all bad news though and this week we are delighted to bring news of the escape of a 12 year old Nigerian boy from captivity. He was one of 120 other students who were kidnapped by Muslim extremists two years ago.

For more information on the work of Church In Chains, please visit our website www.churchinchains.ie

CHURCH IN CHAINS, AN IRISH VOICE FOR PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS WORLDWIDE

In this week's podcast Vincent Hughes and David Turner discuss the current situation in Jaranwala in Pakistan following the massive destruction visited upon the Christian community there by a Muslim mob back in August of this year.  They also discuss the clampdown on Christians by the Iranian authorities and in particular, the arrest and imprisonment of three Christian men for house-church activity. David Turner talks about how the prayer diary on the Church In Chains website www.churchinchains.ie can help you to focus your prayer for persecuted Christians. Finally in this weeks podcast you may actually join David as he leads prayer for the persecuted Church.

email the program at info@churchinchains.ie  and please visit the Church In Chains website at www.churchinchains.ie

Church In Chains, An Irish Voice For Persecuted Christians Worldwide

"Hindutva" is a term often used to describe the ideology of Hindu nationalism. It is derived from the word "Hindu" and the Sanskrit suffix "-tva," which is often translated as "-ness" or "-hood." The term encompasses a range of social, cultural, and political beliefs that emphasize the idea of India as a Hindu nation.

Hindutva advocates assert that India should be culturally and politically aligned with Hindu values and traditions. This ideology sometimes includes the belief that non-Hindu communities in India should either assimilate into Hindu culture or exist as subordinate entities within the broader Hindu identity.

The rise of this ideology in India has resulted in Anti-Conversion laws in 11 of India's 28 states which make it a punishable offence to induce Hindus to become Christian. This has led to intimidation and persecution of Christians who are being falsely accused of illegally attempting to convert Hindus to Christianity. The United Nations has written to the Indian Government expressing serious concern over these discriminatory and dangerous laws and in this week's Church in chains podcast, Vincent Hughes and David Turner discuss the implications of such laws for Christians in India. They also discuss the case of a Nigerian Christian who awaits her fate having been falsely accused of blasphemy against the Islamic prophet Muhammed. Finally we'll hear a good news story and powerful testimony from an Iranian Christian woman recently released from prison in Teheran .

For more information on the work of Church In Chains please visit the website www.churchinchains.ie

Church In Chains, An Irish Voice For Persecuted Christians Worldwide

Pakistan's blasphemy law is a contentious and highly debated legal framework within the country. Enacted in the 1980s, these laws criminalize acts considered blasphemous towards Islam and have resulted in numerous arrests and convictions, often with severe penalties, including the death penalty. These laws however are prone to misuse, leading to false accusations, violence, and discrimination against Christians . The enforcement of blasphemy laws has raised concerns about freedom of speech, human rights, and religious tolerance in Pakistan, making it a topic of global scrutiny and controversy. In this week's Church In Chains Podcast Vincent Hughes & David Turner discuss the case of Shaukat Masih and Kiran Shaukat, a Pakistani Christian couple who have recently been charged with Blasphemy.  We also bring news of the persecuted Church in China and remind you of The International Day Of Prayer which falls on Sunday 5th November during which you are invited to join Christians all over the world in prayer for Eritrea where Christians face immense hardship, persecution and imprisonment for their faith.
For more news on the persecuted Church, and for information on the work of Church In Chains, please visit the website www.churchinchains.ie  Thank you for listening.
Church In Chains, An Irish Voice For Persecuted Christians Worldwide.

Persecution of Christians in Eritrea has been a deeply troubling and ongoing issue. The Eritrean government, under President Isaias Afwerki, has implemented a harsh policy of religious repression, targeting not only Christians but also other religious minorities. Many Eritrean Christians, particularly those who are not members of the officially recognized Orthodox, Catholic, and Lutheran churches, face severe persecution, including imprisonment, torture, and even death for their faith.

The Eritrean government's control over religious institutions and its demand for unwavering loyalty to the state have made it extremely difficult for Christians to practice their faith openly. Many have been forced to worship in secret, for fear of government surveillance and retaliation. This situation has garnered international concern and condemnation, with various human rights organizations and religious freedom advocates advocating for an end to the persecution of Christians and religious minorities in Eritrea.

the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) will be marked in Ireland on Sunday 5 November. Churches all over the country will devote time during their services on that day to pray for the Persecuted Church. The focus this year will be on Eritrea where there are more Christians now than ever in the thirty year history of the country. These Christians all face intense persecution and hundreds are in prison for their faith.

Will you join us in praying for our brothers and sisters in Eritrea?

Please ask your church leader to make time in the worship service on Sunday 5 November (if date not suitable, choose another Sunday in November) .

Church in Chains is providing three resources for IDOP:

Bookmark with Prayer Points for each person in church – order here.

Information Sheet for those leading prayers (sent with each order for bookmarks)

Video (approximately 3min) containing three prayer points – available to stream or download
Church In Chains, An Irish Voice For Persecuted Christians Worldwide.

In this week's podcast the focus turns on Algeria.  Persecution of Christians in Algeria has been a long-standing and troubling issue. While Algeria officially guarantees freedom of religion in its constitution, in practice, many Christians face discrimination, harassment, and even violence. The government has imposed strict regulations on non-Islamic religious practices, making it difficult for Christians to openly worship or evangelize. Converts from Islam to Christianity often experience the harshest persecution, as they can face ostracism from their families and communities. Despite these challenges, the Christian community in Algeria remains resilient, continuing to practice their faith quietly and striving for greater religious freedom in the country.

We also have an update on the plight of Leah Sharibu, an young Nigerian Christian woman who as a 15 year old student was kidnapped by Islamic militants and is still in captivity today.

Don't forget the persecuted church on November 5th when you have the opportunity to pray together with Christians all across the world on International Day of Prayer.  David talks about this very special day  and you can obtain your free resources from Church in Chains to help you and your Church to engage effectively with the worldwide Christian church on that day.

Vincent Hughes is a producer and presenter with UCB Ireland in Dublin and David Turner is the founder and director of Church In Chains, An Irish Voice For The Persecuted Church www.churchinchains.ie

In this week's podcast from Church In Chains, Vincent Hughes is in conversation with David Turner, Founder of Church In Chains, an Irish voice for persecuted Christians worldwide.  The podcast focus of this program is on Iran where this week we saw the great difficulty that faces Christians living there. We bring you two stories that highlight the vagaries of  Iran's legal system where Christians can be detained or released or exiled at the whim of the authorities.  
Vincent Hughes is broadcaster who has worked for several radio stations in Ireland and is currently working as a producer/presenter with UCB Ireland. 
For more information on Church in Chains please visit the website www.churchinchains.ie 

This week's podcast features the keynote address to the Church in Chains annual conference by Dr. Berhane Asmelash, the founder of Release Eritrea. In his address he gives his own first hand account of his  arrest, imprisonment and torture in Eritrea where the persecution of Christians has been going on for many years.  For more information on Church In Chains please visit our website www.churchinchains.ie
Thanks for listening.