South Asia (MNN) — The Church in South Asia faces increasing pressure from religious majority groups in various countries.

Laos (MNN) — In the landlocked, Southeast Asian country of Laos, Christians risk much to follow Jesus.

“Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you shall glorify me.”
— Isaiah 50:15

Hello Friends!

It is Easter week here, and I am in Warsaw, Poland where we've been meeting with leaders representing the Persecuted Church.

Hi, this is Mary Jo Wilson with Asian Access, and I just wanted to give you a quick update. This week we're in Warsaw and you're wondering, "What's Asian Access doing in Poland?".

Turkey (MNN) — Since 2018, Turkey has forced nearly 200 Protestant clergy and their families to leave the country. Intelligence officials claim they pose a security risk but do not say how. The expulsions began after the U.S. sanctioned Turkey for imprisoning an American pastor.

Bangladesh (MNN) — Christians make up just 0.3 percent of the population of Bangladesh. And it’s difficult for that number to grow.

Asia (MNN) — The first COVID-19 case surfaced in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Several variants and a pandemic classification later, the battle seems never-ending.

Happy Thanksgiving!

As Thanksgiving draws near, I’m reminded of the bountiful harvest that comes with the season. A few hours away from my home, my family would often visit the apple orchards this time of year and taste the most delicious of crisp, fresh apples. I love the green ones because of their tart flavor. I’m also reflecting on those seasons where I visited family in Oklahoma seeing all sorts of grains spanning for miles on end.

As bad as the COVID pandemic was in India which I wrote about just a few months ago, it is now more than twice that bad in another Asian country based on the number of deaths per capita. And COVID deaths are thought to be drastically undercounted, so the situation is actually much worse.

What is causing the surge there? And what does this have to do with Asian Access?

My friends, 

I want to wish you all a very happy Independence Day this weekend! What a joy for those of us who are Americans to celebrate the freedoms we have in this world.

As one who works globally, I'm well aware of these freedoms. Every day, I seem to hear about the Persecuted Church. And we even have friends right now whose children are in custody. And it deeply impacts you when you know these things. It really makes you grateful for these United States—that we get to have these freedoms.

Update from an Asian Access Leader 

How have the national leaders of Asian Access responded in these unprecedented times of combined pandemic and persecution? How have they coped?  How are their own lives, and their own families, faring? 

Laos (MNN) — A pastor in Laos has been released after spending a year in prison. He was convicted of “creating disorder” after holding church services without permission.

Last week our Global Team met for our monthly gathering of worship, praise, sharing and prayer. The focus was on the persecuted church as you have likely heard the news of what is happening in Myanmar and Nepal recently. The situation in other countries is challenging as well – for one situation that my colleagues face, see this article from the National Review: …Religious Americans Must Lead the Way

Christian worker describes violent attacks based on caste and religion.

India (MNN) — India’s latest chapter of minority oppression resulted in the violent deaths of two young Dalit women from Uttar Pradesh. On Tuesday, a 19-year old and 22-year old succumbed to fatal injuries caused by two separate instances of gang rape. Rape occurs every 15 minutes in India, according to federal statistics. “Uttar Pradesh is turning out to be their laboratory of how [the] Hindu state [will function],” explains David*, a Christian worker in India...

$200,000 matching gift will help Asian Access provide secure online tools for persecuted leaders

"We are facing shutdowns and jail time almost daily here. We are reluctant to share with the news because of the repercussions it may entail. Please pray for us."

That quote is from an Asian Access national director in one of A2’s most dynamic country movements.  Please do pray for them as...

India (MNN) — There’s an adage as old as time: “While the cat’s away, the mice will play.” It implies group laziness or misbehavior when an authority figure is not present. A similar scenario is taking place in India right now. While police focus on COVID-19 restrictions, Christian Post reports, Hindu extremists are launching more attacks on Christians. The first half of 2020 saw 135 cases, but experts say the real number is probably much higher.“ Persecution has become a reality in most of rural and semi-rural India. But...

Needed: a secure digital platform providing leaders with a safe place

Give toward a match so our brothers and sisters under persecution can enjoy meeting, like we do, by video conferencing without fear of government intervention. Asia is still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our friends are especially suffering from the pain of isolation—and none feel it more than those who live in countries where Christians are persecuted, where they cannot trust their governments to...

$200,000 matching gift will help Asian Access build a secure digital platform to fuel revival

I trust you are doing well as we all continue facing the coronavirus challenges. I’m writing you to ask you to give toward a match so our brothers and sisters under persecution can enjoy meeting, like we do, by video conferencing without fear of government intervention. Asia is still reeling from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our friends are especially suffering from the pain of isolation—and none feel it more than those who live in countries where Christians are persecuted, where they cannot trust their governments to give them accurate information about COVID-19. As in North America (and in Japan where I live), churches in persecuted countries are connecting by video conferencing . . . for now. But it’s just a matter of time before governments shut them down and go after the church leaders. What these countries need is an ultra-secure digital platform that will allow them to meet, worship, and have fellowship away from the prying eyes of their governments.

China (MNN) — Pastor Wang Yi of China’s well-known Early Rain Covenant Church was sentenced to nine years in prison last week. The Chinese government never held a public trial for Pastor Wang, but charged him behind closed doors with “inciting subversion of state power” and “illegal business activities.” Pastor Wang was arrested in December 2018 along with several other church members. Prior to his arrest, Pastor Wang prepared a six-page statement refuting what he guessed the government would charge him with as the leader of a popular underground church.{addthis off}