Church liquidated in Azerbaijan

Mission Network News: Azerbaijan (MNN) ― Religious freedom in Azerbaijan took another hit as an established evangelical church was liquidated. According to Forum 18 news, a court in Baku has ruled to liquidate the Greater Grace Protestant Church.

Russian Ministries provides pastoral training and runs School without Walls training in that Central Asia nation. Project Manager for Russian Ministries, Wade Kusack, is concerned. "This is the first attempt of the government of Azerbaijan to openly attack and liquidate a Christian church. This is very scary situation."'

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Extremists teach children to pray against Bible Clubs in India

Mission Network News: "India (MNN) ― There's a saying that goes: '"Imitation is the sincerest (form) of flattery."

In this case, it's a new twist to Gospel work in India. President of Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Mission India, Dave Stravers, explains, "The Bible Club ministry is so effective that Hindu leaders in this area are trying to copy it by forming their own clubs for children: they're forming Hindu clubs.""

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Bomber targets Christians in Jos, Nigeria

Mission Network News: "Nigeria (MNN) -- Bombers struck again in Jos, Nigeria last Tuesday.

One person was killed and nine others were injured after suspected Islamic extremists attacked a TV viewing center in a Christian area of Jos where a crowd had gathered to watch a soccer game."

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The battle against the Roma continues as 1,000 forced to resettle in Serbia

Mission Network News: "Russia (MNN) ― Around 250 Roma families were evicted from their homes in Serbia's capital, Belgrade, last week.

The Associated Press reports that some 1,000 Roma, known more commonly as "Gypsies," were placed on a bus and relocated to a new settlement. Despite the protests of many Roma--not to mention outcries from rights groups such as Amnesty International, the Serbian government has not relented on their eviction process. They have declared the Roma's Belgrade settlement to be illegal and preventative of construction projects."

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Vigil for Chen Guangcheng in Front of Chinese Embassy Sunday, April 29, at 4:30 P.M. - Christian Newswire

Vigil for Chen Guangcheng in Front of Chinese Embassy Sunday, April 29, at 4:30 P.M. - Christian Newswire:

Chinese Embassy - Washington, D. C.

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Christian Defense Coalition will lead a prayer vigil and public witness in support of Chen Guangcheng in front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., at 4:30 P.M. on Sunday, April 29.

The Christian Defense Coalition calls upon the Obama Administration not to turn Chen back over to the Chinese which would result in unspeakable violence to him and his family and would betray the principles of human rights and justice that Americans have embraced for years.

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Update: Blind Human Rights Lawyer Under US Protection

Update: Blind Human Rights Lawyer Under US Protection:

By Michael Ireland
Senior International Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

Courtesy of Hu Jia

BEIJING, CHINA (ANS) -- A blind Chinese human rights lawyer is believed to be safe and under the protection of US authorities following his daring escape from house arrest.

ASSIST News has learned from ChinaAid, citing a source close to the Chen Guangcheng situation that Chen is under US protection and high level talks are currently under way between US and Chinese officials regarding Chen's status.

"This is a pivotal moment for US human rights diplomacy,” said Bob Fu, ChinaAid President.

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