Asia

Attacks Increasing Against Sri Lanka Christians Amid Political Turmoil

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife
COLOMBO, SRI LANKA (BosNewsLife)-- Representatives of evangelicals in Sri Lanka say devoted Christians and churches face increased violence and discrimination by Hindu and Buddhist extremists. The National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEASL) said it recorded 67 incidents this year alone and expressed concern about fresh political turmoil in the South Asian nation.

BREAKING NEWS: Pakistan Christian Asia Bibi Acquitted of Blasphemy; Concerns About Her Safety

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN (BosNewsLife)-- Asia Bibi, the Pakistani Christian woman who spent eight years on death row for "blasphemy" against Islam, has been acquitted but concerns remain about her safety, several officials told BosNewsLife. “Finally it has happened. Asia Bibi was released after nine years of detention, eight of which she spent on death row," said European legislator Peter van Dalen who met Bibi's family ahead of Wednesday's decision.

Indonesian Christians Express Heartbreak And Hope In Quake-Hit Sulawesi

By BosNewsLife Asia Service, Stefan J. Bos and reporting from the region

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BosNewsLife)-- Christians in Indonesia's quake-hit Sulawesi island say they experience miracles amid the devastation, including the death of dozens of children at a Christian camp. In one location a church is the only one building standing. Elsewhere, a Christian pilot claims the Holy Spirit made him leave three minutes early from Palu airport which moments later was hit by last week's 7.5 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami waves as high as six meters (20 feet).

Burma Opposition Army Captures Pastors and Bible Students

By BosNewsLife Asia Service with reporting by BosNewsLife's Stefan J. Bos
RANGOON, BURMA (BosNewsLife)-- Evangelical Christians in Burma say that the country's biggest non-state army is detaining some 100 pastors while conscripting Bible students into its ranks as fighters and destroying churches.

BosNewsLife Covering Plight Of Persecuted Christians in Indonesia

By BosNewsLife Asia Service with reporting from BosNewsLife's Stefan J. Bos from Jakarta

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BosNewsLife)-- Millions of people in Indonesia are becoming Christians, despite efforts by authorities and militants to halt this trend, according to an extensive BosNewsLife investigation. Amid the turmoil, the world's largest Muslim nation experiences unprecedented church growth. Following are links to the SEVEN latest stories about the trials and triumphs of those seeking Christ or who raise debate about Indonesia's attitudes towards minorities. Click on the headline or read more. Media can reach reporter Stefan J. Bos for interviews or additional audio via bosnewslife@gmail.com or +36 70 31 71 611

Millions Secretly ‘Turn To Christ’ In Indonesia

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife reporting from Jakarta, Indonesia

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BosNewsLife)-- Millions of Indonesians are becoming Christians, often secretly, but authorities refuse to recognize this trend in the world's largest Muslim nation, several evangelical leaders have told BosNewsLife. At least three to four million Indonesians "turned to Christ" over the past year, according to Christian officials with very close knowledge about the situation.

Indonesia’s Prominent Priest Demands End To Church Attacks Ahead Of Presidential Poll

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife reporting from Jakarta, Indonesia

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BosNewsLife)-- The priest of Jakarta Cathedral, Indonesia's most known Catholic parish, has urged the government to prevent a repeat of attacks against churches ahead of upcoming presidential elections. Markus Yumartana, 53, said he hopes authorities would continue on the path of religious tolerance that he claimed surrounded the recent Asian Games, the largest sports event ever held in terror-prone Jakarta, the capital.