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2017-06-01

• Persecution Incidents on the Rise

  

  Nine Christian civilians were reportedly shot dead at a militant-run checkpoint in the besieged city of Marawi in the southern Philippines on May 23rd. Sources report that local residents identified the nine who were slain as Christians, explaining that the victims had been pulled from a truck and their hands bound, before their bodies were riddled with bullets and left in a field.

• Christians Concerned of Imminent Attack

  
  Photo: Open Doors USA

  Al-Shabaab militants appear to have stepped up their campaign of violence in areas bordering Somalia -- and Christians in the city of Mandera are concerned that they could be the next target. "The Christians living in Mandera are living in great fear of an imminent attack," one church leader says. "We have to (decide) whether to continue with the Christian mission work or to leave the place. We cannot pretend that all is well."

• Persecution Spurs World's Fastest Growing Church

  Ironically, one of the worst countries in the world for Christians happens to also be the country where the church is growing the fastest. The Islamic Republic of Iran has gained the distinction of being the leading country in the world where the church is growing at a rapid rate and greatly influencing the region for Christ.