2. IRAQ
As ISIS which is sometimes called Daesh advanced across Syria and Iraq, they left a trail of casualties.
Christians, Yazidis, and Muslims have suffered from the insurgency.
Christians have called Iraq their home for over 2,000 years. Now, they are almost extinct.
The country was not ready when the ISIS uprising began due to political unrest.
When Mosul was taken in 2014, the Christian’s there were given an ultimatum:
Convert to Islam
Pay the jizya, a tax the Qur’an permits infidels to pay as a sign of servitude to Muslims in a region
Later, the choice was changed to leave or be killed.
ISIS has said its goal is the eradication of all non-Muslims.
But not all hope is lost.

3. IRAQ
Recently, Iraqi military forces with international help have begun to push back on ISIS control.
Some parts of the country that had been lost to ISIS have been reclaimed.
In addition, Christians have come alongside locals in the north to help in relief efforts.
One report after another continues to come from Iraq of Muslims converting to Christianity.
Muslims are becoming disillusioned with Islam and are seeking hope and peace in Jesus.
Specifically, ISIS warriors who have felt the guilt of their murderous acts have seen radical transformations.

4. IRAQ
The violence that has forced many Christians to leave their homes has been horrific.
But the Gospel is also spreading.
Pray for Iraqi believers still in the country and those who have fled.
The people of Iraq have not been haphazardly misplaced. They have been planted for the sake of the Gospel.
God’s Word will not return void.

5. INDIA
India is the world’s largest democracy with the second largest population behind China.
India has many cultures, languages, and religions.
Its social and political structures are mostly defined by religion, caste, and language.
Most of the country’s farming population remains very poor.
Church tradition tells us the Apostle Thomas was likely one of the first to bring the Gospel to India.
Many Indian Christians sometimes call themselves “Thomas Christians”

6. INDIA
Those who evangelize in India are at great risk of being beaten, murdered, or having their properties ransacked.
India is the birthplace of Hinduism. Religious nationalism runs strong.
Hindutva is the name of Hinduistic nationalism. Hindu right-wing political parties have been investigated for violent demonstrations.
India’s Prime Minister Modi has made the claim that Hinduism is not a religion but a way of life.

7. INDIA
But India also has the second largest Muslim population in the world with Indonesia having the largest.
14 percent of India’s 1.2 billion people claim to be Muslim.
Both Muslims and Christians are often victimized by Hinduism’s more extreme sects.
The United Nation’s Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief reported that they were “deeply concerned that laws and bills on religious conversion in several Indian states are being used to vilify Christians and Muslims.”
Specifically, in India’s states of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, anyone wishing to convert from Hinduism or wanting to convert another must give 30 days’ advanced notice to the government.