Faith Under Fire

Christian leaders are under pressure

Throughout our years of ministry, we’ve always talked about our mission to keep the doors open for the gospel. Not until this year had we imagined that that mission would become so literal. The church and its leaders face challenges that we have not seen in many years – and they are taking us back to the darker moments of European history.

Canon Tom White, missionary David Byle, Bishop Juhana Pohjola, Pastor Tonchev, and Father David Palmer each have a unique calling. Each live in very different countries and circumstances. They’ve never met.

But they do all have one thing in common: they are faith leaders who have been forbidden to speak about or practise their faith in public. This year, more than ever, the threat to free speech has arrived at the Church’s front door. Now is the time to stand together.

HELSINKI: Bishop Juhana Pohjola is confronted with intolerance of Christian beliefs

Bishop Pohjola faces criminal prosecution for publishing a pamphlet on human sexuality for his church congregation more than 17 years ago.

ISTANBUL: Evangelist banned from entering Turkey

David Byle, a Christian minister living in Turkey, was forced to leave the country he had called home for 19 years – simply because he shared his faith. He and his wife had raised their children in Turkey and had become close-knit members of the community.

BURGAS: Two brave Pastors decided to stand against a fearmongering campaign from the government

The City Council of Burgas and police who sent a letter to all school administrators in the city, instructed faculty to "inform" children of the danger posed by non-orthodox Christians.

GLASGOW: The Scottish government completely banned all Churches from opening for almost three months in 2021

Glasgow Priest Canon Tom challenged the Scottish government’s blanket ban on public worship at Scotland’s top court – and won.

NOTTINGHAM: Free speech restored for Father David Palmer

When Father David Palmer’s tweets about life from conception came to light, the University of Nottingham to which he had been nominated as student chaplain rejected him. Thankfully, with support from our team and the Free Speech Union, we were able to see that decision reversed.

Alliance Defending Freedom

Faith Under Fire

Christian leaders are under pressure

The challenges facing the Church are not bound by borders. But we are determined to overcome.

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