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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.

Father Sean Gough, 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.

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Bishop Juhana Pohjola
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.

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David Byle
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.

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Pastor Tonchev
Pastor Kiryakov
BOURGAS

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.

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Father David Palmer
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.

Canon Tom White
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.

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Father Sean Gough
BIRMINGHAM

Censorship zones ban silent prayer from public streets

Father Sean Gough, a Catholic priest, won a legal battle after he was charged for breaching a censorship zone by silently praying, in addition to holding a sign with the words “praying for free speech,” near a closed abortion facility in Birmingham.

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Together we can keep the doors open for the gospel; to help all people access the much-needed message of hope.​
Paul Coleman
Executive Director, ADF International

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

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

From local courts all the way to the highest international institutions, together we can keep the doors open for the gospel. Your generosity enabled us to support Father Sean, Canon Tom, David Byle, Bishop Pohjola, Pastor Tonchev, and Father Palmer. Together we can protect the fundamental freedoms of many more to help all people access the much-needed message of hope. Thank you for standing with us. 

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From local courts all the way to the highest international institutions, together we can keep the doors open for the gospel. Your generosity enabled us to support Canon Tom, David Byle, Bishop Pohjola, Pastor Tonchev and Father Palmer. Together we can protect the fundamental freedoms of many more to help all people access the much-needed message of hope. Thank you for standing with us. 

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CASES UPDATE

European Parliament condemns Nigerian speech laws which put “blasphemous” Whatsapp musician on death row

In an urgency resolution the European Parliament has called for the release of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a young Nigerian musician sentenced to death under the blasphemy law of Kano state, northern Nigeria. The resolution “recalls that blasphemy laws are in clear breach calls of international human” and “contrary to the Nigerian Constitution which guarantees religious freedom and freedom of expression.

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More ADF International Cases

Vitaliy Bak: Russia
Pastor Bak is challenging the Russian authorities for prohibiting his church community from gathering to worship in his home.
Pastor Keshab of Nepal
Pastor Keshab: Nepal
Pastor Keshab was sentenced to two years in prison and a fine after sharing gospel tracts and praying with fellow citizens in Nepal. He has appealed the ruling and is temporarily free on bail.
Nada and Hamouda: Sudan
A married Sudanese Christian convert couple is currently on trial facing baseless charges after they converted to Christianity despite the decriminalization of apostasy.