The lawyer representing two Christian pastors and a deacon facing six years detention for their faith has been denied access to his clients ahead of an appeal hearing. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) said the situation was unacceptable and they are concerned about the lack of due process in the cases and the exceptional nature of punishment for men who have committed no crime but are being punished for their faith. CSW are urging the Iranian authorities to release these men and the many others held in contravention of the international covenants guaranteeing freedom of religion or belief to which Iran is party. Pastor Irani, one of the prisoners, has had seriously deteriorating health but no medical care since his detention. Another Christian pastor, American citizen Saeed Abedini, is serving an eight-year sentence and is the subject of an international campaign for his release.

Aleppo has seen little change since a rebel offensive took over half the city and the countryside over two years ago. However a new UN-proposed ‘conflict freeze’ could see change or the regime could choose to push on with its campaign to take Aleppo back from the rebels. Yousef, a member of Aleppo’s Christian minority and a former regime militia fighter, bid his friends farewell this week. He’s leaving for Turkey with the intention to reach Europe via people-smuggling routes. He said, ‘There is no future here for us, even if the regime wins the war. There’s no work, no opportunities. When I fought in the ranks of the regime, it was to protect my Christian community from jihadist groups, not because I believed in the Baath ideology or even supported the government. Now I have done all I can. My duties are done and I will find a new future in Europe.’

Residents in Ferguson have been on edge, but area churches and pastors are countering the unrest with a message of God's love. Bishop Raphael Green pastors the Metropolitan Christian Worship Centre in south St. Louis. For nearly 30 years Bishop Green has hosted the Urban World Summit, a rally to prayer and action to heal across racial and cultural divides. It's a timely message against the backdrop of Ferguson. ‘This year's summit included a legal clinic, with frank and honest conversations about race, religion and the rule of law. Attendees heard from pastors, lawyers, and law enforcement to learn from each other's experiences. One of the panelists was Capt. Ron Johnson of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, who has spearheaded the police response in Ferguson. ‘If we're going to change the community - change this nation - it has to be everyone.

Protests took place across America for the second day after a grand jury declined to charge Ferguson officer Darren Wilson for killing 18-year-old Michael Brown in August. Ferguson quietened down Tuesday night into early Wednesday evening. Meanwhile in California, protesters vandalised police cars, smashed business windows, set fires in the streets and shut down two major freeways. Protesters in Los Angeles barricaded freeway lanes to stop traffic. Thousands marched in Manhattan causing chaos. The US Justice Department is conducting a separate civil rights search that could bring federal charges against Officer Wilson. The riots in Ferguson and other US cities can be traced to economic, social and racial factors that haunt many poor African-American communities.Distrust in policing, stereotypes of young black males and the failure to acknowledge that race still plays an important role in American society are also factors. See also

Help is urgently needed for refugees in a closed country in SE Asia. Next week a Christian team will be travelling to some refugee camps and distributing supplies. They hope to hand out items in time for a Christmas outreach, but they are in need of more supplies, especially hygiene packs. They also need notepads, washcloths, combs, and bandanas. They need them before they leave on 24 November. Although there’s not much time, the team has hope. They realise time is running out but are hoping to get these items to their contact and would be blessed by any items they receive! This is a tremendous opportunity for us to bless those in the refugee camps this Christmas!

Last Thursday night rebels entered the town of Chibok shooting from pickup trucks and motorcycles to take control of the area. Chilbok is an enclave of mostly Christian families; some are involved in translating the Bible into local languages in the mainly Muslim northern part of Nigeria and it was from Chilbok that the 200+ mainly Christian schoolgirls were kidnapped. The Nigerian army says it has regained control of the town from Boko Haram and Chibok is free and secure, so residents can return to their homes.

On Tuesday an alliance of companies and aid groups announced plans to test experimental drugs and collect blood plasma from Ebola survivors to treat new victims of the disease in West Africa. Plasma from survivors contains antibodies that the immune system makes to fight the virus. Several Ebola patients have received survivor plasma and recovered, but doctors say there is no way to know whether it really helps without a study like the one they are about to start within a month. To date there are no drugs or vaccines approved for Ebola. Doctors Without Borders said last week it would host studies of experimental treatments and plasma at three of its West Africa treatment centres.

Members of the Islamic Defenders Front protested against Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (nicknamed Ahok) being sworn in as Jakarta's first Christian governor in nearly 50 years. He is ethnically Chinese and a Christian and will take over one of Indonesia's most powerful political jobs. Hundreds of religious hardliners have staged protests against Ahok, underlining the difficulties facing the president's battle against religious intolerance in a nation with the world's biggest Muslim population. Thousands of police have been deployed around the capital in case of violence. Secular Indonesia has seen a rise in attacks against Christians and minority groups. ‘Some do not have high hopes for the administration because parliament is not controlled by his coalition.’ said Indonesia’s director for Human Rights Watch.

A Pakistani Christian asks for our prayers: ‘The Pakistan military is continuing their raids against the Taliban along the Afghanistan border. Pray that they will continue these efforts. There has been confusion and division among many of the Taliban and Al Qaida. Pray that this may continue to an even greater extent. Some leaders from IS have been seen in Pakistan. These are disgruntled Al Qaida followers who have been upset that Al Qaida was not doing more to take over Pakistan and carry out raids against the infidels (the Christian west). Pray that they may be stopped before they gain any momentum. Earlier this month the government reported that IS has joined Al Quaida Sunnis in Pakistan to carry out attacks against Shi'ites and Christians. Pray that these planned attacks might be foiled.’ Also please pray for a Christian professor who was arrested for blasphemy this week.

Jerusalem has seen many street battles in Arab areas between the locals and Israeli security forces in recent weeks, as well as a series of street terror attacks. The main source of conflict is the Temple Mount. Israel is trying to keep the status quo, with Jews and Christians not being allowed to pray or bring a Bible there. Meanwhile the Palestinian leadership is saying that Israel wants to tear the building down. A serious battle over Jerusalem is being waged, ‘I call on all leaders of countries in the Western world. I want to see outrage over this massacre.’ said Netanyahu while ordering the demolition of the assailants' residences.  Meanwhile a budget has passed its first reading in Israel’s parliament.  It has to pass two more readings before being approved. If it’s not approved by the end of 2014 Israel will have elections (a difficult process to deal with at this time).