Dozens of Christian organizations that have been providing social services, ministry and other help inside Russia are being targeted for "liquidation" by the nation's Ministry of Justice, according to a new report.

The information comes in a newsletter from a leader with an American Christian organization, Youth With A Mission, who reported he found a declaration recently on the webpage of the Russian Ministry of Justice listing the pending "liquidation" of 56 religious organizations.

The American ministry leader was out of the country and unavailable today, but his wife, contacted by WND, explained the pressure on evangelical groups is coming from a combination of resurging Russian hatred for the West, and pressure from Orthodox churches to ban outside organizations.

(Story continues below)

However, the ministry leader's wife asked that her husband's name not be used, because he continues to work in Russia, and could be targeted for retaliation.

She told WND all of central Asia is seeing an increasing level of persecution of Christians, since there are Muslim majorities in many locations.

"[Russian authorities] definitely want [Christians] out. They are targeting them," she said. "They are allowing only three-month visas, and then you have to leave. Obviously you can't do long-term ministry there."

The American ministry leader's original newsletter said other groups also were targeted in Russia, including Buddhist, Jewish and Islamic organizations.

"Yet at least 35 of the 56 listed qualify as Protestant organizations," the newsletter said. "These include the humanitarian 'World Vision' and 'Youth with a Mission." At least six Baptist organizations are listed. These include one established by the Russian branch of the 'Billy Graham Evangelistic Association' and three regional districts of the 'Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists,'" he said.

"Apparently; several entire churches are up for liquidation, including the 'Union of Churches of Presbyterian Christians' and the 'Assemblies of God.' Even the 26-congregation-strong 'Union of Churches of Evangelical Christians' is scheduled for elimination," the newsletter said.

The leader continued, "The situation in Russia has continued to worsen this past year as the new visa law went into effect. This limits missionaries to three-month stays after which they need to leave for three months then reapply for a new expensive three-month visa. This has made it especially difficult on families and many have been forced to leave. This has affected every mission.

"We have been spared this in some of the rural areas where some of our workers have received residency permits, but in the cities this has been impossible and has reduced our numbers to the nationals themselves," he said.

“Our Russian YWAMers have continued the work in a number of places but further restrictions could be coming," he continued.

“Things seem to be heating up for the surrounding countries as well. Georgia remains in somewhat of a delicate state as well as Ukraine. Meanwhile the Central Asian countries where we have seen so many breakthroughs in the last decade are also beginning to follow Moscow’s example.”

Related offers:

1599 Geneva Bible Shocked by the Bible!

Annals of the World

KJV Commentary Bible

Previous stories:

Christian pastor accused of being 'imposter'

Government treats own citizens like POWs

Playground dispute could bring death penalty

Church brother taken hostage by Hindus

Court orders preacher into 'exile'

Photos document persecution of Christians!

Does release of church leader signal change?

Christians jailed for walking near Olympic hotel

Anti-Christian rage hits previously quiet area

Evangelists beaten for handing out tracts

Tortured brickmakers refuse to embrace Islam

Fabricated evidence lands man 6 years in jail

3,000 Christians added daily in China

Attack shows Communists still persecute Christians

Christians face Christmas beatings, church burnings

Pastors' convictions for quoting Quran overturned

Christian teen recovering from attack by Islamists

Encourage someone in jail just for being Christian!

Teen saved from forced conversion to Islam

Bible-ban buster ships off 100,000th Bible – to Egypt

Lies aren't changing, but impact is, says ministry

Vision inspires missionary to return to North Korea

Missionary says Christian church meets '3 or 4' at a time

From torturing to tears: A warden repents

Ambush by 'radicals' leaves pastor in hospital

Teen escapes from Muslim kidnappers in Egypt

Volunteers take on, defeat Chinese Bible ban

Boy slave 'crucified' by Sudanese Muslim

Christian preacher injured when bus rams SUV

Machete attack survivor working on rehab

Christian men face execution

Pastors seek police help, get beatings

Christian beaten for drinking water

Christian Pakistani teen escapes death

Founder of Voice of the Martyrs jailed, tortured by Communists for years