41-year-old Asher Samson had been in a lengthy legal battle to stay in the UK since he arrived in 2004 after suffering persecution.

He claimed he had been beaten and threatened with execution by Islamic extremists in Pakistan.

Premier was able to speak to Mr Samson earlier this month as he waited to be transported to a detention centre. However the leader of the church he attended before his removal confirmed that his application to remain had been denied.

Rev Lorraine Shorton from Hall Green United Community Church said on Premier’s News Hour: “I’ve received some messages from him. He’s very scared, he’s fearful for his life.

“He’s in hiding in Pakistan and his family are terribly worried for him.”

This comes as new research from the Catholic Church has found that 187 Christians are facing blasphemy charges in Pakistan.

Rev Lorraine said it was essential that Asher’s case be reopened.

Sharing her message to the Home Office, she said: “I would ask them to look again and bring Asher home to where he is safe.

“Jeremy Hunt on the 18th January – just this week, was talking with the Open Doors UK charity and said, ‘no one should face persecution for their faith where ever they are’ and that includes Christians.

“But the UK is sending people back to these countries where their lives are in danger. Pakistan is number five on the World Watch List for extremism against…

As many as 800,000 federal staff haven’t been paid since last month – because of a row over President Donald Trump’s border wall with Mexico.

In response, pastor Ed Newton from the Community Bible Church (CBC) in Texas challenged members to purchase gift cards for all 376 federal workers at San Antonio’s airport.

Newton told website Fox Antonio that according to officials from the airport, federal workers aren’t allowed to accept cash, or gift cards that exceed $20.

In just three days, the church had bags overflowing with $20 gift cards.

“Today, we stand in front of you, with $75,000 in gift cards,” Newton told federal workers at the airport.

This is what thousands of dollars worth of gift cards looks like! Amazing generosity displayed by those at @CBCSocial. Tonight @ 9 and 10 we share how they’re giving to those impacted by the shutdown, and the emotional reaction from workers. @KABBFOX29 @News4SA pic.twitter.com/kx7Tue6EBX

— Matthew Seedorff (@MattSeedorff) January 25, 2019

The pastor also expressed gratitude for his church members’ generosity.

He said: “It’s just a demonstration of the heart of San Antonio, and the heart of Community Bible Church.”

All 376 federal workers at San Antonio International Airport received $200 worth of $20 gift cards.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and…

Amid the sometimes toxic mood of the public debate around Britain leaving the EU, the archbishops have led a last-minute change to the agenda of the Church of England’s General Synod in London next month.

It means a special debate, titled The State of the Nation, has been inserted into the schedule on the request of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Archbishop of York John Sentamu.

The motion states: “That this Synod, knowing through the experiences of parishes across the country that social divisions feel more entrenched and intractable than for many years, and concerned at the divisions within the major political parties which are stifling the emergence of a hopeful and viable vision for the common good in our communities.”

It includes a call to see “the voices of the poor and marginalised at the heart of the nation’s concerns” and asks “the nation’s leaders, drawing on Christian hope and reconciliation, to work together for that common good at this time of division”.

There is also a call for every diocese and parish regularly to “hold in prayer” their local MPs, politicians, the Government and civil servants, so they can seek God’s “strength and wisdom for the responsibilities they bear”.

The benefits of working with refugees and asylum seekers who are qualified in medicine, teaching, law or other professions, environmental programmes, evangelism,…

Amid the sometimes toxic mood of the public debate around Britain leaving the EU, the archbishops have led a last-minute change to the agenda of the Church of England’s General Synod in London next month.

It means a special debate, titled The State of the Nation, has been inserted into the schedule on the request of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Archbishop of York John Sentamu.

The motion states: “That this Synod, knowing through the experiences of parishes across the country that social divisions feel more entrenched and intractable than for many years, and concerned at the divisions within the major political parties which are stifling the emergence of a hopeful and viable vision for the common good in our communities.”

It includes a call to see “the voices of the poor and marginalised at the heart of the nation’s concerns” and asks “the nation’s leaders, drawing on Christian hope and reconciliation, to work together for that common good at this time of division”.

There is also a call for every diocese and parish regularly to “hold in prayer” their local MPs, politicians, the Government and civil servants, so they can seek God’s “strength and wisdom for the responsibilities they bear”.

The benefits of working with refugees and asylum seekers who are qualified in medicine, teaching, law or other professions, environmental programmes, evangelism,…

It concluded there are 187 live cases involving believers accused of insulting religion. Suspects face execution or life imprisonment if found guilty.

Human rights activists have previously warned that blasphemy accusations have been made to settle personal vendettas and persecute Christians in the country.

Fr James Channon from the Peace Centre in Lahore – a group which promotes inter-faith relations – told the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need: “The blasphemy law destroys the lives of those who have been accused, even if they avoid being executed.

“Any time Christians are accused of supposed blasphemy, all Christians in the region are indicted with them. This often leads to acts of violence against Christians.”

ACN News: “Even now, after [Asia Bibi’s] acquittal, she is anything but safe.” Full news report > https://t.co/FoX6474Fqz #Pakistan #AsiaBibi pic.twitter.com/2EUJbwgw9j

— Aid to the Church (@acn_uk) January 24, 2019

Pakistan’s blasphemy laws have drawn international attention during recent years, in light of the lengthy legal case involving Asia Bibi.

The Christian mother-of-five sent eight years on death row after being accused of insulting the Islamic prophet Muhammad. She always denied any wrongdoing.

She was acquitted by the Pakistan’s Supreme Court in October last year; however,…