Christian Resources International’s latest project involves establishing Christian resources in African public libraries as a direct response to the AIDS crisis. Interim Director Fred Palmerton says, "They have realized in Uganda that the only way that they see of stemming the AIDS epidemic is through Christian beliefs." Palmerton said getting Christian books into the libraries is one way to reach people with the hope of Christ. An additional shipment of more than 20,000 volumes will be arriving in Rwanda in about 30 days. The Uganda project has been operating for about two months. Additional requests for resources in Ghana and Rwanda and a second shipment to Uganda are in the works. (Mission Network News)

UPDATE: NIGERIAN CHURCH MEMBERS ATTACKED WHILE BUILDING FENCE

Church members in the Gangare area of Jos, Nigeria, were attacked on Saturday, June 3, while trying to construct a protective fence around church property. The Evangelical Church of West Africa in this central Nigerian city recently won a court battle to evict Muslims who had built houses on church property and refused to leave. The original church building was burned down in 2001, and tensions with area Muslims remain high. Church elder Dauda Mshelia said, "Even now, there are plans by the Muslims to attack us anytime we are in the church and to burn the sanctuary. That is why you see the police keeping watch over the church." Neighborhood violence has dispersed church members and lowered attendance, but Pastor Rev. Sani Damisa refuses to give in to intimidation. "We cannot give up serving God here," he said. "We are determined to put the devil to shame. This sanctuary will remain here to the glory of God." (Compass Direct)

* HCJB World Radio, together with partners In Touch Ministries, SIM and the Evangelical Church of West Africa, began airing weekly half-hour programs to Nigeria in the Igbo language in 2000. In 2003 weekly broadcasts were added in two additional languages, Yoruba and Hausa. HCJB World Radio also has helped with radio ministries in six cities with more in the planning stages.

SMALL LOANS GIVE BIG BOOST TO MINISTRIES IN NAGALAND, INDIA

A small loan from FARMS International in the northeastern Indian state of Nagaland has enabled at least one woman to set up a weaving business with four employees. With the money she earns from her weaving she helps support her family and aids her evangelistic husband and her church. Nagaland is a primarily Christian state that is bordered by Myanmar and other regions where people are hostile to the gospel. The commitment to tithing at local churches by loan recipients in this project equips local churches to support cross-cultural missions in neighboring areas while providing a way out of poverty for the individuals. (Mission Network News)

UPDATE: HOPE RWANDA UNITES THOUSANDS OF CHRISTIAN YOUTHS

During the first two weeks of June, Hope Rwanda youth events have filled venues with thousands of young people. More than 10,000 Rwandans sang and danced to Hillsong United worship leaders in a soccer field outside the main stadium in the capital of Kigali. The theme "Come Together" appears to be having just that result as stories of changed lives and healings pour forth. Hundreds of local Christian youth have been trained in street evangelism techniques and then hit the streets using eye-catching techniques to communicate their message. Hope Rwanda: 100 Days of Hope is a global project designed to give hope to Rwandans who the world seemingly forgot during the genocide in 1994 where more than 1 million people were murdered. The outreach coincides with the 12th anniversary of the actual 100-day genocide, continuing through July 17. (Assist News Service)

HOME CHURCH MOVEMENT GATHERS MOMENTUM ACROSS U.S.

Recent statistics published by church and culture analysts at the Barna Group indicate that millions of Christians in the U.S. are leaving conventional churches in favor of house churches. According to the study, 9 percent of the 5,000 random adults surveyed attend a house church weekly. This is up from only 1 percent 10 years ago. This translates to about 50 million adults meeting in home churches at least once a month. President George Barna, who began attending a home church last year, says home churches are growing among Christians who want to "be" the church, not just "attend" church. Barna’s statistics point to this growth as more than just a fad. He believes growth in the home church movement will continue to offer an alternative to traditional churches and will prompt many Christians to take their faith more seriously and stop depending only on clergy for spiritual growth. (Agape Press/Religion Today/Barna Group)

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