Zprávy HCJB 7.7.2002 - 13.7.2002

 Rozhlasová misie spojená s rozdáváním přijímačů působí v mnoha rodinách.
   (HCJB World Radio) - HCJB World Radio v Colorado Springs zahájilo akci spojenou s rozdáváním 25.000 předem pevně naladěných rozhlasových přijímačů nejubožejším lidem po světě. Pro miliony lidí bez spojení mohou tyto přijímače představovat jedinou možnost slyšet evangelium.

Tisíce rodičů a dětí umírají následkem AIDS, podvýživou a neuvěřitelnou chudobou. "I když jejich organizmus může být oslaben nemocí nebo podvýživou, skutečnou tragédií je nevyslyšená lačnost jejich duše," řekla Heide Jonesová, manažerka jednoho oddělení HCJB World Radio. "Víc než léky a jídlo tito lidé potřebují naději a tu mohou nalézt jen v Pánu Ježíši."

Hnutí "Zapněte si rádio" shromažďuje prostředky od posluchačů rozhlasového vysílání křesťanských stanic v USA k nákupu speciálních přijímačů pro potřebné oblasti. Reakce posluchačů je mimořádná. Od zahájení akce v roce 2000 bylo sesbíráno dost peněz na zakoupení 7.000 přijímačů.

V Tanzánii zveřejnily úřady překvapivě příznivou statistiku počtu licencí pro křesťanské vysílání. Omezujícím faktorem se tak zdají být hlavně počty přijímačů, ne vysílačů.

"Lidem dáváme přijímače a je to, jako bychom jim poslali misionáře," řekla Jonesová. Spolu s evangelizací se dají na rozhlasových vlnách zachytit i solidní biblické hodiny, takže věřící mohou ve své víře růst a být užitečnými svědky.

Vliv těchto speciálních přijímačů je téměř neomezený. Rozdáním 1000 předem naladěných přijímačů je dle odhadu manažera Radio Alfa, jihoafrické křesťanské stanice, získáno asi 5-10.000 dalších pravidelných posluchačů vysílání: "Každý den nás lidé žádají o přijímače. Když jim musíme říct, že zrovna žádné nemáme, jsou velmi zklamaní."
 
 Průzkum v Austrálii ukazuje úpadek křesťanských tradic.
   (Episcopal News Service) - Celonárodní průzkum prováděný v minulých letech ukazuje úpadek citu Australanů pro tradiční křesťanské hodnoty a nárůst těch, kdo uvádějí, že jsou nevěřící. I když křesťanství zůstává vedoucím vyznáním v zemi, existuje zde odliv k jiným náboženstvím. Buddhismus a Islám relativně rostou, takže asi 5% obyvatel je jiného, než křesťanského vyznání. Přitom v roce 1996 to bylo 3.5%. Kolem 25% dotázaných uvádí, že je bez vyznání, nebo neodpoví. "Reverend John Henderson, generální tajemník Australské národní rady církví říká, že "těmto proudům ve společnosti musíme čelit, stejně jako nárůstu materializmu a jáství. Křesťanství ale v žádném případě není hrou s čísly. Závisí na Boží lásce. Ježíšových apoštolů bylo proti celé římské moci jen 12, ale Jeho svědectví o Bohu a Jeho oběť platily víc." Průzkum naznačil i úpadek tradičních rodinných hodnot. V roce 1971 bylo ve věku mezi 20 a 29 lety jen 36% svobodných. Nyní je jich 76%.
 
 Zprávy jednou větou.
   Mnoho ateistů poslouchá křesťanské vysílání.

Podle průzkumu George Barna tvoří asi čtvrtinu posluchačů křesťanského vysílání ateisté, agnostici a lidé jiného vyznání.

NTM o modlitbách za unesené misonáře.

Modlitby za unesené manžele Burnahamovy pomáhají i nyní zbytku jejich rodiny po návratu zraněné matky a po smrti otce.

Insight for Living hraje v Rusku cennou roli.

Tato baptistická rozhlasová misie slyšitelná přes 11 časových pásem pomáhá sytit duchovní hlad v Rusku.

Koalice amerických misií jmenovala svým novým vedoucím reverenda Wayne Pedersena.

Vedoucí odpovídá za strategické plánování, za vedoucí misijních týmů, za koordinaci a za operační záležitosti. Pedersenovy jedinečné dary jej do této role předurčují.
 
 Celé dnešní zpravodajství v nezkrácené anglické verzi
   MANY ATHEISTS LISTEN TO CHRISTIAN MEDIA, BARNA STUDY SAYS

Atheists may be adamant about the separation of church and state, but some don't mind if televangelists preach at them. According to the latest study by the Barna Research Group, a "surprisingly large proportion" of atheists, agnostics and non-Christians "intentionally absorb information from the Christian media." "More than one-fourth of that group listened to Christian radio, one-quarter watched Christian TV, and one-seventh read a Christian book," George Barna said. "In other words, of the 50 million adults who are not aligned with Christianity, there were more than 15 million who had some degree of exposure to Christianity." The nationwide survey of 1,007 adults also discovered that more adults experience Christianity not by attending church, but through Christian radio, television or books. Focusing on the Christian media's pervasiveness in American culture, the study found that more than 6 in 10 adults (63 percent, or 132 million) attended a church service during the past month. In contrast, 2 of 3 adults (67 percent, or 141 million) were exposed to Christian radio, television or books in the last month. "The Christian media industry has come a long way from the days when it simply aired or transcribed sermons," Barna said. "Much of the substance now available directly addresses the felt needs of contemporary society, using the technology and information that makes the presentations interesting and relevant." (Charisma News Service)

NTM RELATES ANSWERED PRAYERS FOR KIDNAPPED MISSIONARIES

New Tribes Mission (NTM) reports your prayers continue to play an integral part in the Burnham family's lives. Gracia (Jones) Burnham and her children built good memories last week at a Jones family reunion. Gracia's leg wound is healing. Now she can take a few steps without crutches. In November 2001, the video that showed the Burnhams' frail appearance caused many to pray for their health. Gracia spoke of sores on their feet. As people began praying, the sores healed. Martin and Gracia's feet remained free of infection throughout the rest of their captivity in the Philippines. Their health also improved and, in spite of their weakened condition, they suffered no major illnesses from that time onward. People also prayed for them to have food. Because their captors did not value women, and American women in particular, Gracia received the worst treatment of everyone. When food was handed out, she was the last to receive it, if there was any left. Martin protected her as best he could. She learned to eat quickly and as much as she could whenever there was plenty. Although there were days when the Burnhams went without food, they never starved. People also prayed for their protection. A big concern was that the couple might be separated from each other. This never happened. Martin and Gracia were treated as a family unit, so Gracia was not put under some of the pressures that the other women faced. On numerous occasions the Burnhams came under heavy gunfire, with bullets striking the leaves around them, yet missing Martin and Gracia. Over and over, they experienced God's protection. For reasons that only God knows, more could be accomplished through Martin's death on June 7, 2002, than his rescue. The Lord lifted His shield of protection and Martin was killed. At the same time, God proved through Gracia's rescue that He is able to protect His children in the most dangerous of circumstances. (New Tribes Mission)

INSIGHT FOR LIVING MAKES ADVANCES IN RUSSIA

A hunger for God's Word continues in Russia and a radio ministry hopes to meet that need. Insight for Living's field pastor, Peter Mitskevich, recently accepted the position of vice-president of the Baptist Union of Russia. Since the Baptist Union is the largest evangelical organization there, it greatly increases the exposure of Insight for Living, which is heard in all 11 time zones. Insight for Living soon will be printing study guides and other material to help point many to Christ. (Mission Network News)

* HCJB World Radio has been blanketing Russia with gospel broadcasts via shortwave since 1941. Programs air from Quito and from a leased shortwave site in the U.K. The ministry also has worked to "plant" local radio ministries in strategic cities across the former Soviet Union since the early 1990s. In the fall of 2000 HCJB World Radio helped launch the first Christian Russian radio satellite network.

AUSTRALIAN SURVEY SHOWS FALLING COMMITMENT TO CHRISTIANITY

A national census conducted last year shows a decline in the commitment of Australians to Christianity and a rise in the number of people who declare they have no religion. While Christianity remains the dominant faith in the nation, it is losing followers to other religions, the figures show. Buddhism and Islam are growing faster, and almost 5 percent of the population identify themselves with a religion other than Christianity, up from 3.5 percent in 1996. About 25 percent said they were of "no religion" or declined to answer the question. "We have to face these currents in society, just as we have to face the increase in materialism and privatization," said Rev. John Henderson, general secretary of Australia's National Council of Churches. "Christianity is not, in any case, a numbers game. It is about God's love. Jesus had only 12 against the Roman empire, but it was his message and self-sacrifice that counted." The survey also indicates a decline in traditional family life. In 1971 only 36 percent of those between the ages of 20 and 29 had never been married, but now this figure is 76 percent. (Episcopal News Service)

MISSION AMERICA COALITION NAMES PEDERSON NEW COO

Calling it a "perfect fit" of passion and ministry, Dr. Paul Cedar, chairman of the Mission America Coalition announced last week that Rev. Wayne Pederson will join Mission America part-time beginning August 1 as Chief Operating Officer (COO), moving to full-time January 1, 2003. "In addition to extraordinary ministry credentials, Wayne brings a passionate heart for evangelism and collaborative ministry - two of the main focuses of The Mission America Coalition." Dr. Cedar said. In his new position, Pederson will be responsible for strategic planning, leadership of the ministry team, networking and operations matters. Dr. Cedar emphasizes that, "Wayne's integrity, strength of character and creative, people-friendly manner makes him a natural to assume this strategic leadership position in the Body of Christ." Pederson is the recent past president and COO of National Religious Broadcasters. He has also served as Chairman/CEO of the National Religious Broadcasters and Executive Vice President for Radio at Northwestern College. Most recently, he has worked as lead consultant for The Gospel Music Association/National Christian Radio Alliance and a consultant to media ministries and college-owned radio stations on programming, fundraising, strategic planning. (Assist)

* 'TURN THE RADIOS ON' OUTREACH TARGETS THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES

HCJB World Radio in Colorado Springs, Colo., has launched a national outreach campaign to put 25,000 pre-tuned radios in the hands of impoverished, often illiterate people overseas. For millions of isolated people, these pre-tuned radios may be the only way they'll ever hear the gospel.

Thousands of parents and children are dying of AIDS, malnutrition, and unbelievable poverty every day. "While their bodies may be weakened by disease and a lack of nourishment, the real tragedy is that their souls are wasting away too," says Heide Jones, HCJB World Radio's station relations manager. "What these people need even more than medicine and food is the hope they can only find in Jesus."

The outreach, called "Turn the Radios On," raises funds from listeners of U.S. Christian stations to buy the special radios for distribution to needy areas. Response from consumers has been outstanding. Since the program first began in late 2000, listeners have given funds to order/distribute some 7,000 radios.

In Tanzania, the government recently issued a surprising number of licenses for Christian radio stations. With scarcely enough resources to go on the air, the stations lack funding to provide radios to potential listeners.

"Through this outreach we're putting receivers in the hands of the people so they can hear the good news," Jones says. "It's like putting a missionary in each home."

In addition to presenting the gospel, the stations also air solid Bible teaching, helping new believers to grow in their faith and become effective witnesses.

The impact of the pre-tuned radios is nearly unlimited. Due to the distribution of 1,000 pre-tuned radios, the manager of Radio Alpha, a South African Christian station, estimates that between 5,000 and 10,000 additional people are now able to regularly listen to its programming. "Every day people ask us about the radios," he says. "When we have to tell them that the radios are gone, they are very disappointed." (HCJB World Radio)

FREE BOOKLET: Order your own copy of HCJB World Radio's new 20-page booklet, "God Keeps Opening Doors," by e-mailing your name and mailing address to doors@hcjb.org. You'll also receive a free bookmark.
 
 Pronásledování v rodině v Etiopii.
   (Religion Today) - Pro svou víru byl 20. června svými rodnými bratry a příbuznými zbit holemi a sekerou 28letý etiopský křesťan Mehret a ponechán jako mrtvý. Podle zdrojů blízkých Voice of Martyrs se k útoku připojila i vlastní matka napadeného. K napadení došlo v obci Gimjabet Mariam. Poté, co Mehreta zbili do bezvědomí, nechali ho být v domnění, že je již mrtev, zcela zničili jeho dům a jeho majetek rozkradli. Mehret hodinu ležel na ulici, načež jej místní křesťané odvezli do nemocnice. Dosud je v lékařské péči a jeho žena a dvě děti se skrývají u jedné křesťanské rodiny. Ti, kdo na Mehreta zaútočili, jsou členy etiopské pravoslavné církve, která je údajně vůči konvertitům k evangelijní církvi často nesnášenlivá.
 
 Vězněný pákistánský křesťan napaden v cele.
   (Compass) - Ředitel křesťanské střední školy uvězněný před 15 měsíci pákistánskými úřady pro údajné rouhačství proti islámu byl napaden ve spánku ve své cele. Než se 34letý Pervaiz Masih úplně probudil, byl dvakrát udeřen do hlavy jiným vězněm. Pak se začal bránit a přivolal vězeňské dozorce. 6. července to potvrdila organizace zabývající se ochranou lidských práv křesťanů. Podle Centra pro právní pomoc a narovnání (CLAAS) Masih 17. června spal, když jej spoluvězeň napadl. Začal jej bít a skleněným střepem jej v obličeji poranil do krve. Také trhal Masihovu Bibli a jiné křesťanské materiály v cele, než dozorci zasáhli. Detaily tohoto napadení vyšly najevo teprve před třemi dny, při stání u soudu ve městě Daska, kde se jeho soudní případ projednával. Po mnohaměsíčních odkladech konečně místní policie dodala spisový materiál ke stání 6. července. Ale pro nepřítomnost předsedajícího soudce Chalida Bašira nebude soudní řízení pokračovat dříve, než 20. července.
 
 Zprávy jednou větou.
   Dívka, kvůli které se projednává otázka školního slibu věrnosti, sama chodí do kostela.

Ukázalo se, že stížnost na Slib věrnosti [vlajce USA] před Bohem, který se odříkává v amerických školách, podal otec dívky, který z dcery chce mít ateistku, zatímco dívka i její matka jej od tohoto kroku zrazovaly. Obě chodí do kostela, rodiče vedou spor o poručnictví.

Uzbecká policie brzdí aktivity extrémistů.

Postihováni jsou především extrémističtí muslimové, ale horko je i křesťanům.

Křesťané zápolí s biblickým přístupem k AIDS.

V církvi se stále vyskytuje jak nezájem o tuto nemoc vyvěrající z extrémní hříšnosti, tak usilovný boj s jejími devastujícími účinky.

11. září přibrzdilo krátkodobé misijní pobyty.

Ve srovnání s loňským létem je letos málo krátkodobých misií, často studentských, jelikož američtí rodiče se obávají dovolit svým studujícím dětem pracovat o prázdninách v rizikových oblastech na Božím díle.
 
 Celé dnešní zpravodajství v nezkrácené anglické verzi
   

PERSECUTION STRIKES CLOSE TO HOME IN ETHIOPIA

On June 20, Mehret, a 28-year-old believer in Ethiopia, was severely beaten with sticks and an axe, and left for dead by his brothers and relatives because of his faith. According to a source for The Voice of the Martyrs, even his own mother joined in the attack, which took place in Gimjabet Mariam. After beating him unconscious, they left him for dead and then completely destroyed his house and stole his belongings. After lying on the road for an hour, Mehret was taken to the hospital by local Christians. He is still under medical care, and his wife and two children are being sheltered by a Christian family. Those who assaulted Mehret are members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, which reportedly has often been unsympathetic toward those who convert to evangelical Christianity. (Religion Today)

JAILED PAKISTANI CHRISTIAN ATTACKED IN HIS CELL

A Christian high school principal jailed 15 months ago by Pakistan authorities for alleged blasphemy against Islam has been attacked while asleep in his cell. Pervaiz Masih, 34, was struck twice in the head by another inmate before he awakened enough to wrestle with his attacker and call the jail guards, a Christian human rights advocacy group in Lahore confirmed on July 6. According to the Center for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS), Masih was asleep on the night of June 17 when another inmate attacked him. His assailant started beating him, drawing blood when he struck him in the face with a sharp fragment of glass. He also tore Masih's Bible and other Christian materials in his cell before prison guards intervened. Details on the attack against Masih were only learned three days ago, when he was brought before the Daska Additional and Sessions Court for a hearing on his case. After months of delay, the local police finally submitted their prosecution brief on his case at the July 6 hearing. But in the absence of presiding Justice Khalid Bashir, the trial was continued until July 20. (Compass)

GIRL WHO FILED PLEDGE CASE A 'CHURCHGOING CHRISTIAN'

A report in WorldNetDaily suggests that it is really Michael Newdow, the father of the 8-year-old girl who filed a complaint against the Pledge of Allegiance, who has a problem with the words, "Under God." The claim showed the girl was "injured" when forced to say the pledge. But, according to WorldNetDaily, the child and her mother are Christians who regularly attend Calvary Chapel. The church's pastor, Chuck Smith, reportedly commented during his Sunday radio program that mother and daughter "pleaded with the father not to file the case." Newdow said he was raising his daughter as an atheist, but admitted that the girl voluntarily says the pledge along with her classmates. According to WorldNetDaily, court records indicate Newdow is in a custody battle with the girl's mother. They currently share custody. (Religion Today)

UZBEKISTAN POLICY SEEMS TO BE CURBING EXTREMIST ACTIVITY

It appears Uzbekistan's tough policy toward religious extremism is curbing extremist activity. Uzbekistan's secular government has been strongly criticized by human rights groups for widespread violations amid its crackdown. Although Islamic groups were targeted, evangelistic Christians have also felt the heat. Bible Mission International's Paul Hagelgamns says believers were ready. "Churches, during the last year, really prepared themselves for working under the new laws. But, limitations don't mean (less) possibility for activities that churches are doing." Hagelgamns says the church continues to work, in spite of the threat. "We are very active; we really believe that (by) the year 2005, it is our vision, our prayer and our desire (to see) that we will have 300 new churches planted in an area where no one evangelical church exists." (Mission Network News)

CHRISTIANS WRESTLE WITH A BIBLICAL RESPONSE TO AIDS

Do Christians keep a wary distance from the AIDS issue because they think the disease is rooted in sinful behavior, or are believers at the forefront of outreach and care? This week thousands of researchers, advocates, Christian workers, and government and community representatives are wrestling with that question and more at the 14th International AIDS Conference in Barcelona, Spain. According to ASSIST News Service, Dr. Peter Piot, UNAIDS Executive Director challenged the group of approximately 14,000 to mobilize political commitment, scale up AIDS prevention and treatment, eliminate stigma, develop a vaccine and find $10 billion to fight the disease. The conference comes days after UNAIDS released new figures that reveal the AIDS epidemic is still in its early phase and shows no sign of leveling off in the hardest hit countries. The report warns that AIDS is erasing decades of development and cutting life expectancies by nearly half in the most affected areas. Some 45 million people are infected with HIV-AIDS, almost half of which live in Sub-Saharan Africa. Three million are children younger than 15. Last year, five million people were newly infected with HIV, and three million died of AIDS, according to ASSIST. Last year World Magazine reported that while rates of infection may be declining in the West, AIDS in Africa "is on a rocket-like trajectory. More than 22 million Africans are infected with HIV, the virus that leads to AIDS, compared to 1.5 million Americans." (Religion Today)

SEPT. 11 PUTS DAMPER ON SHORT-TERM MISSIONS TRIPS

While the terrorist attacks on the U.S. happened nearly 10 months ago, mission organizations are feeling the effects now. Summertime is when many youth groups head overseas on short-term mission trips. However, Evangelism Explosion's Sandy Nicolosi says teams were hard to find this summer. "Parents are afraid that the world is too dangerous a place to let their children travel. I think they're afraid of letting them go and fly. Economically, I think that there are not funds out there like there used to be. The economy is not like it was last summer. We've had some people say that they've had trouble raising the money." While many Youth Evangelism Explosion clinics are on hold Nicolosi she believes next year will be different. "We've already talked to many churches. Many youth pastors and youth leaders are saying they want to do a trip in 2003. I think it will be the biggest year ever for foreign mission trips." (Mission Network News)

FREE BOOKLET:

Order your own copy of HCJB World Radio's new 20-page booklet, "God Keeps Opening Doors," by e-mailing your name and mailing address to doors@hcjb.org. You'll also receive a free bookmark.
 
 Turecká bezpečnostní policie uzavřela protestantský kostel
   Turecká bezpečnostní policie nařídila protestantskému sboru, který funguje již 40 let v jihovýchodním přístavním městě Iskenderun, aby do poloviny června uzavřel současnou modlitebnu, protože činnost sboru „není právně v pořádku“ a je společensky škodlivá. 71letý pastor Yusuf Yasmin dostal oficiální písemný pokyn bezpečnostní policie provincie Hatay, aby téhož dne do 5 hodin odpoledne z budovy sejmul označení sboru a oznámení o pravidelných bohoslužbách. Kopie pokynu, kterou obdržela organizace Compass obsahuje odůvodnění, že sbor „podněcuje náboženskou a sektářskou diskriminaci, škodí dervišským řádům, náboženství a národnímu cítění. Tím může přispívat k trestné činnosti ohrožující společnost.“ Tento pokyn podepsaný okresním bezpečnostním náčelníkem Salih Gokalpem obsahuje i sdělení, že umístění modlitebny není v souladu s městským územním plánem, a že náboženská výuka všeho druhu nemůže být v budově povolena bez jasného svolení Ministerstva školství. Křesťanský sbor se ve stávající budově posledních sedm let scházel bez námitek tureckých úřadů. Yasmin a většina členů sboru odhadovanému na 80-90 účastníků nedělního shromáždění jsou turečtí občané z různých křesťanských místních etnik. Protestantský sbor se k bohoslužbám schází od roku 1963, i když původní místo shromáždění bylo v roce 1970 strženo. Později se sbor 25 let scházel v budovách místní Arménské ortodoxní církve.

*Nejnovější zprávy v originální anglické verzi jsou vždy ZDE (klikněte).
 
 Digitální technologie pomáhají misionářům v odlehlých oblastech.
   (Religion Today) - V souladu s narůstající pohyblivostí misií mnoho zahraničních i domácích misionářů vyměňuje své papírové knihy za elektronická média. Díky laptopům si mohou misionáři brát s sebou stovky a tisíce různých pomocných biblických textů na velmi vzdálená místa, a přitom jim stačí obyčejný kufřík. Nemusejí se obávat příplatků za těžká zavazadla v letadlech, elektronické texty neplesniví, nevlhnou, ani nemohou být v tranzitním prostoru ukradeny. Přitom mohou být snadno přenášeny, jakmile jednou byly digitalizovány. Vzdálené misie nyní mohou knihy získat skoro okamžitě buď z CD, nebo stažením z internetu. Doug Highby z Wycliffe Bible Translators získal příhodnou pomůcku pro svou překladatelskou činnost v Mali v západní Africe. Krátkovlnnou vysílačkou mu bylo sděleno přístupové heslo k potřebným dokumentům. Tak se nyní snadno dostane k základní digitalizované knize, nemusí už zajíždět do Timbuktu. Highby o tom řekl, že „kniha mu pomohla v nesnázích a nyní je úsek knihy Genesis obsahující Abrahamův život již k dostání.“ Velmi pomáhají i výkonné vyhledávače umožňující projít za pár sekund tisíce svazků a tak potřebnou informaci vypátrat rychleji a lépe, než prohlížením papírových knih. Je to jako mít vlastního dokumentaristu, který by hledal po celé knihovně, každou knihu otevřel na potřebné stránce a našel správný odstavec. Knihy v digitální podobě posunují tuto misijní práci do čela technologií … je bez časových prodlev, ke kterým by jinak zákonitě muselo docházet. Misionáře používající digitální knihovny již netíží staré břemeno dopravy knih spojené s jejich hmotností, objemem, regionálními dovozními omezeními, ani nemusejí počítat s vlivem tropické vlhkosti.
 
 Zprávy jednou větou.
   Výuka angličtiny pomáhá evangelizaci v Angole.

Podle Open Doors čím větší je slovní zásoba žáků, tím lépe jsou schopni mluvit o svých tělesných i duchovních potřebách a tím více se pak s nimi jejich učitelé mohou dělit o lásku Pána Ježíše.

Boj proti terorizmu zvyšuje náboženskou otevřenost v armádě USA.

I když agresivita mezi vojáky vyprovokovaná teroristickými útoky příliš neustupuje, maj. Grant Johnson, armádní kaplan, říká: „Vojáci nyní začínají lépe vidět, že Ten, kdo jim může přinést opravdovou radost, je Bůh.“

Církev na Taiwanu hledá cesty do duše venkovanů.

Na semináři Presbyteriánské církve v Pingtungu byly probírány tradiční venkovské lidové [pohanské] obřady jako svatba, pohřeb a otázka chování se křesťanů při nich.

Výroční americké „Setkávání u vlajkového stožáru“ bude 18. září.

13. výroční sejití americké mládeže i dospělých u školních stožárů s americkými vlajkami spojené s modlitbami pod širým nebem bude 18. září. Modlitby bývají zaměřeny na potřeby školy. Tradice byla zahájena v Texasu v roce 1990.
 
 Celé dnešní zpravodajství v anglickém jazyce.
   TURKISH SECURITY POLICE SHUT DOWN PROTESTANT CHURCH

Turkish security police ordered a Protestant Christian congregation meeting for 40 years in the southeastern port city of Iskenderun to close its doors in mid June, declaring the church had "no legal basis" and that its activities were harmful to society. Pastor Yusuf Yasmin, 71, was served official notice by the security police of Hatay province to close and stop all activities of the New Testament Church in Iskenderun. The abrupt two-page order was dated and delivered on June 14 to Yasmin, who was ordered to remove the church sign and list of worship services from the building by 5 p.m. the same day. According to a copy of the directive obtained by Compass, the church was ordered to close "because your activities will incite religious, sectarian and dervish-order discrimination; will harm religious and national feelings; and will create offense in the society." Signed by District Security Director Salih Gokalp, the order declared that the church's location had not been approved in the municipal zoning plan and that no religious or other private education of any kind could be allowed on the premises without the express permission of the Ministry of Education. The church has met in its current location for the past seven years without previous complaints from the Turkish authorities. Yasmin and the majority of his congregation, averaging 80 to 90 worshippers at Sunday services, are Turkish citizens from a variety of ethnic Christian backgrounds. The Protestant church has met for worship in the city since 1963, although after its original place of worship was torn down in 1970, the congregation met in the church facilities of the local Armenian Orthodox Church for 25 years. (Compass)

ENGLISH CLASSES OPEN DOORS FOR OUTREACH IN ANGOLA

English classes are proving an excellent way to reach out to people in Angola. Operation Mobilization's teams are finding that the more vocabulary they teach, the more the students are able to communicate their physical and spiritual needs, which, in turn, allows team members to share the love of Christ. However, the ministry in this troubled African nation is being held up by the lack of resources. A container of supplies is currently held up in customs. (Mission Network News)

WAR ON TERRORISM INCREASES OPENNESS TO GOSPEL AMONG MILITARY

Military ministers say the war on terrorism has resulted in greater openness to gospel. People are "less enticed with the things of this world" since Sept. 11, says Maj. Grant Johnson, an Army chaplain endorsed by the Chaplaincy Full Gospel Churches in Dallas and stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas. "The soldiers are starting to realize that the thing that could really make them happy is God." Though many are not seeking as aggressively as they were in the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks, they are "still in that looking stage," says Paul Steward, a U.S. Air Force chaplain. Chaplain Maj. Thomas Solhjem said he recently led a U.S. Army Ranger to Christ before he was deployed to Afghanistan. "He opened his heart to me," recalls Solhjem. (Charisma News Service)

TAIWAN CHURCH EXPLORES CHRISTIAN ATTITUDES TO FOLK RELIGION

The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan's Pingtung Presbytery held a seminar on Taiwan folk religion wedding and funeral practices last month to discuss how Christians should best approach traditional Taiwanese ceremonies, Taiwan Church News reported. When it comes to weddings and funerals, the Christian faith and folk religion are often at odds. For example, many Christians do not know whether it is appropriate to hold a stick of incense at the funeral of a relative or friend who was not a Christian. The seminar in Wan-tan Church addressed these issues. Rev Wu Chia-lin said the church must be more clear about its attitudes when facing the questions of believers about folk religion. The church has taken too many attitudes from Western practice and has not understood the background of the many ceremonies from Taiwan's folk traditions. The result has often been rejection of local culture, he said. Wu urged participants to study their Bibles to understand how to confess their faith in the modern world. (Council for World Mission)

ANNUAL 'SEE YOU AT THE POLE' SET FOR SEPTEMBER 18

Lifting up prayers for America, its leaders and its youth, students throughout the U.S. will join together around their school flagpoles on Wednesday, September 18, for the 13th annual See You at the Pole (SYATP), a grass roots prayer event that began in Texas in 1990. Students will gather around their school flagpoles at 7 a.m. During the past 12 years, millions of young people have lifted voices, bended knees and joined hands to pray for their schools as part of See You at the Pole-National Day of Student Prayer, asking God to bring moral and spiritual awakening to their campuses and their countries. (SYATP)

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY HELPS MISSIONARIES IN REMOTE LOCATIONS

In a growing trend toward mobility in ministry, many foreign and domestic missionaries are trading in their paper books for eBooks. With today's small laptops, missionaries bring hundreds or thousands of reference works to far-flung places using only their carry-on luggage. They don't have to pay high airfreight charges, the books don't get moldy or wet or stolen in transit and can be easily transported once on the ground. Missionaries stationed in remote locations can get new books almost instantly by unlocking them from CDs or downloading them from the Internet. Doug Higby of Wycliffe Bible Translators received timely assistance with his translation work in Mali, West Africa. By using a shortwave radio to download unlock codes, he gained rapid access to an essential book, literally saving a trip to Timbuktu. Higby said of the book, "It helped me through that hard spot, and now the portion of Genesis on the life of Abraham is currently at the print shop." What is more, powerful software searches hundreds or even thousands of books in just seconds, providing better and quicker results than hunting through paper books for relevant information. It's like having a personal research assistant to search your entire library and open each book to the right page and paragraph. When it comes to digital books, missionaries are ahead of the technology curve ... not lagging behind as some people might expect. Missionaries using digital libraries avoid the age-old encumbrances associated with transporting a library: weight, bulk, import restrictions and the humidity of a tropical climate. (Religion Today)
 
 Nedostatek základních svobod se váže na nízký celkový vývoj společnosti.
   (Adventist News Network) - Zpráva OSN z minulého týdne o vývoji populace v arabských zemích ukazuje, že tyto země postrádají základní svobody a současně jsou nedostatečně vyvinuty v základních oblastech jako jsou školství, technologie a ekonomika. Nic nezakrývající zpráva o národech 22členné Arabské Ligy s ústředím v Káhiře říká, že arabské země přinejmenším pokulhávají v oblasti osobních svobod, občanských práv a svobody tisku. Vyplývá z ní rovněž, že přes polovinu arabských žen jsou analfabeti, a že účast žen při řízení státu je nejmenší na světě. Zpráva byla připravena asi 50 arabskými učenci pod vedením OSN. Rozvojový program OSN tak upozorňuje na souvislost mezi omezováním základních lidských práv a svobod a pokračujícím hospodářským zaostáváním. V porovnání s jinými regiony vykazují arabské země na konci 90. let nejnižší koeficient svobody. Podle zprávy přitom postoje arabských vlád k této otázce kolísají od jejího úplného odmítání po vykrucování se pojmy jako „řízená svoboda“. Tyto vlády také říkají, že je lépe, když sdělovací prostředky jsou „částečně svobodné.“ Pracovní produktivita je nízká a arabské regiony se vyvíjejí pomaleji, než jiné, jinak srovnatelné země.

*Nejnovější zprávy v originální anglické verzi jsou vždy ZDE (klikněte).
 
 Rusko vrací do Německa vzácná kostelní okna.
   (Religion Today) - Ruská vláda vrátila 111 středověkých oken z barevného skla německému kostelu skoro 60 let poté, co je Rudá Armáda zabavila. Německá Evangelická církev (EKD) tento čin uvítala jako „dobrou známku míru a usmíření“ v Evropě a „významný příznak křesťanské sounáležitosti“ německé a ruské pravoslavné církve. Malovaná okna nesoucí biblické výjevy od Stvoření po Soudný Den byla v Petrohradu předána německému ministru kultury Julian Nida-Ruemelinovi 24. června. Budou opět umístěna na svém původním místě v Marienkirche ve Frankfurtu nad Odrou u hranic s Polskem. Okna ze 14. století byla zabavena ruskými okupačními úřady v roce 1946. Již tři roky předtím byla německými úřady demontována a ukryta z obavy před spojeneckými nálety. Němečtí církevní představitelé jednali o jejich vrácení od roku 1990.
 
 Zprávy jednou větou.
   Milionům lidí na jihu Afriky hrozí hlad.

Podle Kelly Millera z World Concern je hladomorem ohroženo asi 13 milionů lidí v jihovýchodní Africe.

Pracovník CBI píše příručku pro mladé církevní pracovníky o AIDS.

V reakci na si 20% HIV pozitivitu obyvatel Rwandy je pro církevní pracovníky specializované na práci mezi místní mládeží vydávána příručka o AIDS - „Zvolte život“. Více na URL: http://www.cbinternational.org.

Známý křesťanský rozhlasový pracovník Paul Stevens odešel ve věku 86 let.

“Paul Stevens byl jedním neprogresívnějších a nejprozíravějších křesťanských rozhlasových pracovníků. Byl zdvořilý, vždy gentleman, ale věděl si rady s řešením nejrůznějším problémů.“ To o něm řekl jeho nástupce David Clark.

Pastor prohlašuje, že Bůh zachránil arizonské město před běsnícími plameny.

Kazatel Tony Whittal z evangelijního sboru v městečku Show Low si je jist, že lesní požár, který byl již na prahu jejich domovů, se městu vyhnul zázračným způsobem, když Bůh vyslyšel úpěnlivé modlitby místních křesťanů.
 
 Úplné dnešní zprávy v anglické verzi.
   LACK OF BASIC FREEDOMS LINKED TO SOCIAL UNDERDEVELOPMENT

A United Nations report released last week on human development in Arab countries shows that countries lacking fundamental freedoms are also likely to suffer underdevelopment in key areas, including education, technology, and the economy. The report on the Arab League's 22-member nations unveiled at the League's Cairo headquarters indicates that Arab countries are the least free in individual liberties, civil participation and press freedom. It also points out that more than half of Arab women are illiterate, and female participation in government is the lowest in the world. The report, prepared by some 50 Arab scholars under the direction of the U.N. Development Program, demonstrates the correlation between the restriction of fundamental human freedoms and continued underdevelopment. Compared to other world regions, Arab countries had the lowest freedom score in the late 1990s. The attitudes of Arab public authorities ranged from opposition to manipulation to "freedom under surveillance," according to the report. It also says the media is at best "partly free." Labor productivity has been low and is declining, and Arab countries have not developed as quickly as other comparable regions, the report notes. (Adventist News Network)

MILLIONS OF SOUTHEAST AFRICANS FACING STARVATION

Millions of people in Southeast Africa are at risk of starving if something isn't done soon. World Concern's Kelly Miller says the people of Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Angola are most at risk. "To date there are upwards of 13 million people at risk of not having enough food to eat. It's not a potential situation," said Miller. "It is already a phenomenally huge crisis ... one that needs immediate response today, tomorrow and weeks and months to come to avert a lot of death and help get people back on their feet." According to Miller, relief coupled with the gospel is the key to seeing many people turn to Christ. "Communicating the truth of the gospel obviously is needed, but if somebody is not alive, it doesn't do them a whole lot of good, so the physical care is a complete reflection of Christ and the love of God." (Mission Network News)

* In partnership with African Bible College, HCJB World Radio helped plant a Christian radio station in Lilongwe, Malawi, in 1995. The station airs programs in Chichewa and English. HCJB World Radio also helped the ministry begin a hospital and provided training, including seminars dealing with the HIV/AIDS crisis. Last year staff members from the HCJB World Radio Engineering Center in Elkhart, Ind., also installed FM transmitters at stations in two Malawian cities, Blantyre and Mzuzu. HCJB World Radio beams Kikongo Fioti programs to Angola and surrounding countries via shortwave from South America.

CBI WORKER WRITES AIDS MANUAL FOR YOUTH LEADERS

Approximately 20 percent of Rwanda's population is HIV positive. In response to this reality, a CB International worker to Rwanda, authored 'Choose Life', an AIDS education manual for youth leaders working with children 15 to 18 years old. The manual is a biblically based, interactive handbook that addresses multiple topics related to AIDS, including peer pressure, trauma, sexuality from a biblical perspective, and the medical aspects of HIV/AIDS. [http://www.cbinternational.org]. (Mission Network News)

RUSSIA RETURNS STAINED-GLASS WINDOWS TO GERMAN CHURCH

The Russian government has returned 111 medieval stained-glass windows to a German church almost six decades after the Soviet Red Army seized them. The Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) hailed the action as "a good sign for peace and reconciliation" in Europe and a "remarkable sign of the Christian fellowship" between the German church and the Russian Orthodox Church. The windows, depicting biblical scenes from Creation to Judgment Day, were handed over in St. Petersburg to German culture minister Julian Nida-Ruemelin on June 24. They will be reinstalled in their original location in the Marienkirche in Frankfurt-an-der-Oder on the German-Polish border. The 14th century windows were seized by Soviet troops who occupied the city in 1946, three years after they were dismantled and stored to prevent damage from Allied bombing. German church leaders have been negotiating their return since the early 1990s. (Religion Today)

NOTED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTER PAUL STEVENS DIES AT 86

Paul M. Stevens, the man credited with shaping the Baptist Radio and Television Commission into one of the most influential forces in religious broadcasting during his tenure as president from 1953 to 1977, died July 10. Stevens, 86, had recently suffered a major heart attack while in surgery and never fully recovered, said David Clark, who currently holds Stevens' office as president of FamilyNet Inc. and vice president for broadcast communications of the North American Mission Board (NAMB). "Paul Stevens was one of the most innovative, insightful Christian broadcasters that we have ever had," said Clark, a former National Religious Broadcasters chairman. "He was politely assertive. He was always a gentleman, but he knew how to get things done and make things happen. And we're going to miss him." The funeral will be at 10 a.m. July 13 at Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. (Baptist Press)

PASTOR SAYS GOD SPARED ARIZONA TOWN FROM RAGING WILDFIRE

The pastor of a nondenominational church in an Arizona town that was threatened last month with the largest wildfire in the state's history says God spared his community. After starting in two locations on June 18 and June 20 and burning across 468,638 acres and 732 square miles, the blaze was finally declared fully contained Sunday because of several breaks in the fire, the Associated Press reported. The wildfire, which caused at least $28 million in damage, prompted the evacuation of 30,000 people from nine communities and destroyed 467 homes. Although the blaze was on its doorstep, Show Low, home of 7,700 people, escaped the flames. Tony Whittal, who along with his wife, Dee, has led 150-member Word of Life Ministries International in Show Low for more than four years, said he called a prayer meeting on June 19, a day after the first fire broke out on an Apache Indian reservation. "We prayed the scriptures, the promises of God and for Him to take authority over this area," said Whittal, 63, who is originally from Zimbabwe, Africa. "We got an assurance that night that our homes would not be touched and this town would not be burned." Five days after it started, the fire inexplicably stopped half a mile from city limits. Luke 9:11, Word of Life's feeding ministry, whose name is based on Jesus feeding the 5,000, also helped during the crisis, serving more than 10,000 meals to police volunteers and law enforcement personnel during a 10-day period. Other congregations from Show Low and outside the area worked alongside his church. "The unity that has come out of this has been absolutely incredible," Whittal said. "Churches have joined together." (Charisma News Service)
 
 Indonézští křesťané se připravují na možné obnovení násilí.
   (Christian Aid) - Christian Aid Mission zjistila, že indonézská policie zajistila v převážně křesťanské vesnici Garua (u Tobelo) v provincii Severní Moluky důkazy o shromažďování zbraní a munice muslimy, a že hrozí obnovení útoků na křesťany v oblasti. Podle místních zdrojů Christian Aid policie 9. července objevila ukryté zbraně, trhaviny, granáty a pušky skoro v každém domě v muslimském sektoru vesnice, v křesťanském sektoru u nikoho. Policie uvěznila tři muslimy z ostrova Trenate, kteří jsou dosud ve vazbě. Ve stejný den se do oblasti z bezpečnostních důvodů přesunula vojenská jednotka. Po třech dnech se Garua stala cílem útoku jednotky džihádu na křesťany: V 6 hodin ráno současně z východu i ze západu zaútočilo 11 ozbrojenců zničili 5 domů a těžce poškodili tři další. Jeden dům sloužící uprchlíkům byl zničen, dále dva stánky a kromě toho došlo i ke drancování předtím, než policie a čerstvé vojenské jednotky z Tobelo přispěchaly a útok rozdrtily. Poté policie a armáda provedly další vyšetřování a zjistily , že stačily tři dny a muslimové své dříve zabavené zbraně stačili nahradit. Zprávy z pozdního odpoledne navíc hovořily o 20 rybářských člunech převážejících ozbrojence džihádu podél pobřeží ostrova Halmahera směrem k Tobelo, což vedlo ke vyhlášení vysoké pohotovosti.

*Nejnovější zprávy v originální anglické verzi jsou vždy ZDE (klikněte).
 
 Děsivý hinduistický oběžník proti jinověrcům.
   (Compass) - Znásilňování křesťanských žen, prodávání křesťanských dívek do nevěstinců, nabádání lékařů, aby podávali otrávené léky a vraždy všech, kdo odporují kastovnímu systému - to jsou čtyři z 34 z položek protikřesťanské taktiky uvedené v odporném tajném oběžníku indické extrémistické organizace pro vysoce postavené hinduisty - Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). S poznámkou "přečti a znič, obsah sděl dále" obíhá tento dokument s číslem 411/RO 303 11/RSS C03 pravděpodobně již dva roky. Předpokládá se, že pochází z ústředí RSS v Nagpuru ve státě Maharaštra. Byl zaslán místním organizacím RSS a svěřuje jim provádění převážně tajných činů směřujících k rozšíření Hindutva, etrémistické ideologie směřující k přeměně Indie v hinduistický stát. "Jsem ochromen skutečností, že představitelé naší země, hlásající před světem svobodu vyznání, skutečně spolupracují s organizací, která nevidí problém v zabíjení, znásilňování a trávení osob jiné víry, aby provedli své extrémistické hinduistické představy," řekl jeden pastor v Dillí. "Toto je výzva k procitnutí církve. Nemůžeme přijmout vysvětlení, že jde jen o spontánní, snad jen trochu přehnanou obranu několika hinduistů proti útočné evangelizaci. Jde o plánovitou zhoubu vycházející z podstaty hinduistického extrémizmu, navíc dlouhodobě plánovanou." Indický premiér Atal Behari Vajpayee i jeho náměstek Lal Krišna Advani zastávají čelní místa v RSS, která má 750.000 členů a která má rozhodující vliv na řadu dalších organizací hinduistických extrémistů a i na vládnoucí politickou stranu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Čtyřstránkový oběžník stručnou a výstižnou formou vyzývá k teroru proti menšinám, nízkým kastám, muslimům a křesťanům. Jsou uvedeny konkrétní postupy včetně fyzického násilí. Jeho rozsah není omezován na tradiční výtržnosti, znásilňování a vraždy. Článek 4 vyzývá k vyhledávání lékařů ochotných poškozovat novorozeňata tak, aby u nich docházelo k trvalým postižením.
 
 Zprávy jednou větou.
   Malajsie uzákoňuje trest smrti pro muslimy za změnu vyznání.

Podle zákona, který prošel 8. července bude každý malajsijský konvertita od islámu potestán smrtí.

Latinskoamerický misijní plán přenesen do Indie.

Forma misie, kde se uplatňují zvláště ženy a která se již desetiletí úspěšně rozvíjí v Latinské Americe, se nyní uplatňuje i v Indii. Svědectví je založeno na osobním svědectví žen od domu k domu a na lékařské péči.

Podle amerického Senátu je situace v Súdánu vážná.

Asi 1.7 milionu Súdánců hrozí hladomor. Pomoc ze zahraničí je možná, žábou na prameni je ale křesťanům nepřející súdánská vláda.

Modlitby vedou k modlitbám - pokus ve Phoenixu.

Na žádost místního pastora byly podle telefonního seznamu vytvořeny dvě náhodně vybrané skupiny lidí po 80 osobách, které o ničem nevěděly. Za prvních 80 se pak členové sboru ve Phoenixu denně 90 dnů jmenovitě modlili, za druhé ne. Následně byla telefonickým dotazováním zjišťována ochota osob z obou těchto skupin vyslechnout si křesťanskou modlitbu za ně. Byl zjištěn vysoký rozdíl mezi oběma skupinami ve prospěch těch, kterých se předchozí modlitby týkaly.
 
 Všechny dnešní zprávy v anglické verzi.
   INDONESIAN CHRISTIANS BRACE FOR RENEWED ATTACKS

Christian Aid Mission learned Thursday that Indonesian police searches in the village of Garua near Tobelo, a predominantly Christian city in North Maluku Province, reveal that Muslims are caching arms and munitions and a renewed attack against Christians in the region is feared. According to Christian Aid's contact in the region, police searches on July 9 disclosed weapons, bombs, grenades or rifles in nearly every home in the Muslim sector of the community. None were found in the Christian community. Police arrested three Muslims from Ternate Island, who are still being held. The same day the East Java military unit Brawijaya 512 moved into Garua to secure the area. Three days later the town of Garua had become the launching site for a renewed jihad attack against the Christian community. At 6 a.m. on July 11 attackers came simultaneously from the east and west, destroying five homes and severely damaging three others in Garua. One refugee barrack was destroyed, two kiosks were damaged, and a number of other places were looted before the police and military from Tobelo were able to squash the attack. After the attack was quelled, police and military from Tobelo conducted a new search and discovered that in just three days the Muslim residents had been able to rearm themselves. Late afternoon reports stated that 20 fishing vessels carrying jihad fighters had been sighted traveling north along the coast of Halmahera Island towards Tobelo, prompting a state of high alert. (Christian Aid)

MALAYSIAN STATE RULES CONVERTS FACE DEATH SENTENCE

Under legislation passed in a Malaysian state July 8, any Muslim who converts to Christianity or any other faith faces death, CNSNews.com reported Tuesday. The "offender" is given three days to repent for renouncing Islam. Failure to do so will result in execution, with all property to be forfeited and held in public trust. This is just one of the controversial provisions of a bill approved by lawmakers in Terengganu state, which is governed by a radical Islamic party. Others provisions provide for the amputation of a right hand for theft, stoning to death for adultery, execution followed by crucifixion for robbery in which the victim in killed, and lashes for drinking alcohol. The party governing Terengganu, Parti Islam se-Malaysia (PAS), wants to turn one of the world's more moderate Muslim countries into a state under Islamic sharia law, which already exists in Malaysia but it is limited to non-criminal matters such as divorce. Although it holds power only in two of Malaysia's 13 states, PAS also is the official opposition in the federal parliament, where its representation tripled in a 1999 election. It remains far behind Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's UMNO-led coalition. (Baptist Press)

'FRIGHTENING' HINDU CIRCULAR TARGETS OTHER RELIGIONS

Raping Christian women during riots, selling Christian girls into the flesh trade, recruiting doctors to dispense poisoned drugs and assassinating anti-caste activists -- these are only four of 34 anti-Christian tactics recommended in a chilling and confidential circular from India's elite Hindu extremist organization, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). With instructions that "this paper is to be burned and destroyed after passing these instructions along," the undated RSS circular, numbered 411/RO 303 11/RSS C03, is believed to have been in circulation for two years and originates from the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, Maharashtra state. Sent to local RSS operatives, it recommends a series of mostly illegal tactics to spread "Hindutva," the extremist ideology that demands India become a Hindu state. "It frightens me that the leaders of our country, while telling the world they respect freedom of religion, are really working for an organization that has no problem killing, raping and poisoning those of other religions to advance their agenda of Hindu extremism," said a pastor in New Delhi. "This is a wake-up call to the church. We cannot argue that persecution is just a spontaneous over-reaction of a few Hindus to over-aggressive evangelism, but it is a carefully planned chaos originating from the Hindu extremists themselves, with the long-term implications all worked out." Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani are both leading members of the 750,000-member RSS, which directs the many other organizations that serve the Hindu extremist agenda, including the governing political party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The four-page circular, in the form of a memo, calls for a terror campaign to be waged against tribals, Backward castes, Muslims and Christians. Detailed instructions are given that include violence. Yet the violence is not confined to riots, rape, or assassination. Almost incredibly, Article 4 calls for doctors to be recruited and induced to inject newborn Christian babies with diseases that will handicap them. (Compass)

LATIN AMERICA MISSION PROJECT TRANSPLANTED TO INDIA

An evangelism project that has seen great success for the past 50 years in Latin America has recently been introduced to India. Latin America Mission's Ken MacHarg reports that "Evangelism-in-Depth" was begun by LAM using door-to-door evangelism, medical caravans and other methods that involve the entire community over a long period of time. Now, these biblical principles are being used in India. Following its introduction last year, one pastor reported a 50 percent increase in attendance as church members have begun sharing their faith with family and friends. Many in India report success with "Evangelism-In-Depth" through women evangelists. Male evangelists are often persecuted in Indian villages, but the society respects women and will not openly hassle them. Also, women have more openings to Indian homes as men usually go out to work while women stay home during the day. (Mission Network News)

'THE SITUATION IN SUDAN IS URGENT,' SENATE PANEL TOLD

An estimated 1.7 million Sudanese are at risk of famine and disease as humanitarian access is denied to aid agencies in large portions of southern Sudan, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) reported Thursday to a U.S. Senate panel. The government in Sudan's capital city of Khartoum -- at civil war with southern Sudanese seeking the right to cultural, religious and political freedom -- bears the greatest responsibility for the lack of access, the relief agency reported. "If the current humanitarian crisis continues to deteriorate we could see a situation as devastating as the famine of 1998 in which an estimated 70,000 people died," said Paul Townsend, CRS Country Representative for Sudan, who presented testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs. "The situation in Sudan is urgent." Townsend called on members of Congress to encourage that U.S. policy in Sudan make humanitarian issues a clear priority in the ongoing negotiations with the Khartoum government. "The United States and the United Nations must ensure unimpeded humanitarian access to all at-risk populations," Townsend said. CRS noted that the Khartoum government has ignored the humanitarian protections afforded in the emergency relief effort dubbed Operation Lifeline Sudan (OLS), established by the warring parties and the U.N. in the late 1980s. Khartoum consistently restricts access to innocent southern Sudanese civilians in need by denying approval of relief flights and by obstructing the delivery of essential aid and services through other bureaucratic barriers, CRS reported. (Assist News Service)

PRAYER PREPARES FOR PRAYER IN PHOENIX EXPERIMENT

Mission America reports the pastor of a Christian church in Phoenix, Ariz., asked the members of his church to randomly choose 80 people from the telephone book. He then asked them to pray for each of the 80 names every day for 90 days. At the same time, he asked them to choose another 80 names from the telephone book -- but this second list was simply laid aside, and nobody prayed for the people on the list. After 90 days, church members called all 160 people on the lists, asking them whether they would allow Christians to visit them to pray for them. "The amazing result," says Alvin VanderGriend, speaker of the American Lighthouse movement, "was this: only one person on the list of people who did not receive prayer was prepared to allow Christians to visit, whereas 69 of the 80 people for whom the church members prayed were prepared to allow Christians to visit, and 45 even invited them into their house, offered coffee and named special prayer requests. Prayer was clearly the decisive factor causing these people to open their houses for personal prayer," he says. (FridayFax)
 

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