Zprávy HCJB 8.9.2002 - 14.9.2002

 OVĚŘOVÁNÍ BIBLICKÉHO PŘEKLADU NA PAPUA-NOVÁ GUINEA SE STALO VELKÝM SVĚDECTVÍM.
   (Christian Aid Mission) - Pokusné předčítání již hotové části překládané Bible velmi zapůsobilo v jedné vesnici na Papua-Nová Guinea. Toto léto misionář Duncan pověřený Biblickou překladatelskou společností na Papua-Nová Guinea odjel do oblasti Miniafia, aby ověřil kvalitu překladů listů Galatským a Efezským, které dva papuánští věřící právě dokončili. „Během tohoto zkušebního období jsem viděl a cítil moc Boží, která na nás byla vylita,“ řekl Duncan. „Velebil jsem Boha za tyto místní lidi, že přišli, aby trávili svůj volný čas nasloucháním překladu Písma a odpovídáním na mé dotazy. Bůh usvědčil jak posluchače, tak předčítající. Všichni přítomní vyznali, že jsou jako ti Galatští a Efezští, kterým apoštol Pavel píše o tom, jak vést řádný život. Vyjádřili přesvědčení, že Bůh skutečně mluví k obyvatelům Miniafia jejich vlastním jazykem.“ Když byla kontrola překladu hotova, obyvatelé se shromáždili a vyjadřovali svou podporu další práci na překladu celého Nového Zákona. (Na Papua Nová Guinea se používá několik set různých jazyků. Celostátní dorozumívací řečí je pindžinizovaná angličtina - pozn. překl.).

*Personál technického ústředí HCJB v Elkhartu v Indianě společně s místními spolupracovníky v Port Moresby na Papua-Nová Guinea pracují na výstavbě satelitní rozhlasové sítě s nejméně 32 místními pozemními vysílači (převaděči). První převaděč začně vysílat v Port Moresby v lednu. Společně s Wycliffe Bible Translators HCJB World Radio pomohlo zprovoznit křesťanskou FM stanici v Kitai v roce 1996.

*Nejnovější zprávy v originální anglické verzi jsou vždy ZDE (klikněte).

 
  PRÁCE NA PŘEKLADU BIBLE V PAPUA NOVÉ GUINEI „MOCNÝ SVĚDEK“
   Mocným svědectvím se stalo čtení z Bible, která je postupně překládána, v jedné vesnici v Papua Nové Guinei. Letos v létě cestoval do oblasti Miniafia misionář,který se jmenuje Duncan z Asociace překladu Bible pro Novou Guineu, aby zjistil, jak dopadla práce na překladu Galatským a Efezským, která byla dokončena dvěma místními věřícími. „Během našich kontrolních setkání jsem viděl i cítil Boží moc a Jeho posvěcení,“ řekl Duncan. „Chválím Boha za tyto lidi, kteří přišli, aby poslouchali, zatímco členové komise četli Písmo a odpovídali na mé otázky. Bůh tak oslovil jak posluchače, tak i členy komise. Všichni kdo byli přítomni, vyznali, že jsou jako Galatští a Efezští, kterým Pavel dopis adresoval a radil jim, jak žít ve zbožnosti. Vyjádřili své pocity, že Bůh skutečně mluví k obyvatelům Miniafie v jejich vlastním jazyce.“ Když skončilo čtení, lidé z Miniafie se shromáždili a vyjádřili svou podporu další práci na překladu celého Nového zákona. (Christian Aid Mission)
 
 VŠECHNY DNEŠNÍ ZPRÁVY V ANGLIČTINĚ.
   CENTRAL ASIAN NATION INVITES MISSIONARIES TO INSTALL COMPUTERS

A Central Asian country has asked Bible Mission International and Greater Europe Mission to help computerize their schools. "This is something the government came to us to request," says Bible Mission's Mark Reimschisel. "There are about 4 million children in this country's school system. This project will give us a great opportunity to provide them with some educational help and then also to touch their lives with the gospel." The ministries plan to start with 1,000 computers this fall. "We're asking computer suppliers and dealers if they would be willing to participate," he says. The ministries expect to get the first learning center installed and running in October. (Mission Network News)

TWR LAUNCHES RADIO PROGRAMS TO 2 UNREACHED GROUPS IN ANGOLA

Although a recently signed peace accord has brought calmness and relative stability to war-ravaged Angola, two people groups in the country's southeastern agricultural region remain isolated because thousands of landmines are still buried in the desolate soil. As a result, travel is too dangerous for pastors, evangelists or missionaries to visit the Kuanyama and Luvale peoples. But the embers of hope still flicker as missionary radio brings the good news. Trans World Radio (TWR) recently began airing daily 15-minute programs in the Kuanyama and Luvale languages from its transmitting site in Swaziland. About 1.1 million Kuanyama-speaking people live in two southern provinces of Angola and northern Namibia. Those who speak Luvale are concentrated in central-eastern Angola and in Zambia. Airing programs in these two new languages is part of TWR's commitment in a 17-year partnership called World by Radio involving major international Christian broadcasters such as HCJB World Radio, Far East Broadcasting Co., FEBA Radio, SIM, Words of Hope and Back to the Bible. The ministries are working together to put Christian radio programs on the air in all of the world's major languages-those with at least 1 million speakers. (Religion Today)

MALDIVES 'ISLAND PARADISE' CAN BE NIGHTMARE FOR CHRISTIANS

The Maldive Islands southwest of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean may be dream islands for vacationers, but for Christians they are anything but a paradise. There is no religious freedom for anyone who is not an adherent of Islam. The International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) recently criticized President Maumoom Abdul Gayoom for his restrictive religious policies. Gayoom, who has ruled the country since 1978, insists that no other religion is permissible and no churches are allowed. Of the 286,000 inhabitants, there are an estimated 600 Christians. To cater to the 400,000 tourists each year, about 20,000 expatriate workers are employed, some of them non-Muslims. They may only practice their religion in private, but native converts to Christianity lose their citizenship and risk detention and torture. Walter Flick, ISHR's officer for religious affairs, urges Christian tourists to avoid visiting the Maldives unless the country's religious restrictions change. The country draws 80 percent of its foreign income from tourism. (Evangelical News Agency IDEA)

EVANGELISTS IN NEPAL RISK ALL TO SPREAD GOSPEL MESSAGE

The Himalayan nation of Nepal is one of the most picturesque places on earth. But behind its natural beauty is an ugliness experienced by many Christians -- especially those who attempt to win converts to Christ. A law passed in 1992 states that anyone found converting someone from one religion to another could be imprisoned for up to six years. Vidyah Sharma is an evangelist who defies the law, preaching the gospel among Nepal's Maoist rebels. In more than six years of fighting, an estimated 10,000 Maoists have been engaged in an armed struggle with the Nepalese government, leaving hundreds of people dead. Sharma says he has won many Maoists to Christ, including a commander. Angered by his efforts, Maoists bombed Sharma's home last year, beat his parents and shot and killed his 22-year-old brother, Mahesh. "At first I wanted to kill the men who murdered my brother," says Sharma. "But then I prayed, and the Holy Spirit calmed me and brought me peace." Another example is Chatra, a former Hindu priest who first learned about Christ after reading the Koran. His search to learn led him to read the Bible where he attempted to discover Jesus' weaknesses. "But I couldn't find any," says Chatra. "Instead, I discovered my own weaknesses and learned that I was a sinner." Chatra embraced Christ and has since led seven Hindu priests to Christianity. He and his family have been threatened by radical Hindus, and Chatra is constantly on the run to avoid prosecution. In spite of the hardships, the numbers of Nepalese believers has reached and estimated 500,000. (Voice of the Martyrs)

BIBLE TRANSLATION WORK IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA 'POWERFUL WITNESS' The trial reading of a Bible translation in process became a powerful witness in a Papua New Guinea village. This summer a missionary named Duncan with the Bible Translation Association of Papua New Guinea traveled to a Miniafia-area village to check the translation of Galatians and Ephesians which had been completed by two local believers. "During our checking sessions, I saw and felt God's power and anointing poured on us," Duncan said. "I praise God for those people who came to spend their time just listening while committee members read the Scriptures and answered my questions. God convicted both the listeners and the committee itself. All who were present confessed that they were like the Galatians and Ephesians to whom the apostle Paul wrote, instructing them how to live a godly life. They expressed their feeling that God was truly talking to the Miniafia people in their own language." After the checking was completed, the Miniafia people gathered and pledged their support for the ongoing work of translating the entire New Testament. (CHRISTIAN AID MISSION)

* Staff members from the HCJB World Radio Engineering Center in Elkhart, Ind., are working with partners in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, to design and build a satellite radio network with at least 32 outlets planned. The first outlet went on the air in Port Moresby in January. Together with Wycliffe Bible Translators, HCJB World Radio also helped plant a Christian FM radio station in Kitai in 1996.

CHRISTIAN RADIO OUTREACH IN PHILIPPINES SPARKS BIBLE SEMINARS

A Christian radio ministry is the catalyst for Bible study in the Philippines. Far East Broadcasting Co. (FEBC) has aired Chuck Swindoll's "Insight for Living" in the country since 1987. FEBC has been holding "Cutting Edge Seminars" at churches throughout the Philippines where special speakers give a gospel message and teach the Scriptures to the Filipino people." Insight for Living spokesman Rolla Goodyear says the training is having an impact on evangelism. "There is more willingness of the people to be bold in their faith and to share with their family, friends and neighbors," he says. "Because of the extremist Muslim population there, it is a challenge for the people." (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.

 
 PAKISTÁNŠTÍ KŘESŤANÉ SE MAJÍ „CHRÁNIT SAMI“
    Bezprostředně po dalších dvou smrtonosných teroristických útocích proti křesťanským institucím v Pákistánu na začátku srpna, vládní bezpečnostní úřady radí místním církevním vůdcům, aby se sami ozbrojili na ochranu proti možným útokům muslimských extrémistů. „Tím nám říkají, ‚My vás chránit nemůžeme. Budete se muset bránit sami,‘“ řekl minulý týden jeden z křesťanských vůdců. Podle pečlivě naplánovaného scénáře útoků, ozbrojení islámští ozbrojenci zastřelili 5. srpna šest lidí v křesťanské škole Murree, ve které studují děti misionářů. Jen o čtyři dny později extrémisté vhodili granáty do kaple křesťanské nemocnice Taxila a zabili dalších pět lidí a zranili jich 26. Všechny oběti byly pákistánští občané. Po těchto dvou útocích vláda v Islamabádu nařídila bezpečnostní opatření místní policii a armádě, která budou uplatňována po celé zemi během pravidelných bohoslužebních setkání v křesťanských kostelech. „Toto ale fungovalo jen asi dva týdny,“ řekl jeden z církevních vůdců. „Pak si nás z bezpečnostní služby zavolali a řekli nám, že zbytek je na nás.“ Církevním sborům bylo nařízeno, aby si obstaraly licence k držení zbraní, najaly si a vytrénovaly vojáky k obraně a seznámily lidi s tím, jak se zachovat v případě útoku. Bezpečnostní úřady sdělily, že pro vládu bylo „nemožné“ všechny chránit. Biskup Samuel Azariah z diecéze Church of Pakistan’s Raiwand řekl, že tato situace zapříčinila mezi křesťany stav mysli jakoby „v obležení“ a někteří věřící se bojí navštěvovat kostely. Ze 145 milionů obyvatel Pákistánu tvoří křesťané necelých pět procent.(Compass)
 
 MISIONÁŘ VYZÝVÁ NIGERIJSKÉ OBČANY, ABY ZNIČILI POHANSKÉ SVATYNĚ.
   Starý nigerijský misionář se stal nástrojem zvyšujícího se zájmu místní společnosti o Pána Ježíše a také odvržení tradičních svatyní i oltářů různých bůžků. Téměř ve všech východonigerijských státech má čarodějnictví stále „velkou moc“, píše Isaiah Issong z Believers Assemblies of Nigeria . Mladé lidi to svádí ke krádežím elektrického osvětlení, tranfsormátorů či čerpadel, vandalství ve školách i jinde na veřejnosti. V červnu byl Issong pozván k vystoupení na téma „Vysvobození od naší přirozenosti“ na třídenním shromáždění sponzorovaného místními věřícími v Itu. Každý večer přišlo na 3000 posluchačů – mužů, žen i mládeže. Issong jim kázal, že jedinou cestou, jak se vymanit z moci ďábelských sil je vyznání hříchů, pokání a také zboření satanských oltářů a chrámů. Koncem shromáždění již 800 lidí (včetně šesti kněží náboženství Juju) vyznalo svou touhu jít za Kristem, načež oživlý dav nemeškal a zbořil naráz 15 pohanských oltářů. „Oblast je nyní osvobozena od strachu a v kraji převládla víra Krista.“

*HCJB World Radio společně s In Touch Ministries, SIM a Evangelical Church of West Africa začali v roce 2000 vysílat jednou týdně půlhodinový program v jazyce Ibogo. Programy pro 15 milionů obyvatel Nigérie mluvících tímto jazykem se vysílají na krátkých vlnách.

*Nejnovější zprávy v originální anglické verzi jsou vždy ZDE (klikněte).

 
 VŠECHNY DNEŠNÍ ZPRÁVY V ANGLIČTINĚ.
   MISSIONARIES IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA ESCAPE INJURY DURING QUAKE

Missionaries at New Tribes Mission (NTM) are thanking God for His protection when a powerful earthquake registering 7.6 on the Richter scale shook Wewak, Papua New Guinea, at 4:45 a.m. Monday, Sept. 9. Authorities in the country were still assessing the damage today from the quake on the north coast that left up to six people dead and as many as 3,000 homeless. "It was quite a wake-up call to all of us," said NTM missionary John Holmquist in an e-mail report. "As the ground and houses shook with incredible force, many people fled their houses in fear. Everyone is fine. The main damage at the New Tribes Mission base came from three broken 2,000-gallon water tanks." In 1998 a similar earthquake caused a tidal wave that killed 2,000 people. Monday's quake, centered near Wewak (about 530 miles northwest of the capital, Port Moresby), caused a small tidal wave that washed up to 50 feet inland, undermining the foundations of houses. Missionaries are thankful that the quake didn't cause more damage, especially since Wewak is a supply base for NTM's outreach in the area. (Mission Network News/Agence France Presse)

* Staff members from the HCJB World Radio Engineering Center in Elkhart, Ind., are working with partners in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, to design and build a satellite radio network with at least 32 outlets planned. The first outlet went on the air in Port Moresby in January. Together with Wycliffe Bible Translators, HCJB World Radio also helped plant a Christian FM radio station in Kitai in 1996.

UZBEK COURT UPHOLDS JUDGE'S DECISION TO FINE HOUSE CHURCH MEMBERS

Two Pentecostals from the Uzbek town of Gulistan (70 miles south of Tashkent) who were fined last month for attending a church meeting that was raided by the police, failed in a bid to have their sentence revoked in an appeal to a regional court. They were appealing an Aug. 18 ruling by Judge Umed Rasulberdiyev who handed a $35 fine to the pastor's wife, Tamara Dosova, and the deacon of the church, Sanjar Jabarov, for attending an unregistered church. "Under Uzbek law, it had no right to hold religious meetings," the judge said. However, the Pentecostals insist they have already tried three times to gain registration, but their applications have been ignored. The fines followed a July 13 raid on the Dosovs' home where the believers were meeting. (Keston News Service)

PAKISTAN'S CHRISTIANS TOLD TO 'PROTECT THEMSELVES'

In the wake of two more deadly terrorist attacks against Christian institutions in Pakistan in early August, government security officials are advising local church leaders to arm themselves for possible assaults by Muslim extremists. "It's their way of saying, 'We cannot protect you. You will have to protect yourselves,'" one Christian leader said last week. In a carefully planned set of assaults, armed Islamic militants shot six people dead on Aug. 5 at the Murree Christian School for missionary children. Just four days later extremists hurled grenades at the chapel of Taxila Christian Hospital, killing five more and wounding another 26. All the victims were Pakistani citizens. After the two attacks, the Islamabad government ordered token security protection by local police and army staff for Christian churches across the country during their regular worship services. "But this only went on for about two weeks," one church leader said. "Then the security called us in and said the rest was up to us." Churches have been urged to obtain gun licenses, hire and train guards, and instruct people how to respond in case of attack. Security officials said it was "impossible" for the government to protect them all. Bishop Samuel Azariah of the Church of Pakistan' s Raiwand diocese said the situation has created a "siege" mindset within the Christian community, and some believers are afraid to attend church. Christians make up less than 5 percent of Pakistan's 145 million people. (Compass)

NEW CHRISTIAN TV CHANNEL TO LAUNCH IN NEW ZEALAND DEC. 1

Rhema Broadcasting Group in New Zealand has announced that it will launch a new Christian television channel called Shine TV on Dec. 1. This will be a free addition to Sky TV's basic digital service, broadcasting 24 hours a day with a mix of international and local programs. The potential audience is estimated at 800,000. The international programs will be selected for their New Zealand audience appeal while the locally produced program will "reflect the wide range of interests in the Christian community and encourage viewers to consider and apply the teachings of Jesus Christ in every day life," says Shine Chief Executive Officer Denis Delaney. He sees the channel as a "significant milestone for Christian broadcasting in New Zealand. This project is exciting, challenging and has the potential to realize a vision for Christian television many New Zealanders have shared in the past 20 years." A key factor in Shine proceeding with a Sky broadcast is the channel's amalgamation with the Rhema Broadcasting Group which broadcasts three Christian radio networks to more than 250,000 regular listeners throughout New Zealand. (Assist News Service)

CHRISTIAN TRAINEES SUFFER PERSECUTION IN INDIA

Every year thousands of people come to visit a religious holy site that is in the same town in India where Gospel for Asia operates a Bible school. The students are so eager to share the gospel with these pilgrims that when their classes are over, they run to the dinner hall to gulp down their meals, pray together, each take a bundle of tracts and disappear into the crowds. During one of these outreach times, some men began shouting at one of the students, grabbing the tracts out of his hands, tearing them up and throwing them into the air. They threatened to kill him if they ever caught him passing out tracts again. A similar thing happened to some other students at a bus stop when the anti-Christians chased the students, screaming that they would kill them. Despite the danger, the students go back, often finding many ready to listen to the gospel. (Religion Today)

MISSIONARY PROMPTS NIGERIAN COMMUNITY TO DESTROY SHRINES

A veteran missionary leader of Nigeria was instrumental in motivating a community to turn to the Lord and pull down ancestral shrines and demonic altars. In nearly all the eastern states of Nigeria witchcraft is a "strong power," reports Believers Assemblies of Nigeria leader Isaiah Issong. Young people are being influenced by it to steal electric lights, transformers, water pumps, and to damage schools and other public property. In June Issong was invited to speak on the theme, "Redeeming Our Inheritance," during a three-day gathering sponsored by local Itu believers More than 3,000 men, women and young people each night. Issong told them that the only way to cleanse the area of demonic influence and power was confession, repentance, and the demolition of satanic altars and temples. At the close of the meetings, 800 people (including six Juju priests) gave their lives to Christ, and members of the rejuvenated crowd proceeded to smash 15 of their demonic shrines. "The area is now free from fear as faith in Christ has taken over the entire local government area," Issong said. (Christian Aid Mission)

* HCJB World Radio, together with partners In Touch Ministries, SIM and the Evangelical Church of West Africa, began airing weekly half-hour programs in the Igbo language in 2000. The programs air via shortwave to Nigeria's 15 million Igbo speakers.

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.

 
 V DEN VÝROČÍ TERORISTICKÝCH ÚTOKŮ PŘEMÁHÁ AMERIČANY CHMURNÁ NÁLADA.
   (Mission Network News) - Dnes jsou Američané zachmuřeni – je první výročí teroristických útoků z 11. září. K. P. Yohannan, prezident Gospel for Asia řekl, že pro jejich kazatele je dnešní den i dnem zahájení evangelizačního vysílání do Afghánistánu na krátkých vlnách výkonem 500kW. „Bude to slyšet výborně,“ řekl Yohannan. „V této věci věříme, že se doslova tisíce lidí obrátí k Pánu, aby v Něm našli svou naději.“ Mezitím průzkumy provedené přímo v USA ukazují, že teroristické útoky se na příklonu Američanů k Bohu projevily až dosud jen málo. Barna Research zjišťuje, že u devíti z deseti Američanů útoky neměly trvalý vliv na jejich víru. Rolla Goodyear z organizace Insight for Living tím není překvapen. “Šlo o událost, která opravdu změnila dějiny a byla opravdu tragická. Ale životy lidí nezmění. Po pravdě řečeno, spasení nepochází z lidského myšlení či snažení, spása je od Boha. Zde nezáleží na našem usilování, ale na Božím daru, jímž spasení je. Pokud před Bohem lidé prchají, nemohou se změnit.” Goodyear dodává, že výsledky průzkumu nejsou překvapivé, nejsou však úplně špatné. “Podle Barnovy studie se devět lidí z deseti po útoku časem opět vrátilo ke svému starému životnímu stylu, jeden z deseti ale učinil ve svém životě změnu … a to výzamné.”

*Nejnovější zprávy v originální anglické verzi jsou vždy ZDE (klikněte).

 
 BIBLICKÁ SPOLEČNOST VE SPOJENÉM KRÁLOVSTVÍ VYZÝVÁ LIDI, ABY BOŽÍ SLOVO DALI NA PRVNÍ MÍSTO
    Jako součást letošních oslav „Biblické Neděle“ plánované pro Spojené království na 27. října, vyzývá Biblická společnost kongregace, aby jí pomohly vrátit Bibli zpět do centra dění v životě společnosti. Letošní program se soustředí na události, které následovaly po tom, kdy Jeruzalémští znovu objevili, co jim Bůh říká (Nehemiáš 8:1-12). „Za doby Nehemiáše byl každý překvapen, když zjistil, že Bůh má co říci společnosti jako celku a volá po dalekosáhlých změnách,“ řekl mluvčí David Spriggs. „Naše vize je taková, že i dnešní společnost nepotřebuje nic jiného. Všude lidé potřebují znovu obnovit postoje ke spravedlnosti, odpuštění a naději, které nacházíme v Bibli. Letošní program je jako katalyzátor, který má pomoci církvím v tomto jejich úsilí na místní úrovni, a zároveň podpořit Biblickou společnost na úrovni národní a mezinárodní v její snaze dosáhnout této své vize.“(Bible Society U.K.)
 
 VŠECHNY DNEŠNÍ ZPRÁVY V ANGLIČTINĚ.
   3 KEY AFRICAN CHURCH LEADERS MURDERED IN SEPARATE INCIDENTS

Three key Christian leaders in Africa have been murdered in separate incidents in recent days. On Saturday, Sept. 7, the leader of a Christian ministry in Burundi was shot dead in Bujumbura by a lone gunman, reported the local news agency NetPress. Samuel Nimubona, head of World Outreach Initiatives (WOI), a local ministry founded in 1993, was shot outside a friend's house next to President Pierre Buyoya's residence. It was not clear whether Nimubona was specifically targeted. WOI's mandate includes feeding orphans, street children and widows in the capital. It has established a home for 102 children in Bujumbura and founded a local station, Radio Ivyizigiro, which means Radio Hope.

The station began in partnership with the Radio Africa Network (RAN), a ministry of Cape Community FM in Cape Town, South Africa, in October 1999. CCFm is one of HCJB World Radio's partner ministries. RAN Administrator Sandy Day says Radio Hope is unusual in that it has "both Hutus and Tutsis on the board and has tried to remain a neutral voice in order to promote the gospel and reconciliation to all the people of Burundi. Sam's death leaves a huge gap in the work of the Lord."

Radio Hope was installed with the help of Dave Casement, Galcom International's technical director for Africa, using an FM transmitter built at the HCJB World Radio Engineering Center in Elkhart, Ind. "The news of Samuel's death hit hard," Casement says. "We had been in close communication with Samuel. He was one of our ministry partners." Nimubona is survived by his wife, Delphine, and two daughters, Liana, 3, and Elsa, who is just a few months old.

In an unrelated incident Thursday, Sept. 5, Rev. Basimaki Byabasaija, assistant to the diocesan secretary and the coordinator of the HIV/AIDS network in the diocese of Boga, Democratic Republic of Congo, was killed by "Wangiti belligerents." He was murdered while preparing to travel to Hong Kong for the Anglican Consultative Council-12 meeting, reports the Anglican Communion News Service (ACNS). James Rosenthal, communications director for the ACNS, expressed sadness and shock at the news. "This sad reality of fear and death is part of the ongoing situation that so many in our global family face in their lives daily," he said. "While many worry about church politics and issues, many of our Anglicans and Episcopalians face persecution and death just for being Anglican."

On Monday, Aug. 26, Mike Arthur, vice president of the Ghana Evangelical Missions Association (GEMA), was killed while traveling to speak at the graduation ceremony in Nigeria's Delta state. Robbers attacked the car he was in, shooting him after they had stripped him of his possessions. He was treated locally, then flown to the military hospital in Accra, Ghana, where he died. Arthur was the director of Christ for the Nations Institute-Africa. He also started the Foundation for Christian Leadership International and worked with Promise Keepers International. (AllAfrica.com/ACNS/GEMA/HCJB World Radio)

SOMBER MOOD PERVADES AMERICANS ON ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11 ATTACKS

Americans are in a somber mood today on the one-year anniversary of the deadly 9/11 attacks. Gospel for Asia President K.P. Yohannan says his ministry is marking the event by initiating gospel broadcasts to Afghanistan via a 500,000-watt shortwave transmitter. "It is going to be heard brilliantly," he says. "With what is happening now, we believe that literally thousands of people will turn to the Lord and find hope." Meanwhile, research is indicating that the terrorist attacks did little to turn Americans to God since that tragic day. Barna Research indicates that nine out of 10 Americans say the attacks have had no lasting impact on their faith. Insight for Living's Rolla Goodyear isn't surprised. "That was an event that, yes, changed history and yes was tragic. But, that's not what's going to change people's lives. Honestly, it's not a person's faith that gets them through, it's God who gets them through. It's not what we do, it's what God does for us. Until we have that relationship with him people don't change." Goodyear says that while the research isn't great news, it's not totally bad. "Barna's study says that nine out of 10 went back to the way they were before 9/11, but one out of 10 did have a life-changing event. . . . That's significant." (Mission Network News)

* HCJB World Radio is bringing words of hope and encouragement to people across Central Asia via radio. Together with partners, Christian broadcasts go out in Dari, Hazaragi, Pashto, Turkmen, Tajik, Southern Uzbek and Uzbek. These include all five major languages spoken in Afghanistan.

4 SUSPECTED MUSLIM MILITANTS DIE IN POLICE SHOOTOUT IN PAKISTAN

Four suspected militants, including two men linked to a bloody attack on a church last year, were killed in a shootout with the police in eastern Pakistan early Sunday, Sept. 8. A police convoy was carrying the prisoners when it was attacked by gunmen. The prisoners managed to escape but were later shot and killed, along with two of the three gunmen. This ambush closely mirrors a similar attack on July 31 where four prisoners and two gunmen were killed. Reuters reports that the two prisoners were Mohammed Waseem, a civil engineer expert in handling explosives, and Mohammed Akram, a college dropout. Waseem was also suspected of being involved in the Aug. 9 attack on a missionary hospital in Taxila, near Islamabad, in which four Pakistani nurses and an attacker were killed. (Voice of the Martyrs)

RELIGIOUS VIOLENCE CONTINUES TO FLARE IN INDONESIA

A Christian man in eastern Indonesia's Moluccan Islands died Sunday, Sept. 9, as a result of burns received when his van was torched by an angry mob, reported the BBC. Rioting broke out when it was reported that three Muslim women had been killed in Sapura. The vehicle was reportedly carrying Christians in a largely Muslim section of the regional capital, Ambon. Meanwhile, the local police chief of Poso was expected, Monday, to send a large contingent to Tentena to arrest Rev. Rinaldy Damanik. The outspoken pastor has been charged with illegal possession of weapons in the car he was driving when he was stopped recently by a large crowd and the police. He has categorically denied having carried any weapon in his car. Damanik says the weapons were "confiscated" by the police without his knowledge. He says he was taken away from his car, supposedly for his protection, as the car was being surrounded by angry Muslim crowds who were shouting for him to be killed. Sources allege the weapons were planted in the car by unknown people when Damanik and his assistants were not there. Religiously motivated violence in Indonesia has resulted in the deaths of more than 5,000 people since January 1999. (Religion Today)

BIBLE SOCIETY IN U.K. URGES PEOPLE TO MAKE GOD'S WORD CENTRAL

As part of this year's "Bible Sunday" celebrations planned for the U.K. on Oct. 27, the Bible Society is urging congregations to help place the Bible back at the center stage of life and society. This year's program is based around what happened when the people of Jerusalem rediscovered what God was saying to them (Nehemiah 8:1-12). "In Nehemiah's day everyone was surprised to discover that God had something to say to the whole community and called for far-reaching transformation," said spokesman David Spriggs. "It is our vision that today's societies need no less. People everywhere need to rebuild communities around the justice, forgiveness and hope found in the Bible. This year's program is a catalyst to help churches strive towards this locally as well as support Bible Society nationally and internationally in reaching towards this vision." (Bible Society U.K.)

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.

 
 KŘESŤANSKÁ ROZHLASOVÁ STANICE NA POBŘEŽÍ SLONOVINY MÁ 25% SLEDOVANOST
   (SIM/HCJB World Radio) - Fréquence Vie (Frekvence Život), křesťanská FM stanice v Abidžanu na Pobřeží Slonoviny provozovaná SIM a spolupracující s místními sbory a HCJB World Radio získala od zahájení vysílání v roce 1999 pozoruhodně mnoho posluchačů. Abidžan je převažně muslimský – 2 miliony jeho obyvatel vyznává islám. Nedávný průzkum ale ukázal, že 25% obyvatel tuto stanici poslouchá. Fréquence Vie se nedávno dělila s ještě jednou stanicí o druhé místo ze šesti na žebříčku popularity stanic. 31% dotázaných uvedlo, že ji poslouchá. Stanice, kterou finančně podporuje přes 30 místních evangelikálních sborů, vysílá 17 hodin denně. Programy jsou převážně francouzské, ale také ve dvou místních jazycích, Baoule a Dioula.

*Nejnovější zprávy v originální anglické verzi jsou vždy ZDE (klikněte).

 
 TERORISMUS OMEZUJE VLIV KŘESŤANSTVÍ V UGANDĚ
   Teror i nadále brzdí práci v oblasti evangelické služby v Ugandě. Dwight Vogt z organizace Potrava pro hladové říká, že skupina rebelů, kteří si říkají Pánova armáda odporu (Lord’s Resistance Army), se dopouští únosů mladých chlapců a dívek, aby z nich byly manželky nebo vojáci. Strach nutí lidi, aby opouštěli své domovy. „Mnoho těchto lidí odchází do velkých měst, takže jich je tam 60 000 až 100 000 navíc, a ostatní se skrývají v buši,“ říká Vogt. „Farmáři nemohou pracovat a tak se zvyšuje nedostatek potravy. Stále to spirálovitě stoupá a je to čím dál horší.“ Vogt říká, že sponzorský program pro děti je v mnoha oblastech pozastaven. Nicméně se plánují nové projekty a usiluje se o možnost plně hlásat Krista. „Jedna z věcí, kterou teď právě děláme, je projekt návrhu velké podpory a hledání fondů pro tento účel…Lidé, kteří utíkají, budou potřebovat v příštích třech až šesti měsících potraviny.“(Mission Network News)
 
 VŠECHNY DNEŠNÍ ZPRÁVY V ANGLIČTINĚ.
   TERRORISM HAMPERS CHRISTIAN OUTREACH IN UGANDA

Terror continues to hamper the work of an evangelical ministry in Uganda. Food for the Hungry's Dwight Vogt says a rebel group called the Lord's Resistance Army is kidnapping young teens to be wives and soldiers. Fear is forcing people from their homes. "Many of these people are fleeing to these main cities, so you've got 60,000 to 100,000 extra people, and others are hiding in the bush," Vogt says. "The farmers aren't able to farm, creating a huge food shortage. It's all sort of escalating, spiraling in a very horrible manner." Vogt says the ministry's child sponsorship program is on hold in many areas. However, new projects are being planned in an effort to ultimately share Christ. "One of the things we're doing right now is putting together a very large relief proposal, and we're seeking funding for that. . . . People that are fleeing, and they are going to need food in the next three to six months." (Mission Network News)

OFFICIALS STOP 2 MORE CATHOLIC PRIESTS FROM ENTERING RUSSIA

Two more foreign Catholic priests have been denied entry to Russia despite holding valid visas, reported the Russian Catholic newspaper Svet Yevangeliya (Light of the Gospel). Jaroslaw Wisniewski, a Catholic priest based in Sakhalin, was detained at the Khabarovsk airport Sept. 9 and deported to Japan. This was apparently in retaliation for an open letter that he had sent to Russia's Pravda newspaper complaining about the treatment of Bishop Jerzy Mazur who previously had been denied entry to Russia. These are the third and fourth foreign Catholic clerics to be refused entry to the country this year. The Vatican has declared its intention to resolve the problem through diplomatic channels. (Keston News Service)

2 ETHIOPIAN CHURCH LEADERS REMAIN JAILED ON DOUBTFUL CHARGES

Two evangelical church leaders are into their fifth month of prison detention in Maychew, a town in northern Ethiopia where violent riots broke out against their churches last April. Kiros Meles, 46, and Abebayeh Desalegn, 35, were both jailed after an Orthodox church member was shot to death April 23 as local police tried to bring a two-day rampage under control. Although the two church elders have been told they are "suspects" in the killing, a policeman believed to have shot the fatal bullet into the air during the melee is also in custody. No known charges have been filed against the evangelicals who have no legal counsel. To date, local courts have refused to release them, even on bail. The riots were reportedly ignited after local police went on the morning of April 22 to investigate an unnamed Orthodox priest who had been delivering "fiery" sermons in Maychew, demanding that all evangelicals be forcibly removed from the town. But when police arrived, Orthodox church members surrounded the priest to protect him from arrest. Angry Orthodox Christians led by the priest then attacked the town's five evangelical churches that night, leaving them heavily damaged. Although several members of evangelical congregations were assaulted, stoned and beaten, none sustained severe injuries. Meles and Desalegn are scheduled to appear in court Monday, Sept. 16. (Compass)

INDONESIAN PASTOR TRAVELS TO JAKARTA TO PRESENT HIS CASE

Indonesian pastor Rinadly Damanik left Tentena on Monday, Sept. 9, and is now in Jakarta after leaving for the capital on his own accord, accompanied by his lawyer. Earlier, police and security forces indicated their intention to arrest Damanik in Tentena -- an event that could have led to a deadly riot. Central Sulawesi church leaders are adamant that he is innocent of all charges related to inciting violence and possessing illegal weapons. The leaders said they are "prepared to give their lives" for Damanik if an attempt is made to arrest him. Rather than waiting in Tentena for the police to arrive, Damanik decided to go to Jakarta and present his case prior to any arrest. He has done much to unite the Christians in Central Sulawesi and is an outspoken critic of the government's ability to deal with the activities of the Islamic extremist group, the Laskar Jihad. Damanik has been accused of inciting recent violence in Poso that led to the destruction of six Christian villages. He was also accused of carrying weapons in the back of his car that authorities say point to his "violent inclinations." (International Friends of Compassion)

REBEL GROUP CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY FOR BOMBINGS IN ECUADOR

A little-known group calling itself a rebel organization claimed responsibility for two recent explosions in Ecuador and threatened to assassinate "corrupt politicians." Authorities refused to comment on the communiqué distributed late Tuesday, Sept. 10, by the so-called Revolutionary Armed Forces of Ecuador (FARE). The lunchtime explosions on Aug. 28 injured three people and shattered windows of a McDonald's restaurant and other buildings at a waterfront complex in Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city. Flyers found near the scene had identified an unknown group, Militias of Ecuador, as responsible for the bombing. There are no major guerrilla organizations in Ecuador, though obscure groups have sporadically painted walls with subversive slogans and set off small pamphlet bombs. FARE first made itself known by painting walls a year ago in Lago Agrio, a jungle town near Colombia, but police said the group did not pose a violent threat. In the statement distributed by e-mail Tuesday, FARE claimed that its members were trained by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a powerful rebel group that has waged war against that country's government for decades. "The attacks we've done are a small show of what we are capable of," the e-mail said. (Associated Press)

* PARTNER STATION IN CŐTE D'IVORE GARNERS 25% OF LOCAL LISTENERS Fréquence Vie (Frequency Life), a Christian FM station operated by SIM in partnership with local churches and HCJB World Radio in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, has gained a surprisingly high number of listeners since going on the air in 1999. While Abidjan is predominantly Muslim with more than 2 million followers of Islam, a recent survey indicates that 25 percent of the population is listening. Fréquence Vie recently tied for second place in a popularity contest involving the six major stations in the city, with 31 percent of all interviewees tuning in. The station, sponsored by more than 30 local evangelical churches, broadcasts 17 hours daily. Programs are primarily in French but also go out in two local languages, Baoule and Dioula. (SIM/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.

 
 TISÍCE PŘICHÁZEJÍ V INDII KE KRISTU SKRZE SLUŽBU S POMOCÍ LITERATURY
   Kniha, která vypráví dětem o Spasiteli světa, mění v Indii životy a pomáhá v růstu počtu sborů. Bob Hoskins, zakladatel organizace Book of Hope International (Kniha naděje pro všechny národy), říká, že během této služby mohli vidět tisíce lidí, jak přišli ke Kristu a ve dvou státech vzniklo na 39 nových sborů. Vzhledem k tomu, že v Indii žije na 400 milionů dětí, Hoskins říká, že zoufale potřebují zvýšit úsilí o evangelizaci v zemi. Kniha naděje očekává, že v tomto roce bude mít možnost ovlivnit životy 8 milionů dětí. (Mission Network News)
 
 36 SBORŮ V ERITREJI UZAVŘENO, PRONÁSLEDOVÁNÍ EVANGELIKÁLŮ ROSTE.
   (Christian Solidarity Worldwide) - Nejméně 36 evangelikálních sborů v Eritreji, které nepatří k pravoslavné, katolické nebo luteránské denominaci bylo v důsledku vládního nařízení z května 2002 uzavřeno. Věřící pociťují potíže i při shromažďování doma – pronásledování roste. Pro vládní činitele jsou evangelijní sbory něco jako islamisté a nesou nálepku „živlů ohrožujících národní bezpečnost.“ Členové evangelijních sborů jsou prý podle úřadů „bludaři“ a je jim vyhrožováno. Budovy jiných než pravoslavných sborů jsou konfiskovány a někteří vedoucí pracovníci sborů jsou ve vyhnanství na venkově. Zdá se, že úředníci svůj tlak na věřící v celé zemi v poslední době zvyšují. Zvlášť ostré pronásledování probíhá v armádě poté, co se víra mnoha vojáků upevnila poslechem křesťanského vysílání rozhlasové stanice FEBA Radio vysílající ze Seychellských ostrovů. Společné modlitby jsou nyní v armádě zakázány, účast na nich je citelně trestána a dokonce proskakují zprávy o zastřelení vojáků přistižených při četbě Bible. Obyvatelstvo Eritrey je asi z poloviny muslimské, z poloviny křesťanské.

*Nejnovější zprávy v originální anglické verzi jsou vždy ZDE (klikněte).

 
 VŠECHNY DNEŠNÍ ZPRÁVY V ANGLIČTINĚ.
   INDONESIAN PASTOR ARRESTED IN JAKARTA AS TENSIONS RISE

Indonesian pastor Renaldy Damanik of the Crisis Center for the Church of Central Sulawesi was arrested on Tuesday, Sept. 10, as an "extremist" responsible for inciting violence and possessing illegal firearms. He categorically denies both charges. "The jihad terror continues, and the Christian community does not have the protection it needs," said Elizabeth Kendal of the World Evangelical Alliance. "So far only one person has been arrested in relation to the recent wave of jihad terror -- Rev. Damanik. We came to Jakarta on Tuesday to honor a police summons for the reverend to be questioned as witness. But after a meeting at 8 p.m. they suddenly told us that an arrest warrant had been issued for him as a suspect in the case." Damanik was questioned throughout the day with most of the questions centered around the Christian Synod in Central Sulawesi where Damanik is the secretary general. Meanwhile, Indonesian security forces charged with maintaining peace appear to be inciting religious violence, "Central Sulawesi and the Molucca and Papua provinces of eastern Indonesia have each been infiltrated by large numbers of Laskar Jihad troops and other foreign Mujahideen," Kendal said. "Security forces appear to be either directly involved or at least complicit in the violence. If serious violence does erupt in these provinces, the Christian population could face something even worse than that which occurred in East Timor in August and September 1999." (Assist News Service)

36 EVANGELICAL CHURCHES IN ERITREA CLOSE WHILE PERSECUTION GROWS

More than 36 evangelical churches outside of the Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran denominations in Eritrea have shut down since the government ordered them to close in May 2002. Believers are also finding it difficult to meet in their homes as persecution in the country increases. Government officials have compared the evangelical churches to Islamists, branding them a "danger to national security." Followers of these newer denominations have been deemed "heretical" by authorities, and believers have experienced harassment. Non-Orthodox church buildings have been confiscated, and some church leaders have been detained in rural areas. Officials now seem to be increasing their clampdown on believers nationwide. Persecution is reported to be particularly severe in the armed forces after large numbers of Eritrean soldiers were strengthened in their faith by tuning in to FEBA Radio that broadcasts Christian programs from the Seychelles. Prayer meetings in the army are now forbidden, and attendance is punishable by imprisonment. Anyone found in possession of a Bible faces severe punishment, and there are unconfirmed reports of young Christian soldiers having been shot after being discovered reading the Bible. The population of Eritrea is divided almost equally between Muslims and Christians. (Christian Solidarity Worldwide)

APPARENT CRACKDOWN ON FOREIGN CHRISTIAN WORKERS CONTINUES IN RUSSIA

A Swedish missionary was expelled from Russia and yet another Catholic priest was denied entry into the country, Tuesday, Sept. 10, in an apparent crackdown against churches and Christians. The deportation of Leo Martensson, who had worked in Russia as a missionary for nine years, was deported when his visa was canceled, reported Keston News Service. Martensson's lawyer, Aleksandr Antipyonok, described the expulsion as an "illegal" decision. "There is no basis for it," he said. His wife and daughter are still in Russia. Martensson had been invited to work in the southern Russian region of Krasnodar by the local diocese of the Evangelical Christian Missionary Union, a registered Protestant denomination. The same day Polish Catholic priest Edward Mackiewicz was denied entry to Russia despite holding a valid visa. Border guards reportedly told him that his parish in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don had been "abolished." He is the fifth foreign Catholic priest to have been denied access to Russia this year. (Assist News Service)

NEWSPAPER IN MALAWI SAYS MUSLIMS ARE THREATENING 'HOLY WAR'

The front page of the Lilongwe, Malawi, weekly newspaper The Chronicle dated Sept. 9, 2002, declares, "Muslims Threaten Jihad." The article said that a jihad (holy war) was being threatened in retaliation for the burning down of several mosques soon after the country's 1999 elections. The article quoted from a letter presumably written by Muslims to Christians: "Now all you Christians know that Muslims are ready to wage a jihad. Muslims will make sure that they protect the religion of Allah." The letter boasted that some Muslims were sent to Turkey for training, "where they received instructions on guerrilla warfare. This was possible because of funding we got from Osama bin Laden. We have revealed this secret to you because we have successfully completed our training. We have warfare equipment enough to destroy all the churches and lives of all Christians in this country within a short period of time." The authenticity of the letter has not been validated. (Christian Aid Mission)

* 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.

THOUSANDS COMING TO CHRIST IN INDIA THROUGH LITERATURE MINISTRY

A book that's telling children about the Savior of the world is changing lives and planting churches in India. Bob Hoskins, founder of Book of Hope International, says the ministry has been responsible for seeing thousands come to Christ and used to plant 39 new churches in two states. Since there are 400 million children in India, Hoskins says there is a desperate need to accelerate evangelistic efforts in the country. Book of Hope expects to touch the lives of 8 million children this year. (Mission Network News)

* In partnership with FEBA Radio, HCJB World Radio airs weekly Christian programs to eastern India via shortwave in two languages: Chattisgarhi and Mundari. HCJB World Radio also broadcasts 11/2 hours of English programming daily to India via shortwave from South America. The ministry is investigating potential opportunities to help launch local Christian stations in key cities across India.

INDIAN EVANGELIST OBEYS GOD'S PROMPTING TO 'PREACH TO A TREE'

In the middle of the night, Indian evangelist Sadhu Chellappa of Agni Ministries sensed God speaking to him, "Leave your house quickly, and run away!" Chellappa was used to accepting unusual instructions from God without question. So he dressed quickly and ran into the darkness. After awhile, he felt God tell him, "Stay here under the tree and start to preach!" Even for an experienced evangelist, this was rather surprising -- there was no one to be seen. Why did God want him to preach to a tree in the middle of the night? He started to preach and finally reached the point at which he called on his unseen listeners to give their lives to Jesus. He was rather surprised to hear a voice from the top of the tree and see a man climb down and tearfully give his life to Jesus. The man had been about to hang himself from the tree as Chellappa started his message about Jesus. "That taught me to follow God's instructions, whether I understand them or not!" he said. (Friday Fax)

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.

 

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