Zprávy HCJB 22.1.2003

 PRONÁSLEDOVÁNÍ KŘESŤANŮ NA SRÍ LANCE URYCHLUJE RŮST KŘESŤANSKÝCH SBORŮ.
   (Religious Liberty Prayer List) - Násilné pronásledování křesťanů na Srí Lance je na postupu a buddhismus hledá své historické místo jako náboženství jižní a jihovýchodní Asie. Buddhistů i muslimů zde však přibývá o 1% ročně, což víceméně souvisí s úbytkem hinduistů vyvolaným masovou emigrací Tamilů. Ale reformovaných křesťanů přibývá 3.9% ročně, což je asi 4x víc, než přirozený přírůstek obyvatelstva, a to ještě někteří křesťané emigrují. Zatímco ve velkých křesťanských denominacích je vidět úbytek členů, letniční sbory rostou rychlostí 20% ročně. K tomuto výsledku přispívají vize i odvaha místních misionářů a budovatelů sborů. V reakci na tento vývoj buddhističtí nacionalisté pálí kostely a napadají křesťanské pracovníky. Například 25. prosince kolem půlnoci buddhističtí extrémisté napadli staršího bratra domácího sboru v buddhistické oblasti na jihu Srí Lanky - Indrani Abeysinghe – zároveň s jeho čtyřmi dětmi. Sotva vyvázli životem a byli těžce poraněni. Militantní buddhisté také prosazují zákon proti náboženské konverzi. V tom jsou zajedno s muslimy i hinduisty.

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

 
 VÁLKA S IRÁKEM BY MOHLA POMOCI ŠÍŘENÍ EVANGELIA V USA
   Jeden z vedoucích misionářů věří, že pokud vypukne válka, mohlo by to přinést pomoc v šíření evangelia v USA. „Jestliže dojde k válce, která bude mít podporu a v níž budeme my Američané účastní, bude to pro nás znamenat otevřenou možnost, abychom přišli a šířili zvěst evangelia,“ říká Lee Iseley z American Missionary Fellowship (AMF). „Válka obrací lidská srdce k Pánu tak jako nic jiného.“ Iseley se modlí za mír a říká, že začínají se „studijními spolky“ v různých částech země. „Stále více jsme přesvědčeni, že každý Američan by měl být členem biblické skupinky…že bychom se měli vydat do nedotčených oblastí naší země, jak zemědělských tak i průmyslových, a založit skupinky biblického studia, kam by mohli lidé přijít a být vyučováni v Písmu.“ AMF potřebuje ještě 20 pracovníků a více financí, aby mohla dosáhnout tohoto cíle. (Mission Network News)
 
 VŠECHNY DNEŠNÍ ZPRÁVY V ANGLIČTINĚ.
   FIRE-DAMAGED CHRISTIAN STATION IN MONGOLIA GOES BACK ON THE AIR

Mongolia's only Christian radio station is back on the air after a fire destroyed Wind-FM's office and studios in Ulaanbaatar on Jan 13. The fire caused more than $120,000 in damage. Reports indicate that the fire started in the main control room during a live program, but the exact cause is not known. Funding is needed to help replace equipment so Wind-FM can continue broadcasting the gospel in a country indoctrinated by communism for 70 years. (Mission Network News)

PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS IN SRI LANKA INCREASES AS CHURCHES GROW

Violent persecution against Christians is on the increase in Sri Lanka as Buddhism seeks to regain its historic position as the religion of East and Southeast Asia. Buddhism and Islam are growing at a rate or 1 percent annually in the country -- the same rate as the population. Hinduism is declining due to the mass emigration of Tamils. However, at 3.9 percent, Protestant Christianity is growing almost four times faster than the population even though many Christians having emigrated from Sri Lanka. While mainline denominations are in decline, independent evangelical and Pentecostal churches are growing at a rate of 20 percent as a result of the vision and courage of Sri Lankan evangelists and church planters. In response, militant Buddhist nationalists have destroyed churches and violently attacked Christian workers. At about midnight Dec. 25, for example, Buddhist extremists attacked Indrani Abeysinghe, the leader of a house church ministry in a Buddhist area of southern Sri Lanka, along with her four children. They barely escaped with their lives and were severely traumatized. Militant Buddhists are also pushing for an anti-conversion law in the country with support from Muslims and Hindus. (Religious Liberty Prayer List)

QATAR AUTHORITIES ORDER DEPORTATION OF PASTOR FROM INDIA

A Christian from India employed in Qatar for the past 22 years has been arrested and ordered deported back to India. To date, officials of the tiny Gulf state have refused to give any reason for his pending ouster. Arokiyasamy Stanislas Chellappa, 51, was arrested Dec. 9 by officers of the Criminal Investigation Department in Doha. A technician in the engineering department of a hospital managed by Hamad Medical Corporation, Chellappa had been called in for questioning. But instead of being questioned, he was arrested by the police who drove him to his house, collected his passport and dropped him at the deportation jail where he was held for two weeks without explanation. Chellalppa and his Christian friends in Qatar suspect that he was targeted because of his faith. A practicing Christian, Chellappa pastors a fellowship of Tamil-speaking Indian Christians who meet in his home for Bible study, prayer and worship. "Yes, I witness about what the Lord has done in my life and in the lives of people in my congregation," he said. "But I have never been accused of trying to push my beliefs on my Muslim colleagues." The Ministry of Interior ordered Chellappa to either fly back with his family to Chennai, Madras, in India's Tamil Nadu state by today, or face re-arrest. (Compass)

WAR WITH IRAQ COULD SPUR EVANGELISM IN U.S., SAYS MISSION LEADER

At least one evangelical leader believes that if war breaks out, it could be good for evangelism in the U.S. "If there is a sustained war in which we as Americans are involved, there would be an openness at least for us to move forward with the gospel message," says Lee Iseley of American Missionary Fellowship (AMF). "War turns people's hearts to the Lord in a way that other situations don't do." While he's praying for peace, Iseley says the ministry is launching "learning communities" around the country. "We have a growing conviction that everybody in America needs to be in a Bible study . . . that we would go into unreached areas of our nation, both rural and urban, and establish pockets of Bible studies where people can come and be taught the Scriptures." AMF needs another 20 workers and additional funding to help in this outreach. (Mission Network News)

LEGALIZATION OF ABORTION IN U.S. MARKS 30TH ANNIVERSARY

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Roe vs. Wade, the case that struck down state laws restricting abortion. Demonstrators will gather to commemorate the anniversary. But now that Republicans control the political landscape in Washington, some are wondering if Roe vs. Wade will be overturned. They have shown up every year for 30 years -- pro-life demonstrators marching against abortion. But for those who oppose abortion, this could be a pivotal year in modifying or even overturning Roe vs. Wade. For the first time in nearly 50 years Republicans control the White House, Senate and House. And this means possible new Supreme Court appointees who could overturn the nation's abortion policy. Since the Supreme Court issued its Roe v. Wade opinion on Jan. 22, 1973, more than 40 million legal abortions have occurred in the U.S. (CBN News/Religion Today)

SCOTTISH DENOMINATION PRODUCES UNUSUAL CHILDREN'S COLORING BOOK

The Scottish Episcopal Church has launched the country's first coloring book specially designed for use by restless children during communion services. Called "My Holy Communion Book," it takes children through the words of a typical Sunday-morning service, illustrating key moments in the ceremony with bright, multi-colored illustrations. In addition, children can participate in the service by writing special notes and prayers at the end of the books. "As soon as we started using the books, I knew they were working because the noise levels dropped right down," said Rev. Steve Butler of Leith who commissioned the book. "Children now run for the books at the start of a service. They really engage with the service. The books become theirs because they have written and drawn in them." (Episcopal News Service)

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