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Called a blasphemous, terrorist, cult-militia, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) continues to maim, butcher, terrorize, abduct, kill and plunder the predominantly Christian people of northern Uganda. Recently however, several LRA commanders defected during peace talks brokered by church leaders. The head of the LRA, a spirit medium named Joseph Kony, has now ordered, "Catholic missions must be destroyed, priests and missionaries killed in cold blood and nuns beaten black and blue." Missions and the Ugandan Army picked this up from an intercepted LRA radio message that the army has authenticated. An escaped LRA prisoner/child-soldier has also corroborated the "kill all clergy" order. (Religious Liberty Prayer List)

* HCJB World Radio, together with the Evangelical Churches of Kampala and FEBA Radio, broadcasts the gospel locally in Uganda on two FM transmitters. HCJB World Radio also worked with Jesus Focus Ministries to put a 500-watt FM station on the air in Masaka. Programs air in English and Luganda.

AUTHORITIES THREATEN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL IN PAKISTAN

A Christian school in Islamabad, Pakistan, operated by Peace Worldwide remains open, despite continuing government pressure on the leaders of the school and the owner of the building that they rent. On June 9, the director of the Capital Development Authority threatened to burn the school's furnishings and arrest the head of the school, Hector Aleem, as well as the owner of the building, Muhammad Hafiz. Booklets are being distributed in the community, claiming that the school is involved in preaching and teaching the Bible. However, Aleem, says the school follows only the government-approved curriculum. (Voice of the Martyrs)

LAO OFFICIALS ORDER 5 CHRISTIAN FAMILIES TO LEAVE VILLAGE

Lao provincial authorities on June 9 ordered five families to leave their home village because they were Christians. All are residents of Kang Village, Sanamchai district, Attapue province. The chief of police and other officials of Attapue province brought the charges against them. Two of the men are pastors and all five are prominent Christians in their village. They all were charged with causing discord and disorder because they insisted on being Christians in the midst of an animist society. They were told to take their entire families out of the village within 10 days. Both pastors have previously been imprisoned for their faith "They want to worship God and the authorities do not want them to," one leader said. The result has been hunger, pain, suffering, separation from wives and children, and the loss of their homes and belongings." (Missions Insider)

SHOOTING SURVIVER PLANS RETURN TO YEMEN

The worker who survived a shooting at the hospital in Jibla, Yemen, thanked Southern Baptists for their prayers Tuesday, as his wife told messengers of their intent to love their "enemies" by returning to the country. International Mission Board representative Don Caswell was shot twice during the December 30 incident that claimed three of his co-workers. He told messengers during the Executive Committee report to the Southern Baptist Convention that his family wants "to be obedient to the call that God gave us" by going "to another land and [sharing] His love and His message of salvation with the lost of the world." Caswell's wife, Teri, recounted how they have sought God's will for their future ministry following the shooting. She felt God was telling her, "I've called you to go and to love people who aren't always easy to love." Teri Caswell said, "With the [IMB] board's approval, we intend to return to Yemen Aug. 1 of this year." (Baptist Press)

COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL REACHES HALF-MILLION MILESTONE

Despite recent economic troubles, Compassion International has reached a major milestone. Compassion is now providing life-changing assistance to more than 500,000 children worldwide. While this is an incredible milestone, Compassion's President and CEO, Dr. Wesley Stafford says there are many more children who need help. Compassion works through the local church praying that whole families turn to Christ as they are helped. (Mission Network News)

BILLY GRAHAM PREACHES UNCHANGING MESSAGE IN OKLAHOMA CITY

Still preaching the same message of God's love and forgiveness, evangelist Billy Graham returned to Oklahoma City for his third mission, following events in 1956 and 1983. The meetings were held June 12-15 with attendance totaling 102,000 (including overflow crowds) at the new Ford Center and the Cox Center. Graham spoke each evening emphasizing that the gospel never changes; nor has his message changed during more than six decades of ministry because the needs of the human heart haven't changed. "Look at the world today with all of its problems and turmoil," he said. "Look at our homes today with all the people hurting -- not just from the bombs and tornadoes. We are asking God to save us from terrorism, to save us from deficits, to save us from lawlessness. Jesus said I'm the way out." Crowds averaging more than 23,000 attended the mission each evening, of which nearly 950 came forward at Mr. Graham's invitation to make a commitment to Christ. (Religious Media Agency)

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