Zprávy HCJB 2.11.2003 - 8.11.2003

 MAPA SVĚTA ZDARMA
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*Nejnovější zprávy v originální anglické verzi jsou vždy zde (klikněte).

 
 ZAKLADATEL ORGANIZACE "POTRAVINY PRO HLADOVĚJÍCÍ" ZEMŘEL VE VĚKU 78 LET
   Dr. Larry Ward, zakladatel mezinárodní organizace „Potraviny pro hladovějící“, zemřel v sobotu 25. října. Wardovi bylo 78 let a v poslední době byl kvůli špatnému zdraví upoután na lůžko. Organizaci „Potraviny pro hladovějící“ založil v roce 1971 a sloužil až do odchodu do důchodu v roce 1984. Jedenáct národních organizací, včetně Potravin pro hladovějící, poskytují finanční pomoc mezinárodnímu ústředí v Bankoku. Téměř dva tisíce pracovníků pomáhá v rodinách postižených chudobou a zavádí mnohé programy na podporu a rozvoj v 37 zemích.Tím, že se Ward soustředil na službu chudým, byl často prvním, kdo začal pomáhat při různých přírodních neštěstích po celé zemi. Bude žít v paměti lidí jako „nesmírně citlivý člověk, který ukazoval Kristovu lásku tím, že pomáhal potřebným.“ Zůstala po něm manželka, čtyři dospělé děti, 11 vnoučat a dvě pravnoučata. (Mission Network News)
 
 PRONÁSLEDOVÁNÍ ČÍNSKÝCH KŘESŤANŮ ZVYŠUJE POTŘEBU NOVÝCH BIBLÍ.
   (Mission Network News) - Pronásledování podzemní církve v Číně pokračuje. World Help chce pomáhát křesťanům, kteří nevěří, že by se mohli modlit veřejně jako registrovaný sbor. „Vše co slýcháte o útlaku v Číně je pravda,“ řekl Eric Vess z World Help. „V Číně jsou kraje, kde křesťané působí svobodně a s vědomím úřadů – ty je prostě ignorují. Ale jinde jsou křesťané vězněni, biti a i zabíjeni a jejich domy jsou úředně vypalovány. Tyto oba přístupy se vyskytují souběžně.“ World Help sbírá peníze na obstarání 1 milionu Biblí pro čínské věřící. Stejně to podle něj bude „kapka v moři“, protože v Číně je 60-100 milionů křesťanů a většina z nich nemá Bibli.

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

 
 VEDENÍ NIKARAGUJSKÉ CÍRKVE POTŘEBUJE BIBLE K EVANGELIZACI
   Pastorové společně s vedením církve říkají, že mají naléhavou potřebu hlásat evangelium, následovat Krista, růst jako sbor a vyučovat křesťany z The Bible League (TBL) zakládat nové sbory. „Včera bylo pozdě,“ řekl prezident největší evangelikální denominace v Nikaragui. TBL pomáhá řešit tuto situaci a chystá se v únoru otevřít stanici v Nikaragui. Tamní vedení sboru už slyšelo o úspěších v jiných latinsko-amerických zemích a touží po tom, aby i jejich národ mohl mít stejnou zkušenost. TBL nyní hledá nikaragujského věřícího, který by tuto novou stanici řídil. Nikaragua je další zemí v řadě, ve které se uskutečňuje dlouhodobá vize Projektu Filip, který je zaměřen na evangelizaci a následovnictví v celé latinské Americe. TBL působí v Mexiku, Dominikánské republice, Ekvádoru, Venezuele, Porto Ricu, Kolumbii a na Haiti. Minulý rok začala i služba pro hispánce žijící v USA. (The Bible League)
 
 VÝHRŮŽKY NEPÁLSKÝCH MAOISTICKÝCH EXTRÉMISTŮ NUTÍ KŘESŤANY K OSTRAŽITOSTI.
   (Mission Network News) - Americké Ministerstvo zahraničních věcí upozornilo Američany žijící v Nepálu, aby zachovávali zvýšenou opatrnost a drželi se stranou v souvislosti s nedávnými výhrůžkami komunistických povstalců organizacím s vazbami na USA. Upozornění varuje před možností útoků, i když existuje ujištění povstaleckých vůdců, že Američany nechají na pokoji, ledy by spolupracovali s nepálskou armádou. Maoisté nyní mají na USA vztek kvůli finanční podpoře poskytnuté Nepálu na armádu a rozvoj. Povstalci touží po svržení konstituční monarchie a po nastolení komunistického státu. Boje se opět rozhořely poté, co povstalci v srpnu ukončili klid zbraní. Pro misijní organizace jako Inter-National Needs Network (INN) se sídlem v Grand Rapids je hrozba méně citelná, protože místní pracovníci jsou domorodého původu. Ale v mnoha oblastech se na křesťanství pohlíží jako na „západní náboženství“ a tudíž napojené na Američany. Rody Rodeshayer z INN říká, že se obává růstu pronásledování: „Podle zpráv od našich lidí roste pronásledování křesťanů ze strany Maoistů, takže některým domácím sborům brání v činnosti a kazatelé nemohou kázat evangelium. Ale jsou Boží cesty, které pokračování práce přece umožňují a tyto cesty často vedou skrze angažovanost v obecních záležitostech.“

*Tato a další zprávy jsou (pouze v aktuální den) v originální anglické verzi zde.

 
 KŘESŤANŠTÍ ATLETI VYZÝVAJÍ V RUSKU K BIBLICKÉMU STUDIU
    Biblické korespondenční kurzy mohou být klíčovým způsobem, jak oslovit Kristem lidi v Rusku. Bible Mission International nabízí tyto programy už sedm let, ale nyní se tato služba mění, říká mluvčí Mark Reimschisel. „V současné době začínáme s programem, ve kterém mohou lidé oslovit populární atlety a zeptat se jich na to, jak víra ovlivnila jejich životy. Je to pro nás úžasná možnost a doufáme, že na 15,000 studentů projeví zájem o studium díky tomuto programu.“ Nicméně Reimschisel říká, že to není konečný cíl. „Zcela určitě během několika týdnů všech 15,000 výtisků, které jsme připravili, bude rozebráno. Naším přáním bylo vytisknout několik set tisíc kopií, ale naše zdroje jsou omezené.“ (Mission Network News)
 
 SAÚDSKÝ PRINC NAŘÍDIL PROPUSTIT 2 UVĚZNĚNÉ EGYPTSKÉ KŘESŤANY.
   (Compass) - Dva egyptští křesťané uvěznění za vedení domácího sboru byli z propuštěni ve čtvrtek 4. listopadu z nařízení saúdského prince. Dětský lékař Sabry Awad Gayed a tesař Eskander Guirguis Eskandar byli prokurátorem obviněni z šíření evangelia a ze „zakládání nemuslimské svatyně“. Oba koptičtí křesťané se začali soukromě scházet v bytech s jinými křesťany zahraničního původu, kteří v Saúdské Arábii delší dobu pracují. Princ sultán Abdul Azizi al-Saud dostal psanou stížnost, že tito dva lidé byli uvězněni „zjevně bez příčiny“. Princ, který zastává funkci druhého náměstka předsedy vlády a ministra obrany nařídil přezkoumání případu, což vedlo k propuštění obviněných. Není jasné, zda saúdské úřady nyní povolí oběma křesťanům dále pracovat, nebo je deportují do Egypta.

*Tato a další zprávy jsou (pouze v aktuální den) v originální anglické verzi zde.

 
 JIHOAFRICKÁ MLÁDEŽ ŘÍKÁ „NE“ DROGÁM, „ANO“ KRISTU
   Minulý měsíc se mladí lidé postavili za Krista při organizovaném pochodu ulicemi na náměstí Paul Kruger v Pretorii v Jižní Africe. Nesli transparenty, které vybízely k odmítnutí drog a přijetí Ježíše do vlastních životů. „Někteří z těch mladých účastníků jsou sami oběťmi drog a v současné době už svou závislost překonali. Je to určité osobní svědectví,“ řekla Edith Kiggundu, pracovnice sboru Adventistů sedmého dne v tomto regionu. Při pochodu pořádaném sborem Adventistů zazněla hesla na podporu zdraví a abstinence, bylo možno slyšet hudbu, proslovy a rozhovory na téma zneužívání žen. „Reakce na tuto akci byla pozitivní,“ řekl koordinátor Hospa Sibanda. „Byly jsme požádáni složkami obrany Jihoafrické republiky, abychom stejný program uskutečnili v jejich táboře.“ (Adventist News Network)
 
 DOSPĚLÍ JSOU ZDĚŠENI OBRÁCENÍM ALŽÍRSKÝCH DĚTÍ KE KŘESŤANSTVÍ
    Nedávno vyšel v novinách Algerian Milat Horizons článek, který vyjadřuje obavu nad počtem alžírských dětí, které se obracejí od islámu ke křesťanství. Množství dětí školního věku sledují pořad „As Sanabel“, který vysílá denně arabská křesťanská TV stanice SAT-7. Zdroj uvádí, že „povážlivé množství dětí“ vyjadřuje svou novou víru a dostává Bible a křesťanské kazety. Z průzkumu vyšlo najevo, že děti se dívaly na program SAT-7, aniž si byly vědomy křesťanského vlivu. Někteří muslimští dospělí se obávají toho, co se může stát, bude-li obracení na víru i nadále pokračovat.
 
 PAPEŽ NALÉHÁ NA PŘIJETÍ ZÁKONŮ ZARUČUJÍCÍCH NÁBOŽENSKOU SVOBODU V EVROPĚ.
   (Religion Today/Agape Press) - Papež Jan Pavel II. ve své výzvě z pátku 31. října určené evropským ministrům vnitra říká, že nutnost záruk náboženské svobody je Evropě stále naléhavější vzhledem k jejímu prohlubujícímu se multietnickému a multikulturnímu charakteru. Hlava Římskokatolické církve se modlila za úsilí o dialog křesťanské Evropy s vlnou imigrantů, z nichž mnozí jsou muslimy, hledají zde práci, ale současně podle papeže potřebují pocit „svornosti v různosti.“ Papež vyzývá k „přiměřenému, i legislativnímu uznání náboženských tradic vyvěrajících z různých zdrojů, s nimiž se nynější obyvatelé Evropy více či méně identifikují.“ Papež přijal ministry vnitra EU na závěr jejich dvoudenního setkání v Římě o mezináboženském dialogu jako „faktoru společenské soudržnosti v Evropě a nástroji míru ve středozemní oblasti.“

*Tato a další zprávy jsou (pouze v aktuální den) v originální anglické verzi zde.

 
 V MEXIKU PŘELOŽEN NOVÝ ZÁKON DO DALŠÍHO JAZYKA
    The Bible League (TBL) vydala Mixtecký Nový zákon v dialektu Coatzopan a celý Nový zákon už vyšel ve 105 jazycích, kterými se mluví v Mexiku. Mixteckové patří mezi národy a jazykové skupiny v mexickém státě Oaxaca, kam TBL zaměřila svou práci v posledních pěti letech. Ti, kteří tímto dialektem hovoří, mají nyní poprvé přístup k Božímu slovu ve svém vlastním jazyce. TBL začala pracovat na rozvoji projektu evangelizace a studia následovnictví za pomoci audio techniky pro místní křesťany. Tento program se nyní ve světě používá jako model, jak oslovit lidi, kteří dosud neslyšeli. TBL spolupracuje s Wycliffe Bible Translators na překladech a vydávání Písma v jazycích, kterými hovoří lidé v odlehlých oblastech.(The Bible League)
 
 MISIE PLÁNUJE EVANGELIZAČNÍ VYSÍLÁNÍ PRO MUSLIMSKOU ZEMI.
   (Mission Network News) - Formální muslimové žijící v nejmenované zemi s radikálním islámským zřízením dostanou možnost slyšet dobrou novinu o Pánu Ježíši díky americkému evangelistovi Sammy Tippitovi, který oblast navšíví. „Nedávno jsme podepsali dohodu o zahájení vysílání v zemi, jejíž obyvatelé jsou skrz naskrz Muslimové a jsou od přírody velmi vznětliví,“ řekl Tippit. „Budeme moci šířit dobrou novinu do domovů asi 60 milionů lidí.“ Existují obavy, že ti, kdo budou vysílání zajišťovat by se mohli stát cílem útoku, Tippit má ale starost spíš z tak velkého ohlasu na evangelium, že jej nebudou schopni zvládnout. „Lidé jsou velmi otevření. Nikdy předtím neslyšeli dobrou zprávu o Boří lásce k nim. Naše zvěstování budou čistě evangelizační. Budou podána v příslušných kulturních a jazykových souvislostech.“ Tippit očekává, že tisíce lidí se vydají po cestě za Pánem Ježíšem.

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

 
 MISIE OBSTARÁVÁ POMŮCKY PRO PASTORY, KTEŘÍ JSOU CHUDĚ VYBAVENI
   (Mission Network News) - David Shibley z Global Advance říká, že v rozvojových zemích je zoufalý nedostatek křesťanské literatury. Mnoho místních kazatelů stále volá po těchto pomůckách. „Nikdy jsme neměli Bibli s výkladem nebo biblický slovník,“ říká Shibley. Cílem Global Advance je poskytnout tyto pomůcky asi 2 milionům pastorů a starším sborů, kteří jsou pro církevní práci způsobilí, ale zatím mají málo cvičení i nástrojů. „My máme tak mnoho, zatímco církev ve světě má tak málo,“ řekl Shibley. „Zkoušíme tento nepoměr srovnat a dát našim potřebným bratřím a sestrám po světě základní křesťanské materiály. Již poskytujeme tištěná teologická cvičení v 16 jazycích.“ Global Advance má také vícejazykovou internetovou stránku s cvičeními, na kterou se kazatelé mohou připojit v internetových kavárnách. Shibley uvádí, že kazatelé i v nejodlehlejších částech světa se na tuto stránku připojují a stahují si texty, které jim usnadňují práci.
 
 VŠECHNY ZPRÁVY V ANGLIČTINĚ.
   ERITREAN AUTHORITIES CONFISCATE FULL GOSPEL CHURCH IN CAPITAL

Government authorities in the Eritrean capital of Asmara confiscated and sealed the complex of the Full Gospel Church during the past two weeks, ordering the church staff and members to evacuate the building permanently on Oct. 15. Located in the Gaza Banda district of Asmara, the large complex had served as the Full Gospel Church's main headquarters and meeting place for the past 11 years. Meanwhile, all but six of the 62 young people who were arrested and locked into metal containers last August for having Bibles in their possession at the Sawa summer military camp, have been released. Also released were 12 young evangelicals from Asmara's Dubre Bethel Church who were arrested during a house prayer meeting on Sept. 7 and refused to sign a denial of their faith. Including other arrests in recent months, a total of 230 evangelical Christians are known to be jailed for their faith in Eritrea. (Compass)

MINISTRY TO AID 1,500 FAMILIES LEFT HOMELESS BY FIRE IN MANILA SLUM

On Monday, Oct. 20, a fire broke out in a huge slum area of Pasay City outside of Manila that took nearly eight hours to contain. The blaze apparently started when a husband threw a gas lamp at his wife. With congestion making it nearly impossible for fire equipment to reach the fire, the flames spread rapidly, destroying more than 1,500 shanties and a bus terminal. In response to the fire, staff members from ACTION Philippines visited the area to see what help was needed. "What we saw was unbelievable," said ministry spokesman Jeff Anderson. "The entire area was burned to the ground with people scattered across the streets, sidewalks and the nearest overpass. There were long lines of people waiting for hours in the hot sun for assistance from the city government. We saw people trying to clean the area where their dwellings used to be, with shocked expressions on their faces. It's a miracle there are no reported fatalities." The local mayor asked the ministry for assistance in the relief efforts. Despite the devastation, Pasay Baptist Church was spared. "The fire surrounded the front of the compound, but there was no damage," Anderson said. "The church has now become a temporary relocation and relief center for several families." ACTION plans to work with partners Speed the Light and Pasay Baptist Church to provide basic relief goods such as food (milk, sugar, cooking oil, rice, canned food), cooking pots and utensils, blankets, sleeping mats and building supplies. (ACTION Philippines)

CHINESE HOUSE-CHURCH CHRISTIAN RELEASED AFTER BELIEVERS PROTEST

Xiao Bi-guang, an advocate for house-church Christians in China, has been released from prison and has returned to his home in Beijing. His wife, Gou Qinghui, reported that he was not beaten or physically abused during his incarceration. Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) attributes his soon release to the publicity the case has received as well as the prayers and protests of Christians around the world. At one point police asked him, "How did you get your story on the Internet?" Police reportedly couldn't find a link to prove that Bi-guang was involved in activities that "subverted the Chinese government and socialist system," a charge that could carry long prison terms and even a death sentence. He was arrested on Sept. 26. VOM spokesman Todd Nettleton said the case is "proof positive that Christians around the world can make a difference with their prayers and telephone calls and letters to the Chinese embassy." (Voice of the Martyrs/Assist News Service)

INNOVATIVE YOUTH MINISTRY FOUNDER DIES IN CAR ACCIDENT

Mike Yaconelli, owner and co-founder of Youth Specialties, in El Cajon, Calif., died early Thursday, Oct. 30, after being involved in a car accident the previous evening. He was 61. In addition to starting the organization dedicated to equipping and training youth workers through events and resources, Yaconelli was the founder and general editor of The Door (formerly The Wittenberg Door) and the author of numerous books, including Dangerous Wonder and Messy Spirituality. He was also a contributing columnist to the Youthworker journal. "Mike lived a life of wonder and amazement at God's grace," said Tic Long, president of events at Youth Specialties. "He never claimed to be perfect; he just lived as he was -- a man after God's own heart." Perhaps his greatest contribution was his ability to "encourage and inspire youth workers for almost 30 years at the National Youth Workers Convention." Youth Specialties has worked alongside Christian youth workers from nearly every denomination and youth-serving organization for 34 years. Each year the ministry serves more than 100,000 youth workers worldwide via training seminars, conventions, resources and the Internet. Yaconelli leaves behind his wife, Carla, five children and four grandchildren. (Youth Specialties)

DESPITE SECURITY RISKS, MISSIONARY SCHOOL IN NIGERIA EXPANDS WITNESS

The spread of rigid forms of Islam is creating division, chaos and religious violence in both East and West Africa. Nigeria is a case in point. The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is in the process of rebuilding its missionary school following arson attacks last year, said spokesman Dan Egeler. "The school was targeted by Islamic fundamentalists, and the dormitory for the boys was burned down, twice. They were singled out because they were the children of missionaries who were going in and expressing the gospel message to Muslim people." Egeler says the school opens many opportunities to share Christ in the community. "The predominant part of that community is Muslim. But the high-quality education has moral fiber. They don't truly understand the Christian philosophy of education, but they're attracted to that, and enrolled their children. As a result, the Muslim kids are hearing the gospel message in the context of the school day." Funding is still needed to repair the damage from the fires. On his recent trip to Nigeria, Egeler handed the school's administrator $1,000 in cash to replace the dormitory's metal roof. (Mission Network News)

* 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. In 2003, weekly broadcasts were added in two additional languages: Yoruba and Hausa.

COOPERATION PROMOTES SPIRITUAL GROWTH IN MYANMAR

"Our political situation is discouraging. Economically we are at the bottom. Yet transcending this gloom is a spiritual awakening," said Ronnie Tin Maung Tun, leader of Witnessing for Christ in Myanmar (Burma) and the Evangelical Christian Fellowship of Myanmar. Tun was speaking at Christian Aid Mission's Gateways Conference in Niagara Falls, Ontario, last week. He said the chief sign of awakening is the new openness among Christian leaders. In the heyday of foreign missions, denominations carved the country into sections and would be responsible for evangelizing a certain section while avoiding work in a neighboring section. Emphasis was on growing one's own work rather than on cooperative ventures. Today a new generation of leaders is making friends across denominational and geographical lines. Their evangelical zeal is prompting them to do things together. They are more interested in networking than in maintaining their independent works. Recently they conducted a five-day training seminar for workers. They subsidized the workers' transportation, fed them, trained them, and sent them back home. Tun said that 42 organizations and churches are cooperating together in the country. "It's a new day in Myanmar," he said. (Missions Insider)

© Copyright 2003 - HCJB World Radio - Colorado Springs, CO USA - btc@hcjb.org

 
 VŠECHNY ZPRÁVY V ANGLIČTINĚ.
   ATTACKERS CRITICALLY INJURE TURKISH CHRISTIAN DISTRIBUTING BIBLES

A Turkish convert to Christianity who was severely beaten for distributing New Testaments last week has slipped into a coma and is in critical condition. Yakup Cindilli, 32, was hospitalized on Thursday, Oct. 23, after a savage attack by three individuals who inflicted heavy blows on his head and face. Both Cindilli and a colleague, Tufan Orhan, were reportedly distributing New Testaments in Orhangazi in northwestern Turkey at the time of the attack. An Oct. 26 article in the national Milliyet newspaper reported that the two men were beaten for "doing missionary propaganda." Local police have identified and apprehended three suspects in the crime, all jailed by order of the public prosecutor reviewing the case. One of the suspects, Metin Yildiran, is president of the local chapter of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). A right-wing political party accused of "neo-fascist" activities during Turkey's violent 1970s, the MHP has historically linked its platform with an Islamic-tinged version of nationalism. (Compass)

PERSECUTION OF CHINESE CHRISTIANS HEIGHTENS NEED FOR MORE BIBLES

As persecution against underground believers in China continues, World Help wants to assist Christians who don't believe they can worship freely as a registered congregation. "Everything you hear about oppression in China is true," says World Help's Eric Vess. "You can have provinces where Christians operate openly with the knowledge of the government -- officials simply ignore them. But in other places in China Christians are being arrested, beaten and even killed, and buildings are being burned down by authorities. This is all happening all at the same time." World Help is raising funds to provide 1 million Bibles for Chinese believers. He calls this a "drop in the bucket" as China has between 60 and 100 million Christians, and most do not own a Bible. (Mission Network News)

TURKMENISTAN PROPOSES EVEN MORE RESTRICTIVE RELIGION LAW

The Central Asian country of Turkmenistan plans to make its harsh state restrictions on religion even tougher. The draft religion law reportedly proposes penalties for breaking the law that will lead to criminal, not administrative, punishments. The new law also requires religious groups to "coordinate" contacts with foreigners with the government, and to gain permission before receiving foreign support such as funding and religious literature. Turkmenistan already has the harshest state controls on religion of any of the former Soviet republics, but Justice Minister Taganmyrat Gochyev says harsher controls are necessary to address security concerns. Places of worship have already been demolished and police routinely break up religious meetings. Believers have been beaten, threatened, fined, sacked from their jobs, imprisoned, had their homes confiscated, been sent to a remote area of the country, and deported from Turkmenistan. (Forum 18 News Service)

NATIVE CHRISTIANS IN SYRIA, TURKEY REACH OUT TO IRAQI REFUGEES

In the past few months refugees from Iraq have fled into Syria and Turkey, bringing practically nothing with them, but bearing the emotional scars of war. Many come from Christian family backgrounds. About 40 percent of one group from Baghdad comprised children under the age of 16. All told heart-wrenching accounts of family members they were forced to leave behind. Christian families in Syria have generously opened their homes to these homeless Iraqi families and sometimes as many as five families share a single house. Times were hard for Syrian believers even before they were faced with the enormous task of caring for refugees. Gifts from donors in several indigenous ministries supported by Christian Aid have helped to ease the financial burdens of caring for the influx of needy families. Funds have been sent to ministries as far away as Pakistan where Iraqi refugees have gone after passing through Iran. In addition to providing food, water and blankets, ministries are sometimes offering medical assistance to people suffering from major health problems. "We are sharing a huge burden," one leader, who is pastor of a small church in Syria, said. "The problem is bigger than what we have, but we believe that the Lord is giving us a unique way to serve Him." (Missions Insider)

FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY FOUNDER DIES OF ILLNESS AT AGE 78

Dr. Larry Ward, founder of the international relief and development agency, Food for the Hungry, died Saturday, Oct. 25. Bedridden recently due to poor health, Ward was 78. He founded Food for the Hungry in 1971 and served until his retirement in 1984. Eleven national organizations, including Food for the Hungry, provide financial support to its international office in Bangkok. Nearly 2,000 field staff work alongside poverty-stricken families to implement its many relief and development programs in 37 countries. Focusing his ministry on the poor, Ward was often first on the scene at natural disasters around the globe. He is remembered as an "extremely compassionate person who showed the love of Christ by helping those in need." He is survived by his wife, four grown children, 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. (Mission Network News)

* HISTORIC EXHIBIT IN ILLINOIS HIGHLIGHTS HCJB WORLD RADIO CO-FOUNDER

HCJB World Radio co-founder Clarence Jones, along with the urban ministry of Paul Rader and the Chicago Gospel Tabernacle, are highlighted in a new online exhibit at the Billy Graham Center Archives on the campus of Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill.

The exhibit, which became available Saturday, Nov. 1, uses photos, drawings, documents, audio clips and motion pictures to tell part of the important story of evangelism in the early 20th century. The interactive exhibit is called, "Jazz Age Evangelism: Paul Rader and the Chicago Gospel Tabernacle, 1922-1933."

The Tabernacle was a fixture in Chicago during one of the city's most turbulent and creative eras. Although its ministry lasted less than a decade, it had a continuing influence on people and institutions, thanks to Rader's vision for using popular culture and modern technology to present the gospel.

The Tabernacle staff -- Clarence Jones among them -- was among the first people to use radio for evangelism. Radio Station HCJB first went on the air from a tiny 200-watt transmitter in Quito, Ecuador, on Christmas Day, 1931. The exhibit includes actual sound clips of some of their broadcasts along with photos of Jones and his wife, Katherine, and a letter he wrote to her. "We hope this exhibit recaptures some of the innovation and vigor of Paul Rader and the group he brought together," said Paul Ericksen, director of the archives.

The webpage also contains a searchable online database of four collections of materials about Jones, says Wayne Weber, reference archivist at the center. "The collections are in the museum located at Wheaton College, but copies of specific items are available to order for a nominal fee," he said. The collections include hundreds of photos and documents about Jones and HCJB World Radio -- along with sound clips. To access the Billy Graham Center webpage, visit www.wheaton.edu/BGC/archives. (HCJB World Radio)

CORRECTION: The Wylie Woods Conference Center, a Presbyterian camp in the San Bernadino Mountains that was destroyed by Southern California's wildfires last week, was incorrectly identified as a Lutheran facility in the daily news update of Thursday, Oct. 30. The conference facilities belong to the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii Presbyterian Church (USA).

© Copyright 2003 - HCJB World Radio - Colorado Springs, CO USA - btc@hcjb.org

 
 VŠECHNY ZPRÁVY V ANGLIČTINĚ.
   CHRISTIAN CHINESE AUTHOR SENTENCED TO 2 YEARS IN LABOR CAMP

Zhang Yi-nan, a Chinese house-church writer and historian, has been sentenced to two years of laojiao (re-education through labor) by the Re-education Through Labor Commission of Ping Ding Shan county in Henan province. He was allowed to see his wife at the gate of the Lu Shan County Detention Center at 10 a.m. this morning, then escorted to a police car and driven away to an undisclosed labor camp. Yi-nan was arrested along with Xiao Bi-guang on Sept. 26 and charged with "subverting the Chinese government and socialist order." Bi-guang was released last week and returned to his family in Beijing. The commission used Yi-nan's personal prayer journal against him, quoting sections such as, "We ask the Lord to destroy the strongholds in China." He also wrote out prayers that God would destroy "atheistic organizations" in China. Those words, said the local Public Security Bureau official Li Hai Tao, constituted "anti-party, anti-socialist" writings. The evidence was confiscated from Yi-nan's house during a search on Sept. 28, the day his wife was also arrested. She was later released. Yi-nan will have one chance to appeal his sentence to the commission within 60 days. The sentencing papers also give him the opportunity to request an administrative trial in the People's Court within 90 days. (Voice of the Martyrs)

THREATS FROM NEPAL'S MAOIST REBELS PUT CHRISTIANS ON ALERT

The U.S. State Department is urging Americans in Nepal to practice caution and maintain a low profile after recent threats were made by communist rebels against U.S.-linked organizations. An embassy notice warned of possible attacks despite assurances from the top rebel leader that his forces would leave Americans alone unless they were connected to Nepal's military. Maoist rebels are angry that the U.S. supported the Nepalese government with millions of dollars in military and development aid. The rebels want to topple the country's constitutional monarchy and establish a communist state. Fighting has escalated again since the rebels pulled out of a cease-fire in August. For ministries such as Grand Rapids-based Inter-National Needs Network (INN), the threat is less severe since the teams consist of nationals. However, in many areas, Christianity is seen as a "Western religion," and therefore, linked to Americans. INN's Rody Rodeheaver says he's more concerned about the rise in persecution. "The reports that I get from our people are that there is more persecution on the part of the Maoists against the church, meaning that they're not allowing some of our house churches to function and our evangelists are not able to go out and minister and share the gospel," he says. "The interesting thing is that when God is involved . . . there are ways that the Christians are able to continue to minister, and a lot of those ways are by becoming involved in community development." (Mission Network News)

EX-PAKISTANI PM CONDEMNS TRAVEL BAN ON HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGNER

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has condemned the Pakistani government's decision, Oct. 14, to ban the prominent human rights campaigner Shahbaz Bhatti from leaving the country. In a statement, issued on Monday, Oct. 27, Bhutto accused Pakistan's military government of trying to silence the voice of justice and reason, and demanded an immediate lifting of the ban on Bhatti. A committed Christian, Bhatti heads the All Pakistan Minority Alliance -- long a thorn in the flesh of successive Pakistani governments. He is renowned in Pakistan and international human rights circles for championing the rights of religious minorities as well as victims of rape and slavery. In recent years, Bhatti has raised his voice in Pakistan and abroad against a dramatic upsurge in violence against Pakistan's Christian minority. Last July Bhatti protested against the trend towards more rigorous implementation of sharia (Islamic law) in Pakistan, warning that this process will "strengthen religious extremism and promulgate Talibanization." Until now, Bhatti had been largely tolerated by successive Pakistani governments as a dhimmi (protected non-Muslim). The travel ban on Bhatti signals a new hard-line policy inspired by radical Islamists in Pakistan's military establishment. (Freedom Now News)

LOCAL POLICE HANG VIETNAMESE PASTOR ON CROSS FOR 3 HOURS

A pastor in Vietnam's Kontum province was reportedly hung on a cross by authorities. During the August incident, A En, who leads the Chu Pa Evangelical Church, was forced by local police to stand with arms outstretched on the cross for three hours, Compass reported. En was beaten and kicked when he moved. When the police finally released En, an elder from his church had to carry him from the police station. His congregation of 70 members was subsequently disbanded. Other ministers also have been targeted in the remote province of Kontum which borders Cambodia and Laos. Earlier this year, A Yen, an evangelist in Dak Rim, was beaten severely by police because he would not give up his faith and pastoral activities. Police released Yen, who fled to the home of a colleague in the Quang Ngai province. Meanwhile, two evangelists were beaten in separate incidents. Ksor Lui was beaten and then ordered not to leave his home in Kontum's Sa Thay district. He was also ordered not to propagate his faith after returning from a Bible study seminar. Evangelist Ksor Lor was beaten unconscious by authorities who forbade him to gather Christians for public worship. Although Lui and Lor no longer hold church services, they continue to meet secretly with families. (Charisma News Service)

NICARAGUAN CHURCH LEADERS URGE BIBLE MINISTRY TO EXPAND OUTREACH

Pastors and church leaders say that there is a crying need for the evangelism, discipleship, church growth, and church planter training for national Christians that the Bible League (TBL) provides. "We needed this yesterday," said the president of the largest evangelical denomination in Nicaragua. TBL is responding to these pleas by opening ministry in Nicaragua in February. Nicaraguan church leaders have heard the success stories from other Latin American countries, and they want the same for their nation. TBL is seeking a Nicaraguan believer to lead this new ministry. Nicaragua is the next step in a long-range vision to take Project Philip, the ministry's model for evangelism and discipleship, to all of Latin America. TBL works in Mexico, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Colombia and Haiti. A ministry to Hispanics living in the U.S. was also launched last year. (The Bible League)

* HCJB World Radio works with partner ministries in two cities of Nicaragua. Radio Capilla Sin Paredes (Radio Chapel Without Walls) in Managua receives programming from ALAS, the ministry's Latin American satellite radio network with more than 100 outlets in 18 countries. Staff members from the HCJB World Radio Engineering Center in Elkhart, Ind., also have provided technical help to a station in La Trinidad.

NEW VIDEO TO BRING GOSPEL TO 'EXTREME SPORTS' ENTHUSIASTS

A new extreme sports video is being produced to present the gospel message to teens who are part of the "skating and BMX" culture. The Luis Palau Evangelistic Association is developing an outreach evangelistic DVD called "Livin' It," aimed at sharing the gospel and containing resources to equip believers for evangelism and follow-up. The reality-style video will be launched during a conference in April 2004. The ministry plans to distribute thousands of copies through its evangelistic festivals. (Mission Network News)

© Copyright 2003 - HCJB World Radio - Colorado Springs, CO USA - btc@hcjb.org

 
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   RADICAL HINDUS IN INDIA INTERRUPT SERVICE, BEAT PASTOR

Violence against Christians continues in India, says David Shibley of Global Advance. Hindu terrorists recently attacked a pastor who attended one of ministry's Frontline Shepherds conferences. "Pastor Sukh Deve is a young pastor in Nagpur, India. He serves Christ faithfully in a small, but growing congregation," says Shibley. Deve traveled back to his home church in Maharashtra State where radical Hindus interrupted his meeting. "Sukh Deve calmly welcomed those who had intruded into the meeting. He said they were welcome to stay, but that the congregation was going to continue to pray in the name of Jesus. He also said that he was committed to protecting his congregation as the shepherd of the flock. Well, that enraged the terrorists and they stormed the platform. They viciously beat him." Shibley says this isn't an unusual story, but persecution is serving to purify the church. "These men literally put their lives on the line. When they have paid such a dear price for the gospel they're certainly not going to turn back." Shibley adds that with the mass exodus of Dalits (those outside the caste system) from Hinduism, "many are looking for a new faith or a new religion, and many are coming to Jesus Christ." (Mission Network News)

SAUDI PRINCE ORDERS RELEASE OF 2 JAILED EGYPTIAN CHRISTIANS

Two Egyptian Christians who had been imprisoned for leading a house church were ordered released Tuesday, Nov. 4, by a Saudi prince. Sabry Awad Gayed, a pediatrician, and Eskander Guirguis Eskandar, a carpenter, were arrested and jailed on Oct. 25 in the Saudi capital of Riyadh. When brought before the prosecutor, they learned they stood charged with evangelism and "establishing a temple [non-Muslim place of worship]." The two Coptic Christians began meeting privately for worship in homes with other expatriate Christians after taking jobs in Saudi Arabia several years ago. After receiving a written complaint that the two had been jailed "for apparently no reason," Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, who serves as Saudi Arabia's second deputy prime minister and minister of defense, reviewed their file this week, leading to their release. It is unclear whether Saudi authorities will allow the two Christians to continue in their job contracts, or if they will be deported to Egypt. (Compass)

5 ORTHODOX VIGILANTES IN GEORGIA GET SUSPENDED SENTENCES

After four years of unpunished violence by Orthodox extremists, religious minorities have welcomed the suspended sentences handed down Tuesday, Nov. 4, on violent self-appointed Orthodox vigilante Paata Bluashvili and four associates. The five were sentenced only for their violent attacks on two Jehovah's Witness meetings, although they have been involved in a string of attacks on Jehovah's Witnesses and Protestants. But Bluashvili is unrepentant. "We have material proving that we are 100-percent innocent," he said. Lawyer Manuchar Tsimintia said that while he is not "overjoyed" with the verdict, the "conditional sentences mean that if they do anything at all now they will immediately be sent to prison." Malkhaz Songulasvili, head of the Baptist Church in Georgia, also welcomed what he called the belated but expected verdict. "This is a very positive sign -- this is the first time anyone involved in religious violence has been punished." Nikolai Kalutsky, the Tbilisi-based pastor of a Russian-language Pentecostal denomination, greeted the sentences. "This is the first verdict of this type," he said. "This verdict will we hope bring people to their senses and help to restrain such violence in future." The trial of the five, which began at Rustavi City Court in April, related to seven violent attacks on Jehovah's Witness meetings in Rustavi and Marneuli. The attackers injured "dozens of people" while threatening and insulting hundreds more. (Forum 18 News Service)

BROADCASTING MINISTRIES UNITE TO SPREAD CHRISTIAN RADIO IN AFRICA

United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) International and Radio Pulpit have joined forces to establish UCB Africa, a non-profit company. The first meeting of the newly formed ministry took place on Monday, Sept. 29, at Radio Pulpit's offices in Pretoria, South Africa. "This joint venture was conceived under God's direction," said Dr. Roelf Petersen, the ministry's newly elected executive director. "I believe that UCB Africa will play a leading and facilitating role in developing African Christians as professional broadcasters and to pioneer new Christian broadcasting ventures to allow Africa to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ," he said. UCB International, based in Auckland, New Zealand, is a corporate body linking affiliated Christian broadcasting organizations and ministries worldwide. Radio Pulpit is an independent, interdenominational, Christian media organization based in South Africa. (Assist News Service)

CHRISTIAN ATHLETES CHALLENGE RUSSIANS TO JOIN BIBLE STUDY PROGRAM

Bible correspondence classes may be the key to seeing more people come to Christ in Russia. Bible Mission International has been offering these programs for seven years, but now the ministry is taking a new approach, says spokesman Mark Reimschisel. "They're kicking off a program right now where they're going to be interviewing high-profile athletes and asking them how their faith has impacted their life. We're very excited about this potential, and we're hoping that we'll have about 15,000 students who will begin studying through this program." However, Reimschisel says this won't be enough to meet the demand. "We're sure that the 15,000 copies that we have printed will be gone within the first couple of weeks. We would like to have printed several hundred thousand copies, but the issue is limited resources." (Mission Network News)

* JOURNALIST AT PARTNER STATION IN DEM. REP. OF CONGO WINS AWARD

Jacques Kalume M'Vita, a journalist at HCJB World Radio partner ministry Radio Kahuzi in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo, has won a prestigious international contest for excellence in reporting on the issue of tolerance.

M'Vita won the award for his story, aired in French, that exposed the plight of women in the war-torn country. "One of the choice weapons of war is the violation of women and young girls," said Harold Smith of Believer's Express Service, Inc., a ministry based in Eastanollee, Ga., that supports the radio outreach. "This weapon is continuing even now throughout this area of the world."

The award from the International Federation of Journalists included a prize of 1,000 euros (US$1,150) plus additional cash in lieu of a plane ticket to Dakar, Senegal, where the award was presented on June 26. The contest is open to journalists in five regions of the world. This was the second broadcasting award that M'Vita has won in the last year as he topped a separate contest sponsored by the British government in 2002.

"We are very proud of Jacques and the level of broadcasting professionalism that he has achieved under the training of missionary Richard McDonald who manages the station," Smith said. The station, founded in 1992, broadcasts via FM (91.1 MHz) and shortwave (6250 kHz) in five languages: English, French, Lingala and Swahili. The station is among the first to be established via HCJB World Radio's "radio planting" ministry, helping local believers start Christian stations. More than 200 partner stations around the globe are now on the air through this ministry. (HCJB World Radio)

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   BLIND CHRISTIAN HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST IN CUBA TO GO TO TRIAL

A blind Christian human rights activist will reportedly be put on trial in Cuba after spending 18 months in prison. Juan Carlos González Leiva, who was arrested on March 4, 2002, along with a number of human rights activists, was formally charged with "public disorder, disobedience, resisting authority and acts of disrespect." He has suffered ill health and mistreatment at the hands of the prison authorities. Sources in Cuba said the Cuban government informed Leiva's wife that he would be tried in early November along with the other nine men and women with whom he was originally arrested. The government never gave a reason for the trial's delay. Leiva is a lawyer and has been active in the Cuban democracy movement and the Varela (Human Rights) Project. Mervyn Thomas, Christian Solidarity Worldwide's chief executive, said, "While we are heartened the Cuban government is finally going to give Juan Carlos a trial, we are still convinced he should never have been detained in the first place. It is our hope that the United Nations and international governments will demand a presence at this trial to ensure it is fair." (Christian Solidarity Worldwide)

* HCJB World Radio continues to air Spanish programs to Cuba via shortwave from South America. Hundreds of listeners have enrolled in the ministry's Bible Institute of the Air, a Spanish correspondence program incorporating radio broadcasts. In addition, numerous pastors' workshops sponsored by Apoyo, a joint training ministry with Leadership Resources International, have been held in Cuba since the mid-1990s.

GOSPEL SPREADS IN COLOMBIA DESPITE TERRORIST THREATS

Missionaries working in the terrorist minefields of Colombia boldly proclaim Christ amid bombs and guns of right-wing and left-wing terrorists. "In some places there are car bombs," a mission leader from Colombia told Christian Aid this week. "Buildings and cars are blown up, but we go on preaching the Lord Jesus Christ." The leader, whose name is withheld for security reasons, was in the U.S. to attend the Christian Aid-sponsored Gateways Conference of Indigenous Missions in October. In the past 38 years, he and his co-workers have planted 38 churches. "The rebels think that Christians and pastors bring government undercover agents with them," he said. "So no outsiders are safe in the area." That's why most of his missionaries are local people. Some 55 missionaries are working in the jungle and rebel-infested areas. "Now we are starting a new work in Sogamosa," he said. "On Nov. 1 we paid our first month's rent for the missionary's house there. Already we have six believers." The unrest has caused many in the countryside to flee to cities and towns. Their unsettled condition makes them a fertile harvest field. One missionary is ministering to 38 children and some of their parents. "Soon we will have a new church there," he said. (Missions Insider)

CONVERSION OF ALGERIAN CHILDREN TO CHRISTIANITY ALARMS ADULTS

An article was written recently in the Algerian Milat Horizons newspaper expresses concern about the number of Algerian children that are converting to Christianity from Islam. Many school-aged children are watching the program, "As Sanabel," which is aired daily by SAT-7, an Arabic Christian television network. Sources say a "considerable number of children" are confessing their new faith and then getting free Bibles and Christian tapes. Some conducted surveys with area children to find that most have watched the programming on SAT-7 without being aware of the Christian influences. Some Muslim adults are concerned about what may happen if the conversions continue. (Mission Network News)

TEEN SHARK ATTACK VICTIM USING EXPERIENCE TO PROCLAIM CHRIST

A 13-year-old surfing star who lost her left arm in a shark attack last week in Hawaii sees the incident as an opportunity to proclaim her faith. Bethany Hamilton was bitten last Friday by a 14-foot tiger shark that took a 17-inch-wide bite out of her brightly colored surfboard. She was in stable condition after a second surgery Monday and told one of her friends that she's glad this happened to her "because now I can tell the whole world about God," reported The Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Her family is thanking Jesus Christ for preserving Bethany's life and asking for everyone's prayers. The shark attack has triggered a global avalanche of concern and curiosity toward Hamilton who had won and placed high in surfing contests in Hawaii and California this summer. (Charisma New Service/Associated Press)

SOUTH AFRICAN YOUTHS SAY 'NO' TO DRUGS, 'YES' TO JESUS

Young people took their stand for Christ in an organized street march to Paul Kruger Square in Pretoria, South Africa, last month. Carrying banners, they called on the public to take a stand against drugs and to accept Jesus into their lives. "Some of the youth have been victims of drugs and now have overcome them. Some of it is a personal testimony," said Edith Kiggundu, health and temperance director for the Seventh-day Adventist church in that region. The march, hosted by the Pretoria City Seventh-day Adventist Church, promoted health and temperance offering music, preaching and a talk on abuse of women. "The reaction was positive," said coordinator Hospa Sibanda. "The South African Defense Forces asked us to come and do the very same program at their village camp." (Adventist News Network)

* HCJB World Radio has worked with local partners to plant local radio ministries in six South African cities: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Pinetown, Roodepoort and Badplaas. HCJB World Radio is also regularly sending out short-term teams to help build the Living Hope Community Center (a ministry of Fish Hoek Baptist Church) near Cape Town, South Africa. The center includes an AIDS clinic.

POPE PUSHES FOR LAWS GUARANTEEING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN EUROPE

Pope John Paul II, addressing European interior ministers, on Friday, Oct. 31, said laws are needed to guarantee religious freedom in an increasingly multiethnic and multicultural Europe. The Roman Catholic pontiff praised efforts by Christian Europeans to enter into dialogue with the tide of immigrants, many of whom are Muslims, seeking work on the continent, but he said more was needed to insure "unity in diversity." The pope called for "an adequate recognition, even legislative, of specific religious traditions in which all peoples are rooted and with which they often identify in a particular way." The pope received European Union (EU) interior ministers concluding a two-day meeting in Rome on inter-religious dialogue as a "factor of social cohesion in Europe and instrument of peace in the Mediterranean area." (Religion Today/Agape Press)

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   BELIEVERS IN INDIA BATTLE NATURE, PERSECUTION

Believers in eastern India's Orissa state are battling both persistent persecution and perennial attacks by nature. The area is hit by cyclones and floods nearly every year. This year's September storms submerged 3,390 villages and affected nearly 3 million people in 18 districts, reported Christian Aid. One mission leader said 100 families from his home church were affected. "They are living in makeshift homes and suffering to the maximum due to continued rain and lack of food and clothes," he said. The believers in that state also face constant persecution from right-wing Hindus. This same leader told Christian Aid he and his colleagues were severely injured in a merciless attack recently. They took the matter to the district officials, but afterwards a letter threatening attack on pastors of the area was circulated. He said a small village with a handful of Christian families in the southern part of the state was recently set on fire and then looted by hoodlums, though the incident seemed to be an ethnic rather than a religious problem. (Missions Insider)

* HCJB World Radio-Australia's new shortwave site Kununurra airs 6.5 hours of daily English programming across South Asia, including India. Two half-hour programs in Urdu, airing Monday through Saturday, went on the air in July, and plans are being made to launch Hindi programs. A radio training center for South Asia has been established in New Delhi. In partnership with FEBA Radio, HCJB World Radio also airs weekly Christian programs to eastern India via shortwave in three languages: Bhojpuri, Chattisgarhi and Mundari.

INDIA'S MISSIONS NOT INTIMIDATED BY HINDU RADICALS

A veteran missions observer says India's mission groups are not intimidated by the present wave of violence and are forging ahead to bring the gospel to every people group. On a recent visit to the U.S., Christian Aid's surveyor in India, whose name is withheld for security reasons, said mission organizations in his country are not letting attacks from radical militant Hindu groups keep them from fulfilling the Great Commission. "Christian preachers are accustomed to suffering from an anti-Christian government. They are pulling out all the stops and are deliberately proceeding into communities where the gospel has not been preached." He said the message of evangelicals in India focuses on the person and work of Jesus Christ. "Trouble comes when Christians belittle the Hindu gods," he said. "Some suffering is a result of foolishness." At the same time he said that Hindu gurus are influencing the intellectual community of India. He added that the thinking of the elite 21 percent controls the lives of the remaining 79 percent of the population. (Missions Insider)

CHRISTIANS TO JOIN IN PRAYER FOR PERSECUTED BELIEVERS ON SUNDAY

Christians around the world will unite in prayer for more than 200 million suffering believers during the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church on Sunday, Nov. 9. During that day (or Nov. 16) churches across the U.S. and worldwide will focus on prayer and support for Christians who are suffering because of their faith in Jesus Christ. This is one of the largest prayer events in the world and has heightened awareness of the persecuted church since the event's inception in 1996. "This presents a tremendous opportunity for millions of people to make a difference in the lives of those being persecuted for their faith in countries like North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Mexico and many more," says Open Doors USA President Carl Moeller. "Those persecuted believers have asked us who live in freedom to pray for them -- always their No. 1 request. And this Sunday we have the opportunity to collectively lift our petitions to the Lord on their behalf." (Assist News Service)

MINISTRY PLANS GOSPEL BROADCASTS IN UNNAMED MUSLIM NATION

Nominal Muslims in a radical Muslim nation will get a chance to hear the good news of Jesus Christ thanks as American evangelist Sammy Tippit will visit the area. "We have just signed an agreement to start broadcasting in a nation that is entirely Muslim and very radical in nature," he said. "We will be able to share the good news of God's love in the homes of about 60 million people." There are concerns that those responsible for airing the broadcasts will be targets for violence, but Tippit is more concerned about having such an overwhelming positive response to the gospel that they won't be able to keep up. "People are very open. They have never heard the good news that God loves them. Our messages will be purely evangelistic. They will be in the cultural context and they will be in the language of the people." He expects thousands to turn to Christ. (Mission Network News)

NEW TESTAMENT TRANSLATED INTO ANOTHER LANGUAGE OF MEXICO

With the publication of the Coatzopan dialect of the Mixtec New Testament, the Bible League (TBL) has published the full New Testament in 105 languages spoken in Mexico. The Mixtec are among the people and language groups in the Mexican state of Oaxaca where TBL has focused major efforts in the past five years. Those who speak the Coatzopan dialect of the Mixtec language have access, for the first time, to the Word of God in their heart language. TBL has developed a pilot project of evangelism and discipleship training through audio and reading assistance to local Christians. This program is now being used as a model for reaching unreached people groups around the world. TBL works in partnership with Wycliffe Bible Translators to translate and publish Scriptures in remote languages. (The Bible League)

MINISTRY PROVIDES TRAINING TOOLS FOR DISADVANTAGED PASTORS

Christian literature is desperately needed in developing countries, says Global Advance's David Shibley. Many national pastors are constantly asking for these types of tools. "They've never seen a commentary or a Bible dictionary," he says. The goal of Global Advance is to provide these resources for some of the 2 million pastors and church leaders who are capable, yet have little training and limited tools. "We have so much, and the church around the world has so little," Shibley says. "We're trying to narrow that gap and provide for our brothers and sisters around the world who are in need of basic Christian materials. Already we're providing printed training resources in 16 languages." Global Advance also has a multilingual training website that pastors can access from Internet cafes. Shibley says pastors in even the remotest parts of the world are getting online and downloading helpful information. (Mission Network News)

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