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Film Mela Gibsona „Umučení Ježíše Krista“ je v současné době promítán po celém světě. Johnny Olsen, 41, známý norský delikvent, byl minulý týden poselstvím Ježíše Krista tak pohnut, že šel na policii a přiznal se ke dvěma bombovým útokům v Oslu v roce 1994 a 1995. Tyto dosud nevyjasněné bombové útoky byly v polovině devadesátých let namířeny proti anarchistickým squaterům. Toto přiznání umožnilo policii, aby Olsena obvinila ze žhářství. Během těchto bombových útoků, které probíhaly v rámci pouličních bojů mezi neo-nacisty a anarchisty, nikdo nepřišel o život. Olsen, bývalý neo-nacista, si už odpykal dlouholetý trest za zabití dvou lidí mimo Oslo v roce 1982. Byl považován za nejnebezpečnějšího muže v Norsku. Když se objevil u soudu a doznal se k bombovým útokům, řekl Olsen reportérům, že Ježíš žije. Jeho doznáním byla policie překvapena, a zvláště když je pak dovedl na místo, kde ukrýval své zbraně, dynamit a ostatní nebezpečný materiál, aby jim je odevzdal. (Fellowship of European Broadcasters/Reuters) |
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CORRECTION: A Christian Solidarity Worldwide article in the April 20 news
update incorrectly stated that convicted killer Dara Singh was running for
office in India's national elections that began yesterday. An agent for
India's nationalist Hindu Mahasabha Party announced Singh's candidacy, but
this was never formally filed. A spokesman for the party said Singh was
preparing to submit an application to run in the three-week election.
However, CSW has since learned that it was never actually filed. Singh was
convicted last September of murdering Australian missionary Graham Staines
and his two young sons in 1999.
REBEL GROUPS IN IRAQ THREATEN TO ATTACK CHURCHES, CHRISTIANS
One of the Islamic rebel groups terrorizing Falluja, Iraq, has threatened to
begin destroying churches and kidnapping Christians if the U.S. does not end
its siege of the city. The threats from a group called Saraya wal Mujahideen
(Brigades and Mujahideen) were aired on the Arab television channel, Al
Arabiya. The group vowed to destroy churches, assassinate or kidnap priests
and target local Christians. The threats come amid the recent seizure of
numerous foreign nationals. Seven South Korean Christian missionaries were
kidnapped on Thursday, April 8, but have since been released. In recent
weeks more than 40 hostages from 12 countries have been seized in Iraq. Some
have been released, but others remain in captivity.
Open Doors with Brother Andrew, a worldwide ministry to persecuted
believers, has received information from sources in Iraq that Christians and
churches are "seriously affected" by internal turmoil in the country. Open
Doors spokesman Jerry Dykstra says Iraqi Christians are disappearing -- most
at the hands of young people trying to make some easy money. "Many
Christians are afraid to go out to church meetings and live in constant
fear. It's also affected Open Doors and its training. Some of that training
has been scaled back or brought to other countries because it's dangerous
traveling in Iraq." However, Dykstra say all Iraqis are facing similar
fears. Despite the turmoil, Open Doors continues to distribute Christian
literature in Iraq. "We've been operating and supporting Christian
bookstores in a few cities," he says. "We've been sending over devotional
materials for young people and doing a lot of ministry there."
Meanwhile, the legacy of a slain missionary couple in Iraq continues. The
Southern Baptists have launched the Elliott project, named after Larry and
Jean Elliot, two of four missionaries who died in a drive-by shooting March
15, to honor their vision and work. The goal of the project is to put 16,000
health kits into the hands of Iraqi families this summer. The kits will
include items such as toothbrushes, shampoo and over-the-counter pain
medication. The kits serve as a reminder that as long as there is human
need, there is also God's love. (Religion Today/Barnabas Fund/Mission
Network News)
LACK OF LEADERSHIP DETERS CHURCH-PLANTING EFFORTS IN IRAQ
A lack of Christian leadership is hindering Iraqi believers from planting
much-needed churches in the country. That's where an Atlanta-based ministry
is stepping in, attempting to make a difference for Christ in the
predominantly Muslim nation. The Christian church in Iraq is experiencing
explosive growth. But along with that growth is a serious lack of church
leaders and available resources that could hinder the growth of emerging
churches. Equip, a ministry that provides leadership development for
Christians worldwide, is committing resources and personnel to train Iraqi
church leaders. Equip President John Hull says training will continue despit
e the volatile situation in the war-torn nation. There is great openness to
the gospel in Iraq, partly because of the new freedoms being experienced in
the post-Saddam Hussein era. "This is the first time in generations that
there has been freedom," Hull says, including the freedom to worship freely
and to learn what it means to "network and partner" with other churches in a
nation whose infrastructure has been "severely limited by Saddam's own
selfishness." Equip was founded by author/Bible teacher John Maxwell.
(Religion Today/Agape Press)
GERMAN EVANGELICAL LEADERS TO BEGIN 8-CITY TOUR PROMOTING UNITY
The German Evangelical Alliance (GEA) is starting a new drive to promote
Christian unity. Evangelical leaders will go on tour through eight German
cities and urge Christians to stop infighting and increase cooperation
across denominational lines. The Impulse Tour starts in Hanover Saturday,
April 24. The GEA represents approximately 1.3 million evangelicals.
Chairman Peter Strauch explained that Christians should not publicly
criticize fellow believers with differing theological views.
"Self-centeredness and dogmatism threaten the unity among Christians," he
said. During the tour, Christians will be invited to commit themselves to a
fair exchange of views and refrain from degrading one another. "How can we
expect people to believe in God when Christians are always fighting one
another?" Strauch asked. The commitment to refrain from infighting should,
however, not lead to a tolerance of false teachings, he said. "The Bible
remains the only authority, but one ought to distinguish between [primary
issues such as] Christ as the only mediator between God and man, and
secondary issues such as the different practices of baptism." (IDEA)
'THE PASSION' PROMPTS NORWEGIAN CRIMINAL TO CONFESS TO BOMBINGS
Mel Gibson's movie, "The Passion of the Christ," is now being shown at
cinemas around the world. Johnny Olsen, 41, a well-known criminal in Norway,
was so touched by the message of Christ in the movie last weekend that he
went to the police and confessed to two bombings in Oslo in 1994 and 1995.
The previously unexplained bombings targeted anarchist squatters in the
mid-1990s. The weekend confession prompted police to charge Olsen with
arson. No one died in the bombings during a wave of street fights between
neo-Nazis and anarchists. Olsen, a former neo-Nazi, had served a long jail
sentence for killing two people outside Oslo in 1982. He has been regarded
as the most dangerous man in Norway. When appearing in court to confess the
bombings, Olsen told the reporters that Jesus lives. The police were clearly
surprised by the confession and the fact that he led them to a place where
he handed them his guns, dynamite and other weapons. (Fellowship of European
Broadcasters/Reuters)
DVD VERSION OF 'JESUS' FILM TO INCREASE PRODUCTION'S IMPACT
Jesus Video Project America (JVPA), a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ,
has released the "Jesus" film in digitally re-mastered and expanded-content
DVD format, further increasing the potential evangelistic impact of the film
worldwide. The new DVD features enhanced video quality and offers the film
in seven languages (plus four subtitle languages) and a scene-by-scene
commentary. It also includes the movie, "The Story of Jesus for Children,"
and other features. "We have a divine window of opportunity in 2004 to
convert the interest of this 'sight-and-sound generation' into decisions for
Christ by distributing free copies of the new 'Jesus' DVD to as many homes
as possible across the U.S.," said JVPA Executive Director Kevin Mascaro.
"It gives viewers the opportunity to give their lives to Christ and
encourages them to be connected to a local church." The "Jesus" film,
translated into more than 800 languages with more than 5 billion viewings
worldwide, is the most-watched film in history. Plans are to mail free
copies of the DVD version to all 122 million homes in the U.S. using JVPA's
volunteer "saturation evangelism" strategy. (Assist News Service)
BIBLE LEAGUE EXPANDS MINISTRY TO HISPANICS IN FLORIDA
People are hungry for the gospel in Miami. Hector Lavalle, regional director
of U.S. Hispanic ministries for the Bible League, is working with area
pastors and representatives to partner with local ministries and reach out
to Florida's Hispanic community. South Florida is one of the largest
Hispanic areas in the U.S., second only to Los Angeles. Plans are also being
made to expand to Chicago, New York and the U.S.-Mexico border area in
Texas. (Mission Network News) |
Zprávy HCJB 21.4.2004
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