*Tato a další zprávy jsou v originální anglické verzi zde.

*Tato a další zprávy jsou v originální anglické verzi zde.

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

Police have arrested 10 Muslim militants in Dutse, the capital of northern Nigeria's Jigawa state, for perpetrating an attack on a team of Christian evangelists on Tuesday, Nov. 23. The incident reportedly left two people dead -- one of them a militant -- and 20 others injured. Police reported that 10 heavily armed extremists attacked the New Life for All gospel team and members of the public during an open-air preaching event. Other Muslims reportedly joined in the fray, siding with the Christians against the extremist group, until police arrived to restore order and arrest the assailants. "This attack [is the] second in a year in which Christians are being attacked without provocation," said Rev. Umaru Dutse of the Christian Association of Nigeria. "The situation is becoming more difficult for us." (Compass)

THOUSANDS OF DUMP DWELLERS TO HEAR GOSPEL AT CHRISTMAS PARTIES

More than 8,000 of the poorest residents in Quito, Ecuador will have the opportunity to share a Christmas meal and hear the gospel message this weekend through an outreach sponsored by the humanitarian organization Extreme Response. Forty-five people from the U.S. will join 200 local volunteers from mission organizations, churches and schools to share food, entertainment, carnival games and a gift for residents of two city dumps in Quito. Approximately 200 people from the dump La Bota (meaning "throwaway" in Spanish), and 6,000 people living or working in another dump called Zambiza will meet for the Christmas celebrations on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 3-4. The annual outreach started nine years ago at Zambiza with about 300 people attending. Each year the number of attendees has increased sharply as the economic situation in Ecuador continues to deteriorate. "This year another dump has been added as another event to reach more people," said the organization's cofounder, HCJB World Radio missionary Jerry Carnill. "This has become an annual event where people from the U.S. get to really make a difference in the lives of the poorest of the poor. . . . considered throwaways in their own society. There's an incredible impact when we bring them music, games, food and a gift." (Extreme Response)

INDIA'S RELIGIOUS LEADERS LAUNCH FAITH-BASED CAMPAIGN AGAINST AIDS

Religious leaders in India have launched a campaign using faith-based responses to fight the spread of the HIV/AIDS virus and the ignorance and stigma attached to the disease. Hindu, Christian, Islamic and Buddhist leaders said that in India's tradition-bound society, religious leaders wield enormous influence in shaping people's attitudes and prejudices and in helping them make conscious choices. A representative of the Church of North India said, "In a society which is so ruled by morals, religious leaders can play a big role in taking the message of AIDS prevention to the population." His views were echoed by many of the leaders, who felt religious faith could deliver a powerful message. The leader of a New Delhi mosque said, "Medicine can cure a patient, but through religion we can cure society." India, with more than 5 million cases of HIV/AIDS, is the country with the second-highest number of cases of the disease in the world. South Africa has the most cases. Medical workers fear ignorance and the stigma attached to the disease could push India into the top slot within a few years. (AgapePress/Associated Press)

'GODLESS' YOUNG GENERATION WORRIES KENYA'S PROTESTANT CHURCHES

Protestant churches are worried about the rise of a "godless generation" (young people up to 24 years of age) who are Christians only in name only, a survey shows. Attendance at Kenya's Protestant churches is plummeting as Kenyans flock toward cults or return to traditional religions. The study, carried out by evangelical church groups, warns that while Protestantism nominally accounts for 65 percent of Kenyan Christians, only 7 percent of the population attends a Protestant or evangelical church on a typical Sunday. The study identified rural communities, long assumed to be the bastion of Protestant worship, as those where the established church was losing most ground. In contrast, Nairobi -- long regarded as a city of sin -- was the center of religion and worship. Researchers also found that more than 100 years after the first missionaries arrived in Kenya, at least 20 rural ethnic communities, mainly in Rift Valley, the coast and the northeastern and eastern provinces, had never known Christianity. The survey was commissioned by the Africa Centre for Missions-Finish the Task and funded by Dawn Ministries. (WorldWide Religious News/East African Standard)

* Staff members at HCJB World Radio-Australia's studios record Oromo language programs that air to 28 million speakers in Ethiopia and Kenya via FEBA Radio's shortwave facilities.

UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN RUSSIA KEY TO FILLING GREAT COMMISSION

University students representing many of the unreached peoples in Russia are attending school in Irkutsk, and they're the focus of outreach by Campus Crusade for Christ, says Eric Coe, the ministry's director for Russia. "There are more than 100,000 students in the city, including students from Buddhist and Shamanist people groups," he said. "I think Russia represents the most strategic opportunity for fulfillment of the Great Commission that's out there today." If the ministry is able to reach these young people for Christ, it could make a lasting impact, Coe said. "These students represent the very best of their people group. These are students who are from villages where they may be the only person who leaves that area to go to university. These are the future leaders of their community." (Mission Network News)

* HCJB WORLD RADIO REPORTER IN QUITO WINS AWARD FOR MEDICAL STORY

An Ecuadorian reporter in HCJB World Radio's Radio Division in Quito, Ecuador, won a first-place award in a journalistic competition on the theme, "The Heart and Cardiovascular Circulation," organized by international pharmaceutical giant Merck, Sharp and Dohme. Betty Gerra, who has worked at Radio Station HCJB in Quito for the past six years, received the award from the Ecuadorian Cardiological Association on Thursday, Nov. 18. Prizes were handed out in the categories of journalistic writing, television and radio. Gerra received a plaque of recognition and a certificate for her story, "Cardiovascular Risks and Their Consequences." (HCJB World Radio

© Copyright 2004 - HCJB World Radio - Colorado Springs, CO USA - btc@hcjb.org

The more than 20,000 believers living in the East African country of Eritrea continue to face severe persecution and a deteriorating economy, says missionary Ken Riegert who serves with his wife, Nancy, in neighboring Ethiopia. Formerly based in Eritrea, they have been sent out by the Congregational Christian Churches in Canada and help with SIM and Prison Fellowship. "All evangelical churches [in Eritrea] are closed," said Riegert in an e-mail report. "No one is permitted to worship anywhere where five or more are gathered in one place. Many are in prisons across the country. Many more suffer terrific abuse inside the military. The government maintains its brutal stand in the name of godless, Maoist communism even though more than 98 percent of the population is Muslim or Orthodox Christian." Adding to the country's woes is rampant inflation and shortages of common goods such as sugar, flour, cooking oil, kerosene, diesel fuel and gasoline. "In this country of less than 4 million, more than 400,000 are forced to serve in the military," Riegert explains. "Those who hide from this limitless draft risk imprisonment if found. Recently 25 young draft dodgers were reportedly killed in one of the police prisons of Asmara." All men are required to serve in the military until age 40 even though there is no war. "The economy has run to a standstill," Riegert adds. "Life is difficult for almost everyone." (Congregational Christian Churches in Canada)

ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH, CHILDREN'S HOME ATTACKED IN SRI LANKA

Assaults against Christians in Sri Lanka continued in recent weeks as an Assembly of God church in Yakkala faced several attacks, including having human excrement and engine oil thrown onto the building. The latest incident took place during the early-morning hours of Sunday, Nov. 14. Five days earlier the Bethel Children's Home, operated by the Christian Revival Crusade in Batticaloa, was damaged when an unidentified person threw a hand grenade at the building. No one was injured in any of the recent attacks. (Voice of the Martyrs)

MISSION AGENCIES PREPARE TO SEND AID TO PHILIPPINES AFTER TYPHOONS

Mission agencies such as International Needs Network are preparing to send relief supplies to the Philippines following a powerful typhoon this week that left more than 900 dead or missing. The storm, packing 90 mph winds, triggered landslides and flash floods, especially in the eastern part of the country. IN Network's Donna Denmead said the work of church planters in Bicol, Quezon and Mindoro will be "severely hampered" by the floods and devastation. The flooding also has affected parts of Manila where the ministry operates a child assistance program. Pastor Nestor Flores is urging people to pray for God's protection as an even more powerful storm slams into the Philippines today. IN Network plans to distribute food and clothing to those affected by the devastation. (Mission Network News/AFP)

FEBC EVANGELISTIC TEAM FINDS OPENNESS TO GOSPEL IN PHILIPPINES

More than 500 people came forward to acknowledge Christ as their Savior during a two-night musical outreach in a poor area of the Philippines organized by an evangelistic team from Far East Broadcasting Co. (FEBC). Tommy Walker and the C.A. Worship Band joined FEBC, ministering at several local churches and a large worship conference. In conjunction with FEBC-Philippines and 15 Filipino churches, relief was also offered to the underprivileged via medical and dental services, food and radio distribution. More than 10,000 people were ministered to during the weeklong outreach with 1,000 people receiving food, clothes, medical/dental services and radios donated by local churches. (Mission Network News)

FIERY PREACHER, TELEVANGELIST, AUTHOR BILLY JAMES HARGIS DIES AT 79

Rev. Billy James Hargis, a fiery evangelist and anti-communist preacher who founded the Christian Crusade and reached millions in an international ministry that used radio, television, books, pamphlets and personal appearances, died in Tulsa, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 27. He was 79. At the height of his popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, Hargis -- a shouting, arm-waving, 270-pound elemental force whom Oklahomans called a "bawl and jump" preacher -- broadcast sermons daily or weekly on 500 radio stations and 250 television stations -- mainly in the southern U.S. and in other countries. He traveled often to deliver his Christian and anti-communist messages, wrote 100 books and thousands of articles and pamphlets, and published a monthly newspaper. Hargis, who began preaching as a teenager and later abandoned life as a pastor to engage in what became a lifelong crusade against communism, first gained international prominence in 1953 when he went to the former West Germany and sent aloft thousands of balloons bearing biblical passages in hopes of reaching the people of Eastern Europe. In 1966 he established the David Livingston Missionary Foundation which ran medical clinics and orphanages in Asia and Africa. Four years later he founded and became president of the American Christian Crusade College in Tulsa. (New York Times)

CHRISTIAN MUSICIANS UNITE TO BUILD AWARENESS OF PERSECUTED CHURCH

Underground, the youth division of Open Doors USA, has announced the formation of the Artist Alliance, a partnership consisting of a growing number of Christian musicians. Artist Alliance will unite Christian artists who have a heart for bringing Jesus to young people through their music while building awareness of the persecuted church to audiences around the country. "There is no greater influence among young Christians today than that of Christian music," said Underground coordinator Jeff Shreve. "We are excited by the partnerships being formed with these young bands and artists. During their concerts, the artists will tell audiences about suffering Christians and invite young people to become citizens of the Underground so they also can support our brothers and sisters in faith. Really it's all about reaching out and helping others in Jesus' name." (Assist News Service)

© Copyright 2004 - HCJB World Radio - Colorado Springs, CO USA - btc@hcjb.org

Javier Segura, the 31-year-old pastor of a Mennonite church in Bogotá, Colombia, died instantly the evening of Sunday, Nov. 28, when a bomb detonated outside a public building in the neighborhood called La Victoria. The minister was the only person killed in the 10 p.m. terrorist attack in which six other people suffered injuries. Segura had just said goodbye to his fiancée, Sandra Figueroa, and was returning to his home where he lived with his elderly parents. ALC reported that the investigating police initially implicated Segura as one of the bombers, but later withdrew the allegation. "He was a person completely dedicated to his work as a pastor, and it occupied all his time," Figueroa said. In the past two years, more than 400 evangelical Christians have died in violent incidents in Colombia. Of those, 65 were pastors or church leaders. Peter Stucky, president of the Colombian Mennonite Church, said Colombians have learned to live with dangers. "But you never expect to be the victim, particularly in a city of more than 7 million people," he said. "It's very painful when these things come close and affect the church." Government officials have offered a reward of 100 million pesos (US$40,500) for information leading to the capture of the bombers. (Compass)

* Together with local partners, HCJB World Radio broadcasts the gospel on FM stations in four Colombian cities. The ministry also continues to air Spanish programs across the country and all of Latin America via shortwave from Quito.

TRANS WORLD RADIO DEDICATES SHORTWAVE TRANSMITTER IN BRAZIL

Trans World Radio (TWR) formally dedicated a 50,000-watt shortwave transmitter in the southern Brazilian city of Santa Maria Sunday, Nov. 21. Tom Corcoran, international director for TWR-Americas, says the 24-our-a-day Portuguese station is within hearing range of nearly 175 million people. "Already, responses are coming in from listeners across the country," he said. "We're getting reports that the signal is reaching well up into the Amazon." The station hopes to add programs in tribal languages such as Baniua, Makuxi and Ticuna. "[We also hope to add] Spanish, especially since the signal reaches into countries like Bolivia and Paraguay." Corcoran said. (Trans World Radio)

INTERNATIONAL BIBLE SOCIETY MARKS 195 YEARS OF MINISTRY

The International Bible Society (IBS) will mark 195 years of ministry with a celebration in Colorado Springs, Colo., Saturday, Dec. 4. One of the first four Bible societies founded in America, IBS has grown into a global ministry. Originating in 1809 as the New York Bible Society, IBS was primarily a Scripture supplier to immigrants, prisoners, hospital patients and soldiers for many years. While the scope of the ministry has widened since 1809, its purpose and passion has remained the same -- evangelism. "Our outreach ministry in New York is an indelible part of our rich history," said IBS President Peter Bradley in Colorado Springs, Colo. "But now our ministry focus is worldwide. Our vision is to provide millions of people across the globe God's life-transforming Word in clear, accurate, contemporary translations and formats." IBS translates and distributes the Bible through 45 ministry centers in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North America. IBS also provides online Scriptures to virtually every corner of the world. Since 1995 the ministry has put 40 translations online in various digital formats. To date the ministry has distributed more than 402 million Scriptures. IBS has translated at least some portion of Scripture in 89 of the world's major languages and, in conjunction with Wycliffe Bible Translators, has published God's Word in more than 660 languages. (International Bible Society)

PIONEER CHURCH PLANTER, MISSION FOUNDER DIES IN U.K.

Philip Mohabir, founder of the African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance (ACEA) and the Connections network, died in London Friday, Nov. 26, after a lengthy illness. He was 67. Mohabir was best known for his commitment to ecumenical and cross-cultural work through Christian churches. He devoted his life to a vision of unity and reconciliation and championed issues that were key to those that society and governments often marginalized. Mohabir was involved in church planting, pioneer evangelism, training workers and social action programs for more than 40 years. Born in Guyana, at the age of 15 he became the only Christian in his Hindu village. After eight years in England as a missionary in the late 1950s and early 1960s, Mohabir returned to his homeland and for 19 years served in evangelism and church planting throughout Guyana and the Caribbean, establishing more than 100 churches. In 1983 he returned to the U.K. where he founded the ACEA and the Connections network. He was ACEA's first general secretary, providing a key link with the Evangelical Alliance UK and the wider black majority church community in the U.K. Mark Sturge, former general director of ACEA, called Mohabir a "pioneer, reconciler, missionary and an ambassador -- he inspired us all." (African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance)

CONVERT TO PAKISTANI SECT GETS LIFE SENTENCE FOR 'BLASPHEMY'

A Pakistani court has sentenced a man to life imprisonment under the country's controversial blasphemy laws. Iqbal Ahmad, a member of the Ahmediya community, was found guilty of being disrespectful to the prophet Mohammed in a mosque near Faisalabad. Ahmad maintains his innocence and said his lawyer will lodge an appeal. Human rights groups call the country's blasphemy laws "draconian," and that the burden of proof is too easy for the prosecution. Malik Khalid Masood, a spokesman for the Ahmediya community, told the BBC that Ahmad's conviction was "an act of retaliation by his own family" who opposed his conversion to the Ahmedi sect last March. In October a Pakistani man was sentenced to life imprisonment for burning a copy of the Koran under the same laws. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has called for changes in procedures so investigators can test the validity of blasphemy accusations before cases reach the courts. (WorldWide Religious News/BBC)

CHINESE CHRISTIAN LEADERS BENEFIT FROM TRAINING SEMINARS

China Partner continues to work with other groups to equip local Chinese pastors in furthering their ministry. The mission recently held pastoral training seminars in Wuhan and Nanchang and followed up by sending study books and study Bibles to local Chinese church leaders. As churches continue to grow in China, the biggest need is for trained, equipped leaders. China Partner recently helped build two new church buildings that were dedicated in Jiangxi province, giving believers a permanent place to meet and worship, especially as more people come to know Jesus. (Mission Network News)

© Copyright 2004 - HCJB World Radio - Colorado Springs, CO USA - btc@hcjb.org