Zprávy HCJB 12.12.2004 - 18.12.2004

 DESETISÍCE MUSLIMŮ V BANGLADÉŠI UVĚŘILO V KRISTA
   V posledních letech se v Bangladéši tisíce muslimů stalo křesťany v důsledku hnutí, které klade důraz na sbory scházející se v domácnostech a na kazatele bez formálního svěcení. Jamaté – domácí sbory složené z bývalých muslimů – se šíří po celé zemi, zjišťuje švýcarská misijní agentura Kingdom Ministries. Hnutí je nejrychleji rostoucí skupinou křesťanů v zemi. Používá moderní překlad Bible srozumitelný i prostým lidem na venkově a k jeho nejvýraznějším známkám patří domácí sbory s 15 – 25 členy, vcelku minimální organizace, málo aktivistů, důraz na nesvěcené kazatele, vedoucí úloha místních občanů ve sborech. Noví konertité si ponechávají svá původní jména a říkají si „Ježíšovi následovníci.“ (FridayFax)

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

 
 SOUBĚŽNÉ ÚTOKY NA DVA INDONÉZSKÉ KOSTELY ZRANILY TŘI LIDI.
   Násilníci napadli souběžně dva kostely v Palu na Středním Sulawesi ve východní Indonézii při bohoslužbách večer 12. prosince a zranili nejméně tři lidi. Bomba explodovala navečer v centru města Palo. Ve stejnou dobu útočník zahájil palbu na kostel Anugeragh v jižní části města. Vládní úředníci kritizovali místní policii za to, že nekoná svou práci a okamžitě nařídili zvýšená bezpečnostní opatření pro kostely v ohrožené oblasti v období Vánoc. V jiných letošních incidentech ozbrojenci střílející z vozidla na Středním Sulawesi zabili pět křesťanů a mnoho dalších zranili. Až dosud v těchto souvislostech policie nezjistila nic. (Compass)

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

 
 NAPADENÍ DVOU KATOLICKÝCH KOSTELŮ V INDII
   Zenit News oznamují, že při dvou nezávislých incidentech došlo tento měsíc k poškození dvou katolických kostelních budov. V pátek 3. prosince se vandalové vloupali do kostela sv. Františka z Assissi v Mathalu v Tamal Nandu. Rozbili dveře, okna a sochu sv. Františka před kostelem. Předtím bylo kostelu vyhrožováno radikální islámskou skupinou Byath. Otec Perpetual nad útoky vyjádřil překvapení, když řekl, že hinduisté, muslimové a klřesťané v této oblasti žili pokojně. O dva dny dříve povstalci naxalitští rebelové vyplenili a do základů vypálili kostel Matha Mary ve vesnici Pusnar ve státu Chattisgarh. Biskup Simon Stock Palathra řekl, že maoističtí naxalijští rebelové nechtějí, aby se lidé stali ani křesťany ani hinduisty, ale uchovali si svoji „domorodou kulturu.“ (Voice of the Martyrs)

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

 
 PRŮZKUM POTVRZUJE, ŽE ČEŠI JSOU NÁBOŽENSKY VŮBEC NEJCHLADNĚJŠÍM NÁRODEM EVROPY
   Kateřina Žďárská patří v České republice k menšině – věří totiž, že Bůh existuje. Nedávno zveřejněný průzkum Wall Street Journal zjistil, že tento národ je jediným ze zkoumaných 18 národů v Evropě, kde občané považující se za ateisty tvoří většinu. Jen 32 procent dotázaných Čechů řeklo, že věří v Boha. Evropský průměr je 70 procent. „My Češi opravdu nemáme velký vztah k náboženství,“ uvedla 32letá Žďárská, úřednice Evropské Unie se zaměřením na problematiku Východní Evropy. Náboženští představitelé a učenci říkají, že mnoho překrucování a převratů v náboženské a politické historii země v posledních pěti stech letech přetvořilo obraz církve v symbol pronásledování v představách mnohých Čechů. „Z průzkumů i z vlastní zkušenosti vidím, že Češi jsou nejateističtějším národem Evropy,“ řekl Daniel Di Domizio, profesor teologie na Cardinal Stritch University v Milwaukee, Wisconsin. „V České republice se protináboženské považuje za jen nenáboženské.“ Průzkum oslovil v září a říjnu přes 16 tisíc Evropanů. (WorldWide Religious News/Wall Street Journal)

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

 
 VŠECHNY ZPRÁVY V ANGLIČTINĚ
   AUTHORITIES ARREST PROMINENT HOUSE CHURCH LEADER IN CHINA

Authorities arrested Pastor Zhang Rongliang, one of the most prominent Protestant house church leaders in China, at about 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1. Zhang, 53, was arrested in Xuzhai village in Zhengzhou, Henan province. Zhang's wife and children were not at home when the arrest occurred; they were able to escape and are now in hiding. The apartment was searched and all of Zhang's Christian DVDs, materials and photos revealing relationships with foreigners and foreign agencies were confiscated. Xuzhai village was reportedly surrounded by police and every house was searched. It is believed that Zhang's wife and children were targets of the search. Stuart Windsor, national director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said church members are "gravely concerned for Pastor Zhang, especially for his health," especially since he suffers from "severe diabetes." Windsor added that in "previous detentions the police have shown themselves ruthless in their torture of him, and we fear for his welfare if he is subjected to similar treatment in his current medical condition. We call upon the international community to raise a strong cry for his protection and immediate release." Zhang leads both the China for Christ Church with an estimated 10 million members and the Fangcheng Church. He had previously spent 12 years in prison for his faith during five separate detentions. (Christian Solidarity Worldwide/Voice of the Martyrs)

STORMS LEVEL HOMES, SCHOOL BUILT FOR RETURNING REFUGEES IN BURUNDI

An indigenous ministry in the Central African country of Burundi suffered significant losses last month when violent storms swept through one of the communities. The storms destroyed structures that the ministry had built for returning refugees, leaving 147 families homeless. The ministry had constructed simple houses and a school in the village to replace buildings that had been leveled during the country's decade-long civil war. Hundreds of thousands who fled the country are now returning to their homeland, but many who arrive find their villages to be shambles due to the fighting. (Christian Aid Mission)

NEW FAA REGULATIONS COULD GROUND 8 MISSIONARY AIRCRAFT

Dennis Fulton of Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) says a new regulation from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) could ground eight of the ministry's U.S.-registered aircraft. The FAA is requiring that all turbine-powered aircraft be equipped with the high-tech navigation system called Terrain Avoidance Warning System (TAWS) by March 2005. The system triggers a visual and audible warning to a pilot when the terrain or some obstacle lies in the flight path, even giving verbal instructions to avoid a collision. The problem is that MAF lacks the funds to make the upgrades, costing about $15,000 per plane. "If the funds don't come in by deadline, we just can't install the TAWS equipment and we'll have to ground the airplanes," Fulton said. "There are a lot of missions and church organizations that are really going to suffer on this one, let alone the medical emergencies that are taken are of. MAF's whole purpose is to multiply the effectiveness of the church, and if these airplanes are grounded, we're not going to be able to support the mission." (Mission Network News)

CHRISTIAN LEADERS HELP END EMERGENCY RULE IN NIGERIAN STATE

Due in part to pressure from Christian leaders, the Nigerian government agreed to end a six-month state of emergency imposed on the central state of Plateau following three years of religious conflict. With the termination of emergency rule on Nov. 18, Joshua Dariye was reinstated as Plateau's governor. During the state of emergency, government authorities worked to disarm religious militants and convened a peace conference. Muslim-Christian violence in the state since 2001 has claimed more than 53,000 lives, left 218,000 people homeless and destroyed millions of dollars worth of property. Dariye reportedly has been in dialogue with Muslim and Christian leaders in an effort to sustain the peace. He held his first official meeting with representatives of both religious communities on Thursday, Dec. 2. (Compass)

* HCJB World Radio, together with partners In Touch Ministries, SIM and the Evangelical Church of West Africa, began airing weekly half-hour programs to Nigeria in the Igbo language in 2000. In 2003 weekly broadcasts were added in two additional languages, Yoruba and Hausa. HCJB World Radio also has helped plant radio ministries in six cities with more in the planning stages.

TENS OF THOUSANDS OF MUSLIMS IN BANGLADESH PUT FAITH IN CHRIST

In Bangladesh tens of thousands of Muslims have become Christians in recent years through a movement that emphasizes house churches and lay leadership. Jamats -- house churches with ex-Muslim members -- are springing up across the nation, reports the Swiss missions agency Kingdom Ministries. The movement is the fastest-growing Christian group in the country. Using a modern translation of the Bible understood by the rural population, the movement's most important characteristics are its house churches with 15 to 25 members per group; flat hierarchies; an emphasis on a lay movement with few mobilizers; and putting evangelization and church leadership in the hands of nationals. The new converts call themselves "followers of Jesus" and keep their old names. (FridayFax)

HUNDREDS OF CUBANS FIND SALVATION THROUGH HAVANA CRUSADE

An evangelistic team from Eastern Baptist Churches joined with those in the western end of Cuba for an intensive week of services Nov. 22-28 as part of the "There is Life in Jesus" continental crusade throughout Latin America. Elmer Lavastida, pastor of the Second Baptist Church "El Salvador" in Santiago de Cuba, reported that hundreds of people made professions of faith in Havana and in Pinar del Río provinces. A service of victory was held in the refurbished sanctuary in Minas de Matahambre in Pinar del Río to celebrate with all the new converts at the end of the crusade. "If this continues," Lavastida says, "soon our sanctuaries will not be able to accommodate the growing churches." (Baptist World Alliance)

* 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.

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

 
 VŠECHNY ZPRÁVY V ANGLIČTINĚ
   SIMULTANEOUS ATTACKS ON 2 INDONESIAN CHURCHES INJURE 3 PEOPLE

Assailants simultaneously attacked two churches in the town of Palu, Central Sulawesi, in eastern Indonesia during church services the night of Sunday Dec. 12, injuring at least three people. A bomb exploded at Emanuel church in downtown Palu in the early evening. At the same time, gunmen opened fire on the congregation of the Anugerah church in the southern part of the city. Government officials criticized local police for not doing their job and immediately ordered tighter security during the Christmas season for churches in at-risk areas. Drive-by killers have murdered at least five Christians and wounded several others in Central Sulawesi this year. So far, police have failed to apprehend any suspects. (Compass)

WORLD RELIEF LAUNCHES HIV/AIDS AWARENESS PROGRAM FOR YOUTH

With 37.8 million adults and children living with HIV/AIDS worldwide, World Relief is launching an initiative called "Shine Your Light." The program is a way for youth groups to raise awareness and money for AIDS prevention and care in developing countries while learning about the benefits of practicing sexual purity in their own lives. While funds are being raised for AIDS education, youth will have the opportunity to discuss issues relating to peer pressure and understanding their sexuality. Participants will also have access to accurate facts and statistics about AIDS as well numerous resources developed by World Relief. Shine Your Light incorporates Bible studies, testimonies and a comedic short film as well as leader and participant guides to help facilitate honest discussion. The money raised from the program supports World Relief's AIDS outreach in Rwanda, Mozambique, Malawi, Haiti, Burundi, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Cambodia and China. "Mobilizing For Life," another of World Relief's HIV/AIDS awareness programs, helps churches respond to the AIDS crisis with care and compassion using three major strategies. They include preventing the spread of AIDS by promoting healthy patterns of family life and sexual practice; mobilizing and equipping churches to bring care and hope to persons and families affected by the disease; and enabling patients and their families to live with dignity. (World Relief)

TYPHOONS DELAY BIBLE TRANSLATION PROJECTS IN PHILIPPINES

An extensive operation is under way to provide food and other essentials to the thousands of people hit hard by this year's typhoon season in the Philippines. In the last four typhoons alone, more than 1,800 people have been killed or are missing on the northern island of Luzon. The storms haven't only affected the general population, but missionaries. Tom Headland of Wycliffe Bible Translators says translation projects in the worst-hit areas have been delayed by weeks or months. "It doesn't stop the projects completely because they still try to work, but you've got to stop and rebuild your house." An average of 22 typhoons hit the Philippines each year. The storms also have an impact on evangelism, Headland says. "There are probably 30 language projects going on in Luzon. All of those areas are affected to one degree or another by every typhoon that comes through. Every time they come through [they cause] delays and cut off logistic support." (Mission Network News)

JORDANIAN COURT AGAIN POSTPONES CHILD CUSTODY VERDICT

An Islamic court in Jordan has postponed until Jan. 10 a final verdict on Christian widow Siham Qandah's legal battle to prevent a Muslim guardian from taking custody of her two minor children. This is the second postponement within the past three weeks on the drawn-out lawsuit. Qandah said she did not know why her lawyers had asked for the delay, although as far as she knew, the courts still did not have any address or direct contact information for the guardian, Abdullah al-Muhtadi. He had refused to attend a previous hearing on Nov. 23 despite a summons from the Al-Abdali Sharia Court in Amman requiring his presence. Instead, al-Muhtadi sent word to the judge that he feared for his life if he came to the court. "I do not know what he is trying to accomplish since this is a lie," said one of Qandah's friends. Al-Muhtadi is Qandah's estranged brother who converted to Islam as a teenager. Qandah has appealed to King Abdullah II and Queen Rania for a just resolution of her case. (Compass)

SURVEY FINDS RELIGIOUS DIVIDE BETWEEN EUROPE AND U.S.

The U.S. and Europe are far apart when it comes to religion. This is one of the results of a recent Wall Street Journey survey conducted by Germany-based GfK Custom Research Worldwide with 21,000 people in 21 countries. While 86 percent of all U.S. citizens believe in a creator God, this only applies to 80 percent of the population in Eastern Europe and 70 percent of those in Western Europe. Overall, women are more likely to believe in God than men are. In Western Europe, for instance, three in four women are convinced that God exists, but only two in three men. Just 32 percent of the population in the Czech Republic believes in a higher being, and 42 percent in Sweden and Denmark. On average, three in four interviewees said that they belong to an organized religion. Religious affiliation is particularly strong in Romania (97 percent), Turkey (95 percent) and Greece (89 percent). Secularism runs high in the Netherlands where just 53 percent of the population is affiliated with a church or religious community. In Belgium and Germany four in 10 interviewees said that they do not adhere to a religious faith. There are also significant differences in worship patterns between Eastern and Western Europe. While 40 percent of those religiously affiliated in Central and Eastern Europe go to church at least once a week, Poland heads the list with 60 percent. Only 25 percent of all West Europeans worship at least weekly. (IDEA)

* 8,500 ATTEND HCJB WORLD RADIO'S 40th ANNUAL QUITO DAY CONCERTS

HCJB World Radio's Vozandes Choir and Orchestra held its 40th annual Quito Day concerts at the Ecuadorian House of Culture in Quito Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 4-5, with more than 8,500 people attending the free performances. The choir also sang at three malls in Quito -- El Jardín, El Recreo and Quicentro. This year's guest artists included Canadian violinist Trevor Dick and his 5th String Blvd. band as well as the Symphonic Youth Orchestra of Ecuador. Every attendee received a gospel tract and was given a telephone number to call for spiritual counseling. José "Chema" Reinoso, HCJB World Radio's associate director of the Latin America region, also presented a clear gospel message to all in attendance. The concert featured traditional Christmas music along with selections to celebrate the anniversary of the founding of Quito on Dec. 6. The folkloric songs honored the city and its people. The choir, directed by Michio Ozaki, comprised more than 70 people, including foreign missionaries, Ecuadorians and visitors. The concerts were presented by HCJB World Radio and cosponsored by the Ecuadorian House of Culture, the Anderson Foundation and HCJB World Radio's Hospital Vozandes-Quito. (HCJB World Radio)

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

 
 VŠECHNY ZPRÁVY V ANGLIČTINĚ
   2 CATHOLIC CHURCHES IN INDIA ATTACKED IN SEPARATE INCIDENTS

The Zenit news service reported separate incidents of violence against two Catholic churches in India early this month. On Friday, Dec. 3, vandals broke into St. Francis of Assisi Church in Mathal, Tamal Nadu. They destroyed the door and windows along with the statue of St. Francis outside the church. Previously, the church had received threats from a militant Islamic group called Byath. Father Perpetual expressed surprise at the violence, saying that the Hindus, Christians and Muslims in that area had always lived in peace. Two days later, Naxalite rebels ransacked and burned down the Church of Matha Mary in the village of Pusnar in the state of Chattisgarh. Bishop Simon Stock Palathra said the Maoist Naxali rebels do not want the people to become either Christian or Hindu, but to "retain their tribal culture." (Voice of the Martyrs)

UKRAINIAN CHRISTIANS JOIN IN PROTEST AGAINST ELECTION RESULTS

Ukrainian Baptists and other Christians have joined hundreds of thousands of protesters in the streets of Kiev to demonstrate against of the recent presidential election favoring pro-Moscow Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich. Rev. Victor Kulbich, general secretary of the country's Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists, said many people have set up camps in the streets as bases for prayer and evangelism. "Many churches have sent their representatives to the demonstrations in order to be there and defend the truth, and of course to witness to people about Jesus," he said. They are supplying protesters with hot drinks and food to see them through the cold weather, and distributing pamphlets and New Testaments. "Every morning the whole crowd prays the Lord's prayer, and there are lots of Christians singing," he said. Yanukovich has publicly stated that he will tolerate no church other than the Russian Orthodox Church. A second run-off presidential election is set for Sunday, Dec. 26. (News Bytes/Baptist Times)

* HCJB World Radio has worked with local churches to establish radio ministries in Kiev and four other cities in Ukraine. Stations in three Ukrainian cities are also affiliated with New Life Radio, a Russian satellite radio network started with HCJB World Radio's help in 2000. In addition, daily programs air to Ukraine via shortwave.

RELIGIOUS TENSIONS RISE IN EGYPT AFTER ALLEGED FORCED CONVERSION

Muslim-Christian relations in Egypt burst onto the public stage last week after allegations by Coptic Christians of forced conversion to Islam triggered demonstrations in Cairo. Sectarian friction was also reported in the provinces of Upper Egypt. Mohamed Said, deputy director of the state-run al-Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies, said a number of minor events in the last six months such as mutual accusations of forced conversion and wrangling over the construction of religious edifices have roused emotions on both sides of the sectarian divide. On Dec. 5-6, longstanding resentment exploded as hundreds of Coptic Christians, Egypt's largest Christian denomination, staged angry protests in Cairo and in the west delta province of Beheira. The demonstrations were sparked by the alleged abduction and forced conversion to Islam of the wife of a Coptic priest. About 55 people were injured while 34 Christian demonstrators were arrested for allegedly attacking police during the disturbances. In light of the unrest, Pope Shenouda of the Coptic Church in Egypt called for a three-day fast Dec. 15-17. (WorldWide Religious News/Inter Press Service/ Jericho Walls International)

'HAITI AT THE CROSS' OUTREACH PRESENTS GOSPEL TO THOUSANDS

New Directions International and Promised Keepers recently finished "Haiti at the Cross," a series of spiritual enrichment events Dec. 8-12 to help free the Haitian people from 200 years of bondage to voodoo. Haiti at the Cross reached thousands of Haitians with the gospel message through special events in the National Stadium, the Haitian White House, a central plaza in the capital and via radio and TV broadcasts. Speakers included J.L. Williams, president and chief executive officer of New Directions; Tom Fortson, president and chief executive officer of Promise Keepers; and former Major League Baseball pitcher Dave Dravecky. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the voodoo ceremony when witchdoctors sold the country to Satan in exchange for freedom from slavery. "Haiti is poised for unprecedented revival," Williams said. "We must act decisively to seize this moment for the kingdom and initiate a new era in Haiti -- one in which the people will not be bound by the evils of voodoo, but rather satisfied by the joys of being in Christ." (New Directions International)

PAPUA NEW GUINEA TRIBE TO RECEIVE NEW TESTAMENT TRANSLATION

With more than 700 indigenous languages in Papua New Guinea, Bible translation is an ongoing task to reach people with the gospel. Missionaries with New Tribes Mission are working with the Aziana people in the highland region of Papua to complete a translation of the New Testament and parts of the Old Testament. "These people need to have . . . Bible in their mother tongue too," says ministry spokesman Mike Henderson. "Even though there's only 1,000 of these people, they mean a lot to God." The common trade language had previously been used to reach the Aziana people, but there were misunderstandings about who God is. With the Bible in their own language, it is a "much better way of communicating," Henderson says. In addition to translating the Scriptures, missionaries have taught the Aziana people how to read and write, and trained teachers to teach these skills to the young people. (Mission Network News)

* Staff members from the HCJB World Radio Engineering Center in Elkhart, Ind., are working with partners in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, to design and build a satellite radio network with at least 32 outlets planned. The first outlet went on the air in Port Moresby in 2002. Together with Wycliffe Bible Translators, HCJB World Radio also helped plant a Christian FM radio station in Kitai in 1996.

ARABIC SATELLITE TV MINISTRY NAMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

SAT-7, a Christian Arabic satellite television service for North Africa and the Middle East, has named Debbie Brink as its new executive director for North America. She was appointed to the position following the resignation of Ron Ensminger who served in that capacity for nine years. Brink has worked with Christian mission agencies for 25 years, including SAT-7 for the past three years as vice president and chief development officer. Under Ensimger's leadership, SAT-7 grew into a network viewed by 5 to 7 million people. Ensminger leaves SAT-7 to become managing partner of the Strategic Resource Group in Flagstaff, Ariz. Board Chair Ray Padron noted that Ensminger "almost single-handedly built SAT-7's North American operations from scratch, and we look forward to future partnerships with him in his new role with Strategic Resource Group." SAT-7 is one of the ministries in the group's portfolio. (Mission Network News)

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

 
 VŠECHNY ZPRÁVY V ANGLIČTINĚ
   SAUDI RELIGIOUS POLICE IMPRISON CONVERT TO CHRISTIANITY

Saudi religious police have arrested a 30-year-old citizen who converted from Islam to Christianity. Emad Alaabadi, who has a wife and four children, is in prison in Jeddah after his Nov. 29 arrest in the town of Hufus, reported International Christian Concern (ICC), a Washington, D.C.-based human-rights group. Alaabadi was driving his children home from school Monday, Nov. 29, when he was intercepted by police. The police escorted him home to drop off the children then took him to prison in Hufus before being transferred to Jeddah. The Saudi man made contact Dec. 4 with his mother in Australia, who said he sounded "very weak." ICC reported that if Alaabadi's case is like others, he "probably has been tortured as the religious police attempt to reconvert him to Islam." Saudis are forbidden by law from converting to another religion. (WorldWide Religious News/WorldNetDaily)

HIV INFECTION RATES SOAR IN WAR-TORN REGION OF UGANDA

Uganda is held as the model country for reducing the HIV infection rate, but the 18-year civil war in the northern part of the country threatens that success. A report from World Vision report states that in parts of the north where the war is more concentrated, HIV rates have increased to 11.9 percent, nearly double the rest of the country. The war has displaced many families from their homes in the northern region. Many women, especially those in the refugee camps, find that they can only get food, soap or money in exchange for sex. Girls are often abducted by the rebel army and given to commanders as "wives" and sex slaves. Churches and relief groups such as World Vision are working to bring relief to those affected by war and AIDS. (Mission Network News)

CHURCH-BASED CLINICS IN IRAQ EXPAND DESPITE CONTINUING UNREST

While political unrest and violent attacks continue in Iraq, International Aid's Sonny Enriquez says the ministry recently launched four church-based clinics in the country. He recently contacted a partner in Baghdad who gave an encouraging report. "The situation in the city has been very difficult, but what was exciting was when I asked him, 'How's the clinic?' He said, 'The clinic is still doing well.' In fact, they've expanded; they've added on three doctors." Enriquez says the church-based clinics create an opportunity for ministry, but the association with churches can carry risks. "People are not going to the churches anymore [because they have become] a target of terrorist attacks," he said. "Fortunately, for this particular partner, their church is kind of in an inside alley, so you can't just go in through the church, you have to go through a certain set of roadblocks, so that . . . protects them." (Mission Network News)

SURVEY CONFIRMS CZECHS' COOLNESS TOWARD ANY RELIGION

Katerina Zdarska is in the minority in the Czech Republic -- she believes there is a God. A recently released Wall Street Journal survey found that her nation is the only one of 18 surveyed in Europe where more people identified themselves as nonbelievers than believers. Only 32 percent of Czechs surveyed said they believe in God, compared with an average of 70 percent in other European countries. "We (Czechs) don't really have a strong relationship to religion," said Zdarska, 32, a European Union official who specializes in Eastern European affairs. Religious leaders and scholars say that a series of twists and turns in religious and political history in the past five centuries have combined to cast the church as a symbol of repression in the minds of many Czechs. "From my research and experience, the Czechs are the most atheistic people in Europe," says Daniel Di Domizio, professor of theology at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wis. "In the Czech Republic, what accounts for nonreligion is almost anti-religion." The survey polled more than 16,000 Europeans in September and October. (WorldWide Religious News/Wall Street Journal)

* Czech programs recorded by HCJB World Radio producers in the Czech Republic and the U.S. air on seven local stations throughout the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Programs also air via Trans World Radio (TWR) in Europe. Staff are working with TWR to put Czech and Slovak programs on a 24-hour satellite service starting in September 2003. A weekly 15-minute program will begin broadcasting on an FM station in Slovakia in April. Programs also available on the Internet. The staff also publishes a magazine that is available in both Czech and Slovak.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS REMIND BELIEVERS TO PRAY FOR IMPRISONED PASTORS

Christmas lights are more than just decorations to WorldServe Ministries. They're a reminder to pray for the plight of imprisoned pastors and their families in China. WorldServe has launched its "Lights of Christmas" initiative, urging believers everywhere to pray every time they notice the "Made in China" tag that is often attached to strands of Christmas lights. The lights may have been fabricated by persecuted prisoners, many of whom are Christian pastors, as a way to boost the Chinese economy. The more than 1,000 imprisoned Christians in China can be subject to severe conditions and brutal beatings. Rather than calling for a boycott of the Christmas lights, WorldServe wants the lights to remind people to pray for underground churches and support the families of inmates. "Prisoners say that their biggest burden is not the torture of prison itself, but the concern they have for their families," says Tom Henry, minister-at-large for WorldServe Ministries. He said pastors in China are not given salaries, but typically live with host families who provide food and shelter and open their homes to serve as a church meeting places. If an underground church is discovered, both the pastor and the head of the home are arrested. Their families are forced to live on the street, and their work cards are taken away. (Religion Today)

35 NEW AGERS FIND CHRIST AT SPIRITUAL HEALING FAIR IN SWITZERLAND

About 35 New Agers found Jesus during a spiritual healing fair in Basel, Switzerland, in late November 2004, reported Pastor Daniel Hari who helped man a booth at the event. The PSI fair, also known as the World Congress for Spiritual Healing, claims to be the world's largest event of its kind. Hari and Stefan Driess of Manchester, U.K., rented a stand in the exhibition hall with the title, "Christocentric Healing," at which they held demonstrations every hour. Hari said that Jesus Christ can still heal today and invited the visitors to experience this for themselves. "After a simple prayer, we saw a whole series of healings," he said. "People felt a sudden warmth, symptoms vanished and a large number were interested in learning more about Jesus, including many who wanted to get to know Jesus." The stand became the most visited section of the exhibition. (Friday Fax)

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

 

   Zpět  Další zprávy: www.prayer.cz