Zprávy HCJB 24.3.2005

 BĚLORUSKÝ PASTOR POKUTOVÁN ZA ORGANIZOVÁNÍ „ILEGÁLNÍ“ BOHOSLUŽBY
   Vjačeslav Gončarenko, pastor Církve Nového Života v Minsku v Bělorusku dostal v úterý 22. dubna pokutu 720 tisíc rublů (tj. 330 dolarů) za organizování „náboženského shromáždění bez státního svolení.“ Administrátor církve Vasilij Jurevič si stěžoval, že nebyla poskytnuta žádná příležitost k přípravě či přednesení obhajoby, protože Gončarenko byl předvolán teprve večer před slyšením, které proběhlo druhý den v poledne a na které členové církve vůbec neměli přístup. Nový Život byl úředně varován v prosinci, když Jurevič dostal pokutu za obdobné provinění. V případě druhého varování hrozí církvi, která se schází v opuštěném kravíně, soudní ukončení činnosti. Státní úředníci opakovaně odmítli, že by vedli proti této církvi s 600 členy cílenou kampaň, státní rozbor sesterského charismatického sdružení uveřejněný v roce 2000 však obsahuje varování, že jde o „významnou hrozbu“ pro běloruskou společnost. (Forum 18 News Service)

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 VŠECHNY ZPRÁVY V ANGLIČTINĚ
   COSTA RICAN CONGRESSMAN PROTESTS CLOSURE OF DOZENS OF CHURCHES

Carlos Avendańo, a leading evangelical member of Costa Rica's Congress, climbed the country's principal monument last week and spent several hours on the statue in one of San José's main parks to protest the closing of dozens of evangelical churches. Government officials admit to closing 37 churches because they lack restrooms or the noise from their services exceeds legal limits. Avendańo, a former Pentecostal pastor, however, says the number is closer to 80. Typical is the case of Holy Seed Church in San Isidro, closed since December following a neighbor's complaint about noise. The town's mayor recommended that the church be reopened because of its "excellent social and spiritual work" with drug addicts, prostitutes and alcoholics, but health officials refused to reconsider the case. Avendańo's protest prompted Delia Villalobos, Costa Rica's vice minister for health, to agree to negotiate with evangelical officials regarding the issue. (Compass)

PASTOR IN BELARUS FINED FOR ORGANIZING 'ILLEGAL' WORSHIP

Vyacheslav Goncharenko, pastor of New Life Church in Minsk, Belarus, was fined 720,000 rubles (US$330) on Tuesday, March 22, for "organizing religious services without state permission." Church Administrator Vasily Yurevich complained that there was no opportunity to prepare or present a defense since Goncharenko was summoned only the evening before the midday hearing, and members of the congregation were not permitted to enter the courtroom. New Life was issued an official warning last December after Yurevich was fined on similar charges. The church, which meets in a disused cowshed, faces closure under Belarusian law if it receives a second such warning. While state officials have repeatedly denied that they are waging a campaign against the 600-strong congregation, a 2000 state analysis of a sister charismatic congregation warns that it poses a "significant threat" to Belarusian society. (Forum 18 News Service)

SRI LANKA TO VOTE ON NEW 'ANTI-CONVERSION' LEGISLATION

The Sri Lankan government may adopt anti-conversion legislation in April when the decisive vote is taken on the "Act for the Protection of Religious Freedom." Approved in principle by the cabinet in June 2004, the act stipulates that no person should "attempt to convert or aid or abet acts of conversion of a person to a different religion." Christians say the pending law contravenes religious freedom guaranteed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Despite a Supreme Court ruling last year that declared a similar bill unconstitutional, many believe the act could pass. "Parliament will only vote against this bill if it is held under a secret ballot," a Methodist said. "Nobody will raise their hands in public to vote against it." If passed, the bill would give the courts power to jail offenders for up to five years and fine them up to 100,000 rupees (US$1,000). If the offence is committed against a minor, the maximum punishment would increase to seven years in prison or 500,000 rupees (US$5,000). The potential vote comes as Sri Lanka rebuilds following the devastation of the Dec. 26 earthquake/tsunami. Members of diverse religions have worked together to reconstruct their country, leading to a "dramatic decrease" in violent attacks against Christians. (Compass/Voice of the Martyrs)

TSUNAMI OPENS DOORS FOR LITERATURE OUTREACH IN INDONESIA

The Dec. 26 earthquake/tsunami continues to open evangelistic doors in Indonesia, says Cina Silva, Asia director for a ministry called Book of Hope. The disaster has opened up areas where the organization was not allowed to share the Book of Hope previously. "In the last two months we've been able to give out more than 300,000 copies of the book," she said. The publication tells the story of Christ in a way young people can understand. Silva recently returned from Indonesia with a team ministering to young refugees. "We were invited to help in the areas of grief counseling as well as just bring some light and joy into their lives (doing puppets, drama and songs)," she said. "The best part is being able to place in their hands the Book of Hope to bring a message of hope in a very dark situation." In addition to reaching children, many readers are passing on the books to their neighbors, multiplying the spiritual impact. The Book of Hope combines Matthew, Mark, Luke and John to tell the life story of Jesus Christ in chronological order. The plan of salvation is also laid out clearly at the end of the book. (Mission Network News/Book of Hope)

MINISTRY CELEBRATES 50th ANNIVERSARY WITH INCREASED GROWTH

Open Doors USA, a ministry that focuses on persecuted Christians worldwide, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and continues to see increased growth in ministry. The organization distributed almost 5 million Bibles and books to persecuted Christians in "hot spots" around the globe in 2004, an increase of 25 percent from the previous year. In addition, more than 138,000 Christian leaders were trained through pastoral education or seminars geared toward improving leadership skills. The ministry says development and literacy efforts are critical for persecuted Christians as they try to stand firm against oppression that often takes the form of job and educational discrimination. In response, Open Doors increased support of community development and literacy projects by 30 percent last year. (AgapePress)

SCHOOL ROUNDS UP ASPIRING MINISTERS TO REACH RURAL AREAS

A Texas ministry is training aspiring ministers how to lasso folks with the gospel who bale hay and tend cattle. At the School of Western Ministries in Midland, pickup-driving pupils don colorful cowboy shirts, jeans and belt buckles with messages such as. "Jesus Christ: Champion of Champions," the Associated Press reported. From Alabama to Australia, students come to western Texas to study how to teach the Bible in places where a barn might double as a sanctuary, and where horse tanks and farm ponds make do as baptisteries. "What we're trying to train these kids to do is what I've done for 30 years, and that is to actually go out in the boondocks where no one cares," said Glenn Smith, 70, whose ministry prints its own Bibles -- a King James version with drawings of cowboys on the front and back. Smith and his wife, Ann, started the school last year with an inaugural class of 16. Twenty students enrolled for this year's session which started in January. Each student pays tuition for 17 weeks of instruction geared toward those called to minister in rural areas. Students are awarded certificates of completion at the end of their coursework. (Religion Today/Charisma News Service)

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