Two native Gospel for Asia (GFA) missionaries in Haryana, India, were recently attacked while showing the “Man of Mercy” film about Jesus, reported GFA President K.P. Yohannan in an e-mail report. More than 200 villagers had gathered to watch the film in the courtyard of a believer’s home when a group of young Hindu militants attacked and started beating the missionaries. When some of those watching the film tried to rescue the believers, they were also attacked. Police came to restore order, but as soon as they left, about 1,000 radicals surrounded the house, shouting anti-Christian slogans and threatening the believers. “Miraculously, God intervened and the owner prevented them from entering his property,” Yohannan said. (Gospel for Asia)

CHRISTIAN AID WORKERS FORCED TO LEAVE QUAKE-AFFECTED AREA OF INDIA

A Christian missionary organization engaged in relief and rehabilitation work in India’s remote Jammu and Kashmir regions has been forced to abandon its operations after survivors held protests, accusing workers of using earthquake relief as a means to carry out conversions. Senior Police Superintendent Baramulla Ashkoor Wani said that members of the Kashmir chapter of the Bible Society of India were engaged in relief and rehabilitation work in the villages of Madiyan and Kamalkote. Villagers alleged that the missionaries were distributing religious material in the garb of “relief” and promising the people money and houses “in lieu of change of faith.” Locals said the missionaries recently distributed gas cylinders, water bottles, audio cassettes and copies of the Urdu New Testament to each family in the villages. Police are investigating the accusations. The area was ravaged by a massive earthquake on Oct. 8, 2005. (WorldWide Religious News/UNI)

* Radio programs in 12 languages (English, Urdu, Hindi, Nepali, Chattisgarhi, Bangla, Bhojpuri, Tamil, Telegu, Marwari, Marathi and Santhali) air to India from HCJB World Radio-Australia’s shortwave station in Kununurra. The programs are produced at the ministry’s studios in New Delhi, India.

MINISTRY TOUCHES YOUNG PEOPLE ACROSS FORMER SOVIET UNION

In 15 countries across the former Soviet Union, Young Life is impacting the lives of countless young people through various ministry outreaches. Young Life’s regional director for the former Soviet Union, Gary Parsons says there are many similarities in Young Life work everywhere with club meetings and sports ministries. There are also outreaches to orphans, disabled children, drug addicts and the homeless. Parsons also points out the differences. “…almost all of our ministry operates out of centers that are in the center of the cities, and they’re open, a lot of times, 18 hours a day. So they’re a safe place for kids to come and go, and that’s really where a lot of our ministry takes place.” As the ministry was being developed, Young Life saw the importance of having a national staff. “The best thing we can do is to develop a ministry that will stand alone,” Parsons said. “We really hoped along the way and prayed for great nationals that we could hand it off to.” Young Life has 40 full-time nationals leading the way in the region, with a group of 300 to 400 volunteer leaders who are working alongside the staff. (Mission Network News)

* HCJB World Radio reaches across Russia with a variety of radio ministries. The mission began sending gospel broadcasts across the country via shortwave in 1941, first from Quito, Ecuador, and in recent years from the U.K. In the early 1990s the ministry began “planting” local radio ministries in Russia and now works with partners nationwide. In 2000 HCJB World Radio helped launch New Life Radio, the first Christian Russian satellite radio network. More than 63 downlinks have been placed in more than 42 cities across Russia and neighboring countries.

CHRISTIAN WEBSITE IN U.K. SEEKS CARTOONS PROMOTING PEACE

Christians from around the world can have a positive influence in the controversy surrounding the European cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed that enraged Muslims and led to riots in several countries. The U.K.-based Christian news website (www.thegoodnews.co.uk) is inviting visitors to submit cartoons or illustrations that show how people of all nations and faiths can live in peace. “It seems right to promote peace at a time when there has been so much ill feeling caused by these cartoons,” said editor Howard Dobson. “I hope our readers rise to the challenge and send in illustrations that really get the message of peace across.” The Good News was initially launched as a newsletter in Hull in 1994 and evolved into a website in April 2004. (Assist News Service)

INTERNET COUNSELING MINISTRY HELPS PREVENT MANY ABORTIONS

A ministry that specializes in counseling people who are considering abortions has found that the Internet is a valuable tool. CareNet is a call line that offers information to women who may be considering an abortion, or even to men faced with a crisis pregnancy. Funded by the Life Donor Network, CareNet handles about 10,000 calls and e-mails per month. Spokeswoman Kristen Hansen says most calls come from people who have no idea where to turn and often have no information about the true nature of abortions. The outreach has helped countless women, and the Internet is now playing a large role by getting their information out to the public. “About 70 percent of the women who are looking for help on the Internet are strongly considering abortion as an option,” Hansen said. “We have seen that 60 percent of our calls and e-mails coming into our call center are from the Internet. When we connect these women to a pregnancy center in their local community, nine out of 10 of these women will choose life for their unborn child.” Hansen says it is amazing how people change their mind once they have accurate information and find out that giving a child life is always the best choice. (AgapePress)

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