When a faction of Muslim rioters in northern Nigeria posted leaflets warning Christians to leave or be killed, four missionaries with Christian Reformed World Missions fled the area along with 15 Nigerian Christian families.

Dave and Jan Dykgraaf of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Larry and Rose Van Zee of Pella, Iowa, braved a six-hour drive through the mostly Muslim regions of northern Nigeria on their way to a temporary safe haven in the central Nigerian city of Abuja Sunday, Feb. 16.

“The Catholic compound is nearly destroyed [in the northwestern town of Kontagora],” said Dave Dykgraaf in an e-mail message. “Reports are that many people were killed and burned last night…. In Gulbin Boka [a village about 25 miles north of Kontagora] we saw the letters that had been attached to the houses or shops of [Christians].” The letters, written in Hausa, read: “You Christians go back to your land. If you do not go back we will kill you.”

While threats may be linked to the widely publicized Danish cartoon depictions of the Islamic prophet Mohammed, there has been a long history of tensions among Christians and Muslims in northern Nigeria. The majority of residents in the north are Muslim, and 12 northern states have instituted sharia (Islamic law) which discriminates against non-Muslims. Most Christians in Nigeria live in the south. (Christian Reformed Church News)

* 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 with radio ministries in six cities with more in the planning stages.

FOUNDER OF CREATION SCIENCE MOVEMENT DIES AT AGE 87

Dr. Henry Morris, founder of the modern Christian creationist movement, has died in California at the age of 87. He passed away in the presence of his family the night of Saturday Feb. 26, after being hospitalized earlier this month following a series of strokes. Morris’s 1961 book, The Genesis Flood, helped launch the modern creationist movement which holds to the belief of a literal seven-day creation less than 10,000 years ago and a biblical worldwide flood. He also founded the Institute for Creation Research where he remained president emeritus after his retirement. Morris is the author of more than 45 books and numerous articles. He was a former faculty member at Rice University (1942-46), University of Minnesota (1946-51), University of Southwestern Louisiana (1951-56) and Southern Illinois University (1956-57). Morris also served as former head of the Department of Civil Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (1957-1970) as well as being former president of Creation Research Society (1967-1973). He leaves behind his wife of 66 years, Mary Louise, five children, 17 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. (Assist News Service/AgapePress)

LITERATURE MINISTRY CONTINUES IN IRAQ DESPITE ESCALATING VIOLENCE

As violence in Iraq continues to escalate, Open Doors remains committed to carrying out its ministry in the country. Last year the ministry distributed 20,000 Arabic children’s Bibles, set up 12 libraries for adults and children in churches nationwide, translated six children’s booklets and produced a special music cassette. This year copies of the handbook, Counseling Youth, as well as a newly published daily devotional called One Year Through the Bible and the “Chronicles of Narnia” series will be distributed throughout the country. Open Doors will also produce and print 40 brochures and leaflets concerning medical issues, opening opportunities to build bridges between Muslims and Christians. (Open Doors)

CHURCH INVOLVEMENT CRUCIAL TO FIGHTING HIV/AIDS IN RWANDA

Kay Warren, co-founder of Purpose Driven Ministries, is working to help stop the ravage of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Saddleback Church, where Warren’s husband, Rick is the senior pastor, has adopted a church-to-church global plan known as P.E.A.C.E., an acrostic that stands for planting churches, equipping servant leaders, assisting the poor, caring for the sick, and educating the next generation. The P.E.A.C.E. team found that the Rwandan government is launching new initiatives to fight HIV/AIDS, and church involvement is crucial. By overcoming stigma and opening their doors to meet community needs the true source of peace is brought closer to the people. “In some areas, there may not be a health center or clinic, but there are churches,” Warren said. “If churches can be providers of medication and testing, then it makes health care more accessible.” The first P.E.A.C.E. team will visit Rwanda later this spring. (Mission Network News)

JERUSALEM APPROVES TEMPORARY EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN CENTER

Jerusalem city officials have authorized the temporary establishment of an evangelical Christian worship center on the Mount of Olives. The Jerusalem Post reported that the center, a large prayer tent, will be established at the end of March behind the Seven Arches Hotel on the Mount of Olives facing the Temple Mount. A city spokeswoman said a provisional permit for the site has been approved by the city for March and April with possibility of being renewed for two additional months. “Its establishment comes at a time of burgeoning ties between Israel and the predominantly pro-Israel evangelical Christian community around the world,” the newspaper reported. Organizers hope that the center will become a permanent fixture and that the city will extend the interim permit. (Assist News Service)

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