The Indonesian government has completed the revision of a controversial decree on the establishment of places of worship. It requires that all religious faiths must review requests for permits to build places of worship and then provide recommendations to the local government. Back to the Bible’s Frans Silalahi says the requirement to plant a church is unique. “You have to ask permission from 70 people who are unbelievers to set up one church. That’s what the law says.” In order to build a church, the government also requires a membership of 100 people. “We (may not) have a chance to build a church any more, but it doesn’t mean there aren’t any more Christians in Indonesia,” Silalahi said. (Mission Network News)

PASTOR IN CUBA WRONGLY ACCUSED OF AIDING ILLEGAL EMIGRANTS

Cuban authorities jailed an evangelical pastor and former president of his denomination Monday, Feb. 20, on charges of aiding illegal emigrants. Relatives of the Rev. Carlos Lamelas said the allegations against him are groundless. “They accuse him of getting people out of the country illegally, which is a big lie,” said a relative. “If he had that kind of money, he wouldn’t be living with hunger like he is now.” Some sources believe police targeted Lamelas because he has challenged the Castro regime on religious rights issues. Police allowed his wife, Uramis, to visit him for 10 minutes on Monday, Feb. 27, one week after his arrest. She said he appeared exhausted and depressed and that he had been isolated from other inmates during his confinement. A family friend said Uramis has hired a lawyer, and has asked for prayer as she begins a legal battle to free her husband. (Compass)

PAKISTANI PASTOR ABDUCTED, TORTURED BY ISLAMIC KIDNAPPERS

At about 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, Rev. Joseph Praim was walking to his bank in Lahore, Pakistan, to pay a bill when a car stopped near him. Islamic preachers jumped out and grabbed him. A handkerchief was placed over his mouth, and he soon lost consciousness. Local sources said the pastor of the Full Gospel Assemblies Church was robbed and woke up in a dark room where he was tied up, beaten and threatened with death. His abductors told him, “You belong to Christianity and your Christian brothers made derogatory cartoons of Prophet Mohammad in Denmark; that’s why we are going to kill you.” After five days without food or water, he was finally left on the road, tied up. Praim is now in hiding as he recuperates from his captivity. (Voice of the Martyrs)

2 PROTESTANT CHURCHES IN BELARUS FACE INCREASING LEGAL PRESSURE

Two Protestant churches in Minsk, Belarus are facing increasing pressure because of restrictive registration laws, reported the Forum 18 News Service. Pastor Georgi Vyazovsky of Christ’s Covenant Reformed Baptist Church has been charged with holding unsanctioned religious services.

On Sunday, Feb. 5, a local district official entered Vyazovsky’s home as the congregation of 30 met for Bible reading and prayer. When a police officer arrived a few minutes later, the church members refused him entrance. The official responded by accusing the pastor of violating church registration laws. The court hearing against him is scheduled for Friday, March 3.

On Sept. 20, 2005, the Belarusian Evangelical Church had its legal status removed by a city court. Pastor Sabilo has since been ordered to pay all court costs related to the case. With just 12 members and living on a meager pension, Sabilo told the court that he was unable to pay the fine of 127,500 rubles (US$59). He was told that bailiffs would make an inventory of his property for confiscation. At last report, this has not yet happened. (Voice of the Martyrs)

SWAZILAND SEEKS ‘YOUNG HEROES’ TO HELP FAMILIES RAVAGED BY AIDS

Swaziland’s National Emergency Response Council on HIV/AIDS (NERCHA) has announced the inauguration of Young Heroes, a program through which people around the world can sponsor orphan families in Swaziland with monthly donations of food and clothing. With more than 42 percent of adults (age 15-49) infected, Swaziland has the highest rate of HIV in the world. UNICEF estimates that more than 70,000 children in the country’s population of 1 million have already lost at least one parent. “Our greatest desire is to encourage young people with advantages to help their peers who have little or nothing,” said NERCHA Director Derek von Wissell. A crucial goal of Young Heroes is to keep families together on their homesteads and in their communities where they have the most security and are surrounded by a familiar support system. (Religion Today)

* HCJB WORLD RADIO MISSIONARY APPOINTEE RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS HONOR Dennis “Dee” Walker, an HCJB World Radio missionary appointee preparing to serve as associate regional director for the Sub-Saharan Africa region, has earned a prestigious award after completing his academic pursuits with high honors.

Walker was elected into the Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges for outstanding merit and accomplishment as a student at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Ill. He obtained his Ph.D. in education last May.

This is an annual award given to outstanding campus leaders for their scholastic ability, participation and leadership in academic and extracurricular activities and community service.

Each school is permitted to nominate a limited number of candidates. Faculty members, deans, directors, department chairs and students themselves annually nominate individuals they feel are worthy of this recognition.

Walker is an assistant professor of education and coordinator of Students Services at Trinity’s REACH to Teach adult education accelerated program. Walker and his wife, Bendu, are in the process of raising support so they can serve with HCJB World Radio in Accra, Ghana.

Walker served in various faculty capacities in the U.S. during his studies at Trinity. He was an adjunct professor of education at DePaul University in Lake Forest, Ill., and an adjunct in church administration and ministry leadership at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Ill.

Before coming to the U.S. in 2001, Walker served as pastor and youth minister of the International Church of Monrovia, an interdenominational congregation started by SIM missionaries in Liberia. He also served as producer and programmer at SIM’s Radio Station ELWA, academic dean and faculty member at the Liberian Baptist Theological Seminary, and youth minister at Effort Baptist Church.

Walker received his bachelor’s degree with a major in biblical studies and a minor in broadcast communications from African Bible College in Yekepa, Liberia. He also earned a master’s degree in Christian education from the Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology in Kenya.

The Walkers have been married for 14 years and have three children, Denise, 12, Emmanuel, 8, and Joel, 7. (HCJB World Radio)

© Copyright 2006 - HCJB World Radio - Colorado Springs, CO USA