Local government officials arrested four members of the Full Gospel Church in Vietnam’s Thanh Hoa Sunday, June 18, reported Jubilee Campaign. Two of the four church members were also “severely beaten” after being arrested during a prayer meeting. The four were forced to sign a statement saying they would no longer meet to study the Bible. Pressure on the church began at Easter when members were told they could not celebrate the holiday. They have since been repeatedly intimidated and beaten, being told the village would not tolerate Protestantism. Jubilee’s contact in Hanoi, a lawyer who asked not to be identified, has attracted the attention of the communist party and may be in danger for posting reports of religious liberty abuses online and with the BBC. (Assist News Service)

FIRE LEVELS 64,000-SQUARE-FOOT HUMANITARIAN WAREHOUSE IN HOUSTON

A 64,000-square-foot warehouse in Houston, Texas, belonging to the aid group Christian Alliance for Humanitarian Aid burned to the ground on Monday, June 19. The warehouse was full of food and medical supplies for the Houston area as well as 32 countries in which the alliance operates. It is a member of a “compassion coalition” headed by Somebody Cares America. The organization works with 2,000 churches and organizations around the world to provide aid and disaster relief. Last year it sent more than 1 million meals to victims of Hurricane Katrina. Executive Director Curtis Wilke says the organization is already searching for a new location and refuses to allow the catastrophe to end its humanitarian ministry. (Evangelical News)

AFRICAN BISHOPS CRITICAL OF U.S. EPISCOPAL DECISIONS

Africa’s Anglican bishops are attacking their U.S. counterparts for failing to condemn homosexuality at the U.S. Anglican convention last week. After meeting in Kampala, Uganda’s capital city, the bishops wrote an open letter opposing the pro-gay stand of the U.S. denomination and the first gay bishop in the Anglican communion. Nigerian Archbishop Peter Akinola, head of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa wrote, “Our churches cannot reconcile this with the teaching on marriage set out in the Holy Scripture and repeatedly affirmed throughout the Anglican communion.” The schism dates back to 2003 when U.S. Episcopals ordained an openly gay bishop and Canadian Anglicans began blessing same-sex unions. The African bishops believe homosexuality is unbiblical, un-African and morally wrong and call on the U.S. church to cease flouting centuries-old Anglican teachings and repent. (WorldWide Religious News)

WORLDWIDE BIBLE DISTRIBUTION DECREASES IN CONTINUING TREND

The United Bible Societies (UBS) in Reading, England, reported a 4.6-percent decrease in the number of Bibles distributed worldwide since 2004. UBS figures show 372.6 million Bibles, New Testaments and Scripture portions were distributed in 2005, continuing a downward trend. Since 2000 distribution of printed Scriptures has decreased steadily by 41.2 percent. Only one yearly rise was recorded since that time (from 2001 to 2002). A Bible Society spokesperson explained these statistics don’t necessarily point to a decreased interest in God’s Word. The increasing use of electronic media such the Internet, CDs, radio and television are not recorded in these statistics. (Religion Today)

U.S. TROOPS TURNING TO CHRIST, SHOW HIGH DEMAND FOR SCRIPTURES

With more than 2,500 U.S. soldiers killed in the Iraq war, Bible Pathway Ministries is working to make sure all U.S. troops have the opportunity to know Christ. “As an indirect consequence of the war in Iraq the Lord is drawing members of America’s Armed Forces into His kingdom in record numbers,” says Ken Sharp of Bible Pathways. “We cannot keep enough of the military edition devotional commentary of Bible Pathway on hand to fill all the requests.” The ministry has already printed and distributed almost its entire supply from two printings of 10,000 copies each. One military chaplain encourages stateside families to participate in the devotional as well. “If the deployed moms and dads record some of the Scriptures, their families at home can hear their voices as they read along. That can be a very special and comforting time for the ones left behind,” he says. (Mission Network News)

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