In mid-June a 14-man crew led by adventurer and speaker Dr. Bob Cornuke returned from Iran with evidence of the long-anticipated discovery of Noah’s Ark. The explorers, funded by the Bible Archaeology Search and Exploration Institute, included business, law and ministry leaders, including apologist Josh McDowell. The strange, 400-foot-long object lies at an elevation of 13,120 feet and appears to be made of hundreds of large wooden hand-hewn beams that have been petrified to blackened rock. The surrounding rock is all a lighter brown color. Expedition member Arch Bonnema, president of Joshua Financial, commented, "These beams not only look like petrified wood, they are so impressive that they look like real wood. This is an amazing discovery that may be the oldest shipwreck in recorded history." Cornuke remains cautious, but enthusiastically optimistic. A recent test showed the petrified wood included a marine fossil that only could have originated undersea. (Christian Newswire)

UPDATE: HIGH COURT GRANTS RELIEF TO MISSION IN INDIA

The High Court in the capital of northwestern India’s Rajasthan state reopened the bank accounts of Hopegivers International’s India partner Emmanuel Mission International (EMI) which had been frozen since February. This will allow Hopegivers to reopen its 66 schools and Bible schools on time, continue operating its orphanage, and begin taking new patients at its hospital. "At least 20,000 people will be affected by this," said Hopegivers’ spokesman Bill Bray. This could indicate that local officials will be unable to prove the reasons they revoked EMI’s licenses when the matter goes to court on Tuesday, July 4. Bray said he believes the latest developments are the result of believers’ prayers around the world. EMI Founder M.A. Thomas and his son, President Samuel Thomas, remain in hiding while charged with "anti-nationalism." It is uncertain when the case against them will be heard. (Mission Network News)

* Radio programs in 17 languages 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.

15 CHRISTIAN PRISONERS ESCAPE MILITARY TRAINING CAMP IN ERITREA

Fifteen Christian prisoners reportedly escaped from a military training camp in Asabe, Eritrea, in northeastern Africa in the early-morning hours of Tuesday, May 16. The group attempted to cross the desert into the neighboring country of Djibouti after being held for two years in metal shipping containers because of their faith in Christ. Two days after their escape, military police found five of the prisoners dead from exposure. At last report the 10 others had not been found, and it’s uncertain if they have successfully crossed the border. The prisoners’ lives are in great danger if they remain in Eritrea. (Voice of the Martyrs)

STUDIES SHOW THAT BELIEVERS USE SECULAR MEDIA MORE THAN CHRISTIAN

Research released in the July-August edition of Facts & Trends Magazine show that Christian media is being used by most Protestant churchgoers and pastors. However, Christian media is only a fraction of the overall media in use. The two separate studies, one sample of clergy and the other of adult church attendees, asked each group about their use of Christian and secular media such as magazines, websites, television, radio, movies and music. The study revealed that among churchgoers Christian music is used by an average of 72 percent but makes up only 42 percent of their overall listening. Sixty-four percent listen to Christian radio, but only on an average of 37 percent of the time. Overall, churchgoers use secular media more often than media designated as Christian. Protestant clergy make much greater use of Christian media, but rarely rely solely on Christian media outlets. (Assist News Service)

LUIS PALAU’S SON RELEASES SEQUEL TO POPULAR SKATEBOARDING FILM

Kevin Palau, son of evangelist Luis Palau, has released a sequel to the popular hard-charging, evangelistic skateboarding film, "Livin It." The film, produced by Livin It Productions, a ministry of the Luis Palau Association, premiered Wednesday, June 21, in Newport Beach, Calif. Called "Livin It LA," the film was directed by Hollywood actor and Christian Stephen Baldwin who is driving across the country to promote the film in a customized truck, dubbed the "Lord’s Lounge." Baldwin, an avid skateboarder when younger, encouraged Kevin Palau to make the first film when he had been a Christian for only six months. The film focuses on several top skaters who, according to Palau, are "top pros, but they’re very on fire, committed to their faith in Jesus Christ." (Assist News Service/Luis Palau Association)

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