The recent execution of a North Korean Christian who was caught with two Korean New Testaments in his possession has prompted the World Bible Translation Center (WBTC) to rethink its Scripture distribution. Because the government now likely knows what the Bibles look like, WBTC is working with missionaries to put the Korean Scriptures in other, less-recognizable formats. By altering or disguising the simple one-color covers, the organization is hoping to protect the safety of the men and women who are putting their lives on the line for God’s work. Open Doors reports those who possess or distribute the Bible in North Korea are subject to a minimum 13-year prison sentence and a maximum sentence of death. Reports of swift executions continue to trickle out of the country. (Mission Network News)

IBS ANNOUNCES AWADHI BIBLE FOR 20 MILLION NORTH INDIA SPEAKERS

On Sunday, Dec. 17, 1,500 people gathered in northern India at the Central Methodist Church in Lucknow as Mayor Dinesh Sharma presented the first Awadhi translation of the Bible. Awadhi is a language spoken by more than 20 million people in northern India and for centuries had only been written in poetic form. The International Bible Society (IBS) and a team of native Awadhi speakers pioneered the translation which is the first prose literature ever written in the language. IBS gave away 1,200 copies at the celebration. One person who traveled long distances for a copy explained, “Finally, God can talk to me in my language, and I can talk to Him from my heart. I have been talking to Him in a borrowed language, and that barrier is gone now.” Methodist Bishop S. R. Thomas said at the gathering, “It is a historic event that fulfills the dream of the Christian community to have the Word of God in their mother tongue after 2,000 years of Christianity. I am thankful to the International Bible Society for undertaking the translation which is a masterpiece.” (International Bible Society/Evangelical News)

CONGOLESE HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER AGAIN JAILED DESPITE ILLNESS

Prominent human rights lawyer and mother of four Marie Therese Nlandu has been returned to a Congolese prison despite being gravely ill. Nlandu, who was charged with inciting insurrection and possessing illegal firearms on Dec. 11, briefly received medical treatment for a severe lung infection, but was returned against medical advice to Makala Prison in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, before her treatments were completed. Nlandu’s hearing was postponed until Wednesday, Jan. 24, due to her health. Nlandu had originally traveled from the U.K. to the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2006 to contest the country’s presidential election. She was first arrested upon inquiring into the disappearance of six of her male colleagues. Charges against her are associated with an attack on the country’s Supreme Court that occurred after she was already detained. Sources fear that it may be in the interest of certain political forces for Nlandu to die in prison. Nlandu’s husband, Noel, a professor, spoke of his family’s shock and distress. “I never expected such a thing to happen to Marie Therese,” he said. “She is so righteous.” (Christian Solidarity Worldwide)

* HCJB Global Voice works with local partners in the Democratic Republic of Congo to broadcast the gospel on Christian stations in Boma, Bukavu and Kinshasa. Programs go out in English, French, Kikongo Fioti, Lingala, Luba and Swahili. Weekly programs in the Songe and Kikongo San Salvador languages also air from local FM stations in the country.

STUDY: HOUSE CHURCH MORE SATISFYING THAN TRADITIONAL CHURCH

A recent Barna Group study may shed light on the growth of the house church movement in the U.S. The national study compared the satisfaction level of those who attend independent, nondenominational house churches with those who attend a conventional church. Overall, house church attendees were significantly more likely to be “completely satisfied” with their experience. The study compared four dimensions of the church experience: satisfaction with leadership, satisfaction with the commitment of other attendees, satisfaction with the level of community and personal connectedness, and satisfaction with the spiritual depth they experience. Two-thirds of house church attendees (68 percent) were “completely satisfied” with the leadership of their church, compared to only half of those attending a conventional church (49 percent). Similar ratios of satisfaction levels were revealed in all four dimensions. The research also found two groups being attracted to house churches. The older participants, largely from the Baby Boomer population, are Christians who are seeking a deeper and more intense experience with God and other believers. The other segment consists of young adults who are interested in faith and spirituality but have little interest in the traditional forms of church. (The Barna Group/Religion Today)

‘GLOBAL FAST 2007’ MOVEMENT UNITES WORLD TO FIGHT POVERTY

Young Harvard graduate Rich Halverson envisioned a worldwide movement to feed the poor, fight injustice and foster peace. His brainchild, Global Fast 2007, provides an opportunity for unity in fasting and prayer for the benefit of needy around the world. Scheduled to coincide with Ash Wednesday, Feb. 21, which marks the beginning of traditional fasting for Lent, Global Fast 2007 is asking participants to donate the money they would have spent on food that day to the poor through charity partners associated with the movement. “I wanted to create a simple thing, something that everyone can do that would truly make a global impact,” Halvorson said. “If we all give up our food together for one day, how many lives can we impact permanently? We believe that fasting and prayer can create both individual and international change.” Eric Lanier, vice president of the newly launched GodSpace.com, added, “The impact that Global Fast can have on the world, both physically and spiritually, shows the true power that exists in uniting Christians through prayer and self-sacrifice. This is the power of a unified church at work!” (Christian Newswire)

© Copyright 2007 - HCJB World Radio - Colorado Springs, CO USA