Ongoing violence in Somalia has kept Christians there on edge following the recent attack on a house church. On Tuesday, Jan. 2, in the southern Somali town of Tayeglow, 200 miles from the capital city of Mogadishu, the leader of a house church gathering was hit by gunfire and assumed dead until he regained consciousness an hour later. Human rights organization International Christian Concern (ICC) reported, “He is currently seeking medical care, and his status is critical. The gunman is reportedly still threatening other Christians in the surrounding area.” A BBC reporter recently spotted five bodies with gunshot wounds in two different areas of Mogadishu where attacks against Christians have increased since Islamists were ousted last month. (BosNewsLife/Evangelical News)

TSUNAMI AID LEADS TO GROWTH OF 2 CHURCHES ON INDIA’S COAST

The people in eastern India’s coastal city of Nagapattinam were hit hard by the tsunami in December 2004, many losing their families, homes and possessions. One to One International had a desire not only to help the survivors with practical needs, but also to establish two churches in the area. In the years since the tsunami, One to One workers helped bury the dead, spent months doing grief counseling and outreach and shared about hope in Christ to the hopeless. Their diligence in speaking to the brokenhearted has resulted in the growth of two vibrant churches that are helping the new believers become more mature in their faith. One church has more than 150 members, and the second has 11 adults and 20 children. Many in the fishing community are now mending their nets and boats and returning to fishing to earn a living. (Christian Newswire)

* Radio programs in 17 languages air to India from HCJB Global-Australia’s shortwave station in Kununurra. The programs are produced at the ministry’s studios in New Delhi, India.

SURVEY: U.K. YOUTHS RECEPTIVE TO CHRISTIANITY, NOT ATHEISM

A new British survey carried out by Communicate Research for Premier Christian Radio shows that British young people between the ages of 18 and 24 are more open to faith-based dialogs that any other age group in the U.K. Christians received the most open audience with 74 percent of people in this age group, saying they were willing to listen to them talk about their faith. Some 63 percent were willing to listen to Jews, followed by Muslims at 62 percent and atheists and Buddhists, tied at 56 percent. Peter Kerridge, chief executive of the Christian media group, believes the lack of interest in atheism can be attributed to the media’s acceptance of major religions. “From footballers to reality TV contestants, people are talking openly and positively about their faith,” he said. Kerridge, a Baptist minister, credited young adults’ increased interest in Christianity to the steadily growing home mission projects in churches nationwide. “We have seen that spirituality and faith still play an important part in British culture,” he said. (Assist News Service)

NEW ZEALAND MUSIC FESTIVAL DRAWS 30,000 TO JOYCE MEYER FINALE

The highly popular New Zealand Christian music festival, Parachute 07, set new records for attendance at Mystery Creek near Hamilton, New Zealand. A new grand finale worship service the evening of Sunday, Jan. 28, featuring American evangelist Joyce Meyer drew crowds of nearly 30,000. The atmosphere of the event was one of excitement coupled with cordiality and respect not often seen in such large gatherings. Police reported almost no incidents involving alcohol, drugs or disorderly behavior. More than 100 bands on seven stages, from debut acts to top international performers, provided the entertainment. The Sunday-evening service with Meyer was a first in the event’s 16-year history, also drawing numerous people from older generations than in previous festivals. (Assist News Service)

KAZAKH BAPTISTS DENIED PRESIDENTIAL AUDIENCE ON REPRESSION

Baptists in the Central Asian country of Kazakhstan learned that President Nursultan Nazarbyev is too busy with “important affairs” to meet with them about 40 of their church members who have been fined for their role in worship services since harsher legal restrictions on religion took effect in July 2005. The Council of Churches Baptists, which has more than 100 congregations scattered across Kazakhstan, refuse on principle to register with the state believing this leads to unwarranted official intrusion into their internal affairs. In an official letter to the Nazarbyev sent in late December, the Baptists sought a meeting with him to discuss harassment of their congregations. However, they received no official response, and the head of Kazakhstan’s Religious Affairs Committee, Amanbek Mukhashev, stated, “Instead of tearing the president away from important affairs, the Baptists would do better to register their churches and not violate the law.” (Forum 18 News Service)

* HCJB Global Voice is bringing words of hope and encouragement to people across Central Asia via radio. Together with partners, Christian broadcasts go out in languages such as Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tajik, Turkmen, Uzbek, Southern Uzbek and Urdu.

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