Zprávy HCJB 5.7.2009 - 11.7.2009

 International Aid končí po 29 letech služby
   Michiganská agentura International Aid (IA) na základě souhlasu svého výboru ukončila od středy 1. července své operace. „Byly to těžké rozhodnutí pro nás všechny, kdo věří v misijní poslání organizace, ale neměli jsme prostředky k činnosti již ani na den,“ řekl Roger Spoelman, předseda výboru IA. Výkonný ředitel Gordon Loux ukončení činnosti oznámil 40 americkým zaměstnancům agentury. Ukončení postihne i 32 zaměstnanců na Filipínách a v Hondurasu. Agentura byla založena v roce 1980 aby poskytovala lékařskou pomoc, technologie, základní potřeby pro v chudé v rozvojových zemích a také naléhavou pomoc pro oběti přírodních katastrof. Loux řekl, že agentura bude pokračovat v dodávkách lékařského vybavení a zásob. Bude spolupracovat s prodejci a věřiteli postiženými ukončením činnosti a své partnery bude informovat o těchto změnách. Zdroj: Assist News Service
 
 Ve Švýcarsku proběhly oslavy 500. výročí narození Jana Kalvína
   Calvin500, týden trvající mezinárodní oslava 500. let od narození Jana Kalvína (10. července 1509), byla ukončena ve čtvrtek 9. července v Ženevě ve Švýcarsku. Oslavy v katedrále sv. Petra zahrnovaly 20 přednášek, 15 služeb spojených s výkladem. Vzpomínková spavnost byla zakončena banketem v restaurantu La Broche vedeným rev. Geoff Thomasem z Walesu. Později odpoledne mluvili Henry Krabbendam a arcibiskup Henry Luke Orombi z Ugandy na téma „Reformace a obroda.“ Slavností a proslovů se během týdne zúčastnilo asi 1000 lidí. Závěrečná kázání konference měli Ted Donnelly ze severního Irska, Hywel Jones z Walesu a Derek Thomas z USA. Výkonný ředitel oslav David W. Hall shrnul: „Nemůžeme být spokojenější – řečníci byli skvělí, byly to dosud jediná konference zaměřená na kalvinistickou bohoslužbu, naši hostitelé byli velkorysí, nemůžeme být spokojenější. Byl to životní zážitek. Zdroj: Christian Newswire
 
 Všechny zprávy v angličtině
   VETERAN HCJB GLOBAL MUSICIAN LOIS VÁSCONEZ DIES AT 83

Source: HCJB Global
Longtime HCJB Global missionary Lois Hatt Vásconez died Thursday, July 9, in Quito, Ecuador, after a valiant battle with cancer. She was 83. A memorial service was held in Quito the following day.

Lois retired from the mission on Jan. 1, 1996, after having served for more than 42 years, but she continued to be active, helping in music ministries and teaching piano lessons long after retiring.

Born in Ohio on Oct. 16, 1925, she attended schools in Adrian, Mich., and graduated from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago in 1946. With a sacred music degree, Lois joined the staff of Grand Rapids School of the Bible and Music (now Cornerstone University) in Grand Rapids, Mich., heading the music department and serving as dean of women.

Besides composing two choruses and a hymn, she founded and directed a 20-voice mixed group, the Choralaires, at Grand Rapids School of the Bible and Music. She also led a ladies’ quartet, and decades later said, “That’s the kind of music that I really, really enjoy arranging!”

In 1953 Lois attended Spanish language training in Costa Rica, arriving as a single missionary with HCJB Global in Quito the following year. Interviewed in 2007, she cited a motto that God gave her in those years, “Music for His Glory,” based on Psalm 28:7. With this focus on music, she assisted in making programs that aired on Radio Station HCJB in Russian, German, Japanese, English and Spanish for the international shortwave radio station.

In 1960 Lois married Oswaldo Vásconez, an Ecuadorian working at Radio Station HCJB. Oswaldo also served as assistant to the director of Hospital Vozandes-Quito. Lois and Oswaldo have three adult children, Elena and Sandra, living in the U.S., and Oswaldo Jr., who has served as medical director at the same hospital.

In the 1960s Lois began accompanying HCJB Global’s Vozandes Choir and Orchestra that has performed at the annual mission-sponsored Quito Days Concerts. She also directed the vocal ensemble, Conjunto HC, which performed at functions nationwide year round.

“Lois was very active in the mission’s music ministry during the days when we needed live music for each program,” said former HCJB Global President Ron Cline. “At times she worked harder than anyone else on the program, sometime making changes right before a song was performed. She always did this with the most positive, encouraging attitude. That was who she was--one who was ready, willing and able to do what needed to be done.”

Performing in concert halls, churches, schools, military bases and malls, the Vozandes Choir was invited to sing at the presidential palace many times throughout the years. Lois directed concerts for Ecuadorian presidents Rodrigo Borja and Sixto Durán Ballén.

In 2007 Lois was honored by Quito’s city council in a statement that read: “Besides serving more than 40 years as pianist for the Coro Vozandes, she has worked to help the needy, among other humanitarian deeds, as a missionary with HCJB Global in Ecuador.”

Describing her as giving “service to the culture of our country and the city of Quito as a carrier of joy and hope,” the council recognized Lois for spending more than 50 years in Ecuador. She was presented with a pergamino (illuminated parchment) and a medallion for her service.

Although not formally trained in music education, Lois first began giving piano lessons to neighbor children in exchange for rides to Adrian, Mich. Her student load in Quito reached as high as 40. While she taught few students later in life, Lois continued giving lessons until near the time of her death.

“She was very gifted as a pianist, arranger, director and music teacher,” said HCJB Global-Canada Director Ian Leaver. “Musically, she was best known for her knowledge of Latin American music and mastered all genres of Latin music on the keyboard.”

“A wonderful, musically talented, much-loved colleague is with the Lord,” added Jim Allen, vice president of team development. “In all of our years of travel, we have been asked about Lois more than any other HCJB Global missionary. She made a real impact on lives from her teen years in Bible school to her last days on earth. What an incredible lady!”

CHRISTIAN GROUPS CALL FOR PEACEFUL RESOLUTION TO POLITICAL CRISIS IN HONDURAS

Sources: Lutheran World Information, Bible League, Mission Network News
Christian groups in Honduras are calling for a peaceful solution to the political crisis in Honduras following ouster of President Manuel Zelaya in a military coup Sunday, June 28. The congress of Honduras then appointed Roberto Micheletti as interim president.

Ishmael Noko, general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), expressed “great concern” about the situation in a July 2 statement. He said the communion of 140 member churches feared the “instability and polarization of society provoked by these events” would undermine “hard-won development gains, fostering widespread social upheaval and worsening conflict in the country.”

The LWF is calling for the reinstitution of the democratically elected government of Honduras and the resumption of the constitutional and political process in Honduras. Noko also urged the cessation of all police and military action against civilians in Honduras and the release those detained in protests.

“The nation is under siege,” stated a Bible League press release. “There is a 9 p.m. curfew for the entire country, and public meetings have been prohibited, including religious services.” Violent clashes erupted and protesters both for and against Zelaya have taken to the streets in the country’s capital of Tegucigalpa.

“This impacts the evangelical church community dramatically, since believers have not been able to meet or fellowship together,” said a Bible League official. “But we continue to monitor the situation and have faith that through this crisis the Christian community will unite together in prayer and continue its mission to share God’s Word, which transcends politics.”

Kathy Redmond of Compassion International said this crisis has affected the organization’s work in Honduras. “We had closed our child development centers in Tegucigalpa temporarily,” she explained. “We’ve now reopened them, but they’re basically on alert.” Compassion provides food, trade skills for mothers and other services to keep kids off the streets.

Scott VanderKooy of Worldwide Christian Schools said there is “great concern amongst the school leadership and the teachers over what’s going to happen next. For the time being, we have diverted our short-term mission trips to other countries until we have a better understanding of how the leadership change is going to affect the projects.”

* HCJB Global partner ministries Radio HRVC in Tegucigalpa and Radio El Shadday in Siguatepeque continue to broadcast a message of hope amid the turmoil in Honduras.

INTERNATIONAL AID CEASES OPERATIONS AFTER 29 YEARS OF SERVICE

Source: Assist News Service
A Michigan-based agency, International Aid (IA), ended operations on Wednesday, July 1, after its board agreed to shut down the organization. “While this was a tough decision for all of us who believe in the mission of the organization, we simply do not have the resources to continue even another day,” said Roger Spoelman, chairman of the IA board. Acting Chief Executive Officer Gordon Loux informed the agency’s 40 U.S. employees, about the shutdown which also affects 32 employees in Honduras and the Philippines. Founded in 1980, IA provided healthcare services, technology, training and supplies to the poor in developing countries in addition to emergency aid for those affected by natural disasters. Loux said the agency will continue shipments of medical equipment and supplies. He will be working with vendors and creditors affected by the shutdown as well as notifying IA’s various corporate partners about the change.

CELEBRATION IN SWITZERLAND MARKS 500TH BIRTHDAY OF JOHN CALVIN

Source: Christian Newswire
Calvin500, the international quincentenary (500th anniversary) celebration of John Calvin’s birth (July 10, 1509), concluded in Geneva, Switzerland, on Thursday, July 9, after a week of activities. The celebration included 20 academic lectures, 15 expository sermons and numerous associated meetings at St. Pierre Cathedral. The commemoration concluded with a closing luncheon at Restaurant La Broche with Rev. Geoff Thomas of Wales addressing the banquet. Later that afternoon, Henry Krabbendam and Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi of Uganda spoke on “Reformation and Revival.” Nearly 1,000 participants took in the festivities and addresses during the week. The conferences concluded with sermons by Ted Donnelly from Northern Ireland, Hywel Jones from Wales, and Derek Thomas from the U.S. Executive Director David W. Hall summarized: “We could not be more pleased--the speakers were superb, this has been the only conference to date to focus on Calvinistic preaching, our hosts were simply magnanimous, and we could not be more pleased. This has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

INTERNATIONAL PRISON MINISTRY OPENS FIRST FIELD OFFICE IN AFRICA

Source: Christian Newswire
A ministry that focuses on biblically based re-entry education of prisoners has opened a new distribution center in Ghana. The eighth international distribution center is the first such center on the African continent established by Crossroad Bible Institute (CBI). A native Ghanaian, Rev. David Kwadwo Ofosuhene will serve as the center’s director. Ghana’s prisons lack appropriate sanitation, food production areas and medical care. In addition, the prisons hold almost double the number of people they were built to hold with many prisoners waiting years before a trial. Ofosuhene has gained permission from the government for opening of CBI Ghana and has already recruited and trained 23 volunteer instructors to distribute and correct CBI’s Bible study lessons. These instructors will hand deliver the lessons and their letters of encouragement to 12 different prisons. The organization will also provide inmates with practical supplies such as me dicine, soap and food.

* HCJB Global represents the Voice and Hands of Jesus in a growing number of partner stations and medical ministries across Sub-Saharan Africa from its regional headquarters in Accra, Ghana.

CRAIG WILLIFORD NAMED PRESIDENT OF TRINITY INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Source: Trinitytown.com
Craig Williford was named president of Trinity International University by a vote at the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) Leadership Conference in Eden Prairie, Minn., on Thursday, June 25. “Dr. Williford combines an engaging personality with proven success in higher education spiritual leadership, growth and fundraising,” said Bob Kleinschmidt, chairman of the university’s board of regents. “In his eight years at Denver Seminary, God used him in a mighty way to turn the school around and put it on a solid financial footing. In the very difficult economic times that we and all in our present world are facing, such strong and experienced leadership is more important than ever.” Trinity, based in Deerfield, Ill., has more than 2,900 students from 45 countries.

EVANGELICALS TAP EXPERT ON REFUGEES TO REPLACE CONTROVERSIAL LOBBYIST

Sources: Crossworld, Religion News Service
The largest evangelical organization in the U.S. tapped a veteran expert on refugee settlement and international relief efforts as its new top lobbyist in Washington, D.C. Galen Carey has been named director of government affairs for the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE). Carey, 53, has worked for more than 25 years with World Relief, the NAE’s humanitarian relief agency. Carey succeeds Richard Cizik who resigned last December amid pressure from critics. Cizik has angered some evangelicals with his outspoken work on the environment and apparent support for same-sex civil unions expressed during an interviewed aired by National Public Radio.

COLOMBIA’S REARMED PARAMILITARY GROUPS THREATEN, ATTACK PROTESTANT PASTORS

Source: Christian Solidarity Worldwide
At least 10 Protestant pastors of the northern Colombia’s Córdoba region have come under threat from rearmed paramilitary groups in the last six months. Attacks and threats have led to the forced displacement of church leaders and their families. In each case, men claiming to represent the Black Eagles, a paramilitary organization with a heavy presence in the area, have contacted church leaders to demand the collaboration of the pastors and their churches. When the pastors refused to cooperate, they were told they would be considered legitimate military targets. Also, one pastor reported being kidnapped and beaten. Another had a live grenade thrown at his home while he and his family were asleep. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) partners in Colombia and the Commission for Restoration, Life and Peace are calling on the government to address the increasing instability in the region. “We call on the U.K. parliament and the European Unio n to urge the Colombian government to properly investigate these recent brutal incidents and to work to eradicate illegal armed groups in the region without further delay,” said CSW National Director Stuart Windsor.

* Together with local partners, HCJB Global Voice broadcasts the gospel on FM stations in four Colombian cities. The ministry also continues to air Spanish programs across the country and all of Latin America via shortwave from Quito.

SONS BORN TO COPTIC CHRISTIAN MOTHER IN EGYPT STILL CONSIDERED MUSLIMS

Source: Compass Direct News
A Christian mother in Egypt has won custody of her twin sons from her estranged husband who had converted to Islam and claimed them according to Islamic legal precepts. The boys, however, will still be considered Muslims despite their desire to remain Christian. On Monday, June 15, the Egyptian Court of Cassation ruled that Kamilia Gaballah could retain custody of two of her sons, Andrew and Mario, even though the father converted to Islam and the boys’ religion also changed as a result. If the court does not allow them to return to Christianity, the family will open up another court case, said their older brother, George Medhat Ramses. The decision overturns a September 2008 ruling by the Alexandria Appeals Court that had granted custody of the twins to their father, Medhat Ramses Labib, due solely to his conversion. During this time Gaballah lived in constant fear police would take away her sons. The ruling also affirmed Egypt’s Personal Stat us Law which states children should remain with their mother regardless of religion until age 15.

IRAN SCRAPS MANDATORY DEATH PENALTY FOR ‘APOSTATES’

Source: Compass Direct News
A member of Iran’s parliament reportedly revealed that the country’s Parliamentary Committee has stricken the mandatory death penalty for those who leave Islam from proposals for an amended penal code. Citing a BBC report, U.K.-based Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) announced that a member of Iran’s Legal and Judicial Committee of Parliament, Ali Shahrokhi, had told the Iranian state news agency of the decision to eliminate the mandatory death penalty amendment which had drawn international protests. The committee had come under intense international pressure to drop clauses from the Islamic Penal Code Bill that allowed stoning and made death the mandatory punishment for apostates. The bill must now pass through a final parliamentary vote before being sent to Iran’s most influential body, the Guardian Council, which will make a ruling. Iran has been criticized for its treatment of Christians, Baha’is and Zoroastrians who have all suffered under the current regime.

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